Everest Base Camp Trek in April

With equally stunning mountain views and more flowers and birds, it is strange why April is not the most popular month to do the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Weather for Everest Base Camp Trek in April#

April is one of the best months to trek in the Everest Region. The temperature is fantastic, even in the higher altitudes. Thanks to the stronger sun and more extended daylight, most of the winter snow has now melted, and fresh snow clears up pretty quickly.

Precipitation in April, rather than sustained, is erratic. Thunderstorms are very likely, and so are hailstones. But this sudden flurry of rain and snow disappears pretty quickly, sometimes in a matter of a few hours.

Mountain views are still amazing in the mornings as most of the disturbances mostly happen towards the afternoon. At the lower altitudes, the cloud cover that generally builds up towards the afternoon is a welcome relief.

However, please be warned that the pre-monsoon precipitation has been increasing in intensity every year. It is always better to prepare for rain, snow, and UV.

	Lukla (2,860m)	Namche (3,440m)	Lobuche (4,950m)
Max Avg Temp	17° C	13° C	3° C
Min Avg Temp	5° C	2° C	-9° C
Precipitation	20 mm	20 mm	11 mm
Precipitation Days	14.9 days	14.9 days	5.6 days
No. Sunny Days	14.9 days	14.9 days	20.4 days
Sunrise (Apr 15)	5:33 am
Sunset (Apr 15)	6:23 pm

Lukla Temp and Precipitation

Namche Temp and Precipitation

Lobuche Temp and Precipitation

Lukla Sunshine Days

Namche Sunshine Days

Lobuche Sunshine Days

Hazards, Gear and Planning Tips for EBC Trek in April#

In addition to the usual environmental hazards and altitude-related illnesses, you will need to be careful about thunderstorms and hailstones in April.

Remember that showers in April usually don't last too long, and it is a good idea to take shelter rather than put on rain gear immediately. It is also essential not to hang out around tall trees or hilltops during thunderstorms.

Other than those little things, you will be okay as long as you take care of the usual gear recommendations.

Three High Passes of Everest in April#

While April is a good time to do the high passes of Everest Region, watch out for weather shifts religiously and do not attempt the passes if the weather is taking a turn for the worse. Prepare for snow and ice with microspikes. Given that navigation can be a challenge with snow lying around, it is highly advisable to have an experienced guide with you.

How crowded is the Everest Base Camp Trek in April?#

Trekkers in Khumbu Glacier, Everest Base Camp

April is one of the busiest months of the year, with a good 16 percent of trekkers entering the Everest Region in April. In 2018, the number stood at a whopping ten thousand!

Be prepared for crowded trails, noise dining rooms, and jostling for some selfie space at Kala Patthar.

Trekkers visiting Everest National Park in 2018

Lukla Flights to Everest Region in April#

A clear sunny morning at Lukla Airport during spring.

Chances are high flights to Lukla will operate from Ramechhap Airport, four hours from Kathmandu. What this means for you is that the possibility of cancellations and delays go down dramatically, but you will have to go through the hassle of traveling to Ramechhap Airport. The typical single buffer day is advisable.

Hotels along the Everest Base Camp Trek in April#

While all the hotels will be open in April, rooms at the better properties are hard to get. For a few days, it might even be challenging to get a room at busy places like Namche Bazaar. Independent trekkers are especially hard hit, and it is highly recommended to book lodges in advance.

Attractions in the Everest Region in April#

Himalaya Monal / Danfe, the National Bird of Nepal

April has spectacular mountain views made even more intriguing by the interplay of clouds and occasional showers. Morning skies are usually squeaky clean, but the landscape starts to take on a different personality as the day progresses and clouds build up.

The rain also brings life, with flowers beginning to poke their head out after months of hibernation. You will see a lot of rhododendrons and a few primroses. The birds are also back in Everest for the breeding season, and the air is rich with their calls. Especially noticeable is the eerie call of the Himalayan Monal or Danfe, the national bird of Nepal.

This post is part of the Best time to trek to Everest Base Camp Series. Here are some other posts from this series:
The view of Mount Everest from Renjo La in the Everest Region Best time for EBC	Himalayan tahr in the Everest Region Seasons in EBC	Trekkers on the Khumbu Glacier near Everest Base Camp Health and Safety
Solo trekker in the Everest Region EBC in January	Ama Dablam from Khumjung in the Everest Region EBC in February	Kusum Kanguru mountain in early spring on the trails of the Everest Region EBC in March
Everest seen through the forest in spring, Everest Region EBC in April	Running the Everest Marathon in the Everest Region EBC in May	The Mani Rimdu festival in the Everest Region EBC in June
Dwarf rhododendron in bloom in the Everest Region EBC in July	A mural inside Deboche Monastery, Everest Region EBC in August	Cholatse mountain in the Everest Region EBC in September
Mount Everest from Kala Patthar on the Everest Base Camp trek EBC in October	Ama Dablam mountain in the Everest Region EBC in November	Everest and Lhotse in the Everest Region EBC in December