While you may be able to find good quality accommodations in larger cities of Tibet, at Everest Base Camp, the accommodation is a lot simpler. Generally, you have two options for staying overnight at EBC: the tent guest house set up by local Tibetans; the Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse. You can also find better accommodations near EBC. Read on to know for details.

Tent Guest Houses at EBC - Closest Accommodation to See Mt. Everest

The tent guest house at EBC is a popular option for international travelers to the area, and gives you an authentic experience of how Tibetan nomads live every day. The tent guest houses are located at the base camp, offering a great view of Mount Everest's summit. This allows you to closely capture photos of the massive peak.

However, the guesthouses are only available from April to October, as it is too cold and arid in the winter months. Once winter comes, the tents are all packed up and removed, to be erected again in the next spring.

Facilities of Tent Guest Houses

The tent guest houses at Everest Base Camp are temporary setups run by local Tibetans to provide overnight accommodation for tourists. They provide comfortable and clean beds with enough blankets, as well as simple food for dinner and breakfast.

Each tent guest house normally can accommodate around ten people, and you will be expected to share the space, as it is not possible to rent the whole tent just for yourself. The tent guesthouses do not have indoor toilets, which are found outside the tents, a short distance away, in small wooden huts.

Hot water is always available in the tents, as the stove is constantly lit to provide boiling water for tea, and meals, as well as to give heat to the tent. It can be cold at night, despite this, so it is advisable to bring a good quality sleeping bag and plenty of warm clothes to stay comfortable.

Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse - Popular Accommodation in Winter

The guesthouse of Rongbuk Monastery lies just across the road from the monastery, making it one of the world’s highest guesthouses. Located at the same altitude as the monastery (4,980 meters), the guesthouse is open throughout the year, and offers a good view of the mountain’s high peak during sunset and sunrise, perfect for capturing memorable photos.

During winter months, the Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse is the only place to stay close to the base camp. But in the summer months, it can be very busy, and tent guesthouses may be the only available option. Nevertheless, due to its proximity to the monastery, the guesthouse remains a popular choice for many domestic tourists during the summer season.

Facilities of Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse

The monastery guesthouse, while not as basic as the tent guesthouses, still offers basic facilities. Showers and room heating are not available, although shared areas and the reception area do have heating.

Most of the rooms in the guesthouse can accommodate up to five adults, and during peak season, there are dorm rooms that can even sleep up to ten people. Twin rooms are available but are in high demand, so booking well in advance is recommended, especially for travelers and couples. All rooms come with amenities such as electric blankets, power sockets, lamps, hot water bottles, and are designed to protect against the cold winds outside.

The rooms in the guesthouse are clean and decent, and the entire guesthouse is set around an internal courtyard. The toilets are also clean and of a better standard compared to the huts at EBC, although they can be cold during winter months. The guesthouse's dining room serves simple Chinese and Tibetan dishes, as well as a variety of drinks like tea, coffee, and milk.

Other Accommodations near EBC

If the tent guest house and Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse are not available or are not your preferences, there are other options for accommodation near the Everest Base Camp in Tibet. The following are two other accommodations you can consider:

Guest Houses at Tashi Dzom

Tashi Dzom is a small village located around an hour away from EBC, and offers a few modest guesthouses and hostels. At around 4,155 meters, the village is at a lower elevation compared to the base camp and Rongbuk Monastery. And if you want to sleep at a lower elevation for the benefits against altitude sickness, Tashi Dzom is the closest location to EBC.

The Cho Mo Lang Ma Ben Ba Guest House is the best of a few poor options in Tashi Dzom, but it is still a decent place to stay as a basic guesthouse. The rooms can accommodate up to four people, and it's important to note that sharing may be necessary, especially during peak months. While the rooms are clean, they are basic and equipped with communal squat toilets.

The guesthouse does provide bedding, but it is recommended that you bring your own sleeping bag for a cozier night's sleep. Additionally, the guesthouse has a small restaurant which offers a variety of Tibetan dishes, as well as a few other Chinese dishes, to cater to different culinary preferences.

Hotels in Tingri

Old Tingri lies back on the Friendship Highway, around 100 kilometers from the base camp and Rongbuk, and about 506 kilometers from Lhasa. At an altitude of roughly 4,300 meters, it is lower than EBC, and is often used by trekkers as a base camp before starting their trek to Everest Base Camp.

More of a town than the smaller settlements towards EBC, Tingri has better facilities such as running water, electricity, and even a place to take a bath. There are several hotels that you can choose from, and while they may not offer the same level of luxury as those in Lhasa or Shigatse, the facilities are adequate.

One recommended hotel is the Tingri Everest Shanghai Hotel, offering average facilities and is a decent place to stay during the long trip from Lhasa. Rated as a standard two-star hotel in Tibet, it has three deluxe suites and 36 standard twin rooms, all equipped with IDD telephones and bathrooms with hot running water.

The hotel’s restaurant offers a wide range of Chinese and Tibetan dishes, along with various western options, and the small bar offers a good range of local, Chinese, and international drinks.

The Tingri Bebar Hotel is another option worth considering, located on the main road from Lhatse and featuring the distinct Tibetan hostel style. The single-story building provides each dorm room with shared toilets and bathrooms, as well as a solar-heated water supply.

The beds are clean, and the rooms are relatively comfortable and warmer than those at the Rongbuk and EBC guesthouses. While the hotel is pretty basic, the restaurant serves good food, mostly Tibetan cuisine, with a few Chinese dishes. Additionally, the friendly and helpful staff make this hotel the best in the small town.

Tips for a Comfortable Stay at EBC Tibet

When planning a stay at Everest Base Camp (EBC) in Tibet, it's important to be well-prepared for the challenging environment. Here are some tips to ensure a comfortable stay:

1. Clothing: EBC experiences extremely cold temperatures, even in summer, so packing warm clothing is crucial. Bring thermal layers, insulated jackets, waterproof boots, gloves, hats, and extra socks. It's also essential to have a good quality sleeping bag rated for sub-zero temperatures to stay warm during cold nights.

2. Food: While basic meals are available at the guesthouses at EBC, it's advisable to bring some snacks, energy bars, and other non-perishable food items. This can come in handy when hiking or if the availability of food is limited due to weather conditions.

3. Personal toiletry: Basic toiletries may be limited at EBC, so it's important to bring your own. Pack items such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer, soap, toothpaste, and other personal hygiene products. Keep in mind that the facilities at EBC may be basic, and it's best to come prepared.

4. First-aid kit: Carrying a well-stocked first-aid kit is crucial for any remote location, including EBC. Include items such as altitude sickness medication, bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, blister patches, and any other necessary medications. Consult a medical professional before your trip to ensure you have the right supplies.

5. Acclimatization: EBC is located at a high altitude, and it's important to acclimatize gradually to prevent altitude sickness. Spend a few days at lower elevations before reaching EBC, stay hydrated, and avoid strenuous activities.

Conclusion

The accommodation options at Everest Base Camp in Tibet are basic, with only tents and Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse available. Hostels and hotels in Tingri and Tashi Dzom are slightly better, though still basic. Despite the simplicity of the accommodations, the chance to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Mount Everest makes the experience truly unforgettable for tourists. So, don't hesitate to visit Mount Everest! Join us, and we can help ensure a worry-free trip to Tibet.