Trekking cost in Nepal
In the last few years, people have become incredibly passionate about travel and trekking. Some are drawn to the beauty of a particular place while others try to find the cheapest yet most profitable vacations around the world.
For those wondering where to travel in the most budget-friendly way, we welcome you to Nepal, the land of the Himalayas. With Nepal being famous as the cheapest country to travel to, anyone can travel around Nepal within their stipulated budget. The name of being cheap may sound tempting, but trust us, Nepal will not disappoint you with its natural scenery, friendly Nepali people, delicious food and unique cultural values.
We have already mentioned that Nepal offers budget-friendly trekking and hiking tours, so why not get a breakdown of the trekking costs in Nepal for your next trip? Read the full blog, estimate your budget and get your customized trekking itinerary with the best services with AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions.
Transportation Costs
To reach the starting point of the trek wherever you are trekking, you will either have to drive or fly to your destination. If you are trekking in the Annapurna region, driving to Naya Pul, Kade, Bensisahar, Jagat or Ghandruk is a must. However, if you are trekking in the Everest region, flying to Lukla is the ideal option.
Talking briefly about transportation costs, if you want to cut down on your extra expenses, opting for local buses is the best option for you. If you have limited time in Nepal and money in your wallet, then it is better to rent a jeep or fly to your destination.
Kathmandu to Pokhara (Annapurna Region Trek)
There are many tourist buses in Nepal that will charge between 12 and 30 USD per person for a one-way trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The price difference is due to the services provided by the tourist buses during the journey. VIP and Super VIP Deluxe charge between 30 and 35 USD per person for a one-way trip.
However, if you choose to fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, it will cost you around 125 USD per person for a one-way trip.
If you want to travel with locals in a local bus, it will cost you around 3.5-5 USD/ And similarly from Pokhara to Nayapul, it will cost you around 2-3 USD.
Everest Region Trek from Kathmandu to Lukla
The idea of enjoying the incredible views of the Himalayas on a Kathmandu-Lukla flight has always been a favorite among trekkers. Lukla flights are the best option for anyone who wants to trek to the base camp. But don’t you think, at the end of the trek, you will finally see these views after climbing the base camp and Kalapathar. If this thought ever crossed your mind, we will provide you with another great option for trekking that will also reduce the extra expenses.
Kathmandu-Lukla flights will cost you around USD 180 to 190 per person one way.
Driving to Jiri or Shivalaya to start your EBC trek will cost you around USD 45 to 60 per person. Isn’t that great? Easy on the money, adventure on the way.
Book your Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek now with us: Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek
Langtang Region Trek
Since Langtang Valley is the closest trekking destination to the capital city, the transportation cost is comparatively much lower than other trekking routes. Details are mentioned below:
- Public Transport: USD 3.5-6 per person
- Jeep: USD 8-10 per person
- Tourist Bus: USD 10-15 per person
Manaslu Trek
The Manaslu trek starts from Soti Khola, an hour’s drive from Arughat in Dhading. You can take a local bus from Kathmandu to Arughat which will cost around 10-12 USD and from Arughat it will cost around 3-5 USD.
However, if you choose to travel by jeep, it will cost you around 190-250 USD.
Cost of Nepal Trekking Permits
The Nepalese government has issued certain permits for trekking in different areas of Nepal. Since during the trek, you have to cross various conservation areas, you will have to pay a certain amount to enter and trek in these areas.
The permits are Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, Sagarmatha National Park Permit, Langtang National Park Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, and so on. Apart from these, there are some special permits required for trekking through restricted areas such as Tsum Valley, Manaslu, Upper Mustang Nar-Phu, and Kanchenjunga. Along with the trekking permits, you will also need a TIMS for trekking in Nepal.
The cost of each permit is mentioned below:
| Code//Short Name | Full Permit Name | Price ($) |
| TIMS | Trekkers Information Management System | 20 |
| SNP | Sagarmatha National Park permit +Local fee | 20+30 = 60 |
| ACAP | Annapurna Conservation Area permit | 30 |
| MCAP | Manaslu Conservation Area permit | 30 |
| TSUM | Tsum Valley Conservation Area permit | 35 |
Cost of Guide and Porter
It is safe to start trekking alone in Nepal. However, if you are trekking in Nepal for the first time, having a guide will help you a lot during the trek. A guide will not only ensure that you reach your destination safely but will also stay in comfortable tea houses and explain in detail the history and background of each stop you stay at. Having a guide who can navigate well will help you avoid all the crowds and make your trek much more convenient and easy.
Apart from a guide, if you have packed a lot of stuff for the trek, having a porter will help you move freely throughout the trek. Since packing is important for trekking and you have to carry a lot of things, hiring a porter is the last option if you don’t want to get tired and enjoy the scenery during the trek.
- A guide will charge 30 to 35 USD per day
- And a porter will charge 20 to 25 USD per day.
Cost of Accommodation
Most treks in Nepal are tea house treks and trekkers have to stay in tea houses during the trek. The price of tea houses can vary depending on the area you are trekking in and the season you are trekking in. During peak season, you are more likely to not find a cheap room, however, during off-season, the same room can be found for half the price.
Generally, tea house accommodation costs around 5-8 USD. However, the prices for Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp treks can vary a lot.
There are also some luxury lodges in the Annapurna and Everest regions that will charge you around 250-300 USD per night.
Apart from tea house accommodation, you can also opt for camping and homestays as per your wish.
If you choose to trek during the trekking season, accommodation in popular trekking areas will cost you as follows:
- Annapurna region trekking: USD 10-25 per night
- Everest region trekking: USD 15-35 per night
- Manaslu circuit trekking: USD 10-15 per night
- Langtang Valley trekking: USD 15-25 per night
Food and Beverage Costs
Apart from accommodation, food and beverages are another important thing you will spend your money on while trekking. As the altitude increases, the variety of food becomes scarcer, so you will mainly rely on the staple Nepali cuisine of lentils, rice, vegetables served with pickles. However, if you are trekking at a relatively low altitude, you can also enjoy some continental items including spaghetti, noodles, dumplings and pizza at some tea houses.
Along with the food, you can also choose your beverage from tea, coffee, beer or just water.
Full board meals at tea houses include breakfast, lunch and dinner and will cost you around USD 15-30. However, the cost may vary depending on the food or beverage you order.
Drinks at high altitudes will cost you as follows:
- Tea: $1.5 to $4 per cup
- Coffee: $2 to $4 per cup
- Beer: $5 to $10 per bottle
- Water: $0.5 to $5 per bottle
Miscellaneous Costs
Along with the cost of accommodation, transportation, and food, it is very important to keep in mind that you will be charged for almost all the services you use while staying at the teahouses. For example, if you stay at the teahouse and want to take a hot shower, you will have to pay some extra amount for it.
Similarly, if you want to charge your camera or power bank, the teahouse will charge extra for that as well. So, it is not just the transportation costs or accommodation costs that you have to lose money on during the trek, but the miscellaneous costs that make your trip expensive.
Some common miscellaneous costs during the trek are:
Charging Your Electronics
As mentioned above, if you choose to charge any type of electronics at a tea house, you will be charged extra. The tea house will charge you between 2-5 USD per hour for each device you are charging. The device could be your mobile phone, camera, or even a power bank.
Hot Shower
Your sweaty body may crave a hot shower every day after a hike. A hot shower at a tea house can cost you around 3-5 USD. It may seem impractical, but if you want to feel fresh without taking a shower, packing wipes and cleaning your body is a great option. Pack some wipes and dry shampoo and skip the shower routine.
WiFi
Like showers and charging electronics, you will also have to pay extra for WiFi if you choose to use the service. Some tea houses along the trekking trail have access to WiFi and they will charge you around 3-5 USD. However, in the Everest Base Camp area, you can use prepaid WIFI cards which will cost around 3 USD for 100 MB.
Tips To Reduce The Cost
Most of us don’t think about money when trekking in the beautiful hidden areas of Nepal. However, if you are looking for ways to cut costs, the points mentioned below will help you save at least a few dollars that you can use for city tours and adventure activities after you finish trekking.
- Stay in local tea houses while trekking
- Travel by local buses instead of tourist buses or flights
- Trek in a group
- Pack your own lunch, toiletries and water purification tablets
- Use wipes instead of showering
- Don’t charge your devices at tea houses, carry power banks instead
The above are the basic points to reduce your costs while trekking. If you want to get the full details, please read our blog Smart Ways to Save Money While Trekking in Nepal.
Did you save some money by following the tips? Join us for some adventure in the lap of the Himalayas.
✔ Bungee Jumping Nepal
✔ Paragliding in Nepal
✔ White Water Rafting in Nepal
Conclusion
Trekking in Nepal is an exciting experience as you get to witness the cultural values of the local community while enjoying the beauty of the Himalayas from your breakfast table.
Trekking in Nepal is attractive, so don’t let the trekking cost fool you. Plan your next trek with us and we will ensure that you enjoy every part of Nepal.
If you want to know more about the popular treks in Nepal, please check out the packages mentioned below:
✔ Everest Base Camp Trek
✔ Annapurna Base Camp Trek
✔ Langtang Valley Trek
✔ Annapurna Poonhill Trek
AVAILABILITY
DO YOU HAVE A BIG GROUP? We’re here to help! Contact us to discuss availability and group pricing options.
Before you start your day’s hike, you may feel a little overdressed, but after a few minutes of hiking, you’ll be drenched in sweat. So, don’t over-layer. Bear with the cold for a few minutes, and you’ll be fine. This our conclusion.