Kuna RajandranPlanning an Everest Base Camp trek on a shoestring needn’t involve scouring endless “budget” packages that quickly balloon once you factor in flights, permits and tips. In truth, with a little insider knowledge and willingness to DIY, you can comfortably make the round trip from Kathmandu to Base Camp and back for under S$1,300, including your domestic flight, guesthouse stays and hearty Nepalese meals.
Below, you’ll find a step-by-step framework detailing how to secure the cheapest flights, negotiate porter rates in Lukla, select basic teahouses along the trail and keep those essential black-tea breaks coming without blowing your budget.
Also read: What It’s Like Taking the Everest Base Camp Trek
Flight Tickets
Image credit: Alexey Komarov via Wikimedia Commons
I got my flight tickets from the now defunct GMG airlines for about S$630 return which included a transit in Dhaka. This lengthy transit, I arrived in Kathmandu just a little before midnight. A cab ride to a guesthouse cost S$4.72 (NPR500) – rip off, it should only cost about S$2.83 (NPR300), and a room with attached bath and heating costs about S$4.72 (NPR500) which was another rip off, because the “hotel” did not have air conditioning, heating, hot water, or any water for the fact.
The next day, I met a travel agency owner (we made contact over the internet before I left Kuala Lumpur) to receive my return ticket between Kathmandu and Lukla. This return ticket, which costs USD230, can only be bought from travel agencies so seek one when you get there or find them online. You will have to get to the Domestic Terminal, check in, show your ticket and wait to be called or wait for the weather forecast. Flights to Lukla is weather-dependent and the runway, which is a mere 500 metres long, is flanked by two huge mountains.
Also read: Hiking in Asia: 10 Places With Stunning Trails
Lukla
Image credit: Vyacheslav Argenberg via Wikimedia Commons
Once you land, get to the tiny terminal and wait for your bag coming on the tiny conveyor belt. While you’re at it, marvel at the quaint little town of Lukla and the fact that you are in the Himalayas. You’ll see young Sherpas hanging about in and around the tarmac. Approach them if they haven’t approached you already, and negotiate rates for porters. They will carry your bags for you. You won’t be needing a guide. That is because all 534 people who have landed in Lukla that morning are most likely heading to Everest Base Camp anyway, so the routes are pretty clear and well-marked. However, if you want to hire a guide anyway, go for it. Besides helping the economy, your guide would probably be able to tell you more about the trek itself.
Phakding
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The first village you’ll come to is Phakding. There’s be a cluster of small guesthouses here so choose one. Chances are, your porter that you entrusted your bags to would’ve beaten you to it. Go in and inspect the rooms, which would most likely be a basic one. Rates vary from S$0.94 (NPR100) to S$2.83 (NPR300) and owners would expect you to also have your meals there.
Namche Bazaar
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Be prepared for a long arduous trek the next day to Namche Bazaar. This is the social, economic and cultural hub of the Sherpa society, located in the Khumjung Valley. Here, you’ll find guesthouses, shops, bakeries, money changers and even a premium Illy coffee outlet. More than a hundred buildings are nestled here, and you should be prepared to pay more for everything here. Pick a guesthouse (if your porter hasn’t done so already) and settle in, as you will spend the next two days here acclimatising.
Over the next two days, you can trek to the highest bakery in the world, and also catch your first glimpse of Everest. This trek will also help you to acclimatise. Walk around Namche Bazaar, buy water purification tablets and rent a all-weather sleeping bag for S$0.94 (NPR100) to S$1.89 (NPR200) a day. Sample the Nepal’s famous Momos (meat dumplings) and drink black tea. You’re on the right track.
Tengboche
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After your relaxing days are over, its time to hit the road again. If you come during the spring, along the way you will see rhododendron flowers in abundance. Today you would head to Tengboche, where the world-famous monastery is located. Stay here for a night and visit the monastery where young Nepali and Tibetan males train to become Buddhist monks. Guesthouses here would set you back about S$3.78 (NPR400) to S$4.72 (NPR500) per night.
Dingboche
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Rise and shine early the next day for you’ll be trekking to Dingboche, a tiny village with beautiful view. By now you should be feeling the effects of the thin air and you might even find yourself constantly out of breath. Calm down, you are not about to pass out – It is simply the effect of the high altitude. Upon reaching Dingboche, where you will spend two nights, sit by the fireplace, warm your icy hands and drink some black tea. The guesthouse should cost S$4.72 (NPR500) onwards per night. You will notice the cost of goods increase the higher you climb, so always carry sufficient cash in local currency with you.
Lobuje
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Acclimatising days over, trek on to Lobuje, a village with only a handful of lodges. Lobuje can be crowded because there are only a few guesthouses available. Nevertheless, for about S$5.67 (NPR600) per night and you should be able to snag a bed. Have a hot meal, drink black tea and warm yourself by the fireplace with other fellow trekkers.
Everest Base Camp and Gorak Shep
Image credit: Gunther Hagleitner via Wikimedia Commons
Wake up early the next day and have a good breakfast. Today you will be making the long journey to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorak Shep (the last village you will pass on your way to Everest Base Camp). If you are too tired to attempt to reach Everest Base Camp in one day, stay in Gorak Shep for a night and trek to Everest Base Camp the next morning. You should be able to reach your destination by lunchtime.
Pat yourself on the back congratulate yourself for sticking through it this far. You have have huffed, puffed, hemmed and hawed to the world’s highest base camp and you are still in one piece! Watch the tiny camps where climbers prepare for the climb of their lives. Walk to their tents and have a black tea with them. Trust me, they are lovely people from all over the world. Occasionally you’ll see a helicopter hover by. Those are helicopters bringing supplies from Lukla or Kathmandu.
Pangboche
Image credit: Vyacheslav Argenberg via Wikimedia Commons
Back in Gorak Shep, sleep early and rest well. By now, your body will be screaming for oxygen, warm sunny weather, more black tea and maybe home. Don’t worry, few more days to go. Today you start the trek back to where you came from. In my case, I trekked to Pangboche, where I stayed in a lovely guesthouse overlooking the gorges and the magnificent Dudh Kosi River flowing below us. It will still be cold here but you will be able to breathe better. Try to get some sleep. Have you had your black tea?
Namche or Monjo
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Next morning, continue the trek to Namche, although I didn’t stop in Namche, I continued the trek until Monjo, a tiny hamlet of civilisation. I arrived in Monjo just after dark and was too tired to continue. Monjo is about an hour from Namche, so if you arrive early you might as well continue to Monjo. Try to have a nice meal and try their famous potato soup – it’s the best I have ever tasted. And once again, black tea is a must!
Lukla
Image credit: Krishnapghimire via Wikimedia Commons
Rise and shine for the last day in the Himalayas! Today you will trek to Lukla, where you first started your journey. You will most probably reach in the early afternoon or evening, and most likely need to stay a night in Lukla. Don’t worry about being bored. You would have made enough friends along the trail by now and are bound to meet someone. Go to the only bar in town and have a drink of Everest beer and toast to your adventure. Tonight is all about celebration. Thank your porters and tip them if they did a good job. Forgive them if they didn’t, and tip them anyway.
Check your flight schedule for tomorrow. Flights don’t usually depart or arrive on time, so if your ticket says 11am and your flight only arrives at 4pm, do not strangle the pilot. This is normal in Lukla. Since all flights are weather-dependent, be prepared to be flexible and stay another night in Lukla if need be.
If your flight arrives on time, rejoice. Say your goodbyes and adieu to the majestic Himalayas, home to you for the past 16 days. Time to sit back and savour the moment. While on your way to Kathmandu, you would have one thought, and one thought only: Have I had my black tea yet?
Budget Summary
To summarise, this will be your journey to Everest Base Camp and back:
| Location | Number of nights | Price of guesthouse (NPR) | Price of food (NPR) |
| Lukla to Phakding | 1 | 100 – 200 | 200 – 300 |
| Phakding to Namche | 2 | 200 – 300 | 500 – 600 |
| Namche to Tengboche | 1 | 300 – 400 | 500 – 600 |
| Tengboche to Dingboche | 2 | 400 – 500 | 600 – 700 |
| Dingboche to Lobuje | 1 | 500 – 600 | 600 – 750 |
| Lobuje to Gorak Shep | 1 | 600 – 700 | 700 – 800 |
| Gorak Shep to Pangboche | 1 | 200 – 300 | 400 – 500 |
| Pangboche to Namche | 1 | 200 – 300 | 500 – 600 |
| Namche (or Monjo) to Lukla | 1 | 100 – 300 | 200 – 400 |
Your Everest Base Camp on a Budget
By choosing a low-cost carrier into Kathmandu, booking your Lukla tickets on arrival, hiring Sherpa porters directly, and opting for simple teahouses that include meals, you’ll shave hundreds off the typical tour-operator price. Remember to carry sufficient Nepalese rupees as prices rise the higher you climb. Also, pack light to reduce porter fees.
Above all, embrace the unpredictability of Himalayan travel: weather-delayed flights or an unexpectedly cozy night in Gorak Shep only add to the adventure. Follow this guide, tip your hardworking porters generously, and savour every breath of that thin, exhilarating air. You’ll reach Everest Base Camp sans stress and with plenty of savings to toast your achievement on that final night in Lukla!
Also read: 6 Incredibly Scenic Spots In Eastern Himalayas
