Quick answer: yes, you can trek to Everest Base Camp in December, and the first half of the month is a very good time to go: skies are usually clear, the trail is quiet and rain is rare. The price is cold. Expect days of about 0 to 5°C and nights of about −10 to −18°C at Lobuche and Gorak Shep. It suits fit trekkers with four-season gear and spare days for Lukla flights.
Is December a good time for Everest Base Camp?
December sits between the busy autumn season and the coldest weeks of the year. Several things work in your favour:
- Dry, stable weather. December is among the driest months in Nepal, and mornings are often completely clear.
- Far fewer people. Trails and lodges are much quieter than in October and November, and you are unlikely to struggle for a bed.
- Clear views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam on most mornings.
Three things work against you:
- Serious cold above 4,000m, especially after sunset, in unheated rooms.
- Short days. You get about 10.5 hours of daylight, so late arrivals mean walking in freezing air.
- Some closed lodges, mainly higher up and late in the month, when owners move down to Kathmandu.
If you have never slept below freezing, read the temperature table below before you decide.
Temperatures on the EBC trail in December
These figures combine several operators' records, which do not fully agree, so treat them as planning ranges rather than measurements. Wind can make any of them feel far colder.
Stop | Altitude | Daytime | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
Lukla | 2,850m | 10 to 12°C | 0 to 2°C |
Namche Bazaar | 3,440m | 7 to 9°C | −4 to −6°C |
Dingboche | 4,360m | around 0 to 5°C | −8 to −12°C |
Lobuche | 4,930m | 0 to 5°C | −10 to −16°C |
Gorak Shep | 5,164m | 0 to 5°C | −10 to −18°C |
Everest Base Camp | 5,364m | around 0°C | −20°C or lower |
Namche Bazaar, the main acclimatisation stop on the Everest Base Camp trekThe dawn climb of Kala Patthar (5,545m) is the coldest part of the trek, because you start in the dark and in the wind. Our post on how cold it gets on Mount Everest explains why temperatures drop so fast with height.
Early December vs late December
1 to 15 December | 16 to 31 December | |
|---|---|---|
Weather | Still close to late autumn | Colder week by week |
Snow | Occasional | More common, especially above Dingboche |
Lodges | Most open | Some higher lodges close or reduce services |
Crowds | Quiet | Very few trekkers |
Our view | The best window of the month | Possible, with more flexibility and warmer kit |
If you can choose, start your trek in the first week of December. You still get winter's clear skies, without the hardest cold.
Our 14-day itinerary in December
Our 14-day Everest Base Camp trek includes two acclimatisation days, which matter even more in winter, since cold adds stress to a body already short of oxygen.
Day | Route | Sleep at |
|---|---|---|
1 | Arrive in Kathmandu | 1,300m |
2 | Fly to Lukla, walk to Phakding (about 3 hours) | 2,650m |
3 | Phakding to Namche Bazaar (about 6 hours) | 3,440m |
4 | Acclimatisation day in Namche | 3,440m |
5 | Namche to Tengboche (about 5 hours) | 3,855m |
6 | Tengboche to Dingboche (about 5 hours) | 4,360m |
7 | Acclimatisation day, hike Nagarjuna Hill | 4,360m |
8 | Dingboche to Lobuche (about 5 hours) | 4,930m |
9 | To Everest Base Camp via Gorak Shep, back to Gorak Shep | 5,164m |
10 | Kala Patthar at dawn, down to Pheriche | 4,371m |
11 | Pheriche to Namche | 3,440m |
12 | Namche to Lukla | 2,850m |
13 | Fly back | 1,300m |
14 | Departure |
In December, start each day a little later than you would in October, once the sun reaches the trail, and aim to arrive by mid-afternoon. The exception is the Kala Patthar morning.
Lukla flights in December
Lukla flights are the most common thing to go wrong on this trek, in any season. December is one of the better months: little rain and generally stable mountain weather. The risk is fog in Kathmandu and morning wind at Lukla, which can delay flights even on clear days in the mountains.
Where you fly from: during the 2026 autumn season, Lukla flights have been running from Manthali (Ramechhap), a road journey of several hours from Kathmandu, not from Kathmandu itself. In quieter months some flights have operated directly from Kathmandu, but this is decided by airlines and airport schedules, and we could not find a published plan for December 2026. Our itinerary allows for either, and we confirm the departure point when we book your seats.
Keep at least one or two spare days before your flight home.
Teahouses, food and water in the cold
- Rooms are unheated. Night-time temperatures inside can be close to those outside. Lodge blankets alone are not enough at altitude.
- Dining rooms are the warm place, with a stove lit in the evening. Expect to spend your evenings there.
- Water bottles freeze. Keep one inside your sleeping bag, and store a bottle upside down in your pack during the day.
- Batteries die quickly. Sleep with your phone and power bank. Charging gets more expensive with height.
- Hot showers are rare and not worth it above Namche. You will not want to be wet.
What to pack for EBC in December
On top of your normal list on our trekking packing list, December needs:
- A four-season sleeping bag, comfort-rated to about −20°C (these can be rented in Kathmandu)
- A proper down jacket with a hood, plus a warm mid layer
- Thermal base layers, two sets
- Warm hat, buff or balaclava, liner gloves and insulated outer gloves
- Warm socks and boots with room for them
- Microspikes, light and cheap, for icy sections
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: the sun is strong even when the air is freezing
- A buff or scarf over your mouth, since cold dry air is a common cause of the "Khumbu cough"
Altitude and safety in winter
Altitude sickness risk is not lower in December. Cold and dehydration can make it worse, because people drink less when it is freezing. Drink 3 to 4 litres a day, keep your pace slow, and tell your guide about any headache, nausea or dizziness. Our guide to preventing altitude sickness has the warning signs.
Check that your travel insurance covers trekking to at least 5,600m and helicopter evacuation. Fewer trekkers on the trail also means fewer people around if something goes wrong, which is one more reason to go with a guide.
Avoid adding the high passes in late December unless you have winter experience. Heavy snow can make Cho La impassable without mountaineering equipment.
What EBC in December costs
The trek itself costs about the same as in autumn. Our 14-day trip is listed at USD 1,566 per person. You need two local permits: the Sagarmatha National Park permit (NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals) and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit (about NPR 3,000; both are included in our package). The real extra cost is gear: renting or buying a warmer sleeping bag and jacket. Lodges are easier to book, but do not plan on large off-season discounts.
Who should choose something else in December
Three trekkers near Everest Base Camp with Nuptse behindThe full trek is not the right choice if you have little multi-day experience, dislike cold, or have fixed dates with no spare days. Good alternatives:
- Everest View trek: 7 days, highest point 3,880m, with views of Everest in far milder cold.
- Everest Base Camp helicopter tour: one morning, no nights at altitude.
- Poon Hill trek: lower and easier, with big Annapurna and Dhaulagiri views.
Frequently asked questions
Can you trek to Everest Base Camp in December?
Yes. The trail stays open and most lodges operate, especially in the first half of the month. Late December is colder, with more snow and some lodge closures higher up.
How cold is Everest Base Camp in December?
Around 0°C in the middle of the day on a calm, clear day, and about −20°C or lower at night. Most trekkers sleep at Gorak Shep, where nights are about −10 to −18°C.
Is Everest Base Camp crowded in December?
No. Trekker numbers fall sharply after November, and by late December the trail is very quiet.
Can beginners trek EBC in December?
Only if they are fit, well equipped and have done at least a few days of hill walking before. The altitude is the same as in any season, with more cold on top. First-time trekkers usually enjoy a lower route more in winter.
Do Lukla flights run in December?
Yes, and December is one of the more reliable months, though fog and wind still cause delays. Allow one or two spare days.
Can I see Everest in December?
Very likely. Winter mornings are usually clear. Clouds tend to build later in the day, so plan your viewpoints for the morning.
Is Christmas or New Year a good time to trek to EBC?
It is possible and very peaceful, but it is the coldest part of the month and some high lodges may be closed. Book with an agency that can confirm which lodges are open.
Written by Krishna Ghimire, Senior Himalayan Specialist at Nature Heaven Treks & Expedition. Last updated November 2026.
See dates and full inclusions for our 14-day Everest Base Camp trek.
