Everest Base Camp Trek in May
In this article, we are going to discuss Everest Base Camp Trek In May.
Whether it’s the beaming forests or sweet-scented flowers, deep blue sky or fresh breeze everything about May is overwhelming. It embraces an eye-popping vista with an energizing atmosphere all the way up to the camp.
May is the most lovable time of the year following pleasant weather, charming views, warm sunshine, and extra hours of daylight. The delightful atmosphere with never-ending meadows of flowers and foliage also makes the trip joyous in the month.
It is the time that gets hikers busy by offering numerous trekking destinations to walk. Provided temperate weather, it has them traveling all over the Himalayas with Everest Base Camp Trek being the most often done.
May has incredibly good sceneries to offer travelers walking Everest Base Camp. After the ferocious winter with heavy snowfall, it brings the forest back to life with greenery everywhere. The month knows pretty well how to get the best out of nature as it provides trekkers an overwhelming backdrop of rhododendron in full bloom.
It also has them catch glimpses of numerous wild animals that have recently woke up from hibernation. Birds migrating to the sanctuary for autumn will also put an overwhelming sight for hikers walking to the camp.
Days in May are brightening with an intensely blue sky, crisp weather, and visible radiation in the base camp. Although a series of trails are dry, it’s overall fun navigating it, thanks to the soul-stirring vista. Besides, trekkers can witness rhododendron as well as other several flowers blooming across the trail.
Since May falls right between autumn and summer, trekkers can feel the warmth but also get the cooling breeze while climbing high. Likewise, the early weeks may be comforting with a mild climate but as time goes by, it starts getting really hot on the trail. This indeed makes the trip exhausting but not bored.
Highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek in May
- The warm and sunny weather of summer makes high altitude trekking easy and enjoyable. High altitude activities are fun when you do not have to worry about the weather. May has a lot of greenery in the mountains which means more oxygen and less chance of altitude sickness.
- In the summer, there are some chances of pre-monsoon rains. However, the surrounding will quickly clear offering clean and crisp mountain views. Brief clouds create a dramatic atmosphere in the mountains creating beautiful photo opportunities.
- Major highlights of the Everest regions like Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Amadablam, Thamserku, Cholatse, Island peak, Lobuche peaks are visible. As the snow line recedes higher, lower areas are lush green creating a beautiful contrast.
- You can participate in the increasingly popular trail running Everest Marathon competition. Runners across the world participate in this annual marathon. Who knows, the trophy for the coming season is written in your name!
- May is one of the flowering seasons in mountains. A variety of Rhododendron flowers covers the forests of Everest National Park. Mountain slopes, meadows, and forests are green and covered with wildflowers, unlike in Autumn.
Weather at Everest Base Camp in May
It may not seem so obvious why trekkers choose May to hike Everest Base Camp in the first place as it approaches summer. But if you look closer, it’s easy to see why trekkers enjoy visiting the campsite in the exact same month.
May is the last month of autumn so you can expect the climate to be slightly hotter than the previous months. However, the mornings and nights are still cold around the base camp following which you’ll need warm clothes.
May brightens your day on the trail with warm sunshine and marvelous sceneries all along the way. Temperature normally ranges from 0 to 15 Degree Celsius, making it neither too hot nor too cold for hiking the base camp.
To mark the end of the autumn season, May offers friendly weather to every trekker climbing Everest Base Camp. In many places, it brings moderate weather with an impressive view of rolling hills, diverse landscapes, vivacious valleys, and crowded streets.
Read more on – Everest Base Camp Trek Weather and Temperature
Difficulties of Everest Base Camp Trek in May
Everest Base Camp Trek in May comes with a fair share of difficulties that trekkers have to crush in order to reach the final destination. Therefore, the endless trails, high humidity, and back-to-back steep trail make the hike challenging.
The constantly meandering paths filled with rocks and boulders raise the degree of complexity even if it’s the season of the year. Also, here are some of the difficulties while trekking Everest Base Camp in May have to prevail.
1. Fiery weather
Summer is in full swing during May with scorching hot days which is why trekkers find it tough riding the trail. The gradual shift in weather from autumn to summer makes them feel unwell and weakens the immune system.
The increasing temperature and warmth are likely to cause enragement in hikers. Sudden exposure to heat brings them minor effects like dry skin to fatigue and sometimes have extreme results like heat stroke.
Walking the trail incessantly upsets travelers in May as they get dehydrated too early and too quick. Hence, you have to be extremely careful while trekking Everest Base Camp in the month especially with the heat waves, and take precautions in advance.
2. Long trails
It may be exciting to walk Everest Base Camp in May with the spectacular scenery and mild weather. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have no stress of traversing the trail that stretches 80 miles in a single trip. Moreover, the track working its way up to the campsite is zigzagged which makes the hike even more challenging.
Most of them are in a terrible state and filled with rocks and boulders which causes the trekkers to tire out. A lot of sections at Everest Base Camp have lofty hills to scramble which is equally stressful to navigate. Thus, you’ll have to prepare yourself physically to overcome the obstacle and finish the trek on time.
3. Altitude Sickness
With the trail rising all the way up to 17,598 ft, Everest Base Camp notices many trekkers suffering from altitude sickness. It has them fight for their breath due to low barometric pressure and sudden change in the weather.
It also happens when hikers climb more than 300 to 500 meters altitude without taking a break. Most of the time, altitude sickness during the Everest Base Camp trek starts right after climbing Namche Bazaar.
Trekkers show minor symptoms like headache and anxiety which turn up into an alarming situation when neglected. These problems usually get severe when hikers fail to take preventive measures at the right time.
Hence, you need to stop climbing too high without getting proper rest or adapting to the temperature in the region. Dehydration and frailty can also be the cause of acute mountain sickness so you need to drink as much water as you can. Consult with the physician if things get out of control or climb down the trail immediately.
4. Jam-packed trails
Since May stamps the end of autumn, hikers from all around the world get in the race to reach Everest Base Camp. This, of course, results in overcrowded trails which unfortunately is not something nice if you’re not a social butterfly.
Finding privacy becomes really hard during the Everest Base Camp trek in May as the streets are filled with outsiders. As you have to meet the speed of a group, exploring the places around is impossible while hiking in May.
Lukla Flight Cancellation
Unlike winter or monsoon, you’ll experience a lesser flight cancellation to places in the mountain during May. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll not get one in the month as the climate is unpredictable in the Himalayas.
Lukla, which has the only airport in the Everest region often experiences flight cancellation due to adverse weather conditions. The unstable climate followed by a strong crosswind normally leads the airport to shut down.
To make matters worse, you have sidewalls and mountains surrounding Lukla airport which adds further challenge to pilots. The unique topography of Lukla often witnesses an abrupt change in weather including high winds and storms which often causes flight cancellation.
The surrounding highlands and mountains to prompt the shift in climate within a split second, forcing the flights to delay and sometimes cancel. Likewise, low air density discourages pilots to go on a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla until there is no progress in the weather.
In particular, an airport like Tenzing Hillary is challenging for any pilot for several reasons. Elevation indeed makes it tough to fly aircraft in the region but the landforms to stir up the complexity. It has the shortest airstrip at just a length of 1,729 ft which often ignites traffic jams during the prime trekking season.
Generally, it’s really hard for pilots to get visibility during windy days at Lukla which usually calls off for flight cancellation. Moreover, there are high possibilities for aviators to lose balance while going into the valley with a steep drop below. Furthermore, this is probably the reason so many flights get canceled even in May due to lack of transparency.
Similar articles you may like:
- Everest Base Camp Trek Map
- 7 Days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
- Everest Base Camp Trek in January
Everest Base Camp Trek in May Itinerary:
Day 01: Flight to Lukla, trek to Phakding
Maximum Altitude: 2,860 meters
Flight Distance: 138 km
Trek Distance: 6.2 km
Flight Duration: 40 minutes
Trek Duration: 2-3 hours
Day 02: Trek to Namche Bazaar
Maximum Altitude: 3,440 meters
Trek Distance: 7.4 km
Trek Duration: 4-5 hours
Day 03: Rest day in Namche Bazaar
Day 04: Trek to Tengboche
Maximum Altitude: 3,860 meters
Trek Distance: 9.2 km
Trek Duration: 4-5 hours
Day 05: Trek to Dingboche
Maximum Altitude: 4,410 meters
Trek Distance: 10.7 km
Trek Duration: 3-4 hours
Day 06: Acclimatization in Dingboche
Day 07: Trek to Lobuche
Maximum Altitude: 4,940 meters
Trek Distance: 17.5 km
Trek Duration: 4-5 hours
Day 08: Trek to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp, head back to Gorak Shep
Maximum Altitude: 5,364 meters
Trek Distance: 15 km
Trek Duration: 7-8 hours
Day 09: Trek to Kala Patthar and return to Pheriche
Maximum Altitude: 5,643 meters
Trek Distance: 13 km
Trek Duration: 7-8 hours
Day 10: Trek to Namche Bazaar
Maximum Altitude: 3,440 meters
Trek Distance: 14.3 km
Trek Duration: 6-7 hours
Day 11: Trek to Lukla
Maximum Altitude: 2,860 meters
Trek Distance: 13 km
Trek Duration: 8 hours
Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu
Maximum Altitude: 1,400 meters
Flight Distance: 138 km
Flight Duration: 40 minutes
Everest Base Camp Trek in May – FAQs
1. Why do trekkers travel to Everest Base Camp in May?
May is arguably one of the best times to do the Everest Base Camp trek due to the hospitable atmosphere. The season survives beautiful weather with picturesque sceneries of snow-capped mountains and sweeping landscapes, that is why trekkers will never have a dull moment. Days in May are filled with beautiful sunshine considering which you’ll manage to get a clear picture of the surrounding view.
2. Will we have a guide for the trek to Everest Base Camp in May?
Of course, you’ll have your own guide to give you a tour of the Everest Base Camp Trek. He will accompany you along the way and make sure that you never get bored. He’ll also help you interact with the locals and make sure you feel at home. The guide provided to you will be a professional with experience of several years so that you’ll have an easy time traveling.
3. Is it possible to go on a solo trek to Everest Base Camp in May?
Since May is the prime time for the Everest Base Camp trek, you’ll have a lot of people joining on the trail. This will make it a lot easier to navigate the track even if you’re traveling alone. As the tracks are filled with people, local and foreigner, you can always call someone for help if it’s needed.
4. How difficult is the Everest Base Camp trek in May?
Compared to other seasons, the Everest Base Camp trek in May is as easy as anything. But if you look closely, the hike is still more challenging than any of the others in the valley. Its never-ending trail which walks all the way from Lukla to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters is a lot. Trekkers will have to walk an average of 6-7 hours every day for at least 2 weeks which makes the trek awfully hard.
Altitude sickness can too cause trouble for day hikers and prevent them from reaching the base camp. Reduced atmospheric pressure can find you struggling with a breathless problem, dizziness, and insomnia. Also, the unending steep trail that walks narrow hilltop and mountainsides also makes it tough for climbers to reach the Everest Base Camp in May.
5. Do I need to have travel insurance while trekking Everest Base Camp in May?
Whether you’re trekking Everest Base Camp in May or any other month, travel insurance is rudimentary as it’ll protect you from various losses. Likewise, it acts as safety protection from unforeseen events like medical complications, injuries, and theft. It will ensure that you get proper medical care in a time of emergency. Thus, the travel insurance will even cover your cost for an emergency flight during Everest Base Camp Trek in May.
6. What kind of food is available during Everest Base Camp Trek in May?
Food available during Everest Base Camp Trek in May is no different to other seasons except that you’ll get more variety. Hikers will be served typical Nepali food which includes rice, pulses, vegetables, and pickles.
Since it’s autumn, locals will have more fresh products to use from the farm which are nutritious as well as tasty. Also, a lot of tea houses and lodges also offer Asian and western dishes that include spaghetti, vegetable soup, spring rolls, and bread.
7. How is the accommodation like during Everest Base Camp Trek in May?
Everest Base Camp comes with several accommodation options so no trekkers will have to go without a shelter. In addition, there are lots of guest houses and lodges established in the region to provide accommodation facilities to hikers. However, it’s the tea house that has received more attention from the travelers as they have reached the remotest location and off-the-beaten tracks.
Furthermore, prices for these accommodations vary depending on the service and standard of rooms you decide to go with. At most places, it costs between $3 to $5 per night and comes with amenities like a single bed, a nice pillow, and a bedsheet.
8. What is the chance of suffering from altitude sickness during the Everest Base Camp trek in May?
Everest Base Camp trek in May is equally likely to get hikers tortured from the low atmospheric pressure in the air. In fact, the more elevation you gain, the harder it gets to breathe. Therefore, you’re also likely to have minor symptoms like dizziness, muscle aches, nausea, and sometimes as severe as hypoxemia.
9. Is the cost for the Everest Base Camp trek in May similar to a trip in any other month?
Since May is the best time for trekking in Nepal, your cost to visit Everest Base Camp will be somewhat higher than the excursion in other months. Hotels and lodges are occupied with guests so it’s really hard to get a discount in the month. Overall, food and drinking water are equally pricey, costing you a lot of money.
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Alternative routes to Everest Base Camp Trek in May
Summer being one of the best times of the year to trek, you can try more routes than the most popular trail to Everest Base Camp. Also, depending on your time availability and fitness, you can choose one of the following routes or combine one or more of them. Overall, each of these routes takes you to Everest Base Camp.
Three passes trek
Everest Three Pass Trekking is one of the most challenging and adventurous routes in the Everest region. Generally, it involves three high passes as the name suggests, and a couple more points over 5000 meters. Likewise, if you wish your next trek to be the most strenuous and touching the skies, this is the best route for you.
Three passes in this route are the Kongma La pass (5,535 meters), Cho La pass (5,360 meters), and Renjo La pass (5,385 meters). Besides, to make these passes, you need a good level of fitness and some pre-trek physical preparations.
Remember to acclimate well for this trek. Likewise, it is recommended to go with a guide on this challenging route than daring to go solo.
Furthermore, three passes trek is an ultimate trek of a lifetime. It is both challenging and magically beautiful. However, you will tick a multiple bucket list when you complete this single trek.
Gokyo- Cho La – Everest Base Camp Trek
If three high passes are too much to imagine, you can easily skip one or two and still have a close experience. The trek to Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Cho La Pass is unique, beautiful, and less strenuous than the three passes trek. Also, it is still challenging, adventurous, and beautiful.
Trekking to Gokyo lakes and the surrounding area is magical. You will make it to Everest Base Camp via Cho La pass (5,420 meters). Also, you will not miss any highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek-like Kalapathar (5,400 meters), Khumjung village, and Gokyo Peak (5,360 meters).
Gokyo-Renjo La Pass Trekking
If you want to conquer more than one high pass and do not want to strain yourself with three passes, you can choose this two-pass trek. Gokyo-Renjo La pass trekking is easier than crossing three passes, yet, with similar experiences.
Similarly, adventure lovers and high altitude Junkies will absolutely love it while an average trekker can also easily make this trek possible with some additional efforts.
You will cross two of three high passes, Cho-La pass, and Renjo La pass, and miss the most difficult one – Kongma La Pass.
Furthermore, this is no less beautiful than the tree pass trek. And, you do not have to strain your body by crossing all three highest trekking passes.
In sum, these alternative routes are less crowded than the regular route to Everest Base Camp. Likewise, if you have that adventurous soul-lifting legs to ascend higher, these routes will be perfect for you in May. And, if you have already made it to Everest Base Camp through a regular route, why not challenge yourself with a more thrilling trek this summer?
Packing for Everest Base Camp Trek in May
You will not need as many warm clothes as trekking in Autumn and Winter. However, high altitudes and high passes are cold. Besides, the nighttime temperature is still cold. Moreover, the basics of keeping your body safe and warm are dressing in layers. Although daytime is warm and sweaty, while you trek you need to prepare for cold mornings and evenings.
You may pack the following for your EBC trek in May:
- Warm jackets and fleece for nights and early mornings.
- Strong waterproof shoes.
- Rain jacket, rain cover, and a windproof jacket.
- Quick-drying and light clothes
- Trekking shirts short sleeve
- Trekking pants convertible to shorts
- Sandals
- Down jacket
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Headlamp with extra batteries,
- Sleeping bag
- Sunglasses ( UV protection )
- Sunscreen
- Diamox – for altitude sickness
- Vicks vapor rub
- Chapstick
- Antinauseant
- Diarrhea medicine
- Bandaids
- Nasal moisturizer
- Q-tips
- Your prescribed medicines
- Anti-bug sprays and ointments
- Foot powder
- Toilet paper
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Microfiber towel
Tips for Everest Base Camp Trek in May
- Dress up in layers. Nights in high altitude still gets cold. Dressing up in layers protects you when the weather gets worse than you expect. Read more about clothing for trekking
- Trekking in May can get sweaty due to hot and humid weather. So, pack light and airy clothes.
- Put on waterproof hiking shoes. Also, it protects your feet from getting wet while walking immediately after rain or over trails with flowing water.
- Take precautions if you are allergic to pollens. May is a flowering season.
- To protect yourself and your gear, carry a rain jacket, poncho, or an umbrella
- You lose a lot of body fluids through sweat. Drink plenty of water. This helps you also with acclimatization.
- Start trekking early in the morning and avoid the midday sun.
- Always carry sunscreen and sunglasses
- Purchase travel insurance.
- Also, hire an experienced, professional, and licensed guide.
- Prepare your trek in advance with the simple workout. Read more about pre-trek training or contact us for guidance.
- Carry insect repellents.
If you are planning to trek to Everest Base Camp this coming May, contact us here for more details or book your next trek here.