Visit Everest Base Camp, Tibet

Sometimes referred to as North Base Camp, this is one of the two base camps that service Mount Everest. The camp lies on the Tibetan side of the mountain, in view of its sheer north face.

Despite it being possible to visit the camp without days spent hiking, it’s surprisingly undeveloped. The backdrop to this launching off point for climbers, which includes views of Everest’s peak and the North Col Glacier, is arguably more scenic than Nepal’s more renowned South Base Camp.

Tibet's Everest Base Camp may not be as iconic as its Nepalese counterpart, but it retains a truly isolated feel with mountain views like no other.

Tibet specialist Chris

Things to see and do at Everest Base Camp

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 toward the base camp, keep an eye out for the peak of Everest appearing on the horizon.

En route, you’ll need to spend a night at Rongbuk Monastery, the closest accommodation option. Finish the journey the next morning with an hour’s drive followed by a 45-minute walk up a switchback to reach the camp.

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.

At an altitude of 5,200 m (16,400 ft), Rongbuk is the world’s highest monastery. Run as a guesthouse by the resident Buddhist monks, the facilities are shared and simple, with a cold tap for washing. However, the panoramic views of the Mahalangur mountain range make the basic conditions worthwhile.

The monastery, once home to more than 500 monks, also has a south-facing courtyard that’s aligned just right to watch sunsets with Everest as the focal point.

Best time to visit Everest Base Camp

April is one of the best months to visit the camp, as it’s the peak climbing month — you’ll sometimes pick out the tents of climbers clinging to the side of the mountain. Travel is possible from April through to November, but outside this time it isn’t practical as rough weather prevents flights reaching the region. It’s also best to avoid July and August, which are prone to rain, leading to landslides.

Festivals, events and seasonal reasons to visit

• In mid April, the Saka Dawa Festival is celebrated at Rongbuk Monastery. Rejoicing the three stages of Buddha’s life, it culminates in a lively show of traditional dancing in the monastery courtyard.