Trekking agency costs

The trekking agency was responsible for all logistics. They charged us for:

• local flights
• transport from airport to hotel in Kathmandu
• 3 nights accommodation in Kathmandu
• wages 2 English speaking Sherpa guides
• wages porters
• wages cook and cook helper
• wages liaison officer
• insurance for all staff
• proper clothing and shoes for all staff
• trekking tents, group tent, tables, chairs, pots & pans, climbing equipment
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and coffee/tea during trekkings, up to BC, and high altitude food above BC
• medical kit
• expedition permit
• evacuation plan

The price for this was $ 22,000, which was equal to € 18,500 at the time of writing.

Tips and bonusses

It is custom to pay some tips and bonusses to the trekking staff. A rule of thumb is to pay a porter one day's wage for each week. So that comes to 10-15%. For example we tipped our porters who went back in Makalu BC some 2,000 rupees each.

A good tip for the cook is $ 100 and for the kitchen boy $ 50. We decided to give them both a tip of $ 150.

The 2 guides were given a summit bonus of $ 500 each.