Quick Overview:
- Permits Required: Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit + Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
- Total Everest Permit Cost: NPR 6,000 (~USD 46) for foreign trekkers
- Where to Buy: Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu (Sagarmatha permit); Lukla or Monjo only (Khumbu permit)
- TIMS Card: No longer required in the Everest/Khumbu region
You’re standing in Lukla — a small airstrip carved into a Himalayan clifftop — your heart racing with equal parts altitude nerves and pure excitement. The world’s highest peak is somewhere ahead of you, hidden behind ridgelines that seem impossibly tall. Before your boots hit that trail toward Everest Base Camp, two small pieces of paper will stand between you and the Khumbu Valley. Getting those permits right is not complicated, but getting them wrong can stop your trek before it begins.
Every trekker entering Sagarmatha National Park — the UNESCO World Heritage Site that guards Mount Everest — must carry valid permits. Whether you call it the Sagarmatha entry permit, Everest fees, or the khumbu permit, the system exists for three clear reasons: protecting one of the world’s most fragile high-altitude ecosystems, funding Sherpa communities, and tracking trekker safety along remote trails. This complete guide breaks down every permit you need for 2026, what they cost, exactly where to buy them, and how the checkpoint system works on the ground.
What Is the Sagarmatha National Park Permit — and Why Do You Need One?
The Sagarmatha National Park permit is your official entry pass to one of the most extraordinary protected areas on earth. Established on 19 July 1976, Sagarmatha National Park covers 1,148 square kilometres of high Himalayan terrain in the Solukhumbu district of northeastern Nepal. In 1979, UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site, recognising both its natural grandeur and the cultural significance of the Sherpa people who have called these valleys home for centuries.
The name Sagarmatha itself tells you something profound. Derived from the Nepali words sagar (sky) and matha (head), it translates as “Forehead of the Sky” — a name that feels entirely appropriate once you witness how Mount Everest rises above everything around it, not just a mountain but a presence. The Tibetan people call it Chomolungma, meaning “Goddess Mother of the World.” Both names carry a reverence that the permit system was designed to honour and protect.
The park stretches from Mondzo at 2,845 metres all the way to the summit of Mount Everest at 8,848.86 metres — one of the most dramatic elevation ranges found within any single protected area anywhere on the planet. Within those boundaries live snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, and over 118 recorded bird species. Ancient monasteries in Tengboche and Khumjung have stood for centuries. Glaciers feed rivers that supply freshwater to communities far downstream. The permit you buy is not bureaucratic inconvenience — it is the primary funding mechanism keeping all of this alive.
According to UNESCO, Sagarmatha National Park represents a “superlative and exceptional natural beauty” site, one that the global community has agreed must be protected for future generations. Your Sagarmatha entry permit fee contributes directly to ranger patrols, waste management at higher elevations, trail maintenance, and wildlife monitoring programmes.
Who Is Required to Buy the Sagarmatha National Park Permit?
All foreign nationals trekking into Sagarmatha National Park must purchase the entry permit without exception. This applies whether you are hiking to Everest Base Camp, trekking to Gokyo Lakes, doing the Three Passes route, or simply visiting Namche Bazaar. Nepali citizens pay a nominal fee of NPR 100. SAARC nationals — from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan — pay NPR 1,500. All other foreign nationals pay NPR 3,000 per person. Children under 10 years of age enter free of charge.
There are no exemptions based on fitness level, occupation, or nationality beyond these categories. A park ranger at the Monjo checkpoint will check your permit, and without it, you will not be allowed to continue.
How Much Does the Sagarmatha National Park Permit Cost in 2026?
Understanding Everest permit cost means understanding that you are buying two distinct permits — not one. Most competitor guides list a single number, which confuses trekkers at the permit office. Here is the complete, accurate breakdown for 2026.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
This is the primary permit issued by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) under Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Environment. The fee structure for 2026 is:
- Foreign nationals: NPR 3,000 per person (approximately USD 23–25)
- SAARC nationals: NPR 1,500 per person
- Nepali citizens: NPR 100 per person
- Children under 10: Free
Note: Some sources mention a 13% VAT applied on top of the base fee at certain counters, making the total approximately NPR 3,390. Verify the current rate at the Nepal Tourism Board office when you visit, as this can change.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (Trek Card)
This is the second essential permit — and the one that confuses most first-time Everest region trekkers. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit replaced the old TIMS card for the Everest region following Nepal’s decentralisation of governance in 2018. It is issued by the local government of the Khumbu region, not the national government, which is why it is only available on the ground in the Khumbu region — not in Kathmandu.
The fee structure for 2026:
- All foreign nationals (including SAARC): NPR 3,000 for the first 30 days
- Extended stay beyond 30 days: NPR 2,500 additional
- Children under 10: Verify current policy at the permit counter
This permit now comes as a digital Trek Card with a QR code, introduced in 2022. The card is scanned at multiple checkpoints along the trail, making it faster and more efficient than the old manual paper-stamp system. You do not need to separately apply for a TIMS card if you are trekking in the Everest/Khumbu region — the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit serves as its full replacement here.
Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit (Jiri/Salleri Route Only)
If you are taking the traditional overland approach to Everest Base Camp — starting your trek from Jiri or Salleri on foot rather than flying to Lukla — you will pass through the Gaurishankar Conservation Area before reaching the Sagarmatha National Park boundary. This requires an additional permit:
- Foreign nationals: NPR 3,000 per person
- SAARC nationals: NPR 1,000 per person
- Nepali citizens: NPR 100 per person
This permit is available from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or at the Shivalaya checkpoint along the Jiri route. You do not need it if you fly directly to Lukla.
Complete Everest Permit Cost Summary for 2026
| Permit | Foreign National | SAARC National | Where to Buy |
| Sagarmatha National Park Entry | NPR 3,000 (~USD 23) | NPR 1,500 | Kathmandu (NTB) or Monjo |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality | NPR 3,000 (~USD 23) | NPR 3,000 | Lukla or Monjo only |
| Gaurishankar Conservation Area (Jiri route only) | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 | Kathmandu (NTB) or Shivalaya |
| Total (Lukla route, foreign national) | NPR 6,000 (~USD 46) | NPR 4,500 |
Payment must be made in Nepalese Rupees (NPR). Foreign currency is not accepted at any permit counter in the Everest region. ATMs are available in Kathmandu, Lukla, and Namche Bazaar — withdraw enough before you head out.
Where Can You Get the Sagarmatha National Park Permit in 2026?
The most important practical detail most trekkers overlook: the two required permits are not available at the same place. You need to visit two separate offices, and one of them is only accessible once you have already arrived in the Khumbu region.
Getting the Sagarmatha National Park Permit
You have two options for sagarmatha entry:
Option 1 — Nepal Tourism Board Office, Kathmandu (Recommended) The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) office is located on Pradarshani Marg in central Kathmandu, near Bhrikutimandap. This is the recommended place to purchase your Sagarmatha National Park entry permit before flying to Lukla. Office hours are typically Sunday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Getting the permit here means one less thing to manage on the ground after landing at Lukla’s high-altitude airstrip.
What to bring to the NTB office:
- Original passport (valid for at least six months)
- Photocopy of your passport (data page and Nepal visa page)
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Payment in Nepalese Rupees
Option 2 — Monjo National Park Checkpoint If you have not obtained the Sagarmatha National Park permit in Kathmandu, you can purchase it at the park entrance gate in Monjo village, approximately 7 km before Namche Bazaar on the EBC trail. Monjo is the official park boundary, and rangers here check every trekker’s permit. The same documents and fees apply. During peak season in October–November and March–April, queues at Monjo can be long, so arriving early in the day is wise.
Getting the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
This permit is only available in the Khumbu region itself. You cannot purchase it at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu, and no trekking agency in Kathmandu can issue it on your behalf.
Option 1 — Lukla Permit Counter (Most Common) When you land at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit office is located at the far end of the Lukla main street. This is where most EBC trekkers purchase their khumbu permit immediately after landing. Have your passport and Nepali Rupees ready. During October and April peak seasons, the office gets busy — get there early and queue patiently.
Option 2 — Monjo Checkpoint If you are trekking from Jiri or Salleri via the classic overland route, or if you missed the Lukla office, you can also obtain the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit at the Monjo checkpoint where your Sagarmatha National Park permit is also verified.
Cash is mandatory at the Lukla permit counter and at Monjo. Card payment may work at the Kathmandu NTB office, but always have NPR cash available for trail permits.
What Is the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit — and What Does It Fund?
Most trekking guides list the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit as a line item and move on. But understanding what this permit represents adds real meaning to paying it — and understanding that matters when you are handing over NPR 3,000 in a small office in Lukla.
After Nepal adopted a federal governance structure in 2018, villages and municipalities gained the authority to collect their own revenue. The communities spanning the trekking corridor from Lukla to Everest Base Camp — including Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep — were collectively renamed Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. The name is a tribute to Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to summit Mount Everest, who reached the top on 22 April 1993 and lost her life on the descent. The municipality named after her now collects permit revenue that funds schools, roads, health posts, and infrastructure throughout the Khumbu valley.
So when you pay your khumbu permit fee, a portion of that money funds the school your young Sherpa guide might have attended. Another portion maintains the stone trails you are walking on. The fee is not just a regulation — it is a form of direct community investment.
How Does the Trek Card Digital System Work?
Since 2022, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit has been issued as a digital Trek Card with a QR code. At each checkpoint along the EBC route — in Lukla, Phakding, Monjo, Namche Bazaar, and beyond — rangers scan your card rather than stamping a paper booklet. The system updates your location in real time, which means that in the event of an emergency, search-and-rescue teams know where you last checked in. It is a simple technology with significant safety implications at an altitude where weather and health emergencies can develop rapidly.
Keep your Trek Card dry and accessible at all times. A plastic card sleeve or a small waterproof pouch works well for high-altitude conditions where moisture is a constant challenge.
Is a TIMS Card Still Required for the Everest Base Camp Trek in 2026?
This question creates more confusion than almost any other aspect of EBC trekking paperwork, and the answer is clear: No, a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card is not required for trekking in the Everest/Khumbu region.
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit fully replaces the TIMS card for all trekking routes within the Khumbu region. This change happened in 2018, but many older trekking blogs still mention TIMS as a requirement, creating unnecessary worry and confusion.
You do still need a TIMS card if you are trekking in other regions of Nepal — the Annapurna Conservation Area, Langtang Valley, Manaslu Circuit, and other routes still require it. But for EBC, Gokyo Lakes, the Three Passes, or any other trek within the Khumbu/Sagarmatha region, the Khumbu permit is your only municipal-level documentation requirement.
One common mistake trekkers make is purchasing a TIMS card for the EBC route unnecessarily, adding an extra NPR 1,000–2,000 to their Everest fees for a document they do not actually need on the trail.
What Happens at the Permit Checkpoints Along the EBC Trail?
Permits are not just collected at the trailhead and forgotten. The Everest region has a structured checkpoint system where rangers verify your documentation at multiple points along the route. Understanding what to expect at each checkpoint means you can move through them efficiently rather than fumbling for documents in cold weather.
Major Permit Checkpoint Locations
Monjo Village is the most significant checkpoint. It sits at the entrance gate to Sagarmatha National Park at approximately 2,835 metres. Every trekker must stop here, and rangers will check both your Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and your Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit. They also provide a brief environmental conservation orientation. This is where trekkers who have not yet bought their Sagarmatha permit can purchase it on the spot.
Namche Bazaar has an additional checkpoint in the upper part of the village. Rangers here scan the Trek Card QR code and record your arrival in the Khumbu region’s central tracking system. If you are continuing toward higher elevations, this checkpoint confirms your presence in the region.
Tengboche, Dingboche, and Lobuche each have smaller checkpoints where your Trek Card QR code is scanned. These checkpoints serve the safety function of tracking trekker movement, particularly important during periods of altitude-related illness or rapidly changing mountain weather.
Keep both permits accessible in a top pocket of your daypack, not buried in your main rucksack. Fumbling through layers of gear at a windswept checkpoint at 4,000 metres is an avoidable inconvenience that costs everyone time.
What Permits Are Needed for Everest Trek? A Route-by-Route Breakdown
The permits needed for the Everest trek vary slightly depending on which route you take to reach the Khumbu Valley. Here is a clear breakdown.
Lukla Route (Standard Route — Most Trekkers)
The vast majority of EBC trekkers fly to Lukla from Kathmandu and begin their trek from there. On this route, you need exactly two permits:
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit (buy in Kathmandu or Monjo)
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (buy in Lukla or Monjo)
Total Everest fees for this route: NPR 6,000 for foreign nationals.
Jiri/Salleri Route (Classic Overland Route)
The traditional EBC route begins with a road journey to Jiri or Salleri, followed by several days of hiking through lower-altitude villages before reaching the Khumbu region. This route passes through the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, requiring an additional permit:
- Gaurishankar Conservation Area Entry Permit (buy in Kathmandu at NTB or at Shivalaya)
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit (buy in Kathmandu or Monjo)
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (buy in Monjo when you arrive at the Sagarmatha boundary)
Total Everest fees for this route: NPR 9,000 for foreign nationals.
The Jiri route takes approximately 8–10 additional days compared to flying to Lukla, but it offers superior acclimatisation, richer cultural diversity, and far fewer crowds on the lower trail sections. If your schedule allows, it is a deeply rewarding way to approach the Khumbu region.
Gokyo Lakes and Three Passes Routes
Trekkers doing the Gokyo Lakes route or the challenging Three Passes Trek (crossing Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La) require the same two standard permits as the Lukla route. No additional restricted area permit is needed for these routes, as they fall within the Sagarmatha National Park boundary.
Can You Trek Everest Base Camp Without a Guide in 2026?
This is one of the most searched questions on this topic, and the answer changed significantly in recent years. Nepal introduced new trekking regulations requiring foreign nationals to trek with a licensed guide on most major routes, including the EBC trail.
Solo independent trekking by foreign nationals on the Lukla–Namche–Gorakshep (EBC) trail is no longer permitted under current rules. At checkpoints in Monjo and Namche, rangers actively enforce this requirement. Trekkers found hiking solo face fines, being turned around, or being denied permission to continue.
In practical terms, this means your permits must be arranged through a registered agency, and you must be accompanied by a licensed guide on the trail. This is not necessarily a disadvantage — a knowledgeable local guide significantly improves safety, helps with acclimatisation advice, assists with communication in remote teahouses, and enriches the cultural experience of the entire journey. Explore our Everest Base Camp trekking guide for beginners to understand how to choose the right guide for your ability and expectations.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Sagarmatha National Park Permit Before Your Trek
Here is the practical step-by-step process for obtaining all required Everest region permits efficiently.
Step 1 — Prepare your documents before leaving your hotel in Kathmandu. You will need: your original passport with at least six months validity, two to four recent passport-sized photographs (2×2 inch), a photocopy of your passport data page, a photocopy of your Nepal visa, and sufficient Nepalese Rupees (carry at least NPR 7,000–8,000 in cash to cover all permit fees and contingencies).
Step 2 — Visit the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. The NTB office on Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu, is open Sunday to Friday from approximately 9 AM to 5 PM. Allow at least an hour for the process during peak season, as queues form in October and April. Pay NPR 3,000 for your Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit. If trekking the Jiri route, also purchase the Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit here.
Step 3 — Fly to Lukla and purchase the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit immediately. After landing at Tenzing-Hillary Airport, walk to the far end of the main Lukla street and find the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit office. Present your passport and pay NPR 3,000. You will receive your digital Trek Card with QR code. Do this before beginning your walk — do not assume you can handle it at Monjo if the queues are shorter.
Step 4 — Keep both documents accessible and dry throughout the trek. Store your Sagarmatha National Park permit and Trek Card together in a small waterproof sleeve in the top pocket of your daypack. At every checkpoint, present them promptly. Rangers appreciate efficiency, particularly when dozens of trekkers are queuing behind you on a cold morning.
Step 5 — Photograph your permits as digital backup. Take a clear photo of both permits and save them to your phone’s offline gallery before entering areas with no mobile signal. If a physical permit is damaged or lost, a digital copy helps — though it does not replace the original at checkpoints.
Common Permit Mistakes That Can Derail Your Everest Trek
Understanding what not to do with Everest permits is just as important as knowing the correct process. These are the most frequently observed mistakes on the EBC trail.
The first and most costly mistake is buying a TIMS card for the Khumbu region. As noted above, TIMS is not required for EBC trekking. Agencies or individuals who advise you to purchase one for this specific route are working from outdated information.
A second common mistake is trying to buy the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit in Kathmandu. This permit is simply not available in Kathmandu — it is issued by local government and can only be obtained in Lukla or Monjo. Showing up at Monjo without this permit because you expected to get it in the city is a situation that causes significant delays.
Arriving at permit offices without sufficient Nepalese Rupees is another avoidable problem. Card payment is unreliable at mountain permit counters, and ATMs beyond Namche Bazaar are scarce. Exchange or withdraw cash in Kathmandu before departure.
Trekking without valid permits is a serious offence. Fines for doing so can reach NPR 20,000, and park rangers at Monjo and Namche Bazaar will turn you around without hesitation. Beyond the financial penalty, trekking illegally means you have no permit record for emergency response purposes — a safety risk at extreme altitude. Your travel insurance may also be invalidated if you were found trekking without legally required documentation.
Permits are non-transferable and non-refundable once activated. If you need to cancel your trek, return your unused permit to the issuing office as quickly as possible and enquire about refund procedures. Once a permit has been used to enter the park, no refund is available.
How Do Everest Permit Fees Protect the Sagarmatha Region?
When travellers ask “why do I need a permit to trek Everest?” — the question sometimes masks a deeper one: where does the money actually go? Understanding this helps frame everest fees not as a tax, but as an investment in one of the world’s most irreplaceable places.
The Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit fee funds the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, which manages ranger patrols, waste management operations, wildlife monitoring, and trail infrastructure across the park’s 1,148 square kilometres. The Ngozumpa Glacier alone, the longest glacier in the Himalaya, requires constant monitoring as climate change accelerates glacial lake formation. Snow leopard recovery programmes in the park have benefited from consistent permit revenue over decades.
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit fee stays within the local municipality budget, funding everything from health posts in Phakding and Tengboche to the repair of stone stairways worn down by thousands of trekkers each season. The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, which coordinates waste removal from the upper mountain and trail corridors, also receives partial funding through this system.
Trekking to Everest Base Camp generates one of the highest per-visitor economic returns of any tourism destination in Nepal, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. When you pay your sagarmatha entry fees, you are participating in an economic model that sustains communities whose ancestors have lived alongside the highest mountains on earth for generations.
If you are interested in understanding the broader conservation context, the UNESCO World Heritage documentation for Sagarmatha National Park provides excellent background reading.
Best Time to Trek Sagarmatha National Park — and Permit Office Hours
The best time to visit Sagarmatha National Park for trekking is during two distinct seasonal windows. October to November offers the clearest skies, stable weather, and the most dramatic mountain visibility — you are most likely to see Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam under cloudless conditions during these months. March to May brings warmer temperatures, rhododendron forests in bloom at lower elevations, and slightly lower trail traffic than autumn.
Monsoon season from June through August brings heavy rainfall, leeches on lower trails, and persistent cloud cover that obscures mountain views. Most trekkers avoid this period for EBC. Winter from December through February is cold and demanding — temperatures at Gorakshep can drop to -20°C — but some experienced winter trekkers appreciate the extraordinary solitude.
Permit offices follow different operational patterns depending on the season. The Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu operates year-round on standard government hours. Permit counters in Lukla and Monjo are also open year-round but can be extremely busy during October and April peaks. If you are visiting during these months, plan to spend at least 30–60 minutes at the Lukla counter upon arrival, and reach the Monjo checkpoint early in the morning to avoid midday queues.
If you are planning your trek for the spring season, our guide to best time to trek in Nepal provides a month-by-month breakdown of conditions across all major routes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sagarmatha National Park Permits
What permit is needed for the Everest trek? You need two mandatory permits: the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (formerly the TIMS card equivalent for this region). If trekking the Jiri/Salleri overland route, you also need a Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit.
How much does the Sagarmatha National Park permit cost in 2026? For foreign nationals, the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit costs NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 23). The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit costs an additional NPR 3,000. Total everest permit cost is NPR 6,000 for most foreign trekkers on the standard Lukla route.
Where do I buy the Sagarmatha National Park permit? At the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu (Pradarshani Marg) or at the Monjo National Park checkpoint on the EBC trail. Getting it in Kathmandu before your flight is strongly recommended to avoid delays on the mountain.
Where do I buy the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit? Only in the Khumbu region itself — at the permit counter in Lukla (after landing at the airport) or at the Monjo checkpoint. This permit cannot be purchased in Kathmandu under any circumstances.
Do I need a TIMS card for Everest Base Camp? No. TIMS is not required for the Khumbu/Everest region. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit replaced it in 2018. TIMS is still required for Annapurna, Langtang, and other regions.
Are EBC trek permits refundable? Once a permit has been activated (used to enter the park or Khumbu region), it is non-refundable. Unused permits may receive a partial or full refund if returned to the issuing office promptly with the permit booklet intact.
What happens if I trek without a permit? You risk fines of up to NPR 20,000, immediate evacuation from the trail, potential future trekking bans in Nepal, and invalidation of your travel insurance. Rangers at Monjo and Namche actively enforce permit requirements.
Can children trek Sagarmatha National Park for free? Children under 10 years of age enter Sagarmatha National Park free of charge. Fees for the Khumbu permit for children should be verified at the permit counter, as policies can change.
Planning Your Everest Base Camp Trek: What Comes After the Permits
With your Sagarmatha National Park permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit secured, you are legally ready to walk one of the world’s most celebrated trekking routes. The classic Everest Base Camp trek from Lukla typically takes 12–14 days, reaching EBC at 5,364 metres and Kala Patthar viewpoint at 5,643 metres — the highest most non-climbers will ever stand.
The permit process, taken on its own, is genuinely straightforward: two documents, two offices, a combined cost of roughly USD 46. What matters more than the paperwork is everything that follows — choosing the right guide, pacing your ascent for proper acclimatisation, selecting teahouses carefully through the seasons, and understanding altitude sickness warning signs before they become serious.
For more support planning your trek, explore our complete Everest Base Camp trekking guide covering itineraries, gear, accommodation, and route tips. If you are curious about costs beyond permits, our article on how much it costs to climb Everest covers the full financial picture for both trekkers and mountaineers.
Nepal does not ask much of the travellers who walk into the heart of its greatest mountain wilderness. A valid passport. Some Nepalese Rupees. The willingness to stand in a short queue at Lukla and another at Monjo. What it gives in return — the sight of Ama Dablam glowing at dusk, mornings in Tengboche monastery, and the otherworldly silence of the glacier at Everest Base Camp — is beyond any measurable exchange.
The permits are waiting. The mountains are ready. All that remains is the decision to go.
Have questions about your EBC trek permits or planning your journey to the Everest region? Explore our Nepal trekking guides or browse our Everest region destination guide for everything you need to prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.