Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost: Full Budget Breakdown
A guided Annapurna Base Camp trek typically costs NPR 80,000–160,000 per person. Here is exactly where that money goes, and how to spend less without cutting corners that matter.
What ABC Costs in One Glance
The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek is one of Nepal's best-value Himalayan walks: it needs no expensive domestic flight, sits at a manageable 4,130 m, and runs entirely on a chain of teahouses, so you carry no camping or food costs. Most trekkers spend between NPR 80,000 and NPR 160,000 per person for a 7–10 day trip, depending on style.
| Style | Per day | 7–10 day total | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | ~NPR 4,000–6,000 | NPR 45,000–75,000 | Self-organised, shared rooms, basic meals, porter only |
| Standard (guided) | ~NPR 9,000–15,000 | NPR 80,000–135,000 | Licensed guide, permits, teahouse twin rooms, all logistics |
| Comfort | ~NPR 16,000–24,000 | NPR 150,000–240,000 | Private guide + porter, better lodges, private transport, buffer days |
The figures above are the on-the-ground trek cost. They exclude your international flights to Kathmandu, your Nepal visa, and travel insurance, budget those separately (see below).
Line-by-Line Cost Breakdown
Here is where every rupee goes on a standard guided ABC trek, using 2026 estimates. Trek prices in Nepal are usually quoted in US dollars but paid in a mix of dollars and Nepali rupees (NPR).
Permits: about NPR 5,000
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit): ~NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals.
- TIMS card: ~NPR 2,000 for foreign nationals.
SAARC nationals (including Indians) pay substantially less. See our ABC permits guide for the full detail.
Guide and porter: NPR 3,500–4,500 per day
Since 2023 a licensed guide is effectively required in the Annapurna region. Expect NPR 3,500–4,000/day for a guide and NPR 2,500–3,500/day for a porter (who carries up to ~20–25 kg, often shared between two trekkers). A combined "porter-guide" runs around NPR 2,500–3,700/day. These rates usually include the guide's own food, lodging and insurance, but tips are extra.
Teahouse rooms: NPR 500–1,500 per night
A twin room in a teahouse is cheap, often NPR 500–800 low down, rising toward NPR 1,000–1,500 at higher villages like Deurali and MBC, where everything is portered or mule-hauled in. Many lodges keep rooms cheap on the understanding that you eat dinner and breakfast there.
Food and drink: NPR 2,500–4,000 per day
This is the part most people underestimate, because prices climb with altitude. A plate of dal bhat costs ~NPR 400 in Pokhara but ~NPR 700–900 at Deurali. Budget NPR 2,500–3,500/day low on the trail and NPR 3,500–4,500/day high up. Hot drinks, bottled/boiled water, charging, Wi-Fi and hot showers are all paid extras that add up.
Transport: NPR 1,500–8,000
Pokhara to the trailhead (Siwai/Jhinu) and back is a 2–3 hour drive. A shared local jeep is ~NPR 700–1,000 each way; a private jeep for the group is NPR 8,000–12,000 round trip. Add the Kathmandu–Pokhara leg if relevant: tourist bus ~NPR 1,500–2,000, or a 25-minute flight ~NPR 13,000–16,000.
A Real Sample Budget (7-Day Trek)
Here is a realistic itemised budget for one person on a 7-day guided ABC trek from Pokhara, mid-range style, two trekkers sharing a porter:
| Item | Cost (NPR) |
|---|---|
| ACAP + TIMS permits | 5,000 |
| Guide (7 days @ 3,700, split, solo would be full) | 26,000 |
| Porter (7 days @ 3,000, shared = half) | 10,000 |
| Teahouse rooms (7 nights) | 6,000 |
| Food + hot drinks (7 days @ 3,700) | 26,000 |
| Charging, Wi-Fi, hot showers, water | 5,000 |
| Pokhara ↔ trailhead transport (shared jeep) | 2,500 |
| Guide/porter tips (customary) | 6,500 |
| Trek total | ~87,000 |
Booking the same trip as an all-inclusive package through an agency usually lands at NPR 95,000–135,000, the premium buys you fixed logistics, airport transfers, a pre-trek briefing and a single point of accountability if anything goes wrong.
How to Trek ABC for Less
- Eat dal bhat. It is the best value on any menu, a huge, refillable plate of rice, lentils, vegetables and pickle that fuels a full trekking day for one fixed price.
- Share a porter and guide. Splitting between two or three trekkers roughly halves the biggest line item.
- Trek in the shoulder season. Early March or late November still deliver fine weather with fewer crowds and softer lodge prices, see best time to trek ABC.
- Treat your own water instead of buying bottled, and carry a power bank.
- Take the local jeep, not a private one, to and from the trailhead.
- Book in Pokhara, not abroad. Local agencies in Pokhara are markedly cheaper than international operators selling the identical trek.
Don't economise on a licensed guide, insurance, or acclimatisation. Cutting those to save a few dollars is where cheap trips become expensive ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Annapurna Base Camp trek cost in 2026?
A guided ABC trek costs roughly NPR 80,000–160,000 per person for 7–10 days. Backpackers organising it themselves can do it for NPR 45,000–75,000, while a comfort trip with private guide, porter and better lodges runs NPR 150,000–240,000. This excludes international flights, your Nepal visa and insurance.
Is ABC cheaper than Everest Base Camp?
Yes, significantly. ABC needs no expensive Lukla flight (which alone adds NPR 46,000–53,000 round trip to an EBC trek), is shorter, and sits at lower altitude with cheaper food. ABC is one of the best-value major treks in Nepal.
Do I have to pay for a guide on ABC?
Effectively yes. Since 2023 the Annapurna region requires trekkers to use a licensed guide, costing about NPR 3,500–4,000 per day. Sharing a guide between two or more trekkers spreads the cost.
How much money should I carry on the trek?
Carry enough Nepali rupees in cash for everything on the trail, there are no ATMs past Pokhara and most teahouses do not take cards. Budget your food, drinks, extras and tips in cash, plus a buffer; withdraw it in Pokhara before you start.
Are permits expensive for ABC?
No. The ACAP (~NPR 3,000) and TIMS card (~NPR 2,000) together cost only about NPR 5,000 for foreign nationals, a small fraction of the total trek cost.
Official sources
Fees and rules on this page come from the bodies that set them. They do change, sometimes mid-season, so check the primary source before you pay anything.
- National Trust for Nature Conservation Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) permitsntnc.org.np
- Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal TIMS card rules & feeswww.taan.org.np
- Department of Immigration Nepal visa on arrival, fees & extensionswww.immigration.gov.np
- Dept. of National Parks & Wildlife Conservation National park & conservation area entry feesdnpwc.gov.np
By the BriefNepal Travel Desk
Researched and maintained by our Nepal-based editorial team and reviewed for accuracy. Last updated August 5, 2026. Prices, permits and conditions change, always verify before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
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