Nepal Treks on a Budget: Camping vs. Homestay: Which Wins?

28 Jan 2024 Chandra Gurung

Nepal is a beautiful country embedded in the heart of the Himalayas. The cascading waterfalls flowing from the snow-capped giants are magical until you witness what the grandeur of Nepal can showcase. Are you excited to learn about camping in Nepal?

From diverse cultures to rich ancient monasteries high in altitude in the rugged landscapes of Nepal, the unmatched rural beauty standards of Nepal have a lot to be explored. The Himalayan Sanctuary is everyone’s dream come true. But do you know that there are popular lodging options like camping and homestays in Nepal trek?

So, if you are a budget-conscious trekker, which one matches your profile? Join us as we reveal the gear rental cost, permit, camping fees, homestay prices, and all the other secrets of the Himalayas in Nepal.

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Camping vs. Homestay in Nepal- Which Wins?

Nepal’s majestic mountains are on the tip of the tongue of adventure seekers. The call of the Himalayas is often warm, despite this crisp air. Travelers dodge a while to explore their options on where to lay their heads as dawn begins.

Camping in Nepal and homestays are two particular options through which you can savor local delicacies and rest your day with a pleasant experience. There are always ifs and buts when you compare homestays and camping for budget trekkers.

In our blog, we will be discussing how sharing stories under cozy homestays and the freedom of tents under the open sky play out in your Himalayan experience. Let the trek begin as we compare the costs, comforts, and cultural connections in the tranquil ambiance of the mystic Himalayas in Nepal.

Manaslu Circuit Camping Trek in Nepal

Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the popular options for camping in the Nepal Himalayas. Campsites located near Manaslu villages do offer flexibility and scenic locations, and they are indeed cost-effective accommodation options.

If you are conscious of the basic amenities in Manaslu, you can book that too. Toiletries and showers, are available, while you can also cook your food if you have needed resources. It takes 12-14 days when you cover the whole Manaslu adventure, with diverse landscapes like high passes, pine forests, and enchanting villages.

To proceed with strategic ascend on the Himalayas, you need to identify roadblocks and take up challenges in the Himalayas. There are going to be setbacks, but be patient with what comes in, and make more manageable goals, from accommodation to sustenance in the elevation gains.

Camping Vs Homestays in Nepal: A Complete Cost Breakdown

Trekking in Nepal is all about taking that one adventure in life, with exceptional views of the Himalayas. Expect to be a part of diverse cultural experiences and cleanse your soul in the serene sanctuary.

If you want to explore Mount Manaslu, you are left with no choice but to choose between camping and homestays. So, let us help you unfold the Manaslu adventure with expert insights, on what to choose.

1. Camping in Nepal (Manaslu)

Camping is indeed a fun activity when you are with your friends. You can either group and rent gear or even buy the essential camping gear to save on longer treks like the Manaslu trek.

Renting sleeping gear can be as expensive as $30–$50 per day. But you can save a lot if you buy camping equipment like tents, sleeping bags, and mats if you are a frequent trekker. Camping also needs cooking food on your own. You can still buy food if nearby hotels and lodges are providing food to outsiders as well in the rugged Manaslu landscapes.

To enjoy your time at Manaslu campsites, you need to pay camping fees somewhere between $10-$20 per day. Including all the food, camping, and permit fees, the daily expenditure on trekking in Manaslu is somewhere between $30 to $80, based on what facilities you choose. If you wonder why camping is a better option than homestays, you can look at these points.

Affordable accommodation option
Flexible itinerary and camping sites
Scenic views and locations of the campsites
Encounter nature and wilderness from a unique perspective

2. Homestays

Homestays are comfortable accommodation options. You need not worry about cooking food, or packing gear for camping like tents, and sleeping bags. The homestay offers basic room amenities and serves you delicious plates of meals on your journey. Including, per night stay per person is a homestay, and extra meal charges offered the homestay price per day gets to $25 to $45 per day. Again, the rates may fluctuate based on what food, amenities, and services you look for in your stay. Some of the quality points of residing in homestays in Manaslu are,

Get recommendations from locals
Support sustainable tourism practices
Comfort of warm beds, hot showers, home-cooked meals
Learn local traditions and practices with local host insights

3. Comparison of Homestays and Camping in Nepal

If you are in a group, the best option can be camping which leads you to a flexible trekking experience in the Manaslu Trek. But the comfort of homestays is something irreplaceable, especially in the colder region. Choose wisely if you love adventures like camping or prioritize comfort and budget along your odyssey to the Mountains.

Not always, camping is a good-good. You need to be aware of the challenges that camping can bring to your trekking experiences. Let’s see what they are,

Need to cook your food
Can be relatively colder than cozy homestays
Need time and effort to set up campsites each time
Carry heavy sleeping gear or even hire a porter

Similarly, staying in homestays also has its own set of disadvantages like less privacy and flexibility. If the area is popular, where no of night stays per day is more, then, homestays generally become an expensive option. There is limited availability with premium prices in peak trek season.

Homestays Vs Camping in Nepal: Factors to Consider

The best choice always lies in knowing what you prefer in an accommodation facility. If you like complete freedom or secure homestay choice is yours. Before further due, let’s understand how can we choose between homestays vs camping in Manaslu.

1. Your budget

Budget is the first factor to consider when making a choice. Taking options to save cost on trekking experience always allows you to plan side trails and have future exploration too. In that case, camping is a relatively economical option for you.

2. Your trekking style

Every person has a different adventure side. There comes a category of people who like to have unconventional adventures and another group who just stay within shells and prioritize comfort and safety when trekking in Manaslu. Know what resembles you the most, and the best choice for adventure is camping in Nepal if you are ready to set a target.

3. Time of the year

No matter how you shout, the weather will always impact you. Safety does come first, and homestays are preferable options during less favorable weather conditions. To stay safe from rain and snow, homestays combine better options.

4. Hybrid experience

You can sign up for a combined experience, where you get to be part of both camping and homestays. Are you excited about backpacking and enjoying the raw beauty of Nepal, with a hybrid experience in the wild?

5. Plan in Advance

It is suggested for you to plan, considering your needs and priorities. Remember that you need to book homestays before you arrive. For camping, you need to learn the techniques and even rent your gear, or buy one.

Conclusion

Nepal is the holy land of ancient temples, snow-kissed Himalayan peaks, and adventure getaways. If you are an adventure enthusiast, you can have unique experiences and challenges in the Himalayas. The choice is yours.

Do you prefer Homestays or camping in Nepal, especially for the stay days in Manaslu? So, tie your shoelace, decide on a Nepal adventure package, and sign up for a backpack full of memories. Regardless, contact Manaslu’s guide to explore Nepal’s breathtaking panoramas in the world’s 8th highest peak, the Manaslu expedition.