# Food and Drink Prices on the Everest Base Camp Trek

_Published 28 May 2026_

Everything above Lukla arrives on the backs of porters, yaks and mules, so prices rise with every day you walk. Here's what to expect in 2026.

**Quick answer:** A plate of **dal bhat** costs around **NPR 500–700 in Namche Bazaar** and more higher up. Food and drink typically cost about **US$25–30 a day** per person. Bottled water can cost **several hundred rupees** at Gorak Shep, so treat your own water instead. Prices are approximate and vary by lodge.

## Why prices rise

There are no roads above Lukla. Rice, cooking gas and cans are carried for days, so a meal at Gorak Shep costs much more than the same dish in Phakding.

## Typical costs

- **Breakfast:** porridge, eggs or Tibetan bread with tea.
- **Lunch and dinner:** dal bhat, noodles, fried rice or pasta. The highest prices are at Lobuche and Gorak Shep.
- **Hot drinks:** tea by the cup or pot. A pot is better value for groups.
- **Extras:** hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi are usually extra and cost more higher up.

## Saving money

- Choose dal bhat: free refills mean more food for your money.
- Purify your own water. See [water on treks](/blog/water-purification-on-treks-nepal).
- Bring [snacks](/blog/trekking-snacks-nepal) from Kathmandu.
- Share a pot of tea.

## Is food included?

On our full-board treks, three meals a day are included, and lodges expect you to eat where you sleep. Drinks, snacks and extras are usually extra. See [EBC trek cost](/blog/everest-base-camp-trek-cost).

Bring enough Nepali rupees: there are ATMs in Lukla and Namche, but they can be unreliable. See [money in Nepal](/blog/money-in-nepal-guide).

## Frequently asked questions
### How much is dal bhat on the Everest trek?
Around NPR 500–700 in Namche, more higher up.

### How much should I budget for food on the EBC trek?
About US$25–30 per person per day.

### Why is food so expensive at Gorak Shep?
Everything is carried up by porters and animals.

### Are there ATMs on the Everest trek?
In Lukla and Namche, but bring cash in case they fail.


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/food-costs-on-everest-base-camp-trek