Is it worth overnighting at Tibet Everest Base Camp with the risk of altitude sickness?

Traveling to Everest Base Camp (EBC) in Tibet is one of the most outstanding experiences in the world. Standing beneath the world’s highest mountain and gazing at the massive peak around 12km away is the dream of thousands of people every year. Yet this is a dream that you can realize in your lifetime with a tour to Mount Everest in the western end of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). However, at an altitude of more than 5,100 meters, staying overnight at the Rongbuk Guesthouse or the tent guesthouses can be a daunting idea. Many people get altitude sickness when they arrive in Lhasa, at 3,656 meters, what more when the altitude increase by around 1,500 meters?

Acclimatization is the key here. Acclimatizing to the altitude of Lhasa first, which is normally done over two days, and then acclimatizing further as you travel west, gradually increasing in altitude, can make the stay at EBC a more pleasant one. And while the risk of altitude sickness does increase with higher elevations, there are many wonderful experiences at the base camp of the world’s highest mountain that make taking that risk worthwhile.

Surprises You Can Expect in Night Stay at EBC

Glorious sunset

Sunsets are often the most stunning sight in the world. At EBC, the sunsets are even more glorious than you could possibly imagine. A compelling reason to stay overnight at the base camp, the stunningly beautiful sunsets are the pinnacle of sunset photos for anyone with an eye for great photos. As the sun sets in the west, the last remaining light of the sun reflects off the slopes of this massive snow-capped mountain, turning the sides of the mountain a burnished orange color.

Milky way and starry sky

Ever looked up at the sky and wished you could see more of the billions of star that cover the dark blanket? At EBC in Tibet you can do just that. The higher altitude, thinner atmosphere, and low light pollution mean that the stars are much brighter and more intense at night.

Enjoy the superb view of starry sky at EBC

One of the most stunning photos you can take, with a little longer exposure to get the brightest shots, there is nothing like the amazing sight of the night sky above EBC. And if you are there at the right time of year, you can get a great view of the rest of our own vast galaxy, the Milky Way. Stretching across the sky above the horizon, the stunning beauty of the galaxy we call home is breathtaking.

Stunning sunrise and flag cloud

If you thought the sunsets over Everest were amazing, then you should get up a little early and prepare for an even better view in the morning. As the sky lightens in the east, the first rays of the sun peek over the horizon from Lhasa, pinning the summit of the mountain and the infamous flag cloud in its orange glow.

Appreciate the stunning sunrise over Mount Everest

As the sun rises higher, the orange glow descends slowly down the mountain, until the sun finally peeks over the eastern horizon and the daylight takes away the stunning glow. The sunrise is also one of the best times to catch the flag cloud that often hangs from the peak of Mount Everest, before the heat of the day burns it off.

Capture the best shots of Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak

There are many places from which you can get a good view of Mount Everest and its high peak. But for the best shots of the summit, head for the small hill that overlooks the base camp. The hill is one of the best places in the world for perfect photos of the massive peak, and is the best place to get some great sunrise shots, sunset shots, or just general photography of the world’s highest peak.

Capture the best shots of Mt. Everest

If you want to add some drama to your photos, head back down to the base camp itself, and grab some photos of the stone marker that gives the altitude of the mountain, with the mountain itself in the background. You can find dozens of great positions for photos at the base camp, if you look around.

Visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery

One of the most amazing attractions in Tibet is the Rongbuk Monastery, which lies just a short distance from the base camp in the Dzakar Chu Valley. While it may not be the oldest monastery in Tibet, it is classed as the official Highest Buddhist Monastery in the World, at an altitude of 4,980 meters above sea level.

Visit the world’s highest monastery – Rongbuk Monastery

Built in the early years of the 20th century, the monastery has long been a staging point for climbers and explorers heading for the massive mountain. For the Sherpas that live in the mountains, the monastery has been an important pilgrimage site. It was the Head Lama at Rongbuk who gave the name of Ngawang Tenzin Norbu to the young Namgyal Wangdi, who would later become famous as Tenzing Norgay.

Send postcards for family and friends from the world’s highest post office

As amazing as it may sound, EBC actually has its own post office. A simple green tent that sits at the base camp from April to August, this small branch of the China Post, the national post office of China, was set up in 2008 to allow people to send postcards and letters with an Everest Base Camp postmark.

Reputed to be the world’s highest post office, this small green tent has just three members of staff and is open from 11:00am to 4:00pm daily. It may take a lot longer for your postcard to get home, and you may end up getting home first, but it is an awesome souvenir to have a letter or postcard sent from the foot of the highest mountain on the planet.

Challenges You’ll Meet at EBC Night

While there are some stunning attractions and things to see and do at EBC, there are also some challenges for those staying overnight at the base camp. However, these are challenges you can easily overcome with a little sound advice and some careful planning.

Higher risk of altitude sickness

There is a much higher risk of altitude sickness at EBC, being more than 1,500 meters higher than Lhasa. The key to reducing the risk of altitude sickness is prevention by acclimatization. And if you are looking to find a quick fix, then you will not find one. As you get higher in elevation, there is more risk of feeling the symptoms of altitude sickness. But if you travel overland to EBC from Lhasa on a normal tour, then you are already doing the best possible to reduce that risk.

Ascending at high altitudes should be done gradually, allowing your body time to adjust every 300-500 meters. As you travel from Lhasa to Gyantse, and then Shigatse, and then Tingri, and finally EBC, you are ascending gradually, albeit not as slowly as you ideally should. This does help reduce the risk, and by refraining from strenuous activity, remaining well hydrated, and eating properly, you can help reduce the risk even more.

Lower temperature and thinner air

EBC may not be freezing cold all year round, but for eight out of twelve months, the temperatures at night can drop to well below freezing. Only in the summer months, from June to September, does the nightly temperature stay above freezing, dropping to around 4 degrees. And even in the daytime, it can still be a little chilly sometimes. Through the year, daytime temperatures range from -5 degrees in winter and around 12-14 degrees in spring.

You may find that the thinner air at the base camp can make it feel as if you are always trying to catch your breath. While there is not less oxygen, the atmosphere is definitely thinner, meaning you need to breathe harder to get as much oxygen as at sea level. This is one of the things that can cause altitude sickness, and your guide will have oxygen in the vehicle to help you out if you are struggling.

At night, it can get very cold at EBC, especially in the winter months or in early spring and late autumn. And with nighttime temperatures often dropping to well below freezing, you will need to dress up warm to keep out the cold. Firstly, forget pajamas, as they will not protect you from cold. You should have warm sweaters and layers of thinner shirts to trap your body heat, and wear your long underwear for the lower limbs. And make sure your sleeping bag is arctic-rated, to help keep out the cold.

Basic shared-bed tent hotel with squat toilet outside

Want to stay at EBC in a luxury hotel? Well, that will never happen. Located far out in the west of Tibet, EBC is a very basic place to stay, and you should lower your expectations of what to expect when you arrive here in terms of accommodation. The tent guesthouses are all shared accommodations, which means one large room in the tent with everybody sleeping together. You are advised to bring a sleeping bag with you to stay warm, as the blankets provided are not normally adequate.

Stay overnight at EBC Tent Guesthouse

There are no individual rooms, nor are there indoor toilets and indoor plumbing. If you need to use the toilet, you will have to head out of the tent to the squat-style toilets outside. Often remaining uncleaned for the most part, you should bring your own toilet paper, since there is none in the toilet to use. Be prepared to rough it to the extreme when you reach EBC to stay for the night.

Only simple and homely food available

If you are not a fan of basic Tibetan fare, then you might want to prepare your own food to bring with you to EBC for the overnight stay. The food served in the guesthouses is very basic, often consisting of basic Tibetan dishes that use mutton or yak meat and some few vegetable and noodles that are available. The food is basic and simple, but it is wholesome and nutritious, and is eaten year-round by the locals.

Most Classic Tibet Everest Base Camp Travel Route

If you are looking for the best overland tour to EBC, then you should consider our 8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour. The tour has a maximum group size of just 12 people, compared to the 20+ that you often see on group tours in Tibet. You can join in on any of 7-8 tours every month of the year, and you could even get discounts on the cost for larger groups or those that book well in advance.

The tour starts in Lhasa, with two days of acclimatizing and sightseeing in the stunning Tibetan capital. Then you head out of the city to the cities of Gyantse then Shigatse, to view the spectacular architecture, landscapes, and scenery of the region. On the fifth day of the tour, just two days after leaving Lhasa, you will arrive at the famous Everest Base Camp, with the world’s highest mountain directly above you.

Conclusion

No matter what time of year you are traveling, what the weather is like, how cold it is, or how bad the toilets are, there is nothing that can detract from the amazing experience of standing in the shadow of the highest mountain in the world. And the base camp itself has so many great things going for it, you would be a fool to miss out on such an amazing experience. From the starry skies and the sunrises and sunsets to the beauty of the natural landscape, the delicately-balanced ecosystem, and the ability to boast that you actually went there (and sent them postcards to prove it!), there is nothing like a trip to EBC for all aspiring adventurers. Make that childhood dream a reality!