The Everest Base Camp trek costs $1,469 to $2,449 per person before international flights. Our 12-day package makes up $1,039 to $1,379 of that. The rest goes on your visa, Kathmandu hotel, gear, trail extras, tips and insurance.
Add a return flight to Kathmandu and most trekkers spend $2,119 to $3,649 in total. The package price depends on group size. Even so, it always covers your Lukla flights, both permits, a licensed local Sherpa guide, teahouse rooms and all trail meals. Below is every other cost, line by line, so you can budget before you book.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Cost Summary
- Package Price by Group Size
- What’s Included and What’s Not
- Permit Costs
- The Lukla Flight
- Gear: Buy or Rent
- Daily Trail Expenses
- Costs Trekkers Forget
- How to Save Money
- EBC vs Other Treks
- FAQs
- Related Planning Guides
How Much Does the Everest Base Camp Trek Cost?
Plan on $1,469 to $2,449 per person before international flights, and $2,119 to $3,649 with them. Here is how that total breaks down.
| Cost | Low | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trek package | $1,039 | $1,379 | Per person, by group size. Includes Lukla flights and both permits |
| Nepal visa, 30 days | $50 | $50 | Paid on arrival, not included |
| Kathmandu hotel, 2–3 nights | $40 | $120 | Room only, not included |
| Gear | $60 | $350 | Rent the cold-weather kit, buy what you’re missing |
| Daily trail extras | $100 | $200 | Showers, charging, Wi-Fi, snacks and water over 12 days |
| Guide and porter tips | $100 | $200 | Cash, paid on the last day |
| Travel insurance | $80 | $150 | Required, not included |
| International flights | $650 | $1,200 | Depends where you fly from |
| Total before international flights | $1,469 | $2,449 | Per person |
| Total with international flights | $2,119 | $3,649 | Per person |
Airfare causes most of the difference between trekkers. For example, if you fly from Europe, North America or Australia, expect to land near the top of the range. Trekkers flying from India or Southeast Asia, however, usually sit nearer the bottom.
One thing to check when comparing quotes: some operators price the trek without the Lukla flight. Ours includes it, so compare like with like.
Our Package Price by Group Size
The package costs $1,379 for a solo trekker and drops to $1,039 per person for a group of 8 to 12.
| Group Size | Price Per Person | Saving vs Solo | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | $1,379 | — | Independent travellers |
| 2–4 people | $1,259 | $120 | Couples and friends |
| 5–7 people | $1,089 | $290 | Families and small groups |
| 8–12 people | $1,039 | $340 | Larger groups |
For example, adding one trekking partner moves you from $1,379 to $1,259 each. Still, the itinerary, flights and permits are the same at every tier. Two things change with group size: solo trekkers pay extra if they want a porter, and groups larger than 8 get an assistant guide.
What’s Included and What’s Not
Your package covers the flights, permits, guide, rooms and meals for the whole trek.
Included:
- Complimentary airport pickup and drop-off for your international flights
- Return Lukla flights, plus the Ramechhap transfer when flights run from there
- Licensed, English-speaking local Sherpa guide
- One porter per two trekkers, 15kg limit (solo trekkers can add one at extra cost)
- One assistant guide for groups larger than 8
- Teahouse rooms for the whole trek, twin-sharing
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trail, with morning tea or coffee
- Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permits
- Wages, meals, insurance and transport for your guide and porter
Not included:
- International flights to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance covering trekking to 5,644m and helicopter evacuation
- Personal trekking gear
- Kathmandu hotel nights and meals
- Hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi on the trail
- Snacks, bottled water and extra drinks
- Tips for your guide and porter
Day-by-day details and booking are on the Everest Base Camp Trek package page.
Everest Base Camp Permit Costs
EBC needs two permits, and they cost NPR 6,000 per person in total, roughly $45. Both are included in our package, and your guide carries them through every checkpoint.
| Permit | Fee (foreign nationals) | Checked At |
|---|---|---|
| Sagarmatha National Park entry | NPR 3,000, including 13% VAT | Monjo |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality | NPR 3,000, no VAT | Lukla |
SAARC and Chinese nationals pay NPR 2,000 for the municipality permit instead of NPR 3,000.
Do You Need a TIMS Card for EBC?
No. The Khumbu region replaced the TIMS card with the municipality permit in October 2018. Older blogs still list TIMS for Everest, but these two permits are all you need. EBC also needs no restricted-area permit. Checkpoint details are in our EBC permits guide.
The Lukla Flight: Cost and Delays
Your return Lukla flight is included in the package, so its fare doesn’t change what you pay us.
For example, a return ticket currently runs about $480–525 for foreign passengers. However, the airlines set this fare and can change it without notice. It is the main reason EBC costs more than treks that start by road.
Kathmandu or Ramechhap?
In the busy spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) seasons, Lukla flights leave from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. That means an early 4–5 hour drive from Kathmandu, which we arrange as part of the package. In winter and the monsoon, by contrast, flights usually run directly from Kathmandu, subject to airline schedules and weather.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) sets this seasonal arrangement to ease congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport. As a result, it applies to every airline flying to Lukla, including Tara Air, Summit Air and Sita Air.
Plan for Delays
Lukla flights depend on the weather at both ends, so schedules slip. Delays can happen in any month, and they are most common during the monsoon. When cloud sits in the valley, a wait of one to three days is not unusual.
Leave at least two spare days before your international flight home. Two extra hotel nights in Kathmandu cost far less than rebooking a long-haul ticket at short notice.
Gear: Buy What Matters, Rent the Rest
Budget $60–350 for gear if you rent the cold-weather items and buy only what you’re missing.
Worth buying before you arrive:
| Item | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof trekking boots | $100–220 | Break them in for weeks beforehand; never rent boots |
| Waterproof shell jacket | $80–200 | Needed for wind and snow above 4,000m |
| Merino base layers, 2 sets | $60–120 | Warm, and they stay fresher over 12 days |
| Daypack, 25–30L | $60–120 | Fit matters more than brand |
| UV400 sunglasses | $30–80 | Glare off snow at altitude strains your eyes quickly |
Better rented in Thamel:
| Item | Daily Rate | 12-Day Total |
|---|---|---|
| Down jacket | $1–2 | $12–24 |
| Sleeping bag, -15°C rated | $1–2 | $12–24 |
| Trekking poles | $0.50–1 | $6–12 |
| Porter duffel bag | $0.50–1 | $6–12 |
Renting all four costs $36–72 for the trek. However, if you also need boots, a shell and base layers, those three add $240–540. The full list is in our EBC packing list.
Daily Trail Expenses
Expect to spend $100–200 on the trail beyond the meals and rooms we cover.
| Expense | Typical Price | 12-Day Total |
|---|---|---|
| Hot shower | NPR 300–500 each | $20–30 |
| Charging devices | NPR 300–500 each | $20–30 |
| Wi-Fi | NPR 200–500 each | $10–20 |
| Extra snacks and drinks | NPR 500–800 a day | $45–70 |
| Bottled water | NPR 100–300 a bottle | $15–35 |
Prices also rise the higher you climb. Dollar figures are approximate and move with the exchange rate.
There are no ATMs above Namche Bazaar, so withdraw cash in Kathmandu. You can then top up in Namche on Day 3 if needed. Also carry small notes, because teahouses higher up often can’t change a NPR 1,000 note.
The Costs Trekkers Forget
Tips. Most trekkers tip $100–200 in total for their guide and porter. That works out to roughly $8–16 a day for both, paid in cash on the last day.
Visa. A 30-day tourist visa costs $50 on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. Check the current fee with the Department of Immigration before you travel.
Insurance. Policies covering trekking to 5,644m and helicopter evacuation typically cost $80–150 for a three-week trip. That is because Kala Patthar, the highest point on this trek, sits at 5,644m. Check the altitude limit in writing before you fly, because a lower cap won’t cover you there.
Kathmandu nights. You need at least two nights: one before the trek and one after. A room then costs about $20–40 a night, depending on the hotel. Spare days for flight delays add more, and meals in Kathmandu are extra.
Altitude medicine. If your doctor prescribes Diamox, bring it from home or buy it at a licensed Kathmandu pharmacy, not a street stall.
How to Save Money on the EBC Trek
Permits and Lukla flights are fixed costs, but a few choices make a real difference.
Trek with someone. Going from solo to a group of two saves $120 each straight away.
Rent the heavy gear. Renting a down jacket, sleeping bag, poles and duffel costs $36–72. Buying the same items new, by comparison, costs several hundred dollars.
Carry a water filter. A squeeze filter costs about $30 and also lets you treat teahouse water. It replaces the $15–35 you’d otherwise spend on bottled water, and cuts plastic waste on the trail.
Book long-haul flights early. Fares to Kathmandu for October and November tend to rise as departure gets closer.
Check your visa length. A 15-day visa costs $30 instead of $50. It only works if your whole stay is 15 days or less, which leaves no room for Lukla delays. That is why most EBC trekkers need the 30-day visa.
EBC Cost Compared With Other Nepal Treks
EBC costs more than most Nepal treks, mainly because of the return Lukla flight.
| Trek | Package (2–4 people) | Permits | Domestic Flight | Total Before International Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | $1,259 | Included | Included | $1,469–2,449 |
| Everest Three Passes | $1,678 | Included | Included | $2,066–3,017 |
| Annapurna Base Camp | $798 | Included | None needed | $1,400–1,800 |
Annapurna Base Camp starts by road from Pokhara, so there is no flight to pay for. Everest Three Passes costs more because it is a longer 16-day route over three high passes. Compare the routes in our EBC vs Gokyo Lakes guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our 12-day package costs $1,039 to $1,379 per person, depending on group size. It includes Lukla flights, both permits, a guide, teahouse rooms and trail meals. Once you add visa, gear, tips, insurance and trail extras, most trekkers spend $1,469 to $2,449 before international flights.
Many costs are fixed per trip, rather than per person. A guide costs the same whether one person walks or twelve, so a bigger group shares those costs. That is why the rate falls from $1,379 solo to $1,039 for 8 to 12 people. The route, standard of guiding and inclusions stay the same at every tier.
Yes. In fact, every tier is private by default. We don’t put you with strangers unless you ask to join an existing group to lower your price. Send us your dates and group size on WhatsApp and we’ll quote the matching per-person rate.
More Questions About EBC Trek Costs
No, our package price is the same all year. Your international airfare is what moves, and it is usually highest for October and November departures. So booking your long-haul flight a few months ahead helps keep the total down.
No. Everest Base Camp is reached on a trekking trail, with no ropes, ice axes or climbing permit needed. People often search for the cost to climb to Base Camp, but the price is simply the trek price. Our package runs $1,039 to $1,379 per person. Climbing Mount Everest itself is a separate expedition, with its own permit and a far higher cost.
Carry enough for trail extras and tips, roughly $200–400 per person in Nepali rupees. There are no ATMs above Namche Bazaar, so withdraw in Kathmandu and top up in Namche if needed. Bring small notes, because higher teahouses often can’t change large ones.
A guide is not legally required in the Khumbu region, because the local municipality did not adopt Nepal’s 2023 guide rule. Going independently, you still pay for Lukla flights, permits, rooms and food yourself. Even so, our package includes a licensed local Sherpa guide as standard. A guide handles teahouse bookings, acclimatisation pacing and flight changes when weather causes delays.
Related Planning Guides
- How Hard Is the EBC Trek?
- 12-Day EBC Itinerary
- EBC Trek Permits
- Best Time for the EBC Trek
- EBC Teahouse Accommodation Guide
- EBC Packing List
- EBC Trek for Beginners
- Altitude Sickness on the EBC Trek
Budget Right, Trek Without the Worry
Our Everest Base Camp package runs $1,039 to $1,379 per person, with Lukla flights and both permits included at every group size. The one cost nobody can fix in advance is Lukla weather, so build two spare days into your plans. See the full EBC package → or message us on WhatsApp with your group size and travel month for an exact quote.