Everest Base Camp in Tibet is the place one can gaze at Mount Everest at the closest distance. Visiting the Tibet Everest Base Camp in winter is indeed a good choice for clear views of the mountain peak at the cheapest price of the year.

Here, you can check the comprehensive guide to know how to plan a Tibet Everest Base Camp tour in the winter season and what to prepare for your lifetime journey to Everest.

Is winter too cold to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet?

Surprisingly, it is still possible to visit Tibet Everest Base Camp in winter as the daytime temperature is generally above zero and can be reached around 7°C during winter months from November to March. However, the night temperature can drop below -23°C in winter. The low temperature of Everest in winter is also accompanied by strong winds at the base camp. So, if you plan to visit Everest Base Camp in winter, it is essential to keep warm and protect yourself from the strong wind.

Tibet Everest Base Camp winter tour.

Monthly Temperatures at Everest Base Camp in Tibet (November to March)

With many sunny days during the winter time, the clear winter skies offer spectacular views of Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayas. The snow-covered peaks on a sunny winter day make a beautiful backdrop for your life photo.

What to expect for a Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour in winter?

The 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour is the most popular route to explore the majestic Mount Everest on the Tibetan side. Starting from Lhasa, you will first spend a couple of days staying in the holy city for sightseeing and better getting used to the high altitude of Tibet.

Then, you will follow the well-paved road from Lhasa to Shigatse via the holy Lake Yamdrok and Gyantse Ancient Town. After one night stay in Shigatse, you will head to Everest Base Camp by passing through the winding road.

There’s no doubt that this is the best route for first-time travelers to explore the highlights of Tibet and Mount Everest in one trip. Once you take this route in winter, you will experience something more unique than in other seasons.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour: Marvel at Mt.Everest Real Close from 4 Different Viewing Platforms

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD949 p.p

Taking this popular EBC trek in winter for lower prices and stunning, peaceful landscapes.

The More Tranquil Tibet in the Holy City of Lhasa

During the first few days in Lhasa, you will visit some of the most spectacular landmarks in the region, including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, and Drepung Monastery.

When winter comes, there are fewer tourists but more Tibetans gather in the holy city. Local farmers and nomads from across Tibet travel to Lhasa for pilgrimage during the off-season. So, when you visit Lhasa in winter, you can experience a deeper connection and a more profound cultural atmosphere with the locals.

Local Tibetan pilgrimage around Jokhang Temple in winter.

Turquoise Yamdrok Lake on the Way to Shigatse

The holy Yamdrok Lake, on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse, is a stunning turquoise jewel that shimmers under the winter sky. In winter, the blue water of Yamdrok Lake froze like crystal, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, creating a peaceful and magical atmosphere.

The holy Lake Yamdrok appears even more peaceful in winter.

Majestic Mount Everest in Winter

Winter is one of the best seasons to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet with the clearest mountain views. On the way from Tingri to Everest Base Camp, you will get an amazing sight of Mount Everest. At the Gawula Pass at 5,210 meters, you can see five of the world’s highest peaks above 8,000 meters - Mt. Makalu (8463m), Mt. Lotse (8516m), Mt. Everest (8844.43m), Mt.Cho Oyu (8201m), and Mt. Shishapama (8027m).

Witness the flag clouds over the summit of Mount Everest from Gawula Pass.

In the dry and clear winter days, these mountains appear even more magnificent. You may also have the opportunity to witness the amazing flag clouds on the top of Mount Everest, which is a unique landscape created by clear weather and strong winds.

How much does it cost to visit Tibet Everest Base Camp in winter?

Since winter is the off-season for Tibet tourism, the cost of an Everest Base Camp tour is much lower during this time. For example, the classic 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp small group tour costs around USD 950 in the winter season, while it costs around USD 1170 in the peak season.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour: Marvel at Mt.Everest Real Close from 4 Different Viewing Platforms

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD949 p.p

Enjoy the lowest prices for the popular Everest Base Camp tour in winter!

Even if you customize a private tour to Everest Base Camp, you can enjoy significant discounts on accommodation, flights to Tibet, and free entry to some of the top attractions in Tibet, such as the Potala Palace, Yamdrok Lake, and the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve.

If you're looking for budget-friendly travel to Everest Base Camp in Tibet, don't miss the winter tour for the best discount of the year.

Get free entry to the Potala Palace during the winter promotion in Tibet.

How far in advance should I book a Tibet Everest Base Camp in winter?

Generally, it is recommended to book your Everest Base Camp tour at least 21 days in advance to allow enough time for processing all necessary travel documents. For an Everest Base Camp tour in Tibet, you not only need a Chinese Visa and the Tibet Travel Permit but also require an Alien’s Travel Permit to visit Mount Everest Region in Tibet. Since all these permits take time to process, it’s best to book your trip as early as possible.

A Sample of Alien's Travel Permit.

Moreover, when planning your winter trip to Everest Base Camp in Tibet, be mindful of local government holidays, such as New Year, Tibetan New Year, and the Spring Festival, as these holidays may cause delays in the processing of your travel permits.

Where to stay for a Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour in Winter?

For a winter tour, the accommodation at Everest Base Camp and along the routes needs to be carefully planned.

The tent hotels at Everest Base Camp are not open from late October until next April, so the only option for staying at the base camp in winter is the Rongbuk Hotel, which is about 200 to 300 meters away from the tent areas.

Located opposite the Rongbuk Monastery, the Rongbuk Hotel has been renovated and offers double and triple rooms. The rooms have floor heating and oxygen supply. Some rooms offer a direct view of Mount Everest from the room windows, making it the best choice for accommodation in the base camp in winter.

See Mount Everest from the room of the renovated Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse.

Another accommodation option for an Everest Base Camp in winter is to stay in Zhaxizong Village near the base camp at a lower elevation. There are several hotels and guesthouses in the small village. You can take the eco-bus to get to your hotel and Everest Base Camp.

Taking the eco-bus to the hotel in Zhaxizong Village, at the foot of Mt. Everest.

What to pack for a Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour in Winter?

For a trip to Everest Base Camp in winter, you should bring some warmer clothing for the very cold nights and wind-proof coats to keep you warm against the strong wind in winter seasons. You need to bring a down jacket or coat, good boots, thermal underwear, gloves, hats, etc.

Due to the strong winter sunshine in Tibet, you also need to bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Since the climate is extremely dry in winter, don’t forget to bring lip balm, moisturizing cream, etc. to protect your skin.

8 Days Driving Across Himalaya Overland Adventure from Kathmandu to Lhasa

Tour Route: Kathmandu - Gyirong - Everest Base Camp - Tingri - Shigatse - Gyantse - Lhasa

Price from USD1019 p.p

Visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet during the overland journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa!

Is a sleeping bag necessary for a winter tour to Everest Base Camp in Tibet?

No, it is not necessary to carry a sleeping bag when you visit Everest Base Camp in winter. All hotels and guesthouses, either at the base camp or in Zhaxizong Village, provide clean beds with blankets and sheets. As the accommodations are getting better and better nowadays, you can rest assured that you’ll have a pleasant place to sleep without the need for sleeping bags.

Useful Photography Tips for Visiting Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour in Winter

Gawula Pass is a great place to shoot Mount Everest, as the elevation makes the view almost level with the ground. You will enjoy the highest peaks of the Himalayas lined up in front of you, and the tallest one is Mount Everest.

When you reach the Everest Base Camp, you can shoot the mountain without being blocked. There are also many monuments for taking photos with the top of the mountain.

Winter is one of the best seasons to photograph Mount Everest, with its clearest views.

On the platform near Rongbuk Monastery, you can find the best angle to shoot Mount Everest, and it is accepted by most photographers. Moreover, the white tower of Rongbuk Monastery can be used as the foreground to increase the depth of the photos, and add some humanity to the scenery.

Inside Tips:
Because of the intense ultraviolet winter plateau, a UV filter should be installed before the camera lens, to avoid biased purple color photographs.

More Insider Tips

It is important to stay hydrated when visiting Everest Base Camp in winter, as the air is dry, especially at such a high altitude. While we provide bottled water on our tourist vehicles, we also recommend bringing an insulated bottle so you can enjoy hot tea or coffee in the cold weather.

In addition to staying warm, it's important to protect yourself from the whipping wind when traveling to Mount Everest in winter. The winds in the Everest region can be strong, so wearing windproof jackets and pants will help prevent hypothermia.

Dress warmly for your winter trip to Everest Base Camp.

While winter is the off-season for Tibet tourism, the accommodation and dining options along the way to Everest Base Camp may be limited due to low demand. The closer you move to Everest Base Camp, the dining and accommodation become more basic.

Be well-prepared for the long drive from Lhasa to Shigatse, and from Shigatse to Everest Base Camp, each of which takes around 9 to 10 hours. While the road conditions are generally good and the highways are well-paved, the long hours of driving can still be tiring. There will be some stops along the way for scenic views, but few places to get food. So, it is a good idea to bring some snacks in case you get hungry. Also, consider taking motion sickness pills, especially before driving through the zigzag roads to Everest Base Camp.

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Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Gyirong - Kathmandu

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The epic overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu also provide a chance to visit Everest Base Camp.

Conclusion

The Everest Base Camp in Tibet offers scenic views in winter and can be visited during the cold season. As long as you book your trip in advance, obtain the necessary travel documents in time, and prepare for strong wind and cold weather at the base camp, you will be able to enjoy the majestic Mount Everest in winter.

For a smooth and secure travel experience to Tibet Everest Base Camp in winter, you are suggested to contact a reputable travel agency like us. We provide a one-stop service and can arrange your permits, accommodation and dining, local guide, local transportation, etc. Feel free to contact us for more details!