You might be wondering how much it costs to trek to Everest Base Camp. The cost can’t be specific as it depends on what types of services are included, the quality and standard of the services being provided, and many inclusions and exclusions in the trek packages. If you planning to travel solo, then the cost varies compared with the group. In general, the cost solely depends on what quality of services required by the trekkers.
The trek to Everest Base Camp and return by helicopter cost highly than the normal trekking packages. Therefore, the cost of the trek is influenced by the services you require, the time of the year you visit, and the length of the trekking days.
Since the Everest Base Camp Trek isn’t just about backpacking and traveling. It includes many other essential activities such as transportation, accommodation, food and meals, trekking gear and equipment, trekking permits, guides & porters, and many more. The blog will provide detailed breakdown cost information to help you plan for your upcoming visit to Everest Base Camp.
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost with Local Operator
Local operators are the trekking business with local expertise as they hire local guides and porters having local knowledge about the terrain and the culture. It is a great option to book Everest Base Camp Trek with a local operator. It will provide job opportunities to local agencies guides, and porters. Since they are experts in local knowledge, local terrain, and culture, you will have the best trekking experience in the Himalayas.
Trekking to Everest Base Camp with local operators like Nepal Adventure Team, the cost will be 1200 USD to 1500 USD depending upon the services and packages you prefer. Hence we highly recommend booking your trek with local operators like Nepal Adventure Team.
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost with International Operator
International Operators is a globally based business house providing services in many parts of the world. They do charge a high price so does provide excellent services. Booking Everest Base Camp Trek with an International Operator will be easier for you as they provide international tour leaders and international flights for the journey to Nepal.
As the crowd said International Operators do provide excellent services and safety. However they aren’t as specialized as the local operators when it comes to the authenticity of Sherpa people, their culture, and the real adventure that Everest Base Camp Trek offers.
The cost of booking an Everest Base Camp Trek with an International operator will be around 1,400 USD to 6,000 USD including the permit, Lukla flights, accommodation, guides, and porters. The price varies with the standard of the services being provided in the trek. They hire local operators for the arrangement of trekking permits.
Nepal VISA Cost
Your arrival in Nepal is needed to experience the mighty Mt. Everest so you need to obtain a VISA for your arrival in Nepal. When it comes to obtaining a visa to Nepal, there are simple procedures to make your travel experience easier to Nepal.
Most foreign nationalities except Indian nationalities can obtain a VISA by visiting their nearest Nepal Embassy/Consulate. You can even get the visa after your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport. You should bring 2 passport-size photos, a valid passport, and visa fees in cash (USD is preferred). However, during peak season, there could be queues. So it's recommended to obtain it in your home country.
On Arrival Visa Fee
15 Days – 30 USD
30 Days – 50 USD
90 Days – 125 USD
For more information, please contact the Department of Immigration.
Kalikasthan, Kathmandu
Tel: 00977-1- 4429660 | 4438862 | 4438868 | 4433934
E-mail: mail@immi.gov.np.
Website: http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost for Transportation
Your International flight to Nepal will be from your own pocket. The Cost of an International flight to Nepal depends on where you will be departing from.
The transportation cost is all-inclusive in the Everest Base Camp Trek packages after your arrival in Nepal if you have an organized trek through trekking operators. It includes the service of Airport pick-up and drops at the arrival and departure. It includes the service of cars, jeeps, mini buses, and Toyota Hiace depending upon the group members. The Everest Base Camp Trek Cost also includes the domestic flight to Lukla either from Kathmandu or Ramechhap depending upon the time of the year you travel. It is so because, during peak season, there won’t be a direct flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, and have to travel to Ramechhap for a Lukla flight while at other times, it is available.
Airport Pick-up and Drop Cost
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you can get either a prepaid taxi service or a metered taxi service. We recommend you negotiate the taxi fare with the metered taxi as the prices aren’t fixed.
If you have an organized trek then upon your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, there will be a pick-up service from the airport to the hotel. Similarly, during your departure to the Airport, drop services will be available. There could be cars, jeeps, mini buses, and Toyota Hiace depending upon group members.
Kathmandu Airport Prepaid Taxi Service
To make the journey easier and more comfortable, there is an airport pick-up service that is Kathmandu Airport Prepaid Taxi Service. Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, prepaid taxi drivers will be waiting with your name to pick you up and drop you at your hotel.
With a prepaid taxi, the cost begins around NPR. 550 up to NPR. 1000 if you decide to travel to Thamel. The cost to other destinations varies.
Online Transport Booking Fare
If you book the transport online, the normal fares will be like.
Car: It is a 3-seater vehicle and the cost is about 10 USD.
Jeep: It is a 6-seater vehicle and the cost is about 15 USD.
Toyota Hiace: The vehicle accommodates 12 people and the cost is around 20 USD.
Coastal Minibus: It is a 17-seater vehicle. The cost to hire is about 30 USD.
Sutlej Bus: The vehicle is spacious hence it accommodates bigger groups of around 35+. The cost to hire it is around 35 USD.
Kathmandu to Ramechhap Manthali Transportation
As I mentioned earlier during peak season, we have to drive to Manthali, Ramechhap for the flight to Lukla. It takes around 20 minutes to reach Lukla from there. You will be driven 4 to 5 hours early in the morning to catch the flight. There will be Toyota Hiace on a sharing basis which costs 20 USD per person.
For the luxurious travel, the costs will be 175 USD for a privately reserved Toyota Hiace.
Kathmandu to Lukla Inland Transportation Cost
If you want to explore the rural landscape of Nepal then you have the option to reach Lukla by road where you will enjoy the serene landscape of the rural villages and Himalayas. The transportation could be either shared or private based on your preferences.
Salleri to Everest Base Camp Trek
Drive from Kathmandu to Salleri by B.P. Highway which takes around 9 to 10 hours. The drive will be on a blacktopped road. Then drive to Thamdanda through Andheri, Kharikhola, and Bupsa. From Thamdanda, you will day hike to Lukla experiencing the beauty of mid hills of Solukhumbu.
The transportation cost from Kathmandu to Thamdanda is 45 USD to 65 USD per person on a sharing basis. If you like reserving the jeep for private travel, it costs you around 650 USD to 750 USD.
Note: The Cost for Everest Base Camp TrekInland transportation may vary with the changes in fuel costs and festival times.
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost For Flight to Lukla
Common transportation from Kathmandu to Lukla is the airway. There is no direct road connection to Lukla so trekkers fly to Lukla and start their Everest Base Camp trek. For this reason, Lukla is the starting point of many treks in the Everest region.
Kathmandu to Lukla Flight takes around 30 minutes providing you bird's eye view of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding hills. Sometimes during peak season, there won’t be a direct flight from Kathmandu to Lukla to avoid the traffic congestion at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport. You have to drive to Manthali, Ramechhap to catch the flight to Lukla. It is advisable to check the schedules and book the flight prior to the travel.
The flight cost varies with the nationalities.
Kathmandu to Lukla Flight Cost
Nepal Airlines has different pricing structures for foreigners and SAARC nationalities. Many times the Lukla flight gets delayed or canceled hence it’s recommended to check the weather beforehand and spare a few days just in case.
Domestic flights allow 10 kg of luggage and 5 kg of hand carry hence it’s highly recommended to pack essential and necessary gear and items.
The Everest Base Camp cost for Kathmandu to Lukla flights for foreigners is charged in American Dollars. It is expensive for foreigners compared to Indians and Nepalese citizens.
Kathmandu to Lukla Flight Cost for foreigners
| Foreigners | USD 217 | |
| Indian Tourist | NPR 17796 | |
| Nepalese Trek Guide | NPR 6604 | 2+1 Basis 4 +1 Indian Guest |
| Nepalese Domestic Tourist | NPR 10602 | |
For SAARC countries like India, the flight cost varies as compared with other foreign countries. The Everest Base Camp Trek Cost for Kathmandu to Lukla Flight for Indians is charged in Indian Rupee.
The Everest Base Camp Trek Cost for Kathmandu to Lukla Flight for Nepalese citizens is different than the cost to foreigners and Indians. Nepalese guides with foreign clients are given more priority for the flight to Lukla.
Ramechhap to Lukla Flight Cost
Similar to the Kathmandu – Lukla Flight cost, the Everest Base Camp Trek Cost for the Ramechhap to Lukla Flight for foreigners is charged in American Dollars and is high compared to Indian and Nepalese flight costs.
Ramechhap to Lukla Flight Cost for foreigners
Around 176 USD
For SAARC countries like India (Only India), the flight cost varies as compared with other foreign countries. The Everest Base Camp Trek Cost for the Ramechhap to Lukla Flight for Indians is around NPR 13541
The Everest Base Camp Trek Cost for Ramechhap to Lukla Flight for Nepalese citizens is around NPR 7637 flying with foreign clients.
| Foreigners | USD 176 | |
| Indian Tourist | NPR 13541 | |
| Nepalese Trek Guide | NPR 5464 | 2+1 Basis 4 +1 Indian Guest |
| Nepalese Domestic Tourist | NPR 7637 | |
Note: The flight costs may vary with the seasonality and time of the year.
Everest Base Camp Trek Helicopter Cost
There is availability of a helicopter service in the Everest region. The helicopter service is available for rescue, medical assistance, and a luxurious tour of the Everest region. The Helicopter is mainly 5 seater hence it can be booked privately or on a sharing basis as per your requirements and the cost will be accordingly.
Every year, many trekkers hike up to Everest Base Camp and return by helicopter enjoying the bird eye view of the high Himalayas and Khumbu region. You can also enjoy the luxurious tour of the Everest region. You can get a glimpse at of Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour.
Kathmandu to Lukla Helicopter Cost
You have the option to enjoy a helicopter ride all the way from Kathmandu to Lukla instead of the Kathmandu Lukla flight. It takes around 45 minutes to reach Lukla airport from Kathmandu. Lukla's flight is delayed or canceled due to bad weather so it is the best alternative to reach Lukla on the scheduled itinerary.
The Helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla costs around 800 USD per head for group joining. The round trip from Kathmandu to Lukla and vice versa costs 1200 USD per head in the group.
A private flight costs around 3,500 USD for one way and 7,000 USD for a round trip from Kathmandu to Lukla and vice versa.
Everest region to Kathmandu Helicopter Cost
The helicopter flight is available from many places in the Everest region. You can fly both to Kathmandu or Lukla and from Lukla, you can take a normal flight to Kathmandu.
The helicopter service is available from Kala Patthar, Gorakshep, Lobuche, Dingboche, Pheriche, and Lukla as per your requirements either on a private or group on-sharing basis.
The cost of a helicopter ride from various parts of the Everest region to Kathmandu is such.
Everest Base Camp Trek Accommodation Cost
The accommodation expenses start from the first stay in Kathmandu to the end days in Kathmandu. You can find low-budget basic lodges to luxurious five-star hotels ranging from 20 USD to 500 USD per night. The cost depends upon the quality of the accommodation, types of rooms, and services provided.
You can find a tea house/lodge in the high mountains with basic amenities. As the altitude increases so does the price of accommodation. The average cost for a bed per night per person in a basic tea house is around 3 USD. The room with two beds will cost 5 USD. Lobuche has a fixed accommodation rate of 7 USD and the cost may reach up to 10 USD at Gorakshep.
There are a few luxurious lodges with quality services such as attached bathrooms, hot water facilities, and electric blankets with comfortable beds even in the high mountains. They cost around 50 USD to 200 USD.
The accommodation cost in the mountains is minimal however the accommodation cost in Kathmandu is what makes your budget heavier.
Everest Base Camp Trek Hot Showers Cost
You might be shocked to know that you have to pay for a hot shower. Yes, you heard right you need to pay for hot showers in the high Himalayas of Nepal. Since there is no proper electricity, tea houses/lodges use solar, fuels, and kerosene to heat the water. Moreover, there is also a lack of water so it makes sense why you have to pay for hot showers.
Only some expensive lodges provide free hot shower service. Otherwise, you must pay from 2 USD to 6 USD for hot showers.
Everest Base Camp Trek Battery Charging and Internet Cost
Since there is limited electricity and Internet access in the high Himalayas of Nepal including Everest Base camp, trekkers are bound to pay for battery charging and Internet.
Battery charging costs on an hourly basis range from 2 USD to 6 USD. A fully charged power bank costs 10 USD.
Similarly, you need to pay for an Internet connection. You can buy Wi-Fi cards at Lukla and Namche for 25 USD for 30 days. However, a good connection can’t be ensured due to weather circumstances.
Everest Base Camp Trek Food and Water Cost
The cost of meals varies with what types of meals you eat. The cost of food also varies with the increasing altitude same as the accommodation due to the increased cost of transporting up to high altitude.
The tea house provides limited food options on the menu such as Nepali, Indian, Tibetan, and Continental. The most common balanced food is Dal Bhat which contains rice, lentil soup, seasonal vegetables, pickles, and salad. Nepali and Tibetan foods are reasonable compared to Western foods.
You can find many café, restaurants, and bakeries to enjoy tea, freshly brewed coffee, and delicious pastries.
The food prices from the beginning of the trek start from 5 USD reaching up to 12 USD at Gorak Shep. We recommend healthy and fresh meals to fuel yourself for the trek.
In Kathmandu, you can get a variety of cuisines to suit your palate from traditional Nepali, Indian, and continental cuisine with unlimited food options. The basic street meals range from 2 USD to fine dining with 200 USD in luxurious five-star hotels.
Similarly one liter bottle of water costs from 1.5 USD to 4 USD as you ascend higher and higher. You can minimize drinking water costs by sterilizing it rather than buying bottled water. You should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated which is essential to avoid dehydration and altitude sickness.
Everest Base Camp Trek Guide and Porter Cost
Guides and Porter make your trekking experience in the mountains easy and comfortable. They know the local information and provide you with ample local information and experience. Porters carry your baggage making you hike easily. They take great care of you and your belongings.
The guide costs range from 30 USD to 35 USD per day while the porter costs around 25 USD to 30 USD. Tipping is also quite common in Nepal.
Everest Base Camp Trek Permit Cost and Entrance Fee
You may have heard about trekking permits or TIMS cards for trekking. You need a trekking permit like a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance permit for Everest Base Camp Trek.
The National Park entry permit costs around 30 USD per head which you can get at the entrance of the National Park in Monjo. You can obtain it either from Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance permit is 20 USD per head which is issued at the rural municipality office at Lukla.
Earlier there was a system of TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) cards which is now replaced with Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance permit. However, we still issue it for the safety and rescue of our staff and clients.
Everest Base Camp Trek Trekking Equipment Cost
You need good quality trekking equipment while trekking in the Himalayas. High-quality shoes, backpacks, warm jackets and trousers, gloves, woolen hats, trekking poles, and sleeping bags among many others. The cost won’t be included in the package.
The cost of trekking equipment could be 400 USD to 8000 USD if you are a beginner.
Travel Insurance Cost
Travel insurance is most important to have when trekking in the High Himalayas. It could be for medical assistance or rescue because we can’t predict the unforeseen. However, preparedness could be done and travel insurance is one of them. You need to arrange travel insurance in your home country.
Normally the insurance of around 250 USD covers the trekking up to 6000 m for 30 days. The cost of travel insurance isn’t included in the package.
Value Added Tax
Commonly known as VAT is a form of tax levied on goods and services at every point of sale where value has been added. In Nepal, it is 13% levied and all Everest Base Camp Trek Operators need to pay.
Conclusion
Hope the detailed breakdown information in the blog helps you with the budget preparation for your upcoming trek to Everest Base Camp. The cost varies with the quality and standard of the services and amenities as there are budgets to luxury service providers making your trekking experience worthwhile. Be aware of the cheap prices as they exclude many services and could be problematic.
The Everest Base Camp Trek Cost starts from 1300 USD reaching up to 5000 USD and might offer different standards of services and necessities. Prepare in advance and choose the one favoring your demands.
