Short answer
- A licensed guide costs about USD 30 a day this autumn.
- A porter in the Khumbu costs NPR 2,500 to 3,000 a day; receipts disagree.
- Ask what the rate covers: food, insurance, the flight home.
Day rates usually include the guide’s or porter’s food and lodging on the trail, but not always their insurance or return transport. Get it in writing.
Our porter figure is contested: two receipts from Lukla show different rates, and we are asking the porter association.
Rates
Rates this season
Browse all facts| Rate | Who | State |
|---|---|---|
| USD 30 | Licensed guide, a day | Verified |
| NPR 3,000 | Porter, Khumbu, a day | Contested |
| NPR 2,500 | Porter, Annapurna, a day | Verified |
How to get it
- Step 1Hire through an association or agencyAsk to see the guide’s licence.
- Step 2Agree the rate and loadIn writing, before you start.
- Step 3Check their insurancePorters need cover too.
Fair hire
Keep loads to 25 kg, make sure your porter has warm clothes and boots, and pay the agreed rate in full.
Sources and versions
- 4 Oct 2026 · Figures re-checked against this season’s receipts
- 18 Aug 2026 · Page first published
