Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost 2027: Complete Budget Breakdown

Updated 20 Oct 2026. Package prices below are read from our booking system on that date and hold for 2027 departures.

I get asked this question almost every day. Someone fills out our enquiry form, and within the first two messages it comes: how much does Annapurna Base Camp actually cost?

The honest answer is that it depends on how you trek. A budget trekker spending carefully will spend a completely different amount from someone who wants private rooms and a porter carrying everything. Both are valid. Both get you to the same 4,130-metre amphitheatre surrounded by some of the tallest mountains on earth.

What I can do is break down every cost you will face, from the permit office to the last cup of tea at Jhinu Danda hot springs, so you know exactly what to budget before you book anything.

May 2026 price note: Nepal’s fuel costs have risen sharply due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which pushed global oil prices to record highs. Nepal Oil Corporation hiked diesel by over 50% and aviation fuel by nearly 98% in a single month. Transport and teahouse food prices have increased as a result. Every number here reflects current 2026 pricing.

How Much Does the ABC Trek Cost in 2027?

If you want a number before reading three thousand words, here it is. A nine-day Annapurna Base Camp trek with a Nepali trekking company costs between 725 and 2,095 US dollars per person for two to four people, depending on your tier (1,250 to 3,465 if you trek alone), plus around 1,000 to 1,800 dollars for flights, visa, insurance, and personal spending. Total trip cost from your front door and back: roughly 2,100 to 3,800 US dollars for two to four people.

If that range is too wide for comfort, keep reading. I will narrow it down to what you specifically will pay.

Package Price: What a Nepali Trekking Company Charges

Most Nepali companies offer the ABC trek in tiered packages. Ours look like this, and they are fairly representative of what a licensed, reputable company charges:

Budget: 725 US dollars (1,250 if you trek alone)

This gets you a government-licensed English-speaking guide, all permits (ACAP and TIMS), ground transport between Kathmandu, Pokhara, and the trailhead at Nayapul, one night in Pokhara with breakfast, a SIM card, first aid kit with pulse oximeter, and a company t-shirt. You pay for your own meals on the trail and there is no porter: you carry your own bag.

Standard: 1,310 US dollars (1,725 if you trek alone)

Everything in Budget plus all three meals daily with tea, fruit, and two litres of water. Private twin rooms with attached bathroom where available. One porter per two trekkers carrying ten kilograms each. Shared tourist-standard vehicle between Kathmandu and Pokhara. SIM card with limited data. All taxes included.

Luxury: 2,095 US dollars (3,465 if you trek alone)

Everything in Standard plus premium private vehicle, all drinks except alcohol, private deluxe rooms with bed heater, one porter per trekker so you carry nothing, one guide per two trekkers, unlimited data SIM, and duffel bags provided.

Prices drop with group size on every tier, and the price is the same whether you book privately or as a group; we never add strangers to your trek. Per person, from our booking system:

Group size	Budget	Standard	Luxury
1 person (solo)	1,250 dollars	1,725 dollars	3,465 dollars
2 to 4 people	725 dollars	1,310 dollars	2,095 dollars
5 to 8 people	490 dollars	1,130 dollars	1,885 dollars
9 to 12 people	470 dollars	1,080 dollars	1,870 dollars
13 to 20 people	415 dollars	1,060 dollars	1,845 dollars

Kathmandu hotels are not included on any tier; the package covers one night in Pokhara with breakfast. A solo trekker pays the one-person price in the first row.

You can see the full breakdown and book on our Annapurna Base Camp trek page.

How much does ABC cost for 5, 7 or 9 days from Pokhara?

The price depends mostly on how many days you walk and where you start. The 5-day and 7-day options start and end in Pokhara, so the Kathmandu to Pokhara drive is not in the price. The 9-day trek from Kathmandu includes those two drives. Per person in USD, from our booking system on 20 Oct 2026. Prices fall again for groups of 5 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 20, and are the same whether the trek is private or a group.

Trek	Starts and ends	Solo (B / S / L)	2 to 4 people (B / S / L)	5 to 8 people (B / S / L)
5 days: jeep to Jhinu Danda, base camp on day 3	Pokhara	910 / 1,185 / 2,445	480 / 790 / 1,470	320 / 705 / 1,360
7 days: via Ghandruk, base camp on day 4	Pokhara	1,080 / 1,480 / 3,415	605 / 1,045 / 2,045	430 / 895 / 1,865
9 days: with the Kathmandu to Pokhara drives, base camp on day 5	Kathmandu	1,250 / 1,725 / 3,465	725 / 1,310 / 2,095	490 / 1,130 / 1,885
9 days via Poon Hill: Ulleri, Ghorepani, base camp on day 6	Pokhara	1,150 / 1,580 / 3,465	655 / 1,165 / 2,095	480 / 965 / 1,885
12 days: Annapurna Base Camp then Mardi Himal	Pokhara	1,875 / 2,545 / 5,810	1,060 / 1,810 / 3,490	745 / 1,545 / 3,175

B is Budget, S is Standard, L is Luxury. Budget has no porter and meals are not included. Standard has one porter for every two trekkers and all meals. Luxury has a dedicated porter for each trekker and all meals.

The 5-day trek is the cheapest way to stand at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m), but it gives your body less time to adjust than the 7-day or 9-day versions, and you climb from Chomrong to base camp in three days. If you have the days, I would choose 7 or more. The 9-day trek includes the two long road days to and from Kathmandu, which is why it costs more than the 7-day trek for the same walk.

Group departure, 21 March 2027. If you want a fixed date with company, our 9-day Annapurna Base Camp trek leaves Kathmandu on 21 March 2027 and is guaranteed to run, because one trekker has already booked and paid a deposit. Read the plan and what March is like in Annapurna Base Camp group departure, 21 March 2027.

What Is Not Included in Any Package

Every company excludes certain costs. Here is what you need to budget separately:

• International flights to and from Kathmandu
• Nepal visa (30 to 125 US dollars depending on duration)
• Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover (90 to 250 dollars)
• Accommodation in Kathmandu before and after the trek
• Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara outside of the trek
• Alcohol and personal snacks on the trail
• Tips for guide and porter
• Personal trekking gear

How Much Do ABC Trek Permits Cost?

The Annapurna Base Camp trek requires two permits. Both are included in our packages, but if you are comparing prices or trekking independently, here is what they cost:

ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit): 3,000 Nepali rupees for foreigners (about 20 US dollars at the current rate of 151 rupees per dollar). SAARC nationals pay 1,000 rupees.

TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System): 2,000 rupees for foreigners (about 13 US dollars), 1,000 for SAARC nationals. It is issued through the agency and checked at the ACAP checkposts, so it is not optional.

Total permit cost: roughly 33 US dollars. Your company handles the paperwork: you do not need to visit any government offices. For more detail, read our complete permits guide.

How Much Does Transport to the ABC Trek Cost?

The ABC trek starts from Nayapul, which is about an hour’s drive from Pokhara. First you need to get from Kathmandu to Pokhara, and then from Pokhara to the trailhead.

Kathmandu to Pokhara

Following the 2026 fuel price increases, transport prices have risen across Nepal:

• Tourist bus: 12 to 22 dollars one way (six to seven hours)
• Deluxe micro bus: 28 to 50 dollars (same journey, better seats)
• Domestic flight: 120 to 180 dollars one way (twenty-five minutes)
• Private vehicle: 140 to 210 dollars one way

Most trekking packages include road transport between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Our Standard package uses a shared tourist-standard vehicle and our Luxury package a private one. Read our full Kathmandu to Pokhara transport guide for details on each option.

Pokhara to Nayapul: About 1,200 to 1,500 rupees (8 to 10 dollars) by local bus, or included in your package if you booked private transport.

How Much Does Food Cost on the Trail?

If you are on a Standard or Luxury package, all your meals are included. If you booked Budget, or if you want extras beyond what is provided, here is what teahouse food costs on the ABC trail in 2026:

• Dal bhat (the staple meal, unlimited refills): 500 to 900 rupees (3.50 to 6 dollars)
• Pasta, fried rice, noodle soup: 450 to 800 rupees (3 to 5.50 dollars)
• Momos (dumplings): 400 to 700 rupees
• Tea or coffee: 100 to 250 rupees
• Bottled water (1 litre): 150 to 400 rupees (increases with altitude)
• Beer: 500 to 900 rupees
• Chocolate bar or snack: 200 to 400 rupees

A Budget trekker eating three dal bhat meals a day, plus tea and the occasional snack, will spend 25 to 35 dollars per day on food. Over nine days, that is 225 to 315 dollars.

Standard and Luxury trekkers: your meals are covered, but budget 5 to 15 dollars per day for extras like beer, chocolate, and bottled drinks.

What Is the Accommodation Like on the Trail?

The ABC trail has teahouses at every stop. Room prices depend on the season and whether you eat at the teahouse (most offer free or cheap rooms if you order meals there).

• Basic shared room: 200 to 500 rupees per night (1.50 to 3.50 dollars)
• Private room with attached bathroom: 500 to 1,500 rupees (3.50 to 10 dollars)
• Hot shower: 200 to 500 rupees per use
• Device charging: 100 to 300 rupees
• WiFi: 200 to 500 rupees per day

Accommodation is included in all our packages, so this is mainly relevant for independent trekkers.

Flights to Nepal

This is usually the biggest single cost. Return flights to Kathmandu vary enormously by origin:

• From the UK: 450 to 800 pounds return (600 to 1,050 dollars)
• From the US: 800 to 1,400 dollars return
• From Australia: 700 to 1,200 Australian dollars (500 to 850 US dollars)
• From India: 8,000 to 20,000 Indian rupees return (95 to 240 US dollars)

Book three to four months ahead for the best prices. October and November are peak season, so spring (March to May) flights tend to be cheaper.

Nepal Visa

Every foreign national except Indians needs a visa. You get it on arrival at Kathmandu airport:

• 15 days: 30 US dollars
• 30 days: 50 US dollars
• 90 days: 125 US dollars

You need a passport-sized photo and a completed arrival form. The queue takes twenty to forty minutes. For the full process, see our visa on arrival guide.

Travel Insurance

This is mandatory and non-negotiable. The ABC trek reaches 4,130 metres, which means you need a policy that covers:

• Emergency helicopter evacuation up to 5,000 metres minimum
• Medical treatment abroad (at least 100,000 US dollars)
• Trip cancellation

A two-week policy with altitude cover costs 90 to 180 dollars for most nationalities. Read our trekking insurance guide for recommended providers.

What Tips Should You Know?

Tipping is customary in Nepal and deeply appreciated. As a guideline:

• Guide: 15 to 20 US dollars per day
• Porter: 10 to 15 US dollars per day

For a nine-day trek, budget 135 to 180 dollars for your guide and 90 to 135 dollars for your porter. These go directly to the people who made your trek possible. More on this in our tipping guide.

Personal Spending and Extras

Beyond food and accommodation, budget for:

• Kathmandu hotel: 15 to 60 dollars per night depending on standard
• Meals in Kathmandu: 5 to 15 dollars per meal
• Jhinu Danda hot springs: 100 rupees entry (less than a dollar, worth every rupee after seven days of walking)
• Souvenirs and shopping: whatever you fancy
• Kathmandu sightseeing: temple entry fees, taxis

Most trekkers spend 10 to 25 dollars per day on personal extras during the trek, and 30 to 60 dollars per day in Kathmandu.

Gear: Buy or Rent?

You do not need to buy everything new, and you may need less from the shops than you think. On every one of our tiers, including Budget, we provide the sleeping bag and the down jacket at no cost, and a duffel bag from Standard upward. Those are the two most expensive items on most people’s list, already covered. For everything else, Kathmandu’s Thamel district is full of shops selling and renting trekking gear, and trekking poles cost 50 cents to 1 dollar per day.

If you already own hiking boots, a rain jacket, and thermal layers, you can get away with spending very little on gear. Read our Thamel gear shopping guide for details on what to rent versus buy.

What Is the Total Cost for Three Budget Levels?

Here is what the total trip actually costs for three different types of trekker, flying from the UK:

Budget Trekker (carrying own bag, paying own meals)

Return flights UK to Kathmandu	650 dollars
Nepal visa (30 days)	50 dollars
Travel insurance (2 weeks, altitude cover)	120 dollars
Budget trek package	725 dollars
Food on trail (9 days at 30 dollars)	270 dollars
Kathmandu accommodation (3 nights at 20 dollars)	60 dollars
Kathmandu meals and transport	80 dollars
Tips (guide only, no porter)	135 dollars
Gear rental and extras	50 dollars
Total	2,140 dollars

Standard Trekker (all meals included, porter, shared tourist-standard vehicle)

Return flights UK to Kathmandu	700 dollars
Nepal visa (30 days)	50 dollars
Travel insurance	140 dollars
Standard trek package	1,310 dollars
Trail extras (beer, snacks, WiFi, over 9 days)	90 dollars
Kathmandu accommodation (3 nights at 35 dollars)	105 dollars
Kathmandu meals and transport	100 dollars
Tips (guide + porter)	225 dollars
Gear and extras	60 dollars
Total	2,780 dollars

Luxury Trekker (private guide, porter, best rooms, all drinks)

Return flights UK to Kathmandu	800 dollars
Nepal visa (30 days)	50 dollars
Travel insurance (premium)	180 dollars
Luxury trek package	2,095 dollars
Trail extras (9 days)	60 dollars
Kathmandu accommodation (3 nights at 60 dollars)	180 dollars
Kathmandu meals and transport	150 dollars
Tips (guide + porter)	250 dollars
Gear and extras	80 dollars
Total	3,845 dollars

Which Annapurna trek should you book?

Base Camp is the one most people mean when they ask about Annapurna, but three neighbours use the same guides and the same three tiers, and one of them may fit your time or budget better:

• Annapurna Base Camp, 9 days, from 725 US dollars. The trek this page is about: into the sanctuary at 4,130 metres and out again, with the Chomrong acclimatisation night we refuse to cut.
• Ghorepani Poon Hill, 6 days, from 499 US dollars. Tops out at 3,210 metres, so altitude is not a worry, and the sunrise from Poon Hill is the best view for the effort in Nepal. Good for families and anyone with under a week.
• Mardi Himal Base Camp, 7 days, from 454 US dollars. A quieter ridge walk to about 4,500 metres with Machhapuchhre close enough to touch. The cheapest way onto a high Annapurna viewpoint.
• Annapurna Circuit, 12 days, from 995 US dollars. Crosses the Thorong La at 5,416 metres and ends at Muktinath. A bigger commitment, and the only one of the four that goes over a pass.

More Annapurna reading before you book: every trek in the Annapurna region in one guide, Poon Hill against Mardi Himal for the short-trek question, the day-by-day distances to Base Camp, what the nights at Bamboo and Machhapuchhre Base Camp are really like, and why the sanctuary changes how people see mountains. If the Circuit is still in the running, read about the road that now shares the route first.

ABC vs EBC: Which Is Cheaper?

Annapurna Base Camp is significantly cheaper than Everest Base Camp for one main reason: no Lukla flight. The EBC trek requires a return flight from Kathmandu to Lukla costing 500 to 580 dollars at current fuel-adjusted prices, or an additional three days by road. The ABC trek starts from Pokhara, which is reachable by a seven-hour bus ride for 12 to 22 dollars.

Our Standard EBC package starts at 2,499 dollars compared to 1,310 for ABC Standard. Add the Lukla flights and the total gap is even wider. If budget is a factor, ABC gives you a world-class Himalayan experience for roughly 30 to 40 percent less than EBC.

Can You Do It Cheaper?

Yes, but with trade-offs. Some trekkers go fully independent with no guide and no porter, eating the cheapest dal bhat at every stop. Under the Nepal Tourism Board licensed-guide rule from April 2023, a guide is required on the Annapurna routes, though enforcement varies on popular trails like ABC.

I would not recommend going without a guide. Not because I run a trekking company, but because the Annapurna region gets sudden weather changes, the trail above Deurali is steep and exposed, and if something goes wrong above 3,000 metres you want someone who knows the evacuation routes and speaks the language. The guide fee is a small fraction of your total trip cost. It is not the place to save money.

Where you can save: book flights early, stay in shared rooms, eat dal bhat (unlimited refills at every teahouse), fill water bottles at purification stations instead of buying bottled water, and trek in shoulder season when everything is slightly cheaper. Read our budget trekking guide for more honest tips.

How Do You Book an ABC Trek Without Overpaying?

Book directly with a Nepal-based company rather than through an international agent. The international operator adds their margin on top of ours, sometimes doubling the price for the exact same trek with the exact same guide. Our book direct guide explains why this matters.

We ask for a 10 percent deposit to secure your booking, paid through Himalayan Bank Limited’s secure payment gateway. The balance is paid in Kathmandu before the trek. If your plans change we move your trek to any date within a year at no charge, with 72 hours’ notice. The deposit itself is not refunded if you cancel.

What trekkers say about our Annapurna treks

Two reviews from TripAdvisor, quoted as written:

“It was a great experience with my guide Arjun Dura. I was well taken care of throughout the trip. It’s a very nice place. Every day in the journey, the view is unique, every day is fun, it is recommended to come.”

Sarawur, TripAdvisor, April 2022

“I recently did a twelve day Annapurna trek organized by Everest Holiday. Ganesh professionally and swiftly organised the trek, guide and all the permits. He even came to the bus station in the morning to make sure everything went okay. I can highly recommend to have your trek organized by Everest Holidays.”

Sabine, TripAdvisor, October 2021

Where these permit fees come from

I check the permit figures on this page against the official sources, most recently on 17 October 2026: the Annapurna Conservation Area fee (NPR 3,000 for foreign trekkers, NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals) on the Nepal Tourism Board park-entry fees page, and the TIMS card (NPR 2,000 for foreign trekkers) on the Nepal Tourism Board TIMS page. If the government changes a fee, I update this page.

Check us before you pay

Trekking scams in Nepal are real and in the news, so do not take my word for any of this. The Everest Holiday Pvt. Ltd. was registered in Kathmandu on 8 April 2016, company registration 147653/072/073, trekking licence 2090/072, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal member 1586. Every legitimate operator holds the same paperwork and will send it without being offended that you asked. Ask me for a call before you send a deposit; I am on WhatsApp around the clock. If a company will not get on a call with you, walk away. Our reviews are on TripAdvisor and Google under our own name; read the critical ones as well as the kind ones.

The questions I get asked most about the ABC cost

Is the price the same for a private trek and a group? Yes. Every trek we run is private, your group only, and the discount comes from group size, not from sharing with strangers. Two friends pay the one-to-four price; six friends pay the five-to-eight price.

Are Kathmandu hotels included? No, on any tier. One night in Pokhara with breakfast is included. Tell us your budget and we will recommend and book a Kathmandu hotel for you, or choose your own.

What gear is free? A down jacket and a sleeping bag rated to minus fifteen Celsius, on every tier, at no charge. A duffel bag is provided on Standard and Luxury. Bring your own broken-in boots and layers.

Can I add a porter to the Budget tier? Yes. Budget has no porter by design, which is why it is the cheapest, but ask and we will quote one porter between two trekkers as an add-on.

Can I do this trek alone? Yes. Minimum group size is one. A solo trekker pays the real cost of the trip, USD 1,250 on Budget, USD 1,725 on Standard and USD 3,465 on Luxury for the 9-day trek, with the same guide and the same inclusions. On Standard a solo trekker has no porter and the guide carries up to 10 kg of your bag.

How much is the deposit and how do I pay? Ten per cent by card through Himalayan Bank’s secure gateway to confirm your dates. The balance is paid in Kathmandu before the trek. You can move your dates to any date within a year at no charge with 72 hours’ notice. The deposit itself is not refunded if you cancel.

What is the cheapest way to do Annapurna Base Camp? The 5-day trek from Pokhara on Budget, USD 480 per person for two to four people. It has no porter and meals are not included, so you pay for your own food at the teahouses.

Is there a fixed group date I can join? Yes. We have a guaranteed departure from Kathmandu on 21 March 2027. Details are in the 21 March group departure guide. We also run a private trek for even one person on any date.

Do I pay the same for a private or a group trek? Yes. The price depends on group size only.

Can I pay in Nepali rupees? No. We take USD or EUR only from foreign clients, in cash or by card. The balance paid by card carries 3.5 per cent, and cash in Kathmandu carries none.

Will the price change for 2027? No. The prices on this page hold for 2027 departures.

If you want a quote for your own dates and group size rather than an article’s averages, write to me on WhatsApp and I will send the real numbers, including the unwelcome ones.

If you have specific questions about costs, just message us. I answer most enquiries within a few hours, and I will give you an honest number, not a sales pitch.

View our Annapurna Base Camp trek packages and secure your spot

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is the best value trek in Nepal. Nine days, two base camps, views of eight-thousanders from your teahouse window, and a cost that is genuinely affordable. If you are doing your first Himalayan trek and you have ten days, this is the one I recommend. Not Everest, not the circuit. This.

Check our Annapurna Base Camp Trek (9 days) for the full itinerary and what is included.

Travellers combining the trek with wellness practices may also enjoy our yoga and trekking option.

WhatsApp:+977 9810351300
Email:[email protected]

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday and third-generation Himalayan guide. TAAN Member #1586.

If you're booking from the United States, our dedicated guide for US trekkers covers TSA-friendly gear, dollar conversion, and the flight routes most Americans use to reach Kathmandu.

Booking from the UK? Our UK-trekker country guide breaks the cost down in pounds and covers Cotswold Outdoor / Decathlon gear-sourcing for British trekkers.

Aussies should also see our Australia trekkers' country guide for AUD pricing and Singapore/KL transit options.

German trekkers can find euro-denominated cost details and Frankfurt/Munich routings in our Germany trekkers' country guide.

Canadian trekkers can find CAD pricing, Toronto/Vancouver flight routes, and gear-sourcing notes in our Canada trekkers' country guide.

Singapore-based trekkers can find SGD pricing and Changi connection options in our Singapore trekkers' country guide.

Annapurna Base Camp in 2027

Every price on this page holds for 2027 departures. There is no Lukla flight on this trek, so none of the Manthali disruption either, which is one reason Annapurna is the easier trek to plan a year ahead. If the park or permit fees change for 2027, this page changes the same week.