Nepal Trekking Cost for Indian Citizens: SAARC Rates and INR Budget 2027

Updated 20 Oct 2026. Prices in USD are read from our booking system on that date. Rupee figures are approximate, at about INR 96 to the US dollar, and are for budgeting only.

Indian citizens pay significantly less for Nepal trekking than Western tourists. No visa required. National park and conservation area permits cost SAARC nationals 50 to 67 percent less, though restricted-area permits such as Upper Mustang are the same for every foreign national. The proximity, a two-hour flight from Delhi or a bus from the border, also means travel costs are a fraction of what Europeans or Americans pay. Here is what a Nepal trek actually costs in Indian rupees.

What Permits Do Indian Citizens Need?

Indian citizens do not need a visa for Nepal. You enter with a valid passport or Voter ID card. That saves the USD 50 thirty-day visa fee (about INR 4,800) which the Department of Immigration charges every other nationality on arrival.

Trekking permits for SAARC nationals (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan) are significantly cheaper on national park and conservation area entry and on the TIMS card. National park fees are set by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the TIMS rates are published by the Nepal Tourism Board. Restricted-area permits are the exception: those are charged at the same rate to every foreign national, whatever the passport.

Permit	SAARC Rate	Non-SAARC Rate	Savings
TIMS Card	NPR 1,000 (INR 625)	NPR 2,000 (INR 1,250)	50%
Sagarmatha NP (Everest)	NPR 1,500 (INR 940)	NPR 3,000 (INR 1,875)	50%
Annapurna ACAP	NPR 1,000 (INR 625)	NPR 3,000 (INR 1,875)	67%
Langtang NP	NPR 1,500 (INR 940)	NPR 3,000 (INR 1,875)	50%
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu local fee (Everest trail)	NPR 3,000 (INR 1,875)	NPR 3,000 (INR 1,875)	None. The same for every foreign national
Gaurishankar Conservation Area	NPR 1,000 (INR 625)	NPR 3,000 (INR 1,875)	67%
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area	NPR 500 (INR 315)	NPR 2,000 (INR 1,250)	75%
Rara National Park	NPR 1,500 (INR 940)	NPR 3,000 (INR 1,875)	50%
Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park	NPR 600 (INR 375)	NPR 1,000 (INR 625)	40%
Chitwan National Park (per entry)	NPR 1,000 (INR 625)	NPR 2,000 (INR 1,250)	50%
Upper Mustang Restricted Area	USD 50/day	USD 50/day	None. The same for every foreign national

For the standard EBC trek, an Indian citizen pays NPR 5,500 in permits: Sagarmatha National Park NPR 1,500, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee of NPR 3,000 and a TIMS card at NPR 1,000. A British citizen pays NPR 8,000 for the same three permits. The saving is NPR 2,500, about INR 1,565, because the Khumbu fee is identical for everyone.

On the Annapurna treks an Indian citizen pays NPR 2,000 for the two permits (ACAP NPR 1,000 and TIMS NPR 1,000), against NPR 5,000 for other foreigners. Sources: Nepal Tourism Board park entry fees and TIMS card pages, and the Department of Immigration for restricted areas. All permits are included in our package price.

How Much Does an EBC Trek Cost for Indian Citizens?

Item	Budget (INR)	Standard (INR)
Delhi to Kathmandu flight (return)	8,000-15,000	12,000-20,000
Trek package (12 days; USD 1,399 Budget, USD 2,785 Standard)	1,34,000	2,67,000
Kathmandu hotel (2 nights)	2,000	5,000
Daily extras on trail (12 days)	10,000	15,000
Tips (guide + porter)	15,000	20,000
Travel insurance	3,000	5,000
Sleeping bag, down jacket and duffel	0 (provided free on every package)	0 (provided free on every package)
Total	INR 1,72,000-1,79,000	INR 3,24,000-3,32,000

Be clear about what the SAARC advantage actually is. The trek package itself is built on the same guide, porter and lodge costs whoever you are. What you save is the visa (about INR 4,800), the permit difference above, and cheaper flights because you are two hours away rather than ten.

What About Cheaper Treks?

Not everyone wants EBC. Here are the most popular treks for Indian visitors with budgets in INR:

Trek	Days	Budget, USD (approx. INR)	Standard, USD
Langtang Valley	8	490 (about 47,000)	1,050
Poon Hill	6	499 (about 47,900)	990
Mardi Himal	7	600 (about 57,600)	1,095
Annapurna Base Camp	9	725 (about 69,600)	1,310
Annapurna Circuit	12	995 (about 95,500)	1,575
Everest Base Camp	12	1,399 (about 1,34,300)	2,785

These are per-person prices for two to four people, with permits, a licensed guide and transport included. Solo trekkers pay more, and larger groups pay less. Add roughly INR 38,000 to 45,000 for flights, a Kathmandu hotel, tips and extras, as the Everest Base Camp table above shows.

Langtang Valley has the lowest package price of the six and starts from Kathmandu, with no Pokhara transit. The August 2026 flood damaged its road. As of 15 Oct 2026 the road is open to Dhunche and Syabrubesi, though no hotels are running in Syabrubesi, so we walk on to the first open lodge, and we check conditions 48 hours before every departure. Poon Hill is the shortest and easiest option for those who just want to see the mountains.

How Do Indian Citizens Get to Nepal?

By air: Delhi to Kathmandu takes 1 hour 45 minutes. Budget airlines (IndiGo, SpiceJet) offer return fares from INR 8,000 to 15,000. Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Varanasi also have direct flights. Book two to three months ahead for the best fares.

By land: Multiple border crossings are open to Indian citizens. The most popular are Sunauli/Bhairahawa (from Gorakhpur/Varanasi), Raxaul/Birgunj (from Patna), and Kakarbhitta (from Siliguri/Darjeeling). Cross the border on foot, take a bus or hire a car to Kathmandu. Total cost from Delhi by train + bus: INR 2,000 to 4,000. Time: 18 to 24 hours.

The land route is cheap but exhausting. For most trekkers, the flight is worth the extra money because it saves a full day each way and leaves you fresher for the trek.

Can Indian Citizens Pay in INR in Nepal?

You pay The Everest Holiday in US dollars or euros, never in Indian or Nepali rupees. The deposit is 10 per cent, paid online by card, and the balance is paid in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, in cash or by card. Card payment of the balance carries 3.5 per cent, and cash in Kathmandu carries none. The rupee advice below is only for your own spending on the way.

For your own spending, Indian rupees (INR 100 notes and below) are accepted widely in Nepal. INR 200, 500, and 2,000 notes are NOT accepted, because Nepal Rastra Bank prohibits high-denomination Indian notes. Bring INR 100 notes or exchange for Nepali rupees at the border or in Kathmandu.

The exchange rate fluctuates around NPR 1.60 per INR 1. ATMs in Kathmandu dispense NPR and accept Indian debit cards (Visa/Mastercard). On the trekking trail, only cash works: no cards, no UPI, no digital payments above Namche Bazaar.

Carry enough NPR cash for the entire trek plus a reserve. For a 12-day EBC trek, NPR 15,000 to 25,000 (INR 9,000 to 15,000) covers daily extras, hot drinks, charging, and snacks. Withdraw in Kathmandu before departure.

What Is Different for Indian Trekkers vs Western Trekkers?

Altitude acclimatisation: Indian trekkers from plains cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai) are no more acclimatised than European or American trekkers. Coming from India does not give you an altitude advantage unless you live above 2,000 metres already. The same acclimatisation rules apply.

Food: Nepal food is familiar to Indian palates. Dal bhat is essentially dal chawal with Nepali vegetables. Vegetarian options are available at every teahouse. The food on trek will feel more like home than it does for Western trekkers.

Licensed guide rule: Since April 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board rule has required a licensed guide in most trekking areas, including for Indian citizens. Solo trekking without a guide is not permitted in most trekking areas, including in the Everest (Khumbu) region, and we always trek with a licensed guide. This applies equally to SAARC and non-SAARC nationals.

See our complete India to Nepal trekking guide for visa-free entry details, or browse our trekking packages with prices in USD (multiply by about 96 for approximate INR). If you are comparing quotes, also read our Annapurna Base Camp trek cost breakdown and the guaranteed group departure on 21 March 2027.

Questions Indian trekkers ask

Do Indian citizens need a visa for Nepal? No. You enter with a valid passport or Voter ID card, which saves the USD 50 thirty-day visa fee that other nationalities pay on arrival.

How much cheaper are permits for Indian trekkers? National park and conservation area fees and the TIMS card are about half for SAARC nationals, and 67 per cent less for the Annapurna Conservation Area. Restricted-area permits and the Khumbu local fee cost the same for everyone.

Is the trek price lower for Indians? No. The trek package is built on the same guide, porter and lodge costs for every nationality. The saving is the visa, part of the permits and cheaper flights.

Can I pay in Indian rupees? No. We take USD or EUR only from foreign clients, in cash or by card. We cannot take INR or NPR.

What is the deposit, and can I change my dates? The deposit is 10 per cent, paid online by card. It is not refunded if you cancel, but you can reschedule free with at least 72 hours notice, to any date within one year.

Do I need a guide? Yes. Since 31 March 2023 a licensed guide has been mandatory on most trekking routes, including Everest and Annapurna, for SAARC and non-SAARC nationals alike. Our packages include one.

Which is the cheapest trek for Indian citizens? By package price, Langtang Valley at USD 490 on Budget for two to four people, then Poon Hill at USD 499. Both are per person with permits and a guide included.

Can I trek alone? Yes, with a licensed guide. Solo travellers pay the real cost of the trip, which is higher per person than a group. For a quote, message us on WhatsApp.

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