Nepal is a small paradise located in the majestic Himalayas marked with beautiful landscapes, lively culture, and amazing nature. It is a hotspot for visitors searching for unforgettable experiences and a discovery of the stunning peaks. But if you’re on a tight budget, all of that may become a distant dream.
Be courageous, however! Nepal’s size is deceptive, and it provides a myriad of trekking choices and trails which are not only budget-friendly but only as rewarding. We’ve gathered a list of the 5 best Budget Trekking in Nepal, excellent for discovering the great outdoors without spending a fortune.
So, you’ve come to the right place if you’re an outdoor fanatic searching for Budget Trekking in Nepal. Below are the 5 most Budget Trekking in Nepal provided by KHOJNU.
1. Annapurna Base Camp trek
2. Mardi Himal trek
3. Khopra ridge trek
4. Langtang valley trek
5. Lower Mustang trek
There are more than one prospect directing to the distinct price ranges of any trek you select. Few of the key components which affect the total cost of a trek are the season of the trek, the route of the trek, the period of the trek, and finally the number of the people on the trek.
Annapurna Base Camp Budget Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek traverses the Annapurna region of Nepal. It is about 10 days to 12 days long, and throughout the trek, the majestic mountains, that are Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Nilgiri, Machhapuchre, Manaslu, Gangapurna, Tilicho, Pisang, etc. are seen.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek provides an opportunity to witness the natural hot spring at Jhinu Danda. Together with the panoramic vistas and stunning mountains, it is a perfect journey to get face-to-face with Gurung and Magar people’s culture and activities and be pleased with their hospitality.
Break down of the total cost for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Transportation
Nrs 1000 (USD 7.59) for a Tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara, Nrs 800 (USD 6.07) for the local bus to Pokhara, and the flight from Tribhuvan International Airport to Pokhara cost about Nrs 5000 (USD 37.93) to Nrs 7000 (USD 53.11). The price of the flights changes relying on the airline you select and the time of the year. Followed by the drive to Siwai from Pokhara, that costs $6 to $9 if one takes the local bus and $120 for reserving a Jeep. From Siwai to Chhomromg to the Himalayas and to the Annapurna Base Camp is the whole trek by foot so no monetary expenditure for transportation is required.
Annapurna Base Camp Permits
There are two permits one needs to trek in the Annapurna region:
1. TIMS -The TIMS cost $10 in the situation it is done with a registered travel company otherwise it costs $20 and for citizens for SAARC nations, it is $6 only.
2. ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit): This is a protected area that is why everybody involving domestic and international trekkers requires the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. It costs NPR 300 (about $25) for foreigners and for Nepalese and trekkers from SAARC nations the permit costs NPR 1000.
Annapurna Base Camp Food and accommodation
The cost is affected by the location you select to stay at. A normal teahouse costs about $5 – $10 per night about NPR 1000. The luxurious hotels and lodges cost about $30 to $40 in NPR 2000+. For food and beverages about $15 to $20 is more than enough per day.
Annapurna Base Camp Guides and porters
Prices for guides and porters differ depending on their work experiences and qualifications. Nonetheless, $20 to $25 per day is more than enough to cover all the porter and guide expenditures.
Mardi Himal Budget Trek
Mardi Himal (mountain) is situated to the east of the Annapurna Base Camp. It is about 12 km to 15 km / 7.5 miles to 9.3 miles (relying upon the route) away from the Annapurna Base Camp. It is accomplished in 4 – 5 days. The trek provides the amazing mountainous vista of Mount Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Mout Hiunchuli, Mardi Himal, etc. The Mardi Himal Trek is off the beaten trek and is not so crowded. As it is not very demanding, it is a starter-friendly trek and is an absolute choice for the first trek. It is the ideal best trek for discovery of rare wildlife like the Himalayan wild Tahr, Mask deer, Barking deer, Snow leopard, etc.
Break down of the total cost of the Mardi Himal Trek
Mardi Himal Transportation
From Kathmandu to Mardi Himal to certain locations is covered by about NPR 1500 – NPR 2000 / $10 – $15. Significantly trekkers drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara followed by a drive to Deurali. (To save money you can trek rather than driving to locations)
Mardi Himal Permit
For the Mardi Himal trek, one needs two permits:-
1. TIMS (Trekker’s Information Management System)
2.ACAP( Annapurna Conservation Area Permit )
(These two permits are the same ones listed in the Annapurna base camp Trek mentioned earlier)
Mardi Himal Food and Accommodation
A decent teahouse in all parts of the Mardi Himal Trek costs about NPR 500 / $5 per night. Sharing a twin bedroom with a friend costs a little less, that is about NPR 900 / $7. (Carrying about NPR 5000 / $35 for additional snacks on the way is sufficient). Talking regarding food, three meals per day are simply covered by NPR 3000 / $22.
(NOTE: This is an average cost, if you select to eat not-so-fancy food then the costs fall particularly).
Guides and Porters
Guides and Porters cost from $20 to $25 / NPR 1500 to NPR 2500 per day involving their food and accommodation in the Mardi Himal Trek.
Khopra Ridge Budget Trek
Another budget trek to select is the Khopra Ridge Trek. This trek is accomplished within a week. It is a less explored trek of Nepal. Khopra Ridge Trek is starter-friendly and does not need any particular abilities, just being in good physical shape is enough. Trekkers behold the perception of Tukuche peak, Nilgiri, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Bara Shikhar, Mt. Machhapuchhre (Fishtrial), etc. Khopra Ridge Trek takes one to Khayer Lake.
It is a sacred lake that is worshiped by the locals. On the bank of the attractive Kahyer lake, there is a Khayer Barahi temple where the local Magar community and Hindu followers visit to seek blessings. Trek crosses with attractive villages like Ulleri, Bayeli Kharka, Naya Pool, etc. These villages show a simple way of living and terrific landscapes with beautiful vistas.
Break down of the total cost of the Khopra Ridge Trek
The similar two permits are needed which are mentioned earlier on the Khopra Ridge Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek: TIMS and ACAP.
A significant meal 3 times each day costs about NPR 1200 / $14.49. A shared room in a general teahouse costs about NPR 350 to NPR 450 / about $5 per night.
Guides and porters take about NPR 2000 / $20 for their service.
While on the Khopra Ridge Trek, transportation is used from Kathmandu to Pokhara, Pokhara to Naya pool. Using a public vehicle to travel to these locations cost about $15 / NPR 1500.
Lodging in a teahouse, on average, ranges from $7 to $10.
Langtang Valley Budget Trek
Trekking with the Langtang region of Nepal indicates crossing one of the best visuals in Nepal. Covered by enormous mountains, wildflowers, and small villages is what this trek is all about. Langtang Valley Trek is known for the Kyanjin Ri viewpoint. From this viewpoint, one watches Langtang Lirung, Yubra, Naya Kanga, Yala Peak, Changbu, etc. One gets to discover the Kyajin Gompa, which is a small village which reflects the beauty of Buddhism. You get to live the specific and peculiar way of living of the locals of the Langtang region namely Sherpa, Bhote, and Tamang.
Break down of the total cost of the Langtang Valley Trek
Trekking permits needed for the Langtang Valley Trek are TIMS and the Langtang National Park entry permit (needed to trek through the Langtang National Park). The TIMS is $20, for a group of trekkers with the agency it is $10, and for SAARC nationalities, it is $6. Langtang National Park entry permit is $33.9 (including the VAT of 13%), $16.95 for trekkers from SAARC countries (including VAT).
If you select the route through the Shivapuri National Park, it will cost $5.65 / NPR 748 to walk through.
$3 / NPR per meal is a specific cost. Hence $15 / NPR 1985 highest is enough for a day’s whole meal.
Trekking by the classic route indicates you drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi and Syabru Besi to Kathmandu while returning back. The public vehicle costs about $10 / NPR 1300 to $15 NPR 1986.
Guide/ Porter:- $20 / NPR 2600 to $25 / NPR 3000
Lower Mustang Budget Trek
Mustang is the most popular location in Nepal globally. Lower Mustang is in Northern Nepal’s Gandaki Province. It is 7 days to 9 days long, excellent for starters, and is budget-friendly. The highlight of the Lower Mustang Trek is the Muktinath temple. This is a Narayana (Vishnu God) temple that is a holy place for Hindus and Buddhists.
The 108 taps in the temples are believed to wash off all your sins if you cross through each one of them. One crosses with colorful villages of Nepal like Lupra, Charming and attractive locations, namely Kagbeni, Jomsom, etc. The stunning vista of Mount Annapurna and Mount Dhaulagiri is one of the best in the Lower Mustang Trek.
Break down of the total cost of the Lower Mustang trek
TIMS and ACAP are the two permits needed ( costs are mentioned earlier)
A basic meal costs about $8/ NPR 1060 here. So, about $20 / NPR 2600 covers expenditures for three meals a day.
Transportation: Normally, people drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara in the Lower Mustang Trek. The bus fare ranges from NPR 1200 to NPR 1500 relying upon the facilities the bus has.
Guides and porters fees differ from $20 / NPR 2600 to $25 / NPR 3000 per day.
Author: khojnu
Nepal Local Travel and Tourism Promotion ( Local Business )