Nepal is one of the cheapest places in the world to trek in the mountains, but budgeting for your Everest Base Camp trek is an important part of the preparations. One thing you do not want to do is run out of money before you run out of trek. Budgeting properly, and making sure you have allowed a little something for emergencies - or even for those little knick-knacks you discover in the small shop that your aunty would love - can mean the difference between an enjoyable trek and an absolute disaster.

Here, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of the costs for a general trekking tour to Everest Base Camp in Nepal and help you manage your budget more effectively for your Everest Trek.

Cost Breakdown: Nepal Visa and Everest Trekking Permits

It is relatively easy to get a Nepal Visa, as you can get it at the local Nepal Embassy in your home country before you leave for your Nepal trip. Alternatively, you can get a visa-on-arrival upon your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport or one of the seven land borders of Nepal.

It is convenient to get Nepal Visa on Arrival.

The cost of a Nepali Tourist Visa is USD 30 for a 15-day stay, USD 50 for a 30-day stay, and USD 125 for a 90-day stay. It is valid for three months from the approval date and can be extended while in the country for up to 150 days, at a cost of USD 3 per day.

Besides the Nepali Visa, you must also obtain the TIMS Card and a trekking permit for your Everest Trekking tour in Nepal. The Trekkers Information Management System Card (TIMS Card) is essential for all trekkers in Nepal. It is mandatory to ensure the safety and security of trekkers in the general trekking areas. The standard fee of the TIMS Card is NPR 2000 per person (Approx. USD 15) for international trekkers and NPR 1000 (Approx. USD 7.5) for SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).

TIMS Card

A trekking permit is also required for the Everest area, and different trekking routes to EBC in Nepal require different permits at varying prices. You can refer to the price table below for more details.

Both TIMS and permit can be obtained at the tourist office in Kathmandu, which is just a short walk from Thamel, and is open six days a week until 2 pm for the permit and 5 pm for the TIMS Card. Processing normally takes around ten minutes for each, but if you do not have time in Kathmandu, you can also obtain both a TIMS Card and the permit in Monjo, on the route from Lukla to Namche Bazaar.

Insider Tips:
For the TIMS card and permit application, please prepare a copy of your passport, passport-sized photos, and US dollars.

10 Days Everest Panorama View Trek Tour

Tour Route: Kathmandu - Lukla- Phakding- Namche Bazaar- Khumjung- Tengboche- Monjo- Kathmandu

Price from USD p.p

This Everest Panorama Trek in Nepal offers stunning views of Mount Everest for those with limited time.

Cost Breakdown: Transportation to Everest Base Camp in Nepal

Lukla Airport is the gateway to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. You can only take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, and then trek through the trail to the base camp. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes around 30 to 40 minutes, and the flight cost ranges from UD 150 to USD 250. This price does not change between high and low seasons, which means there is really no saving by flying there off-peak. There is also no first, business, or economy class on the flights, as all seats are the same class, and there is a 10kg baggage limit per person, which cannot be increased due to the limited size of the aircraft.

Nepal Lukla Airport.

Cost Breakdown: Lodges and Dining on Everest Trek Trails in Nepal

The cost of lodges and food on the trail to Everest Base Camp in Nepal varies from different lodges and increases with altitude. Generally, as you go higher, both accommodation and food during the EBC trek become more expensive. This is because it is more difficult to transport goods and food to higher mountain areas.

The meals you can get from the teahouses or lodges along the way cost around USD 4 to USD 10 and soft drinks cost around USD 4. And the dining cost can be higher in higher-altitude villages.

On average, the total daily cost of accommodation and dining for a trek on the Everest Trail in Nepal can range from USD 25 to USD 60 per day, depending on the altitude and season.

If you take an Everest Base Camp trek in peak trekking season (autumn and spring), the cost of staying at lodges could be higher.

Take a break and enjoy food and drinks on your Everest trekking tour.

Cost Breakdown: Trekking Guide and Sherpa Porter

The cost of a trekking guide and Sherpa porters for the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal can vary based on demands, negotiation, and whether you go through a reputable travel agency or hire them directly in Kathmandu or Lukla.

If you hire a trekking guide in Kathmandu, you need to pay for his return flight to Lukla, although it is half-price each way for the guide. Because only a few guides operate out of Lukla, even in the low season, they can be fully booked.

The typical costs for a trekking guide in Nepal are around USD 25 to USD 45 per day during low seasons and around USD 35 to USD 60 per day during high seasons.

It is easier to find a porter in Lukla, who can carry your heavy gear (usually up to 15 kg per person) to ease your load. In the low season, the daily porter fee is around USD 20 to USD 25, while in the high season, it ranges from USD 25 to USD 45.

Insider Tips:
Many trekkers choose trekking packages that include the guide, porter, permits, and accommodation, which might be more cost-effective.

The Sherpa Porters of the Nepal Everest Base Camp Trek.

Cost Breakdown: Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is important for a Nepal Everest Base Camp trekking tour. Generally, the cost for insurance covering a trek like Everest Base Camp is about USD 150 for a basic policy, covering trip cancellation, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation.

For the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal, you will also need a policy that includes high-altitude trekking coverage (up to 6,000 meters or 20,000 feet) to cover you in the event of an injury or emergency evacuation at that altitude.

Insider Tips:
The cost of travel insurance varies depending on several factors, including your age, the duration of your trek, the level of coverage, and the insurance provider, etc. Please consult your insurance provider and check the terms and conditions of your policy carefully to ensure it covers high-altitude trekking and medical evacuation specific to Nepal’s terrain.

17 Days Nepal Everest Base Camp Trek Tour

Tour Route: Kathmandu - Phakding-Namche Bazaar-Tengboche- Dingboche- Lobuche-Gorakshep- Everest base camp-Kathmandu

Price from USD p.p

This EBC trekking tour offers classic views of Everest and its surrounding peaks in Nepal.

Saving Tips: Travel Independently or Join a Group Trek?

Some tourists choose to join a group trek as the costs of the guide and porters can be shared between the group, making the overall costs cheaper, and some lodges give discounts for large groups staying overnight.

Join a Nepal Everest Base Camp gourp trek tour with a local trekking guide.

However, when you take a solo trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, you are not restricted in what you do or how fast and slow you travel. There are no other people to distract you from what you want to see, and trekking independently has a spiritual quality all of its own.

There are pros and cons for both sides of this consideration, just make your decision based on what you want from your trek.

Saving Tips: Rent Trekking Gears or Buy Your Own?

Renting trekking gear is a great option for occasional hikers looking to save money and avoid storage issues. However, buying your own gear offers long-term benefits like customization, comfort, and reliability. If you trek regularly, investing in high-quality equipment could be more cost-effective over time, providing better performance and fit.

The basics that you will need to bring for an EBC trek in Nepal include a cold-weather sleeping bag, thermal clothing, hiking boots, trekking poles, a backpack and duffle bag, a warm waterproof jacket, gloves, etc.

Nepal EBC Trekking Gears

It is convenient to rent high-quality gear in Kathmandu. However, if you’re flying into Lukla, you can also rent trekking gear there. While the rental prices in Lukla can be slightly higher, it is more practical if you prefer not to pack bulky gear for your flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.

More Insider Tips for Budget Your EBC Trek in Nepal

To budget effectively for your Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal, you first need to book your flight to Kathmandu in advance to secure better rates for your international flight.

Once in Kathmandu, you can rent essential trekking gear, such as trekking poles and sleeping bags, from reputable rental shops in Thamel, rather than buying new items if you don’t have yours.

When packing, be sure to pack light and wisely to avoid excess luggage fees on the flights to Lukla, which have strict weight limits. Keeping your luggage light not only saves your money on flights but also makes your trek more comfortable.

Packing light for your Nepal Everest Base Camp trekking tour.

For accommodation, you can choose to stay in teahouses instead of hotels along the trail for affordable lodging and meals.

Bring your own tea bags and snacks is a good idea as drinks and food on the trail are expensive. You can buy supplies like chocolate or energy bars in Kathmandu, as they are fairly inexpensive there.

It is suggested to bring enough cash in Nepali rupees from Kathmandu to avoid high ATM fees and poor exchange rates along the trek. While ATMs exist on the trail, they can be unreliable and expensive, and international credit cards are not widely accepted in the mountains.

Conclusion

The Everest Base Camp trek is not as expensive as you think but also needs a clear plan to budget the cost. Accommodation and meals are typically the biggest expenses on an Everest trekking trip in Nepal. It is important to choose the right lodge according to your budget. There are also ways to save on flights, both international flights to Kathmandu and domestic flights from Kathmandu to Lukla.

If you’re planning an Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal and need expert guidance or prefer a hassle-free package, feel free to contact us. With the local office in Kathmandu, we at Tibet Vista are able to provide personalized trekking tours, ensuring a smooth and memorable Everest trekking experience from start to finish.