Expenses Before Flying to Lukla
In general, before flying to Lukla, you will bear three expenses that are not covered by your trekking package: international airfare, visa fees, and travel insurance. Almost all packages include airport pickup, hotel accommodations, and full-board meals.
Cost of an International Flight
This is mainly based on your location and time of booking. While you cannot change where you’re coming from, you can save some money by purchasing your travel in advance.
Visa Charge
When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you can easily obtain an on-arrival visa. Indian nationals do not require a Nepali visa. Citizens of some countries, such as Nigeria and Ghana, need to get a Nepali visa from their nearest Nepalese diplomatic missions before traveling to Nepal.
On-Arrival Visa Cost
15 Days – $30
30 Days – $50
90 Days – $125
Travel Insurance Cost
In the event of a medical emergency, helicopter rescue and medical treatment can cost up to $6,000 per person during the Everest Base Camp Trek. As a result, it is preferable and highly suggested that you obtain travel insurance. Typically, a 30-day travel insurance policy for elevations up to 6,000 meters costs roughly $150. Purchase insurance before coming to Nepal, as there are no insurance packages that provide such coverage.
Hotel Accommodation Cost
In Kathmandu, hotels ranging from $10 to over $450 per night are available.
From the Lukla Flight Onwards
The Cost of a Flight to Lukla
Again, the cost of a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla depends on the time of year. Nonetheless, it is estimated to cost $350. It is best to plan your flight ahead of time, especially if you are trekking during the high season. This cost is included in the trekking package for those who are trekking through agencies.
Trekking Permits Cost
If you are a foreigner, you should obtain two permits.
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: It costs NPR 3000 for international citizens, NPR 1500 for SAARC countries, and NPR 100 with 13% VAT for Nepalis per person.
- Khumbu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit: For all foreign nationalities, it costs NPR 2,000 per person.
If you are a Nepali, you only need to obtain the former one.
Anyone trekking via Jiri needs to obtain an additional permit. It’s called the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit, and it costs NPR 3000 per person.
Food and Beverage Costs
During the Everest Base Camp Trek, the cost of meals and beverages rises as the altitude increases. This is because everything at higher elevations is transported by helicopter, porter, or yak. It costs on average $30 to $40 a day for food and water.
Accommodation Cost
The cost of lodging also rises as you ascend. In the Everest region, basic teahouses cost between $3 and $10.
Amenities such as hot showers, charging, and wi-fi are not included in the accommodation charge. A hot shower costs an extra $5–$10 per person. Similarly, they can charge you roughly $5 for charging and an additional $5 for wi-fi per stay.
Cost of Trekking Gears
A proper set of trekking gear for a beginner might cost between $200 and $500. Renting is much better if you don’t go trekking all that often. Almost everything you need, from down jackets to backpacks, can be rented for around $1 per day from rental shops in Thamel.
Guide and/or Porter Fees
Your Everest Base Camp Trek package does not include the cost of guides and porters. If you wish to acquire assistance from those professionals, you must hire them separately from the trekking agency. A guide will charge you $30–$50 per day, while a porter will charge you $25–$30 per day.
Tipping Cost
You are not obliged to provide tips. Tipping is, however, expected and is also an expression of appreciation and gratitude. You can pay your guide and porter 10%-15% of their salaries as a general rule. However, you can offer them any amount you feel is appropriate.
Trekking Cost for Other Treks in the Everest Region
The situation is similar for other Everest region treks. You can estimate costs by multiplying all of the above expenses by the duration of your trek.
Tips to Reduce the Cost of the Everest Base Camp Trek
- Make your flight reservation as soon as possible. Likewise, try to book them outside of peak seasons (autumn and spring).
- Choose a local trekking agency. It is both less expensive and provides excellent service.
- If you have extra days and are willing to walk more, you can take a bus or jeep journey to Salleri instead of flying to Lukla.
- Hire your guide in Lukla. Hiring one from Kathmandu will be more expensive. This is because you must pay for the guide’s flight as well.
- Nepali Dal Bhat is significantly less expensive and healthier than other meal options.
- In addition, vegetarian meals are significantly less expensive, fresher, and healthier than non-vegetarian ones.
- You can buy an electric water purifier instead of buying boiled or filtered water every time.
