If you are visiting Everest Base Camp, you should be acknowledged with the facts about Everest Base Camp Trek Permit before, or your trek plan will not go as planned.
Standing at 5,364 meters (17,598 Feet) above sea level, Everest Base Camp is a pristine destination with a blend of natural and cultural richness. The base camp trek is one of the must-do activities in Sagarmatha National Park.
Throughout the trek, you will experience the traditional Sherpa culture and Buddhist score with numerous chortens, mani walls, and prayer flags. Here are some of the highlights of the Everest base camp:
- 360 View of Mount Everest and other peaks like Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Manaslu, and many more.
- Explore the lifestyle of the Sherpa community and Buddhism
- Visit Gorak Shep, the last Sherpa Settlement in Everest Region
- Visit Tengboche Monastery
- Explore flora and fauna inside Sagarmatha National Park
- View the beauty of Khumbu Glacier
- Hike to the highest viewpoint, Kala Patthar
We have prepared this blog to help you understand the required permits for Everest Base Camp in 2023. You should know some changes and the price variation might have differed. Let's explore them in detail.
Everest Base Camp Trek Permits
To reach Everest Base Camp by trekking, you cannot just go, visit, and return. Going through specific processes before embarking on Everest Base Camp Trek would be best. Among such procedures, obtaining permits is one, and it is crucial to get these because, with the licenses, you are allowed to enter through the region.
As we all know, Everest Base Camp is within the restricted area of Sagarmatha National Park, a wild and natural zone separated to preserve wildlife, flora, and fauna. With no harm to any of these components inside the National Park, you will have to obtain these permits. So what are the required Everest Base Camp Trek permits? Let's find out!
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
Everest Base Camp Trek Permit comprises the most needed license, Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit. As we mentioned above, it is necessary to enter Sagarmatha National Park. We all know that National Parks are restricted areas, and no one is allowed to get inside without special permission. While hiking to Everest Base Camp, your trails follow most of the zone inside this National Park; getting this permit is crucial.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit
Besides the National Park Entry Permit, you must get another essential license, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit. It is one of the newly introduced forms of permit in Nepal, which is brought into action by the local government of the Khumbu region.
You will be hiking through Pasang Lhamu Municipality in the Khumbu region. Since the federal government started in Nepal, there's a provision for getting a license to enter this place.
Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit
Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit is an optional permit that is required if you are traveling from the Jiri side. It is the third route to Everest Base Camp (from Jiri). You can buy the license from Shivalaya, but getting it from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kamaladi, Kathmandu, would be better.
While you hike from Jiri, the first thing to do is get to Jiri by bus or privately rented vehicle. Jiri is around 186.3 kilometers far from Kathmandu by road. You will reach Jiri after 7 to 8 hours of driving from the capital city.
After reaching Jiri, you must go through Gaurishankar Conservation Area before going Everest Region. You will need a special permit, 'Gaurishankar Conservation Area Entry Permit,' which can be obtained in Shivalaya after you apply for the one. Remember the required documents to get the license. After successfully getting the permit, you can now hike ahead toward Everest Base Camp.
TIMS Card: Is This Required For Everest Base Camp Trek?
The answer to this one is 'No.' You do not need TIMS Card - Trekkers' Information Management Systems (TIMS) Card does not come under Everest Base Camp Trek Permit requirements.
As per the Tourism Industry of Nepal, the changes in the government policies after the establishment of the federal system in Nepal played a vital role in eliminating the need for TIMS cards for the Everest Base Camp trek. However, this license is the best if you trek to destinations like Annapurna Base Camp and others.
What Are The Required Documents To Obtain Everest Base Camp Trek Permit?
You must apply for the permit to obtain all three Everest Base Camp Trek entry licenses. You should also attach several forms of documents while using them. So what are the required documents to obtain Everest Base Camp Trek Permit? Here's the list:
- Copies of your Passport
- Copies of your valid visa
- 2 P.P. Size Photos
- Permit Fees
After completing all the processes, you can obtain the Everest Base Camp Trek permits. And you can move forward with your trek.
Where Can I Get My Permits?
Now it's clear that you need permits before starting your journey to Everest Base Camp, but where can you get those? Many trekkers from outside the country might need to become more familiar with the booking culture and the location. Do not worry; we will help you with the place where you can buy the required permits.
The Tourist Service Center manages all trekking permits and fees in Nepal. The service center (Tourist Information Office) in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, will fully help you obtain the licenses. For the advance information, the office remains open from 9 am - 5 pm (Nepali Time) from Sunday to Friday in Summer. Similarly, the office hours are from 9 am - 4 pm from Sunday to Friday in the winter.
But getting permits in the Tourist Service Center in Kathmandu is optional; you can also get those permits during the trek.
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Helicopter Tour In Everest Base Camp: Do I Need Permits For Them?
You only need to obtain permits if you are on a luxury tour in Everest Base Camp via helicopter if you are on a private chartered flight. Though flying above the Sagarmatha National Park, a restricted area, you will be like a free bird cherishing the region's beauty.
But the expense needed for this luxury tour is much more expensive than trekking in the region. A standard cost of Helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp will cost you more than $12,00. If you rent a private helicopter, the price will elevate to $4000 per person.
Detailed Cost Of Everest Base Camp Trek Permit
The average cost of all Everest Base Camp Trek permits ranges from 1500 to 3000 NPR per person, valid for a specific time. After the validation ends, you have to increase the expiry date of those permits, which costs an extra penny from your pocket.
While talking about Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit is the must-have permit for EBC Trek. The fee is around 3000 Nepalese Rupees which is around $23. Similarly, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit costs about 2000 and above. It is around $25 per person.
There is a cost variation for trekkers of different nationalities and regions. If you are a trekker from SAARC Nations, you only have to pay 1500 Nepali Rupees for Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit. For Nepalese trekkers, the price is only 100 Rupees.
Similarly, you will be charged 3000 Nepali Rupees for Gauri Shankar Conservational Area Permit if you are taking Classic Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek. The SAARC Nation's trekkers cost around 1000 Nepali Rupees, while the Nepalese hikers have to pay only 100 Nepali Rupees for the entry permit.
Here is the detailed breakdown of the cost of every permit:
| Sagarmatha N.P. Entry Permit | 3000 NPR |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit | 2000 NPR |
| Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit | 3000 NPR |
Trekking to Everest Base Camp in 2023 is a new setlist for many people worldwide. This feature blog about the permits in this region will be quite helpful. Not only Base Camp, but if you are going on a hike to Everest Three Peaks, Khumbu Icefall, and Gokyo Lake, then these permits are required.
Do I Need a Guide To Obtain Everest Base Camp Trek Permit?
You don't need a guide to embark on the beautiful journey of the Everest Base Camp trek. You will not need a guide to obtain an Everest Base Camp trek permit. You can do it solo; it will be easier if you know the process of obtaining licenses.
There are many destinations in Nepal where trekking is only possible with a guide. The tourism industry has set rules to hire a guide for your safety, but you can do it solo without worrying about different processes and costs regarding the Everest Base Camp trek.
Overall, Everest Base Camp Trek Permit is an essential topic that you should get acknowledged before you plan your trekking. Obtaining these permits, will open your way to cherish one of the most heavenly beauties in the world.
See also : Hire Guide for Everest Base Camp Trek | Everest Base Camp without a Guide | Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty
