March is a good month to trek in the Nepal Himalaya. Everest Base Camp Trek in March offers ideal conditions to walk up the mountains and enjoy the views. The month of March ushers in the spring season, a popular season to trek in the Himalayas. Trails start to buzz with activity as March marks the start of the peak tourist season.
The warm weather and greenery in the valleys and hills have tourists make a beeline to this tiny nation looking for some unforgettable experiences. Most trekkers arriving in Nepal head to the Everest Region.
Can you do the Everest Base Camp Trek in March?
The answer is yes. March is one of the best months to do the Everest Base Camp trek, marking the start of the spring trekking season in Nepal. If you are planning to trek to Everest Base Camp in March, here are some pros and cons that you should consider.
Pros of an EBC Trek in March
- The mercury starts rising and it gets warmer in the Khumbu Region. While the nights will still be cold, the days will be warm and pleasant.
- The trail gets more lively with locals returning to their homes in the higher reaches and more trekkers on the trail.
- More trekkers on the trail means crowds and noise. You will love the buzz of activity if you are a people person.
- Opportunity to meet and befriend new people. It will never get boring on the trail. You will always find someone or a group to chat with while walking or having a rest at the teahouses.
- Spring is when the rhododendrons and wildflowers bloom and you will get to see the cheerful and pretty blooms adding color to the landscape.
- You get a lot more accommodation choices as the teahouses which were closed during winter start opening up for business.
- The days become longer giving you ample time to trek for a longer duration.
Cons
- You can expect the trail to get crowded with the season's first batch of tourists.
- The restaurants and lodges will have a regular stream of tourists coming in, and it will be noisy.
- There will be an increase in the cost of most services including flight tickets.
- Lukla flight tickets won't be readily available as in the off-seasons. You might not get a ticket if it is not booked in advance.
- You will have to take a ride to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap District to catch your flight to Lukla. Flights to and from Lukla get rerouted to Manthali Airport due to congestion at the domestic airport during peak tourist seasons(spring and autumn).
- You can expect some precipitation and thunderstorms.
Weather of EBC in March
In March, the temperature starts rising and it gets warmer. Lukla, the chosen trailhead of most trekkers to begin their EBC trek, has a maximum average temperature of 13°C in March. The minimum average temperature is 3°C.
At Namche, the maximum average temperature is 10°C and the minimum average temperature is -1°C.
At Everest Base Camp the maximum average temperature recorded in March is -3°C and the minimum average is -16°C.
As spring is a pre-monsoon season, you can expect some rainfall in March. Always have your rain gear ready to protect yourself from any unexpected downpour. The snow begins to melt with the rise in temperatures and you can expect slush and puddles on the trail.
Everest Base Camp Packing List for March
- A hiking boot with good ankle support
- Sturdy rucksack and daypack to pack your stuff
- Flipflops or crocs to wear while resting after the end of the day’s trek
- Waterproof covers for your bags
- Down jacket and rain and windproof jacket
- T-shirts and shirts, trekking pants, shorts
- Raincoat or umbrella
- Hat and woolen cap
- Balaclava or buff
- Trekking poles
- Enough pairs of socks, undergarments
- Sunscreen lotion or cream, sunglasses, wet wipes, toilet paper roll
- A head torch, power bank, and extra batteries
- Your favorite snacks
- Thermal layers to keep you warm
- Sleeping bag
How to prepare for your Everest Base Camp Trek in March?
You can start training for your EBC trek at least 3 or 4 months before your trip. Include a lot of stamina and endurance-building exercises – cycling, swimming, jogging, stair climbing, etc. You can try powerlifting to build up your muscles. Occasionally go hill-walking carrying a heavy backpack. The more prepared you are the easier you will find the trek. Have a balanced diet and take care to include proteins in your diet to build up your muscles.
Safety
Since you will be walking in remote and mountainous terrain, you should be aware of the risks and take precautions accordingly. The Khumbu Region is one of the highest trekking regions in the world. Altitude sickness is common over here. If you are not properly acclimatized chances are you may suffer from it. Therefore make it a point to acclimatize properly before heading to the higher elevations.
Usually trekkers include an extra day at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche for acclimatization which normally works. Having Diamox at the first sign of AMS (acute mountain sickness) also helps. If you feel sick and find it difficult to walk it's better to descend to a lower altitude and wait for your condition to stabilize before continuing your trek. If your condition worsens you may have to abandon your trek. In such situations, it's best to listen to your guide as he will know what will be right for you.
If you are trekking solo, you should listen to your body and make your choices accordingly. Pushing yourself even when you are physically weak may turn fatal as the mountain environment can be unforgiving and hazardous.
Carrying a small first aid kit with all the essential medicines (paracetamol, anti-diarrhea pills, Diamox, pain relief cream or spray, band-aid strips, etc) may help.
Travel Insurance
Everest Base Camp Trek takes you to altitudes above 5000 meters, so you must have a travel insurance policy that covers rescue and evacuation above 5000 meters. Carry a copy of your insurance with you or have the details of your insurance policy while trekking. You may be fit and in top physical form, but no one can predict what will happen in the mountains.
Accommodation
As March marks the start of the busy tourist season, all the teahouses open up for business. The Everest Trail is one of the most developed trekking trails in Nepal and you will find high-end as well as budget accommodations en route.
Alternate Routes
You can combine your Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lakes Trek. You can include a crossing of the famous 3 High Passes(Cho La, Renjo La, and Kongma La) or cross just one of the 3 passes.
If you are into mountaineering you can try climbing one of the trekking peaks in the Khumbu region – Island Peak, Mera Peak, or Lobuche.
There might be an option for helicopter tours and heli treks for those who are on a short holiday. A helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp offers a great opportunity for those who want to experience the splendor of the world's highest mountain but can't due to poor health.
A heli trek makes it possible for you to shorten the duration of your trek. You can fly directly to Namche and start your trek from Namche. Once you reach EBC you can return to Lukla or Kathmandu by helicopter. You can also opt to trek from Lukla all the way to EBC and make your return journey via helicopter.
Festivals in March
If you are planning your trek in March you can time your visit during the festivals of Holi and Mahashivratri. These Hindu festivals are celebrated grandly with much pomp and show.
Holi or the festival of color is a joyous festival where people put holi (colored pigments) and douse one another with water. The festival celebrates the death of the evil demoness Holika who tried to kill Prahlada, a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Like most Hindu festivals, it is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.
Mahashivratri is the night of Lord Shiva, one of the three major gods in the Hindu pantheon. Devotees flock to the shrines of Lord Shiva and worship him. In Kathmandu, the Pashupatinath Temple has become the hub of all major celebrations. Sadhus(Hindu ascetics) with their dreadlocks and ash-smeared bodies congregate at the banks of the Bagmati river, which flows beside the temple, and take bath.
Ghode Jatra or the festival of horses, is also celebrated in March. This festival is celebrated only in Kathmandu at the Tundikhel ground. The cavalry unit of the Nepal Army holds parades and equestrian events.
Can you hike to Everest Base Camp in March?
March is the start of spring season in Nepal, which is considered among the best trekking times in Everest as well. The days are warmer in Everest region, although nights are cold. The route blooms again after the harsh winter with local Sherpa returning back to their homes. The trekking trails of Everest during March are filled with colorful rhododendrons as well as other wildflowers of Khumbhu.
What to pack for Everest Base Camp Trek in March?
Magic comes with magic of cool, fresh, and invigorating mornings and sunny, warm days at Everest Base Camp. You have to pack smart: lightweight thermals for chilly starts, breathable trekking layers for the trails, and a waterproof jacket for unexpected weather.
Don’t forget a warm hat, sturdy boots, and gloves for the cold winds as you ascend. For more full information on what to pack for Everest trek in March, check out blog section.
Can beginners attempt Everest Base Camp trek in March?
Yes, beginners can easily attempt the Mount Everest Base Camp trek in March with proper preparation and good physical health. March is an excellent time to experience the beauty of Everest, offering suitable weather, clear skies, and moderate temperatures. However, this trek requires mental determination, a good fitness level, and proper acclimatization.
What are the challenges faced during March Month?
Some of the challenges you might face during the month of March while doing EBC trek are the trails are filled with trekkers with the same goal to reach base camp of highest mountain in the world. Lodges and teahouses are also occupied. Direct flights to Lukla from Kathmandu can be a problem, so you have to take a ride to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. Beyond that, you can expect some thunderstorms as well as precipitation.
Conclusion
March is when the trekking trails in the Nepal Himalaya start getting livelier. After a dull and dead winter nature comes back to life again and one can see a lot happening in the mountains. Along the Sagarmatha National Park trail, the rhododendron shrubs start blooming and the mountainsides are filled with green trees and wildflowers. The frozen rivers, lakes, and waterfalls begin to thaw and the mountains look spectacular.
Apart from the epic walk to the foot of the world's highest mountain, an Everest Base Camp Trek in March promises you all the beautiful sights and sounds the trail is famous for. You may have to share the trail with a lot more trekkers but the experience of seeing the mountains come back to life in spring far outweighs this minor inconvenience. If meeting new people and walking in the crisp spring air on the mountains makes you happy, March is the month for you to trek to Everest Base Camp.
