Trekking in Nepal
What a trek in Nepal really costs
I don't sell packages. You pay my day rate as your guide, and everything else at the price you see: permits, lodges, food and transport. This page shows what each part costs, so you can plan your budget honestly.
Written by Rujan Neupane, licensed trekking guide from the Kathmandu Valley
The five parts of a trek budget
- 1. Your guide
- One day rate for 1 to 5 people, so two or more walkers share it. The rate for each trek is in the table below and on its own page.
- 2. Permits
- National park and conservation area permits cost NPR 3,000 each (about USD 22), and most treks need one or two. The Everest region adds a local fee of NPR 2,000 to 3,000. Restricted areas cost more: Manaslu, for example, is USD 100 for the first week from September to November and USD 75 from December to August, plus a daily fee after that; Upper Mustang is USD 50 a day. Restricted area treks. Fees change, and the price at the counter is the one that counts. The permits for each walk · Nepal trekking permits.
- 3. Lodges and food
- A room costs about USD 5 to 15 a night, and three meals with tea about USD 20 to 30 a day. Prices rise with the altitude, because everything is carried up. Dal bhat, rice with lentils and vegetables, is the best value: second helpings are free. Plan for about USD 25 to 40 a day per person. Trekking costs per day.
- 4. Transport
- Local buses and shared jeeps to the trailheads cost about USD 10 to 40 each way per person; a private jeep about USD 150 to 350 for the vehicle, shared by the group. Mountain flights, to Lukla or Jomsom, are paid at the airline's price.
- 5. Extras
- Hot showers, charging, Wi-Fi, snacks and water refills: about USD 5 to 10 a day higher up. Tips are up to you.
The guide fee for each trek
From my rate card, for the whole walk, Kathmandu to Kathmandu. One fee for the group, not per person.
| Trek | Days | Day rate | Guide fee for the walk |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChampadeviKathmandu Valley | 1 | $35 | $35for 1 to 5 people |
| ChandragiriKathmandu Valley | 1 | $35 | $35for 1 to 5 people |
| Dhampus | 1 | $25 | $25for 1 to 5 people |
| Kahun Danda | 1 | $25 | $25for 1 to 5 people |
| Nagarjun and JamachoKathmandu Valley | 1 | $35 | $35for 1 to 5 people |
| Nagarkot to Changu NarayanKathmandu Valley | 1 | $25 | $25for 1 to 5 people |
| Panchase | 1 | $35 | $35for 1 to 5 people |
| PhulchokiKathmandu Valley | 1 | $35 | $35for 1 to 5 people |
| Sarangkot | 1 | $25 | $25for 1 to 5 people |
| Shivapuri Day HikeKathmandu Valley | 1 | $25 | $25for 1 to 5 people |
| World Peace Pagoda | 1 | $25 | $25for 1 to 5 people |
| Astam and DhampusAnnapurna | 3 | $25 | $75for 1 to 5 people |
| KalinchowkKhumbu (Everest) | 3 | $35 | $105for 1 to 5 people |
| SailungKhumbu (Everest) | 3 | $25 | $75for 1 to 5 people |
| Ghandruk LoopAnnapurna | 4 | $25 | $100for 1 to 5 people |
| Kathmandu Valley Rim | 4 | $25 | $100for 1 to 5 people |
| Royal TrekAnnapurna | 4 | $25 | $100for 1 to 5 people |
| Ghorepani Poon HillAnnapurna | 5 | $25 | $125for 1 to 5 people |
| Machhapuchhre Model TrekAnnapurna | 5 | $35 | $175for 1 to 5 people |
| Pathibhara DeviKanchenjunga | 5 | $35 | $175for 1 to 5 people |
| Chepang Hill Trail | 6 | $35 | $210for 1 to 5 people |
| Jomsom and MuktinathAnnapurna | 6 | $35 | $210for 1 to 5 people |
| Mardi HimalAnnapurna | 6 | $35 | $210for 1 to 5 people |
| Sikles and Kapuche LakeAnnapurna | 6 | $35 | $210for 1 to 5 people |
| Everest PanoramaKhumbu (Everest) | 7 | $25 | $175for 1 to 5 people |
| HelambuLangtang | 7 | $35 | $245for 1 to 5 people |
| Langtang ValleyLangtang | 7 | $25 | $175for 1 to 5 people |
| Pikey PeakKhumbu (Everest) | 7 | $35 | $245for 1 to 5 people |
| Tamang Heritage TrailLangtang | 7 | $25 | $175for 1 to 5 people |
| Annapurna North Base CampAnnapurna | 8 | $35 | $280for 1 to 5 people |
| GosainkundaLangtang | 8 | $35 | $280for 1 to 5 people |
| Mohare DandaAnnapurna | 8 | $35 | $280for 1 to 5 people |
| RamaroshanFar West | 8 | $25 | $200for 1 to 5 people |
| Dudh KundaKhumbu (Everest) | 9 | $35 | $315for 1 to 5 people |
| KhaptadFar West | 9 | $35 | $315for 1 to 5 people |
| Khopra RidgeAnnapurna | 9 | $35 | $315for 1 to 5 people |
| Ruby ValleyLangtang | 9 | $35 | $315for 1 to 5 people |
| Annapurna Base CampAnnapurna | 10 | $25 | $250for 1 to 5 people |
| Rara LakeFar West | 10 | $35 | $350for 1 to 5 people |
| Annapurna CircuitAnnapurna | 11 | $35 | $385for 1 to 5 people |
| Dumji in KhumbuKhumbu (Everest) | 11 | $35 | $385for 1 to 5 people |
| Gokyo LakesKhumbu (Everest) | 11 | $35 | $385for 1 to 5 people |
| Panch PokhariLangtang | 11 | $35 | $385for 1 to 5 people |
| Phoksundo LakeDolpo | 11 | $35 | $385for 1 to 5 people |
| Tsho RolpaKhumbu (Everest) | 11 | $35 | $385for 1 to 5 people |
| Ama Dablam Base CampKhumbu (Everest) | 12 | $35 | $420for 1 to 5 people |
| Api Base CampFar West | 12 | $35 | $420for 1 to 5 people |
| Everest Base CampKhumbu (Everest) | 12 | $35 | $420for 1 to 5 people |
| Mani Rimdu at TengbocheKhumbu (Everest) | 12 | $35 | $420for 1 to 5 people |
| Nar Phu ValleyAnnapurna | 12 | $35 | $420for 1 to 5 people |
| Langtang Valley and GosainkundaLangtang | 13 | $35 | $455for 1 to 5 people |
| Manaslu CircuitManaslu | 13 | $35 | $455for 1 to 5 people |
| Mohare Danda and Khopra DandaAnnapurna | 13 | $35 | $455for 1 to 5 people |
| Poon Hill and Annapurna Base CampAnnapurna | 13 | $35 | $455for 1 to 5 people |
| Upper MustangMustang | 13 | $35 | $455for 1 to 5 people |
| Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho LakeAnnapurna | 14 | $35 | $490for 1 to 5 people |
| Numbur Cheese CircuitKhumbu (Everest) | 14 | $35 | $490for 1 to 5 people |
| Gokyo to Everest Base CampKhumbu (Everest) | 15 | $35 | $525for 1 to 5 people |
| Gokyo, Cho La and Everest Base CampKhumbu (Everest) | 17 | $35 | $595for 1 to 5 people |
| Everest Three PassesKhumbu (Everest) | 18 | $35 | $630for 1 to 5 people |
| Everest Base Camp Photography TrekKhumbu (Everest) | 20 | $35 | $700for 1 to 5 people |
| Kanchenjunga CircuitKanchenjunga | 20 | $35 | $700for 1 to 5 people |
| Makalu Base CampMakalu | 20 | $35 | $700for 1 to 5 people |
| Manaslu and Tsum ValleyManaslu | 20 | $35 | $700for 1 to 5 people |
| Jiri to Everest Base CampKhumbu (Everest) | 21 | $35 | $735for 1 to 5 people |
| Upper DolpoDolpo | 23 | $35 | $805for 1 to 5 people |
Days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, as each trek's page plans them. A day of waiting for a flight or for the weather is a guiding day too.
An example budget, per person
Two people, 10 days, a moderate walk, my rate of $35 a day
| Your half of the guide fee | $175 |
|---|---|
| Lodges and food, 9 nights at about USD 32 | $288 |
| Permits, one national park and a local card | $45 |
| Transport by shared jeep, there and back | $50 |
| Extras: showers, charging, snacks | $60 |
| About, per person | $620 |
A rough guide to plan with, not a quote. A trek with a flight, a restricted-area permit or a private jeep costs more; walking alone, you pay the whole guide fee.
Not in any trek budget
Your flights to Nepal, the visa (on arrival, from USD 30 for 15 days), hotels in Kathmandu, travel insurance that covers trekking at your altitude and helicopter rescue, and any gear you rent or buy. Bring cash in Nepali rupees for the trail: cards rarely work in the mountains, and there are few cash machines.
Why no package
A package puts everything into one price and adds an agency's margin to each part. Paying each part at cost is usually cheaper and always clearer: you see what a night, a meal and a permit really cost. I help you book what needs booking. Hire me as your guide · Write to me.
Questions people ask me
How much does a trek in Nepal cost per day?
Lodges and food are about USD 25 to 40 a day per person on most treks. Add your share of the guide fee, and the permits and transport once for the whole trek.
How much do trekking permits cost in Nepal?
NPR 3,000 (about USD 22) for each national park or conservation area, with a local fee of NPR 2,000 to 3,000 in the Everest region. Restricted areas such as Manaslu, Upper Mustang and Nar Phu cost much more. The permits for each walk.
Is a package cheaper?
Rarely. A package is easy to compare, but it adds a margin on top of each cost. Paying at cost is usually cheaper, and you can see where every rupee goes.
Should I bring cash?
Yes, Nepali rupees, enough for lodges, food, charging and hot showers. Cards rarely work on the trail.
Is it cheaper to trek in a group?
For the guide fee, yes: it is one fee for the group, so it is shared. Lodges, food and permits are paid per person either way.
Not sure which trek suits you? Tell me your dates and what you hope for, and I will say honestly.
