Due to the harsh climate of the Mount Everest region, you should pay special attention and prepare well before taking an Everest Base Camp tour in Tibet, which is a trip to the base camp at 5,200 meters above sea level. While staying overnight at the base camp, do you need a sleeping bag? What kinds of sleeping bags are recommended for an Everest Base Camp tour?

Here, we’ll discuss what types of sleeping bags are recommended for Everest trekking tours and why you can skip bringing one for an ordinary sightseeing trip to Everest Base Camp. Check our useful tips for picking the right sleeping bag for your EBC tour and learn more about the accommodation conditions at Everest.

1. Yes! You need to bring a Sleeping Bag for Everest Base Camp Trekking Tour in Tibet

The answer is absolutely YES for Everest trekking tours in both summer and winter. The classic trekking routes to Everest Base Camp in Tibet include the 4-day trek from Tingri to Everest Base Camp and the Gama Valley trek through the eastern slope of Everest to the base camp.

Camping is the only option during the Everest trekking trails in Tibet as there is no guesthouses or monasteries along the way. Choosing the right sleeping bag is very important to keep you warm during chilly nights in the mountain regions.

15 Days Gama Valley Trekking in the Eastern Slope of Mt. Everest

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Gama Valley Trek - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD2890 p.p

In Mount Everest area, nighttime temperatures can be very cold. Even in summer, it might stay just above 0°c, but it will drop to freezing and below during the rest of the year.

Sleeping bags have temperature ratings that indicate comfortable temperature ranges and extreme limits. A 3-season sleeping bag that is suitable for a summer trek to Everest Base Camp in Tibet with temperatures between 0 and 5 °C will be okay.

A 4-season sleeping bag that can keep you comfortable down to lows of -10°c is usually recommended for an EBC trek. This is the minimum rating needed for nighttime temperatures in spring and autumn.

It is necessary to bring a proper sleeping bag for Everest trekking tour in Tibet.

The size, weight, and insulation material are also important factors in choosing the right sleeping bag for your Everest Base Camp trek in Tibet Down insulation has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio but requires maintenance if it gets wet. It is the ideal material in winter, spring, and autumn. Since there is a higher chance of rain in the summer, so synthetic insulation might be more suitable.

Another advantage of down insulation is that it is highly compressible. 4-season sleeping bags with 'mummy hoods' can weigh as little as 1-1.2kg and squeeze down to a convenient size that will fit in a good hiking pack. So it is recommended to choose a down sleeping bag for your Everest Base Camp trekking in Tibet.

10 Days Best Tingri to Everest Trekking Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Shigatse - Tingri - Trekking to EBC - Lhasa

Price from USD1780 p.p

2. No! A sleeping bag is not a necessity for general Everest Base Camp tours in Tibet

A sleeping bag is not needed if an Everest Base Camp tour by road. Almost accommodations along the way from Lhasa to EBC are hotels and guesthouses. At the base camp, you have the choice of staying at the Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse or the EBC tent hotel.

The tent hotel at the Everest Base Camp in Tibet provides basic accommodation conditions.

The EBC tent hotel is the most popular choice. It's an authentic experience of how local Tibetans live in the traditional tent. The tents are located at the base camp with great views of Mount Everest's summit. At night, the sky lights up with the stars of the Milky Way, and sunset and sunrise at the mountain is an unforgettable sight.

Each tent can accommodate ten people with comfortable and clean beds. It's not possible to book a whole room, so, during busy periods, you may share a tent with other travelers. If you are concerned about personal hygiene, you can bring a lightweight sleeping bag with your bag. Simple food for dinner and breakfast is provided. Hot water for drinking is always available. The public toilets are located a short distance away.

Rongbuk Monastery is the highest monastery in the world and has a basic guesthouse for travelers. At 4,980 meters, the view of Mount Everest is stunning. The guesthouse rooms can accommodate up to five adults. Twin rooms are available but have to be booked far in advance. Amenities include electric blankets, power sockets, lamps, and hot water bottles. The guesthouse dining room serves simple Tibetan and Chinese dishes as well as a variety of drinks like tea, coffee, and milk.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD939 p.p

3. More Accommodation Tips for Tibet Everest Tours

No matter you are going to have a general Tibet Everest Base Camp tour or plan for a trekking tour to the Everest Base Camp, here are some things to know about the accommodations along the way.

Accommodations at Everest Base Camp are very basic. Bring personal toiletries as these won't be available. Moreover, it is not available to take a shower at the base camp, you can bring some wet wipes with you.

The tent hotels at Everest Base Camp will be closed during winter seasons, generally from November to next April. If you visit Tibet Everest Base Camp in winter, you can only stay in the nearby village.

We also provide sleeping bag rental services for our customers.

When traveling to EBC, you can take sleeping bags by yourself; you may take it to EBC from your home, or you can buy one in Lhasa or along the way to EBC. If you don’t want to take too much things, you can also rent the sleeping bags from special stores managing sleeping-bag-renting around EBC. There are tents and sleeping bags for rental around EBC. And the prices vary from 50RMB to 80RMB per night.

During your trekking to the Everest Base Camp, stay with your tour guide while camping, and don’t get separated from your group.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD939 p.p

Conclusion

Whether you’ll need a sleeping bag for your Everest Base Camp tour depends on the types of travel you choose. A proper sleeping bag is essential for keeping you warm and safe during trekking nights. However, for overland trips to Everest Base Camp, which typically include only one night stay at the tent hotel or Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse, a sleeping bag may not be necessary. If you need further information about accommodation for an Everest Base Camp tour, feel free to contact us.