Everest Base Camp Trek is for everybody. Whether you would like to chopper your way in and have a fancy breakfast at Hotel Everest View or make a budget trip without any support staff, there are amenities to cater to all.
Since the price to trek to the Everest Base Camp largely depends upon the trekking style you choose- Independent trekking, Trekking with Independent guides, or Joining an organized group, here’s a quick comparison of cost and inclusions.
Group Tour Cost
Booking a Group Tour to Everest Base Camp will cost you anything from USD 1200 to USD 3000 depending on the service level and agency. It includes domestic flights, accommodation and meals throughout the trek, permits, guides cost, and shared porters.
Cost of Hiring a Trekking Guide
Cost of hiring a Guide for an entire trek of 13 days Everest Base Camp Trek can range anything from USD 330 – USD 1500 depending on the qualification of the guide and the city he/she is based in. This cost is shared by the number of people in the group.
Cost For Independent Trekkers
Trekking independently to the Everest Base Camp will cost you around USD 750- USD 800, including your flights, permits, accommodation, and meals for 13 days. While this is the general average cost, the price will be higher if you choose the luxury lodges.
Cost Breakdown of Services
Here’s the cost breakdown of all kinds of services and possible expenses one might incur during the Everest Base Camp Trek to help you plan your expenses.
| Basic Trek Expenses | |
| Title | Cost to a Single Trekker (USD) |
| Permit- Khumbu Rural Municipality | USD 18 (~NPR 2000 ) |
| Permit- Sagarmatha National Park | USD 31 (~NPR 3000 + 13% VAT) |
| Flight- Kathmandu to Lukla (both ways) | USD 358 (179*2) |
| Flight- Ramechhap to Lukla /with KTM-RHP transfer (both ways) | USD 294 (147*2) |
| Bus from Kathmandu to Ramechhap (one way) | USD 5 – USD 15 |
| Bus to Jiri/ Salleri (one way) | USD 7/ USD 14 |
| Helicopter Charter Price (One way, Gorakshep- Lukla-Kathmandu, for 3 to 5 people) | USD 3200- USD 3800 |
| Hotel-Phakding/ Monjo (Npr 500) | USD 5 |
| Hotel- Namche Bazaar (2 nights, Npr 1000 per night) | USD 20 |
| Hotel- Dingboche / Pheriche (Npr 500) | USD 5 |
| Hotel- Dingboche / Pheriche (2 nights, Npr 500 each night) | USD 10 |
| Hotel- Lobuche (Npr 700) | USD 7 |
| Hotel- Gorakshep (Npr 700) | USD 7 |
| Hotel- Dingboche / Pheriche (Npr 500) | USD 5 |
| Hotel- Namche (Npr 1000) | USD 10 |
| Hotel- Lukla (Npr 500) | USD 5 |
| Meals- 12 days x ~USD 25 per day 12 breakfasts/lunches/dinners with tea/ hot water | USD 300 |
| Total Cost if Everest Base Camp Trek (Including two way flights, 12 days trek accommodation, permits and all meals) | USD 744 (~750) |
Notes:
- All rooms are on twin sharing basis so room cost can be divided between two trekkers.
- Hotel rates above are for basic rooms. Rooms with attached bathrooms cost USD 10 and above depending on the services included. In luxury lodges, room rates can go up to USD 230 per night.
- If you’re planning a Gokyo trek, read more about the accommodation in Gokyo here.
- Both permits can be bought on the trails. Read in detail about permits here.
- Read in detail about the Cost of Food, Drinks, and Water here.
| Hiring A Local | |
| Title | Cost |
| Cost of Hiring a Porter (includes accommodation and food, carries up to 30 kgs, shared by 2 people) |
Daily wages: USD 15-18 |
| Tips: 15% of wages or higher | |
| Cost of Hiring a Porter-Guide (includes accommodation and food, carries upto 15 kgs) | Daily wages: USD 25 |
| Guide Insurance: USD 30 | |
| Tips: 15% of wages or higher | |
| Cost of Hiring a Local Guide (includes accommodation and food) | Daily wages: USD 22 – 35 |
| Guide Insurance: USD 30 | |
| Tips: 15% of wages or higher | |
| Hiring a Trekking Guide from Kathmandu | |
| Title | Cost |
| Cost of Hiring a Trekking Guide (includes accommodation and food) |
Daily wages: USD 25 – 100 |
| Guide Insurance: USD 30 | |
| Tips: 15% of wages or higher | |
| Kathmandu to Lukla Flight for Guide (one way) | USD 50 one way |
| Buses for Guide [Jiri/ Salleri] | USD 7/ USD 14 |
<tdcolspan=”2″> Miscellaneous Trek Expenses </tdcolspan=”2″>
| Title | Cost |
| Hot Shower (per shower) | USD 3 – USD 7 |
| Battery Charging (per hour) | USD 1.5 – USD 5 |
| Everest Link Wifi Cards [600 MB/10 GB] | USD 5.5 / USD 17.5 |
| Non-Trek Costs | |
| Title | Cost |
| Travel Insurance | USD 150 |
| Nepali Visa (30 days) | USD 40 |
| Taxi from Airport to Thamel | USD 10 |
| Hotel in Kathmandu | Varies (USD 15+) |
| Sleeping Bag for Hire | USD 3 per day |
| Down Jacket for Hire | USD 2 per day |
Payment Options / Cash Vs Card
Although a few hotels and restaurants in Namche Bazaar, Lukla, and some other places in the trails have POS machines, a card is not a supplement for cash. Cash is inevitable for paying bills in most of the tea houses, permit fees, lunch bills, paying wages, and tips to guides in the Everest Base Camp trek. Also, you have to bear the additional transaction charges if you pay by credit cards.
However, if you don’t want to risk carrying cash, booking flights, accommodations, and guides beforehand through online platforms can be a smart move. That way, you can take a limited amount for lunch, permits, and tipping.
Money Exchange– There are plenty of money exchanges in Thamel, Namche Bazaar, and Lukla. But the commission rates will be higher in the trails, so it’s better to get your money changed in Kathmandu. And if you’re wondering what cash denominations to take- checks of 1000 and 500 are just fine for the trails. In that case, the bundle will be small and easy to carry. You will get a smaller amount of money when you buy things or make payments anyway.
