Everest Base Camp trek from India: cost, permits and fitness
By Ganesh ·
How to do the Everest Base Camp trek from India. A 14-day itinerary from Kathmandu via Lukla and Namche, permits and documents for Indians, costs in rupees, the best seasons, altitude sickness and packing.
The short answer: the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek takes about 12–14 days from Kathmandu: a short flight to Lukla, then a walk up the Khumbu valley via Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorak Shep to Base Camp (about 5,364 m) and the viewpoint of Kala Patthar (about 5,545 m). Indians need no visa for Nepal. With a guide and porter, a trip from India usually costs around ₹1–1.6 lakh per person. The best seasons are March to May and late September to November.
Prices, permits and rules below are approximate. Check before you go.
Is the EBC trek right for you?
You don't need climbing skills. It is a long walk on well-used trails, staying in mountain lodges ("teahouses"). What makes it hard is altitude and duration: 5–7 hours of walking most days, with nights above 4,000 m for a week. Train for two to three months beforehand (stairs, long hikes with a pack, cardio), and talk to your doctor if you have any heart, lung or blood-pressure condition.
Day-by-day itinerary (14 days)
| Day | Route | Sleep at (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu; permits, gear check | 1,400 m |
| 2 | Fly to Lukla (2,860 m); walk to Phakding | 2,610 m |
| 3 | Phakding → Namche Bazaar (steep climb, first Everest view) | 3,440 m |
| 4 | Acclimatisation day: hike to the Everest View Hotel or Khumjung, sleep low | 3,440 m |
| 5 | Namche → Tengboche (famous monastery) | 3,860 m |
| 6 | Tengboche → Dingboche | 4,410 m |
| 7 | Acclimatisation day: hike up Nangkartshang hill, return | 4,410 m |
| 8 | Dingboche → Lobuche | 4,940 m |
| 9 | Lobuche → Gorak Shep → Everest Base Camp → Gorak Shep | 5,160 m |
| 10 | Dawn climb of Kala Patthar for the best Everest view; descend to Pheriche | 4,370 m |
| 11 | Pheriche → Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m |
| 12 | Namche → Lukla | 2,860 m |
| 13 | Fly to Kathmandu | 1,400 m |
| 14 | Buffer day for weather delays; fly home |
Keep the buffer day: Lukla flights are cancelled often in cloud. In peak seasons many Lukla flights leave from Ramechhap (Manthali), a four- to five-hour drive from Kathmandu, rather than Kathmandu itself.
Documents and permits for Indians
- No visa: Indians can enter Nepal with a valid passport or an Indian voter ID card. A passport is simplest for flights and permits.
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit: bought in Kathmandu or at Monjo; SAARC nationals pay a lower fee than other foreigners.
- Local area (Khumbu Pasang Lhamu) fee: paid at Lukla or Monjo.
- Guides: Nepal changed its rules in 2023 to require licensed guides for foreign trekkers in many areas, and enforcement differs by region. Check the current rule with the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency before you plan to trek independently.
What it costs from India (approximate, per person)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Return flights India–Kathmandu | ₹10,000–25,000 |
| Kathmandu (or Ramechhap)–Lukla return flights | roughly ₹30,000–40,000 |
| Permits | ₹3,000–5,000 |
| Guide (shared by the group), per day | ₹2,000–3,000 |
| Porter (carries 2 people's bags), per day | ₹1,700–2,200 |
| Teahouse room + 3 meals per day | ₹2,500–4,500 (rises with altitude) |
| Hot showers, charging, Wi-Fi, bottled water | ₹300–800 per day |
| Travel insurance covering high-altitude helicopter rescue | ₹3,000–8,000 |
A full package from a Kathmandu agency (permits, guide, porter, lodges, meals, Lukla flights) commonly costs ₹1–1.4 lakh; add international flights and personal spending.
Best time to go
Spring (March–May) has rhododendrons in bloom and is Everest climbing season, base camp is lively. Autumn (late September–November) has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Winter is very cold but quiet; June–August is the monsoon, with cloud, leeches lower down and frequent flight cancellations. Indian searches for the trek peak in October–November and April.
Altitude sickness
- Climb slowly, take both acclimatisation days, and "walk high, sleep low".
- Drink 3–4 litres of water a day; avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Know the warning signs (headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness at rest) and never ascend with symptoms. Severe symptoms mean descending immediately.
- Ask your doctor about Diamox before the trip.
Packing essentials
- Broken-in trekking boots, trekking poles and good socks.
- A warm down jacket, fleece, thermals, waterproof shell, gloves and a warm hat.
- A sleeping bag rated to about −10 °C (rentable in Kathmandu).
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, a headlamp, water purification tablets and a basic first-aid kit.
- Cash in Nepali rupees, ATMs stop after Namche; Indian ₹500 notes are not accepted everywhere.
Practical tips
- Vegetarian food is easy: dal bhat (unlimited refills) is the trekker's staple.
- Indian SIMs may not work; buy an Ncell or Nepal Telecom SIM in Kathmandu, and expect paid Wi-Fi in lodges.
- Plan the trek in Sancharees with each overnight stop as a day; the plan stays viewable offline when there's no signal.
FAQ
Can a beginner do the Everest Base Camp trek?
Yes, if fit and well prepared. Many first-time trekkers complete it. Train beforehand and don't skip acclimatisation days.
Do Indians need a passport for Nepal?
No visa is needed, and a voter ID card is accepted, but a passport makes flights and permits easier.
Is a helicopter return possible?
Yes, from Gorak Shep or Pheriche, at a high cost; many groups share one.
How long is the trek in km?
Roughly 120–130 km return from Lukla.
Photo: Ama Dablam, Nepal by Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
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