Everest Base Camp

Hi

You might have seen this suggestion by now but...you could also try posting on trekinfo.com and trekkingpartners.com for the trek to EBC in Nepal.

scoodly

The trek from KTM is very different in all respects from the trek on the Tibet side.

In Nepal, you'll have no pb finding trekking partners (either in KTM if you go thru a travel agency, or in Lukla or Namche or anywhere along the trek if you set off on your own). It's very straightforward to organise, and you can choose between independent travel or going with a guide and/or porter.

In Tibet, you need to organise everything via a travel agency. As you're travelling during the low season, it might be more difficult to find people to share the cost of the jeep & guide. Besides, going to the base camp isn't so much of a trek, unless you go to one of the advanced base camps (which would take time and money to organise).

Thanks for the responses. I would actually prefer to go from Kathmandu but didn't really know the cost differences to get to EBC from each side and figured since I was already in china, it might make sense if its about the same cost.

Big difference: Tibetan side EBC and Nepal side EBC are not the same. To go to Tibet side EBC you have tot get first to Tibet on a guided tour which includes Tibetan side EBC. You can go there by car, no walking required, but you can not go there alone. From Nepal you have to walk for at least 12 days to reach the south side EBC and get back. This you can do by yourself, with a guide or with a group. It is not possible to go to Nepal side EBC from Tibet, or vice versa.

I can not say how much the Tibetan side trip costs now, but form Nepal, going alone, it costs about $500 absolute minimum. If you hire a porter, or go with a group, the price is around $750 or $1000 and up.

Thanks for the response. I"m thinking going from Nepal will be easier and make more sense. It sounds like it will be cheaper too as long as I can find a group to go with from Kathmandu.... Does anyone know if December is too late in the season to go? (Early Dec)

Hello

December is not too late to trek to EBC because the weather is still settled with good visibility and little snow. It's colder than the peak season during October and November but the cold can be dealt with easily enough. Perhaps search for threads on the subject and look out for posts by rdccomments.

The cheapest way to trek is independently without a guide or porter which is both permitted (no requirement to join a group) and possible (route finding is not difficult, local will put you on the right path is if needed). It's still possible to meet and trek with other people this way. If you prefer the support of a guide or porter then it's possible to form your own group beforehand by posting on here, trekinfo.com and trekkingpartners.com and meeting people in KTM. It's possible to join a ready made trekking agency group but fewer set out in December.

Good luck and enjoy your trek.

scoodly

December is a great time to trek in the area : fewer people and good visibility most of the time. It's a bit cold but bearable as long as you are properly equipped. There can be an occasionnal snowfall (but this can also happen in october or november). And as I already said, you won't have any pb finding trekking partners either in KTM or Namche.

Here are some photos I took last December-January : http://transhimalaya.fr/album/nepal/album/index.html. We only had a little bit of snow/hail in Gokyo which lasted for a couple of hours one evening (everything was melted by morning).