Quick answer: Indians can trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) without a visa, carrying a passport or original Voter ID. The trek takes 12 to 14 days from Kathmandu, needs a Sagarmatha National Park permit and a Khumbu municipality permit, and costs roughly Rs 1 to 1.8 lakh per person in total.
Short answer: Indian citizens can trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) in Nepal without a visa, carrying a valid passport or an original Voter ID card for air travel. The standard trek takes 12 to 14 days from Kathmandu, starting with a flight to Lukla (about 2,860 m), and needs two permits: the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. A guided trip from India typically costs roughly Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 1,80,000 per person, and the best seasons are March to May and late September to November.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Best months | March to May and late September to November; October is the most reliable |
| Altitude | Lukla about 2,860 m; Namche Bazaar about 3,440 m; Base Camp 5,364 m; Kala Patthar viewpoint about 5,550 m |
| Distance | About 130 km round trip on foot from Lukla |
| Duration | 12 to 14 days from Kathmandu; 15 to 17 days from India with buffer days |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging; altitude is the main difficulty, not technical climbing |
| Nearest airport | Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, then Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport); peak-season Lukla flights often leave from Ramechhap (Manthali) |
| Documents for Indians | Valid Indian passport or original Voter ID; no visa required |
| Permits | Sagarmatha National Park permit (SAARC rate) and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit; TIMS not needed |
| Typical budget | About Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 1,80,000 per person including India to Kathmandu travel (indicative) |
Can Indians trek to Everest Base Camp without a visa?
Yes. Indian citizens do not need a visa to enter Nepal. For air travel between India and Nepal, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu accepts only two documents: a valid Indian passport, or an original Voter ID card with photograph issued by the Election Commission of India. Aadhaar, PAN card, driving licence and printed or downloaded Voter IDs are not accepted for air travel. Carry a passport if you have one, as it is the simplest option at every checkpoint.
What permits are needed for Everest Base Camp?
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit: Issued at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or at the park entry gate at Monjo. SAARC nationals, including Indians, pay a lower rate than other foreigners; sources list about NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit: Collected at Lukla or Monjo, not in Kathmandu. Most sources list NPR 2,000 per person, with some reporting an increase from 2026, so confirm the current fee before travel.
The TIMS card is no longer required for the Everest region; the municipality permit replaced it. Nepal’s rules on mandatory licensed guides for foreign trekkers have changed since 2023 and are applied differently by region, so check the latest position with your operator. Fees and rules change often, so verify them close to your departure date.
What is a typical Everest Base Camp itinerary?
- Day 1: Fly Kathmandu (or Ramechhap) to Lukla, trek to Phakding (about 2,610 m).
- Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazaar (about 3,440 m).
- Day 3: Acclimatisation day in Namche, with a short hike higher.
- Day 4: Trek to Tengboche (about 3,860 m), home to a well-known monastery.
- Day 5: Trek to Dingboche (about 4,410 m).
- Day 6: Acclimatisation day in Dingboche.
- Day 7: Trek to Lobuche (about 4,940 m).
- Day 8: Trek to Gorak Shep (about 5,160 m) and on to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), return to Gorak Shep.
- Day 9: Early climb to Kala Patthar for sunrise views of Everest, descend to Pheriche.
- Day 10: Trek to Namche Bazaar.
- Day 11: Trek to Lukla.
- Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu.
Add one or two buffer days, because Lukla flights are frequently delayed or cancelled due to weather.
How much does the Everest Base Camp trek cost from India?
As an indicative range, a guided group trek costs about Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 1,80,000 per person in total. The main components are:
- Return travel from India to Kathmandu by air, or by train and road via border towns.
- Kathmandu to Lukla return flights, the single biggest local cost.
- Trek package: guide, porter, teahouse stays, meals and permits.
- Extras on the trail: hot showers, charging, Wi-Fi and bottled or boiled water, which get more expensive with altitude.
- Travel insurance that covers trekking up to at least 5,500 m and helicopter evacuation.
Independent trekkers can spend less, but the saving is mostly on guide and porter costs, and the safety trade-off is significant at this altitude.
When is the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp?
Autumn, from late September to November, offers the clearest skies, and October has the most reliable flying weather. Spring, from March to May, is the second peak season, with warmer days and rhododendrons in bloom lower down. June to August is the monsoon, with cloud and rain on the trail and frequent flight disruptions. December to February is very cold at higher camps but quieter.
In peak months, Kathmandu to Lukla flights are often moved to Ramechhap (Manthali) airport to reduce air traffic congestion in Kathmandu. That means a drive of about 4 to 6 hours from Kathmandu, usually starting very early in the morning.
How fit do you need to be for Everest Base Camp?
EBC is not a technical climb, but it involves 5 to 7 hours of walking on most days, at altitudes up to about 5,500 m where there is roughly half the oxygen of sea level. Start training 8 to 12 weeks in advance with running, cycling or stair climbing, plus weekend hikes with a loaded backpack. A common benchmark used by trek operators is being able to run 5 km in about 35 minutes. A prior Himalayan trek above 4,000 m, such as Kedarkantha or Hampta Pass, is a good preparation step. Consult a doctor if you have heart, lung or blood pressure conditions.
Practical tips
- Keep the acclimatisation days at Namche and Dingboche; do not skip them to save time.
- Above 3,000 m, try not to increase sleeping altitude by more than about 300 to 500 m a day.
- Carry enough Nepali rupees in cash; ATMs on the trail are limited to a few larger villages such as Lukla and Namche and can be unreliable.
- Check that your insurance covers helicopter evacuation and trekking up to about 5,500 m.
- Pack a four-season sleeping bag, down jacket, good boots, and water purification tablets.
- Keep at least one buffer day before your onward flight to India.
Carabiner Diaries helps Indian trekkers plan Everest Base Camp trips, from permits and flights to fitness preparation and acclimatisation-friendly itineraries. To start planning your trek, send us an enquiry at carabinerdiaries.com.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for the Everest Base Camp trek?
No. Indian citizens do not need a visa for Nepal. For air travel, carry a valid Indian passport or an original photo Voter ID card issued by the Election Commission of India.
What permits are needed for Everest Base Camp?
You need the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. The TIMS card is not required for the Everest region.
How many days does the Everest Base Camp trek take?
The standard trek takes 12 to 14 days from Kathmandu, including two acclimatisation days. Allow 15 to 17 days from India to include travel and buffer days.
How much does the Everest Base Camp trek cost from India?
A guided trip typically costs about Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 1,80,000 per person including travel from India, Lukla flights, permits, guide, porter and teahouse stays. Costs vary with season and inclusions.
What is the altitude of Everest Base Camp?
Everest Base Camp is at about 5,364 m (17,598 ft). Most trekkers also climb Kala Patthar, at about 5,550 m, for the best view of Mount Everest.
Can a beginner do the Everest Base Camp trek?
A fit beginner can complete it with good training and a guided itinerary, but it is safer to first complete a shorter Himalayan trek above 4,000 m and train for 8 to 12 weeks.