All across the world, Nepal is a haven for low-cost vacationers. This nation not only boasts a wide range of locations but they are also the greatest values. Unsurprisingly, Nepal boasts some excellent routes considering that it is a country famed for the majestic Himalayas. Trekkers have a wide selection of top-notch, incredibly budget trekking destinations to choose from. This article overviews a few of these while estimating their daily costs.
There are no more affordable places to go trekking than Nepal. It indicates that one can spend more than the minimum expenses. Several other elements, including licenses, guides, and extra accessories, determine the package’s price. Despite all of this, you will be astonished by the return on your investment in the Himalayas.
Budget Trekking in Nepal
As a trekker, you can arrange your budget trekking in Nepal in various ways. The decision to a trekking region is flexible in the beginning. At the very least, a guide is required for their initial trekking step. You can compare and choose a suitable package that will provide full support throughout the walk.
Those who previously went on a trek in the Himalayas can now further reduce their costs. You cannot use a guide if you are comfortable navigating and speaking the language. Depending on your degree of fitness, you can bypass the porters and complete the walk on your own.
For experienced hikers, Nepal is the ideal low-cost vacation spot. You have a lot of excellent trail alternatives to choose from, so you may make your own decisions. If you’re hiking alone or with a partner, camping treks can help you save even more money. Few places can compare to the amazing experiences of trekking in Nepal with proper planning and safety measures.
So, even if we maintain the same level of service and amenities, there are many possibilities for amazing low-cost hiking. Here are the top 10 least expensive trekking locations in Nepal to consider for your upcoming getaway.
1. Kanchenjunga Region
Kanchenjunga is affordable for all types of tourists. It is one of the top off-the-beaten-path hikes in Nepal. As a result, some options and costs are affordable for hikers. For the majority of Kanchenjunga, the only lodging choices for trekkers are teahouses and lodges. These will undoubtedly provide some genuine regional experiences at a reasonable cost. You should expect a long trail if you go trekking in Kanchenjunga. The Kanchenjunga region offers the best value for a three-week fantastic trekking adventure.
Budget Trekking in Kanchenjunga Region
- Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek
- Lower Kanchenjunga Trek
- Kanchenjunga Circuit
Kanchenjunga trekking costs on average $22 per person per day.
2. Langtang Valley Trek
You can find beginner-friendly treks in the Himalayas in Langtang National Park. In addition to being a long-distance track, some sections are challenging for adventure. Include Tamang culture, outdoor adventures, and Buddhist monasteries every day.
It must be pricey with all of these and more, right? Well, it is less expensive than getting the full Himalayan experience. Regarding speed and the standard of lodging and meals, the Langtang Valley trip currently holds the top spot. You’ll be even more shocked to learn that the pricing here stayed steady despite the prolonged lack of availability following the 2015 Nepal Earthquake.
The daily base fee for trekking in the Langtang region is $30 per person.
3. Upper Dolpo Trek
Due to its remoteness and challenging terrain, Upper Dolpo has long been considered the “forbidden fruit” for novice hikers in Nepal. However, over the past ten years, numerous off-the-beaten-path routes have seen a positive attitude. Dolpo has been among the most genuine trekking experiences in western Nepal. We recommend the Upper Dolpo trip for trekkers on a tight budget trekking who have an adventurous mindset.
Give us a chance to explain. The domestic flight to the trailhead will be the most expensive item here. And comparable climbs in other parts of Nepal work out to less than a day’s worth of expenses. Dolpo, particularly Upper Dolpo, is mostly undiscovered, and you can trek for many days without seeing significant villages where you can purchase. At Dolpo, you can embark on one of Nepal’s most affordable and worthwhile lengthy treks.
Upper Dolpo trekking costs daily of $18 per person.
4. Manaslu Circuit Including Tsum Valley
One of the main rivals for Nepal’s top three hiking areas is the Manaslu Circuit. Manalsu does have a budget on its side when compared to Everest and the Annapurna. In a similar environment, you may accomplish the treks for roughly 30% less per day.
The Manaslu circuit offers everything. The only thing you will give up in this situation is more expensive modern luxuries. Another trail where hiring a local guide could help you save money is the Manaslu Circuit. Join a group or take a scheduled departure if that is a possibility.
A special authorization is required to enter the restricted area known as Tsum Valley. It will initially appear far more expensive than your current Manaslu Circuit expedition. However, the experiences offered here are exceptional and entirely worth the money. Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek is a good option if you want to spend some time in the Himalayas in solitude and for a cheap budget.
Manaslu Conservation Area trekking costs daily of $20 per person
5. Annapurna Trek
Many trekkers from all over the world rank the Annapurna region just at the top of their lists. While it may be one of the best trekking areas, there are more expensive options. That, though, depends on how willing you are to finish the voyage.
Aside from the mustang area, you wouldn’t have to bother much about the permission expense. The trailhead at Naya Pul or Besisahar is conveniently accessible by local bus. Once your voyage has begun, there are a few things to take care of for a less expensive finish.
Advice for completing the Annapurna hike on a tight budget:
- Pick the proper path.
The Annapurna Conservation Area has several great routes leading to various locations. If this is the case, the best course of action will be to choose the appropriate route to take you there. Additionally, the duration and intensity of the trek are quite important. A moderate and short path usually provides the best value for hikers.
- Skip any additional rest or hiking days.
If you feel assured, skip adding extra days to your plan for acclimatization. Travelling by jeep would also be acceptable if it meant saving a few days. Strategic planning will allow you to cut the trek short.
- You can omit guides and porters who are good at communicating.
There is plenty of hikers in the Annapurna region. That much is certain. It is one of the Himalayan locations where people trek the most. You can accomplish a moderate hike using local communication abilities (words, symbols, and phrases) during the right season and under ideal circumstances.
- Merge your rooms.
If you travel alone, you may find somebody to share a room with. It might be optional for less expensive rooms, but you can divide the difference if you’d like.
- Simple and regional cuisine
There are several modern bakeries, and Annapurna offers various meals. Simple regional meals, however, have a history of providing you with the necessary energy at a reduced cost. Trekkers frequently spend a large portion of their budget on food, but you can manage that here.
Trekking in ACAP costs, on average, $20 per person daily.
6. Trek to Makalu Barun
The Makalu Base Camp Trek is on the uninhabited portion of the Himalayas, like Kanchenjunga. This trail offers some of the best experiences to those who enjoy traditional camping treks and is ideal for them. You have plenty of opportunities to hike on amazing treks and see the undiscovered within your budget in the Himalayas’ least travelled areas.
The daily cost for hiking in the Makalu region is $18 per person (about 35 dollars for camping hikes).
7. Upper Mustang Trek
The permission fee needed to enter these restricted areas is what Upper Mustang is most expensive for. Is it worth it, then? Because Upper Mustang is unique compared to other Himalayan locations, you are the judge. It has been on both explorers’ and hikers’ bucket lists.
You are probably the first to visit because it has only recently opened to outside tourists. Another intriguing feature of Mustang is the opportunity to receive free lodging in exchange for dining at the same lodge or guesthouse. According to what we’ve seen in the reviews, the Mustang offers the best value today.
Upper Mustang trekking is about $25 per person per day (Excluding the restricted area permits)
8. Rara Lake Trek
One of the easiest treks in the lower Himalayas is the Rara Lake walk. Families and couples on hikes have been noticing it because of the easy trail that leads to the enticing scenery up ahead. In addition to the low cost of travel to the area, this place offers some of the best experiences. You should pay only what you should for the few possibilities, given the cost of completing the expedition.
The daily minimum fee for trekking in Rara is $20 per person.
9. The Everest Area (with extensive budget trail alterations)
Let’s face it: cheap hiking in Nepal doesn’t exactly ignite interest in the Everest region. It is quite the opposite for a variety of clear reasons. The possibility of cheap trekking still exists, thanks to trekkers who are motivated to reach the top of the world.
Trekking in the off-season could be among the simplest solutions in this situation. Your problem is that you need to get the full Everest experience. Your forethought and preparedness pay off in this situation. For people from all over the world, Everest is a feasible option for a low-cost trekking destination.
Advice for completing the Annapurna hike on a tight budget
- Stay away from luxury hotels.
Everest offers some of the finest hotel alternatives, particularly in the larger communities. To save money, you will have to sacrifice comfort and amenities. You may finish the journey for half as much money if you choose a teahouse trek.
- Bakeries may entice you; choose to reward yourself after completing the journey.
In the mountains, food may become exceedingly pricey. After finishing the voyage, reward yourself, and keep things simple while on it.
- If you are in good enough shape, combine trekking days.
These days, this is far more typical. People enjoy pushing themselves to the maximum, especially when they are returning. If you walk for a few hours longer each day, you could save a few days.
- Accommodation in more rural areas
Try to make stops at the less well-known locations if you can. These could be a little before or a little after your intended stop. You will generally pass past settlements and teahouses every hour or so on the lower portion. Choose carefully.
The daily base fee for trekking on Mount Everest is $30 per person (Less in the Lower Khumbu areas)
10. Simikot Limi Valley Trek
A recently found trail exploring Nepal’s northwest terrain is the Simikot Limi Valley trek. Here, trekking is frequently portrayed as an alternative to walking for discovery purposes. You can see wildlife and landscapes that resemble Switzerland from a century ago at the lowest price imaginable. Simikot Limi Valley Trek can be one of Nepal’s least expensive trekking locations if you enjoy long, challenging off-the-beaten-path trails.
Simikot treks start at a base price of $18 per person per day (30 dollars approx. for tent treks).
Some suggestions for saving money while trekking in Nepal
You may only need to rely on your hiking region to spend a little money beyond the essentials of meals and lodging. Here are a couple more tips.
- In Kathmandu, purchase energy bars and snacks. On the trekking trail, you may discover them to be pricey or maybe not your ideal pick.
- Bring a water bottle filled with life straws or purification pills. Drinking water can get pricey once you reach a certain altitude (up to $3 per bottle occasionally). Fill up your bottles with water in restaurants and other locations where you can get it.
- Bring your power bank if you have one. There may be a charge for charging each device in some remote trekking destinations (particularly solar-powered ones).
- Eat regional cuisine. Although the popular trail frequently offers a wide selection, local food can also be tasty and reasonably priced.
- Please share a room with someone else if you’re travelling alone. In the Himalayas, most rooms are made to sleep at least two people.
- Be wise when choosing a domestic aircraft or transportation to the trailhead. Here, you might save more cash or time.
- A definite departure, join. You can join a sizable group, which frequently greatly reduces the walk cost.
Budget trekking offers its thrills. The sense that you are getting the most for your money is pleasant. Try Nepal and the possibilities mentioned above once for all those trekkers looking for the least expensive locations.
FAQ on Budget Trekking in Nepal
Q: Where can I find cheap flights to Nepal?
Once you arrive in Kathmandu or neighbouring towns or cities, you must find lodging. Choose one of the many hostels, homestays, or inexpensive hotels if your trip budget is limited. Spending less on lodging will increase your opportunities to visit nearby sites.
Q: Which month has the lowest airfare to Nepal?
We did the math and discovered that December is now the least expensive month to travel to Nepal.
Q: What is the price of a guide in Nepal?
Trekking guides in western Nepal also charge more. Low-end guide prices often begin at roughly $20 per day. A decent trekking guide often costs $30. In contrast, higher-end guides are $50+.