EVEREST TENT CAMP
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2025 update: New camp setup
The work has already started to build a more sturdy structure for a newer camp setup. The updated camp will have small private single and double rooms with fresh bedding and a shared space. This upgrade will further enhance comfort at the Everest camp site.
EVEREST TENT CAMP
2025 started with updating the tent camp complex. The new structures will be a lot more sturdy, which also allows the addition of windows and separates the rooms inside.
In 2023, Everest Base Camp territory was renovated offering an improved experience to travelers. You will see new tents with improved amenities, Wi-Fi, cleaner restrooms, and the same fantastic view of Everest.
Typical tents have 6-10 beds in each tent with a stove to keep everyone warm. In addition to standard dormitory accommodations, some tents offer smaller double-occupancy rooms for more privacy. Tent owners serve breakfast that you can order in advance.
Within a very short walk from the camp is Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery. We highly recommend visiting this monastery.
The tent camp is open from April until late October and closed during the winter season. There is also a monastery guesthouse that is currently under renovation. Once it reopens, you can stay in the guesthouse during the colder months.
If you want to get an even better view, flying drones is allowed in the EBC area.
During the busy season in the warmer months, local villagers gather in the evening for a traditional dance in the square of the camp area.
EVEREST BASE CAMP (EBC)
The tent camp by Everest is the closest you can get to the highest mountain in the world if you are not climbing it. The tent camp is located at 5,050 meters above sea level. It offers awe-inspiring views to the visitors.
The camp consists of several large tents made of yak hair. In a typical tent, you will find several twin beds and a stove in the middle of the tent.
Climbers don’t stay in the same base camp. They set up their tents about 3 km from the tent camp in a protected area.
PROTECTED EVEREST NATIONAL PARK AREA
The area around Everest is now a protected Qomolangma National Nature Preserve – Everest is called Qomolangma in Tibetan. To protect the fragile environment of the area, tourist cars are not allowed to enter the area.
When we visit Everest, we drive towards Tashi Zom town and transfer on the green eco bus to travel the remaining 38km / 23 miles to the Everest Base Camp (EBC). Buses travel between EBC and Tashi Zom regularly, and the ride takes about 30-40 minutes.
TRAVELERS CAMP VS CLIMBERS CAMP
In 2019, a large cleanup project started in the Everest Region. The tent camp for travelers moved a few kilometers from the original base camp used by climbers. The new location of the Everest tent camp is right by the Rongbuk monastery. View on Everest is one of the best from this location.
TIPS FOR A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE STAY IN TENTS
HOW TO TRAVEL TO EVEREST BASE CAMP IN TIBET
You can reach EBC in Tibet by the newly built road through the Himalayan mountains or by trekking to it. There is a new highway leading to the Base Camp, and the ride is mostly smooth and enjoyable. On the way, we will cross several high passes with breathtaking views of the Himalayas. On a clear day, you can see high peaks from a distance: Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, and others.
DRIVING TO EBC
Most of the visitors arrive at the camp from Shigatse. This scenic road zigzags through the mountain ranges with amazing views. It takes one day to reach EBC from Shigatse with stops to enjoy the views along the way.
The road to Everest begins after the checkpoint in Shegar. First, we drive down the Friendship Highway until we reach Chay village. After that, there is an ascent to the Pangla Pass (5,050 meters/ 16,570 ft). From the pass opens an incredible view of the Himalayan range. In the clear weather, you can see Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Shishabangma, and Cho Oyu mountains on the horizon. The road descends after the pass, and we continue to Everest.
When we reach Tashi Zom, we will take the green eco bus to travel the remaining 38 km / 23 miles to the Base Camp.
TREKKING TO EBC
Another great way to visit Everest Base Camp is to trek there. The trek begins in Old Tingri, a small village. It usually takes 3-4 days to reach the Base Camp from there. During the trek, you will go over several high passes and see amazing views of the Himalayas.
The total duration of the tour, including trekking, is 12 days, including the time to acclimatize, three days of trekking, and a road back to Lhasa.
WHAT TO SEE NEAR EVEREST TENT CAMP
There is a Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, right next to the tent camp. There are also meditation caves in the area where monks and nuns from the monastery go on retreats. Caves are, unfortunately, in a protected area that tourists are not allowed to visit.
One of the most important and famous caves is located a few kilometers away from the EBC. Only a few nuns and a monk are staying there. Nuns are usually on a silent retreat there and won’t speak.
Padma Sambhava meditated in this cave in the 8th century. We have not accessed the cave since 2019 because of the cleanup project in the area.
WEATHER: WHEN YOU SHOULD VISIT EVEREST
Due to the high elevation, the climate in the Everest region is very harsh, with low temperatures all year round and strong winds. Even if you are visiting Everest Base Camp in the summer, you need a warm jacket and gloves, and it’s good to have a scarf and a hat.
The sunshine is very strong, you should bring sunglasses to enjoy the beauty of the mountain.
From the middle of June until the middle of September, monsoon brings clouds into the area, that can cover the peak. It is still possible to see Mount Everest very early in the morning. However, if your goal is to bring back stunning photos of the mountain, we recommend coming in spring or fall.
During winter, the area enjoys summer weather most of the time. As the wind gets stronger, locals have to take down tents until April-May. Visitors can stay in the guesthouse of the Rongbuk Monastery located 8 km away from the tent camp.
It can snow in the Everest Base Camp even in summer. However, snow doesn’t stay for a long time as the wind blows it away.
HOTELS IN THE EBC AREA
There are currently no hotels within the Everest National Park area. If you want to spend a night with the view of Everest, see an amazing sunset, and welcome the sunrise, staying in the tent camp is the best option. During colder months, you can stay in the Ringbuk Monastery guesthouse.
If you prefer the comforts of hotels or want to stay in a hotel with easy access to oxygen rooms to prevent altitude sickness, there are 2 main options nearby.
There are newly built hotels in Tashi Zom Tashi Dzom) village about 38 km / 23 miles from the EBC. Advantages: easy access to the bus stop to the EBC, good hotels, and oxygen rooms. Disadvantages: high cost and there is no view of Everest.
The second option is staying in Pasom village located about 30 km / 18 miles from EBC. It is a small village with a few hotels. Advantages: You can see Everest, although the view is not as good as at the EBC. Disadvantages: not as many hotel options, and high cost.
As we will explore in more detail below, these settlements are also located at a much lower elevation. If you are worried about spending a night at a high altitude, consider staying in one of these towns.
View of Everest from Pasom village in the video below:
ALTITUDE AT EVEREST BASE CAMP
Everest Base Camp in Tibet altitude is 5,050 meters / 16,568 feet. At this elevation, there is only about 12.6% oxygen level compared to 20.9% at the sea level.
It is essential to acclimatize properly before traveling to this altitude. That’s why most tours to Everest start in Lhasa, where you will spend a few days exploring the capital of Tibet while also acclimatizing to high altitude. On group tours, we spend the first three days in Lhasa. It is enough time for most visitors to acclimatize and continue the journey to higher areas. Along the way, we will be traveling through various high passes.
On the way from Lhasa to Everest, we will cross two high passes: Gyatso-la Pass (5248 m) and Gyawu-la Pass (5191 m). We will also spend a night by Everest at an elevation of 5,050 meters.
When we travel with a group tour, we spend a night in the Base Camp to have enough time to enjoy the magnificent view of Everest and watch the sunset that adds colors to the North side of the mountain.
If you have concerns about high altitude, instead of staying in the Base Camp, it is possible to arrange a private tour to only visit the Camp to enjoy the view. After your visit, we will drive back to the lower altitude areas of nearby settlements Tashi Zom or Pasom. These small towns are significantly lower than the Base Camp at about 4,200 meters and have several good hotels.
EVEREST BASE CAMP TOURS IN TIBET
8-DAY LHASA TO EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR
A beautiful and exciting journey, starting in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and going to the Everest Base Camp. The tour visits Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera, Drepung and Tashilhunpo monasteries, Kumbum Stupa, Yamdrok Lake, and Karola glaciers.
Both group and private tours are available
15-DAY MOUNT KAILASH PILGRIMAGE
This tour takes you from Lhasa to Kailash, the most sacred mountain in Tibet. On the way, we will stop at the most beautiful places, including Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glaciers, Manasarovar Lake, and Mount Everest. After that, we will head to a three-day trek around Mount Kailash, the holy pilgrimage route for four religions.
7-DAY LHASA TO NEPAL TOUR
This tour starts in Lhasa. We will stay there for 2 days to explore the capital and acclimatize. After that, we will head to the center of attraction in the Himalayas – Mount Everest. We will spend a night by the highest mountain on the planet and continue driving through majestic mountain ranges, alongside rivers and waterfalls to the border between Tibet and Nepal.
I am intetested
Dear Gianni,
I would highly recommend our 8 days tour to Everest where you can see the mountain and spend one night with this amazing view.
Here are the details of the tour:
8 Days Everest Base Camp Tour from Tibet
Thank you!
Kalsang
Dear Michael,
There are still setting up the tent camp, I didn’t visit it yet. I think it should be there again this year.
Best Regards,
Kalsang