Cost to do EBC Trek

Bangkok, Thailand
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Cost to do EBC Trek
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This post is for all of those people who will be talking about what is the reasonable cost to do EBC trek through an outfitter in KTM/Nepal.

Couple of friends of mine will be doing EBC trek this April. A decent trekking outfit in KTM that I have used in the past quoted them $1150 per person ($2300 total for two) for a trip lasting two weeks => 3 nights in KTM 12 nights on the trail. Price includes everything – TIMS, Airfare to Lukla and back, all the trekking meals and lodging, all the airport pick ups and drop offs, hotel in KTM (3 star range), a day trip in KTM with a guide, welcome dinner, porter and guide. What the price does not include is beverages during the trip, phone calls and two days worth of meals in KTM-.

Does the quote look like a "sticker shock" for an average traveler? Because of you add the airfare from let’s say Europe or Americas we are talking close to $5000 for a trip for two lasting couple weeks hiking through bunch of villages.

But I wanted do a quick match on how it looks for the outfitter’s standpoint in terms of what he will be making on this deal. Well I am here to tell you that outfitter dude probably will be making $15-18/day per person as an income at most. Here’s how –

Lukla Flight $275 each => ~$550

Hotel in KTM 3 nights => ~$150

Transportation in KTM for 3 days => ~$90

TIMS and ENP Permit $35 each => ~$70

Meals $15 per day x 12 days x 2 person => ~$360

Lodges $8 per day x 12 days => ~$100

Guide $15 per day x 12 days + tips => ~$200

Porter $15 per day x 12 days + tips => ~$200

Welcome Dinner => ~$80

Total expenses => ~$1800

Difference so far => ~$550

Now after paying for insurances, TAAN fees and his overhead costs it will leave him with about $15-18 per person/per day as an income for his efforts.

(Notes - all the costs above are approximate figures based on the going rate in Nepal now a days offering and “average” “standard” services – figures are rounded to nearest $20 or so btw - one cost that can probably be reduced above is if you take one person who acts both as a guide and a porter. In such case you might pay little more than $15 per day.)

I was curious as to what would be your feedback?

- Daang!!! I didn’t realize it adds up quickly – expensive – let me rethink the trip idea!!

- That’s reasonable price. What’d you expect – we are talking Himalayas here - Will be happy to pay.

- I still want to do it but that quote’s to steep - I know can do better. Here’s how.

- Oh my – those poor guys - they should charge more!!!

One more thing I want to be clear - Please do not send me any PM asking for names of any trekking agencies. My intention is to inform fellow trekkers about the costs not to promote any agencies.

Kathmandu, Nepal
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1. Re: Cost to do EBC Trek
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No, This amount is just for the person who have a lot money and he/she is looking for place to spend money. sorry

Denmark
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2. Re: Cost to do EBC Trek
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Feedback!

What's your point?

There is profit on the flight, hotel, transportation, welcome dinner and probably all other prices you mention.

Bangkok, Thailand
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1,325 posts
240 reviews
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3. Re: Cost to do EBC Trek
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My point(s) -

# 1 infrom folks of the average cost to do EBC trek based on info I had heard - since see posts about cost every now and then

# 2 solicit feedbacks on what fellow trekkers have to say about the cost -

why - this eventually helps both service providers as well as customers assess where they stand - after all travel forums like these are not just about providing a line or two info about how far is "pottery barn from a cup cake stand" - is it?

Now to your last comment

You mean to say people should be alturstic and provide services w/o any profit? Or are you trying to say that outfitters/agencies do get a kick back from flight, hotel, trasportation etc - hence they do ok in the end? i am not so sure if the agencies get much of a kick back when it has to rely and compete for infrastructure and resource strapped country like Nepal to provide for basic things/comforts to tourists you see. But if your point is, in the end, some poeple do profit more than the others - yes.

Thanks.

Kathmandu, Nepal
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75 posts
4. Re: Cost to do EBC Trek
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Dear Readers,

Looking at the cost calculation this indeed seem to be costs for a trekking, however as a travel agency we have many more costs than visible in this calculation. Just mentioning some: Insurance, Depreciation, VAT(13%), Office, Staff etc. All these basic costs have to be paid, so the actual; profit is much less than 18 dollars a day...

USA-Oregon
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5. Re: Cost to do EBC Trek
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welcome dinner for $80 dollars?????

what is that and why so much?

Bangkok, Thailand
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1,325 posts
240 reviews
194 helpful votes
6. Re: Cost to do EBC Trek
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this was an old post of mine

not sure how but

it accidently got reposted again

sorry about that

- but to answer NWPhil's question - KTM* has gotten super expensive over the years - order few beers here and there, few appetizers and main course - you are easily looking at this kind of final tab - i actually paid $150 for dinner for 4 at place called Bhojan Griha - supposedly for an authentic Nepali food experieince for basic food - its not like we ordered Lobster and caviar spread - and lot of places in Thamel are no less either -

* probably only few capitol cities in the world where everything has to be brought in wheels along distance through mountain roads - from gasoline to food to everything - since the valley does not produce much of anything in terms of food or energy.

Toronto, Canada
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169 posts
7. Re: Cost to do EBC Trek
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There is absolutely no need to for a porter and guide. If you take these the price automatically go up double! Ha ha you don't know there are 2 price systems in Nepal? Do a search for the DIY Trekking Guide you find what you need. It is a tea house trek after all.

Bangkok, Thailand
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1,325 posts
240 reviews
194 helpful votes
8. Re: Cost to do EBC Trek
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Mikkas -

While you may be a veteran on these trails - for lot of first timers looking for info here - i suggest a guide and or porter. Let me share a story -

I once ran into a guy in AC trail who had sumitted Mt Everest Twice (like in - tallest mountain of the world - and yes "sumitted") - who was hiking there with his girlfriend. We had been on the trail for few days and ended up being good friends- one day there was no sign of them well into in the evening in the lodge. And it was supposed to be only a 5 hour hike - they finally showed up huffing and puffing around 8PM. Turns out he had taken a wrong turn somewhere and got lost for 4 hours off the course. With his existing experience, skills and instinct he was finally able to find his way back – not sure same will hold true for lot of us amateurs here. I have not even talked about what happens if you were to get sick or injured on the trail and get stranded. Help could be days if not weeks away. I suggest spend 10-15 bucks a day extra and hire someone.

I am not sure if I agree with your comment that hiring a porter or a guide will make your price automatically go double.

9. Re: Cost to do EBC Trek

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