Daily teahouse budget by region
| Region / trek | Room + 3 meals + tea, per day |
|---|---|
| Lower Annapurna (Poon Hill, Ghandruk, Panchase, Australian Camp) | USD 25–40 |
| Higher Annapurna (ABC, Mardi, Circuit, Tilicho) | USD 30–50 |
| Mustang, Manaslu, Nar Phu | USD 35–55 |
| Everest (EBC, Gokyo) | USD 35–65 |
| Langtang | USD 30–45 |
Rooms themselves are cheap, often USD 3–10 or even free if you eat at the lodge. Food is where the money goes. A plate of dal bhat costs around NPR 500–700 near the road and NPR 1,000–1,500 or more at Annapurna Base Camp or Gorak Shep.
A detailed day on the trail
| Item | Lower trail (USD) | High trail above 3,500 m (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Room (twin) | 3–8 | 5–15 |
| Breakfast (porridge / eggs / tea) | 4–6 | 6–10 |
| Lunch (dal bhat / noodles) | 5–7 | 8–12 |
| Dinner (dal bhat with refills) | 5–8 | 9–14 |
| Tea / hot lemon (3–4 cups) | 2–4 | 4–8 |
| Hot shower | 0–2 | 3–5 |
| Charging | 0–2 | 2–5 |
| Wi-Fi | 0–2 | 3–10 (or a data card) |
| Water refill (safe drinking water) | 0.5–1 | 1–2 |
| Typical total | 25–40 | 40–65 |
Guides, porters and permits
| Service | Cost per day (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed guide | 25–35 | Usually includes the guide's food, lodging and insurance; confirm |
| Porter | 18–25 | Carries up to ~20–25 kg, usually for two trekkers |
| Porter-guide | 22–30 | Carries a lighter load and guides |
- Standard permits (ACAP + TIMS, or Everest's two fees): NPR 5,000, about USD 38.
- Restricted areas: Manaslu RAP USD 75–100+ per week, Nar Phu USD 75–100/week, Upper Mustang USD 500 for 10 days.
- Transport: Kathmandu–Pokhara bus USD 10–25 or flight USD 100–130. Pokhara–Nayapul taxi or jeep USD 20–35 per vehicle. Pokhara–Jomsom flight USD 125–140. Kathmandu–Lukla flight USD 220–250 one way.
Sample trek budgets
| Trek | Days | Teahouse + permits + transport | With own guide | Sharing a guide (2 people) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghorepani Poon Hill | 4 | USD 170–230 | USD 290–370 | USD 230–300 |
| Mardi Himal | 5 | USD 210–310 | USD 335–485 | USD 270–400 |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 7 | USD 280–450 | USD 455–695 | USD 370–575 |
| Annapurna Circuit | 12 | USD 450–700 | USD 750–1,120 | USD 600–910 |
| Everest Base Camp (incl. Lukla flights) | 12 | USD 900–1,300 | USD 1,200–1,720 | USD 1,050–1,510 |
These are do-it-yourself-style estimates for comparison. Agency packages add planning, transport, backup and insurance for staff, so they cost more. Compare what's included rather than only the headline price.
Tipping norms
Tipping is expected at the end of a trek and makes up a real part of guide and porter income. A common guideline is 10–15% of the total trip cost, split among the crew. Another approach is a per-day amount: around USD 5–10 per day for a guide and USD 4–8 per day for a porter, from the group as a whole.
Hand it over personally
Give each person their tip directly, in rupees or US dollars, on the last evening or when you return to Pokhara. Don't pass the porters' share through the guide.
Hidden costs and how to save
- Hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi are charged separately above the lower villages and add up to USD 5–15 a day.
- Bottled water costs USD 1–4 a litre higher up and adds plastic waste. Refill and purify instead.
- Snacks, chocolate and beer can cost triple the Pokhara price.
- Extra days for weather, especially flights to and from Lukla or Jomsom.
- Eat dal bhat. It comes with free refills and is the best-value meal on any menu.
- Eat dinner and breakfast at the lodge where you sleep. Many lodges lower or waive the room price if you do.
- Share a guide with other trekkers from Pokhara.
- Carry a power bank and a filter bottle.
- Trek in shoulder season (late November, early March) for easier lodge availability.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to trek in Nepal per day?
Budget USD 25–40 a day for room and meals on lower Annapurna treks and USD 35–65 in the Everest region. A licensed guide adds USD 25–35 a day and a porter USD 18–25. Permits, transport and tips are extra.
How much should I tip my trekking guide in Nepal?
A common guideline is 10–15% of the total trip cost for the whole crew. Per day, that's around USD 5–10 for a guide and USD 4–8 for a porter. Give it personally at the end of the trek.
How much does Annapurna Base Camp cost?
For a 7-day trek from Pokhara, expect about USD 280–450 for teahouses, permits and transport. With your own licensed guide, it's roughly USD 455–695. Sharing a guide with other trekkers brings the per-person cost down.
Is food expensive on Nepal treks?
Prices rise with altitude, because everything is carried up by porter or mule. Dal bhat costs around NPR 500–700 near the road and NPR 1,000–1,500 or more at base camps, but it comes with free refills.
Do teahouses charge for hot showers and charging?
In most higher villages, yes. A hot shower costs USD 3–5, charging USD 1–5 per device, and Wi-Fi USD 3–10. Lower villages often include them in the room price.
Is it cheaper to hire a guide in Pokhara or book online?
The guide's daily wage is similar either way. Booking with a Pokhara-based agency means you can meet the guide, check the licence and sort permits locally. It also makes it easier to share a guide with other travellers.
Treks to read next
Annapurna · from Pokhara
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
3–5 days · Moderate · max 3,210 m
Annapurna · from Pokhara
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
6–12 days · Moderate · max 4,130 m
Everest
Everest Base Camp Trek
11–16 days · Challenging · max 5,545 m
Annapurna · from Pokhara
Mardi Himal Trek
4–7 days · Moderate · max 4,500 m
Got a question we didn't answer?
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