EBC Trekking Cost: Complete Guide to Everest Trek Expenses

Dreaming of standing at the foot of the world's highest mountain, with Everest looming above? If you're set on the Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC), you're not alone. This iconic trek is calling out to adventurers from all corners of the world.

But before you begin lugging on burdens and grasping your trekking poles, you're probably wondering:

How much does it cost to trek to Everest Base Camp?

The price of your EBC trek depends on a variety of things—your mode of travel, the type of accommodations you have, and what you're willing to pay for comfort along the way. Relax, we've got you sorted with a complete breakdown of what it costs for your Everest Base Camp trek.

1. Cost of Flights to Nepal: Getting There (And Back) : $600 to $1200

Your adventure to Everest starts with an airplane flight to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital city. Flights are the most expensive aspect of the trek, and price can vary anywhere from a wide range based on where you fly out of, what time of year you travel, and how far in advance you book your flight.

Frequently, round-trip flights to Kathmandu can vary from $600 to $1,200, with summer and fall, or high, season flights being more expensive.

Pro tip: Reserve ahead of time or travel during off-peak season and it will cost you a whole lot less.

2. Everest Base Camp Permits Price: $50–$70 per person

During your time in Nepal, there are certain Nepal trekking permits that you will require for the Everest Base Camp trek. These permits preserve the region and provide you with a safe trekking experience. What you will require is:

Sagarmatha National Park Permit: For park entry and ascending to Everest Base Camp. Price: $30 USD.
TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System): The card helps track trekkers for safety purposes. Price: $10 USD.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit: $20 USD

These permits are available for purchase in Kathmandu, and most agencies will help buy them on an organized trek.

Get in touch with us in Whatsapp for any permits queries!

3. Guides & Porters Price: $20 to $40 per day

In theory, you can trek to Everest Base Camp on your own, but nearly every trekker employs a guide (or porter, or both!) because it is just so much better. The reasons are as follows:

Guides: They will walk you along the trail, share some advice on the region, and ensure your safety on the trail. They will also make your tour more enjoyable since they know the region. A guide will charge you around $25 to $40 per day.
Porters: Carrying heavy backpacks on a high-altitude trek is no pleasure. Booking a porter (who will carry your backpack) can be a godsend, so you can take pleasure in the trek. Porters are $20 to $30 per day.

Some trekkers like the luxury of having both a guide and a porter to make it easier.

4. Accommodation Cost on EBC Trek: $5 to $20 per night

One of the unique things about trekking to Everest Base Camp is staying in teahouses, warm but rustic lodges along the way. The accommodations are functional but bare, especially as you ascend higher. This is what awaits you:

Lower Elevations (Day 1-4): You can expect to pay between $5 and $10 per night for a teahouse.
Higher Altitudes (Day 5-12): Teahouse prices increase as you move to higher altitudes. You will pay $10-$20 per night as you near higher altitudes.

Food is typically part of your overnight accommodation, but snacks, hot drinks, or other services like hot showers might have extra charges.

5. Meals Price on Everest Base Camp: $5 to $15 per meal

Food is among the necessary components of the upkeep of energy throughout the trek, and to our luck, there are a lot of excellent foods to make your body stay energized for the trip. Meals on the Everest Base Camp route will cost:

Breakfast: $5 to $7
Lunch: $7 to $10
Dinner: $10 to $15

Try genuine Nepali food such as dal bhat (lentil soup with rice), momos (dumplings), and Sherpa stew. If you get cravings for the familiar, Western fare such as pizza, pasta, and fried rice is available too.

As you go higher, the cost of food will increase steadily because it is expensive to transport commodities to higher altitudes.

6. Other EBC Trek Cost

Remember some additional expenses that will be added in your hike:

Travel Insurance: Ensure your insurance policy includes high-altitude trekking. Travel insurance will cost between $100 and $200 for a 2-week hike.
Tipping: Tipping is expected in Nepal, and it's one of the methods of appreciation for the labor that your porter and guide do for you. Be prepared to tip between $50 to $100 for both of them based on the duration of your trek and the service they provide.

Money-saving tip: Bring a refillable water bottle with a filter or water purification tablets instead of buying bottled water, which costs $2 to $5 per liter at high altitudes.

How Much Does it Cost on the Everest Base Camp Trek: What to Expect

Once it's all over, your Everest Base Camp trek will have set you back between $1,200 and $2,500. This is the estimated cost breakdown:

Flights: $600 to $1,200
Permits: $40
Guides and Porters: $400 to $700 (depending on how long you need them)
Accommodation and Meals: $500 to $800
Other Expenses: $100 to $200

The price can be affected by factors such as group size, which company you trek with, time of year, and whether or not you utilize additional services.

How Much Does the EBC Trek Cost? (Based on Budget)

What is the price of the EBC trek, then? Your trekking style and financial constraints will determine the answer:

Low-budget tourists: $1,200 to $1,800 (minimum costs, no guide, basic tea houses)
Standard trekkers: $1,800–$2,500 (including a guide and porter)
Luxury trekkers: Over $3,000. This includes luxury lodges, helicopter upgrades, and more.

Our Everest Base Camp Trek Package from Low Budget to Luxury

Low Budget EBC Trek

Standard Budget EBC Trek

Luxury Budget EBC Trek

Luxury EBC Trek

Final Thoughts

Even though the trek is expensive, it's an experience for a lifetime which is more valuable than a breathtaking view. It's about testing your body and mind to the extreme, learning a rich heritage, and experiencing the royal splendor of the Himalayas.

Therefore, though budgeting is essential, do not be deterred by the cost. With planning, you can have an experience you will never forget without breaking the bank. For the view, for the experience, or for the satisfaction of having tried it, Everest Base Camp is something you would never forget.

You won't regret one cent, if you splurge or stay in line. Since Tidy Himalaya will coordinate all the details, you can enjoy it, too, without worrying about the details. Ready to get started?