Everest Base Camp Cost: What You Get for $1,680 (And Why It’s Totally Worth It)
The Big Question: What’s the Real Everest Base Camp Cost?
You’re planning the Everest Base Camp Trek, and one question is echoing in your head (right next to “Will I survive the Lukla flight?”):
“What does it cost—and what exactly am I paying for?”
At Soul Adventures, the Everest Base Camp cost is $1,680 per person, excluding international flights. That rate includes accommodation, meals, permits, internal flights, and a whole lot of expert guidance. But what truly sets us apart?
Let’s break it down, South African-style.
💸 Why We Charge Less—And Why It Matters
You’ve seen prices from international operators: $2,200 to $3,500+ for the same route. So, why are we charging $1,680?
Because we’re proudly South African.
We understand our clients don’t earn in dollars or euros. And when you’re converting rands to USD, every cent counts.
Instead of pricing in dollars and pretending exchange rates don’t exist, we’ve built our pricing from the ground up to make Everest possible for South Africans—with all the bells, whistles, and warm cups of tea included.
✅ What’s Included in the Everest Base Camp Cost?
We take care of almost everything so you can focus on your stamina, snacks, and scenery.
Full Package Coverage:
- 🛬 Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- 🏨 Hotel in Kathmandu – 1 night before and 1 night after the trek
- 🛫 Return flights from Kathmandu to Lukla
- 🛏️ 13 nights in teahouses across the trail
- 🍽️ Three meals daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek
- 🪪 Permits and paperwork: TIMS & Sagarmatha National Park
- 🧗 Expert local guides and friendly porters
- 📦 20 kg porterage allowance
- 🩺 First-aid support, including emergency oxygen
- 🍛 Welcome dinner + briefing in Kathmandu
🔥 8 or more trekkers? Our own Soul Adventures South African guide will join you. Fewer than 8? Our trusted Kathmandu team has your back—they’re seasoned, kind, and know these mountains better than Google Maps.
❌ What’s Not Included (but worth budgeting for):
- ✈️ International flights to Nepal
- 🧤 Personal trekking gear (rentals available in Kathmandu)
- 🧼 Hot showers or Wi-Fi during the trek (usually around $3–$5 per use)
- 🥤 Soft drinks, snacks, and energy bars
- 💸 Tipping (plan on $150–$250 total—it’s customary and appreciated)
🥾 Your 14-Day Everest Itinerary at a Glance
From first steps to final celebrations, here’s what you’ll get from your 1,680 dollars.
| Day | Route | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Arrival in Kathmandu | Hotel, welcome dinner, pre-trek chat |
| 1 | Kathmandu → Lukla → Phakding | Stunning flight, gentle warm-up |
| 2 | Phakding → Namche | First real climb, suspension bridges |
| 3 | Namche Acclimatization | Hike to Everest View Hotel |
| 4 | Namche → Tengboche | Mountain monasteries, yak bells |
| 5 | Tengboche → Dingboche | Air thins, views expand |
| 6 | Acclimatization Hike | Optional Nangkartshang climb |
| 7 | Dingboche → Lobuche | Thukla Pass memorials |
| 8 | Lobuche → Base Camp | YOU. MADE. IT. |
| 9 | Kala Patthar → Pheriche | Everest at sunrise |
| 10–13 | Return trek | Descending joy, sore knees |
| 14 | Fly to Kathmandu | Final hotel night + city time |
🍽️ Meals Included—No One Treks Hungry
We don’t skimp on food. Every trekker gets three hot meals a day:
- Breakfasts: porridge, pancakes, eggs, toast
- Lunches: fried noodles, rice, soups
- Dinners: curries, pasta, dal bhat (you’ll love it)
Your soul is hiking. Your body needs fuel. We’ve got you.
🏋️ Training & Preparation in South Africa
Before tackling Everest, it’s smart to prepare well. Here’s how to train locally in the Drakensberg:
- Hike up Mafadi or Sentinel Peak for altitude-like conditioning
- Do days-long backpacking circuits in Royal Natal National Park
- Strengthen legs with lunges, squats, and stair climbing
- Cardio: run or cycle at least 3x a week
- Practice multi-hour walks with 10–12 kg packs to replicate trek demands
🕰 When to Go: Best Time for Everest Base Camp
Timing matters for weather, costs and scenery. Here’s the prime windows (also covered in our previous blog on best trek seasons):
- 🌸 Spring (March-May): Rhododendron blooms, stable weather, clear skies
- 🍂 Autumn (Sept-Nov): Crisp air, festival vibes, epic views
Avoid monsoons (Jun-Aug) – slippery, wet, leeches. Winter (Dec-Feb) needs advanced gear and tolerance for cold.
🗣️ What Our Trekkers Say
“I couldn’t believe the value. Everything was taken care of. I came for the mountain, but stayed for the people.” — Thabiso, Johannesburg
“As a South African, this trek was doable because Soul Adventures actually gets the exchange rate struggle. And it was the BEST decision I ever made.” — Yolandi, Cape Town
“I’ve done Kilimanjaro, and this was just next level. Affordable. Safe. Unreal.” — Chris, Durban
❤️ Final Thoughts: The Cost Is Less Than You Think—The Value Is More Than You Can Imagine
Trekking to Everest Base Camp isn’t just a financial investment—it’s an investment in:
- Your confidence
- Your adventure resume
- Your connection to nature
- Your inner badass
And with Soul Adventures, it’s one you can afford, trust, and love every step of.
👉 Book your Everest Base Camp trek today with Soul Adventures. Let’s turn altitude into attitude—without emptying your bank account.
