The short answer
Temperatures drop steadily with height. In the main seasons, day temperatures at lower villages are mild, while at Gorak Shep and Base Camp they are cool in sunlight and sharply colder in the shade. At night in these high places it is well below freezing, and in mid-winter it can be extremely cold, with wind making it feel worse.
The practical lesson is to pack for night and wind, not for midday. Teahouse dining rooms are heated only in the evening, bedrooms are unheated, and water bottles can freeze overnight. A warm sleeping bag, down jacket, insulated gloves and a hat are essential, and layers let you adjust during the day.
Key facts
- Daytime
- Cool in sun, cold in shade
- Night
- Well below freezing at Gorak Shep
- Heating
- Dining room only, evening
- Key gear
- Sleeping bag, down jacket
How it works
- Pack layersBase, fleece, down, windproof shell.
- Carry a warm bagA sleeping bag rated for cold is wise.
- Protect extremitiesGloves, hat, warm socks.
- Keep electronics warmBatteries lose charge in cold.
- Check the monthSee weather by month.
How cold it really gets
At Gorak Shep and Base Camp the day can feel pleasantly sunny while the shade and wind feel freezing. Nights are far colder, and water bottles may freeze in unheated rooms. Heating in lodges is usually limited to the dining room in the evening.
The cold affects battery life, so keep phones and cameras warm inside your jacket, and carry spare batteries or a power bank.
How to sleep and stay warm
Wear dry thermal layers to bed, use a warm sleeping bag and a hot-water bottle if available. Change out of damp clothes as soon as you arrive. Eat well and drink warm fluids. If you cannot warm up or shiver uncontrollably, tell your guide.
Insider tip
Keep your water bottle inside your sleeping bag at night.
Avoid this
Do not rely on teahouse blankets alone in the high villages.
Related questions
Is a sleeping bag provided?
Some lodges give blankets; a personal warm bag is strongly advised.
Is it colder in winter?
Yes, considerably, with strong winds.
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