Punam Phuyal
The rate of trekking is the foremost curiosity for trekkers before planning a trek. As EBC trek is one of the selective trekking in the world, its cost is equally important to make it. This article aims to give detailed information on Everest base camp trek cost and its breakdown. It includes entire costing from your arrival to departure from Nepal. It gives basic knowledge about budget required complete 14 days EBC trek.
The Mt. Everest base camp trek cost varies from $1000 - $5000 per person. The trekking cost can be breakdown into different categories. It varies on services of trekking.
The most common Everest base camp trek packages is shown in table below:
| Package type | Estimated cost (USD) | Estimated cost (INR) |
| Budget package | 1000 – 1300 | 62000 - 72000 |
| Standard package | 1700 - 2500 | 100000 - 150000 |
| Luxury package | 2800 - 5000 |
The package cost can be divided into various topics as the major service during the trek. Hence, we can break the bulk cost into sub headings and describe the core budget into unit.
The Everest base camp trekking cost breakdown:
The Everest base camp trekking cost breakdown:
EBC trek begins from Lukla. Thus, we should take 30-minute flight from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) from Kathmandu to Lukla in the low season. The flight takes place from 6-11 am every day. Bad weather may delay the flight sometimes. Flight occurs from Ramechhap in peak season. We should drive for around 5-hour to reach Ramechhap from Kathmandu. We will have around 20-minute flight from Ramechap to Lukla.
Lukla flight cost is $238 from Katmandu. It is one-way cost. The Lukla flight occurs from Ramechhap in peak trekking season (mid-March to mid-May and mid-September to mid – November). Cost from Ramechhap is less than that from Kathmandu as it is closer to Lukla. oneway flight from Ramechhap to Lukla is $200.
Kathmandu to Lukla flight
EBC trek cost for flights from Kathmandu to Lukla: 218 dollars (the price is fair and one way, you should have a separate ticket while returning as well.
Lukla flight cost in brief:
The domestic flight cost is the largest cost of EBC trek. The round trip cost from USD 200 - USD 480. It is the main factor to make the trek expensive.
Accommodation cost varies from place to place. The type of tea house in Everest region and Kathmandu accommodation are the main factors determining the cost of EBC trek. Accommodation in Kathmandu are categorized as 5*, 4* and 3* hotels. The cost varies based on EBC trek package.
The average costing of Kathmandu Accommodation:
Everest region accommodations are categorized into three types based on attached room and bed heater:
Standard tea houses
The standard tea houses are normal tea houses that provide common rooms without attached restroom. The clean twin sharing rooms are available for comfortable night stay. The dining hall with wooden heater to warm up in the evening is amazing part of standard tea house. The budget trek includes these tea houses for accommodation in Khumbu region. The cost of budget trek varies from 1100 to 1500 USD based on accommodation in Kathmandu.
Semi luxury tea houses
Semi luxury accommodation is upgraded tea houses with attached rooms. The rooms are beautiful with comfortable bedding as compared to standard room. The well decorated common dining hall with firewood is found in semi luxury hotel. The cost of semi luxury trek varies from 1800 to 2000 USD based on accommodation in Kathmandu.
Luxury accommodation
Luxury accommodation is highly comfortable hotels in Everest region where we can get electric heaters to remain warmer on cold nights. Luxury trek is an expensive trek with high facility. The cost for Everest base camp luxury trek varies from 2500 USD to 4500 USD based on accommodation in Kathmandu.
Average accommodation cost in Everest region:
EBC trek package with standard tea houses: $1100 - `$1500
EBC trek with semi luxury tea houses: $1800 - $2000
EBC trek cost with luxury tea house: $2500 - $4500
Accommodation in Kathmandu varies from 3* to 5* hotel. The cost of Everest base camp trek is tabulated below based on tea house type.
| Everest base camp trek packages | Accommodation in Kathmandu | Accommodation in Everest region | Everest base camp trek cost | |
| Group cost | Private cost | |||
| Budget Everest base camp trek | Three-star hotel | Normal tea houses | $1250 | $1499 |
| Standard Everest base camp trek | Four-star hotel | Standard tea houses with attached room | $1650 | $1900 |
| Luxury Everest base camp trek | Five-star hotel | Luxury tea houses with bed heater | $2700 | $3500 |
*Note: The package cost varies on the demand of the trekkers. If we book the Kathmandu accommodation on our own choice then the cost will can be minimized. The entire package will be better option as we will get pick up drop facilities.
Everest region is a well-developed trekking site in Nepal. Adequate hotels, lodges, restaurants, and tea houses are available for easy stay of travelers. We will get Nepali food in most of the tea houses. But standard hotels will provide varieties of food. We should be careful in choosing the food items and must carry water purifiers because the changing environment and the highest altitude may cause problems in the digestion of food.
Everest base camp trek cost for food: 8 –10 dollars per meal on average.
Food costs depend on our food choice.
Guide and Porter cost
Guides are legends with a license who show the trekking route, make your day-to-day plans, and give a description of the place you visit. Also, the arrangement of meals, resting places, and day plans are managed by guides. Porters are your helper to carry your bags. You should pay a service charge for guides and porters, which would be included in the total cost of your trek.
Porters are your helpers to carry our bags. Generally, one porter carries bags of two trekkers. The load should not be more than 15 kg per person so that they can also cover up the route without difficulties. Mostly the porter cost comes under package.
The charge for local guides and porters will be less than those of international guides.
Everest base camp trek Permit cost
We need two different permits for Everest base camp trek. Both permits can be made on Everest region. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu rural municipality permit can be made in Lukla and Sagarmatha national park permit can be made in the entry point of Monjo village.
Trek Card: A new online Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit should be filled for trekking in the Everest region. A Trek card is required for Everest base Camp Trek and other treks in the Khumbu region, like the Gokyo Cho La pass trek, Everest Three Pass Trek, etc. If you plan to visit the Everest region soon, then you can register your name before arriving in Lukla to avoid the physical queue.
Travel Insurance
EBC trek is adventurous with risk of altitude sickness. Extreme weather, low atmospheric pressure, low oxygen level, and high wind density with increasing altitude may create many difficulties while walking. Beside experience, more problems may arise due to the cold climatic condition of Everest region. Thus, travel insurance is very important to be safe in the meantime when uncertain difficulties arise during the trek. Travel insurance cost varies with the company’s policy, health status, and our activities.
Everest Base Camp trek for travel insurance: - $150 on average.
The cost covers all the emergencies and requirements up to 6000 meter above sea level.
Equipment
Basic equipment is an essential part of trekking. without it, you cannot prepare for a trek. Proper planning and appropriate trekking gear are major necessities of a successful trek. You should be more conscious until you pack all the requirements for the trek.
Everest base camp trekking equipment costs around $2,000 if you buy all the requirements firsthand. Basic requirements include waterproof hiking boots, thermal clothes, camp shoes, backpacks, water bottles, trekking poles, gloves, sleeping bags, and sunglasses. If you already have some requirements in good condition, then you can use them as well. You can hire requirements, if possible, to reduce your cost of equipment.
Managing trekking requirements is up to you and how much you spend on it. But the requirements should be in good condition and long-lasting. Medicines of expired dates are useless. Thus, you should be very careful when packing your trekking bag.
Food and Accommodations
Everest region is a well-developed trekking site in Nepal. Adequate hotels, lodges, restaurants, and tea houses are available for easy stay of travelers. You will get Nepali food in most of the lodges and tea houses. But standard hotels will provide you with other food varieties as well. You should be careful in choosing the food you eat and must carry water purifiers because the changing environment and the highest altitude may cause problems in the digestion of food. Everest base camp trek cost for food: 8–10 dollars per meal on average. Food costs depend on your choice.
An accommodation is 5$ - 15$ per day on average. 25-45 dollars for a medium lodge and more than 150 dollars for a luxurious hotel like the Yeti Hotel and Everest View Hotel.
Everest view Hotel, standing at 3880 m above sea level, is the hotel of the highest altitude in the world. You will get an acclimatization facility in this hotel. It is at Sangbuche near Khumjung village and costs around $200-$300 per day.
The cost of food and accommodation differs from place to place and the season of trekking. Lodges in higher elevations are more expensive than in lower elevations. You can spend extra money on beverages up to Namche. It is better not to use any hard drinks in the Everest region trekking to avoid sickness.
You may have to share rooms in peak season due to a lack of room for individual travelers. But, during the off-season, lodges will have enough empty rooms, and you can hire extra warmer blankets for nights too.
Cost for independent trekkers
Independent trekking is the cheapest method of trekking. No expenses for guides and porters will save money, but your trekking will be harder with more risk. You should pay only for trekking requirements, flights, permits, accommodation, food, and drinks. And if you choose classic trek from Jiri, then no payment is necessary for the flight as well.
EBC trek cost for an independent trek is 30-35 dollars per day. You can walk free and reduce travel costs on this trek. But traveling with a guide and in a group is safer than an independent trek.
Extra charge
During the Everest base camp trek, you should pay some extra charges for different purposes, such as:
Charging an electronic device
The price for charging electronic devices varies from place to place. It costs Rs. 300 per device in Pakhding, Namche, and Thangbuche. You should pay Rs. 300 per hour in Dingboche, Labuche, and Gorkshep.
During the off-season, you may get a free charging facility as well, depending on the flow of tourists. If the number of tourists increases, then you should add extra charge for charging even in the off-season.
Cost for gratitude towards Guides and Porters
After the completion of the trek or near the end of the trek, trekkers and tourists show their gratitude towards guides and porters by giving tips. There is no fixed rate for tips, and it is not compulsory either. It’s all up to you how much you desire to give to them.
Donation
The Everest base camp trek route comprises many monasteries and shrines where you will see donation boxes. It is up to you whether you like to donate or not. You can drop some money in the donation box as you wish. There are several schools as well where travelers donate some amount for the sake of the development of schools and places.
Helicopter Trip
In case you don’t want to return to Lukla from base camp on foot or you fall sick and become unable to reach base camp or return, then you can choose a helicopter as an option. It cost $1200 to $1400 (Gorakshep to Kathmandu).
Some Important Tips
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost Breakdown
Here's a table breaking down the cost of the Everest Base Camp Trek for foreigners, Indians, and Nepal:
| Item | Beginners | Indians | Nepalis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permit Fees | $38-40 | NPR 3500 | No Needed |
| Guide (optional) | $20/day | $20/day | NPR 2,000/day |
| Porter (optional) | $17/day | $17/day | NPR 1,700/day |
| Accommodation | $5-10/night | $5-10/night | NPR 500-1,000/night |
| Meals | $20-30/day | $20-30/day | NPR 2000-2,500/day |
| Flights | $370 to $400 | NPR 25,000 to 26,000 | NPR 25,000 to 35,000 |
| Travel Insurance | $50-100 | $50-100 | NPR 5,000-10,000 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | $50-100 | $50-100 | NPR 5,000-10,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $1,000-1,500 | $700-900 | NPR 60,000-90,000 |
Conclusion
Everest Base Camp Trek is an adventurous and affordable trek. The cost mentioned above is for the present situation in 2024, there may be some change in cost with the changing time and your demand. Trek with us; we have an affordable EBC Trek package with good service for comfort.
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