Everest Base Camp Trek is a thrilling journey that keeps you away from your daily routine and hectic work schedules. It is a multi-day trek that needs holistic preparation, from physical fitness and mental preparation to the preparation with gear, guides, permits, and location. But on top of that, the cost is only one aspect that keeps all these plans alive. So how much does Everest Base Camp Trek Cost?
First, trekkers must understand the trekking package cost, which might differ from season to season and from one trekking agency to another. Here, the most important thing to consider is what services are included and excluded from the total cost. Depending on the package cost, the upcoming plans and preparations get executed. Here, we will discuss how much budget it takes to embark on Everest Base Camp Trek. We will also dive into the cost of accommodation, food, drinks, permits, guides, porters, transportation, and other aspects. Let’s explore them in more detail!
Trekking Package Cost
Generally, Everest Base Camp Trek takes more than $1300 per person to immerse into the Himalayan wonders and beauty completely. It includes the cost of your total package with the accommodation, meals, logistics like permits, and other services attached. Here are some quick facts regarding the average cost of Everest Base Camp Trek Cost:
| Package Duration | Price (USD) |
| 10 Days | $1,200 |
| 14 Days | $1,500 |
| 18 Days | $1,800 |
| 22 Days | $2,100 |
| 26 Days | $2,400 |
Several factors, such as the time of the year, itinerary, activities, and level of services you choose, can influence the Everest Base Camp Trek’s cost. Similarly, the agency you choose to book the Everest Base Camp Trek also makes a big impact on the total expenses required for the journey.
At Nepal Eco Adventure, we have several packages for Everest Base Camp Trek. The classic Everest Base Camp Trek is $1250 per person. When it comes to pricing, we have 14 Days Everest Base Camp Trek for $1550, Everest Base Camp – Cho-La Pass – Gokyo Trek for $1600, Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return for $2850, and Everest Base Camp – Kalapathar Trek for $1400. These costs are all calculated per head, so it might be a big amount when you participate as a group.
Everest Base Camp Treks in Nepal Eco Adventure
| Package | Cost |
| Everest Base Camp Trek | $1650/person |
| 14 Days Everest Base Camp Trek | $1550/person |
| Everest Base Camp – Cho-La Pass – Gokyo Trek | $1600/person |
| Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return | $2850/person |
| Everest Base Camp – Kalapathar Trek | $1400/person |
Cost Includes
- All domestic transportation facilities and fees
- Kathmandu-Lukla and Lukla-Kathmandu Flight fees
- Logistics such as permits (Sagarmatha National Park and Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit)
- Certified and Professional Guides who are well-trained, friendly, English-speaking, helpful, and knowledgeable.
- Professional porters to help you carry your loads
- Charges of guides and porters and his food, accommodation, and logistics
- Medical Supplies
- Taxes
- First aid kits like basic medications, bandages, oxymeters (to check your pulse at high altitude), and other prescriptions
- Three meals per day, including Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Cost Excludes
- Accommodation and food services in Kathmandu
- International flight fees
- Visa fees
- Travel and Medical Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Extra services like charging, hot showers, and others
- Backpacks of more than 15kg for Lukla Flight
- Guides and Porter tips
- Emergency evacuation service charges
Visa and Permit Costs
To embark on the Everest Base Camp Trek, trekkers must be eligible to stay in Nepal for the designated time. Without going through the legal procedure, trekkers cannot issue any visa required for staying in Nepal. So, tourist visas are recommended for trekking to the Everest Base Camp. Similarly, they should obtain special permits from the Government of Nepal to enter the Everest Region. Since the base camp is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sagarmatha National Park, no one is allowed to enter the premises without special permission. That’s why we must acquire permits.
Nepal Visa Requirements And Fees
There are several kinds of visas available for foreign guests in Nepal. A tourist visa is one of them. When visiting Nepal to go on the beautiful trek of Everest Base Camp, you have to obtain this visa from Tribhuvan International Airport. It can also be acquired from other cities like Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Belahiya, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, Mahendranagar, and Kodari. But since our journey starts from Kathmandu, we suggest you purchase the visa at the Airport.
Nepal visa comes with different validity. Trekkers can choose different timeframes, like 15, 30, and 90 days while buying the visa. They come with different fees. The 15 days visa in Nepal costs you around USD 25, while the 30 Days Visa has a price of USD 40. In addition, the 90 Days Visa can be purchased at USD 100.
| For 15 Days | USD 25 |
| For 30 Days | USD 40 |
| For 90 Days | USD 100 |
Trekking Permits Cost
Two permits are required for Everest Base Camp Trek; Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit. The trekkers must purchase these licenses or cannot continue their journey to the base camp. To get these permits, trekkers can visit Nepal Tourism Board in Kamaladi, Kathmandu, with the required documents, including permit fees, photographs, visa, etc. Similarly, you can also get the permits at Monjo Checkpost in Monjo Village in the Everest Region.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permits cost NRs. 3000 for foreign trekkers. Similarly, it costs NRs. 1000 for the trekkers from SAARC Nations and NRs. 100 for the Nepalese Trekkers. If you have any trekkers under the age of 10 years old, then you don’t have to pay any charges for the permits. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit has the price of NRs. 2000 per person [for foreign trekkers].
There is an optional permit that is required if you embark on a trek to Everest Base Camp from Jiri. It costs you NRs. 3000 per person. It can also be purchased from Nepal Tourism Board.
Hiring A Guide | Their Cost
Hiring guides for Everest Base Camp Trek is mandatory. They provide insightful help throughout the journey and help in navigation, communication, cultural immersion, and more. Though they provide us with sufficient help and support, their services do not come for free. Trekkers must pay certain fees to acquire support to make the journey safe, secure, and enjoyable.
The average cost of hiring a guide for the Everest Base Camp Trek is around $30 to $35 per person daily. The cost can fluctuate depending on the group size of trekkers embarking on this trek. For example, if you are traveling with a group of one or two people, the charge for a guide will be around USD 30 Per Day. Similarly, a group of 3 to 5 people has to pay USD 32 per person. A group of 5 to 10 people must pay USD 35 per person daily. Here is a list of guide fees for Everest Base Camp Trek:
| Group of 1 to 2 People | USD 30 Per Day |
| Group of 3 to 5 People | USD 32 Per Day |
| Group of 5 to 10 People | USD 35 Per Day |
Hiring A Porter | Their Cost
Porters are an integral part of Everest Base Camp Trek. Walking for long hours might be challenging since the trek comprises a multi-day itinerary. And carrying heavy loads on top of that might drain the physical energy and mental stability during the trek. So porter must carry all your backpacks and belongings, including gear, equipment, and other necessary items. While they help you carry the loads during the trek, you must respect them by paying a fair fee.
The average cost of Porter’s fee is USD 25 to 35 per person daily. This depends on how much weight they carry. For example, if a porter carries 15 kg of weight in total, he might charge you minimum wage, but if he carries the maximum weight, which is 25 kg, the charge might gradually ascend. During the trek, porters are allowed to carry a maximum weight of 25 kg – if trekkers have fewer items, they can share one porter to carry their things. But the weight cannot exceed more than 25 kg.
These are the average cost comparison of guides and porters. Experienced guides can charge you up to USD 50 per day. It is recommended to have one on one sessions with guides and porters to discuss the fees and other activities. Also, trekkers are suggested to respect their service and offer them a fair price, if possible, tips. Tips are not mandatory, but it is highly expected when you embark on the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal.
Other Cost Breakdown
We have already gone through the logistics services, guides, and porters and the total cost of the packages. Besides those things, several other expenses are required during the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. From food to accommodation and from gear to transportation, trekkers are urged to allocate their budget accordingly.
Accommodation expenses
The basic expense of the accommodation facility is around USD 7 to 10 per day. The accommodation cost also fluctuates depending on the level of services the hospitality service providers offer. For example, the cost can be minimal if you live in a hotel with a shared bedroom and bathroom. But the cost can be higher if you accommodate high-end hotels with attached bathrooms, hot showers, and 24/7 electricity and internet services.
Generally, there are three types of accommodation trekkers can opt for during the Everest Base Camp Trek. They are Tea Houses, Hotels, and Camping. Tea houses are usually cheaper accommodation, costing you around $7 per night. They come with shared dormitory bedrooms and bathrooms. Some tea houses are equipped with advanced services like western-styled latrines, 24/7 free electricity, and internet services. Hotels are usually expensive compared to tea houses. They are found only in Namche Bazaar in the whole route to the base camp.
Hotels in Namche Bazaar offers a wide array of amenities like western styled bedroom and attached bathroom, restaurants, bars, and many other services. They can cost you anywhere from $10 to $15 per night. Last but not least, camping is also one way of accommodating during the journey. Though no cost is required for camping, the other services like fooding and catering might require some time and energy. Trekkers must carry their tents and supplies, and safety is highly compromised in camping.
| Tea House | $7-$10 Per Night | Shared Bedroom/Bathroom |
| Hotels | $10-$15 Per Night | Attached Bathroom/Internet/Electricity |
Food Cost [Solid And Liquid]
The average meal cost during the Everest Base Camp Trek will be $5 to $7. Similarly, the breakfast also costs you around $3 to $5 per session. So while summing up the total cost per day, the average cost of two meals is around $6 to $10 per person. Similarly, the total cost of food will be around $15 to $20 in wholesome.
Besides meals and breakfast, drinking water costs you anywhere from NRs. 100-400 per bottle. In addition, other forms of drinks like tea and cold drinks might cost you even more. During the trek, the average cost of tea and coffee is Rs 150 to 250 per cup and Rs 150 to 300 Per cup. If you opt for soft drinks like Coke and Sprite, you should pay around NRs. 200-500 Rupees per bottle.
| Average Meal Cost | $5 to $7 Per Person |
| Average Breakfast Cost | $3 to $5 Per Person |
| Average Food Cost In A Day | $15 to $20 Per Person |
| Average Soft Drink Cost | NRs. 200-500 Rupees per bottle |
| Average Tea and Coffee Cost | Rs. 150 to 250 per cup/Rs. 150 to 300 Per cup |
| Drinking Water Cost | NRs. 100-400 per bottle |
One of the most important things to consider is that the cost of accommodation and food is highly influenced by the time of year. For example, the cost of these services in peak seasons like Spring and Autumn is higher than the off-season times like Winter and Monsoon.
Trekking gear and equipment
We know the importance of trekking gear and equipment for the Everest Base Camp Trek. So while planning the trek, trekkers must also allocate a certain budget for buying and renting these items. Here is a list of trekking gear and equipment with their prices:
| Trekking Boots | $70 to $200 |
| Backpack [40-50 liters] | $50 to $150 |
| Sleeping Bag | $150 to $300 |
| Down Jacket | $100 to $250 |
| Waterproof Shell Jacket and Pants | $50 to $150 |
| Fleece Jacket/Pullover | $30 to $80 |
| Base Layers | $20 to $60 |
| Trekking Poles | $20 to $100 |
| Warm Hat and Gloves | $20 to $100 |
| Water Bottles and Water Purification Tablets | $5 to $15 |
| First Aid Kit | $100 to $150 |
| Toiletries and Personal Items | Around $200 |
Transportation Cost To and From Lukla
There are two types of transportation services available to reach Lukla from Kathmandu. One is by air, and another is by vehicle. The cost might differ from one another when comparing since the comfort level also has a vast difference. If you fly directly to Lukla Airport [Tenzing Norgay Airport] from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the price will be higher than traveling by vehicle.
Flight Cost: The average flight cost from Kathmandu to Lukla is around $150 to $250 per person. Factors like the time of the year and weather conditions highly influence it. The Regular Airlines Fare for the flight is around USD 180 per person, while the cost for Indian Travelers is only NRs. 14700 Per Person. Nepalese travelers have even more privileges when it comes to flight costs. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla for Nepalese is only Nrs. 5500 per person.
Vehicle Cost: If you are looking forward to reaching Lukla by bus, it is possible. But remember, you must compromise comfort and time while opting for this option. Trekkers must traverse either from Tham Danda Buspa or Ramechaap for the starting session. Similarly, they can drive to Phaplu and Salleri or go from Jiri to Sotang route to Lukla. The average cost for transportation by bus or jeep will cost you anywhere from NRs. 8,000 to 12,000.
Tips to Minimize Costs
If you are on a tight budget, you might find it hard to spend the high and expensive money for Everest Base Camp Trek. But do not worry; we have got you covered. Here are some tips to save money by minimizing the cost of the journey. Here’s how you can do it:
Traveling during the off-peak season
Traveling during the off-peak season is one of the best ways to minimize the Everest Base Camp Trek cost. While the peak season is overcrowded, the package cost is itself expensive. Similarly, the chances of abundant accommodation, guides, porters, and logistic services are minimal. It eventually increases the cost of those things required for the Everest Base Camp Trek. So if you are looking forward to a budget trek, it will be better to go on an off-peak season trek.
But remember, the off-peak season is harsh and extreme, which can even be life-threatening. So adverse planning and preparation is crucial for this kind of trek.
Negotiation
Not all the aspects can be negotiated, but when it comes to the cost of the package while booking from trekking agencies, trekkers can bargain and negotiate to bring down the expenses. Similarly, the cost of guides and porters also can be negotiated. For that, trekkers are suggested to physically avail themselves in the agency and talk over the cost and try to bring down the expenses.
Packing Light To Avoid Excess Baggage Fees
This is one of the best ways to minimize the Everest Base Camp Trek cost. While packing the essential gear and items for the trek, you must know which ones to include compulsorily and which ones not. It is advised to exclude things that are not necessary during the trek. Make a list of the prioritized things like gear, equipment, safety kits, and others, and pack them well. If your plan does not include any materials for the trek, get rid of them. This will help you have lightweight loads during the trek and help minimize the cost of porters. And if it is more lightweight, you can carry it by yourself.
Renting Gear and Equipment
Buying quality gear and equipment that aligns with the difficulty level of the Everest Base Camp is a must. But the cost of these gears might exceed far from the trekker’s budget capacity. So, to minimize the cost of the Everest Base Camp Trek, trekkers can opt for renting these items, which can be obtained at a minimal price range. Trekkers can rent the required trekking gear from the shops around Thamel. Several shopping stores in Thamel offer the best price for buying and renting these gear and equipment.
See also:
- What Makes Everest Base Camp Such a Famous Trek?
- How to get to Everest Base Camp?
- Best Time For Everest Base Camp Trek
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal?
Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal can be done at around $1300 to $2800 per person. The Standard package costs less, while the customized package with the addons of other destinations near Everest Region will cost you more.
When is the best time to go for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Everest Base Camp Trek can be done in all seasons; however, looking at the weather and climate, Spring and Autumn Seasons are the best time. The off-peak seasons like monsoon and winter comes with the harsh and extreme weather condition, featuring heavy snowfall, rainfall, strong winds, and avalanches. It poses a high risk and danger to the trekker’s life.
What type of accommodation services are found en route to Everest Base Camp?
Most of the time, trekkers will find tea houses to accommodate themselves during this trek. Also, they can stay at a luxurious hotel in Namche Bazaar full of high-end amenities and services.
Is insurance mandatory?
Having travel and health insurance is highly recommended though they are not mandatory. But having them will compensate you a certain percentage of your money if they are canceled, postponed, or if you go through any kind of medical emergency.
Do I need a guide for this trek?
You need a professional and certified guide to embark on this trek. Nepal Government has made it mandatory to keep an accompanying guide for any treks within Nepal.
How to get to Lukla without flying?
It is possible to reach Lukla without flying. Trekkers must ride a bus from Kathmandu to either Salleri or Buspa, or Phaplu first. From there, it is a few days of trek to Lukla.
