everest base camp in September??
 

hi all! I'll be traveling 6 months from spain to Nepal, ending with a dream of mine... seeing everest. Here's the problem: All the research I'm seeing says organized hikes only occur during May or October, and I couldn't find anything about hiking in sept. Now I know august is the end of Monsoon season, which is why I planned on arriving to nepal around sept. and spending a month there before flying home to Boston. I need to be home by October. Can I find tour guides leading the trek in September? Can you do this hike during that month and will there be people to do it with? Or do I have to rethink my trip and do it in reverse, flying into Nepal to start and do a May hike, and ending in Spain in Sept. Any info. about nepal would be much appreciated! and one final question: getting from northern india to nepal- how do you do it?
thanks so much!

Of course you can ! They probably meant the best time was between October and May, off moonsoon season, but there are departures in mid September as well with organised groups, and even before for independant treckers (private departures). Here's an example of one of the dozens of trecking agencies that offer their services for the trip. Everest base camp. I don't know this agency, I'm not recommending it or not, I found it on google to illustrate my words.

I spent four months in Nepal. Loved it ! :wub: My best recommendation would be to choose agencies out of a well known guide books, such as Lonely Planet. You'll understand once in Kathmandu, how difficult it is to choose. There is literaly one agency every 10 meters ! Plus agency's representatives walk on you in the street all the time. Guide books suggest agencies that might be more expensive, but they are 100% reliable. And take the time to shop around for the best price, bargaining is possible. Get an agency that treats its employees decently, ask their salary. Porters and guides are very often (very!) exploited.

Do not book on Internet, it is waaaaaay too expensive. Go to Nepal, and shop your treck.

My personnal suggestion is to take a few days to visit Kathmandu and the surroundings, before or after your treck. Most visitors spend one or two days, and see nothing but Durbar Square and the Monkey Temple. This area is very rich in culture and interests, lots to do and see. Enough for at least a good week !

Trecking gears are extremely cheap there, so you don't need to bring everything from home. You'll be travelling a long time before getting to Nepal, so that could be a good option. The only thing you need to buy before are the boots, in Nepal they aren't of good quality. To give you an idea of prices (from 2004), I met a guy who bought the jacket, gloves, hat, and sleeping bag for $50.

About transportation, there are daily buses and trains entering Nepal at three different border points (east, central, west nepal), from all major northern cities. The border leading to Kathmandu is called Raxaul Bazaar/ Birganj, connecting from Kolkotta or Patna. There are also budget flights at $70-265, depending on the departure city.

Don't hesitate if you have more questions, it's always a pleasure to talk about Nepal ! :)

You're going in September, it should be ab-so-lu-te-ly gorgeous !

thank you soo much for easing my mind! so it sounds like I shouldn't bother planning anything pre-trip?? From what I was reading online, it sounds like the guided hikes sell out quickly, and I was worried that I wouldn't find one that fit into my time frame. Do you have preference about visiting and doing the hike in May vs. Sept?? will the monsoon season be over by september, and any idea on temperatures then? I'm planning a month in Nepal approx., including the 15 day hike, so I hope that will be enough! It sounds like its easy enough to cross into Nepal from India, as well?
Also great to hear that I can buy all the equipment over there. I read about these tea houses on the hike vs. camping? any preference and why?
I'm sure as my trip gets closer, I'll have more questions! What a great resource this website is! Thanks again for your quick response:)
safe travels!

One more question: I looked at the link you attached for everest base camp, and even that shows that the trips are booking up and there are only a few seats available for many of the hikes. Are you SURE that if I arrive in September I'll be able to just join a hike and find a group?? And you mentioned that the trips are too expensive online vs. booking there... can you give me an example of what to expect to pay if I book at an agency upon arrival? thanks again!!

wow, that hike seems like it would be so amazing. you'll have to keep us updated as you find out more about how to plan a trip like that.

oh, and welcome to the boards.:D

I think the treck to the Everest base camp lasts about 3 weeks including the travel time from/to Kathmandu, doesn't it ? You'll see plenty of villages, and the "real" nepalese life. :)

Ok, answers :

I'm not 100% sure, no. If you rather not go independant with your own porters/guides, I'd suggest you contact by email a trecking agency (one recommended in guide books) and get their advice.

First rule : to save money, avoid the international travel agencies, plan your treck with a local agency. Some are held by foreigners, some by Nepalese. The "reliable local agencies" offer the same official price online and ion person, however, it's easier to bargain in person. The "unreliable local agencies", and by that I mean those that may offer good services but try to get as much $$$ as they can from the client, are asking for too much, way too much online. With them, you have to sit and discuss, leave the agency, and come back the next day. Slow and patient bargain is needed. For price range, look in a Lonely Planet or Footprint.

Definitely September, because the nature will be luxurious. May and September are both ends of the Moonsoon. I was in Nepal in April, and it was already raining almost daily, short showers. But the grass was yellowish and dry and the trees had no leaves. As per the temperature, both have around 25 Celsius in Kathmandu.

I didn't do it, but I've met dozens of travellers who did with no problem. You'll need a visa for Nepal ($30 for 60 days) that can be purchased at the border. Info from 2004, make sure it hasn't changed. You can't buy the visa too long in advance, because it is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. So get it either in your embassy in India or at the India-Nepal if it's still possible.

It's a matter of personal taste, of travel goals. If you want to get to know the population and nepalese culture, the tea houses are the option. I haven't done the treck, I can't compare though.

:cheers: