Welcome to Show the Receipts. In this new series, we ask interesting people to share exactly how much their work costs. No matter the task, we track every last penny from start to finish.
A few years ago, I checked my phone and saw a message from my aunt. “Trekking to Everest Base Camp. Are you in or out?” She recently trekked to the base camp of K2, the second highest mountain in the world, and is looking forward to her next destination. I did.
The invitation was sudden, but not necessarily surprising. My aunt and I spent many summers hiking in Western Washington. She chose hikes that were 10 miles or more and tended not to tell me until we got to the trailhead, but I became receptive to it. We had even trekked through the Scottish Highlands together just before I started my full-time job, so this felt like a way to continue the spirit of adventure. Add.
That first message dates back to early 2020, so you can guess where this story is going. The trek has been postponed until September 2022, which experts say is one of the best times to summit Everest (if you’re interested, FYI: March-May or September-November) Please plan to go between the two.) Delays caused by the pandemic have given us more time to prepare physically, mentally, and financially. I focused on cross-training and long-distance hiking to increase my endurance, and visited REI and Ascent Outdoors to buy gear. Given the 17,598-foot elevation gain, this hike would certainly be more taxing than a day hike, and more expensive than the $30 annual hiking pass and gas cost to get there. But we were ready.
Here is the breakdown of costs.
Task: Trek to Everest Base Camp
Occupation: Freelance writer and product marketing manager
Location: Nepal
Schedule: 5 months for planning, 10 days for actual trekking.
receipt
Round-trip flight from Seattle, WA to Kathmandu, Nepal: $1,370
Everest Base Camp trekking package that includes the wonders of the Himalayas. Includes guide and porter fees, meals and lodging in the Himalayas, trekking permits and fees, and pre- and post-Kathmandu hotel stays: $1,399
Nepal travel visa (payable on arrival): $50
Tips for guides and porters, and cash for daily expenses such as bottled water, charging, and laundry while in the Himalayas: $1300
Clothing (jackets, rain pants, leggings, socks, base layers): $1,337
Hiking boots and spikes: $215
Hiking Pass (Annual Discover Pass and Northwest Forest Pass): $60
Gym and Peloton membership: $190 (total for training period)
Traveler insurance with World Nomads: $84
Two round-trip helicopter rides to the Himalayas due to poor visibility: $125 (should have been $1,000, but the first $500 was covered by insurance and the second was paid in installments)
Total: $6130
how did you do it
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is difficult to do on a whim. Here’s how I combined my travel and finances to feel prepared for the longest trek I’ve ever done.
my biggest expense
We booked our trek through Himalayan Wonders, one of the top trekking companies. Their price was (by a close margin) the highest single cost of the trip, but it was relatively comprehensive, including stays in Kathmandu before and after, teahouses we stayed at during the trek, three meals a day, and the airport. It was something like that. Transfers, Everest trekking permits, farewell dinner, and fees for guides and porters who carried our luggage between teahouses. We booked before the pandemic, so we were lucky to get a much lower price for this trek. However, the trip was delayed by two years and the trek and flights would now cost hundreds of dollars more. Plus, I didn’t have to worry about getting my own permits or arranging accommodation, so I could focus on the trek itself.
preparation cost
Preparing for the trek to Everest Base Camp was a combination of physical and mental preparation. My brother and aunt had trekked up to K2 a few years earlier and recommended we focus on walking at very high inclines and spend at least an hour on the treadmill. I was able to get a great discount on my monthly membership at a local gym, and I also purchased a Northwest Forest Pass and a Discover Pass that allow me to hike in Western Washington every weekend. However, these costs were negligible compared to the amount I spent on equipment. the result…
where you splurged
The biggest splurge was having to buy all the equipment, but I knew I would use it all for future hikes and treks. Since I had never trekked at such a high altitude, I had to purchase wool base layers, sockliners, rain pants, jackets, etc. I also bought my first “real” hiking boots, which I only broke in over the months before the trek. My current wife drove me to multiple REI locations and helped me pack and repack everything that would fit in a 22 pound duffel bag to take to the Himalayas. .
I was also lucky to have good timing for my trek and was able to purchase gear during REI and Ascent Outdoors’ annual sale, saving me 10-15% off the purchase price of some items. Many of the items I purchased as base layers were made from merino wool. Although merino wool is expensive, it tends to be long-lasting and is a breathable, odor-resistant, and quick-drying fabric, making it ideal for long hikes. My hiking boots were also one of the most expensive items I purchased for the trip, but they proved to be a great investment as I wore them before and after my summer hikes.
Saved location
My brother and aunt had recently gone on a big trek, so they had enough equipment and supplies that I was able to borrow. My brother lent me a hiking backpack and hiking poles, which saved me several hundred dollars. My aunt had quite a few personal cleaning supplies, granola bars, blister bandages, and filtered water bottles. I’ve also spent half my life hiking in Washington state, so I had enough hiking socks and clothing to use as a starting point.
where sacrifices had to be made
To trek to Everest Base Camp, I had to take five days of unpaid leave because my job at the time didn’t allow unlimited vacation time and I was one week short of vacation time. Fortunately, I still had the option to take time off, so I was still able to go, but it cost me about $1,000 less in pay. I decided it was worth it because this was the once in a lifetime experience I wanted. To have with my aunt. I was also able to earn this money back by writing an article about my trek to Everest Base Camp. This included everything from what to bring to what wellness products to bring.
Advice for future Everest Base Camp trekkers
First, please bring cash. During the trek, we were able to use that cash to tip our porters and guides, and most of the teahouses we stayed at along the mountain trail provided Wi-Fi, device charging, bottled water, laundry, and hot water. I also paid the price. method. To cut down on some of the costs, I would often pay to charge a power bank and use it to charge my phone or Apple Watch while hiking. Something else worth noting is that the price of these items typically increases as you increase altitude, and once you get high enough, it becomes too cold to shower.
Also, please take out traveler insurance. We purchased it before arriving in Nepal, and this high upfront cost helped cover incidental costs incurred during the trek. For example, flights from Kathmandu to the Himalayas are frequently delayed due to bad weather, so we had to book a helicopter to go to the Himalayas a day late. Thankfully, this cost was covered by insurance, but due to bad weather we had to take another helicopter ride the day after we arrived at base camp. I didn’t want to risk getting stranded due to poor visibility. Although the second ride was not eligible, we split the cost into 4 trips.
final thoughts
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will cherish for the rest of your life. After all, how many of us can say we reached 17,598 feet above sea level?But as a queer Pakistani woman, one of the best parts of this trek came in the aftermath. After returning home, many women of color messaged me to say they were inspired to book their own treks. Others talk about finding a hike in their city or being inspired to take that solo trip they’ve been considering. This meant more to me than the cost of the trek itself. And when life hits you with challenges, you find yourself thinking, “There’s nothing harder than trekking to Everest base camp, and I’ve already accomplished that.”
