Everest Base Camp Trek In January: Should You Actually Go?

January on the EBC trail is a different mountain. Fewer than 5% of the year’s trekkers come this month, and that’s the whole point. The trails are yours. The air is sharp and dry. The peaks look closer than they have any right to. Then the sun drops behind Lhotse, the temperature crashes twenty degrees in an hour, and you understand why most people wait for April. If you’ve got the gear, the patience, and the right guide, January gives you the Khumbu that almost nobody else has seen!

This Everest Base Camp trek in January guide is for trekkers who are seriously considering January, not browsing. We’ve run winter departures on this trail for about 6 to 7 years. Our senior guides, Sagar, KP, Mitra, Raj Kumar Rai, AJ, Pemba, and Sajan, between them have led more than a hundred EBC departures across every season, including the coldest stretches of January. Below is what you’ll actually find out there.

January at a Glance

What	Details
Daytime temperature range	+4°C in Lukla down to −5°C at Gorak Shep
Nighttime temperature range	−5°C in Lukla down to −22°C at Gorak Shep
Daylight hours	6–7 hours of useful trekking light (sunrise ~6:50, sunset ~5:20 in Khumbu)
Snowfall	Light to moderate; 1–3 events typical per month, usually clearing within 24 hours
Lukla flight reliability	Roughly 70–80% on-time in January, vs 85–90% in October
Crowd level	Quietest month of the year — most teahouses host 5–15 trekkers a night vs 60–100 in October
Cost	$100–$200 cheaper than peak season for the same standard package
Recommended itinerary length	14–17 days (add 2–3 buffer days vs the standard 14)
Suitable for	Experienced trekkers, photographers, solitude-seekers
Not suitable for	First-time high-altitude trekkers, families with younger kids, anyone on a tight schedule

Pros and Cons of Trekking in the Everest Base Camp in January

Pros

Empty trails: In October, the trail from Tengboche to Dingboche can see several hundred trekkers in a day. In January, you might count fewer than five.
The clearest skies of the year: Cold air holds less moisture, so the haze that softens views in spring is gone. Ama Dablam looks like it’s been cut out with a knife.
Cheaper everything. Lodge rooms that go for $25 a night in October drop to $10–$15. Some lodge owners will throw in free hot water if you’re staying two nights.
A real conversation with lodge owners. They’re not running food orders for forty people. You’ll hear actual stories — and our guides know which lodge owner has the best stove and which one’s son just got back from a climbing season.
Snow on every peak. The mountains look the way you imagined them. Spring greens haven’t returned to the lower forests yet.

Cons

The cold. Above Dingboche, your boots will be frozen solid every morning until you put them by the fire for 20 minutes. Plan around this.
Some routes are off. Cho La Pass and Renjo La Pass are usually snowed in. The Three Passes Trek and Gokyo–Cho La–EBC combo isn’t workable in most Januarys.
Short days. You’ll start walking at 7:30 AM and want to be in your teahouse by 3:30 PM. That’s a hard time limit on long days.
Lukla flight delays. Winter fog at Tribhuvan can hold flights for hours. Groups have been grounded for a full day or more on past winter departures.
Closed teahouses at higher elevations. Many lodge owners go down to Kathmandu or their lower villages until late February.
No expedition season buzz. If you came hoping to share a dining hall with summit climbers, that doesn’t happen in January. The climbers start arriving in late March.

Temperature in the Everest Region in January

Temperatures change fast with altitude in EBC. The figures below are baseline averages across recent winter seasons.

Village	Altitude	Daytime average	Nighttime average	Coldest recorded
Lukla	2,860 m/9,383ft	+4°C / 39°F	−5°C / 23°F	−9°C/16°F
Phakding	2,610 m/8,562ft	+6°C / 43°F	−4°C / 25°F	−7°C/19°F
Namche Bazaar	3,440 m/11,286ft	+3°C / 37°F	−8°C / 18°F	−13°C/9°F
Tengboche	3,867 m/12,687ft	0°C / 32°F	−12°C / 10°F	−16°C/3°F
Dingboche	4,410 m/14468ft	−3°C / 27°F	−15°C / 5°F	−19°C/-2°F
Lobuche	4,940 m/16,207ft	−5°C / 23°F	−18°C / 0°F	−22°C/-8°F
Gorak Shep	5,164 m/16,942ft	−7°C / 19°F	−20°C / −4°F	−25°C/-13°F
Kala Patthar (dawn)	5,545 m/18,192ft	−12°C / 10°F	n/a (no overnight)	−28°C/-18°F

These numbers don’t include wind chill. At Kala Patthar at sunrise with a 30 km/h wind, the felt temperature drops another 10–15 degrees. One of our trekkers in late autumn said even with a heavy sleeping bag and down jacket, the lodge nights felt cold; in January, you’ll want more.

Daylight Hours and Walking Windows in January

This is the number most trekkers underestimate.

Sunrise in Khumbu in January: roughly 6:50 AM
Sunset: roughly 5:20 PM
Useful trekking light: about 6.5 hours (you’re not walking in full dark)
Practical start time: breakfast at 7 AM, on trail by 7:45 AM
Practical finish time: in the teahouse by 4 PM, before the temperature falls off a cliff

Compare this to October, where you’ve got 11 hours of light. In January, a 6-hour walking day on the EBC trail eats nearly your entire window. Plan shorter days, and never plan to “push through” if you’re behind schedule. Walking in the dark on an icy trail is how injuries happen.

Snow and Trail Conditions in January

Below Namche, the trail is usually dry. Some frost in shaded sections in the early morning. No special equipment needed.
Namche to Tengboche: dry in sun-exposed sections, ice patches on the descent to the Dudh Koshi and on the climb after the bridge. Microspikes are required for these sections.
Tengboche to Dingboche: mixed. Snow on the trail in early January after a fresh fall, mostly hard-packed and walkable. Trekking poles are essential.
Above Dingboche: consistent snow cover. Microspikes on full-time from here up. The trail is visible but narrower than the summer line; your guide keeps you on the safe edge.
Lobuche to Gorak Shep: the hardest section. Glacial moraine plus snow. Going slow is correct. The wind picks up most days from 11 AM onward, so finishing this stretch by lunch is the standard winter protocol.
Gorak Shep to EBC and Kala Patthar: snow, ice, and exposure. We don’t take groups up Kala Patthar later than 8 AM in January; the wind after 9 makes the summit hostile.

Avalanche notes: the slope above Dingboche on the Cho Khumbu side and the slope on the climb to Lobuche from Thukla can hold loose snow after fresh falls. Your guide will check conditions with the Pheriche health post or other guides on the trail before you head up. This is exactly the kind of call our guides make for you, and the kind of call you don’t want to make alone in winter.

Wind Speeds and Wind Chill

Wind is the underrated villain of the January trek to the Everest region. Calm days at lower elevations don’t mean calm days at the high points.

Below 4,000 m: typically 5–15 km/h, light breezes
Dingboche and above (morning): 10–20 km/h
Dingboche and above (afternoon, after 11 AM): can jump to 40–60 km/h
Kala Patthar and EBC area at midday: sustained 40–70 km/h is common

This is why January day plans cluster the higher walking into mornings. By 1 PM, the wind isn’t your friend.

Lukla Flights in January: What Actually Happens

Three operational facts most pages don’t tell you:

Most January Lukla flights still depart from Kathmandu (TIA), not Ramechhap. TIA congestion drops in winter, so the airlines move flights back. You’ll likely skip the 1 AM Ramechhap drive that peak-season trekkers complain about.
First-light departures are most reliable. Flights scheduled before 8 AM make it about 80% of the time. Later slots get cancelled more.
When flights cancel, they cancel for the day. Operators don’t usually try again in the afternoon — wind picks up, daylight runs out. If you’re cancelled, you wait for tomorrow.

What this means for your itinerary: add at least 2 buffer days. One at the start (in case the outbound flight delays), one at the end (in case the return flight cancels and you’d otherwise miss your international flight home). Three is safer.

The office team in Kathmandu matters as much as the guide on the trail. On one September 2025 departure, our coordinator, Saugat met a solo trekker at his hotel before the trek started, walked through every detail in person, and stayed in constant contact through the trek itself. That kind of pre-trek and in-trek communication isn’t standard, and it’s exactly what you want in winter, when plans can shift without notice.

The helicopter alternative. When fixed-wing flights cancel, helicopters often still operate, weather permitting. A chartered helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla in winter runs around USD $500 per seat (group of 5) to USD $2,500 (charter of one). Worth knowing as a backup. You can shave this to 14 days, but if a Lukla flight cancels, you’ll wish you hadn’t.

Gear List Specifically for January Trekking in Everest Base Camp

The standard EBC gear list isn’t enough for winter. Below is what changes for January.

The four items that make or break the trip:

Sleeping bag rated to −20°C (−4°F) or colder. Comfort rating, not survival rating. Rent in Thamel for ~$2/day or buy a Mountain Hardware Lamina or Mountain Equipment Helium 600. We lend gear from our office stock at the pre-trek briefing if what you’ve brought isn’t warm enough — ask at booking, and we’ll confirm what’s available.
Microspikes (Kahtoola, Hillsound, or similar). Not full crampons — those are overkill for EBC. Microspikes go on from Dingboche up. Around $60–$90 can be rented in Thamel for $1–$2/day.
Insulated water bottle (Nalgene with neoprene sleeve, or a Hydro Flask). Water in a regular bottle freezes solid by 9 AM above Dingboche.
Down jacket rated to at least −20°C. A 700-fill or 800-fill down jacket is the minimum. The cheap fleece-lined ones in Thamel won’t cut it past Lobuche.

The full January add-on list:

Heavy down jacket (rated −20°C minimum)
Down trousers or insulated over-pants for evenings in the teahouse
Two pairs of thermal base layers (so one can dry while the other’s on you)
Mid-layer fleece, full-zip
Hard-shell jacket (windproof, waterproof)
Hard-shell pants (essential for snow above Dingboche)
Heavyweight wool or synthetic gloves + a thin liner glove
Mittens for Kala Patthar morning (separate from gloves)
Wool beanie + balaclava
Buff or neck gaiter (frosts up with breath but worth it)
Insulated boots or normal trekking boots, one size up to fit thicker socks
Two pairs of thick wool socks per walking day
Microspikes (as above)
Hand warmers (chemical, single-use) — buy 20, carry 4 daily
Sleeping bag liner (silk or fleece — adds 5°C of warmth)
Insulated water bottle (×2)
Thermos for hot water from the teahouse
Lip balm with SPF 30
Sunscreen SPF 50 (the UV at altitude with snow reflection is brutal)
Glacier glasses (Category 4 lenses) — not regular sunglasses
Headlamp + spare batteries (kept warm in your sleeping bag at night)
Battery pack 20,000 mAh minimum (cold kills batteries fast)

Two cheap tricks worth knowing; both of these come straight from my experience:

Sleep with tomorrow’s clothes, your water bottle (upside-down so the cap doesn’t freeze first), your electronics, and your contact lenses inside your sleeping bag. Saves you 30 minutes of misery every morning.
Hot water in a Nalgene bottle, wrapped in a sock, doubles as a foot warmer at the bottom of your sleeping bag and gives you liquid water in the morning. KP teaches this on the first night at Phakding before anyone needs it.

Costs of the EBC Trek in January

A standard 14–16 day guided EBC trek costs in January are USD $1,200–$1,600 per person with a reputable operator. That’s $100–$200 less than the same package in October.

What’s typically included:

Kathmandu hotel for 2–3 nights (we use Bodhi Boutique in Thamel for most of our groups)
Domestic flights (Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu)
Licensed English-speaking guide (12 days)
Porter (11 days, typically 1 per 2 trekkers)
All teahouse accommodation (11 nights in mountain lodges)
All meals on the trek (with the exception of some days)
Sagarmatha National Park permit (NPR 3,000)
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit (NPR 2,000)
Guide and porter wages, insurance, equipment
Government taxes

What’s not included:

International flights to Kathmandu
Nepal visa (USD $30–$50 depending on stay)
Travel insurance with coverage to 6,000 m + helicopter evacuation (USD $80–$200)
Tips for guide and porter (USD $150–$250 total)
Personal gear and Thamel rentals
Drinks beyond meals (boiled water cost rises with altitude: $1 in Namche, $4 in Gorak Shep)
Hot showers (USD $3–$8 by altitude)
WiFi (USD $2–$5 per session)
Charging electronics (USD $2–$4 per device per session above Namche)
Optional helicopter return from Gorak Shep or Lukla

Budget for a 14-day trip from arrival to departure: USD $1,800–$2,500 all-in.

Permits and Documentation for Trek to Everest Base Camp in January

You’ll need two permits. Neither changes for January.

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: NPR 3,000 (~USD $23). Get it at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu, or at the park gate at Monjo. Bring a passport copy.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit: NPR 2,000 (~USD $15). Only available in Lukla or Monjo, not in Kathmandu. Bring a passport copy.

If you’re starting from Jiri (rare in January due to lower-altitude winter conditions), you’ll also need the Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit (NPR 3,000) from Kathmandu, plus two passport photos.

Permits must be paid in Nepali rupees. No cards. ATMs in Lukla and Namche exist, but are unreliable in January. Our team handles permits as part of your package; you don’t need to chase paperwork.

Teahouses in January: Open vs Closed

The closure pattern follows altitude. Lower lodges stay open; higher ones close as owners head down.

Village	January status	Notes
Lukla	All open	Higher-standard lodges available
Phakding	Mostly open	Plenty of choice
Namche Bazaar	All major lodges open	Even the Irish pub (yes, really)
Tengboche	Most open	Monastery still active
Pangboche	Mixed	About half open
Dingboche	About half open	Larger lodges stay; smaller ones close
Pheriche	About half open	The HRA clinic is closed in January
Lobuche	A few open	Very basic only
Gorak Shep	2–3 lodges open	Spartan; this is the night you earn the trip
Phortse	About half open	Quieter alternative route
Thagnak / Dhonjila (Cho La area)	Closed	Pass not workable in January
Lungden (Renjo La area)	Closed	Pass not workable in January

Bookings aren’t required ahead of time in January (the upside of empty trails). Your guide will radio ahead to confirm a specific lodge has space; I, being the senior guide, on the other hand, know which lodge owner has the warmest stove room and which has the best garlic soup at every stop on the trail.

Food and Water in Trek to Everest Base Camp in January

Menu changes: the printed menu still shows 40 items, but in January, you’ll often get “dal bhat, fried rice, noodle soup, momos, eggs.” Vegetable variety drops. I don’t recommend meat on the trek in any month; in winter, definitely not.

Hot food matters more than variety. A bowl of garlic soup at Lobuche is the most welcome thing you’ll eat that month.

Water: all teahouses sell boiled water. Costs USD $1–$1.50 in Namche, rising to $3.50–$4.50 at Gorak Shep. Carry purification tablets or a SteriPen as backup for stream water (where available) at lower altitudes — most streams freeze above 4,000 m anyway.

Bottled water is rare on the trail now (regional plastic ban). Boiled water from the lodge is the norm.

Carry a thermos. Fill it with hot water or ginger lemon tea at the lodge in the morning. By 11 AM at high altitude, you’ll thank yourself.

Altitude Sickness in Winter: The Hidden Risk

People assume AMS is a “summer at altitude” problem. It isn’t. In January, the risk is actually higher because:

You drink less water when it’s cold. Dehydration is the single biggest AMS amplifier.
You eat less because cold weather suppresses appetite. A calorie deficit weakens your body’s ability to adjust.
You breathe shallower because cold air feels harsh to inhale deeply. Less oxygen intake at altitude.
You sleep worse because of the cold. Poor sleep slows acclimatization.

Watch for the standard symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and add winter-specific signs: unusual irritability, persistent cold extremities that won’t warm up even in your sleeping bag, and clouded judgment. The last one is the most dangerous and the hardest to self-spot. Trekking with a guide who’s done dozens of winter departures like me isn’t a luxury in January; it’s basic risk management.

A real example: on one of our autumn departures, our guide Mitra spotted AMS symptoms early in one of his trekkers, calmly organized a controlled descent to a lower altitude, and managed the rest of the trek around the change. The trekker still finished the experience. That’s what trained winter judgment looks like in practice. In January, the same judgment matters more because evacuations are slower.

Diamox use: the standard 125 mg twice daily protocol still applies. Discuss with your doctor before travel. Don’t use it as a substitute for proper acclimatization days; Diamox helps; it doesn’t replace.

The Pheriche HRA clinic is closed in January. The nearest functioning medical facility above Namche is the Mountain Medical Institute clinic in Namche (open); the Dingboche branch is closed in winter. Helicopter evacuation is still available, but response times are slower in poor visibility.

Frostbite, Hypothermia, and the Two Mistakes Most People Make

The two avoidable mistakes I see on every winter departure:

Going to bed in damp clothes. You sweat on the climb. You don’t change layers when you reach the teahouse. The sweat freezes when the temperature drops. By 2 AM, you’re shivering uncontrollably. The fix: change every damp layer the moment you arrive at the lodge.
Pushing through cold extremities. A cold finger you can flex is fine. A cold finger you can’t feel is frostbite starting. The moment you lose sensation, stop, get into shelter, warm slowly (not in front of a stove; warm slowly with body heat and lukewarm water).

Both of these are first-night-at-Lobuche conversations our guides have with every group. I’d rather have it twice than once.

Cultural Notes for January

Two reasons January is culturally interesting that other pages skip:

Maghe Sankranti (mid-January): the Nepali festival marking the end of the coldest period. In Sherpa communities along the trail, families gather and share special foods (yams, sesame, ghee). If you’re around Namche or Phortse on this day, you may be invited in.
Tibetan and Nepali New Year approaches in February, but preparations begin in late January. Monasteries you visit (Tengboche, Pangboche) are quieter than during festivals, but the monks are usually more available for conversation.

If you go specifically around Maghe Sankranti (January 14 or 15), tell us at the planning stage; we can match you with a guide whose home village is along the route, when their schedule allows.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Trek to EBC in January

This trek is right for you if you:

Have done at least one prior trek above 4,000 m
Are comfortable in cold weather (you’ve winter-hiked at home)
Have full winter gear or budget to rent/buy in Kathmandu
Have 17–18 days available, including buffer
Value solitude over a social trail experience
Are you mentally OK with the possibility of a flight cancellation?

This trek isn’t right for you if you:

This is your first multi-day trek
You’ve never been above 3,500 m
You’re trekking with kids under 14
You’re on a tight schedule with no buffer days
You’re booking a budget trek (cutting corners on guide quality or gear is dangerous in January)
You’re not OK with the cold — and that’s not a character flaw, it’s just January

December vs January

If you’re flexible on winter months, here’s how they compare.

Factor	December	January
Average daytime temp at Gorak Shep	−5°C	−7°C
Average nighttime temp at Gorak Shep	−18°C	−20°C
Daylight hours	6.5	6.5
Lukla flight reliability	~80%	~75%
Snow on the trail	Light	Light–moderate
Teahouse availability	Better than Jan	Lowest
Crowd level	Low	Lowest
Best for	First winter attempt	Solitude purists

Our pick: if you can flex your dates, late January is the most forgiving winter window. Slightly warmer, slightly more daylight, slightly better teahouse coverage as owners return. You can also check out our brief guide on the Everest Base Camp trek in December.

Alternative Treks if EBC in January Feels Too Much

If the cold or duration is putting you off, but you still want the Khumbu in winter, two options:

Everest View Trek (7 days, max 3,867 m). Same trail to Tengboche, turn around. Avoids the high-altitude cold (Tengboche nights are still around −10°C, but Gorak Shep is −20°C). Easier on the body and the schedule.
Gokyo Lakes Trek in January: generally not recommended — too much snow on the high passes and key teahouses (Machhermo, Gokyo village) often run with very limited service.
Three Passes Trek in January: not workable. Cho La and Renjo La are snowed in.

Outside the Khumbu, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek (4 days, max 3,210 m) and Mardi Himal Trek (6 days, max 4,500 m) work well in January with proper layering. Both are warmer than EBC by 8–10°C across the board.

Real Trekker Stories from Recent Departures in January

Unedited reviews from travellers who set out with us this January, straight from TripAdvisor.

Hugo B. ✓ Everest Base Camp Trek

Went for EBC with a friend. Beautiful landscapes, laughing and sharing moments with our guide Jay — but we both fell sick and had to cancel mid-itinerary. Jay was the most caring guide imaginable: checking on us, carrying me down to a lower village in an emergency, even visiting us in hospital afterwards. Magical Nepal stayed available by text and call throughout and made sure everything went as smoothly as possible. Huge thanks.

FAQ — Everest Base Camp Trek in January

Is the EBC trek possible in January?

Yes. The trail and all permits remain open year-round. The challenge isn’t access; it’s the cold, the shorter days, and the reduced teahouse availability above Dingboche. With proper gear and a winter-experienced guide, it’s a safe trek.

How cold does it get on the EBC trek in January?

Daytime temperatures range from +4°C at Lukla down to −7°C at Gorak Shep. Nighttime temperatures range from −5°C at Lukla to −22°C at Gorak Shep. Kala Patthar at dawn can hit −28°C with wind chill. Above 4,000 m, every night drops below −10°C.

Are Lukla flights reliable in January?

Roughly 70–80% of scheduled flights operate on the day. Winter fog at Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu is the main cause of delay. Most January flights depart directly from Kathmandu rather than from Ramechhap (the reverse of peak season). Always build in 2–3 buffer days.

Do I need crampons or microspikes for EBC in January?

Microspikes, yes, from Dingboche upward. Full crampons aren’t needed for the standard EBC route; they’re for technical climbing. Microspikes cost USD $60–$90 to buy or about $1–$2 a day to rent in Thamel. We also rent them from our Kathmandu office for trekkers booked with us.

How short are the days in January?

About 6.5–7 hours of usable trekking light. Sunrise around 6:50 AM, sunset around 5:20 PM in the Khumbu. Plan walking days to start by 7:45 AM and finish by 4:00 PM.

Are teahouses open in January?

Most lodges below Dingboche stay open year-round. Higher up — Lobuche, Gorak Shep, Pheriche — only 2–4 lodges per village remain operational. Cho La and Renjo La pass-side lodges (Thagnak, Dhonjila, Lungden) are closed entirely.

Is altitude sickness still a risk in January?

Yes, and arguably higher than in peak season because trekkers drink less water in the cold (dehydration amplifies AMS), eat less (calorie deficit), and sleep poorly. The acclimatization rules don’t change for winter.

Can a beginner trek to EBC in January?

I don’t recommend it. A first-time multi-day trekker has too many new variables — altitude, fitness pacing, gear management. Adding extreme cold and short daylight raises the failure rate significantly. Do a 3,000–4,000 m trek elsewhere first (Annapurna Base Camp in October, for instance) and come back for EBC in January.

Is the EBC trek cheaper in January?

Slightly. Standard guided packages run USD $100–$200 less than the October equivalent. Lodge rooms are cheaper and rarely full. Winter gear rental and extras add costs that partly offset the savings.

Do I need a guide in January?

Strongly yes. Nepal’s tourism regulations require licensed guides for foreign trekkers in national parks since April 2023. Beyond the rule, a winter-experienced guide reads snow conditions, knows which lodges are open, and makes the weather-delay call that keeps you safe.

Can I request a specific guide?

Yes. Our recent winter trekkers have specifically asked for guides like Sagar, KP, Mitra, AJ, Sajan, and Raj Kumar Rai after seeing reviews. If you have a preference, mention it at booking; we’ll match if their schedule allows.

What about helicopter evacuation in winter?

Available but slower. Helicopters can’t fly in heavy snow or fog. Evacuation from above 4,500 m may require waiting for a weather window. Insurance covering helicopter rescue up to 6,000 m is non-negotiable for any winter EBC trek.

Can I do Three Passes or Gokyo in January?

Three Passes, no. The passes (Kongma La, Cho La, Renjo La) are snowed in. Gokyo Lakes is technically possible, but with very limited services and significant snow above Machhermo. Standard EBC is the only reliable Khumbu trek in January.

What’s better, January or February for winter trekking?

Late February. Slightly warmer, slightly more daylight, more lodges reopening as owners return from winter homes. Late January through mid-February is the practical sweet spot for winter EBC.

Do I need vaccinations for the EBC trek in January?

No special winter vaccinations. Standard Nepal travel vaccinations apply: hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus boosters. Speak to a travel doctor 6–8 weeks before your trip.

How much should I tip my guide and porter on a January trek?

Same as peak season: roughly USD $10–$15 per day for the guide and USD $7–$10 per day for the porter, per group. A winter departure deserves the same tip, and a small extra recognition for cold-weather guiding is appreciated.

Conclusion

If January suits the way you trek- patient, well-equipped, fine with solitude- this is the most visually pure month in the Khumbu. The mountains earn the cold.