Annapurna Circuit Budget, Nepal
This travel guide includes everything you need to know about the cost of travel in Nepal and tips on how to trek the popular Annapurna Circuit in the Himalayas on a budget. Nepal is a budget-friendly country, and we spent less than $21 per day during our 4 weeks Nepal visit. So how much does Annapurna Circuit cost, and how much should you budget?
In general, Nepal is a budget-friendly country, and it's possible to travel and stay there without breaking the bank.
Our Nepal expenses were a bit specific as we primarily hiked the Annapurna Circuit Trek, so our food and accommodation options were relatively limited.
Nepali government set a price range for all lodges on the trek, which means the cost is very similar everywhere; there is only one rule. The higher you climb, the more expensive service you can expect, but it is quite understandable.
Depending on your bargaining skills, the owner's mood, and the season, you can try to get a better price.
It is also an unwritten rule that hikers have dinner and breakfast in the same lodge where they sleep, so usually, we were asked only to pay for food, and the host waived our accommodation fees.
We spent almost 4 weeks in Nepal, and it was one of our best travel experiences we've ever had. In this blog post, we will focus on travel costs and share with you our Annapurna Circuit budget. If you want to know how much this popular trek costs, keep on reading.
Nepal is an amazing country, and we've created this extensive Annapurna Circuit itinerary to inspire your travels and help plan your trip.
In general, Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Nepal are some of the cheapest places in the world, which makes it great for budget travelers.
If you want to eat out, you can find a local eatery where you will be served a handful of momos for $1, a night in a dormitory will cost you no more than $5, and $50 will get you a room in a really nice hotel.
Probably the most expensive item on your shopping list will be a flight ticket, but you can knock the price down by shopping around and looking for first or last-minute deals.
We've also put together our detailed Annapurna Circuit guide, where you will find all the information you need.
ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK BUDGET
It is always a bit tricky to write a travel budget because we know that every person has a different travel style. That's being said; we do not think your Annapurna Circuit budget will differ from ours that much.
Of course, we assume that you are going to travel independently.
The travel cost is relatively low, but if you prefer taking the Annapurna Circuit Tour, be prepared to spend much more.
The good thing about Annapurna Circuit is that accommodation and food are relatively cheap, and it is not possible to find here a substitution as in the bigger cities.
Feel free to get inspired by our trekking budget, but you should know in advance that we always try to travel as cheaply as possible, and we can live on the road quite frugally.
COST OF TRAVEL
In total, we traveled 23 days in Nepal and spent 102 424 NPR = 4453 NPR per day = 2227 NPR per person, which is approximately 21 USD per person per day.
This sum is without the flight tickets and additional gear we purchased before the trek as it is highly individual.
We hiked in Nepal in the second most popular hiking season (March and April), but you may spend even less if you opt for monsoon or wintertime. By the way, check out our blog post Best Time to Trek the Annapurna Circuit.
It is also essential to mention that we hiked the classic Annapurna Circuit route that took us 15 days.
We spent the rest of our time in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and this is where our expenses can differ - we tried to stay on the budget all the time, but you might want to splurge a bit after the challenging time in the mountains.
TOTAL: 970 USD
Flight tickets
Return flight tickets from Prague, Czech Republic, with one layover in Dubai cost us approximately 800 USD per person.
We could have probably bought it way cheaper but were so excited about the idea of going finally to Nepal that we bought tickets straight away.
We also needed the flight tickets for exact dates, so our searching options were limited. Flight tickets are the most expensive item on our budget list, and it depends on the destination you fly from.
TOTAL: 1600 USD
VISA AND PERMITS
30 days visa costs 40 USD per person, and you can pay the fee at the airport after filling out the arrival card. We could get a visa on arrival; check out the up-to-date information for your nationality!
For Annapurna Circuit, you must obtain Annapurna Circuit Trekking Permits that consist of TIMS & ACAP permits. These permits cost in total 5000 NPR, which is less than $50 per person.
It might seem quite a lot, but when you divide this amount by the number of days on the road, it is actually pretty cheap. The fee goes to protecting the environment, maintaining the trails, and enhancing travelers' safety.
We went to the tourist Nepal Tourism Board office directly from the airport and arranged our permits straight away as we wanted to get to Besisahar the next day and started trekking.
TOTAL: 160 USD
ACCOMMODATION
When hiking Annapurna Circuit, the expected price range for accommodation with breakfast and dinner varies from 250 NPR to 800 NPR for a room for two.
We usually slept in private rooms with a shared bathroom; only a few times we had a room with an attached bathroom.
You can expect slightly higher prices in larger cities like Kathmandu or Pokhara.
When hiking the Annapurna Circuit, the price for accommodation is usually lower in the lower elevations, and it increases the higher you get.
We did not find a way how to book a room in a teahouse in advance, but it was always enough just to show up.
It happened to us only once that a guesthouse was full; it was in the popular Manang area, but it did not take long, and we found another lodging with availability.
Keep in mind that accommodation in Nepal is extremely affordable, and whatever your budget is, you don't have to spend a fortune to stay in a nicer property.
TOTAL: 184 USD
WHERE TO STAY IN KATHMANDU
To be honest, the only place where we booked the room in advance was the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. We wanted to make sure that we'll have a decent place to stay before our trip after the long flight.
The most common area for backpackers is Thamel, and it is also where you'll find a hotel or hostel that will suit your budget.
We've handpicked the best three hotels in every price category.
Budget | Hotel Dali Nepal - If you look for cheap accommodation, this hostel might be exactly what you want. Rooms are clean, and the service for the price is perfect.
Mid-range | Kathmandu Grand Hotel - Great value for money, perfect location, clean rooms, and tasty buffet breakfast is worth it.
Luxury | Baber Mahal Vilas - This hotel is a real luxury in the very heart of Kathmandu. If you want to disconnect from the busy outside streets, check out the rooms' photos - they look stunning. Alternatively, Pokhara.
TRANSPORT
Although Annapurna Circuit is a tramping loop, you'll likely need to use transport in the country a few times. Below you can find the prices of transportation we took in Nepal.
First, we had to get from the airport to the center of Kathmandu. The next day we took a public bus to the trailhead of Annapurna Circuit, Besisahar.
It is possible to arrange a tourist bus which is a bit more expensive.
Then we took a jeep from Kagbeni, where we finished the hike, to Jomsom, then we took another jeep to Pokhara. Our wanderings around Nepal finished in Kathmandu, where we got by another long bus drive from Pokhara.
Taxi from the airport in Kathmandu to the Thamel cost around 750 NPR, the ride itself will cost you another few years of your life.
Bus from Kathmandu to Besisahar cost 430 NPR per person.
Jeep from Kagbeni to Jomsom cost 350 NPR.
Jeep from Jomsom to Pokhara cost 1690 NPR per person.
Bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu cost 700 NPR per person.
TOTAL: 65 USD
EATING OUT
Food and drink prices rise proportionally to elevation. Breakfast is 250 - 400 NPR, lunch, and dinner 500 NPR - 700 NPR per person.
We always ordered local vegetarian food, which is cheaper than western food or meals with meat. We did not buy any alcohol while trekking.
Firstly, it gets expensive, around 500 NPR for 0.33l beer bottle, and secondly, it is not recommended to drink alcohol at this altitude.
It is also not safe to drink tap water in the Annapurna area. Tourists should use purifying tablets, or buy water in ACAP stations along the road, and it usually costs one-third of the water in plastic bottles.
In the lowland, you can buy 1 liter for as little as 25 NPR; at an altitude around 3000 meters; the same bottle costs approximately 160 NPR.
Before your trip to Nepal, consider investing in a water bottle with integrated filter or SteriPen that kill the bacteria.
It will save you money in the long term view, you will lower your plastic footprint and do something beneficial for the local environment.
In the cities, you can buy dinner from 80 NPR. For first-time visitors, here are 5 meals you can't miss in Nepal.
TOTAL: 406 USD
GROCERY
On Annapurna Circuit, we only bought freshly made snacks in bakeries along the trek for 100 - 150 NPR. Prices in local restaurants are cheap, so there's no need to go grocery shopping.
When we were longing for fresh fruit, we bought it in Kathmandu or Pokhara from street vendors.
You must bargain as there is no set price, and no one will tell you how much the cost should approximately be.
TOTAL: 25 USD
ACTIVITIES
You can book a guided tour with a travel agency that will take care of everything on your behalf in advance, or you can hire a guide and porter in Kathmandu, Pokhara, or at the beginning of the trek.
We decided it wasn't necessary to hire a guide as the trail is well-marked, and we were also willing to carry our own backpacks - make sure to read our Annapurna Circuit Packing List.
We paid entrance fees only in Kathmandu and Pokhara when we wanted to visit the best attractions. Overall, if you are an individual traveler, you do not need budget a lot for paid activities.
If you are looking for what to do in the cities, check out our travel guides: Top Things to Do in Pokhara and Best Places to in Kathmandu.
TOTAL: 30 USD
GEAR
Before leaving, we bought down jackets, water purifying drops, medications, and trekking poles. It cost around $700, but we didn't purchase this gear only for Annapurna Circuit and will use it in the future.
You can buy all the trekking gear you need in Kathmandu, though be prepared that the high-quality stuff is expensive and difficult to find. Therefore we would recommend you to look for discounts and buy all things before the trip.
The cheap stuff you will see is in the local stores is usually made from low-quality materials despite having Goretex and other labels.
TOTAL: 700 USD
EXTRA COSTS
If you plan your trip to the Himalayas in Nepal, there are several things to consider. First of all, the trails are challenging, weather can change rapidly, and you'll be hiking at a high altitude - and unfortunately, mishaps happen.
Plus, the highest point on Annapurna Circuit is 5416 meters above sea level. When it comes to travel insurance, we never travel without it. It is not just us who think that travel insurance is important.
The Nepalese government requires having insurance. For your safety, it should cover sports activities and climb above 5000 meters.
Having a travel insurance number is even compulsory when filling out the form in order to get Annapurna Circuit Trekking Permits - TIMS and ACAP.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer! We were lucky to grab a great deal this time, and our travel insurance cost around $50 per person for the whole stay.
TOTAL: 100 USD
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
