Everest Base Camp Trek Cost
The Everest Base Camp Trek cost varies widely depending on your trekking style, the time of year you travel, the standard of accommodation you choose, and how much you spend on personal expenses along the way.
This comprehensive cost guide covers everything you need to budget accurately for the Everest Base Camp Trek.
How Much Does the Everest Base Camp Trek Cost?
The total cost of the Everest Base Camp Trek typically ranges from USD 1,100 to USD 2,500 or more. Here is a detailed breakdown of every major expense category:
1. Flights
Getting to the start of the EBC Trek requires at least one domestic flight, and the cost and route depend on where you fly from.
Lukla Flight Cost from Kathmandu
The most common route is the scenic 40-minute flight from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla.
- One-way cost: About USD 215 per person
- Round-trip cost: About USD 430 per person
Lukla Flight Cost from Manthali
Due to heavy traffic at Kathmandu airport during peak trekking seasons, many trekkers now fly from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap.
This airport is approximately a 4–5 hour drive from Kathmandu.
- One-way cost: About USD 175 per person
- Round-trip cost: About USD 350 per person
Note: The cost of the early-morning drive to Manthali typically costs:
- USD 15–30 per person by shared jeep
- USD 90–120 for a private vehicle
Shared Helicopter Flight Cost to Lukla
For those who want to skip commercial airport logistics entirely or seek a faster, more exclusive travel option, helicopter flights to Lukla are available.
The helicopter generally has a 4–5 passenger capacity.
- Shared one-way cost: Around USD 550–600 per person
- Private charter: Around USD 3,000 per flight
2. Permits
Two official permits are mandatory for every trekker entering the Khumbu region:
- Sagarmatha National Park Permit: About USD 30 per person (NPR 3,000 for SAARC nationals)
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit: About USD 30 per person (approximately NPR 3,000)
3. Visa for Nepal
Most nationalities require a tourist visa to enter Nepal, which must be obtained on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport or in advance at a Nepalese embassy.
| Visa Type | Cost |
| 15-day visa | USD 30 |
| 30-day visa | USD 50 |
| 90-day visa | USD 125 |
Note: Most EBC trekkers apply for the 30-day tourist visa, which is sufficient for the standard classic 14-day itinerary.
4. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not optional for the Everest Base Camp Trek — it is a necessity.
The trek reaches altitudes above 5,500 meters, and helicopter evacuations for altitude sickness or injury can cost USD 3,000–6,000 or more.
Without insurance, you would bear this cost entirely yourself.
- Expected cost: USD 80–200, depending on your home country, age, and insurer
5. Accommodation
The Khumbu region is well-served by a network of teahouses (locally owned mountain lodges), ranging from basic shared rooms to increasingly comfortable private en-suite lodges in lower-altitude villages.
Teahouse Accommodation Cost
Standard teahouses offer simple but adequate accommodation with twin beds, blankets, and shared toilet facilities.
| Location | Cost Per Night |
| Lower elevation villages | About USD 5–15 per person |
| Higher elevation villages | About USD 10–25 per person |
Luxury Lodge Cost
A growing number of premium lodges now operate along the EBC route, offering:
- Heated rooms
- Attached bathrooms
- Western-style beds
- Hot showers
- High-quality dining options
These lodges often rival Kathmandu hotels in comfort.
- Cost: About USD 100–300+ per person per night
Luxury accommodation is often sold as part of premium Everest Base Camp trekking packages.
6. Food and Drinks
Food costs are one of the most noticeable expenses that increase significantly as you gain altitude.
A plate of dal bhat (the Nepali staple of rice, lentil soup, and vegetables) that costs around USD 5–7 in lower elevations may cost USD 12–15 in higher elevations.
Typical Daily Food Budget
| Meal | Lower Elevation | Higher Elevation |
| Breakfast | USD 4–7 | USD 7–10 |
| Lunch | USD 6–10 | USD 10–15 |
| Dinner | USD 7–12 | USD 12–18 |
Daily food budget estimate:
- About USD 25–40 at lower elevations
- About USD 40–60 at higher elevations
7. Guide and Porter
Hiring a licensed guide and at least one porter is strongly recommended for the EBC Trek, both for safety and a comfortable trekking experience.
- Licensed guide cost: About USD 40–60 per day
- Porter cost: About USD 15–25 per day
Note: Tips are not included in the package (see the personal expenses section below).
8. Trekking Gear
Packing proper gear is essential for safety and comfort on the EBC Trek.
If you are trekking for the first time or do not own specialized mountain equipment, gear costs can add significantly to your total budget.
| Item | Approximate Cost |
| Trekking boots (waterproof) | USD 100–250 |
| Down jacket | USD 150–350 |
| Sleeping bag (-5°C to -10°C) | USD 80–200 |
| Trekking poles | USD 20–50 |
| Base layers (moisture-wicking) | USD 30–80 |
| Fleece jacket | USD 50–120 |
| Waterproof shell jacket and pants | USD 80–200 |
| Trekking socks (wool, multiple pairs) | USD 10–20 per pair |
| Gloves and a hat | USD 20–50 |
| Sunglasses (UV400 or higher) | USD 30–100 |
| Headlamp | USD 20–50 |
| Backpack (20–30L) | USD 50–120 |
| Duffle bag (50–60L) | USD 30–60 |
Total gear estimate: About USD 700–1,600 if purchasing quality new items.
Note: Trekkers can rent gear in Kathmandu’s Thamel district for a fraction of the purchase price:
- Down jacket rental: USD 2–4 per day
- Sleeping bag rental: USD 2–5 per day
9. Personal Expenses
Personal expenses are the costs that vary most between individual trekkers.
Here is a full breakdown of what to expect:
Wi-Fi and Internet Cost
Internet access is available in most teahouses along the route, typically provided through NTC or Ncell networks or the Everest Link Wi-Fi system.
- Cost: About USD 2–5
Hot Shower Cost
Most teahouses charge separately for hot showers.
- Lower elevation cost: About USD 3–7 per shower
- Higher elevation cost: About USD 5–10 per shower
Battery Charging Cost
Charging smartphones, cameras, and power banks is available at most teahouses, but comes at a cost.
- Cost: About USD 2–5
Snacks and Drinks
Beyond meals, trekkers often purchase additional snacks, energy bars, hot drinks, and soft drinks throughout the day.
| Item | Cost |
| Snickers/energy bar | USD 2–4 |
| A cup of tea or coffee | USD 2–5 |
| Coke or Fanta | USD 2–5 (increases with altitude) |
| Chocolate or biscuits | USD 2–5 |
Daily snack budget: About USD 10–20
Note: Pack snacks from Kathmandu or Namche to reduce costs at altitude.
Tips for Guides and Porters
Tipping is a deeply appreciated and culturally important gesture in Nepali trekking culture.
It forms a meaningful part of your guide and porter’s income.
There is no exact amount for tipping. It is a form of gratitude for good service.
What Costs Are Included in the Package?
Everest Base Camp Trek packages from Discovery World Trekking bundle most of the major logistical costs into a single price.
Here is what a standard package typically covers:
Transportation Included
- Kathmandu/Manthali–Lukla round-trip flights: Domestic flights to and from Lukla via either Kathmandu or Manthali (Ramechhap), handled and booked by the agency.
- Shared transportation between Kathmandu and Manthali: If departing from Manthali, the package includes overland transportation from Kathmandu (usually by shared jeep, departing in the early morning hours).
- Airport pick-up and drop-off services: Private vehicle transfer from Tribhuvan International Airport to your hotel upon arrival, and return transfer on departure day.
Accommodation Included
- All teahouse or lodge accommodation throughout the trekking itinerary is included.
- Attached bathroom rooms
Meals Included
- EBC packages include three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with one main course per meal at designated teahouses along the route.
Guide and Porter Services Included
- Licensed English-speaking guide: A TAAN (Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal) or NMA (Nepal Mountaineering Association) certified guide who accompanies the group for the entire duration of the trek.
- Assistant guide for larger groups: An additional assistant guide to ensure adequate supervision and support.
- Porter support: One porter is typically assigned for every two trekkers for carrying a duffel bag, rucksack bag, or backpack with a maximum weight of up to 18 kg (9 kg per trekker).
- Staff insurance and wages: Accident insurance and fair daily wages compliant with Nepal’s trekking industry standards.
Permits Included
- Fee for the Sagarmatha National Park Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
- Government taxes and official expenses
Medical Support Included
- Oximeter monitoring: Guides carry a pulse oximeter to monitor blood oxygen saturation levels throughout the trek.
- Basic medical kit support: First-aid kits are carried by the guide, covering common trekking ailments including blisters, minor cuts, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues.
Additional Benefits Included
- Sleeping bag and down jacket: If trekkers do not have their own sleeping bag, duffel bag, rucksack, or down jacket, the company will provide one for the duration of the trek.
- Free luggage storage: Extra bags and valuables not needed on the trek are stored free of charge at the trekking company’s Kathmandu office.
- Company T-shirt and cap: Branded trekking apparel to commemorate your journey.
- Appreciation certificate: An official certificate of completion issued by the trekking company upon successful completion of the EBC Trek.
- Farewell: A trek completion celebration.
What Costs Are Excluded in the Package?
Equally important as knowing what is included is understanding what you will need to budget for separately, regardless of the package you book.
International Flight Excluded
- Airfare to and from Kathmandu from your home country is always excluded from trekking packages.
Additional Hotel Stay Excluded
- Any extra nights in hotels in Kathmandu before or after the trek are excluded from the package.
| Hotel Type | Cost Per Night |
| Budget guesthouses (Thamel area) | USD 15–40 |
| Mid-range hotels | USD 50–100 |
| Luxury hotels | USD 150–400+ |
Meals in Kathmandu Excluded
- Meals taken before and after the trek in Kathmandu restaurants are excluded from the package.
Kathmandu has an excellent and affordable dining scene:
| Restaurant Type | Typical Cost |
| Budget restaurant meal | USD 3–7 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | USD 8–20 |
| Fine dining | USD 25–60+ |
Nepal Visa Fees Excluded
- Your Nepal tourist visa must be paid on arrival or in advance and is not part of any trekking package.
Travel Insurance Excluded
- Travel insurance is a personal expense that trekkers must arrange independently before departure.
Personal Expenses Excluded
The following personal expenses accumulate daily along the trail and are entirely at your own cost:
- Wi-Fi: USD 2–5
- Hot showers: USD 3–10 per shower
- Charging devices: USD 2–5
- Snacks and drinks: USD 10–20 per day
- Alcohol: Beer and spirits are available but expensive (USD 5–15 per drink)
- Shopping: USD 30–150+ budget for Khumbu handicrafts, prayer flags, Sherpa jewellery, and souvenirs, depending on your shopping habits
- Extra porter services: If you require an additional porter beyond what the package provides
Personal Trekking Gear Excluded
- Any trekking gear you need to purchase or rent before the trek is excluded from the package. Refer to the gear cost breakdown in the section above.
Guides and Porters Tips Excluded
- Tips are a personal gesture and are never included in a trekking package.