Trekking to the base camp of Everest takes days on end: 12 days at least. And for 12-14 days of adventure to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world, what would be the cost is the most asked question. In other words, what is the cost of the Everest Base Camp hike? This question has come across every trekker’s mind who planned the trek. No doubt, some did the trek after planning for months and some for years. Eight out of ten trekkers have done this trek. It is learned that every year more than 30,000 trekkers make their way to the Everest Base Camp. The journey to Everest Base Camp can take as low as $800, and up to $4000 and even more. The catch is, it depends, it depends on many factors like the route you choose, the travel agency you choose, and their service.
Some did it for less than $1000, while some paid $2200, and very few paid more than $4000. Yes, you can complete the trek for less than $1000, but you have to compromise a lot, security and satisfaction being the major ones. You are not simply navigating the hiking trail in your country; you’re heading to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world. And you will have to deal with altitudes above 5000m. That’s insane. But doable.
You’ll have to plan and prepare for Everest Base Camp Trekking. First thing first, you will have to organize at least 14 days of leave and then comes the price. While the majority of travel agencies in Nepal offer the trek for around $2000, some do offer the trek for just $1000. And international travel companies can charge you more. Confused? How about we try to find out the factors that contribute to the price of the trek. From Lukla flight to food and the cost of a visa, let’s look at the factors contributing to the Everest Base Camp Trek cost.
- Cost of International Flight
- Cost of Lukla Flight
- Cost in Kathmandu
- Cost of Nepali Visa
- Cost of Trekking Permits
- Cost of Food and Accommodation
- Cost of Guide and Porter
- Cost of Travel Insurance
- Cost of Trekking Gear and Equipment
Cost of International Flight
The cost of an international flight depends upon where you are departing from. The travel company usually excludes this cost from the price tag. That means you will have to pay for the flight to and from your country. The travel company includes all the costs starting from Kathmandu, days in the mountains, and back to Kathmandu. The flights from Europe are cheaper than from North America.
Cost of Lukla Flight
The Kathmandu to Lukla flight costs around $350 per person. The price may differ slightly from time to time. If you have extra days, you can also drive to Jiri or Salleri from Kathmandu and walk for 2-3 days to reach Lukla. The bus ride to Salleri is the best option only when the flights get canceled for days on end. A helicopter ride is yet another option but is expensive
Cost in Kathmandu
Before flying to Lukla, you’ll have to stay at least a day in Kathmandu. Some trekkers prefer to do sightseeing in Kathmandu before heading to the mountain. Your expenses in Kathmandu include airport transfers, hotel accommodation, and the cost of food. The hotels in Thamel can offer you a room for $5 and up to $500 per night. So, it’s your call whether to go for a cheap one or one with luxury.
Cost of Nepali Visa
You’ll need Nepali Visa to make entry into the country. This cost is also not included in the trek cost offered by the tour operators. Please confirm the visa cost with the tour operator. The cost of a Nepali Visa is:
- $30 – 15-days multiple entry visa
- $50 – 30-days multiple entry visa
- $125 – 90-days multiple entry visa
It is recommended to buy a 30-day visa for this trek.
Cost of Trekking Permits
For Everest Base Camp Trek, you will need to buy two permits:
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
- Khumbu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit fee is approximately US$ 30 per person and US$ 20 per person for Municipality Entrance Permit. You can get the municipality permit in Lukla or Monjo, and the national park permits from the Nepal Tourism Board’s Office in Kathmandu or at the park’s entrance gate in Monjo.
Cost of Food and Accommodation
An average budget for food per day in the Everest region would be around US$ 25-US$ 35. The price varies from place to place in the Everest region. The same dal bhat can cost you more in the upper part of the region, while it is cheaper in the lower part. And for the room, the normal teahouse can charge you around $3 per night per person. The price goes higher as you go higher. Please remember, the room in the teahouse is basic, with two beds, a pillow, and a blanket.
Cost of Guide and Porter
Hiring a guide and porter is totally on you. You can hire a professional guide for US$ 30-40 approximately per day. A porter can charge you around US$ 25-30 a day. It is always a good idea to hire a guide for the trek although the trail is well-marked. Please be informed that the charge can slightly vary from what is mentioned here.
Cost of Travel Insurance
It is recommended to buy travel insurance for your trek to Everest Base Camp. You will have to cover an altitude of 5000m where there is the chance of health hazards, especially altitude sickness due to cold weather and altitude. The prices of insurance depend on many things. Please check in with the travel insurance company for suitable insurance that covers up to 6000 m altitude.
Cost of trekking equipment and gear
If you have proper gear and equipment for the trek, it’s good for you. That means the budget for the trek is cut down to some extent. Or in case you don’t have one, you can either buy or rent it in Thamel, Kathmandu. You can rent a sleeping bag, down jacket, and hiking boots for as low as $1 in Kathmandu.
