If you are willing to brave the rains and flight disruptions, Everest Base Camp Trek in June will treat you to a once in a lifetime floral spectacle that very few ever get to see.
Weather for Everest Base Camp Trek in June
June is the onset of the monsoon season in the Everest Region. While the first half is generally like May, when the monsoon winds finally arrive around mid-June, we see a noticeable shift towards more sustained precipitation, sometimes for days on end. However, most of the days start clear, and the cloud cover and rain build up as the day warms up.
What this means is that you can still get excellent mountain views most of the mornings, and at least some of the days. But do not count on it!
However, do prepare for UV exposure. Remember, most of the UV easily penetrates cloud cover, and with the intense sun and snow on the ground, the false sense of security can sometimes cause problems.
Also, while the temperature is generally not a big issue, it can still get cold if the ground hasn’t seen the sun for a few days. Also, if your clothes are wet, they can feel a lot colder than it is. Just something to keep in mind as you shop for your rain gear.
Lukla (2,860m) | Namche (3,440m) | Lobuche (4,950m) | |
Max Avg Temp | 22° C | 18° C | 13° C |
Min Avg Temp | 11° C | 7° C | 3° C |
Precipitation | 49 mm | 49 mm | 40 mm |
Precipitation Days | 20.8 days | 20.8 days | 14.1 days |
No. Sunny Days | 8.5 days | 8.5 days | 14.6 days |
Sunrise (June 15) | 5:01 am | ||
Sunset (June 15) | 6:55 pm |
Hazards, Gear and Planning Tips for EBC Trek in June
Some of the hazards to consider while trekking to Everest Base Camp in June are snow blindness, sunburn, and water-borne illnesses. These are, of course, in addition to the usual environmental hazards and altitude-related illnesses.
With the hot and humid weather, water-related illnesses spike in Nepal during the monsoon. It is essential to be very careful about what you put in your mouth. Read a detailed treatment on water safety and diarrhea.
As for sunburn and snow blindness, as long as you apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses regardless of how overcast it is, you are right. Remember that clouds do not entirely block UV, snow reflects almost all of it towards you, and UV penetration goes up by 10% every 1000 meters of altitude.
A comprehensive gear checklist will give you more details about the stuff you will need for a trek such as the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Three High Passes of Everest in June
Two words: Not recommended. There will be snow, visibility will be shitty, steep slopes will be slippery, and finding sensible guides will be an issue.
How crowded is the Everest Base Camp Trek in June?
With the monsoon, trekker number takes a nosedive in June with just a little over 1,500 trekkers entering the Everest Region in June. You can be sure to have the trails and the rains to yourself.
Lukla Flights to Everest Region in June
While not written in stone, disruptions in Kathmandu-Lukla flights are very likely. It is imperative to have at least two buffer days for flight disruptions. If you need to go back to your home country immediately after the trek, it is a good idea to get refundable flights.
Hotels along the Everest Base Camp Trek in June
A lot of hotels are closed by now. However, the lodge owners have a system to ensure that at least one of the lodges is open in every village throughout the year. So while you might not get the lodge of your choice, you will have a place to stay and a warm meal. Pre-booking for hotels is not required.
Attractions in the Everest Region in June
June sees the alpine meadows bloom with white edelweisses, yellow cinquefoils, and purple rhododendrons. The larger rhododendrons found around 3,500 meters above sea level while not at their best are still quite a sight to behold.
June is also the month of the Thame edition of the famous Mani Rimdu and Dumji festivals. Read more about the spectacular festivals here:
10 Amazing Festivals in the Himalayas
The dates for Mani Rimdu at Thame follow:
Year | Thame Mani Rimdu Dates |
2016 | May 16/17/18 |
2017 | June 4/5/6 |
2018 | May 24/25/26 |
2019 | June 12/13/14 |
2020 | June 1/2/3 |
2021 | May 21/22/23 |
2022 | June 9/10/11 |
2023 | May 30/31 an June 1 |
2024 | May 18/19/20 |
2025 | June 5/6/7 |
2026 | May 26/27/28 |
2027 | June 14/15/16 |
As for Dumji, the dates are as follows:
Year | Dates |
2016 | July 11 to 14 |
2017 | June 30- July 3 |
2018 | June 20 to 23 |
2019 | July 9 to 12 |
2020 | June 27 to 30 |
2021 | June 17 to 20 |
2022 | July 6 to 9 |
2023 | June 25 to 28 |
2024 | June 13 to 16 |
2025 | July 2 to 5 |
2026 | June 21 to 24 |
2027 | July 10 to 13 |
Note: The dates are usually confirmed a few months before the main festival. The above are predictions. Old dates have been included so you can verify the accuracy for yourself.