Is Nepal costly for tourists?

No, Nepal is not costly for tourists. This tourist hub in South Asia has been popular among backpackers for more than a century. Nepal’s popularity among tourists arises from the fact that Nepal has always been a very cheap destination. So the answer to this question is a big NO. 

Let’s start with the fact that Nepal is a third-world country. Ranked as the least developed country in the world, Nepal’s money is actually very weak. This means when a tourist from the West come to visit Nepal, their money is converted into big Nepalese rupees. The purchasing capacity of foreign money in Nepal is really high due to the country’s crashing economy. So, if you are looking for a cheap destination to spend your holiday without being broke, you should look at Nepal.

Himalayan trekking in Nepal has been famous for almost half a century, with almost 1 million tourists travelling to Nepal each year. Room and food in Nepal are quite cheap in comparison to other facilities. Now let’s answer, “Is Nepal costly for tourists”?

What is the per-day cost for a tourist to Nepal?

Accommodation in the high Himalayas is very cheap, i.e. about five dollars per night, while food is a bit expensive. When in the city, the food is way cheaper than in the mountains, but the cost of a hotel in Nepal in the city is a bit high because of the better facilities. To sum up, you will spend between $40-$50 per day for a comfortable stay in Nepal. The cost of travelling in a private taxi and that of Porter may increase your trek cost, but overall, it’s quite cheap. 

What is the cost of hotels in Nepal for tourists?

In the mountain area, the hotels are called tea houses, and the price is kept to a minimum. And in the less popular route, you will pay about five dollars per room, which accommodates 2 to 3 people. And on the less popular route, Everest Base Camp, you have to pay around $10 per room. 

In the city like Kathmandu and Pokhara, the cost of the hotel depends on the level of comfort and luxury you’re looking for. You can find bunk beds for as low as five dollars per night and also find five-star hotels that can go over $1000 per night for a clean room with a queen bed and attached bathroom costs around $20-$30 per night. 

What is the cost of food in Nepal for tourists?

In the Himalayan region of Nepal, the cost of food is a bit higher in comparison to the city. This is because every food material has to be transported by humans, a mule or by helicopter. Normally, a full meal costs about $5 to $10 Jeep engine upon the route. Popular routes, such as Everest base camp, are a bit expensive, with food costs ranging from $7 to $9 for a meal, while other routes, such as Mardi Himal, are a bit cheaper. A full meal means a breakfast set or one item, such as a pizza, burger, or Nepalese Dal Bhat, which is enough for a person. Nepalese dal Bhat is the most reasonable option because they provide unlimited additions and a good number of varieties, such as steamed rice, lentil soup, vegetables, and pickles, in one set. 

In the city area, you can find food for 2 to 3 dollars per meal. You also have great options ranging from what you decide to eat. The cost of food in your hotel might be a few dollars higher than the local restaurant outside the hotel. Obviously, you can find a luxurious residence that has all kinds of international dishes at a higher price. But in a normal restaurant, you can find a pizza for about four dollars, a burger for about three dollars, and so on. A tourist on a budget trip does not spend more than $20 per day for food. You can also find a meal cheaper than this but obviously not a healthy meal in a clean place. 

What is the cost of travelling in Nepal for tourists?

The cheapest option for travelling is the Nepalese local bus. In a local bus, you can travel for 20 to 30 cents within Kathmandu Valley and for about $10 to $15 to any place within Nepal. However, local buses are not as clean and systematic as those in the developed part of the world. We highly recommend that tourists ride in a tourist bus operating in the city, such as Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, and Besisahar, which cost from $10 to $15. Within the city, you can get a cab/ taxi for the minimum price of $1.5 and about .5 cents for each kilometre. In a city like Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, you can also get motorcycle rides and cab rides for a much lower price through apps such as Pathao and inDrive. 

In some trekking destinations in Nepal, such as the Everest region or Dolpo, you must take a domestic flight at the start or end of the trip. Internal flights within Nepal range from $200 to $600 depending on the number of flights and destination. If you are on a budget for travelling, it’s better to avoid a destination that has internal flights. The cheapest trekking places in Nepal are the ones closest to the city, such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Langtang Valley Trek, Annapurna base Camp Trek, or Mardi Himal Trek. 

Cost of guide and porter to Nepal

The cost of a guide and porter is, in fact, one of the biggest costs while you are travelling in Nepal. A guide who can lead a group of 6 to 7 people normally costs about $25 per day, and a porter who can assist with a bag of two paper costs $15 per day. This means you will be spending around $40 and sharing about $10 In a larger group. Nepal government makes hiring a guide compulsory if you are travelling in the mountain region of Nepal. But if you are strong enough to carry your backpack, hiring a porter is not compulsory. 

Trek the cheapest Base Camp trek in Nepal i.e. Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek for less than $500 for all included packages.

Other cost factors 

Duration: Obviously, the longer the trek, the more expensive it will be. For instance, the Gokyo lake trek with EBC is more expensive than just the EBC trek.

Location: The trekking routes that are far from Kathmandu, such as Dolpo, Dhaulagiri and Kanchenjunga, are expensive in comparison to treks that are closer to cities such as Kathmandu in Pokhara. 

Permits: Some tracking roots of Nepal are regarded as restricted zones, and the government has issued special permits for that region. The permit cost can range from $70 to $500 for ten days of entry, depending upon the location. For instance, the Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit costs $120 in total for 10 days.

Remoteness: the trekking route that has been popular for a long time has availed Buhl hostels and Guest houses along the route. These hotels not only make your trip comfortable but also cheaper. If you have to trek in a remote region, Dhaulagiri and Kanchenjunga yo,u need to pay a higher amount for camping equipment and additional porters. 

What are the cheapest trekking routes in Nepal?

The short routes that are close to Kathmandu and Pokhara are the cheapest trekking route in Nepal. Among the base camp tours, the Mardi Himal Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and Langtang Valley Trek are the cheaper treks, while the Everest base camp trek, Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek, Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek etc are more expensive. Khopra Trek, Nagarkot Trek, Mohare Danda Trek, Gosaikunda Trek, etc, are the shortest and cheapest treks in Nepal that take you closer to the mountains.