How Much does Everest Base Camp Trek Cost

In this article, we are going to discuss the factors that add to Everest Base Camp Trek Cost.

When you think of trekking in Nepal, the Everest region likely pops into your mind. Everest region is a popular trekking destination, especially for adventurous travelers.

Nepal is really affordable and offers many ways to save money. You will fall in love with your time while trekking in Nepal. As the Nepalese people are friendly, the country is beautiful and you will get a chance to meet a lot of great travelers during your trekking journey.

Before heading towards the trek, you need realistic ideas of how much things are going to cost. As there are several factors to consider while calculating Mt Everest Base Camp trek cost.

The cost of travel, accommodation, extra activities, food, and everything while you are traveling around the Everest region need to be considered.

So, here I’ve compiled a list of typical trekking costs in this article. Please find the emphasis on the word “typical” as prices changes according to the altitudes and seasons.

Here is a guideline on prices and allows you to pick and choose what costs apply to you.

So, let’s see how much does Everest Base Camp trek costs.

Mt Everest Base Camp Trek Cost – Transportation

The most extensive public transportation in the Everest region is the bus network. By far, they are the cheapest way to travel.

You can take a bus for 9 hours from Kathmandu to Jiri and then make the 7-day trek to Lukla. For this bus ride, you have to pay around $12 (1200 rupees). The average daily transport costs will $150 (1500 rupees).

But you have to add 14 more days to your trekking days and account for all your expenses that will add during those days.

Other transportation comes in the form of flights. The flight takes around half an hour from Kathmandu to Lukla. The one-way ticket cost for this 30-min flight costs $165 (16500 rupees).

But if you want to make your way to Everest via Helicopter then it is a bit expensive.

Everest Base Camp Trek Cost – Accommodation

Now you need somewhere to sleep as you trek around the Everest Base Camp. And the good news is that the accommodation cost is incredibly cheap costing as little as $2 (200 rupees) per night.

Overall, the average accommodation costs will be $2-$3(200 rupees- 300 rupees).

Because the lodges along the trail don’t make money from the rooms. They make money from food.

Almost all tea houses along the trail have a simple requirement that if you eat food, you will get a special discount for the room.

Some of the teahouses even don’t charge for the room at all, only charge for the food that you will eat.

Along the trail, the accommodation is basic: rooms have two single beds and blankets are also available. But still, you can bring a sleeping bag, as it gets very cold at night.

At some lodges, you will find the western toilet, but mostly there will be squat toilets. In some tea houses, you can pay more for en-suite bathrooms. But mostly toilets are shared and have a different level of cleanliness.

Mt Everest Base Camp Trek Cost of Meals

On the trekking route, you can get all kinds of foods from Dal Bhaat to continental dishes. Most of the tea houses serve the traditional Nepali meal Dal Bhat (rice and lentils).

Also, a variety of items such as rice, vegetables, noodles, potatoes, and soup are also served. Some have western food such as pizza, pasta, and french fries.

But you are not recommended to eat any kind of meat at higher altitudes. As in this region, any animals are not allowed to kill. So, porters carried this meat for 2-3 days from the lowland. If you don’t want to get ill then you can have vegetarian food and eggs for some time.

You can get all kinds of drinks on the trekking route. Mineral water, boiled water, or purified water is best. The cost of water starts at $1 (100 rupees) for 1.5ltr and is $3 (300 rupees) at Gorakshep. So, you can save about $100 (10000 rupees) by using water purifier tablets to sterilize tap water for drinking.

All kinds of cold drinks and beers are available in the tea houses. But there is also the chance of altitude sickness when you drink alcohol at high altitudes.

Mt Everest Base Camp Trek Cost – Guide and Porters

Throughout the trekking trail, you will be accompanied by an English speaking guide. They are very helpful, kind, and dedicated towards their duty. They organize everything in advance and lead you along the trail.

The standard daily rate of hiring a skilled Nepali guide in Lukla range from $30 (3000 rupees) to $40 (4000 rupees).

The porter helps to carry your 20 to 25 kg backpack throughout the trails. The standard daily rate of porter ranges from $20 (2000 rupees) to $30 (3000 rupees).

Mt Everest Base Camp Trek Cost – Trekking Permit

A two different trekking permit is required to trek in the Everest region of Nepal. TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) cards register your information into the database in case of any kind of emergency happens in the region.

There are three different types of TIMS card. The cost and color of each card are different.

• Organized TIMS cards- Blue color, $10 (1000 rupees)
• Individual TIMS cards-Green color, $20 (2000 rupees)
• SAARC country TIMS cards-Red color, $3 (300 rupees)

The Sagarmatha National Park Permit will cost you $32.09 (3600 rupees) and let you enter the Khumbu National park.

Other Miscellaneous Costs

For the Everest Base Camp trek, the following extra costs will occur and you have to consider your budget:

Communication

Some of the teahouses provide free WiFi internet facilities along the trekking trails. Likewise, some of the tea houses take charge of internet services. In Everest Base Camp trek you will get prepaid Sim cards at around $3 (300 rupees) for 100 MB.

Charging Electronic Devices

Along the trekking trail, charging your electronic devices will cost you $2 (200 rupees) – $5 (500 rupees). But in the remote area, it will cost more.

During the off-seasons, if there is less crowd in the tea houses, then you will get a chance to charge your gadgets for free.

But in the peak seasons, they will charge even more per hour for charging your devices.

Hot Showers

Most of the tea houses along the trail does not include the cost of hot showers in accommodations prices.

At the low land, most of the tea houses in this region provide the hot shower for $2 (200 rupees)-$3 (300 rupees). Also, the cold bucket of the shower is available free of costs.

But in the mountain taking the daily shower is not practical and economical as well. So, instead of the bucket water, you can use wet wipes.

Tips for Guide and Porter

At the end of the trek, if you are satisfied with the services of the guide or porter and appreciate it. Then you can express your thanks in the form of little tips.

Donation

If you visit any monasteries, gumba or stupa, they do expect some small donations. Although it is not mandatory, they use these funds for the maintenance of the area.

Insurance cost

Insurance is a requirement for the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. While trekking in the mountains, there is always the element of risk. So, you need to do a policy for any accidents or emergency helicopter evacuation if needed.

The price of the insurance varied from company to company. On average, a 30-day insurance policy is likely to cost around $150 (15000 rupees). It covers all standard emergencies and requirements and as well as cover your trekking up to 6000 m.

General Tips

• Trekking to Everest Base Camp is actually a lot of fun. Make sure to bring your money in cash. As there are few ATMs in the remote area. Along the trail, sometimes you have to pay in dollars or in rupees. So, it is best to take a mix of dollars and Nepali rupees with yourself.

• If there is trekking gear that you only need for this trek and don’t need to keep. In this situation, you can hire different trekking companies and shops. Also, you can buy any second-hand gear. It is not returnable. So, after trekking, if you are not taking this home, you can give it to the guides and porters. They will really appreciate it.

• If you love to drink a lot of tea, then you can bring your own teabags. Tea on the trail might be expensive, while hot water is cheap.

• At the higher altitudes, the chocolate bars and potato chips are expensive. So, it is good to have some with you and you can get at a fair price in Kathmandu.

Conclusion – Mt Everest Base Camp Trek Cost

Nepal is one of the cheapest places in the world for trekking in the mountains. Make sure that you should not run out of money before you run off your trek.

Also, the price of accommodation, transport or food varies between peak and offseasons.

You need to remember that everything becomes more expensive as the altitude increases.

How much does it cost to trek Everest Base Camp in total? That really depends on where you are willing to make sacrifices. It’s definitely possible to save a few dollars if you plan in advance.

Hope this article gave you some insights into how much does Everest Base Camp cost.

Note

This is a suggested budget assuming you are staying in local accommodation, eating out a little, and using local services.

Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. Remember, if you stay in luxury accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher.