Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost at a Glance
Typical total: USD 900 to 1,400 per person for a full-service 12 day guided package from Kathmandu
Budget style: USD 700 to 900 with a guide, shared jeeps, and basic teahouses
Comfort style: USD 1,500 to 2,200 with private transport, attached bathrooms where available, and a porter
Permits: NPR 5,000 (about USD 37) for ACAP and TIMS combined
Guide: USD 25 to 35 per day. Porter: USD 18 to 25 per day, shared between two trekkers
Daily on-trail spend: USD 30 to 40 per day for food, lodging, and extras
Biggest hidden costs: Insurance, gear, tips, hot showers, WiFi, and battery charging at altitude
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the world’s great value treks. For the price of a few nights in a European city hotel, you get nearly two weeks in the Himalayas, crossing a 5,416 meter pass with all meals and lodging included. But budgets online vary wildly, from backpacker claims of USD 20 a day to agency packages above USD 2,000, and most of that spread comes down to what is and is not counted.
This guide breaks the real 2026 cost of the Annapurna Circuit Trek into every category: permits, guide and porter wages, transport, food, accommodation, gear, insurance, and the small on-trail extras that quietly add up above 3,500 meters. All prices reflect the 12 day itinerary from our route guide, with Nepali rupee figures converted at roughly NPR 135 to USD 1.
Table of Contents
How Much Does the Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost in Total?
Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost Breakdown
- Annapurna Circuit Trek Permit Cost
- Guide Cost for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Transportation Cost for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Accommodation Cost on the Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Food and Drink Prices on the Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trek Gear & Equipment Cost
- Travel Insurance Cost for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Guide and Porter Tipping Guide for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Hot Showers, WiFi & Charging Costs on the Annapurna Circuit
Sample Annapurna Circuit Trek Budgets
- Budget Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost
- Standard Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost
- Comfort Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost
Package vs Guide-Only Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost
Cash, ATMs & Card Payments on the Annapurna Circuit
How to Save Money on the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Frequently Asked Questions About the Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost
Plan the Rest of Your Annapurna Circuit Trek
How Much Does the Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost in Total?
For most trekkers in 2026, a complete 12 day Annapurna Circuit Trek costs between USD 900 and 1,400 per person when booked as a guided package from Kathmandu. That figure typically includes airport transfers, permits, a licensed guide, ground transport, teahouse accommodation, and three meals a day on the trekking days. International flights, insurance, gear, drinks, tips, and personal expenses come on top.
Trekkers assembling the trip themselves through a local agency, taking shared jeeps and paying for food and rooms as they go, can bring the total down to USD 700 to 900 including the mandatory guide. At the other end, private jeeps, single rooms, a personal porter, and the Jomsom flight exit push comfortable itineraries to USD 1,500 to 2,200.
| Expense Category | Budget | Standard | Comfort |
| Permits (ACAP + TIMS) | USD 37 | USD 37 | USD 37 |
| Guide (12 days, shared by 2) | USD 165 | USD 180 | USD 210 |
| Porter (shared by 2) | None | USD 130 | USD 150 |
| Ground transport | USD 60 | USD 100 | USD 250 (private / flight) |
| Accommodation (8 nights on trail) | USD 35 | USD 60 | USD 120 |
| Food and drink on trail | USD 220 | USD 280 | USD 350 |
| Kathmandu / Pokhara hotels (4 nights) | USD 60 | USD 140 | USD 320 |
| Extras (showers, WiFi, charging) | USD 30 | USD 50 | USD 60 |
| Tips (guide and porter) | USD 60 | USD 90 | USD 120 |
| Approximate total | USD 730 | USD 1,070 | USD 1,620 |
Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost Breakdown
Annapurna Circuit Trek Permit Cost
Two permits are required and the cost is fixed: NPR 3,000 for the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and NPR 2,000 for the TIMS card, a combined NPR 5,000 or roughly USD 37 for foreign nationals. SAARC nationals pay NPR 2,000 combined. There are no per-day charges and no extra permit for the Tilicho Lake side trip.
Full details, checkpoint locations, and the mandatory guide rule are covered in our complete guide to Annapurna Circuit Trek permits.
Guide Cost for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
A licensed guide is mandatory in the Annapurna region and costs USD 25 to 35 per day depending on experience and language skills. The daily rate covers the guide’s wage, insurance, food, and lodging, so there are no hidden charges when your guide eats and sleeps along the route. Over 11 working days, expect USD 275 to 385, split between the group if you are not trekking alone.
A porter carries up to 20 to 25 kilograms, normally the duffel bags of two trekkers, and costs USD 18 to 25 per day. Many trekkers choose a porter-guide, a licensed guide who carries a lighter load of about 12 to 15 kilograms, at USD 25 to 30 per day, which is the most economical way to satisfy the guide rule while easing your back.
Good to Know: What a Fair Deal Looks Like
Extremely cheap guide offers usually mean the guide is uninsured or unlicensed, which fails the legal requirement and puts both of you at risk on Thorong La. A fair 2026 rate includes the guide’s insurance, equipment, and full board. If a quote is far below USD 25 per day, ask what is missing.
Transportation Cost for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
| Route | Shared / Tourist Option | Private Option |
| Kathmandu to Besisahar | USD 8 to 12 (tourist bus) | USD 120 to 150 (private jeep) |
| Besisahar to Chame | USD 20 to 30 (shared jeep) | USD 150 to 200 (private jeep) |
| Muktinath to Pokhara | USD 25 to 35 (shared jeep / bus) | USD 180 to 250 (private jeep) |
| Jomsom to Pokhara (optional) | USD 125 to 160 (flight) | Same, per seat |
| Pokhara to Kathmandu | USD 10 to 15 (tourist bus) | USD 40 to 130 (flight / private car) |
Shared jeeps on the mountain roads run on rough schedules and fill up in peak season, so guides often reserve seats a day ahead. Private jeeps make sense for groups of 4 or more, where the per-person cost approaches the shared rate with far more comfort and flexibility.
Accommodation Cost on the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Teahouse rooms on the circuit are famously cheap because lodges earn their margin on food. A basic twin room costs NPR 500 to 1,000 per night up to Manang, rising to NPR 800 to 1,500 at Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi where supply is limited. Some lodges still offer very cheap or free rooms on the condition that you eat dinner and breakfast in house, which is standard practice anyway. Attached-bathroom rooms, available up to Manang in newer lodges, cost NPR 1,500 to 3,000.
For what teahouse rooms, menus, and facilities actually look like village by village, see our guide to food and accommodation on the Annapurna Circuit.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Gear & Equipment Cost
Food is the largest on-trail expense and prices climb with altitude, since everything above the road head arrives by mule or porter. A plate of dal bhat costs NPR 550 to 700 in the lower valley and NPR 800 to 1,000 at Thorong Phedi. Budget NPR 3,500 to 4,500 per day, roughly USD 26 to 33, for three meals, tea, and safe drinking water. Boiled or filtered water refills cost NPR 100 to 300 per liter depending on altitude, and using purification tablets with tap water cuts this cost to almost nothing.
| Item | Lower Valley (Chame) | High Camp Area (Phedi) |
| Dal bhat (refillable) | NPR 550 to 700 | NPR 800 to 1,000 |
| Fried noodles / pasta | NPR 400 to 550 | NPR 600 to 800 |
| Breakfast set (eggs, toast, tea) | NPR 450 to 600 | NPR 700 to 900 |
| Pot of milk tea | NPR 400 to 550 | NPR 600 to 800 |
| Boiled water (per liter) | NPR 100 to 150 | NPR 250 to 300 |
| Chocolate bar / snacks | NPR 250 to 350 | NPR 400 to 500 |
Annapurna Circuit Trek Gear & Equipment Cost
If you already own trekking gear, this line is close to zero. If not, Kathmandu is one of the cheapest places on earth to equip yourself. Renting a quality down jacket and a four-season sleeping bag in Thamel costs about USD 1 to 2 per item per day, or USD 25 to 45 total for the trek. Buying decent locally made gear for the full kit, including boots, layers, and poles, runs USD 150 to 300. Genuine branded equipment costs the same as at home.
Our complete Annapurna Circuit packing list covers exactly what to bring, rent, and skip, with cold-weather specifics for the pass day.
Travel Insurance Cost for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Insurance covering trekking to 5,500 meters with helicopter evacuation is required for your TIMS registration and is non-negotiable for Thorong La. Expect USD 100 to 180 for a two-week policy depending on age and nationality. A helicopter evacuation from the high camp area without insurance costs USD 5,000 or more, paid up front, which is the strongest argument for the premium.
Guide and Porter Tipping Guide for the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Tipping is customary and expected in Nepal’s trekking industry. A common guideline is USD 5 to 8 per day for the guide and USD 4 to 6 per day for the porter, contributed collectively by the group and handed over on the final trekking day. For a 12 day trip, budget roughly USD 60 to 100 per trekker in total tips.
Hot Showers, WiFi & Charging Costs on the Annapurna Circuit
Above Manang, electricity and hot water are limited and lodges charge for both. A gas or solar hot shower costs NPR 300 to 600, device charging NPR 200 to 400 per device, and lodge WiFi NPR 300 to 700 per day where it exists. A power bank and a local SIM with data largely eliminate the charging and WiFi lines, which is why they feature on our packing list.
Sample Annapurna Circuit Trek Budgets
Budget Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost, around USD 730: shared guide and no porter, tourist buses and shared jeeps, basic rooms, dal bhat and tea, water purified with tablets, minimal extras. This is close to the realistic floor in 2026 given the mandatory guide.
Standard Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost, around USD 1,070: guide plus shared porter, mix of shared jeeps and the tourist bus, standard rooms with an occasional attached bathroom, varied menu choices, a hot shower every second day, and moderate tips. Most trekkers land in this band.
Comfort Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost, around USD 1,620: private jeeps on the rough sections, the best available rooms including attached bathrooms below Manang, a personal porter, the Jomsom flight or a private drive out, three-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and no scrimping on apple pie in Marpha.
Package vs Guide-Only Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost
A full package at USD 900 to 1,400 bundles permits, guide, transport, accommodation, and main meals into one price, with the agency absorbing seasonal price swings. The independent style, where you hire a guide through an agency but pay trail costs as you go, offers flexibility and can save 15 to 25 percent for careful spenders, but exposes you to peak-season room shortages and rising menu prices. Since the 2023 guide rule, fully independent trekking without any agency involvement is no longer an option for foreign trekkers, so the real choice is between a full package and a guide-only arrangement.
Good to Know: What Packages Usually Exclude
Even all-inclusive packages normally exclude international flights, Nepal visa fees, insurance, drinks beyond meals, hot showers, WiFi, charging, snacks, tips, and personal gear. When comparing agency quotes, ask for the exclusion list in writing. Two quotes that differ by USD 200 often converge once exclusions are counted.
Cash, ATMs & Card Payments on the Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit is a cash economy. Cards are accepted almost nowhere on the trail, and while a few ATMs exist in Besisahar, Chame, and Jomsom, they are unreliable, often empty, and charge high fees. Withdraw everything you need in Kathmandu or Pokhara, in Nepali rupees, in denominations of 1,000 and smaller. For the standard budget above, carrying NPR 45,000 to 60,000 per person in cash covers on-trail food, lodging, extras, and a safety margin. Split the cash between your daypack, duffel, and a hidden pouch.
How to Save Money on the Annapurna Circuit Trek
1. Share a guide and porter between two or more trekkers, which halves the largest single cost line.
2. Eat dal bhat for lunch and dinner. It is the best value meal on the menu and refills are included.
3. Purify tap or spring water with tablets or a filter instead of buying boiled water at altitude.
4. Carry a power bank of at least 20,000mAh and charge it fully in Manang before the high section.
5. Rent the down jacket and sleeping bag in Kathmandu rather than buying them for one trip.
6. Take the tourist bus to Besisahar and shared jeeps beyond, and book the Pokhara bus instead of flying.
7. Buy snacks, chocolate, and toilet paper in Kathmandu or Besisahar, where prices are one third of trail prices.
8. Trek in shoulder weeks of late September or early December, when some lodges discount rooms.
9. Get a local NTC or Ncell SIM with a data pack instead of paying for lodge WiFi village by village.
10. Agree all room and food prices when checking in, and keep small notes for exact payment.
CRITICAL WARNING: Never Cut Costs on Safety
The three lines you must never trim are the licensed guide, insurance that covers 5,500 meters with helicopter evacuation, and the acclimatization day in Manang. Skipping any of these to save USD 100 to 300 is the false economy that causes most serious incidents on Thorong La. Budget elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost
How much does the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost in 2026?
Most trekkers spend USD 900 to 1,400 per person for a full-service 12 day guided package from Kathmandu. Budget-style trips with a guide start around USD 700 to 900, and comfort itineraries with private transport and a porter run USD 1,500 to 2,200.
How much money should I carry in cash on the trek?
Carry NPR 45,000 to 60,000 per person in Nepali rupees for on-trail food, lodging, and extras on a standard 12 day itinerary. The trail is a cash economy, ATMs are unreliable, and cards are rarely accepted.
How much does a guide cost on the Annapurna Circuit?
A licensed guide costs USD 25 to 35 per day including their wage, insurance, food, and lodging. Over the 12 day itinerary that is roughly USD 275 to 385, usually split between the group.
How much does a porter cost on the Annapurna Circuit?
A porter costs USD 18 to 25 per day and carries the duffels of two trekkers, so the effective cost is USD 9 to 13 per person per day. A porter-guide, who guides and carries a lighter load, costs USD 25 to 30 per day.
How much does food cost per day on the Annapurna Circuit?
Budget NPR 3,500 to 4,500 per day, about USD 26 to 33, for three meals, tea, and drinking water. Prices rise with altitude, and a dal bhat that costs NPR 600 in Chame costs NPR 900 or more at Thorong Phedi.
Is the Annapurna Circuit cheaper than Everest Base Camp?
Yes, usually by 20 to 30 percent. The circuit needs no expensive Lukla flights, its road access keeps transport cheap, and teahouse prices in the Annapurna region are lower than in Khumbu at comparable altitudes.
Can I do the Annapurna Circuit on USD 30 a day?
On-trail daily costs of USD 30 to 40 are realistic for food, lodging, and extras. However, the mandatory guide, permits, transport, and insurance sit on top of that daily figure, so the true total for the trip cannot be reduced to a daily rate alone.
How much should I tip my guide and porter?
A common guideline is USD 5 to 8 per day for the guide and USD 4 to 6 per day for the porter, given collectively by the group on the last trekking day. Budget USD 60 to 100 per trekker in total tips for a 12 day trip.
Are there ATMs on the Annapurna Circuit?
A few ATMs exist in Besisahar, Chame, and Jomsom, but they are frequently empty or offline and charge high fees. Treat them as emergency backups only and carry all the cash you need from Kathmandu or Pokhara.
What is not included in a package trek price?
Packages normally exclude international flights, the Nepal visa, insurance, drinks, hot showers, WiFi, charging, snacks, tips, and personal gear. Always request the written exclusion list before comparing quotes.
How much does travel insurance cost for the Annapurna Circuit?
A two-week policy covering trekking to 5,500 meters with helicopter evacuation costs roughly USD 100 to 180 depending on your age and nationality. It is required for TIMS registration and essential for Thorong La.
How much do hot showers and WiFi cost on the trek?
Above Manang, hot showers cost NPR 300 to 600, charging NPR 200 to 400 per device, and lodge WiFi NPR 300 to 700 per day. A power bank and a local SIM with data remove most of these costs.
Does the Tilicho Lake side trip cost extra?
No extra permit is needed. The extension adds 2 to 3 days of guide fees, food, and lodging, roughly USD 100 to 180 per person depending on your style, and slightly higher room and menu prices at Tilicho Base Camp.
Is it cheaper to book the trek from Nepal or from abroad?
Booking directly with a Kathmandu-based registered agency is usually 20 to 40 percent cheaper than booking the same itinerary through an international reseller, since you remove the overseas commission layer. Quality depends on the agency, not the booking country.
Plan the Rest of Your Annapurna Circuit Trek
Budget sorted? Continue planning with the rest of our Annapurna Circuit series:
Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary: complete 12 day route guide
Annapurna Circuit Trek Permits: ACAP, TIMS, and checkpoints
Best Time for the Annapurna Circuit Trek: month by month
Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty: how hard is it really
Annapurna Circuit Packing List: complete gear checklist
Altitude Sickness on the Annapurna Circuit: symptoms and prevention
Food and Accommodation on the Annapurna Circuit: teahouse guide
