Annapurna Trekking Cost
The Annapurna region is among the popular trekking regions in Nepal. Particularly the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek are widely famous treks not only in Nepal but throughout the world. Many factors cause variation in the cost of a trek, like the trekking route, number of trekking days, package category, and so on. However, on average, the trekking cost for the Annapurna Circuit Trek is anywhere between $850 and $1200. Similarly, ABC Trek can cost you $750-$1000 on average. This excludes your international flight costs.
Since the Annapurna Circuit Trek is the most sought-after in the Annapurna region, we will primarily focus on the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost.
International Flight Cost
This cost depends on the country you’re flying from.
Travel Insurance Cost
Trekking in difficult landscapes like the Annapurna region comes with different risks. So, you need travel insurance to cover you. While purchasing one for the Annapurna Trek, make sure your insurance plan provides coverage up to 5,500 meters for your basic travel needs like medical costs, flight cancellation, lost or delayed baggage, and tour cancellation. Buy one before coming to Nepal, as there are no insurance plans providing such coverage in Nepal. Trekking insurance with 30 days of coverage typically costs $150 on average.
Visa Cost
You can get yourself a visa before coming to Nepal. The good thing is that you can also get an on-arrival visa at Tribhuvan International Airport. Indian nationals don’t need to have a visa, whereas some nationalities need to get a visa before arriving in Nepal.
On-arrival Visa Fee Structure
15 Days: $30
30 Days: $50
90 Days: $125
Accommodation in Kathmandu
It can cost you from $10 to $250 per night, depending on the hotel level.
Transportation Cost for Annapurna Circuit Trekking
If you are choosing the standard route, which starts from Besisahar:
Local Bus: $10 per person
Private Car: Around $110 per car
If you are doing this trek clockwise (from Pokhara to Besisahar):
Kathmandu to Pokhara Flight: $110 per person on average (depending on the time of year)
Private Car (Kathmandu to Pokhara): $120 per car
You can again take a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom if you wish, which costs $110 per person.
Note: The clockwise route from Pokhara to Besisahar is not recommended as you’ll have less time for acclimatization.
Permit Costs for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit Trek cost also comprises entry fees for two permits.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): It costs NPR 100 for Nepalis, NPR 1000 for SAARC nationals, and NPR 3000 for others. It is also free for children under the age of ten.
Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS) Card: It costs NPR 1,000 for a group trekker, NPR 2,000 for a free individual trekker (FIT), NPR 300 for SAARC countries group trekkers, and NPR 600 for SAARC countries FITs per person per entry.
Accommodation and Amenity Costs
It can cost NPR 1000 to NPR 1500 per room per night during Annapurna Trekking. You need to pay separately for any extra services you want. A hot shower can cost you $2-$3 per shower. Similarly, the electricity cost for charging your gadgets is $1–$2. Some teahouses provide free wi-fi service, while others charge money. However, it is not reliable. So, it’s better to buy a SIM card and purchase packages for internet, calls, and texts. $5-$10 is enough normally.
Meals and Drinks Cost
In general, it will cost you $15 – $20 for three meals and some snacks. This does not include cold drinks or alcohol. You can expect to pay $30 to $40 per day for basic accommodation, three meals, and some snacks. For cold drinks and alcohol, you need to budget extra. Drinking water costs $1 per liter.
Guide and Porter Cost
You can expect to pay $22 to $30 per day for your guide. Similarly, hiring a porter can cost you $20 to $25 per day during the Annapurna Circuit Trekking. Remember, if you decide to hire someone on the trail, the charge will be higher. So, hire one in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Tipping Cost
It is not mandatory to tip your guide and porter. However, it is expected. As a general rule of thumb, you can tip them 10% of their salaries. Yet, it is your personal choice on how much to tip at the end.
Trekking Gear Cost
It’s better to rent gear than to buy a completely new set of gear, apart from a few items like trekking boots. You can rent almost everything for around $1–$2 per item per day from rental shops in Thamel.
Extra General Expenses
Please also include general expenses like buying souvenirs or sightseeing in Kathmandu in the trekking cost for the Annapurna Trekking. On average, budgeting $100 to $200 will be okay.
