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- Asia, Nepal
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- Asia, Nepal
Secure Your Trip for £1! Plus chance to win place for free!
- Asia, Nepal
Secure Your Trip for £1! Plus chance to win place for free!
When you’re thinking about going on an adventure like the Everest Base Camp trek, there will be lots of factors to take into consideration. When do you want to go, which route would you like to take, how fit do you need to be? But one of the most important questions will be; “How much does an Everest Base Camp trek cost?” Whether you are budget-dependent or this isn’t a big concern, it’s important to consider how much you want to pay for your Everest Base Camp trip – and what this cost will actually get you.
How Much Does A Trek To Everest Base Camp Cost?
The baseline cost of trekking to Everest Base Camp will depend on a number of variables. The costs will change based on how inclusive you want your trip to be.
At the cheapest end of the scale, there is the option of trekking to Everest Base Camp independently. At this time, it is not a legal requirement to have a guide to trek to Base Camp – you can go it alone if you choose. This will obviously save you money, but there are several drawbacks.
If you are trekking alone, you will have to navigate your own way along the trails and carry your own bags. This makes the trek much more physically and mentally difficult. You will also have no-one to go to with questions or advice. If something goes wrong, there is no expert on hand. When you take everything into consideration, the cost of a local guide is a very small price to pay for the safety and ease they will bring to your experience.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for an option that gives you complete ease of experience – taking away all the stress of organisation and allowing you to focus on the adventure, then booking with a tour company is the best option. This will, of course, cost you more – but only because everything is included in one price!
One important thing to bear in mind when you’re choosing a company to trek Everest Base Camp with is whether they include UK guides as well as local guides.
Local guides are fantastic – they have all of the local knowledge and expertise from living in Nepal and having done the Base Camp trek hundreds of times. However, UK guides are a great benefit, because they give you a point of contact, someone to ask all of your questions the whole way through your trip, from the moment you depart from the airport to the moment to arrive back home.
There are also several other pragmatic elements to take into account when you are looking at an Everest Base Camp hike cost comparison.
Cost Of Flights To Kathmandu
Operators that provide land-only packages will usually offer lower prices, but this obviously means that you will have to pay for your own flight separately. Not only does this often mean a lot of work, it may also work out being more expensive.
Tour operators will already have relationships formed with flight agents, and they will be able to get good industry rates on quality flights. If you decide to go land-only, just bear in mind that you might end up having to take several connections in order to get a more affordable flight from your home country to Kathmandu. The average cost of a return flight from London to Kathmandu is around £800-£1000, so this is important to budget if you decide to go solo.
In-Country Transport Costs
The Everest Base Camp trek adventure begins with navigating the journey from Kathmandu to Lukla. However, with the recent changes in flight paths, direct flights from Kathmandu to Lukla have been discontinued to avoid congestion and now this journey needs to be travelled via Ramechhap.
Once you’ve touched down in Kathmandu, you will need to travel approximately 140 kilometers to Ramechhap. Travelers can hire private jeeps or buses, or use local buses. This journey costs between £15 to £23 in a local bus, which takes around 5 to 7 hours. Private vehicles are also available to hire, though this is a more expensive option, generally ranging from £120 to £155, depending on the size and type of the vehicle. The journey from Kathmandu to Ramechhap is indeed part an insightful encounter of its own, with picturesque views and a sneak-peek into the daily lives of local folks.
From Ramechhap, you’ll need to hop on a plane to Lukla, which serves as the main access point to the Khumbu region and the starting point of the Everest Base Camp trek. The cost of this flight varies based on the time of year and availability, typically ranging from £140 to £155. The half-hour flight from Ramechhap to Lukla offers incomparable views of the Himalayan range, making every penny spent worthwhile.
All in all, the internal transport cost to get from Kathmandu to Lukla via Ramechhap carries with it an average cost of £420, which includes both ground and air transportation. However, it’s important to remember that these costs are estimated and can change based on various factors like seasonality, and changes in local and airline pricing.
While the route changes may seem a hassle initially, the adventure it infuses into your Everest Base Camp trek will be an experience to cherish. After all, the journey is as memorable as the destination, and this Himalayan adventure won’t disappoint.
Accommodation Costs In Kathmandu
Another cost to take into consideration if you are looking to do Everest Base Camp independently or with an in-country team is your accommodation. Throughout the Everest Base Camp trek, most people will be in the same kind of accommodation regardless of how they have booked the trek. This will comprise of comfy local teahouses.
However, in Kathmandu, the prices for hotels vary significantly – you could pay anywhere from under £10 per night to over £100 per night depending on the level of luxury you are after.
Again, a tour agent will be booking rooms in hotels for a larger group of clients, so it is highly likely that they will be able to get a much more competitive rate for accommodation than you could independently.
Contingency Fund: Preparation for Unforeseen Expenses
When preparing for a trek as adventurous as the Everest Base Camp, it’s vital to plan for unforeseen situations. Despite meticulous planning, numerous factors outside your control could occur, requiring additional financial resources. Hence, we strongly recommend having a contingency fund set aside.
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Injury Evacuation: While every precaution is taken to ensure your safety during the trek, accidents and injuries can happen sometimes. If a severe injury occurs, immediate evacuation might be required. A horse or porter costs around £150 to £200 per day, which includes their daily wage, food, and accommodation. Serious injuries requiring immediate attention might necessitate a helicopter evacuation, which can range from £500 to over £3000 depending on the severity of the situation and the distance of the evacuation.
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Weather-related delays or cancellations: Weather in the Himalayas is notoriously unpredictable. Therefore, flights from Lukla to Ramechhap could be delayed or even cancelled due to bad weather conditions. If such a situation forces an extended stay in Lukla, meals, accommodations, and potential changes in plane tickets could add up. In some severe cases, if flights are unable to operate, a helicopter charter might be needed to return to Kathmandu, which costs between £300 to £500 per person, depending on the helicopter’s overall occupancy and whether you receive a refund for your missed flight.
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Miscellaneous expenses: Additional costs might include gear or equipment replacement, additional snacks or beverages that are not included in your package, extra bottled water, or a generous tip for your local guides and porters, who work tirelessly to ensure you experience a safe and satisfying trek.
As a rule of thumb, we recommend our trekkers to carry an additional $300 to $500 for such unforeseen incidents or necessary indulgences. Ensure that you also have an option for quick access to more funding, such as credit card or online banking, in case of emergencies.
Remember, the key to successful travel is preparation, and having a contingency fund is a simple safety net that can significantly reduce stress while you are on your trekking adventure.
Trekking Permits: Secure your Entry to the Everest Base Camp
No matter what route you take to reach Everest Base Camp, it’s imperative to secure the necessary trekking permits. They are your official tickets to traverse the trails of the majestic Himalayas and set foot on the base camp of the highest peak in the world. Here’s a breakdown of the crucial permits required and their estimated costs:
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Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (Local Entrance Fee): This permit is mandatory for all trekkers intending to trek in the Khumbu region, including Everest Base Camp. The cost for this permit is NRS 2000, approximately $20. You cannot obtain this permit in Kathmandu and it is generally acquired in Lukla or Monjo.
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Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: Following the local entrance permit, trekkers need the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit to enter the protected area where Mount Everest is located. This permit costs NRS 3000, approximately $30, and can be obtained in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board Office or in Monjo at the Park Entrance Gate.
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Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) Card: As of 2020, a TIMS card is not required for the Everest Base Camp Trek, as the local entrance fee has replaced it.
It’s important to note that all the mentioned costs are per person and non-refundable. The prices are subject to change as per the rules of the Nepal Government, but the variance is typically minimal.
These permits will be checked and stamped at various checkpoints along the trek, so it’s essential to keep them handy and safe throughout the journey.
Budgeting for treks, like the Everest Base Camp trek, should always take these permit costs into account. Including all necessary permits, trekkers can anticipate a cost of around $50. These permits not only grant you access to the breath-taking trails but also contribute financially to the maintenance and preservation of these precious landscapes.
You Can Read Our Guide To Nepal Trekking Permits And Fees Here
How Much Does Food Cost On The Everest Base Camp Trek?
Another important cost of the Everest Base Camp trek is food. When you’re hiking for several hours per day at altitude, it’s important that you’re getting all the nutrition you need, so good food is worth the investment. Luckily, though, Nepal is a very affordable country when it comes to eating.
You can expect to spend around £25 per day for three meals if you are not using an inclusive operator, plus money for any snacks. A major cost for some trekkers is that of bottled water. You can’t drink water out of the tap in Nepal, but plastic water bottles are very expensive in the mountains as they have to be flown in by helicopter or carried by porters. This means that you can save yourself a lot of money by bringing along a filtering water bottle (use our code ‘BLC15’ for 15% off Water-to-Go bottles!)
Altogether, this can mount up to a quite significant amount of money. So, again, it’s worth considering trekking to Everest Base Camp with a travel agency that offers an all-inclusive package, which will cover all of your food on the trail, as well as refreshments. This may well end up saving you a big chunk of money – and we know what to recommend, too!
How Much Is Tea House Accommodation On A EBC Trek?
The cost of teahouse accommodation on the Everest Base Camp trail can vary widely depending on the time of year and the specific location along the trail. On average, it can range from $7.50 USD to $15.00 USD per night. It’s worth mentioning that these rates can fluctuate, and it’s customary to eat meals at the teahouse where you’re staying, which may add to the total cost. As this is a very common trekking route, booking in advance during peak trekking season is advisable, especially for larger groups. Always check current prices and availability before planning your trek.
How Much Does An Everest Base Camp Trek Cost Per Day?
The daily costs of the Everest Base Camp trek will vary depending on your chosen accommodation, how much you eat and various other factors. However, if you are not doing the trek on an inclusive basis, you can expect to pay these kinds of costs during the trek itself:
- Accommodation in teahouses: £10 per night
- Local guides: £40 per day
- Food: £25 per day
- Permits: £53
- Flight to Lukla: £180 each way
Cost Of Booking Your Everest Base Camp Trek Independently
| Trip Cost 13 Day Trek | |
| Return Drive to Ramechapp | £200 (Private Car) £40pp for shared |
| Return Flights to Lukla | £380 |
| Tea House Accommodation | £120 |
| 3 Meals a Day on the Trek | £300 |
| Local Guide | £520 |
| Permit | £42 |
| Sherpa (Minimum £15per day) | £195 |
| Total | £1757 |
When you consider that you are trekking for twelve days during the Everest Base Camp trip, it is often more than worth it to do the trip with a tour operator! However, it’s also worth bearing in mind that many tour operators don’t actually include the cost of food in their treks. Here at The Bucket List Company, we include all of your meals and refreshments, permits, flights, accommodation and everything else in the price of all our treks in Nepal, so that you never have to worry about unexpected costs.
So Why Book With A Group?
Ultimately, even if you trek to Everest Base Camp independently, you’re going to be spending well over £2000 all-in, before you even think about spending money. But this will not get you experienced UK guides to go to with all of your queries and needs, and it will also mean you have to do the admin of paying for every individual meal, transfer, permit – and the rest – and you can’t be sure you’re getting a fair price, either. Not to mention that you’ll be hiking alone, which isn’t a lot of fun.
For just a little bit more, you could book with a company that offers you all-inclusive pricing and a hassle-free experience, so you can simply immerse yourself in the moment. Here at The Bucket List Company, we book everything for you and include it in our prices. This includes:
- UK flights
- Accommodation in Kathmandu and on the trek
- Flights to and from Lukla
- Transfers
- Food during the trek
- Local guides and porters
- UK guides
- Permits
- Kathmandu city tour
UK Guides & 24-Hour Support
Another major benefit of booking your Everest Base Camp trek with The Bucket List Company is the fact that we take qualified UK guides on our trips. Our guides are highly experienced and first aid trained, and they will take care of you throughout your trip. We will meet you in the airport in UK and guide you throughout your trip. We also have a 24-hour support team in the UK to take care of any administrative needs. This will make your trip so much more simple and enjoyable.
Kathmandu City Tour
One thing that most tour operators don’t include is a tour of Kathmandu. On a locally-guided tour, you’ll discover the highlights of Durbar Square, Monkey Temple, Swayambhunath stupa, Boudhanath stupa and many more fascinating sites. This is an amazing opportunity to experience the cultural heritage of Nepal, which adds a unique dimension to your Everest Base Camp trip. That’s why we include it in our prices!
Travel With A Group
Trekking to Everest Base Camp with a group adventure company also means that you’ll make friends during your trip. Even if you think you’re a fiercely independent traveller, you will find that undertaking a challenge like Everest Base Camp is much more special when you have someone to share it with.
Check out our photographer Ali’s blog post to find out how he, as a formerly anti-group-travel adventurer, suddenly understood why trekking in a group is so amazing after he photographed our Annapurna Circuit trek.
So, make sure that you’re travelling with a company that offers you the full package, with flights, transfers, food, accommodation in Kathmandu and UK guides included. Luckily, that’s where we come in!
If you’d like to find out more about our Everest Base Camp Trek, feel free to give us a call! You can contact us on 01769 309 007.
Other Everest Base Camp Articles
- Which Is Harder Kilimanjaro Or Everest Base Camp
- How High Is Everest Base Camp
- Everest Base Camp Trek vs K2 Base Camp
- What Is The Best Down Jacket For Everest Base Camp Trek
- When Is The Best Time Of The Year To Trek to Everest Base Camp
- Do I Need to Train For Everest Base Camp Trek
- 4 Of The Best Sleeping Bags For Everest Base Camp
- Is Everest Base Camp Hard?
- Where Do You Stay On The Trek To Everest Base Camp?
- Everest Base Camp vs Annapurna Circuit?
- What Is The Food Like On The EBC Trek?
- Altitude Sickness On EBC Trek And How To Avoid It
- How Cold Is Everest Base Camp?
- How To Train For Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp Trek or Toubkal?
