Everest Base Camp Trek Cost
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost is one of the swirling questions in trekkers’ minds as it is a dream destination for many trekkers. Nestled in the lap of the world’s highest peak, Everest Base Camp calls visitors worldwide to indulge in its beauty. Watching Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Lhotse is a perfect viewpoint. Similarly, the diverse flora and fauna of the Sagarmatha National Park is something you should never miss. Also, the cultural richness, traditional villages, and monasteries offer the Everest Region a peaceful and harmonious environment.
We already said that Everest Base Camp is a dream destination, but reaching this dream destination is not quite easy. You must be prepared with everything you have for safe navigation over this place. This might include your physical and mental preparation, preparation with gear, equipment, cost, and more. We will be discussing Everest Base Camp’s cost in this blog. So, how much does Everest Base Camp Trek cost? Let’s see the breakdown details of every essential cost during this trek.
Visa Fees
Visa is one of the factors contributing to Everest Base Camp Trek Cost. Everest Base Camp is a multi-day trek, so trekkers must be eligible to stay in Nepal for an extended period. To do this, they must acquire a visa, which can be obtained via legal procedure. Trekkers can obtain different types of visas while on a beautiful trek to Everest Base Camp Trek. Obtaining a tourist visa is most important for this trek.
If you are already in Nepal, you can get a Nepal visa from Tribhuvan International Airport after you land in Kathmandu. If you are traveling from the border side of India and Tibet, then you can acquire visas from Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Belahiya, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, Mahendranagar, and Kodari. However, most of the journey to EBC starts in Kathmandu, so we recommend you purchase a visa at the airport of your country’s embassy.
The cost of a Nepal Visa varies depending on the total length of your stay in Nepal. For example, if you are staying for 15 days in Nepal, the visa cost will be USD 25. Similarly, the 30-day and 90-day Visa cost you around USD 40 and USD 100, respectively.
| For 15 Days | USD 30 |
| For 30 Days | USD 50 |
| For 90 Days | USD 125 |
Permit Costs:
Everest Base Camp Trek’s cost is also highly influenced by the trekking permits. Everest Base Camp lies within the protected area of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sagarmatha National Park. It is a protected land area designed to preserve the Everest Region’s wide species of flora and fauna. So, to enter through its premises, we must acquire this permit.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit costs you around NRS. 3000 per person if you are a foreign trekker. Similarly, the permit cost for SAARC Nation is different – it is way cheaper. Trekkers from SAARC Nations must pay around NRS. 2000 per person, while the Nepalese Trekkers enjoy the cheapest price privilege. The cost of the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit for Nepalese Trekkers is only NRS. 100 per person.
You can get this permit from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kamaladi, Kathmandu or Monjo Checkpost in Monjo. You must provide documents such as a valid visa, passport, and photographs to acquire it.
Updated August 29th, 2024: Previously, every visitor were charged Rs 2,000 each. Now, the fee for citizens outside of the SAARC region has been increased to NPR 3,000 ($23), while the fee for SAARC region citizens and Chinese nationals remains at NPR: 2,000 ($16).
| Foreign Trekkers | NRS. 3000 |
| Trekkers From SAARC Nations | NRS. 2000 |
| Nepalese Trekkers | NRS. 100 |
Apart from the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, there are two other essential permits that contribute to the Everest Base Camp Trek Cost. They are:
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit
- Gaurishankar Conservation Area Entry Permit
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu was introduced in 2018 after the federal system started in Nepal. It replaced TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) and came into action. Currently, the Khumbu Municipality looks after the permit intakes and outbounds. The cost of the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit is NRS. 3000 per person.
The budget for the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Entry Permit is another entity that should be allocated within the Everest Base Camp Trek Cost. An optional trekking permit is required if you travel from Jiri to Lukla. It cost NRS. 3000 per person to obtain this permit.
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit | NRS. 3000 (updated) |
| Gaurishankar Conservation Area Entry Permit | NRS. 3000 |
Transportation Cost
Transportation is another factor that should be considered while allocating the Everest Base Camp Trek Cost. Trekkers can opt for two types of transportation options to reach the starting point of EBC Trek, Lukla. You can either travel by air or by road.
You must board a flight from Tribhuvan International Airport to Lukla Airport [Tenzing Norgay Airport] in Solukhumbu by air. The average flight cost from Kathmandu to Lukla is USD 217 per person for one way. The cost for Indian Travelers is NPR. 17,000, while the cost is NPR. 7500 per person for Nepalese passengers. You can reach Lukla around 45 minutes after boarding a flight from Nepal’s capital city.
The next option is traveling by road, which is relatively more time-consuming but less money-oriented. If you have much time but want to minimize the Everest Base Camp Trek cost, you can travel by road. To reach Lukla, travel to Phaplu, Tham Danda, Buspa or Ramechhap. Also, there are off-road trails to Phaplu and Salleri from where trekkers can get to Jiri and Sotang. It is important to consider here that it takes an extra 7 days from Salleri to reach Lukla. The road transportation is carried out by bus and jeep, which cost you around NRS. 8,000 to 12,000 per person.
Cost of Guides and Porters
After the new regulation of the Tourism Industry came into existence on April 1, 2023, hiring a certified guide for embarking on any treks within Nepal is now mandatory. Since the cases of missing and injuries hyped more than anything, the government initiated this new step to ensure trekkers’ safety. Not only will this help trekkers, but also help local guides and porters to ensure their economic growth.
Guides usually help you with navigation. The route to Everest Base Camp is rugged and remote, so many trekkers might get lost while traveling. Here, the expertise of guides can be very helpful. In addition, guides can also offer help in communication, cultural immersion, and using safety measures.
This will surely make the journey safe, secure, and enjoyable. Hiring a guide will cost anywhere from $30 to $40 per person. Some experienced guides will charge you up to $50 per person. It is essential to negotiate your cost and budget plans for guides before the journey starts since hiring guides daily will certainly elevate the Everest Base Camp Trek Cost.
Similarly, you will also need porters to carry heavy loads and gear. Carrying heavy backpacks by yourself for around two weeks might be very exhausting. So to eliminate the physical burden, you must hire strong porters who will make your trek enjoyable. The average cost of hiring porters for Everest Base Camp Trek is anywhere between $25 to $35 per person. But the price might change depending on the experience of the porters and the total weight they carry.
Cost of Trekking Gear and Equipments
| Backpack | $50 – $300 |
| Trekking Boots | $80 – $250 |
| Trekking Poles | $20 – $150 |
| Sleeping Bag | $50 – $400 |
| Tent | $100 – $500 |
| Sleeping Pad | $20 – $200 |
| Clothing | $100 – $500 |
| Navigation Tools | $10 – $50 |
| First Aid Kit | $20 – $50 |
| Rain Gear | $50 – $300 |
| Water Filtration | $20 – $100 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to go for Everest Base Camp Trek?
Autumn and Spring are the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek. These seasons have stable weather conditions with mild temperatures and a clear environment.
What kinds of accommodations are available?
You can find tea houses and guest houses on the trail during the Everest Base Camp Trek. In some parts like Namche Bazaar, you can find numerous modern hotels for staying, which come with great facilities.
How much does the accommodation cost in Everest Base Camp Trek?
Accommodation is another factor that fluctuates the Everest Base Camp Trek Cost. Usually, tea houses cost you around $7 to $10 per night. While in Namche, staying at a hotel costs anywhere from $10 to $25 per night.
How much does food cost in Everest Base Camp Trek?
The average meal in EBC Trail costs you around $5 to $7 Per Person. Similarly, breakfast costs around $3 to $5 Per Person, while soft drinks have the price of NRs. 200-500 Rupees per bottle. In addition, drinking water costs around NRs. 100-400 per bottle on Everest Base Camp Trail.
Yes, insurance is mandatory since it can cover your expenses in case of trek cancellations, postponements, and other unforeseen circumstances. Trekkers are recommended to purchase Travel and Health Insurance for the Everest Base Camp Trek.
