How Much Does Everest Base Camp Trek Cost? Complete Cost Guide 2026

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

It's the first question nearly everyone asks me. And honestly, the answer you'll find online ranges from "$500" to "$5,000+" — which isn't very helpful.

I'm Shreejan Simkhada, founder of The Everest Holiday and a third-generation Himalayan guide. I've been sending trekkers to Base Camp for over a decade. Here's what it really costs in 2026, broken down so you can plan properly.

The short answer

For a fully guided Everest Base Camp trek with a reputable company, expect to spend:

• Budget: $1,100–$1,400 per person
• Standard: $1,400–$1,800 per person
• Premium/Luxury: $1,800–$3,000+ per person

These are the costs of the trek package itself. Your total trip budget — including flights to Nepal, visa, insurance, and spending money — will be higher. I'll break that down below.

What's included in a trek package

A good trekking company should include all of this in their price:

• Airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu
• Hotel nights in Kathmandu (usually 2–3 nights)
• All meals on the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• An experienced, licensed trekking guide
• Porter service (typically 1 porter per 2 trekkers)
• Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
• TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System)
• First aid kit and pulse oximeter
• Farewell dinner

If a company's quote doesn't include permits, meals, or a guide, that's a red flag. You'll end up paying more in hidden costs along the trail.

What's not included

These costs are on you, regardless of which company you choose:

• International flights to Kathmandu
• Nepal visa ($30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days — paid on arrival)
• Travel insurance (mandatory, must cover altitude up to 6,000m)
• Lukla flight or road transport to the trailhead
• Personal spending, drinks, and snacks
• Tips for your guide and porters
• Gear you don't already own

Lukla flight vs the road route

Most EBC treks start with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. That flight costs around $180–$200 each way for foreigners in 2026. It's a short, dramatic flight — but it's also frequently delayed by weather, which can throw off your entire schedule.

We offer an alternative: the EBC Road Trip. Instead of flying, you drive through Nepal's hill country to reach the trailhead. It adds a couple of days to the trip, but you see more of Nepal, avoid the Lukla flight risk, and it's often cheaper.

Our 15-day EBC Road Trip starts at $1,133 per person for the budget package.

Permits and fees

You'll need two permits for the Everest region:

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: $30
• TIMS Card: $20

These are usually included in your trek package. If they're not listed, ask your company before booking.

Total trip budget by country

Here's a realistic total budget, including everything — flights, trek, visa, insurance, gear, and spending money:

From the UK:

• Return flights to Kathmandu: $500–$900
• Trek package (standard): $1,400–$1,800
• Visa, insurance, tips, extras: $300–$500
• Total: roughly $2,200–$3,200

From the US:

• Return flights to Kathmandu: $700–$1,200
• Trek package (standard): $1,400–$1,800
• Visa, insurance, tips, extras: $300–$500
• Total: roughly $2,400–$3,500

From Australia:

• Return flights to Kathmandu: $600–$1,000
• Trek package (standard): $1,400–$1,800
• Visa, insurance, tips, extras: $300–$500
• Total: roughly $2,300–$3,300

These are mid-range estimates. You can do it cheaper on a tight budget, or spend more for private rooms and the best lodges.

Budget vs standard vs premium — what's the difference?

Budget ($1,100–$1,400):

You'll stay in shared teahouse rooms, eat dal bhat (the classic Nepali meal — it's delicious and filling), and have a guide and porter. Everything you need, nothing fancy.

Standard ($1,400–$1,800):

Private rooms where available, a wider menu at teahouses, better lodges in popular stops like Namche Bazaar. This is what most of our trekkers choose.

Premium ($1,800–$3,000+):

The best available lodges at every stop, private rooms guaranteed, extra acclimatisation days, and sometimes helicopter options for the return. Good for trekkers who want more comfort at altitude.

The 10% deposit — how it works

At The Everest Holiday, we ask for just 10% to secure your booking. Your deposit goes through Himalayan Bank Limited (HBL), one of Nepal's largest banks. Nepal's central bank requires international payments to go through a licensed bank gateway — so you'll be briefly redirected to HBL's secure payment page. It's the same system Nepal's airlines use.

You pay the remaining 90% when you arrive in Kathmandu — in cash (USD, EUR, GBP all accepted) or by bank transfer via Wise.

Free cancellation up to 60 days before departure. No tricks.

How to avoid overpaying

A few tips from years of watching trekkers get burned:

• Don't book through a middleman. Big international booking platforms take 20–30% commission. That money comes from somewhere — usually your guide's wages or your food quality.

• Ask what's included. A $900 trek that doesn't include meals, permits, or a Lukla flight will cost you $1,500+ by the end.

• Check the company's TAAN membership. TAAN is the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal. If they're not a member, they may not be properly licensed. We're TAAN Member #1586.

• Talk to the owner. If you can't get a real person on the phone before you book, that's not a good sign. I reply personally to every WhatsApp message.

What your money supports

When you book with The Everest Holiday, a portion of your trek fee goes directly to the Nagarjun Learning Center — a charity my wife Samjhana and I founded in 2019. We provide free education and hot meals to 70 children across 7 centres in rural Nepal.

Your trek doesn't just take you to Everest. It helps a child go to school.

Ready to experience Nepal for yourself?

The Everest Holiday has guided trekkers through the Himalayas for over a decade with a near-perfect five-star TripAdvisor rating.

Browse our Nepal treks: www.theeverestholiday.com

Chat with Shreejan on WhatsApp: +977 9810351300