At the end of almost every trek there is a moment that makes people a little awkward. Your guide and porters have carried your bags, sorted out your lodges, walked beside you through snow and sunshine, and probably made you laugh more than once. Now it is the last evening in Lukla or Pokhara, and you are wondering: how much should I give them, and how?
Tipping is not compulsory in Nepal, but on treks it is expected and makes up an important part of a guide's or porter's income for the season. This guide gives you honest, practical numbers from our Kathmandu team, so you can tip fairly and without stress.
Quick answer: on a trek, a common guideline is around 10–15% of the trip cost shared among the team, or roughly US$10–15 per day for a guide and US$8–12 per day for each porter, from the whole group rather than per person. Tip at the end of the trek, in cash (Nepali rupees or US dollars), and give each person their tip directly. In restaurants, a 10% service charge is often already added. Taxi drivers don't expect tips.
Tipping in Nepal at a glance
| Who | Typical tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trekking guide | US$10–15 per day (from the group) | More for long, hard or high treks |
| Porter | US$8–12 per day each (from the group) | Give to each porter personally |
| Assistant guide | US$8–12 per day (from the group) | On larger groups |
| Camping crew (cook, kitchen staff) | Pooled tip shared among the crew | Ask your lead guide how it is usually divided |
| City tour guide | US$5–10 per day per person | Half-day: a little less |
| Private driver | US$3–5 per day per person | More for long or difficult drives |
| Restaurants | Round up, or 5–10% if no service charge | Check the bill for "service charge" |
| Hotel staff | NPR 100–300 for porters; small tip for housekeeping | Optional |
| Taxis | Not expected | Round up if you like |
These are guidelines, not rules. Tip what feels right for the service you received and what fits your budget.
Why tipping matters on a trek
Trekking in Nepal is seasonal work. Most guides and porters earn the bulk of their income in about six months of the year, spring and autumn, and support families, often in villages far from Kathmandu, through the quiet months. Wages have improved over the years, and reputable companies pay fair daily rates, insurance and equipment. But tips are still a significant part of what crews take home, and they are how you say thank you in a way that really makes a difference.
Porters in particular do some of the hardest work in the Himalaya. On a teahouse trek, one porter usually carries the duffel bags of two trekkers, up to around 20–25 kg, for six or seven hours a day. A good tip at the end of the trip is well deserved.
How much to tip your trekking crew
The percentage method
The simplest approach is to set aside roughly 10–15% of what you paid for the trek as the total tip for the whole crew. On a US$1,500 Everest Base Camp trek, that would be about US$150–225 per trekker. Then divide it: guides usually receive a bit more than porters, as they have more responsibility.
The per-day method
Alternatively, think in terms of days. A common guideline from the whole group is:
- Guide: US$10–15 per day
- Assistant guide: US$8–12 per day
- Each porter: US$8–12 per day
An example
Two friends do a 12-day trek with one guide and one porter. Using the per-day method at the middle of the range:
| Person | Calculation | Total tip |
|---|---|---|
| Guide | 12 days × US$12 | US$144 |
| Porter | 12 days × US$10 | US$120 |
| Total | US$264 (US$132 each) |
For a larger group, the tip per person goes down because it is shared among more trekkers, although bigger groups need more porters.
When and how to tip
- At the end of the trek. Usually on the last night on the trail (in Lukla, for example) or at a farewell dinner. Tipping at the end avoids awkwardness and lets you reflect the whole trip.
- Directly to each person. Hand each porter their tip yourself, ideally in an envelope with a thank-you note, rather than giving everything to the guide to pass on. This makes sure everyone receives what you intended.
- In cash. Nepali rupees are the most useful. US dollars are fine too, but notes must be clean and recent, as old or torn notes are hard to exchange. Get small denominations in Kathmandu before you go, as ATMs on the trail are rare.
- As a group. If you are trekking with others, agree on a total and collect it before the last day.
Gifts of gear
Many trekkers like to give porters gear they no longer need at the end of the trip: a warm jacket, gloves, a headlamp, good socks or boots in decent condition. This is appreciated, especially by porters from rural areas, but it is a bonus, not a substitute for a cash tip. Give gear in good condition, and ask your guide what would be most useful.
What if service was poor?
Tips are a thank you for good service. If you genuinely had a bad experience, for example a guide who was rude or unsafe, it is fine to tip less, and you should tell the trekking company so they can deal with it. But remember that porters have little control over how a trip is run. If the problem was with the guide or the organisation, try not to penalise the porters for it.
Tipping outside the trek
Restaurants and cafés
In tourist restaurants in Kathmandu and Pokhara, bills often include 13% VAT and a 10% service charge, which is meant to be shared with staff. If a service charge is included, there is no need to tip more, although rounding up is appreciated. If there's no service charge, leave 5–10% for good service. In small local eateries, tipping is not expected but small change is welcome.
Drivers and city guides
For a private driver on a day trip or a long transfer such as Kathmandu to Pokhara, a tip of around US$3–5 per person per day is typical. City tour guides in Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur usually receive US$5–10 per person for a full day.
Hotels
Hotel porters who carry your bags appreciate NPR 100–300. Housekeeping tips are optional; leave a small amount at the end of your stay if you wish.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Taxi drivers don't expect a tip. Agree the fare before you get in, or use Pathao or inDrive. Rounding up is a nice gesture.
Rafting, safari and paragliding
River guides, safari naturalists and paragliding pilots are usually tipped at the end of the activity: a few dollars per person for a day trip, more for multi-day rafting.
Budgeting for tips
Tips are easy to forget when you plan your budget. As a rough guide, set aside US$10–20 per day for tips on a trek, plus a little for drivers and city guides. Our cost of trekking guide includes tips in the overall budget, and our money guide explains ATMs, exchange and cash.
How we pay our team
At Himalayan Hiking, our guides and porters receive fair daily wages, food and accommodation on the trek, insurance and proper equipment, whatever the tips. Porters carry a fair maximum load. Tips are always appreciated, but they are never a replacement for decent pay. If you would like to know more about how we work, read our guide to hiring guides and porters and our responsible trekking guide.
Summary
Tip at the end of the trek, in cash, directly to each member of the crew. Budget around 10–15% of your trek cost, or about US$10–15 a day for your guide and US$8–12 a day for each porter from the group. In cities, check for a service charge before tipping in restaurants, tip drivers and guides a few dollars a day, and don't worry about taxis. If you have questions, ask us. We're happy to give you a straight answer.