Everest Base Camp trek in August
Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular trekking destinations for any trekking enthusiast. It has good trekking trails, beautiful mountains alongthe way and the richness in culture. All of the natural beauty is waiting for you if you choose to go to Everest Base Camp in August.
August is a month where there are chances of rainfall. As this is the time when the monsoon starts in Nepal, you should be a bit flexible with your timings. There might be delays due to intermittent rain while trekking. You should also mind that occasional flight delays might take place.
But the light shower during this month brings about best of natural vegetation during your trek. In the early mornings, the skies are clear and it gives room for wonderful mountain viewing.
Besides, the temperature of the Everest region is fairly warm and you don’t have to deal with extremely cold temperature, even in high elevation. This makes Everest Base Camp doable as long as you prepare well.
Weather of Everest Base Camp in August
Summer in Nepal falls in the month of June, July, and August. The monsoon also coincides with this time. This means that the temperature in August is warm and wet. However, as this is the last month of summer, it is nowhere as hot as June and July.
Temperature of Everest Base Camp in August
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As the table above shows, even the temperature along the highest points along the trek is merely close to 0°C. This is a fairly warm temperature considering the fact that you will get to an altitude of above 5000 meters.
You will have a considerable amount of daylight in August. The length of a day at the start of August will be 13.5 hours and will decrease to 12 hours and 45 minutes by the end of August. On average, the sun will rise at 7:40 am and set at 8:50 pm.
Main Attractions of the Everest Base Camp trek in August
August is a Festive Season
Nepal is home to people across various religions, cultures and ethnicities. Therefore, you have many people celebrating festivals enthusiastically almost all year round. August is no exception.
Four big festivals i.e. Teej, Gai Jatra, Janai Purnima, and Krishna Janmashtami are celebrated in all its color and beauty in Nepal. All of these festivals have their own cultural significance.
Teej is celebrated by Nepalese women wishing their husbands a prosperous life. Gai Jatra is a festival celebrated to commemorate the dead ones of someone’s family. Janai Purnima is celebrated brothers and sisters by exchanging gifts and blessings with each other. Krishna Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna.
August Offers Peaceful Travel
As there are not many people who do the EBC trek in August, the trekking trails are quiet. This gives you more time to be in touch with the natural beauty of your surrounding. Thus lodges and tea houses during your trek are easily available. If you are a good bargainer, you might be able to get accommodation at a discount.
Clean and fresh air awaits you
When it rains in August, it makes the air in the mountains of Everest a lot fresher than it already was. This rain also helps in the plants getting a lush green texture. So when you walk through the Sagarmatha National Park, the alpine vegetation is a lot more attractive to look at.
Itinerary of Everest Base Camp trek in August
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Notable Places along the EBC trek
Lukla
Lukla is the home to one of the most thrilling airports in the world. Located in Khumbu, this is the first place in the Everest region that you are going to land in before starting your trek. Nepalese police force has a 24 hour surveillance around the airport. The runway is merely 527 meters in length.
While you are on your way to Lukla on August, your flight might be cancelled or delayed due to moderate or heavy rain. So keep your schedule a bit flexible.
Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar is often referred to as the capital city of Sherpas. This is the first resting place along your trek which is more than 3000 meters high. Trekkers usually spend a day or two for acclimatizing in this region.
Over this region is an airport called Syangboche Airport that is exclusively for landing chartered aircrafts. You can also go for a cultural ride to the Sherpa museum in Namche Bazaar. Namche Monastery might be another region that will be of cultural interest to you.
This region is popular for being a tourist hub as well. You have high quality restaurant and cafes in Namche. In addition, there are cyber cafes and pubs to hang out in. This is also a trade hub where you can find anything ranging from trekking gear, equipment to Tibetan artifacts and yak cheese.
Tengboche
Tengboche, located at an altitude of 3867 meters, is a village in Khumjung. From Tengboche, you can see panoramic views of peaks such as Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Lhotse. This region is a wonderful representative of the Tibetan culture of the Everest region.
Tengboche is home to Tengboche Monastery. This monastery which was built over a century ago is within the premises of Sagarmatha National park. The views of many mountains of the Everest region are also visible from this monastery.
Kala Pathar
Kala Pathar, which literally translates in Nepali as ‘black rock’, is the place that offers the best view of Mt. Everest region. Trekkers mostly rise up early in the morning around 4 am to go to Kala Pathar from Gorak Shep.
In the month of August, you should especially go to get the view of Mt. Everest early in the morning. During the daytime, rain clouds might obscure your view.
Kala Pathar also holds the record for being the highest altitude in which a cabinet meeting has taken place. In 2009, the then Prime Minister of Nepal held a cabinet meeting at Kala Pathar to help people become conscious about the threat of climate change.
Everest Base Camp
Not many people know, but there are two Base Camps of Mt. Everest. One is called the South Base Camp and the other one is called North Base Camp. They have elevations of 5364 meters and 5150 meters respectively. During your trek, you will go to Southern Base Camp.
On your way to Everest Base Camp, you will be able to view Khumbu glacier as well. It is located at an elevation of 4900 meters and is the world’s highest glacier. The glacier also has a large icefall.
Packing list for EBC trek in August
Clothing
- A couple of long base layer shirts that dry quickly
- A couple of short-sleeved trekking shirts
- A couple of Thermal underwear
- 2 liner socks
- 3 pairs of woolen blend trekking socks.
- A pair of waterproof trekking pants with zip-off bottoms
- A couple of fleece sweaters (one lightweight, one heavier)
- 1 wind/rain proof outer-layer jacket and pants
- 1 down jacket. ( -20 D.C )
- 1 warm winter hat
- 1 lightweight thermal layer hat
- A pair of woolen gloves
- A Pair of trekking boots
- Umbrella
- Raincoat
Toiletries
- Foot powder (for stinky feet)
- Toilet paper
- shampoo
- Soap
- A quick-dry Towel
- Gold Bond – this just feels good all the time
First Aid
- Diamox – for altitude
- Vicks vapor rub
- Sunscreen
- moisturizers
- anti-nauseant ( if you get nauseous a lot at altitude)
- immodium – (in case of diarrhoea)
- Mosquito repellent
Tips and Tricks for EBC trek in August
Watch Out for the Weather
You always need to keep an eye out on the weather while you are trekking in August. Make sure you tune into the weather forecasts and consider abandoning a day’s trek if the rain is persistent.
Hire a Guide/ Porter
No matter how experienced a trekker you are, you should always consider hiring a guide/ porter during your trek. During the monsoon, they will be able to guide you through trails that are less muddy and slippery. Besides, altitude sickness is always a threat. Having a porter/ guide by your side is a way to gain emotional and physical support during times of difficulty.
Have a flexible schedule
There might be all sorts of delay during your trek. Your flight might not take off when there is a heavy downpour. Similarly, you might be forced to take a day or two off while you trek is persistent rain forces you to. In addition, you might want to extend your trip if the mountain views are fuzzy at times. Bearing such possibilities in mind, don’t have a rigid schedule for a trek to EBC in August.
Prepare Well for the trek
If you don’t prepare well, you won’t be able to complete your trek. It is as simple as that. Preparation before the trek gives you physical strength as well as develops an attitude of hard work. Further, physical preparation for the trek is a good way to prepare for the altitude you are likely to encounter.
Get a Travel Insurance
If altitude sickness hits you during your trek and you want evacuation through helicopters, you might end up paying thousands of dollars. Chartering a helicopter might cost upto 5000 dollars. You might also get some cuts and bruises while trekking. Forgetting or losing your baggage is also a possibility. To ensure that these factors don’t affect you while trekking, you should consider getting a travel insurance.
Take it easy
Some people just trek too fast. This saps a lot of energy from the body and makes your body susceptible to dehydration. These two are the biggest factors that contribute to altitude sickness. Therefore, always go slow. Keep munching chocolates and other light snacks along the way. Keep the water intake high.
Final Say
The Everest Base Camp doesn’t buzz with travelers in August as it does in other months. This makes it a perfect place for people who are willing to get lost in the beauty of the Himalayas in quiet and solitude.
The possibilities of rain mean that you have to pack smartly and accommodate gear that is rainproof. As long as you tune into the weather reports regularly and are willing to have flexible timings, Everest Base Camp trek in August will not disappoint you.
If you have any enquiry to make feel free to contact us, we can help you to manage your trip.