Trekking in Nepal is the biggest source of national income alongside foreign employment. The presence of mountains, multi – ethnic communities, century’s old heritages, temples, diverse landscapes, diverse vegetation, and wildlife make this place an ideal for trekking activities. Therefore, thousands of people visit this magnificent Himalayan nation. Today’s blog is about finding out the cost of trekking in Nepal. This blogger has tried to explain the various things surrounding the trek cost including the budget vs luxury options. It is going to the best blog to refer before planning the trek.
Making a budget the trip is the first thing that you must not ignore if you are planning to do the trip. You must know about the various expenses that you must do before budgeting. Therefore, finding the detail information about cost of trekking in Nepal actually helps you to efficiently allocate the budget on the various headings. Similarly, the cost information can help you to decide the type of the trek that you wish to do.
Let’s delve deeper into finding the cost of trekking in Nepal including the budget vs luxury options.
How costly is Nepal Trekking?
At first understand about the services and activities that require costs before finalizing the overall cost of the trip. Generally, the trek cost covers the transportation cost, accommodation cost, meal cost, permit cost, guide & porter salary cost, miscellaneous cost (electricity, internet, gear rentals, hot showers, hot drinking water, insurance, etc.). According to the various travel websites and newspapers, Nepal is one of the most affordable countries to spend holidays. Therefore, in comparison to the various trekking costs across the globe, trekking in Nepal can be affordable. Remember that some trekking trips can be costly but the cost is highly dependent upon the personal preference of a trekker.
Now, let’s find out the answer of the question “how costly is Nepal trekking” and also breakdown the various costs.
Cost of Trekking in Nepal: Budget vs Luxury Options Explained
There are two options in terms of cost for the trek. They are budget options and luxury options. Note down that Nepal doesn’t prohibit to do solo trekking except on the restricted areas and in extreme areas. You can always travel like locals without any issues which can be less costly but it is not guaranteed. Similarly, there are options of doing the luxury trek in Nepal using the upscale services.
Let’s explain more about the budget options and luxury options for trekking in Nepal.
Budget Trek in Nepal Options
The budget trek in Nepal can be different! One is the drifter way of doing the trek without any trekking guides. Another one is the guided trek but with the options to use the basic services. There is something for everyone in the trekking trails of Nepal. Therefore, you can choose to go the Spartan mode while traversing through the trails of Nepal. In an average, you can get the budget trek packages starting from 220 $ which largely depend upon the number of the days in the itinerary.
Luxury Trek in Nepal Options
You may be wondering about the word luxury during the trek because the word trek refers to walking through difficult terrain, landscapes, forests, and Himalayan belts or hills which is assumed not luxurious. However, you can do luxury trek in Nepal in terms of services that you use during the trek. For example, you get to spend overnight in the luxury mountain lodges and you get to travel by helicopter or premium means of transportation. Extra porter services or miscellaneous services may include in the trek package. Overall, don’t assume that you couldn’t do the luxury trek in Nepal. The country can surely host the premium luxury treks. Some of the most popular luxury treks to do in Nepal are the Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek with Helicopter Return, the Annapurna Base Camp Luxury Trek, the Annapurna Circuit Luxury Trek, etc.
Permits Cost for Nepal Trekking
Almost all the trekking trails of Nepal require permit for trekking. Moreover, some of the trekking trails which are inside the restricted region require more than a single trek permit. Normally, the conservation area and national park entry permit cost is NRs. 3000 to foreigners and NRs. 1500 to SAARC nationals. The special restricted area permit starts from 75 $ for a week to 100 $ for a week with additional 10 $ to 15 $ for each extra day. Besides the conservation area and special restricted area, trekkers may have to obtain the local rural municipality entry permit which costs from NRs. 1000 to NRs. 3000 in an average.
Average Transportation Cost
The local transportation cost starts from NRs. 500 to NRs. 1500 to reach the various trail heads of the trekking routes of Nepal. However, the jeep cost can go high from NRs. 25000 to NRs. 75000 depending upon the distance. Private transportation starts from 100 $ to 300 $ which can be budget friendly if traveled in a group.
Meals and Accommodation Cost
Allocate around 5 $ to 10 $ per night for standard lodging facility and allocate around 35 $ to 55 $ for meals per day while trekking in Nepal. Note down that the luxury way of trekking requires higher meals and accommodation costs. For example, you have to pay more than 150 $ per night on BB basis while using the accommodation in the luxury mountain lodges of the Everest region. Moreover, if you have purchased the trekking package, then it may not include the meals in the city areas.
Normally, the trekking companies include the accommodation services on BB basis for city areas in which you may have to pay for lunch and dinner including other food items. Similarly, you have to pay extra for any kinds of beverages including hot drinking water. Therefore, this blogger advises you to talk with the travel planners in an advance regarding includes and excludes options in the trekking package.
Trekking Guide and Porter Cost
Average cost of the trekking guide’s salary starts from 35 $ to 55 $ according to the language proficiency and experience of a trekking guide. The specific language speaking guide costs you around 45 $ to 55 $ per day. Porter salary cost of trekking in Nepal starts from 20 $ to 30 $ per day. You don’t have to take care of the food, accommodation, and transportation cost of the porter but you must bear the cost of the transportation, accommodation and food of your trekking guide. In addition, you must also give tips to your trekking crew members even if it is not mandatory but customarily compulsory.
Some of the trekking trails of Nepal require mandatory provision of trekking guide. Porter is your choice but this blogger strongly advises you to hire a porter while doing trekking in Nepal. Leave all the hassles to your trekking guide and porter so that you can enjoy the best experiences of the trekking trails of Nepal.
Miscellaneous Cost to Consider
As mentioned above, there are many miscellaneous costs to consider while trekking in Nepal. These costs include the travel insurance which can be bought starting from 250 $. If you are going on the high altitude trek, then buy high priced insurance that covers the emergency helicopter rescue too. Travelers have to buy the insurance in their home country or from the international insurance company before embarking to the trek destination. You need to submit the copy of the insurance plan to the city office of the trek company before departing so that the office can act during the time of emergency.
Internet is not free in the most of the higher elevation places of Nepal. Trekkers have to buy the local internet package or they can use the mobile network internet data. Hot showers cost you around 3 $ to 5 $ and hot drinking water costs you around 1 $ to 4 $ per liter. Gear rental cost for trekking in Nepal starts from 1 $ to 15 $ depending upon the item and apparel that you have rented.
Best Tip to trek in Nepal in low cost
First, decide your preferences and maximum budget. Secondly, contact the reliable trekking company like the Nepal Trekking Rangers to discuss about the trekking trip that you can do in your budget. Ask as many questions as possible. Choose to use the basic facilities which are bearable to you but it has to be safe. Buy the trekking package and curb your personal shopping! The biggest tip is that the trekking package of any trekking company of Nepal includes airport transfer/drop, hotel in city on bb plan, full board plan in trek, guide, porter, first aid, etc. Therefore, you can save a lot by booking the trek package.
I hope that you are ready to plan for an amazing walking holiday by knowing the cost of trekking in Nepal. Lace up your boots and head to the mesmerizing trekking journey in Nepal.