Ama Dablam Base Camp Cost Estimate
So.... Here's an estimate of our cost. We are mid-ranged budget trekkers, so I'm pricing it out with tea houses and food budgets along the lines of what we have done in the past. I will always bring twice as much cash as I think I need. I have read that there are ATMs in Namche Bazar, but also don't count on them having cash available. I'm expanding on the trekking itinerary to include days in Kathmandu. I'll cost for 3 days in Thamel because it can take a couple days to get to Lukla due to weather. It's not uncommon to have no flights in or out of there for a day, or two, or three due to clouds or fog. I'm OK with this, I'd rather not take the risk so be understanding if the flights are not running or delayed. Plan about 3 or 4 extra days during your trip to account for this. You can always take an extra acclimation day in Namche or elsewhere if you're one of the lucky ones that don't have flights cancelled.
All prices are rounded up, I'm not tracking pennies here. The cost is in USD. We are mid range travelers so this is a mid range budget. There are things you can do to lower the cost, the biggest one is the hotel. You can stay at a hostel for under $10 or stay at Hotel Yak & Yeti for $215. You can also take buses instead of taxis or buy food from a store instead of eating out at a restaurant.
International Flight Cost: Obviously this will vary greatly depending on where you are coming from. For us it's about $500 per person. Budget $1,000
Domestic Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla: $128.30 on Yeti Air each direction per person. Budget $513.20
Permits: Khumbu Entrance Permit and trekking card: 2,000 NPR (around $20) for up to 4 weeks (need a color passport copy and a photo), you can get this permit in Lukla or Monjo, you can not get this permit in Kathmandu. Sagarmatha National Park Permit: 3,390 NPR (3,000 + 13%VAT) $30, can be purchased in Monjo or Kathmandu at the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) counter in Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu. . Budget $50 (All permits must be paid in NPR)
Note: If you start your trek from Jiri you will need an additional permit, the Gauri Shankar Conservational Area Permit (GSCAP). GSCAP costs 2,000 NPR per person plus 13% VAT (~$30) and is valid for up to 30 days. You will need a color copy of your passport and 2 passport size photos. This can be purchased at Shivalaya at the Conservation Area Permit Checkpoint or the Tourist Service Center in Kathmandu
Guide and Porter: guide $600, porter $250. We will be flying our guide Salik up to Lukla with us and will pick up a porter locally in Lukla. You should tip both the guide and porter, so I added $220 each to the cost. Budget $1,400 (cheaper if you get both in Lukla or carry your own gear). It is mandatory as of 2023 to have a guide, although this rule might or might not be enforced. I will always take a guide regardless.
Day 0-1: Arrive in Kathmandu, spend the night in Thamel at Kumari Boutique Hotel. Budget $90
Cost breakdown: Approx. $50 for hotel, $20 for food (there's a good Indian Restaurant right around the corner that is incredibly cheap), $10 for taxi from airport to hotel (which is high estimate), $10 for incidentals.
Day 0-2: Stay in Thamel at Kumari Boutique Hotel. Budget $100
Cost: Approx. $50 for hotel, $20 for food (there's a good Indian Restaurant right around the corner that is incredibly cheap), $20 for taxis back and forth to the airport (assuming flight does not depart), $10 for incidentals.
Day 0-3: Stay in Thamel at Kumari Boutique Hotel. Budget $100
Cost: Approx. $50 for hotel, $20 for food, $20 for taxis back and forth to the airport (assuming flight does not depart), $10 for incidentals.
Day 1: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, trek to Monjo (2,835m, 6-7 hours) - Stay at Mountain Lodges of Nepal - Monjo, not the cheapest, but has ensuite with hot showers.
Cost: Approx. $60 for lodge, $40 for food, $10 for taxi (flight goes today), $10 for incidentals. Budget $120
Day 2: Trek from Monjo to Namche Bazar (3,443m, 4-5 hours) - Stay at Stay at Mountain Lodges of Nepal - Namche for the same reason as above... I really like a hot shower.
Cost: Approx. $60 for lodge, $40 for food, $10 for incidentals. Budget $110
Note: Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is a 10kg limit. Add extra money if you need to rent gear in Namche, especially if you are going to EBC.
Day 3: Acclimation Day in Namche Bazar - Hike up to Hotel Everest View (3,880m, 3-4 hours) for acclimation, and then hit a good bakery back in Namche.
Cost: Approx. $60 for lodge, $40 for food, $10 for incidentals. Budget $110
Day 4: Trek from Namche Bazar to Tengboche (3,860m, 4-5 hours) - Stay at Hotel Himalayan. Not too many choices here, and this was the best rated. One of the other lodges claims hot showers, but the reviews said it was usually not available. This hotel (according to the reviews) has better insulated and warmer rooms.
Cost: Approx. $60 for lodge, $50 for food (higher you get, the more expensive food is), $10 for incidentals. Budget $120
Day 5: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4,000m, 3-4 hours) -Stay at Everest Summit Lodge, why you might ask.... Ensuite hot showers.
Cost: Approx. $60 for lodge, $50 for food, $10 for incidentals. Budget $120
Day 6: Trek from Dingboche to Ama Dablam Base Camp (4,800m, 5-6 hours) and back to Dingboche.
Cost: Approx. $60 for lodge, $50 for food, $10 for incidentals. Budget $120
Day 7: Trek from Dingboche back to Namche Bazar (6-7 hours).
Cost: Approx. $60 for lodge, $40 for food, $10 for incidentals. Budget $110
Day 8: Trek from Namche Bazar to Lukla (7-8 hours) - Stay at Shangri La Lodge, mainly because I want to see the air operations and this is at the end of the runway so I can have a cup of coffee or tea and watch...
Cost: Approx. $40 for lodge, $40 for food, $10 for incidentals. Budget $90
Day 9: Fly from Lukla back to Kathmandu. Budget $90
Cost: Approx. $50 for hotel, $20 for food, $10 for taxi from airport to hotel, $10 for incidentals.
Day 10+: Time in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, Chitwan, etc.
Cost: Not added as this varies greatly depending on where you are and what you do.... Budget ???
Total: $3,903.20
Assumptions: Cost for our guide might be more since we are bringing Salik from Pokhara to Kathmandu then to Lukla and back.