Although Everest Base Camp trek is in every trekker’s bucket list, most Nepali trekkers have not traveled in the region. The main reason that holds Nepalese back is the unavailability of Lukla flight tickets. Except for flights, we also have the impression of locals prioritizing foreigners over Nepalese.
But over the years, a lot has changed in the region. The locals wholeheartedly welcome the Nepali trekkers, and the flow of Nepali trekkers has also been increasing. While flights may seem like a problem, there are a number of smart ways in which you can do Everest Base Camp trek:
- During the peak trekking seasons (March-May and October- November), the flights reroute from Manthali Airport these days. The number of scheduled flights are also high. So if you choose the first or last quarter of these seasons, you have a good chance of getting flight tickets even if it’s for later in the morning.
- The months of December and January, early June, and late September see very few foreigners in the Everest region. The visibility is great, and the flow of trekkers is low. So you have the possibility of flying into Lukla.
- If you don’t want to take the hassle of flights and have some extra days in hand, you can easily take the alternate routes to Lukla. It includes hiking your way through Jiri or Salleri (or Kharikhola).
Why is Everest Base Camp Trek Cheaper for Nepali?
Trekking in the Everest region is not as expensive as it sounds. The local government has enforced a nominal room rate for all places, which is equal for all. Apart from that, several factors make this trek cheaper for Nepalese.
Flights– Even though booking a flight is difficult, the Airfare for Nepalese is less than half than that of foreigners. It reduces your trip cost significantly (cost is mentioned below).
Permits- Nepalese only need the ‘Sagarmatha National Park’ permit to trek in the Everest region. This permit will cover all the routes, including Gokyo and Three Passes trek. While the rate of permits amounts to NPR. 5390 for foreigners, Nepalese spend only NPR 100+13% VAT.
If you are traveling via Jiri, you might have to pay an extra hundred bucks for the Gaurishankar National Park Permit.
Food and Drinks– Although the rates are fixed on the menu, hotels and local eateries offer some discount on the menu price to Nepalese.
Other amenities– Hotels, in the lower sections like Lukla, Phakding, and Monjo, offer discounts on battery charging and hot water. Additionally, you can save money on the Internet by using the Ncell data pack (works up to Pangboche) and NTC (works fine in Gorakshep).
Cost Breakdown of Everest Trek for Nepali Trekkers Price in NPR
We’ve made a detailed breakdown of the trek expenses for a 12 days Everest Base Camp Trek to help you plan your budget while trekking in the region.
| Title | Cost to a single trekker (Calculation) |
| Permits | NPR 100 + 13% VAT |
| Flights | Kathmandu to Lukla: NPR 14,000 (NPR 7,000 x 2 |
|
Cost of Accommodation |
NPR 4000 in average per person
|
Besides the basic expenses, The other costs you might want to know are:
| Title | Cost to a single trekker (Calculation) |
| Cost of Hiring a Porter | Daily wages: NPR 2000 (includes accommodation and food) Insurance: NPR 3000 Tips: 15% of wages or higher |
| Cost of Hiring a Local Guide | Daily wages: NPR 2500 (includes accommodation and food) Insurance: NPR 3000 Tips: 15% of wages or higher |
| Hot Shower | NPR 400 – 700 / shower |
| Battery Charging | NPR 150 – 500 / per hour for mobile charging |
| Everest Link Wifi Cards |
NPR 600 (600 MB Wifi card) and NPR 2000 (10 GB Wifi card) |
Safety and Insurance Everest Base Camp Insurance for Nepali
Everest Region Trek is the most challenging trek in Nepal. Although the trails are not very tough, altitude is your biggest threat. You’ll be sleeping at an altitude over 5000 meters where the oxygen is almost half than the sea level. A normal human body is not designed to sleep at this altitude. According to the research paper by CIWEC, over 30% to 40% of people who hike above 4000 meters in a period of 1 to 3 weeks get altitude illness.
While foreign trekkers come well prepared with a proper Insurance that covers emergency rescue and hospital bills, there are no companies that offer travel insurance for Nepalese traveling in Nepal. In case of emergency, helicopter evacuation is the only option in the Everest region. And it can cost you up to NPR 2,00,000.
Given all the situation, trekkers, especially Nepalese, should be extra careful while trekking in the Everest region. Knowing how to prevent altitude sickness and following the acclimatization rules is a must.
Read in detail about altitude sickness and acclimatization here.
How can HoneyGuide help?
If you are planning your EBC, HoneyGuide can help you arrange your flight tickets. We are offering flights for Nepali trekkers at the rate of NPR 7,000 from Kathmandu to Lukla. Contact us for availability and prices for flights between Ramechhap and Lukla.
Apart from the flights, HoneyGuide can also help you connect with the hotels and local guides/porters guides for any trek in the Everest region. We have made a selection of lodges suitable for Nepali trekkers in all the night stops throughout the trail.
