Trekking to Everest Base Camp to closely admire Mt. Everest in its full splendor is atop the ultimate travel bucket list for outdoor enthusiasts. As the great Himalayas straddle the border between the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Nepal, trekkers face two choices for the Everest Base Camp trek.

So, if you are torn between choosing Tibet Everest Base Camp or Nepal Everest Base Camp trek, we are here to help!

In this article, we will compare the Everest views, trekking itinerary, altitude gain, trekking season, accommodation, cost, and other differences between the Tibet EBC trek and the Nepal EBC trek to help you make an informed decision about which EBC trek is best for you.

Location and Elevation of Tibet Everest Base Camp and Nepal Everest Base Camp

Tibet Everest Base Camp (5,200m) is located in the core region of Qomolangma (Everest in Tibetan) National Nature Reserve, Tingri County, Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It was originally built in 1924 for expedition teams as the base camp to the summit of Mt. Everest.

To preserve the fragile ecosystem in the Everest Region, normal travelers are not allowed to visit this expedition Everest Base Camp. Instead, you can explore and overnight at the tourist Everest Base Camp (5,010m), a few hundred meters away, and take selfies with the “Mt Qomolangma Base Camp” marker, which indicates that you are at 5,200m above sea level, with the jaw-dropping north face of Mt. Everest at the backdrop.

Travelers take photos with Mt. Everest base camp marker at Tibet EBC.

On Nepal’s side, the Nepal Everest Base Camp (5,364m) is situated in the Sagarmatha (Everest in Nepali) National Park, Khumjung, Nepal. Established in 1950 at an altitude of 5,364 meters, it was the starting point of the climbing route used by Sir Edmund Hilary on his first successful summit of the mountain.

Travelers have to first fly to the small town of Lukla and hike the remaining 65 km. Unlike Tibet Everest Base Camp, the peak of Mount Everest can't be seen directly from Nepal Everest Base Camp. Views of the peak can be seen from nearby Kala Patthar.

View of Mt. Everest at Nepal Everest Base Camp.

Most Classic Trekking Itinerary: Tibet EBC Trek vs Nepal EBC Trek

The classic trekking route to Tibet Everest Base Camp starts from old Tingri and takes four days. It is usually done as part of the 12-day Lhasa to EBC trekking tour. After you’ve finished touring Lhasa and Shigatse and having fully acclimatized to the altitude in the first five days and then set out by road to old Tingri for trekking via Shigatse.

12 Days Classic Trek from Tingri to EBC via Ra-chu Valley

Tour Route: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Shigatse - Old Tingri - Trekking to EBC - Sakya - Lhasa

Price from USD1443 p.p

Trekking to Nepal Everest Base Camp involves a much longer route. It is usually done on a 14-day trekking tour from Lukla to Everest Base Camp and descend back to Lukla. There is no paved road leading to the trailhead of Nepal Everest Base Camp, so travelers must take a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the start of the trekking route.

17 Days Nepal Everest Base Camp Trek Tour

Tour Route: Kathmandu - Phakding-Namche Bazaar-Tengboche- Dingboche- Lobuche-Gorakshep- Everest base camp-Kathmandu

Price from USD p.p

Altitude Gain during the Trek: Tibet EBC Trek vs Nepal EBC Trek

The Tibet Everest Base Camp trek involves ascending around 800 meters, given the highest pass at Lamna La (5,150m). Most trekkers begin by arriving in Lhasa (3,656m), already at a high elevation.

You can spend three days in Lhasa for acclimatization. It takes two days to drive to the starting point of the trek, allowing time to rest in Shigatse (3,836m) and old Tingri (4,348), so the final 800-meter ascent over four days can be done safely.

Travelers explore Potala Palace and get acclimatized to high altitude in Lhasa.

While the Nepal EBC trek starts at Lukla with only 2,860 meters, so acclimatizing is best done during the trek. The total altitude gain of the Nepal EBC trek is 2,504 meters, which can be evenly distributed over a 10-day ascent.

The first acclimatization place is at the peaceful Namche Bazaar (3,440m), and the second is at Dingboche (4,410m). Both are picturesque locations at mid-points in the ascent, spend 2 nights there respectively for rest and sightseeing.

Spend two nights at Namche Bazzar for acclimatization during Nepal EBC trek.

Scenery, Mt. Everest View, and Cultural Encounter: Tibet EBC Trek vs Nepal EBC Trek

Tibet is in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, which leads to a more barren but still stunning landscape. Trekking on the towering Tibetan Plateau, the views on the trek from old Tingri are more open.

You can see peaceful remote Tibetan villages and off-the-beaten monasteries tucked away in Ra-chu Valley, with a chance to meet the yak herders and visit their families. The unobstructed north face of Mt. Everest (8848.86m) will take your breath away.

Trek from Old Tingtri to Tibet EBC.

The Nepal EBC trek is the greener route, at least in the beginning. It starts by passing through verdant valleys and along rivers. The range of temperate, subalpine, and alpine zones has a wide variety of flora, fauna, and landscapes.

With rest days for acclimatization in Dingpoche and Namche Bazeer, there is time to mingle with the locals. You can immerse yourself in the Sherpa culture and visit the museums and Buddhist gompas.

Travelers enjoy mountain view on Nepal EBC trek route.

Best Trekking Seasons: Tibet EBC Trek vs Nepal EBC Trek

April to early June and September to October are believed to be the best time for Tibet EBC Trek with relatively warm, crisp air and high visibility, free from the clouds. So trekkers are assured to have an amazingly clear view of Everest's peak.

Nepal's best trekking season is different. The monsoon season has heavier rainy periods that can block or make trekking routes difficult to pass. October to December is considered the best season for the Nepal EBC trek. The skies are blue and crystal clear, and the weather is very warm, in the low to mid-20s.

Accommodation for Trekkers: Tibet EBC Trek vs Nepal EBC Trek

On the four days of the Tibet Everest Base Camp trek, camping is the only option in the open wilderness with comfortable campsites. The local Tibean guide will help you arrange the yaks and the porter to carriage the luggage, tents, and supplies.

Once you reach EBC for tourists, you can stay in a comfy Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse with tap water, a western toilet, clean bedding, an air conditioner, and a great window view of Mt. Everest. Or you can choose budget-friendly Yak tent hotels (mid-April to October) with double rooms or dorm beds accommodating up to 10 people. Learn more about the hotels at Tibet EBC.

Camping in the wilderness during Tibet EBC trek.

On the Nepal side, there are more accommodation options. Major stops along the route, such as Phkakding, Namche Bazaar, and Lobuche, have many hotel and guesthouse options. It is possible to stay in luxury in these places.

Other stops on the Nepal trekking route offer simple accommodations at teahouses. These are run by local families and have basic facilities. There are usually campsites as well for travelers bringing their own tents.

Clean and comfortable teahouse hotels during Nepal EBC trek.

Different Dining Options: Tibet EBC Trek vs Nepal EBC Trek

During the Tibet EBC trek, you can rely on your local guide to cook tasty local dishes like Tibetan noodle soup, dried yak meat, yark meat & potato stew, or serve you with refreshing Tibetan sweet tea. He can also cook Chinese food like stir-fried shredded potatoes, tomato egg stir-fry, etc. Each guide has his/her specialty.

Trekkers can bring their own food. Instant noodles, and simple dried food that can be easily boiled and eaten is suitable for the trek.

Travelers are having dinner with local Tibetan guide in the yak tent house.

Dining options are more plentiful on the Nepal EBC trekking route. The major stops have many restaurants with local and international cuisine, including Korean, Chinese, and Italian restaurants. There are often nice cafes and even bakeries.

Other stops, such as Gorak Shelp and Dughla, offer more simple fare. However, there are still plenty of favorites, such as chicken curry and pizza rolls. Prices tend to be higher the more remote the location.

Local food during Nepal EBC trek.

Different Travel Policies & Cost: Tibet EBC Trek Vs Nepal EBC Trek

For the Tibet EBC trek, overseas travelers have to pre-book their guided tour with a local Tibet travel agency like us. You need to apply for the Chinese Tourist Vista first and depend on your Tibet travel agency to apply Tibet Travel Permit for Tibet entry.

A sample of Tibet Travel Permit.

The great news is that the following citizens can enjoy Chinese-visa-free policy. So, simply email us the image of your passport information page, and then, we can help you process your Tibet Permit for free

Countries with Visa-Free Entry

For the Nepal EBC trek, you can either travel independently or hire a local guide who can help ensure your safety and introduce you to the local culture and history.

Traveling to EBC requires a Trekking Information Management system card (TIM). It can be obtained at the Tourist Service Center in Kathmandu. The cost is 2,000 NPR (15 USD). There is also an entrance fee to Sagarmatha National Park, where EBC is located. The entrance fee is 3,000 NPR (22 USD).

So, Which Everest Base Camp Trek Is Best for You?

Well, as the Tibet EBC trek and the Nepal EBC trek involve utterly different trekking experiences and views, the question depends on what you are looking for.

If you have limited time and prefer to enjoy the Mt. Everest view in its full glory with a longer EBC trekking season, embarking on the Tibet Everest Base Camp trek is the best bet for you. From Tingri, the trek is only four days, and it's possible to make the entire return journey by car.

If you love more diverse scenery and prefer to trek individually, the Nepal EBC trek will be a better choice for you. It's a longer trek requiring greater fitness and stamina but also less expensive than the Tibet route.

Conclusion

No matter whether you make the trek to EBC in Tibet or Nepal, it is an unforgettable journey through some of the world's most unique landscapes. At Tibet Visa, we have local offices in both Lhasa and Kathmandu and can arrange EBC trekking for all types of travelers. Contact us for more information, and start planning your Everest adventure today.