Everest Base Camp Nepal vs Everest Base Camp Tibet

Topping all the other tourist destinations in Nepal and Tibet, Everest Base Camp is justifiably recognized as a Mecca for adventurous travelers. As the mighty Mt. Everest (8844.43m) straddles the border between Nepal and China, two Everest Base Camps actually exist to the opposite of Great Himalayas.

The north base camp is situated at an altitude of 5200m (17,056ft) in Tibet Autonomous Region, China whereas the south one is based in Nepal with an elevation of 5364m (17,597ft).

Though bearing an identical name, visiting Everest Base Camp in Nepal and Tibet involves a completely different experience.

If you are now racking your brain, trying to figure out which Everest Base Camp could be the best choice for you, just follow our travel expert's detailed analysis below, and learn more of these two Everest Base Camps to make the right decision.

EBC Nepal VS EBC Tibet: Travel Essentials at a Glance

Everest Base Camp in Nepal (South EBC):

Location: Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
Altitude: 5364m (17,597ft)
Travel Documents: Nepali Visa, TIM card (or Rs 2,000 for entering Everest Region)
Best Time to Visit: April to May; Oct to early Dec.
Transportation to EBC: Trekking; Helicopter
Tour Duration: 14 days from Lukla and back
Accommodation: Teahouse lodge; tent
Dining: Basic Nepali food like dal bhat, noodles, Sherpa stew, other vegetarian dishes, etc.
Estimated EBC Tour Cost:
at least 1400USD (group tour); private tour is much higher for personal needs.
Travel Highlights:
Enjoy the thrilling flight from Kathmandu to Lukla; Visit the vibrant Sherpa Village in Namche Bazaar; Explore the small gompas Cross suspension bridge while enjoying the changing landscape; Capture the dramatic vista of Ama Dablam(6856m), Purmori(7165m), Mt. Everest(8844.43m), and Mt.Lhotse (8516m) and Nuptse (7861m),etc.

Scene of Everst Base Camp in Nepal 

Everest Base Camp in Tibet (North EBC):

Location: Qomolangma National Nature Preserve, Tingri County, Tibet
Altitude: 5200m (17,056ft)
Travel Documents:
Tibet Travel Permit; Alien’s Travel Permit; EBC Entrance Fee (90/180 CNY)
Best Time to Visit: Mid-April to early June; Sept to Oct.
Transportation to EBC: Tour vehicle; trekking; cycling; motorbike
Tour Duration: 8 days from Lhasa and back
Accommodation: Rongbuk Monastery’s guesthouse; Tented Camp
Dining: Basic food like Tibetan noodle soup, yak meat, fried rice, etc.
Estimated EBC Tour Cost:
At least 850--1050USD (group tour); private tour is much higher for personal needs.
Travel Highlights:
Explore the top 7 Buddhist monasteries and stroll along turquoise Yamdrok Lake on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse; Close encounter with devout Tibetan pilgrims and their secular and religious life; Enjoy top 4 highest peaks, such as Makalu (8463m), Lhotse (8516m), and Mt. Everest (8844.43m), Cho Oyo (8201m),along the Great Himalayas at Gawu La Pass(5198m); Admire the incredible view of the north face of Mt.Everest at sunset and sunrise; Spend the night at EBC and observe the stunning galaxy there at night, etc.

North Face of Mount Everest

EBC Nepal VS EBC Tibet: How to Get Necessary Travel Documents

To visit Everest Base Camp in Nepal, there are less complicated procedures than its neighbor in Tibet. All you need to do is get Nepal Visa, TIM (Trekking Information Management System) card and the entrance fee of Sagarmatha National Park.

You may fill the form and get On Arrival Visa at Tribhuvan International Airport and the cost is 25USD for 15 days’ duration; 40USD/30 days; and 100USD/ 90 days. For the TIM card, you may get it at the Tourist Service Center in Kathmandu. Or the current policy allows international tourists to just pay Rs 2,000 to legally enter the Everest Region without obtaining TIM card beforehand. Meanwhile, Since EBC lies in Sagarmatha National Park, you need to pay the entrance fee for Rs 3,000 per person.

While in Tibet, it is a different scenario. Firstly, you need to book a guided tour, either private or group tour, with a Tibet travel agency. Then you need to get Chinese tourist visa yourself in your country and email your passport page, Chines visa page to your travel consultants to apply for Tibet Travel Permit. After you take Tibet train or fly to Lhasa, later our Tibetan guide will help you get Alien’s Travel Permit (50CNY) before heading to Qomolangma (Tibetan name for Everest) National Nature Preserve. The last thing to take care of is the entrance fee of EBC, which sets you back 90CNY (low season) and 180 CNY (high season).

EBC Nepal VS EBC Tibet: What Time Works Best for You

Travelling in Nepal, the primary importance is to avoid monsoon season from June to Sept. It’s especially true as trekking and taking helicopter are the only way to reach EBC, and the prerequisite of your travel depends heavily on favorable weather.

Oct to early Dec and April to May are widely believed to be the best trekking seasons to visit Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Shortly after the rainy season in Sept, Oct. marks the beginning of the prime seasons for Everest trekking and mountaineering. With the iconic postcard blue sky, the spectacular vista of snow-tipped Ama Dablam and Mt. Everest and superb visibility, it’s the perfect time for the trek to EBC. The high season for the EBC trek also draws a sizeable number of global trekkers along the mountain trail, pushing up the price for accommodation and dining.

Everest Base Camp Trekking Tour

On the other hand, equally with cozy sunshine, April to May has its own charm to trekkers in its own right. It’s a time when frozen highland region wakes up to spring breeze and singing of birds. You won’t be bothered by annoying crowds in Oct, and the full-bloomed rhododendrons and lively creatures like deer and wild rabbit will greet you unexpectedly as you walk in the trails.

Unlike Nepal, as the soaring Himalayan Range has blocked a certain amount of the moisture and precipitation from Indian warm current, the Tibetan Plateau, esp., Everest region tends to have less rain and different weather pattern than that of Nepal.

Mid-April to early June and Sept to Oct. are the best time to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet. The azure sky with fluffy white clouds will accompany your journey. And you have multiple options to visit Everest Base Camp, such as trekking from Old Tingri to Everest Base Camp, enjoying the tour vehicle and cycling, motorcycle from Lhasa to EBC. Upon your arrival at EBC, you will thrill at the panoramic view of the north face of Mt. Everest. Never miss the rare chance to see famous “Flag Clouds” over Mt. Everest and incredible “Golden Summit” during the sunset.

Traditionally, the best time to reach the top of Mount Everest is believed to be between early April and late May as the summit of Mt. Everest will have 4-5 days stable weather, not affected by monsoon or jet stream, all the professional mountaineers from the globe would pitch camps here and get ready for the challenging climbing.

If you have a limited budget, then visiting Everest Base Camp in Tibet from Nov to early Feb can be a wise choice. The offseason sees fewer tourists and allows you to enjoy many discounts as to hotel, dining, transportation and entrance tickets, etc.

EBC Nepal VS EBC Tibet: How to Get to Everest Base Camp

As the steep rocky terrain of Nepal denies the access to EBC via vehicles, tourists can only choose to trek or take the helicopter to reach Everest Base Camp. To trek to EBC, firstly you need to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2840m), which takes about 25min (one way). Then you gradually trek from trek upwards from Namche Bazaar(3440m), Tengboche(3860m), Dingboche (4350m), and Gorak Shep(5170m) and Kala Patthar (5545m) and finally make it to Everest Base Camp(5364m). The entire trek from Lukla to EBC and back takes around 13-14 days.

To avoid the acute mountain sickness, normally, on day 3 and day 7 you are expected to stay in Namche Bazar and Lobuche respectively for acclimatization. Never underestimate the valuable time to catch your breath. Otherwise, the ill acclimatization as a result of quick ascent will exacerbate your dizziness and headache and subsequently compromise the whole journey. Check the 17 Days Nepal Everest Base Camp Trek Tour for more details.

Trekking route to EBC in Npeal

If you don’t have enough time and prefer an aerial tour to EBC, taking the classic helicopter tour from Kathmandu offers a great alternative, though it costs much more. (1200-1500 USD/person) The staff will transfer you from Kathmandu to the airport and fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (Tenzing Hillary Airport) and keep flying to Kala Patthar, one of the top places to view Mt.Everest. Then the helicopter will take you to EBC(5364m), where you may explore the base camp and closely observe the magnificent Khumbu Glacier.

Later the flight will take you to view other sublime Himalayan peaks on the way back to Kathmandu, such as Nuptse(7861m) and Lhotse(8501m) and AMA Dablam, etc.

Mount Everest Helicopter Tour

Getting to Everest Base Camp in Tibet offers you more options. The first step is to reach Lhasa(3658m), the capital city and major transport hub of Tibet. To do so, you may choose the non-stop flight from Kathmandu, or use domestic flight/Tibet train from mainland Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xi’an, or Xining, etc. to Lhasa.

>> How to get to Everest Base Camp in Tibet from Kathmandu
>> How to get to Everest Base Camp in Tibet from Lhasa

Then, to most of the travelers, joining the 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour and enjoying the scenic ride by tour vehicle via part of the Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway stand as the top choice for the EBC tour.

Nowadays, the well-built asphalt highway extends all the way from Lhasa to EBC. Tourists will be able to tour two biggest cities of Tibet i.e. Lhasa and Shigatse (4000m) and visit historic Gyantse County (4025m) and cover one of the top three sacred lakes, i.e. Yamdrok Lake and finally reach Rongbuk Monastery(5154m) and explore the EBC (5200m) nearby. The entire road trip will be a feast to your eyes, given the stunning alpine scenery, profound Tibetan Buddhism culture and distinct local customs.

If you are keen to experience the highland trek to EBC in Tibet, the 12-day trek from Old Tingri to EBC sounds a perfect choice for you. After your initial acclimatization and sightseeing in Lhasa( around 3 days), the tour vehicle will take you to Shigatse and later drop you off in Old Tingri (Gangga, 4800m) on Day5. From there, you will embark on the 4-day trek from Old Tingri to EBC.

Trekking route from old Tingri to EBC in Tibet 

Unlike the changing landscapes you see during the EBC trek, most of the scenery you pass along the way would be barren wilderness and small Tibetan village and gompa and a spectacular snow-tipped vista of Himalayan Range, like Cho Oyu, Mt. Everest, etc. The around 70km’s trek takes you past Ra Chu Valley, Lungthang (4510m) and Lamna La Pass (5150m) and Zommug (4790m) till reaching Rongbuk (5154m). Since there is little human presence during the trek, camping is the only option.

EBC Nepal VS EBC Tibet: Never Miss These Travel Highlights

Visiting either Everest Base Camp Nepal or Everest Base Camp Tibet can be an eye-opening experience. No one can categorically say which one is better than the other. However, certain differences do exist, geographically and culturally. So, let’s have a brief analysis, and you decide which base camp appeals more to you.

Due to the varying geographical features, compared with the rather barren landscape of EBC in Tibet, ascending to the Nepal-side Base Camp (5364m) offers more diversity as to flora and fauna and landscape. Since there is a dramatic altitude change, touring EBC in Nepal involves crossing forested temperate zone, subalpine zone and alpine zone. The diverse vegetation, together with breathtaking lakes and falls, suspension bridges, wildlife makes this trekking route to EBC one of the most desirable destinations.

Tourists can have a palpable sense of the biodiversity in Nepal, such as blue pines, firs, birch, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, etc. Meanwhile, you will be enjoying a large number of awe-inspiring mountains, like Ama Dablam(6856m), Pumori (7165m), Mt.Everest (8844.43m),Lhotse (8516m), Nuptse（7879m),Khumbu Icefall (5486m) and, etc. As you trek, you can see many porters and yaks carrying supplies to Everest Base Camp. Culturally, you may mingle with local Sherpas in Namche Bazaar or Tengboche, the famous Sherpa Village, and visit their cultural museum and other Buddhist gompas.

Conversely, on Tibet’s side, the Everest Base Camp(5200m) is only 19km away from the summit of Mount Everest(8844.43m). The base camp consists of a number of rudimentary facilities, such as tents, teahouse, post office, etc.

Spectacular views of the Gawu La Pass

On the way from Tingri to EBC, overall you will pass three best places to photograph Mt. Everest, i.e. Gawu La Pass (5198m), Rongbuk Monastery(5154m), and EBC(5200m) itself. Gawu La Pass is widely believed to be the best place to photograph the breathtaking panorama of Himalayan Range. Lofty mountains like Makalu(8463m), Lhotse(8516m), Mt. Everest (8844.43m) and Cho Oyu (8201m) and Shishapangma(8012m) stand side by side above the skyline with fluffy white clouds floating above your head.

Visually, another big difference between viewing Mt. Everest in Nepal and Tibet is that standing both at Rongbuk Monastery and EBC in Tibet, the entire summit and mountain of Mt. Everest is free of any visual obstruction from neighboring mountains, whereas in Nepal, part of Mt. Everest is hidden from view by Nuptse and Lhotse. The pyramid-shaped summit of Mt. Everest in golden hue at sunset and famous “Flag Clouds” hovering over the Everest peak, etc. are two phenomena of EBC in Tibet.

Never miss the chance to do meditation in the cave of Rongbuk Monastery where Guru Rinpoche used to meditate there. And share travel stories with other global travelers in tented camps, decorated in Tibetan fashion.

EBC Nepal VS EBC Tibet: What to Expect for Accommodation and Dining

Touted as the kingdom of trekking, Nepal boasts of her highly-developed tourism and a wide range of services for world-wide travelers. There is no need to worry about accommodation facilities and dining for EBC trek in Nepal at all.

Since trekking and mountaineering service makes up the major source of income for local Sherpas and Nepalis in villages of Sagarmatha National Park, countless cozy teahouses and basic tents are available for travelers. Many even label this classic trekking route as “tea house trekking route”, for every one or two hours, a village or teahouse can be found. Where tourists can have a good rest and chat with other international trekkers.

Therefore, you even don’t need to carry many food and camping facilities. The money saved can be better used to hire a porter or guide. The real challenging part comes when you need to stay in places at an altitude ranging from above 4000 to 5000m. The only thing to remind you is do book your lodge, preferably a teahouse in advance before the high season is about to come, particular from Oct to early Dec. when the Sherpa villages and mountain trails leading to EBC will be packed with global trekkers or mountaineers and Sherpa porters.

Well-established teahouses and lodges for trekkers along the route to EBC in Nepal

As to dining, Dal Bhat, the staple Nepali food, can be found everywhere in the teahouse. Such special Sherpa stew mixed with rice and curried vegetables can replenish yourself with enough nutrition. You may also order Nepali noodles, photo curry, and momo and other vegetarian dishes like pancake, fried rice and beans, spring rolls, etc. The mineral bottle water can be extremely expensive in Everest region (200 – 350 rupees per bottle).

Classic Nepalese meal

Unlike the situation in Nepal, the accommodation facilities in Tibet, esp. in remote places like EBC are pretty basic and the poor sanitation of pit toilet can be an excruciating experience to many westerners, due to the shortage of domestic water at such high altitude.

Plenty of colorful dotted in EBC in Tibet in mountaineering season

For most of our clients who joined the small group tour from Lhasa to EBC, you will spend one night in Shigatse (with 3-4 star hotels) after leaving Lhasa and then head straight to EBC, where the guesthouse in Rongbuk Monastery and tented camps at EBC are the only option available to you and both allow you to wake up to the mind-blowing sunrise of Mt. Everest.

Cozy home-run tents in EBC in Tibet

With regard to the facilities of the guesthouse of Rongbuk Monastery, it’s couldn’t be more basic. You can stay in a double room or the dormitory with multiple occupancies. The electric blanket, multi-layer bed sheets, pillows and outlets are what you can use in the room. There is no private bathroom, no heating. Neither is shower and tap water available. You may look for some basic food like fried rice, yak noodles, milk tea and Lhasa beer, tomato egg soup, etc. in Rongbuk Monastery Restaurant nearby. Or prepare some food yourself.

If you long for a better Tibetan atmosphere and more comfortable sleep, staying in one of the tented camps at EBC can be a better choice. The tent, decorated in traditional Tibetan style, is made of yak hide, resistant to water and wind. There is a warm stove in the middle of the tent and clean water bottle and pretty small vase with plastic flowers and ashtray are put on Tibetan desks. You share a big square bed with other travelers. Electric blankets and thick bed sheets and stove fueled by yak dung can keep the tent warm and cozy throughout the night.

You can have some basic food like Tibetan noodles, dried yak meat, fried rice with eggs, instant noodles, porridge, hot butter tea in the thermos, etc. Well, not much food to expect for such a remote region. And come on, EBC tour is an adventure tour and no one would spend thousands of bucks just to enjoy the fancy hotels or gourmet meals here. When you open your eyes in the early morning and enjoy the jaw-dropping sunrise over the world’s highest peak so up close, all of a sudden, you realize that all the ordeal paid off.

EBC Nepal VS EBC Tibet: How Much is Needed for the Tour

The cost for Everest Base Camp tour in Nepal and Tibet varies greatly in different travel seasons and personal needs, itineraries and duration, etc. However, the general rule applies everywhere, i.e.

Joining a group tour always saves you a lot more money than a private tour; travelling in shoulder or offseason of EBC tour costs you less than high season; Mid-range budget plan works best for adventure tour in remote places at Everest Base Camp; Though costing a bit more, the tour offered by large and well-established companies with local service gives you hassle-free tour experience.

Everest Base Camp travel in Nepal can set you back anywhere between 668USD to 2226USD. For a classic 17-day EBC trek in Nepal, you need to set aside enough budget for the following expenditure:
Nepal Visa (On Arrival Visa): 15/30/90 Days= 25/40/100 USD;
Sagarmatha National Park (Rs 3000 or 27USD)
TIM Card (or Rs2000/18USD to enter Everest Region)
Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (one way): 180-190 USD
The Accommodation (mid-range): 25-80 USD
Dining (mid-range): 7-10 USD
Guide and porter: 25/17 USD per day

Besides, with approximately 40,000 visitors each year, the cost for visiting Everest Base Camp Nepal during high season from April to May and especially from Oct to early Dec can be extremely expensive. As you ascend to higher regions above the snowline, the living cost gets much higher, given the fact all the supply and resources are carried by Sherpas and their horses from lower regions. In many cases, you need to spend 1-5 USD for a bucket of hot water.

Well, for travelling in Tibet, the classic 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour (3-star hotels, 2021), the cost is shown as follows:

High Season:
Jun. 26 to Aug. 25 is from $1060/person
Aug. 26 to Oct. 15 is from $1000/person

Shoulder Season:
Apr. 1 to Jun. 25 is from $940/person
Oct. 16 to Nov. 15 is from $940/person

Low Season:
Nov. 16 to Mar. 31 is from $817/person

For the actual EBC tour, you need to prepare another 120-850 dollars for the daily expenditure, such as dining (5-20 USD), souvenirs and upgrade of hotel, and other unexpected shopping like clothes, medicine and the cost for travel documents like Alien’s Travel Permit (50 CNY/person) to make it to Everest Base Camp in Tibet. For our clients, we offer free service for Tibet Travel Permit.

If you intend to enjoy the trekking or cycling to Everest Base Camp, the cost is much higher. For the 12 Days Classic Trek from Tingri to EBC, the cost for a group tour ranges from 2067USD to 2379 USD for 2-3 pax; with 6-8 pax, the cost can be brought down from 1484 USD 1264 USD.

Of all the means to EBC in Tibet, the cycling tour to EBC is definitely be the most expensive one. Considering the huge physical demand and long distance, as a common practice, an extra back-up truck with the guide, chef, logistic supply, such as oxygen, food, camping facilities, etc. will travel along with you. So for an individual cyclist, to complete the cycling tour from Lhasa to EBC in Tibet, the cost will be around 3,000 USD to 5,000 USD. Of course, if you have more friends to blend in, the cost can be cheaper. Currently, helicopter tour to EBC in Tibet is not available.

Other Things That Matter for Visiting Two Everest Base Camps

a. You Can’t be Too Careful with Altitude Sickness Issue

For visiting Everest Base Camp, either in Nepal’s or Tibet’s, you need to be careful with the altitude ascent. Give your body enough time to get acclimatized to prevent acute mountain sickness. It’s a fairly manageable task for all to reach EBC in Tibet. Those who fail are likely the young guys who ignore rules of high altitude trek. Do spend one more day at Namche Bazaar and Lobuche respectively to minimize the risk of AMS. The altitude gain in each day should be kept between 1500-2500. “Trek high and sleep low” is highly recommended.

Everest Base Camp Travel with Guide

If you fly from Kathmandu (1400m) to Lhasa (3685m), never rush to visit attractions in downtown Lhasa. Having a good rest in the hotel will help you acclimatized and do drink plenty of water. Spend around 2-3 days in Lhasa and gradually travel from Lhasa to Gyantse, Shigatse and Tingri, EBC. If you caught a cold, report it to your guide and never push yourself to run the risk. Certain altitude sickness relief medicine is also helpful, like “Gao Yuan an” and Diamox. Do consult professional pharmacist and doctor before purchasing the medicines.

b. Can I Trek Independently to EBC without a Guide?

Well, theoretically, you can venture alone to EBC in Nepal after you pay all the travel documents and entrance fees. However, it would be unwise to risk your life to remote and hostile places like Everest region. A Sherpa guide is the best guarantee for your safety. Hiring one will be more convenient to learn the history and legend of Mt.Everest and Sherpa culture. Or, at least travel with one of your friends; you will always find your company helpful in some unexpected situations.

On the contrary, Tibet has a stricter travel policy, and all the international tourists need to book your Tibet tour via a guided tour with a Tibet travel agency. You may either choose a group tour or a private tour, accompanied by a Tibetan guide to visit EBC.

Conclusion

If you have more questions regarding EBC tour in Nepal and Tibet, please feel free to contact our pro travel consultants for more details. Here is a recap of the key information of EBC Nepal vs EBC Tibet:

a. For enjoying the top peaks along the Himalayas, esp. the entire summit of Mt. Everest, visiting the North Everest Base Camp in Tibet is your best choice. While for the changing landscape and Sherpa culture, the trek from Lukla to EBC in Nepal is more rewarding.

b. You need Nepali Visa and TIM card (or Rs 2,000) to visit EBC in Nepal; while Tibet Travel Permit and Alien’s Travel Permit are needed to tour EBC in Tibet. You may enjoy independent EBC travel in Nepal whereas in Tibet a guided tour is the only option.

c. The best time to visit EBC in Nepal is from April to May and Oct to early Dec.; The best months to visit EBC in Tibet is from Mid-April to early June and Sept to Oct; For budget travelers, offseason travel allows you to enjoy mamy discounts as to hotel, transport, dining, etc.

d. The classic travel route to EBC in Nepal is fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and travel further to EBC (duration: 17-19days); You may also take helicopter from Kathmandu to EBC (day tour); For the classic tour to EBC in Tibet, you can travel from Lhasa to EBC by tour vehicle (duration: 8 days); You may also trek from Old Tingri to EBC (duration: 4 days) or cycle from Lhasa to EBC (around 13days).

e. The best place to enjoy Mt. Everest in Nepal EBC Trek: Kala Pattar (5545m) Whereas the best Place to enjoy Mt. Everest in Tibet EBC Tour: Gawu La Pass(5198m), Rongbuk Monastery(5154m); EBC(5200m)

f. Cozy Teahouse and tents are available for EBC trek in Nepal; basic guesthouse in Rongbuk Monastery and Tibetan-style tented camps at EBC can be found for EBC tour in Tibet.

g. Dal Bhat, porridge, pasta, momos, vegetarian food, fried rice, hot milk, etc. are available for EBC tour in Nepal; while fried rice with eggs, Tibetan noodles, dried yak meat, instant noodles, butter tea, are readily available for EBC Tour in Tibet.

h. The EBC tour in Nepal, the tour price ranges from 668USD to 2226USD; The helicopter tour to EBC in Nepal starts from around 1250 USD/pax; In Tibet, the classic 8-day Lhasa to EBC group tour costs at least from 850 USD; For the trekking to EBC in Tibet, the cost should be at least 2067 USD (group tour) and the cost for the cycling tour to EBC of Tibet stays around 3,000 USD to 5,000 USD.