Everest Base Camp Budget Trek - 12 Days

Add-Ons & Options to Enhance Your Budget Everest Base Camp Trek

Our 12-day Everest Base Camp Trek Package is the best way to see the incredible Everest Region on a budget. However, we have several add-on options available if you want to extend your journey even further.

Accommodation in Kathmandu

First of all, although accommodation in Kathmandu is not included in our package deal, we know that it’s important to have a nice, clean room before and after your trek. We can provide lodging at either 2- or 3-star hotels where breakfast is included for the duration of your trip. If you’re just looking for somewhere cheap and cheerful to lay your head before setting off on another adventure, then $25 will get you a single room, and if you share with another, the price lowers to $30 at one of our 2-star options. More luxurious rooms are available, starting at $35 for a single room and starting at $45 for a double room, which is our 3-star option.

Porter Services

When trekking with a heavy backpack, it can be hard at high altitudes. To make your journey easier and more comfortable you can hire our porter service by paying an additional cost. For $200 hire a porter carrying 20-22 kilograms of your gear. The services of one porter will be shared between two trekkers hence making it an economical option to ease off yourself and concentrate on celebrating the beauty of the Himalayas.

Helicopter Rides

Are you not satisfied enough with the scenic flight to Lukla Airport? We guarantee you the most exciting way to experience it all with our helicopter hire services. In fact, this is thrilling and time-saving, allowing you to have a spectacular Himalayas view straight from above. You can enjoy heli-journeys from Kathmandu to Lukla or back for $600 per person each way. If you are interested in returning the trip, then Gorak Shep to Kathmandu is only for $1300 per person on a sharing basis. Prices may differ for private charters upon request.

Customization Options

Every trekker has different likes, dislikes, and requirements, so we would like to talk with you about customizing your trek even beyond these standard add-ons. If you’d like more time in certain villages for better acclimatization, just let us know; if you have some unique food requirements, we can make the necessary arrangements during your trek, too. In the same way, if you’d like to include a cultural experience while on your journey, please get in touch, and let’s see what else we can do for you! We want nothing but for your Everest Base Camp cost friendly Trek to be customized specifically for YOU – have an incredible Himalayan journey.

Everest Base Camp Budget Trekking Difficulty Level

12 Days Everest Base Camp Budget Trek is categorized as a moderate trek. Thus anyone with a normal level of fitness who’s prepared to walk 6-8 hours daily for around one week can do this trek. However, no prior trekking experience is required as long as an individual is engaged in activities such as walking, jogging, hiking and has good strength. No doubt that 12 Days Budget Trek suits best for those people who have enough spirit to accomplish it, willingness and determination to get themselves ready. This ensures they can enjoy their adventure without interruption despite their age and fitness.

Altitude sickness is the only concern because we trek at higher elevations. The itinerary includes acclimatization days which are crucial for every trekker as we climb higher. We have to cater a flexible program especially for those who are doing high altitude treks for the first time. Incase of AMS which most likely occurs but can be prevented if right precautions are taken and the proper process is done.T he challenges of the trek such as endurance and altitude but nothing is impossible with right mind setting and preparations.

Is There Chances of Getting Altitude Sickness on Budget Everest Base Camp Trek

12 Days Everest Base Camp Budget Trek has 2 acclimatization days, which is similar to the 14-day trek. It will help to prevent altitude sickness that occurs because of having less time for our body to adapt to high altitude. We have designed the trek itinerary in order not to gain more than 500 meters of altitude a day as per the recommended safety guidelines.

While our trek guides carefully watch everyone’s health condition, trekkers must always be cautious and report if they start feeling anything unusual like headache, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, or vomiting. To minimize altitude sickness risk, trekkers should:

• Keep well hydrated
• Maintain a balanced diet.
• Avoid alcohol, and smoking
• Go up very slowly

The trek’s elevation profile, starting at 2,860 meters in Lukla and reaching at 5,644 meters over the span of 12 days, gives a real sense of how much altitude we climb to and deal with. The two acclimatization days provide the chance for the body to adjust itself to less oxygen.

While on this trek everyone will get the necessary information regarding altitude sickness by your guides. Still it is possible that some still could get it. Our leaders are prepared in first aid care along with various conditions including those deriving from lack of oxygen. If necessary they are ready to descend people back down or take other measures. Proper preparation, following guide instructions and listening to one's body are important factors in handling the altitude challenges of this trek.

Best Time for Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days

There are no such restrictions or limitations for Everest Base Camp Trek best time. But nevertheless, trekking in each month has different circumstances and exciting feelings also. January to February months are coldest of all whereas snowfall is predictable with cold. Still, adventurers who enjoy trekking in bitterly cold winters can find winter as one of the best times. Further most importantly one should have plans, arrangements, and the status of weather so far to make your trip a successful and happiest journey on Everest Base Camp Trek.

Spring and Autumn: The Ideal Seasons

Spring (March to April) and autumn (October to November) are considered as the best times to trek to Everest Base Camp. During these months the weather is stable with clear sky, mild temperature without being too hot or too cold that provide beautiful views of mountains and green vegetation. The clear sky gives a chance for proper mountain viewing while still walking at comfort. Kathmandu-Lukla flights are more likely to fly during these times, and quite importantly the Himalayan region looks most beautiful providing unforgettable experiences.

Summer and Monsoon: The Challenging Months

It’s also generally not advised to go on a trek between May and September, during summer and monsoons. There’ll be lots of rain which makes trails muddy and slippery, Lukla flights might get delayed so be ready for your plans to be derailed by a couple days.

Winter Trekking: A Unique Experience

Early December can offer a unique winter trekking experience in the Everest region. The snowfall creates a picturesque landscape, and clear skies provide stunning mountain vistas. However, winter treks require careful planning and timing. As the season progresses, temperatures drop dramatically, and heavy snowfall can make trails challenging. While daytime can be pleasant, nights are extremely cold, demanding proper preparation and equipment.

Are Guide and Porter Services provided On Budget Everest Base Camp Trek?

Guide services are usually included in the price you pay for your budget Everest Base Camp trek. Professional guides are always part of the package at approximately $35/day. These people will undoubtedly make your trek enjoyable because they are experts on the trail and know almost everything about the region.

Porters differ a bit because they aren’t included in the base package. They also cost around $25/day if hired. You don't need to hire a porter, but most trekkers do, especially if they have heavy gear to carry or just want to make their journey as hassle-free as possible.

The cost of the guide is usually included in your package price so you don’t need to worry about this too much as long as you have chosen a good EBC trekking package. Of course, a porter will cost more, so keep that in mind if you are already on a tight budget.

If you choose to trek with a porter, overall, it will cost a little bit more, but the comfort and ease during the challenging Everest base camp trek on most occasions prove worth spending.

Permits and Entrance Fee for Everest Base Camp Budget Trek

For the 12 Days Everest Base Camp Budget Trek in 2024/2025, two essential permits are required:

1. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit: This costs NPR 2000-300 per person and is obtained in Lukla or Monjo, depending on your entry point. It's valid for four weeks, after which the fee increases to NPR 2,500.

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit is Priced at NPR 3000 per person for foreign nationals (NPR 1,500 for SAARC Nationals); this permit can be obtained either at the Nepal Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu or at the park’s entry gate in Monjo. It is best to get it in Kathmandu so that you won’t have to wait in a long queue during the high seasons like October and November.

These permits are very important for gaining access to the Everest region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its picturesque landscape and Sherpa culture. And they are used mainly to control tourism and help fund local development and conservation efforts. We will deal with the cost of such permits on your behalf, ensuring that every trekker’s ease and convenience will be considered when making their journey to this famous destination.

Accommodation Facility on Budget Everest Base Camp Trek

The 12-Day Everest Base Camp Budget Trek will put you at basic tea houses or mountain lodges, which offer a safe and clean environment at night for trekkers. Normally, two people are expected to share a room at such trekkers’ stop, and the washroom will be communal. Please note that the rooms won’t be heated, so ensure you have a good sleeping bag to keep yourself warm in the cold Himalayas. Expect basic services and be prepared to pay extra if you would like charging facilities, Wi-Fi, or hot showers at places where they are available.

To make the experience of trekking easier, companies such as Himalayan Partner Treks pre-book lodges for each night of the trek so that you are guaranteed a place to sleep each evening and do not have to worry about trying to find a place. The majority of lodgings offer comfortable surroundings and usually modern facilities. However, when traveling at higher altitudes like Lobuche or Gorakshep, trekkers will most likely be put in shared accommodation rooms due to the lack of available facilities on these parts of the trail, but in general, the accommodations may be quite basic. They give you all you need for your rest at night.

Everest Base Camp Budget Trek 12 Days Food and Dining Options

In our package for the Everest Base Camp budget trek, you get various food options. Generally, we provide three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Still, the most popular and healthiest option is Dal Bhat Tarkari- a typical Nepali food set serving rice, lentil soup (Dal), vegetable curry (Tarkari) and pickle, providing good energy for your strenuous walk.

Besides the teahouses, common menu items available are Porridge, Momo (dumplings), Noodles, Steak items, Soups, Thukpa (a Tibetan noodle soup) and sandwiches. The Sherpa people’s special kind of foods like Syakpa are supposed to prevent Altitude Sickness since they contain fresh local ingredients and high protein with great taste. As a responsible organizer, we focus on preparing hygienic food item services with a comfortable lodge.

We also supervise proper schedules, especially providing dinner services with limited options in higher elevations, considering the nutritious needs of trekkers. Except for the included lunch and dinner, any Snacks or extra meals cost should be managed by trekkers themselves.

Altitude, Trekking Route, Time, Map and Distance Information of Budget Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek has a combination of moderate and easy routes. The daily trekking will be around 8-10 kilometers, taking an average of 5-6 hours. On a few days, we need to extend our walk for a longer time, like 7 hours or may need to walk a little less, like 3-4 hours.

The altitude increases are usually 500m a day or less but might reach up to 1,000m or more. The lowest point we will reach during the trek is Phakding at 2,610 meters and the highest is the top of Kala Patthar at 5,540 meters so it's a moderately difficult trek. The standard trip includes 12 days of actual trekking with arrival-day and departure-day activities adding another two days.

Everest Base Camp trek covers the whole distance of approximately 132 km / 82 miles. During this incredible journey, trekkers can experience the stunning Himalayan landscape, unique Sherpa culture and the thrill of approaching the world’s highest peak.

Our itinerary involves proper acclimatization to help trekkers adjust to increasing altitude and follow a well-established trail where tea houses and lodges are available along the way for food and accommodation, making it accessible for reasonably fit trekkers with determination and the right preparation.