The Cost of Trekking to Everest Base Camp

  • Karan Gurung
  • Last Updated on Dec 10, 2023

If you are looking to spend your vacation at the base camp of Mount Everest, the first thing that comes to mind is budget. Yes, proper budget management for the trip makes the journey stressless and more fun. A traveler needs to know the costs or expenses that will arise on this trip.

Generally, all these packages cover Kathmandu and Lukla flight costs, along with three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), guide and porter wages, and TIMS and permits.

The iconic Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most prominent trekking destinations in the world. To conquer this iconic trekking will be a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. It offers you a fantastic glimpse of the Himalayan ranges, including Mount Everest, lush landscapes, vibrant hills, and the local culture of Sherpa communities.

An alpinist should prepare the proper management budget for trekking to Everest Base Camp. It's easier to understand the expenses of booking your trip to your dream location. We at Nature Excursion have highlighted the cost of Everest Base Camp, depending on the packages, services, and facilities you prefer, which can range from USD 900 to USD 4,000 or above.

Table of Contents

What is the cost of Everest Base Camp?

The cost of trekking to Everest Base Camp is different depending on the trekking operators. Other operators have rules and policies for setting the trek's price. This is mainly based on the facilities and services they provide. Some operators offer unlimited food items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with hot drinks; as a result, the price becomes higher. At the same time, some provide only one item of food at a time without hot beverages, which will result in lower prices. 

Standard Trekking Cost for Everest Base Camp Package

Most excursionists prefer the standard Everest Base Camp package because the budget is affordable and suitable for everyone. This package ranges from USD 1,400 to USD 2,000, depending on what they offer. If you plan your trip for USD 2,000, it will be enough for food, lodging, a shower, internet, drinks, etc. But tipping the guide and porter and other personal expenses might be covered by something different than the amount.

Everest Base Camp Budget Trek Cost

Usually, the Everest Base Camp Budget Trek is selected by the students or people who travel with a limited budget to minimize expenses. The cost of a budget trek ranges from USD 900 to USD 1,300. How do I reduce the cost? It is a common question. Thus, Nature Excursion recommends following some of these ideas for efficient and budget-friendly trekking.

  • Take a couple of wipes to clean up your body instead of a hot shower. 
  • Packets of instant coffee for coffee lovers
  • Snacks for the day, energy bars, protein shakes.
  • Water tablets or water purification tools.
  • Carry your luggage instead of hiring a porter. 

These are some common ideas to save money or reduce expenses.

As you choose a budget-friendly trek, the services and facilities will be offered less compared to luxury and standard packages due to the smaller budget. The good thing about the Khumbu region is that you can travel on your own, and a guide is optional according to the policy of the local municipality of Khumbu.

Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek Cost

The cost of a Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek varies depending on several factors, such as the duration of the trek, the facilities and services you desire, the trekking company you choose, inclusions, and group size. The luxury treks typically offer better accommodations, a variety of good foods, and professional private guides and porters compared to standard and budget packages. The cost ranges from USD 3,000 to USD 4,000, depending on the services you take from the agency. A chopper back from Gorak Shep to Lukla costs you more, while walking around costs you a lower amount. If you join the trip in a group, you can ask for a small discount.

So, the cost of trekking to the Everest  Base Camp depends on the services you take from the company and the company you choose.

If you are looking for a budget trek in Nepal, Everest Base Camp is not your priority. You can do Annapurna Base CampLangtang Valley, and the Short Annapurna Circuit Trek, the top and most beautiful trekking destinations in Nepal, with a low budget.

Everest Base Camp Trek Cost with Local Operator

The local operator costs you less for trekking to Everest Base Camp than the international operator. Working with the locals makes your trip exciting and fun because locals have extensive knowledge of the region, culture, history, geographical structure, and terrain, which enhances your trekking experience.

More importantly, the local operators offer various cost options for 14 days of Everest Base Camp from USD 1,300 to USD 2,000 as per the individual choices and preferences for the standard package. However, international operators can cost you 40 percent or more than the local operator. 

Trekking to the base camp of Mt. Everest with a local operator offers you packages in three categories: budget, standard, and luxury. Budget-friendly costs you around USD 900 to USD 1,300, standard costs from USD 1,400 to USD 2,000, and luxury costs you from USD 3,000 to USD 4,000 or above, depending on your choice.

Choosing a local trekking company like Nature Excursion means giving business to a local community, which shows promising signs for responsible tourists.

Everest base camp trek cost with international operator

Choosing an international operator is also an excellent option for Everest Base Camp. They will provide global tour leaders and arrange your international flights, which makes your trip more accessible and more comfortable.

Generally, trekking to Everest Base Camp costs you between USD 1,800 and USD 2,500 or above, depending on the trek length and facilities you get. With the amount, you will get permits, food, accommodation, a guide and porter, and a two-way flight between Kathmandu and Lukla.

Moreover, international operators organize trips by joining with local operators. They keep a certain percentage of the amount and hand it to the local agencies to issue permits, arrange guides and porters, etc.

Cost of Accommodation During the Everest Base Camp Trek

What is the cost of a room for anyone planning to do the Everest Base Camp trek? And what categories of rooms are available? These are the frequently asked questions that play in everyone's mind. 

Usually, the cost of a room during the trek depends on the location and hotel standards. Regular hotels at lower elevations cost around USD 5-7; as the height increases, the price becomes USD 8–10. On the other hand, luxury hotels cost you USD 100 or more.

Guide Wage 

While trekking toward Everest Base Camp, one character holds all the knowledge of the region and is called a guide. Once you meet him and start walking with him, he takes all the responsibility for your safety and satisfaction and provides all the necessary information about the places. Put, "Guide is a transparent book of mountains," where we get all the information. 

According to the latest updates from the Nepal Tourism Board, you need to pay the guide at least USD 30 per day. Spending that money is nothing in front of their enthusiasm, dedication, and hard work. A guide will charge USD 30 per day during the Everest Base Camp trek.

Porter Wage

If we use the mountain language, porters are called Mountain Yak. They are powerful and help us carry our luggage throughout the trip. They have a hard life to survive, carrying kilos of weight every day and earning little money to run their family.

Porters are allowed to carry a maximum of 20 kg of weight and cost you USD 18–20 per day, which is still not good enough because the expenses are very high in the mountains. However, porters are strong individuals who carry your luggage during the trip and play a vital role in your hassle-free trekking experience.

Cost of Permit for Everest Base Camp

Well, if you are planning to explore the Everest Base Camp, you require three permits: 

The cost for a TIMS card is USD 10, a Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit is USD 30, and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality costs USD 20.

Flight Fare of Lukla

The short and scenic flight to Lukla is more adventurous and fun when the destination is Everest Base Camp. As you enter the land of Mount Everest, you will encounter countless beauty of nature and adventures in every step.

The flight cost between Kathmandu and Lukla depends on the nationality; for foreigners, the flight cost is USD 218 one way; the price for Indian citizens is INR 11,500; and the cost for Nepali citizens is NRs 6,820.

Internet Cost

On the Everest Base Camp route, every lodge has an internet facility with a certain amount of fare. Lukla, Phakding, and Namche have fiber networks; as you cross Namche, there are Everest Link and Air Link systems. Once you buy a card with a certain amount of money, it works for a limited number of hours. A 600 rupee card works for 24 hours, and a 1000 rupee card works for 48 hours. This is how you can use the internet during your entire trip.

Hot Shower

During the Everest Base Camp Trek, the cost of hot showers depends upon the locations or elevations. Hot showers usually cost you three to four hundred rupees at lower elevations. As the height increases, the hot shower cost will also increase and can become five to eight hundred rupees.

It's important to remember that taking a shower is not a good idea if you are in the mountains above 4,000 m, which might create a headache or lead to altitude sickness.

Tips for Guides and Porters

While trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal, tipping your guide and porter is like a culture of rewarding them after their hard work to support your dream. Generally, remember to save  USD 10 per day for your porter and USD 15 for your guide while trekking to the base camp of Mount Everest.
If you are satisfied with your guide and porter, you can tip them as per your wish. There are no boundaries for tipping your guide and porter.

Travel insurance costs

The destination is the base camp of the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, which takes you above 4,000 m for most nights. Challenges and risks are due to the everyday gain of altitude, rough and rocky trails, many ascents and descents, unpredictable weather changes, rambling at length, etc. It is essential to have travel insurance that covers up to 6,000 meters, minimizes your risk, and assists you with financial support.

Well, the cost of travel insurance, which covers an altitude around 6,000 meters, is approximately USD 150. This policy is valid for a month. If you are buying your travel insurance, make sure it covers up to 6,000 meters and is from a good company that responds quickly in an emergency.

Conclusion 

In the end, the cost of trekking to the base camp of Mount Everest depends on the services, duration of the trip, and facilities you are looking for. It might be the Everest Budget Trek, the Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek, or the Standard Everest Trek. You can choose These Everest Base Camp trek categories, and the prices can be mentioned accordingly.

Karan Gurung

Karan Gurung

Hey! I'm Karan Gurung, a boy who enjoys traveling and exploring new places. I was born in the Ruby Valley, a remote area of Nepal, and later I moved to Kathmandu (the capital of Nepal) in search of better education and facilities.  I joined the trekking industry at an early age, started as a porter, assistant guide, and full guide, and now I am the CEO of Nature Excursion. 

I worked as a mountain leader in Nepal's Himalayas for more than 12 years. I have led over 500 or plus trekkers into the mountains during my guiding tenure.  I feel very fortunate to have such an amazing job taking people to the rural parts of Nepal and connecting them with nature.  My ultimate goal is to make travelers happy and give my 100% to achieve their goals.

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