Tibet Mount Everest Travel Weather and Climate in December

Tibet Mount Everest Weather and Climate in December

Average Minimum Temperature (℃): -18
Average Maximum Temperature (℃): 6
Average Precipitation/Rainfall (mm): 2
Average Wind Speed (kmph): 8.9

At an altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level, when you travel to Tibet, EBC has a climate that is characterized as a mountain plateau climate, which can be cold throughout the year. The average temperature is -17 degrees Celsius, which is considered the coldest during the year mostly from mid-December to January. The weather low as -5 degrees in winter during the day, with temperatures at night ranging from -15 in the winter to around 4 degrees in the summer months.

What to Wear for a December Tibet Mount Everest Travel

You need to take the necessary equipment with you because, in remote areas, availability of things is rare. Take trekking equipment including sleeping bags, sleeping mats, stoves, cookware, water filter, camp bathroom, tents and tarps, first aid kits for an emergency, expedition food, multi-tools, Swiss knife, compass, maps, etc.

Tibet is renowned for having a very high temperature difference from day to night, and the temperatures at night at EBC can get pretty cold, even in the summer months, make sure that you have layers of long and short tops to keep warm with, a good fleece or down jacket and a couple of woolen sweaters, and rain and windproof coats. Bring along plenty of underwear, including long underwear for the colder times, and thick woolen socks to keep your feet warm.

Useful Travel Tips for your Tibet Mount Everest Travel in December

  • With such a varied climate around the year, travel to EBC is something that does require careful planning in terms of making sure that your packing is right for the time of year. Always pack the necessary things for the trip, and leave behind things you may not need, as you will be restricted in weight on the flights. Spring and autumn are the best months to travel to EBC, and for those that want to make the trip a little cheaper, winter is the best option, as long as you do not mind a little colder weather and do not want to trek.
  • There are some medications for altitude sickness available, but you should consult your own doctor before you take them, and it is not recommended.
  • Tibet Travel Permit: This permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is required for all international travelers heading for Tibet. You need to apply for this permit one month prior to your arrival in Tibet as this permit takes some time to get ready and you need to produce the original copy of this permit at the Airport before you board the flight. 
  • For a good visit to Tibet you need to pack carefully, as it can be cold there at any time of the year. Make sure that you have your valid passport and Chinese Entry Visa with you at all times, and that it is kept secure or on your person at all times.
  • Take a large backpack, a small bag and a waist bag is enough. Bigger backpack will be a wise option as it will be unable to keep clothes and will be easy to carry as the path is not that smooth to walk. The small bag will be usable to carry the things for daily use, such as hand towels, toiletries, etc., while the waist bag will be useful to carry some small and important things such as your passport and documents, cellphone, etc.
  • The highly recommended travel seasons of Mount Everest are from April to June, and September to December. A bit cold as it is in winter, the weather is fairly ideal for travel since it is the dry season in Tibet. Thus, you can enjoy Mt. Everest in clear weather. 

Things to see and do at Mount Everest in December

Travel to the camp without hiking

Unlike its counterpart in Nepal, you can visit the Tibetan Everest Base Camp in a few days. From Shigatse, the nearest town on the Friendship Highway between Tibet and Nepal, you can already see the snow-capped Himalaya peeking over the skyline. As you drive the eight hours towards the base camp, keep an eye out for the peak of Everest appearing on the horizon.

Have uninterrupted views of Mount Everest

On climbing up the gravel track to the camp, you arrive at a Chinese military checkpoint – and only a summit permit will get you through. The checkpoint, which is marked with a weather beaten chorten (a sacred pile of stones) and decorated with vibrant prayer flags flickering in the wind, makes up the accessible part of the camp. Standing here, an uninterrupted view of Mount Everest towering majestically upwards is before you. Unless you have ambitions to scale the mountain in the future, this is almost certainly the best view of Everest you’ll get on foot.

Stay in the world’s highest monastery

It isn’t possible to stay in the base camp itself – and the area where climbers stay as they prepare to summit the mountain is out of bounds. You can still stay locally for the night at Rongbuk Monastery

Mount Everest Weather and Climate by Month

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