Everest Base Camp in Tibet and Nepal, Which EBC Should I go?

Mount Everest has two main base camps, the North Base Camp in the Tibet and the South Base Camp in Nepal. Though located in the same mountain and with similar elevation, Everest Base Camp in Tibet is preferred by more tourists because of its stunning scenery and travel experience.

Why choose Tibet Everest Base Camp

Tibet Everest Base Camp is accessible all the year around by the well-paved asphalt road. Besides the unobstructed view of Mt. Everest and once-in-a-lifetime overnight stay at EBC, you also enjoy various scenery of Tibetan Plateau along the way.

Convenient access to Tibet EBC

The Everest Base Camp tour in Tibet is one of the most popular tours on the plateau, taking you across the entire region to the foot of the massive peak. It normally lasts for around 8 days, though there are longer tours available.

The well-paved asphalt road leads to the Everest Base Camp in Tibet.

The tour passes through several towns and villages along the well-paved asphalt road to EBC, as well as stopping in the city of Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city. Our classic 8 days EBC tour in Tibet starts with 2-day Lhasa sightseeing to iconic attractions like Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. Then, it passes alongside the shores of Lake Yamdrok, one of the Great Three sacred lakes of Tibet, before heading on to Gyantse and Shigatse. You can see the stunning Kumbum Stupa in Gyantse and Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, and stay overnight in both cities to acclimatize the altitude to come. Continue the way to EBC (5,200m), you will pass several high passes including the Tso La Pass (4,600m), the Gyatso La Pass (5,248m), and the Gawu La Pass (5,251m).

Spectacular scenery and unique experience at Tibet EBC

Gawu La Pass is one of the best locations in Tibet for the awesome view of the world’s four highest peaks. From the viewing platform of this pass, you get the best views of not just Mount Everest, but also of Mount Makalu (8,463m), Mount Lhotse (8,516m), and Mount Cho Oyu (8,188m).

You can enjoy the stunning view of the world's top 4 highest peaks at Gawula Pass on the way to EBC in Tibet.

At EBC in Tibet, you can have close and unobstructed view of Mt. Everest. And the base camp itself is one that may surprise some travelers. There is little to see in the way of trees due to the harsh climate, and the area looks as desolate as the moon, with some scrub grass in parts of the area to the north of the camp. Very little grows in the area around the base camp, but this desolate landscape exudes a strange beauty all of its own. Winter can see the base camp covered in snow, in the coldest months, which brings a different kind of beauty to the scene. You can also visit Rongbuk Monastery nearby EBC, with an elevation of 5,009 meters, this Nyingma sect monastery is the highest one in the world.

Tourists can stay overnight at EBC in Tibet to enjoy the sunset over the peak of Mt. Everest.

The North Base Camp is also the only place where you can stay overnight at the actual base camp, and you have the option to stay in the Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse or one of the tent guesthouses set up by locals at the site in the peak season. By staying overnight at EBC, you get the chance to appreciate the breathtaking sunset, the Milky Way, and sunrise over the highest peak on the planet.

Our expert tips about visiting Everest Base Camp in Tibet

While Everest Base Camp in Nepal is almost inaccessible during the monsoon season, Everest Base Camp in Tibet is accessible all the year around. The best time to visit EBC in Tibet is from April to May and September to October. During this period, the weather is not so cold and the visibility is high thanks to the dry air.

Compared with the half month trekking to EBC Nepal, visiting EBC in Tibet only takes about 8 days. Besides the unobstructed view of Mt. Everest itself, you can also appreciate panorama of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass and stay overnight there to enjoy the spectacular sunset and sunrise over the highest peak on the planet.

You can visit the turquoise Yamdrok Lake on the way to Everest Base Camp in Tibet.

The scenery along the way to EBC in Tibet is attractive, too. The turquoise Yamdrok Lake and the stunning Karola Glacier, the grandeur monasteries and the high-rising mountain passes all make your EBC Tibet trip unique and worthy.

Everest Base Camp in Nepal

Though only accessible by trekking and unavailable for accommodation, the South Base Camp (5,364m) is a classic hiking destination for its beautiful natural scenery along the way.

The arduous trekking to Nepal EBC

On the Nepali side of the mountain, the situation is very different to the Tibetan side. Firstly, there is no road to the site, and it takes much longer to get to the base camp. Secondly, you cannot stay there overnight. However, there are other advantages that the South Base Camp has over the north one.

Everest Base Camp in Nepal can only be reached by arduous trekking.

The main attraction of EBC in Nepal is the trek to get there, which takes you through some of the stunning valleys that lie in the Khumbu Region of Nepal. The classic 16-day Nepal EBC trekking tour from Lukla Airport runs first through Phakding to the small village of Namche Bazaar, the capital of the Sherpa people of the region. Then you continue on along the well-laid out hiking trail to Tengboche, and on to Dingboche and Lobuche, finishing at Gorak Shep.

The obstructive view of Mt. Everest peak at Nepal EBC

The scenery on the route to South Base Camp is different from the north one. While the earlier section of the trek runs through some heavily-wooded valleys, after passing the ridge before Dingboche, the route becomes a more desolate and rocky. The greenery gets sparser the further you go, and after passing Chola Lake and Lobuche, the ground becomes rough and rocky, as you hike along the edge of the Khumbu Glacier to Goral Shep.

You can also enjoy the stunning view of the Himalayas at Namche Bazaar.

When you finally get to the mountain’s base camp, you can only stay for a short period of time, due to the high increase in altitude once again, and it is not possible to stay overnight. And the base camp itself actually has no clear view of the summit. Mount Lhotse sits in the way of your view of Mount Everest, which for some is something of a disappointment. However, you can take the short trekking from Lukla Airport to Namche Bazaar, from where you do get a most amazing view of the mountain.

Our expert tips about visiting Everest Base Camp in Nepal

Everest Base Camp in Nepal is almost inaccessible in monsoon season. The best time to visit base camp in Nepal is actually the same. Spring and autumn, from April to May and September to November, are generally the best times of year to take the trip to EBC.

Tourists can't stay overnight at Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

Since the trekking to EBC in Nepal take 16 days, it suitable for those who have long vacation and have relevant trekking experience. If you love trekking more than you want the unobstructed view of the mountain or the ability to stop overnight, you can choose EBC in Nepal.

Conclusion

You can only get a clear and unobstructed view of the peak of Mt. Everest in Everest Base Camp in Tibet. Instead of spending almost all the time on the trekking route and visiting EBC Nepal for a few minutes, you can reach EBC Tibet from Lhasa in 2 days and stay overnight there to fully enjoy the great beauty of the highest mountain on the planet. With more than 10 years’ experience in Tibet travel, we can arrange a satisfying and worry free EBC Tibet tour for you.