October is the classic Everest month. The monsoon has washed the air, skies are clear and settled, and the trails are the busiest of the year. Book early, and expect festival-season demand.
Weather
Days are mild and dry, and nights at height are cold and clear. Weather is typically settled through most of the month. See temperature by month and altitude.
Views
This is the best month for sharp, clear mountain views, particularly in the early to middle weeks.
Crowds and lodges
Rooms fill early in Namche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorak Shep. Dashain, the large Nepali festival, falls in October in most years and increases demand for flights and transport, as can Indian holidays. See Indian holiday dates.
Flights
Some Lukla flights have operated from Ramechhap in this season, so your day may start with a road transfer. See the Ramechhap guide.
What to pack
Layers, a warm bag for freezing nights and sun protection. Late October nights are colder.
The clearest weeks
October follows the monsoon, which washes dust from the air. The result is the sharpest views of the year, with deep blue skies and crisp mountain edges. The trail is dry, rivers run clear and the temperatures are comfortable at lower altitudes. Nights at Lobuche and Gorak Shep are cold but rarely extreme before November.
Festivals and crowds
Dashain and Tihar often fall in October, and many Indian and Nepali travellers take holidays then. Lodges and flights fill quickly. If you want a quieter trek in October, aim for the first week or avoid the main festival days, and book everything early.
Who October suits
Trekkers who want the clearest views and settled weather and who can book well ahead.
Booking early
October is the busiest month. Flights and lodges fill up, so book several months ahead and keep a spare day in your plan.
Why the weather is steady
The monsoon has washed the air, which gives sharp views. Nights are cold but days are pleasant for walking.
A week-by-week picture of October
The first two weeks follow the end of the monsoon: air is washed, mornings are crisp and mountain views at Tengboche, Dingboche and Kala Patthar are at their sharpest. Holiday weeks around Dashain, Tihar and the Indian festival season bring extra visitors in the middle and later part of the month, which fills lodges. By late October the nights at Gorak Shep drop well below freezing, and morning water bottles can freeze solid.
Planning for the crowds
October is the busiest EBC month, so book Lukla flights and a hotel in Kathmandu early. Start walking at dawn to reach lodges before groups arrive, and keep a spare day in case flights from Lukla are delayed. Sharing a table with other trekkers is part of the experience, and many travellers find the atmosphere in the lodges one of its pleasures.
What our guests say
Excerpts from trekker reviews on our reviews page.
“Everything was handled professionally and with great attention to detail, from permits to on-ground support.”
