Fact or Myth - The Everest Base Camp Trail is really busy

How busy is the EBC trail?

The answer to this technically isn't a hard and fast 'Fact or Myth', but I think it is a good topic to help manage expectations.

There will be some people which will say from their experience it's a fact, and others will say it's a myth!

The main thing you have to consider when looking at completing a trek such as Everest Base Camp is that it's a 'bucket list trek'. It has got to be one of the most famous treks in the world, and as a result, even those with very little hiking experience will be drawn to heading there.

Throw in the fact that Nepal has two main trekking seasons, which are April / May and October / November, it squeezes the vast majority of the expected 30,000-40,000 EBC trekkers into just 4 months of the year.

Trekking to EBC

I've been lucky enough to trek in a variety of locations in Nepal, and at the time of writing I have visited EBC 4 times (twice in the Spring, twice in the Autumn). When compared to the likes of the Manaslu Circuit, yes it's a busy trek, but is it crowded - no, not constantly. My experience is that when you leave Lukla, the chances are you're doing so with a lot of other groups. Here there is one route up the Khumbu and everyone is either heading up the valley, or back down it. This first day can feel busy. The second day to Namche Bazaar has much the same feel and at times you can be waiting for oncoming groups or Mule trains to cross a suspension bridge. More often than not, you're happy for the break anyway!

Once you leave Namche Bazaar, I find it all starts to spread out again, especially as there are now multiple route options, and it's much easier for your trekking group to gain 'their own' part of the trail with no groups ahead or behind. There are more days like this on the trail than those where you feel it is busy. As you get up to Gorak Shep, the number of teahouses shrinks, so it can feel a bit busier again here, but it's got to be expected.

Of the two seasons, there is one major difference, and that is the actual presence of a base camp in the spring. If you trek to Everest Base Camp in the spring, expect to see traffic heading there with supplies for the climbers, as well as the climbers themselves. When you get to EBC, there will be a tented village (town) there. This is all incredible to see for sure! If you were to head there in the Autumn months, the traffic carrying supplies won't be there, but then neither will base camp.

Of course, if you wanted to trek to EBC and have it quieter, go in the 'off season', but you run the risk of stormier weather.

The final thing to add to this is, with a busier trail, comes the better amenities thanks to more money coming into the local economy. Many of the lodges are really smart and clean, with plenty of cafe options on the route too. There is often Wifi and also charging in most places. Some people will baulk at the idea of this, whereas for others, specifically those who have never done such a trek, I think these extras are welcomed. As above, if you want a quiet and more traditional trek in Nepal, do something like the Manaslu Circuit or head up Mera Peak. But, if you would like to see Everest, and several other giant, popular peaks up close, and have a few more comforts along the way, then the Everest Base Camp trail is for you.

You can check out our Everest Base Camp treks here

At Everest Base Camp