Everest base camps

Mount Everest, located in Nepal, has two main base camps on its north face and south face. Both camps are unique and geographically occur in two different countries, offering various natural and cultural aspects. This article tends to give detailed information on two main bases of the world's highest peak. 

South Everest base camp 

South Everest base camp in Nepal is the most popular among trekkers and climbers. It is the last destination of Everest base camp trek, Nepal and beginning point of Mount Everest expedition from south col. It en route Gokyo Cho La pass, Gokyo lake trek and Everest three passes trek. Only climbers are authorized to set up camps and stay overnight in the south EBC. 

South base camp is located in Khumbu region at 5364 m above sea level. Trekking and heli-flight are the two ways to reach this point. The South EBC trek is highly popular in the world and offers magnificent views of mountains and landscapes. The Sherpa villages, their culture, tradition and hospitality are roots to elaborate the trekking in Khumbu region. 

North Everest base camp

North Everest base camp is the popular holiday destination in Tibet Autonomous region. It en routes the Advanced base camp for trekking and Everest Expedition north. The elevation of North EBC is 5210 m. The Tibetan cuture, dry land and great Himalaya are it’s major attraction. It is in restricted area so we cannot stay overnight here. 

Everest north vs south side

Trekking

The north face of Mount Everest offers trekking to Advanced Base Camp at 6400 m. It takes 12-14 days from Lasha to Lasha. 

Highlight of Everest north base camp trek

• Amazing beauty of Himalaya including Everest’s north face.
• Rongbuk monastery, the highest monastery in the world
• Explore Lhasa, Shigatse, Tingri
• North EBC (5180 m), Interim camp (5800 m), Advanced base camp (6340 m)
• Glacial moraine and snowy landscape

The south Everest base camp offers 14 days trek from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. Lukla is the starting point of the trek. It is tea house trekking fascinated by Sherpa’s hospitality.

South Everest base camp trek highlight

• Thrilling flight to Lukla
• The bank of dudh Koshi
• Sherpa villages: Phakding, Monjo, Jorsalle, Namche bazzar, Khumjung Dingboche
• The Everest view hotel at 3880 m
• The great view of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserkhu and many more peaks of Mahalangur range
• Everest base camp (5364 m)
• Kalapatthar (5644 m)

Temperature

Both base camps: north and south have very low temperature in the night while the day temperature remains moderate in spring and autumn.

Average temperature of Everest North vs. South Base Camp

The temperature profile shows that the northern part is colder than the southern part of Everest. December is the coldest month in both regions. May is the month with the highest temperature in North whereas June is the hottest in south. 

Why north base camp is colder than south base camp?

The north base camp is colder than south base camp due to dry climatic conditions on Tibetan Plateau. The lower humidity, naked hills and dry air are the main reasons to make the northern side cooler than the southern side. 

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is the major difficulty in Everest base camp trek. The rising altitude with low atmospheric pressure and low oxygen increases the chance of altitude sickness in both camps of Mt. Everest. 

Trekkers start trekking from Lukla and take 8 days to reach Everest south base camp. The gradual increase in elevation reduces the chance of altitude sickness in South EBC. 

Trekkers can reach North EBC by driving and ultimately reach higher elevations in a short duration of time, which increases the chance of altitude sickness. 

Best time to trek

Autumn (March, April, May) and spring (September, October, November) are the best times for the south Everest region. The moderate temperature, good weather, and clear view of mountains based on the past historic data make spring and autumn the best times to trek to South Base Camp.  The changing climate and global warming are affecting the weather of the Himalayas as well. We cannot predict the weather, and sometimes we cannot get a good view of the mountains in selective months also.

Winter (December, January, February) and monsoon season (June, July, August) are considered unfavorable for trekking in base camps. The lowest temperature in winter and rainy, foggy, and cloudy weather with slippery trails during monsoon will ruin the trekking. 

The northern part of Mount Everest is colder than the southern part; thus, April to mid-June and September to mid-October is the best times for the north face of Everest. 

Spring is the best climbing season on the summit of Everest from both north and south face. 

Permits

Permits are essential for entering the conservation area. Since, the entire Everest region is under conservation on both Nepal and China, we required different permits to for trekking and expedition.

South Everest base camp permit:

• Sagarmatha national park permit (SNP permit): Trekkers can get the SNP permit from Sagarmatha entrance point Monjo. The permit is obtainable upon processing.
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit: The entry point in Lukla provides the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu rural Municipality permit for all trekkers in Everest region.

North Everest base camp permit

• Tibet travel permit: Tibet travel permit is required for all foreign travelers to enter Tibet. We need Tibet entry exit dates and travel itinerary to get this permit.
• Alien’s travel permit: Alien’s permit is very important to enter the sensitive area of Tibet such as north Everest base camp.
• Military permit: Military permit is required for visiting the special area around the north base camp.
• Local (Shigatse county) checkpoint permit: This permit is needed to travel on certain roads of Lasha.

Accommodation

We can get the best tea houses for night stay on the route to Everest south base camp. There is normal to luxury accommodation available on the EBC trekking route where we can get the best facility for a night stay. There are no teahouses for overnight stays at Everest base camp. Setting camp is possible for trekkers but it will be more expensive than overnight in Gorekshep.

Setting camp is not allowed for trekkers in north base camp due to being restricted area. Only expedition team can stay for climbing north col and summit from north. Staying at Rongbuk monastery and driving is ideal for trekkers. We can reach the viewpoint of the North face of Mt. Everest within 45 minutes from the monastery. Trekkers can visit the camping site and start trekking to Advanced base camp from the view point. 

Difficulty

Trekking to the southern slope of Everest is moderately difficult. Day to day hiking or heli tour are the two ways to reach the South base camp. We should acclimatize in Namche bazzar and Dingboche, walk slowly, drink plenty of water, and take good rest to remain unaffected by altitude sickness. 

We can reach north base camp by driving so the difficulty level is comparatively lower. Even though, we need to acclimatize in lower elevations, either in Gyantse, Shigatse, Tingri or Rongbuk. 

Everest base camps: south vs north

Summary: Everest base camps

The main base camps of Everest: north and south are popular among trekkers and climbers. The stunning beauty of mountains and landscape is unique from both camps. If you are strong enough to walk 135 kilometers in 12 days then trekking to south base camp is best option while unable to walk, everest heli tour or driving to nothern base camp is fruitful. Proper preparation of trek support for successful trekking and climbing via base camps.