Everest Base Camp Trek Cost 2026: Budget, Permits and What’s Included
Short answer: there is no fixed price for the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek. One Nepal operator’s indicative 2026 figures put the ground cost of a 12-day trek at about USD 965 to 1,085 per person if you organise it yourself and about USD 1,600 guided, with packaged treks listed at USD 1,700 (12 days) and USD 1,850 (14 days). These exclude your international flights to Nepal. Treat them as a guide, not a quote: they come from a company that sells guided treks, so compare several current quotes.
EBC trek cost breakdown (12 days, per person)
| Cost item | Indicative 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| Kathmandu to Lukla return flight | About USD 440 |
| Teahouse food and lodging (12 days) | About USD 480 (guided) or USD 480 to 600 (independent), roughly USD 40 to 50 a day |
| Guide (12 days) | About USD 360 |
| Porter (12 days) | About USD 280 |
| Permits and local fees | About NPR 6,000 to 8,000 (see below) |
| Total, independent | About USD 965 to 1,085 |
| Total, guided | About USD 1,600 |
Source: Travel Himalaya Nepal, EBC trek cost 2026 (updated August 2026). The company labels its figures “indicative”, and its own key-facts section gives a slightly different guided range of about USD 1,500 to 2,200. Its page does not cover wifi, charging, hot showers, insurance, gear rental or tips, so add those yourself.
Permit and fee costs
These are the permits and fees usually paid for the EBC route:
| Permit or fee | Foreign nationals (NPR) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sagarmatha National Park entry | 3,000 per person per entry; children under 10 free | Nepal Tourism Board |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee | About 3,000 | Operator reports; earlier reports gave NPR 2,000 |
| TIMS card | 2,000 according to one operator, but another says none is needed in Khumbu | Sources disagree |
Only the park fee is confirmed here by an official source (Nepal Tourism Board park entry fees). Operators disagree on whether a TIMS card is still needed for Khumbu, and the local fee has changed over time. Confirm all three with your agency before you pay, and see our trekking rules and permit guide.
What is usually not included
- International flights to Kathmandu
- Nepal visa fee (see our visa on arrival guide)
- Travel and medical insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation (see travel health insurance in Nepal)
- Gear rental or purchase
- Wifi, device charging, hot showers and bottled water, which teahouses often charge for
- Tips for guides and porters
- Extra nights in Kathmandu if flights are delayed
What changes the price
- Guided or independent: a guide and porter add cost but also handle permits, logistics and safety.
- Trek length: extra acclimatisation days add lodging and guide costs but make the trek safer. Read about altitude sickness risk.
- Season: see our best time to visit Nepal guide for the busiest months.
- Group size: private treks usually cost more per person than group departures.
- Exchange rates: operators quote in USD, and rupee prices on the trail shift with the exchange rate.
How to check a quote
- Ask for an itemised list covering flights, permits, lodging, meals, guide, porter and insurance.
- Check the company is registered and licensed. Our guide on how to choose and verify a tour operator explains how.
- Compare at least three quotes for the same number of days, not just the headline price.
- Ask what happens to the price if bad weather delays the Lukla flight.
Plan your budget
Use our Nepal trekking budget estimator to build your own total, and see our Everest Base Camp trek FAQs, the trek or fly comparison and our guide to the best company for Everest Base Camp. For the overall trip cost, read how much a trip to Nepal costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Everest Base Camp trek cost?
One operator’s indicative 2026 figures are about USD 965 to 1,085 independently and about USD 1,600 guided for 12 days, excluding international flights. Packaged treks are listed at USD 1,700 to 1,850.
How much are the permits?
The Sagarmatha National Park entry fee is NPR 3,000 per person according to the Nepal Tourism Board. The local Khumbu fee is reported at about NPR 3,000, and sources disagree on whether a TIMS card is also needed.
Is it cheaper to trek without a guide?
The operator’s figures show a lower total without a guide, but check the current rules and your own experience first. See our trekking rules guide.
How much cash should I carry?
Many trail expenses are paid in cash. Read our guide to bringing cash to Nepal for the foreign currency limit.
Prices and fees change. These figures are indicative and come mainly from one operator, so confirm the current cost with your agency and the relevant authorities before you book.
