Everest Base Camp Tour in Nepal vs Tibet: Which to Choose

Sitting right on the border between Tibet and Nepal lies the world-famous Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Known in Tibet as Chomolungma, and in Nepal as Sagarmatha, this massive mountain sits at 8,848 meters. The international border between China and Nepal runs over the summit point.

The southern camp is situated in Nepal, while the northern camp lies in Tibet Autonomous Region, and both campsites are used by mountain climbers on their way up and down the mountain. No matter which way you choose, it must be one of the most outstanding adventures in your life.

Basic Facts: Nepal EBC vs Tibet EBC

South Everest Base Camp in Nepal

The southern base camp lies in the Khumbu Region of Nepal, at an altitude of 5,364 meters above sea level. It is one of the most popular trekking destinations in the country. The only way to get to the base camp is by a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, followed by trekking. The trek covers a distance of around 130 kilometers round trip, involving an ascent of over 2,750 meters.

The best time to trek to EBC is in the spring and autumn months, from March to early May and mid-September to early November. Taking the trip to EBC in Nepal, you can obtain various travel experiences, including enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Himalayan, and experiencing the different Sherpa culture.

North Everest Base Camp in Tibet

The Tibetan Everest Base Camp is situated at an altitude of 5,200 meters and lies just four kilometers from the famous Rongbuk Monastery, and the camp lies around 699 kilometers from Lhasa, along the route that is taken by most tours on the plateau.

The best time to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet is from around April to the end of October. Taking the trip to EBC in Tibet, you can have a close view of Mt. Everest peak, and have a taste of the sunrise and sunset in the mountains and the unique landscape.

Best Time to Visit: Nepal EBC vs Tibet EBC

Best Time to Visit EBC in Nepal

For Nepal, the best time to tackle the long trek to EBC is normally from mid-September to early November. In these months, the region is mostly dry, with no rain with clear skies after the rainy season, so you can enjoy Mt. Everest panorama in clear weather.

Though temperatures are not hot, you need warmer clothes at night. The EBC trek in Nepal is also possible at other times, including February and December, before the heavy snows of the Himalayas set in and start to make the trekking too cold and harsh. It can be a lot colder than spring and autumn, but with the lower temperatures and fewer clouds, the view of Milky Way is more spectacular than autumn.

Best Time to Visit EBC in Tibet

In Tibet, the peak period for visiting EBC is longer than in Nepal, running from April to the end of October. Through spring and autumn, it is the ideal time to visit the stunning base camp at the foot of the world's highest mountain, with great views of the summit.

In the summer, from June to August, it is still a great time to visit EBC, and while there may be a few light showers, this area of Tibet sees a lot less rain in the monsoon season than the eastern areas.

You can even visit the base camp in the depths of winter, as the roads to EBC are kept well-cleared of snow. The weather in winter may be colder, especially at night, but it is pleasant during the day with comfortable temperatures and amazing clear views of the summit.

Travel Documents to Obtain: Nepal EBC vs Tibet EBC

Documents to Visit EBC in Nepal

If you are planning to take the trek to EBC in Nepal, then you may be surprised at the requirements you will face. While you can get into Nepal with just a passport and visa, you do need certain permits to trek to EBC.

The first permit required for trekking inside the Sagarmatha National Park area, where EBC is located, can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Monjo for a cost of around 48 dollars including tax.

If you are planning to include Jiri in your trekking route, you will also have to get the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit, as parts of the trek via Jiri fall in this area. The permit costs around 28 dollars from the tourism office in Kathmandu.

And if you are planning a trip via Jiri, then you will still need to obtain a TIMS card from the Tourism Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) in Kathmandu.

Since October 1, 2018, a new permit has also been imposed on trekkers in the Everest region of Nepal. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit replaces the need to have the TIMS card, and can only be obtained from the local government offices in the Khumbu Region, which can be found in both Monjo and Lukla.

The permit costs around 28 dollars, and is valid only for the trek from Lukla to EBC. If you are taking the route via Jiri, then you also need to have the permits for Jiri and the TIMS card as well.

Documents to Visit EBC in Tibet

If you are planning to visit EBC in Tibet, then there are a number of documents and permits that you will need for the trip. Aside from the usual visa to enter China, you will also need:

Tibet Travel Permit – This is required for entry to Tibet and to travel around in the area of Lhasa.

Alien’s Travel Permit – Required for travel to the “unopened” areas of Tibet outside Lhasa, including Shigatse.

All these permits to Tibet EBC, with the exception of the visa for those entering from mainland China, can be obtained by us. In order to keep a smooth trip to Tibet Mount Everest Base Camp, we will help you to prepare all required travel documents before your departure. Just book your trip with us now.

How to Get There: Nepal EBC vs Tibet EBC

Nepalese Side: Trek to Everest Base Camp

For those trekking to EBC in Nepal, it is better to make an arrangement by a company for convenience. The route to EBC in Nepal starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, where the trek starts.

From there, the route takes you up first to Phakding, and then on to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) on the second day, where you normally spend a day acclimatizing. From Namche, you continue on up to Tengboche (3,900m) and Dingboche (4,400m), where you will once again stop for a day to acclimatize. Because of the high altitude with lower oxygen levels, the trek requires some physical strength or we will leave a day for trekkers to adapt to this change when you climb higher.

After Dingboche, the trek runs up to Lobuche and then to Gorak Shep. The trek to EBC is normally done on the day of reaching Gorak Shep, and trekkers make the hike to the camp and back to Gorak Shep before it gets dark. The following day, most trekkers tend to make the hike to Kala Patthar, a ridge above Gorak Shep that has the best views of the summit. The summit of Mount Everest cannot actually be seen from the base camp, as Mount Lhotse lies in between.

Tibetan Side: Overland or Trekking to EBC

The best way to get to EBC in Tibet is on a pre-arranged tour, which is the only way you can do it, since individual travel in Tibet is not allowed. The tour normally includes a couple of days of acclimatizing in Lhasa, and sightseeing too, including the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.

Outside Lhasa, you will travel through Gyantse to visit the Pelkor Chode monastery and the Kumbum Stupa, and in Shigatse, you get to stop in at the Tashilhunpo Monastery, home of the Panchen Lama. After leaving Shigatse, the route takes you to Tingri on the Friendship Highway, and then turns south to travel along the Zhufeng Road for 100 kilometers to the base camp.

Trek from Tingri to EBC is also available. This is a world-class hiking route. This 70 kilometers journey can be divided into 4 days. You will start from Tingri to Geura Pass, and then to Zakka Valley, through Quzong to Rongbu Temple, then finally reach the camp. The EBC trek in Tibetan side will be much easier with a gradual altitude ascent compared to that of the Nepalese side.

No matter which way you choose to visit EBC in Tibet, we can help to handle your trip. All your accommodation and attraction tickets are arranged for you, and you get to travel with a professional guide who can answer all of your questions about the plateau region and the mountain.

Scenery and Highlights: Nepal EBC vs Tibet EBC

What to See to Visit EBC in Nepal

After preparing for the Sagarmatha National Park Permit, you can visit Sagarmatha National Park. As a famous climbing area, it has long been popular with hikers.

When hiking in the park, you will not only meet Sherpa villages but also get a sense of their culture. There, you will find most of the house was made of stone, but they are used for livestock now.

Along the route to EBC in Nepal, you can enjoy the wonderful vegetation and you can place yourself in this wide world, seeing the Himalayan peaks.

What to See to Visit EBC in Tibet

For tourists who choose Tibet EBC, you will get a chance to have a close view of Mt. Everest peak, and appreciate stunning sunrise and sunset view of the summit, which can be an unforgettable experience in your life.

During this way, you will view the unique Tibetan landscape which has a wide range of glaciers and snow-capped mountains. Also, along the road lies many Buddhist monasteries which can glut your eyes about Tibetan culture.

Then towards Gawula Pass to see Himalayan peaks at 5,210 meters above sea level. At Gawula Pass, you will see the passes of five 8,000-meter snow mountains.

Accommodation and Dining: Nepal EBC vs Tibet EBC

Accommodation & Dinning in Nepal EBC

For the Nepal base camp, there are a variety of tea houses and lodges along the trekking trail. Trekkers to EBC in Nepal can stop in Gorak Shep, which has four tea houses with basic facilities. Trekkers often have to share rooms, as this is the most popular trek in Nepal with a large number of tourists, especially in the peak seasons.

In Nepal, tea houses along the trek, including at Gorak Shep, provide a range of foods for all meals, from eggs, toast, and potatoes to stews, curries, dal baht, and noodle dishes. There, not only can you choose Nepalese, and Tibetan foods, but it also serves international cuisines. The higher you get, the less food will become less and the prices become higher, and at the end of the trek in Gorak Shep, it is best to steer clear of meats that have taken several days to be ported to the tea houses.

Accommodation & Dinning in Tibet EBC

In Tibet, there are mainly two options for accommodation: the Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse and the Tent Guesthouses. Both are pretty basic accommodations, with only basic facilities. But they do not have running water or shower facilities, so you have to use a tub of cold water to wash. Hot water is only available for drinks and snacks, although there are basic toilet facilities, featuring a Chinese squat toilet over a hole in the ground. For those touring EBC in Tibet, we make all the arrangements for the accommodation for you, based on availability.

In Tibet, there are normal meals you can enjoy at both the tent and monastery guesthouses, often including yak meat, noodles, etc. If you are not a fan of local food, then you can bring instant foods and make them at the guesthouses or get a pressure cooker to heat fresh snow-melt water in the rivers.

Conclusion

Traveling to EBC in either Tibet or Nepal is an amazing adventure, and there is nothing like standing in the shadow of the world's highest mountain. While the trek to EBC in Nepal is an awesome experience, for those that are not into trekking, it is a much more comfortable experience to take the trip across the Tibetan plateau to the northern EBC.

Our Everest Base Camp Tours in Tibet allow you to enjoy stunning sights of the plateau landscapes and monasteries along the way, as you relax in comfortable vehicles. Join us now for a unique and unforgettable experience in Tibet!