One of the best things about trekking in Nepal is that it is still remarkably good value. For the price of a week's hiking holiday in the Alps, you can spend two weeks walking among the highest mountains on Earth, with a guide, a porter, a bed every night and three hot meals a day. But costs have changed in recent years. Nepal introduced a mandatory guide rule in 2023, flight prices have risen, and lodge and food prices in popular areas have climbed with demand.
Here is what a trek in Nepal actually costs in 2026, item by item, with sample budgets for the treks people ask us about most. The figures come from our own day-to-day work arranging treks in Kathmandu, and we have tried to be honest about the extras that catch people out.
Quick answer: a guided teahouse trek in Nepal typically costs US$60–120 per person per day including a licensed guide, porter, permits, lodges and three meals, plus transport to the trailhead. That means roughly US$600–900 for a one-week Annapurna trek, US$1,300–1,800 for Everest Base Camp and US$1,500–2,500 for remote or restricted-area treks such as Manaslu, Upper Mustang or Kanchenjunga.
What makes up the cost of a trek
Every trek in Nepal, whether you book a package or arrange it yourself through an agency, is built from the same components:
| Cost component | Typical range (US$) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed guide | 30–40 per day | Includes guide's food, lodging and insurance when arranged by an agency |
| Porter | 22–30 per day | One porter usually shared by two trekkers |
| Permits | 40–525 per trek | Depends on region; restricted areas cost more |
| Teahouse room | 5–30 per night | Often cheap or free if you eat at the lodge |
| Food | 20–45 per day | Rises with altitude |
| Transport to trailhead | 10–450 | Bus, jeep or domestic flight |
| Hotels in Kathmandu/Pokhara | 25–150 per night | Before and after the trek |
| Extras on the trail | 5–20 per day | Hot showers, charging, Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks |
| Tips | 10–15% of trek cost | For guide and porter |
| Travel insurance | 80–250 | Must cover altitude and helicopter rescue |
Let us look at each in more detail.
Guide and porter costs
Licensed trekking guides
Since April 2023, foreign trekkers in most of Nepal's national parks and conservation areas must be accompanied by a government-licensed guide, booked through a registered agency. A guide booked through a reputable company costs around US$30–40 per day. This normally includes the guide's wages, food, accommodation, insurance and transport to and from the trailhead. Specialist guides, such as climbing guides for trekking peaks or guides who speak languages other than English, cost more.
A guide is not just a legal requirement. They book lodges in busy seasons, manage your acclimatisation, handle problems with flights and permits, translate, and look after your safety. One guide can lead a group of up to about eight to twelve trekkers, so the cost per person falls significantly in a group.
Porters
Porters carry your main luggage so you walk with only a daypack. A porter costs around US$22–30 per day and usually carries bags for two trekkers, with a combined load of up to about 20–25 kg. Porter-guides, who carry some luggage and also guide, cost slightly more than porters but less than a guide plus a porter, and are a good option for small groups on easier trails.
Please choose a company that treats porters well: fair wages, insurance, proper clothing and footwear for high altitude, and sensible loads. It is one of the most important ethical choices you make as a trekker.
Permit costs by region
Permit fees vary more than any other cost. Most regions charge a national park or conservation area fee of around NPR 3,000 (about US$23), plus a TIMS card or local fee. Restricted areas are more expensive.
| Trek | Approximate permit cost |
|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp, Gokyo, Three Passes | US$40–50 |
| Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill, Annapurna Circuit, Mardi Himal | About US$40 |
| Langtang Valley, Gosainkunda | About US$40 |
| Manaslu Circuit (autumn) | US$170–200 |
| Upper Mustang (10 days) | About US$525 |
| Nar Phu Valley | US$120–220 |
| Kanchenjunga Base Camp | US$90–120 |
Our Nepal trekking permits guide explains every permit in detail.
Teahouse accommodation costs
Teahouses are the family-run lodges that make trekking in Nepal possible. A basic twin room with two beds, a mattress, pillows and blankets costs US$5–15 per night on most trails. In many lodges, especially in the Annapurna region, the room is cheap or even free on the understanding that you eat your dinner and breakfast there. Lodges make their money from food.
Rooms with attached bathrooms cost more, typically US$20–50, and are available in larger villages such as Namche Bazaar, Lukla, Chhomrong and Manang. At the top end, luxury lodges in the lower Everest region charge US$150–300 per night with meals, offering heated rooms, en-suite bathrooms and proper beds.
Higher up, choice is limited and rooms are simpler. In places such as Gorak Shep, Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Thorong Phedi, lodges may be full in peak season, and you may share a room or sleep in the dining room. A guide who pre-books rooms makes a big difference here. Our guide to teahouse trekking in Nepal explains how lodges work.
Food and drink costs on the trail
Food is usually the largest daily expense for trekkers who arrange their own meals. Prices are set by local lodge committees and rise steadily with altitude, because everything is carried up by porters, mules or yaks.
| Item | Lower trail (under 3,000 m) | High trail (above 4,000 m) |
|---|---|---|
| Dal bhat (with refills) | US$5–7 | US$10–14 |
| Fried rice or noodles | US$4–6 | US$8–11 |
| Porridge or pancakes | US$3–5 | US$6–9 |
| Pot of tea (1 litre) | US$3–5 | US$7–12 |
| Boiled or filtered water (1 litre) | US$0.50–1 | US$2–4 |
| Bottle of water | US$1–2 | US$3–5 |
| Beer | US$4–6 | US$7–10 |
| Chocolate bar or snack | US$1.50–2.50 | US$3–5 |
Budget US$20–30 per day for three meals on lower trails and US$35–45 above 4,000 m, plus drinks. The cheapest way to eat well is dal bhat: rice, lentil soup and vegetable curry with free refills. As the trekkers' saying goes, "Dal bhat power, 24 hour."
Transport costs
| Route | Option | Approximate cost (one way) |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu – Lukla | Flight | US$200–225 |
| Kathmandu – Pokhara | Tourist bus | US$10–25 |
| Kathmandu – Pokhara | Flight | US$100–130 |
| Pokhara – Jomsom | Flight | US$120–140 |
| Pokhara – Nayapul / Kimche / Siwai | Private jeep | US$40–90 per vehicle |
| Kathmandu – Syabrubesi (Langtang) | Local bus / private jeep | US$10 / US$150–200 per vehicle |
| Kathmandu – Machha Khola (Manaslu) | Shared / private jeep | US$25 / US$250–300 per vehicle |
| Kathmandu – Tumlingtar (Makalu) | Flight | US$170–200 |
The Lukla flight is the single biggest reason the Everest treks cost more than those in Annapurna and Langtang. Private vehicles are more comfortable and flexible than local buses, and when shared by a group they are often good value.
Sample budgets for popular treks
The budgets below are per person for two people trekking together with one guide and one porter, staying in standard teahouses and eating three meals a day. They include permits, transport and two nights in a mid-range hotel in Kathmandu, but not international flights, visa, insurance or tips.
Ghorepani Poon Hill (7 days)
| Item | Cost (US$) |
|---|---|
| Guide (4 trekking days + travel, shared) | 90–110 |
| Porter (shared) | 55–75 |
| Permits (ACAP + TIMS) | 40 |
| Transport (bus to Pokhara, jeep to trailhead) | 40–80 |
| Lodges and food on trek | 100–140 |
| Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara | 80–150 |
| Total | about US$450–600 |
Have a look at our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek package.
Annapurna Base Camp (10–12 days)
| Item | Cost (US$) |
|---|---|
| Guide (shared) | 150–200 |
| Porter (shared) | 100–140 |
| Permits | 40 |
| Transport | 50–150 |
| Lodges and food on trek | 220–320 |
| Hotels | 80–150 |
| Total | about US$700–1,000 |
Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek page has the day-by-day plan.
Everest Base Camp (14 days)
| Item | Cost (US$) |
|---|---|
| Guide (shared) | 210–280 |
| Porter (shared) | 150–200 |
| Permits | 40–50 |
| Lukla flights (plus guide's and porter's share) | 450–550 |
| Lodges and food on trek | 350–500 |
| Hotels | 80–150 |
| Total | about US$1,300–1,700 |
Have a look at our Everest Base Camp Trek and the full EBC guide.
Manaslu Circuit (15 days)
Expect around US$1,400–1,900, including the restricted area permit, the long jeep drives and a compulsory guide. Have a look at our Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Upper Mustang (14 days)
The US$500 permit pushes the total to around US$2,000–2,600, including flights to Jomsom. Our Upper Mustang Trek page has the day-by-day plan.
A real day of spending on the trail
Numbers in tables can feel abstract, so here is what a typical day looked like for one of our trekkers on the way to Everest Base Camp in November, on a trek where lodges and meals were paid separately. In Dingboche, at 4,410 m, she started with a pot of ginger lemon honey tea and porridge with apple for breakfast (about US$12), bought two litres of filtered water from the lodge's refill station (US$4), and had a Snickers bar and a cup of tea at a teahouse on the acclimatisation hike (US$6). Lunch was vegetable noodle soup and more tea (US$11). In the evening she paid for a phone charge (US$5), had dal bhat with refills for dinner (US$13) and a hot lemon before bed (US$4). Her room cost US$8, because she ate at the lodge. The total for the day was about US$63, not counting her guide and porter.
Lower down, in Phakding or Monjo, the same day would have cost closer to US$35. That is why we always recommend budgeting by altitude rather than by an average: the first and last days of a trek are cheap, and the days around base camp are expensive. If your trek includes meals, as ours do, your daily spending falls to the extras only: drinks, snacks, charging, hot showers and Wi-Fi, which usually come to about US$15–25.
How costs differ by region
Beyond Everest and Annapurna, costs follow a clear pattern: the more remote the region, the higher the price. Langtang is one of the most affordable major trekking regions, because it is reached by road and lodge prices are moderate. Manaslu and Tsum cost more because of the restricted area permits and the long jeep journeys on rough roads, and lodges are simpler with fewer choices. Kanchenjunga and Makalu in the far east need domestic flights and long drives, trekking days are longer and lodges are sparse, so food and logistics cost more, and some sections still need camping support.
In the far west, Rara and Dolpo involve two flights each way via Nepalgunj, and Upper Dolpo carries the same US$500 permit as Upper Mustang. These treks are among the most expensive in Nepal. If you want real wilderness, they are also the ones people talk about for years afterwards. At the other end of the scale, short hikes near Kathmandu and Pokhara, such as Chisapani Nagarkot, Helambu or Australian Camp, need no flights, only local permits and a few nights in lodges, and can be done for a few hundred dollars.
What has pushed prices up recently
Trekkers who visited Nepal ten years ago are sometimes surprised by today's prices. Several changes explain the difference. The mandatory guide rule of 2023 added the cost of a guide for trekkers who previously walked alone. Domestic airfares, especially to Lukla, have risen with fuel prices and demand. Lodge standards have improved, with many teahouses now offering attached bathrooms, better mattresses, solar-heated showers and espresso machines, and prices reflect that. Inflation in Nepal and higher wages for guides and porters, which we fully support, have also played a part.
Even so, trekking in Nepal remains excellent value by international standards. A fully supported two-week trek to Everest Base Camp still costs less than many week-long guided hiking holidays in Europe or North America, and a large share of your money stays in local mountain communities.
Package trek or arrange it yourself?
With the guide rule, fully independent trekking is no longer possible in most areas, but you can still choose between an all-inclusive package and a guide-and-porter-only arrangement where you pay for your own lodges and food on the trail.
| All-inclusive package | Guide and porter only | |
|---|---|---|
| What is included | Guide, porter, permits, transport, hotels, lodges, three meals a day | Guide, porter, permits; you pay lodges and meals |
| Price certainty | High: you know the cost in advance | Lower: depends on what you eat and drink |
| Flexibility with meals | Usually any item from the menu (drinks extra) | Full flexibility |
| Cash to carry | Little: extras and tips only | Much more |
| Best for | First-time trekkers and groups | Budget-conscious trekkers who want control |
The difference in total cost is often smaller than people expect, because agencies negotiate lodge rates and handle transport efficiently. The biggest benefit of a package is peace of mind: you do not need to carry large amounts of cash into the mountains.
Hidden and extra costs to budget for
- Hot showers: US$2–6 each, more at altitude.
- Battery charging: US$2–10 per device per charge on higher trails.
- Wi-Fi: US$2–5 per day, or an Everest Link or Airlink card for the whole trek.
- Snacks and drinks: the cost of chocolate, tea and soft drinks adds up quickly.
- Gear rental: down jacket and sleeping bag, about US$1–2 per item per day in Thamel.
- Extra nights: if flights are cancelled or you need an extra acclimatisation day.
- Helicopter evacuation: US$3,000–8,000 if you need rescue, which is why insurance is essential.
- Visa: US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, US$125 for 90 days (tourist visa on arrival).
Tipping guide
Tipping is expected in Nepal's trekking industry and forms an important part of guide and porter income. A common guideline is 10–15% of the trek cost, shared among the team, or roughly:
- Guide: US$10–15 per day from the group.
- Porter: US$7–10 per day from the group.
Tips are usually given at a farewell dinner on the last evening of the trek, in an envelope, directly to each person. Nepali rupees are preferred, but US dollars are accepted. You can read more in our article on hiring a guide and porter in Nepal.
Budget, mid-range and luxury: what the difference buys
| Level | Per day (US$) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | 50–70 | Porter-guide or guide only, basic lodges, dal bhat, local buses |
| Standard | 70–120 | Licensed guide, porter, standard lodges, all meals, private transport, 3-star hotels |
| Premium | 150–300+ | Best rooms or luxury lodges, en-suite bathrooms, senior guide, 1:1 porters, 4–5-star hotels, helicopters |
Our Everest Luxury Lodge Trek is an example of the premium level; most of our treks are in the standard range.
How to save money on a Nepal trek
- Choose treks reached by road, such as Langtang, Annapurna, Helambu or Mardi Himal, to avoid domestic flights.
- Travel in a group: the cost of a guide and private transport is shared.
- Eat dal bhat: filling, nutritious and includes refills.
- Carry a water filter or tablets instead of buying bottled water.
- Rent gear in Kathmandu instead of buying items you will only use once.
- Trek in the shoulder seasons, when hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara offer discounts.
- Bring snacks from Kathmandu: they cost two to three times more on the trail.
Do not save money on the things that matter: a licensed guide, porters who are treated fairly, proper insurance and warm gear.
Money matters: cash, ATMs and cards
Nepal's currency is the Nepalese rupee (NPR). Cards are accepted in Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels, larger restaurants and trekking agencies, often with a 3–4% surcharge. On the trail, almost everything is cash only.
- ATMs are widespread in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Most have a withdrawal limit of NPR 25,000–35,000 per transaction and charge a fee of about NPR 500.
- There are ATMs in Lukla and Namche Bazaar and on the Annapurna Circuit at Chame and Manang, but they are unreliable. Carry all the cash you need from Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Exchange counters in Thamel and Lakeside change US dollars, euros and pounds; bring clean, undamaged notes.
- Keep cash in a few different places, and carry small notes for tea and snacks.
Travel insurance costs
Travel insurance for trekking in Nepal typically costs US$80–250 for two to three weeks, depending on your age, country and cover. Make sure your policy covers trekking to the maximum altitude of your route (6,000 m for most high treks), emergency helicopter evacuation and medical treatment. Some policies exclude trekking above 3,000 or 4,000 m unless you buy an adventure upgrade. A single helicopter rescue can cost several thousand dollars, so this is not an area to economise.
Are cheap trekking packages worth it?
You will find online offers for Everest Base Camp for well under US$1,000. They are not always a bad deal, but they often cut costs in ways that matter: unlicensed or inexperienced guides, overloaded and underpaid porters, the cheapest lodges, fewer acclimatisation days, or extras that appear later. Before booking, check exactly what is included, how many days are in the itinerary, how porters are treated and what happens if flights are cancelled.
At Himalayan Hiking, our prices include everything listed in each trip's "includes" section, with no hidden charges, and we are happy to explain how our costs are calculated. Group discounts are shown on each trip page.
Group discounts and private treks
Because the biggest fixed costs of a trek are the guide and private transport, the price per person falls as your group grows. A solo trekker pays for a whole guide and often a whole porter; a group of four shares one guide and two porters. On our trip pages you will see group prices for 1, 2–3, 4–6 and 7–12 trekkers. Every trek can also run privately on your own dates at no extra charge beyond the group rate, so you do not need to join strangers to get a good price.
Paying for your trek
Most trekking companies in Nepal, including ours, ask for a deposit when you book and the balance on arrival or before the trek starts. Payment by bank transfer or card is common, and cards usually carry a small processing fee. Always get a written itinerary and a clear list of what is included and excluded before paying, and check the cancellation terms, especially for flights and restricted-area permits, which are non-refundable once issued.
Our advice
For most trekkers, the right budget is a standard, all-inclusive guided trek: comfortable, safe, fair to the people who make it possible and predictable in cost. Add around US$15–20 per day for extras and 10–15% for tips, arrive with enough cash for the whole trek, and buy good insurance. Then relax and enjoy the mountains.
If you would like a precise quote for your trek, group size and dates, contact our team in Kathmandu. We will send a clear, itemised price with no surprises. You can also compare prices across all our treks in Nepal.