Trekking budget in Nepal: a summary of expected costs

How much does a trek in Nepal cost? There is no one-size-fits-all figure for all routes. Duration is one of the main factors, but the budget also depends on permits, whether you hire a guide or a porter, transport to the start of the trail, and the remoteness and altitude, all of which gradually increase the cost of meals and services.

The price ranges below provide a guide to help you plan your budget and compare quotes from agencies. They are based on official rates and prices published or recorded in September 2026. They combine fixed costs, daily expenses and amounts charged per person, per group or per porter.

AOn the trail: the culture of trekking in Nepal

In Nepal, trekking centres on major routes such as Everest, the Annapurnas, Langtang and Manaslu. You generally walk from village to village and stay in family-run lodges known as teahouses, dotted along the route. On these classic circuits, it is therefore not usually necessary to carry a tent or several days’ worth of food.

Bivouacking is not usually practised on the major circuits, but may become necessary on certain remote routes, particularly in Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Makalu or Dhaulagiri, where lodges are either absent or too far apart. This then involves a trek that is more demanding both technically and logistically, often involving tents, a cook and a dedicated support team: it is more expensive and more complex to organise, whilst generally offering a lower standard of comfort than the teahouses. In this article, we will focus on teahouse treks, which are by far the most popular.

BThe main areas of expenditure

These figures are approximate. When hiring a guide or porter, always check which staff costs are included in the quoted price.

Indicative price ranges by expense category
ItemAmount	Approximate price range	How to read this
Tourist visa	30, 50 or 125 USD	For 15, 30 or 90 days
Permits	Varies greatly	See below
Trekking insurance	Varies greatly	Depending on your personal circumstances, the level of cover required and the altitude involved
Transport from Kathmandu	Varies greatly	Depending on the distance and whether you travel by bus, jeep or domestic flight
Licensed guide	25 to 45 USD	Per day for a group
Porters	20 to 30 USD	Per day and per porter
Overnight stay in a lodge (teahouse) and three meals	25 to 55 USD	Per day and per person
Extras on the trail	5 to 15 USD	Per day and per person
Guide’s tip	5 to 10 USD	Per day for the group, as a guide
Tips for porters	4 to 6 USD	Per day and per porter, for guidance only
Set aside a bit for local unforeseen expenses	10–15 per cent	Estimated local expenses, excluding international flights

CCosts may vary depending on the itinerary and group size

C.1Permits

The cost of permits depends mainly on the region you’re travelling through. On many classic treks, you’ll need to budget for a TIMS Card and/or an entry fee for a national park or conservation area, such as the ACAP in the Annapurnas. These fees are generally modest: they often amount to around 2,000 to 3,000 NPR (13 to 20 USD) per permit or area concerned.

The cost rises significantly in regions subject to a Restricted Area Permit (RAP). These permits are charged in dollars and their price varies depending on the region, the season and the duration of the trek. For example:

Manaslu: 100 USD for the first 7 days from September to November, then 15 USD per additional day; from December to August, 75 USD for the first week, then 10 USD per additional day.
Upper Mustang: 50 USD per day per person.
Upper Dolpo: 50 USD per day per person.

In practice, standard permits represent a fairly modest expense; it is mainly the RAPs that can significantly increase the budget.

C.2Transport to the trailhead

Transport costs vary too much from one itinerary to another to give a general range. Some starting points are accessible by local bus for a few dollars per person, others require several shared jeeps, and Everest treks may involve a domestic flight costing several hundred dollars return. For a private vehicle, the cost per person decreases when shared amongst several trekkers.

Check the exact departure and arrival points in the trek description. Then ask the agency whether the quote includes transfers from Kathmandu or Pokhara, any changes of vehicle and the return journey after the trek.

C.3Sharing group costs

The guide’s fee is charged for the whole group. The cost per person therefore decreases as the group size increases. The porter’s fee is per porter and is often shared between two trekkers, subject to the weight limit agreed with the agency.

A very low daily rate may simply mean that the costs of food, accommodation, transport, equipment or staff insurance have been moved to another line item in the quote. Furthermore, tips form a significant part of guides’ and porters’ earnings: the range given in the table is for guidance only, and you may give more or less depending on the quality of the service provided.

DBefore booking: get a truly comparable quote

Before comparing two offers, ask for a quote specifying:

permits and administration fees included
the number of days charged for the guide and porters
the staff costs actually covered
your meals and accommodation on the trail
transport, with specific departure and arrival points
expenses to be paid in cash
the conditions applicable in the event of an extra day or a change to the itinerary

The most useful quote isn’t necessarily the cheapest one. Above all, it should make it clear what has already been paid for, what will be paid for whilst on the trail, and what you’ll be responsible for if the programme changes.

How much should you budget for a trek in Nepal?