Located on the border between China and Nepal, Mount Everest offers different tour experiences on each side, mainly depending on the climate, landscapes, ways to travel to Everest Base Camp, and mountain climbing conditions.

Here, we have carefully collected the major differences between Mount Everest in Nepal and Tibet and help you find the best way to visit.

Different Locations of Mt. Everest in Nepal and Tibet: South Slope vs. North Slope

Located at the border of China and Nepal, Mt. Everest is governed by both governments. Due to different locations, the north part of the Mountain in Tibet is universally referred to as the “North Slope” while the south part in Nepal is taken as the “South Slope”.

The southern slope of Mount Everest is located in Sagarmatha National Park in northern Nepal, accounting for about 30% of the entire mountain. It is about 160 to 170 kilometers by flight while 200 to 250 kilometers by road.

The other 70% of Mount Everest, commonly known as the north slope of Mount Everest, is located in Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, Tingri County of Shigatse City. The straight-line distance from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp is about 450 kilometers, but the actual driving distance is about 700 kilometers.

There are Everest Base Camps on both sides of Mount Everest - the North Everest Base Camp in Tibet and the South Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

Likewise, the climbing route from the north side of the Mountain in Tibet is typically referred to the Northeast Ridge route or the Standard Route while the climbing route from the south side of the mountain is generally considered to be the Southeast Ridge route.

Location Map of mount Everest in Nepal and Tibet, China

Different Climates of Mt. Everest in Nepal and Tibet: Monsoon Climate vs. Plateau Climate

Due to the locations, the climate and vegetation of Mount Everest in Nepal and Tibet are completely different. The southern slope of Nepal, influenced by the Indian Ocean monsoon, has a humid climate, more rainfall, and lush vegetation. In contrast, the northern slope of Tibet, which is far from the ocean on the dry Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, experiences a cold, arid climate with little rainfall and strong winds.

Affected by southwestern winds from the Indian Ocean, the monsoon season in Nepal, from June to September, brings constant rain and makes it inappropriate to trek Everest in Nepal.

For a better trekking experience, it is recommended to plan your Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal from October to November. If you plan to climb Mount Everest from the Nepal side, the window period is only in April and May.

The humid climate makes Mount Everest’s southern slope more vegetated.

The North Slope of Mount Everest in Tibet is controlled by the continental plateau climate with dry air at lower elevations and fierce snowstorms and gales higher up. With less rainfall, lush vegetation is scarce year-round, leaving only alpine meadows, sparse grasslands, and vast ice-snow belts stretching into the distance. However, in return, the north side of Mount Everest in Tibet offers stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas, showcasing their grandeur and making you stand in awe.

The best time to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet falls in April, May, September, and October with the finest temperature and most clear views of the mountain peak. These are also the ideal months for trekking and climbing Mount Everest in Tibet.

Higher and drier, the north slope of Mt. Everest in Tibet offers a starkly different landscape.

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Different Everest Base Camp Tour Experiences: More Travel Options in Tibet China

In Nepal, trekking is the most popular way to reach Everest Base Camp. The journey begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and lasts almost 14 days. You’ll pass through Namche, Tengpoche, Dingbuche, and Lobuche before heading toward Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

Along the way, you’ll encounter thrilling bridges, raging rivers, long uphill roads, and also accompanied by many plants and flowers. The Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal goes through the heartland of the Sherpa people, offering a unique opportunity to experience their lifestyle, culture, and mountain climbing skills.

Trekking to the South Everest Base Camp is the most popular way to visit Mt.Everest in Nepal.

However, there are more things to do on the Tibetan side besides Everest trekking and mountaineering.

The Everest Base Camp tour from Lhasa is one of the most popular and world-class overland routes in Tibet. Starting from Lhasa, you will first pass by the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, the historic city of Gyantse, and Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. Then, you will meet the jaw-dropping Gawula Pass from which a fantastic panoramic view of the Himalayas can be appreciated. Finally, you’ll reach the north Everest Base Camp and visit the Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world.

The roads to Everest Base Camp in Tibet are tarmac roads with perfect road conditions, making more ways to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet. You can take a drive directly to the Everest Base without any trek or hike. Moreover, the good road conditions to Everest Base Camp allow you to take a bike tour or ride a motorcycle to the base camp.

The fine roads in Tibet make it possible to bike straight to the North Everest Base Camp.

Of course, there are also world-famous trekking routes on the northern side of Mount Everest in Tibet. The trek from Tingri to Everest Base Camp can be amazing. You’ll be impressed by beautiful valley sceneries with extensive meadows and packs of sheep and yaks. The off-the-beaten-path Gama Valley trek offers a stunning trekking experience through the most beautiful valley on the east slope of Mount Everest.

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Different Everest Climbing Routes: Easier Access from Nepal

The Southeast Ridge route in Nepal is widely acknowledged to be much easier to climb Mount Everest. Authentic statistics show that the death toll of the Southeast Ridge route is far less than that of the Northeast Ridge one.

The most dangerous section of the Southeast Ridge route in Nepal is Khumbu Icefall on the way to Base Camp 1 at an elevation of about 6,000 meters. The crisscrossed unfathomable ice crevasses spread widely along this area with potential dangers.

Climb Mt.Everest via South Col Route in Nepal

However, with adequate preparation, careful observation, and moving, crossing this area can be much easier than climbing up the high-altitude steep slopes and ascending the Three Steps in the Northeast Ridge route in Tibet.

Though it is easy to get to the Everest Base Camp in Tibet by car, it is extremely hard to top the summit from the Tibetan side. Steep slopes with smooth ice surfaces or loose rocks have jeopardized most of the climbers’ efforts to ascend the summit.

In addition to the difference in climbing difficulty, rescue support is also more complete on the Nepal side. Due to the hard flight conditions on the northern side of Tibet, there is no helicopter rescue is available. But in Nepal, helicopter rescue is provided from the Base Camp when an emergency occurs. Also, Sherpa guides in Nepal can be excellent guides and helpers to external climbers.

It's more challenging to climb Mount Everest from Tibet, China.

Different Travel Permits for Visiting Mount Everest in Nepal and Tibet

Visiting either side of Mount Everest in Nepal or Tibet requires special travel permits. This means you need to plan and book your Everest journey in advance to arrange the necessary permits in time.

In Nepal, you need to apply for different permits for different trekking routes on Everest. The Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit is required for trekking in the Everest region, while the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit is necessary for trekking in the Khumbu region. If you plan to trek via Jiri, you also need to apply for the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit.

These can be easily obtained once upon your arrival in Kathmandu or at the Monjo Checkpoint near Lukla on the trekking route.

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To visit Mount Everest in Tibet, you first need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit with a copy of your passport and Chinese Visa. With the Tibet Permit, you can enter the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Moreover, an Alien’s Travel Permit is required for visiting the Everest region in Tibet. It will be obtained after you arrive in Tibet. All these travel permits for Everest tours in Tibet can only be arranged through a local travel agency with a pre-arranged tour.

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Feel free to share your travel ideas with us, and we will customize an unforgettable journey, taking care of all the details for you.

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The north and south sides of Mount Everest offer completely different travel experiences due to different climates and landscapes.

Tibet is undoubtedly the best option for enjoying Mount Everest up close. From the Everest Base Camp in Tibet, you can see the magnificent view of the top of the world more clearly. In addition, on the way to the base camp, you can also enjoy the panoramic view of Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks from different angles.

The road conditions on the Tibetan side are excellent, and you can directly reach the base camp by car without additional hiking, so it is very suitable for ordinary tourists. Even families with kids or senior tourists can easily get to the Everest Base Camp in Tibet to witness the top of the world.

For hiking enthusiasts, Nepal is a better choice with more mature Everest hiking routes and more complete service facilities along the way. At the same time, the monsoon makes the Nepal side greener, creating lush landscapes for hiking.

No matter whether you want to explore Mount Everest in Nepal or Tibet, or have a long journey to experience both, we ensure a hassle-free Mount Everest tour. With local offices in both Lhasa and Kathmandu, we provide seamless travel arrangements, expert local tour guides, and all necessary permits, allowing you to focus on the Everest adventure while we handle the logistics.

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Conclusion

No matter whether in Nepal or in Tibet, each side of Mount Everest has its own distinctive features that differentiate it from the other and impose ecstasies for you. The southern slope of Mount Everest in Nepal is a paradise for trekking lovers, while the northern side in Tibet is more accessible for ordinary tourists.

If you have any questions about arrange a trip to Mount Everest, either Nepal or Tibet, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are always here ready to provide assistance and help you plan your perfect journey to Mount Everest.