Updated 4 Oct 2026 · 5 guides
What a trek really costs, day by day.
Daily budgets for each trek, what guides and porters charge, and where your money goes, all priced from this season’s receipts.
- Guides in this section
- 5 pages
- Last checked
- 4 Oct 2026
- Receipts behind it
- 141 photographed
- Pictured
- Dinner in Namche
01 · Lukla 2,860 m
Five guides to spending less.
Start with the daily budget for your trek, then the people you hire and the cash you carry.
- 01Daily budget, EverestWhat a day costs from Lukla to Base Camp, lodge by lodge.
- 02Daily budget, AnnapurnaThe Circuit and Base Camp, priced village by village.
- 03Guides and portersDay rates this season, what they cover, and how to tip.
- 04TippingWhat is expected, when, and in which currency.
- 05Cash and ATMsWhere the last ATM is, and how much cash to carry.
02 · Monjo 2,835 m
A day on the trail.
What one person spends on a typical day this season, by trek and comfort level. Lodge, three meals, tea and a shower.
| Trek | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | Checked | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | USD 38 | USD 53 | USD 78 | 4 Oct 2026 | Verified |
| Gokyo Lakes | USD 36 | USD 50 | USD 73 | 1 Oct 2026 | Verified |
| Annapurna Circuit | USD 25 | USD 35 | USD 55 | 28 Sep 2026 | Verified |
| Annapurna Base Camp | USD 27 | USD 37 | USD 55 | 28 Sep 2026 | Review due |
| Langtang Valley | USD 22 | USD 32 | USD 49 | 19 Sep 2026 | Verified |
| Manaslu Circuit | USD 31 | USD 44 | USD 66 | 12 Sep 2026 | Contested |
03 · Namche 3,440 m
Questions by topic.
The questions readers send us most, answered with the notice or receipt behind each answer.
How much should I budget a day on the Everest trail?
About USD 53 a day for a mid-range lodge, three meals, tea and one hot shower. Budget teahouses bring it to USD 38.
Is it cheaper to trek in the monsoon?
Lodges cut room rates, but food prices stay the same and flights are cancelled more often. Most trekkers save less than they expect.
Why does food cost more higher up?
Everything above Namche is carried up by porters or yaks, so prices rise with each day’s walk.
What does a porter cost per day?
NPR 2,500 to 3,000 in the Khumbu this autumn. Two receipts disagree, so the figure is marked contested.
How much should I tip my guide?
About 10% of the total fee, given at the end, in rupees.
Are there ATMs on the trail?
Lukla and Namche have ATMs; above Namche, carry cash. Machines often run out in October.