Planning a trek in the Annapurna region and trying to figure out what it actually costs? You're in the right place.
The Annapurna trek cost varies widely depending on which route you choose, whether you go with a package or arrange things independently, and how you spend on the trail. A short Poon Hill trip can come in under $500. A fully supported Annapurna Circuit with private guide runs closer to $2,500. And the Annapurna Base Camp trek sits comfortably in between.
This guide gives you the real numbers - permit fees, guide and porter rates, teahouse prices, food costs, and the hidden expenses that catch most trekkers off guard. No vague ranges, no filler. Just the honest breakdown you need to plan a solid budget before you leave home.
Annapurna Trek Cost at a Glance
Before we get into individual routes, here is a side-by-side comparison of what each major Annapurna trek costs in 2026. These figures cover everything on the ground in Nepal - permits, guide, porter, accommodation, food, and transport to and from Pokhara. International flights to Nepal are excluded since those vary by origin.
| Trek | Duration | Total Budget | Total Mid-Range | Total High-End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poon Hill | 4-5 days | $400 - $600 | $600 - $900 | $900 - $1,300 |
| Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) | 7-12 days | $800 - $1,100 | $1,200 - $1,800 | $1,800 - $2,500 |
| Annapurna Circuit | 12-16 days | $1,200 - $1,700 | $1,700 - $2,300 | $2,300 - $3,200 |
These totals assume a solo trekker. Couples or small groups can reduce per-person costs by sharing a porter, splitting room costs in teahouses with double occupancy, and dividing transport fees.
The sections below break down each route category by category so you know exactly where the money goes.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost Breakdown
The Annapurna Circuit is a 12 to 16-day loop that circumnavigates the entire Annapurna massif and crosses Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters. It is one of the world's great long-distance treks and the most expensive of the three main Annapurna routes - because it is also the longest.
Permits
Every trekker on the Annapurna Circuit needs two permits:
| Permit | Cost |
|---|---|
| ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) | ~$23 USD (NPR 3,000) |
| TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System) | ~$15 USD via agency (NPR 2,000); ~$20 USD independent (NPR 2,600) |
| Total | $38 - $43 per person |
Permits are issued by the Nepal Tourism Board and the National Trust for Nature Conservation. You can obtain them at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or the tourism office in Pokhara. Your trekking agency handles this if you book a package.
Important 2026 note: Nepal requires all trekkers in the Annapurna region to trek with a licensed guide. Solo trekking without a guide has not been permitted since 2023 and checkpoints enforce this rule actively.
Guide and Porter
| Service | Daily Rate | Total (14 days) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed trekking guide | $25 - $35/day | $350 - $490 |
| Porter (carries up to 30 kg for 2 trekkers) | $18 - $25/day | $250 - $350 |
| Guide + Porter combined | $43 - $60/day | $600 - $840 |
A guide does far more than navigate. They monitor your acclimatization on the climb to Thorong La Pass, manage your lodge bookings across the route, handle permit checks at each station, and make critical calls during weather events at altitude. For a 16-day trek crossing 5,416 meters, this expertise is not optional.
Accommodation
Teahouse prices on the Circuit climb with altitude and are highest in the Manang valley and around Thorong Phedi.
| Section | Budget Room | Mid-Range Room |
|---|---|---|
| Lower elevations (Besisahar to Chame) | $3 - $7/night | $8 - $15/night |
| Mid elevations (Pisang to Manang) | $5 - $10/night | $10 - $20/night |
| High elevations (Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi) | $7 - $12/night | $12 - $25/night |
| Descent (Muktinath to Jomsom) | $5 - $10/night | $10 - $20/night |
Over 13 nights on the trail:
- Budget: $60 - $140
- Mid-range: $130 - $280
The standard practice on the Circuit is the same as every Annapurna route: lodge owners offer rooms at low cost or free in exchange for eating your meals at their lodge. The real income comes from food, not rooms.
Food
| Item | Lower Elevations | Upper Elevations (above Manang) |
|---|---|---|
| Dal bhat | $4 - $6 | $7 - $10 |
| Noodle or pasta dish | $4 - $6 | $6 - $9 |
| Breakfast (eggs, toast, porridge) | $3 - $5 | $5 - $8 |
| Tea or coffee | $1 - $2 | $2 - $4 |
| Bottled water (1L) | $1 - $2 | $3 - $5 |
Daily food budget on the Circuit:
- Budget: $15 - $20/day
- Mid-range: $25 - $35/day
Over 14 days:
- Budget: $210 - $280
- Mid-range: $350 - $490
Transport to and from Pokhara
The Annapurna Circuit starts in Besisahar (or higher up the valley if you take a jeep) and ends in Jomsom or Nayapul, both within reach of Pokhara.
| Route | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pokhara to Besisahar (bus) | $5 - $10 |
| Pokhara to Chame (jeep, to save time) | $30 - $50 |
| Jomsom to Pokhara (flight) | $80 - $100 |
| Jomsom to Nayapul to Pokhara (bus/jeep) | $15 - $30 |
| Kathmandu to Pokhara (tourist bus) | $15 - $20 |
| Kathmandu to Pokhara (flight) | $80 - $100 |
Total transport budget: $50 - $180 depending on combinations chosen.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost Summary
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Permits | $38 - $43 | $38 - $43 |
| Guide (14 days) | $350 - $490 | $350 - $490 |
| Porter (14 days) | $250 - $350 | $250 - $350 |
| Accommodation (13 nights) | $60 - $140 | $130 - $280 |
| Food (14 days) | $210 - $280 | $350 - $490 |
| Transport | $50 - $100 | $80 - $180 |
| Total | $958 - $1,403 | $1,198 - $1,833 |
Add tips ($100 - $200), travel insurance ($80 - $150), Nepal visa ($50), and personal expenses for a realistic all-in annapurna circuit trek cost of $1,200 - $2,500 per person.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost Breakdown
The Annapurna Base Camp trek takes you straight into the Annapurna Sanctuary - a glacial amphitheater surrounded by peaks above 7,000 meters. At 7 to 12 days, it is shorter than the Circuit but no less dramatic. The annapurna base camp trek cost is also meaningfully lower.
Permits
Permits are identical to the Circuit:
| Permit | Cost |
|---|---|
| ACAP Permit | ~$23 USD |
| TIMS Card | ~$15 - $20 USD |
| Total | $38 - $43 per person |
Obtain both in Kathmandu or Pokhara before the trek. Your operator arranges these if you book a package.
Guide and Porter
| Service | Daily Rate | Total (9 days) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed trekking guide | $25 - $35/day | $225 - $315 |
| Porter | $18 - $25/day | $162 - $225 |
| Combined | $43 - $60/day | $387 - $540 |
Accommodation
The ABC route runs from Pokhara through Gurung villages to the Sanctuary. Teahouse quality is generally good between Ghandruk and Chhomrong, then more basic above.
| Section | Budget Room | Mid-Range Room |
|---|---|---|
| Lower (Nayapul to Ghandruk) | $3 - $7/night | $8 - $15/night |
| Mid (Chhomrong to Deurali) | $5 - $10/night | $10 - $20/night |
| High (MBC and ABC) | $7 - $15/night | $15 - $25/night |
Over 8 nights:
- Budget: $50 - $100
- Mid-range: $90 - $180
Food
Food prices follow the same altitude-driven pattern as the Circuit. The ABC route uses the same daily food budget estimates:
- Budget: $15 - $20/day
- Mid-range: $25 - $35/day
Over 9 days:
- Budget: $135 - $180
- Mid-range: $225 - $315
Transport
The ABC trek starts and ends near Pokhara. No flights are required.
| Route | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pokhara to Nayapul (bus or shared jeep) | $5 - $10 |
| Nayapul to Pokhara on return | $5 - $10 |
| Kathmandu to Pokhara (tourist bus) | $15 - $20 |
Total transport: $25 - $40 for Pokhara-based transport (add Kathmandu-Pokhara if needed).
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost Summary
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Permits | $38 - $43 | $38 - $43 |
| Guide (9 days) | $225 - $315 | $225 - $315 |
| Porter (9 days) | $162 - $225 | $162 - $225 |
| Accommodation (8 nights) | $50 - $100 | $90 - $180 |
| Food (9 days) | $135 - $180 | $225 - $315 |
| Transport | $25 - $40 | $25 - $40 |
| Total | $635 - $903 | $765 - $1,118 |
Add tips ($80 - $150), travel insurance ($80 - $150), Nepal visa ($50), and personal expenses for an all-in annapurna base camp trek cost of $800 - $1,800 per person.
Poon Hill Trek Cost
The Poon Hill trek is the shortest and most accessible Annapurna option - a 4 to 5-day loop from Nayapul to Ghorepani and Poon Hill (3,210m), returning via Tadapani and Ghandruk. The sunrise panorama from Poon Hill, with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri filling the horizon, is one of the most photographed scenes in Nepal.
At under $800 all-in, it is also the most budget-friendly quality trekking experience available in the Himalayas.
Permit and Cost Breakdown
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Permits (ACAP + TIMS) | $38 - $43 | $38 - $43 |
| Guide (4-5 days) | $100 - $175 | $100 - $175 |
| Porter (4-5 days, optional) | $72 - $125 | $72 - $125 |
| Accommodation (3-4 nights) | $20 - $40 | $40 - $80 |
| Food (4-5 days) | $60 - $100 | $100 - $175 |
| Transport (Pokhara-Nayapul return) | $10 - $20 | $10 - $20 |
| Total | $300 - $503 | $360 - $618 |
All-in with tips, visa, and insurance: $450 - $900 per person. This makes Poon Hill the ideal entry point for first-time trekkers or travellers with a tight schedule and budget.
For a deeper comparison of all three routes across cost, duration, and difficulty, see our Nepal trekking cost guide.
Hidden Costs Most Trekkers Miss
Every annapurna trek budget guide lists permits and accommodation. Very few list the expenses that silently inflate your total by $200 to $400. These are the costs that appear on the trail, not on the booking form.
Altitude medication (Diamox): $10 - $30 for a full course. If you cross Thorong La Pass or push high on the ABC route, consult your doctor about acetazolamide before leaving home. Pharmacies in Kathmandu and Pokhara sell it, but you want to start before you need it - not after symptoms arrive.
Teahouse price spikes at elevation: Prices quoted for food and accommodation are accurate at lower altitudes. Above Manang on the Circuit or above Chhomrong on the ABC route, expect to pay 40 to 60 percent more for the same meals and rooms. A dal bhat that costs $5 in Ghandruk costs $8 to $10 in Manang.
Hot showers: $2 - $5 per shower above mid-elevation. Some lodges heat water with solar panels (which means cooler showers on cloudy days), others with gas (which means full price no matter the weather). This adds up quickly over 10+ nights.
Device charging: $2 - $5 per device above lower elevations. Power comes from small solar or hydro setups, and lodge owners charge accordingly. A fully charged 20,000mAh power bank from Pokhara will cover most of your trip and saves $30 to $50.
Tips for guide and porter: The industry standard is $15 - $20 per day for your guide and $10 - $15 per day for your porter, paid in cash at the end of the trek. On a 14-day Circuit, that is $140 - $280 for the guide and $100 - $210 for the porter. This is not optional. It is how your team earns a living wage.
Gear rental in Kathmandu or Pokhara: Many trekkers arrive without a sleeping bag rated for the cold or a proper down jacket. Rental in Thamel or Lakeside is affordable ($2 - $4/day for a down jacket, $2 - $3/day for a sleeping bag), but if you factor in 14 days of rental, buying can make more sense. Budget $50 - $200 for gear gaps depending on what you bring from home.
Kathmandu pre-trek nights: Most international trekkers spend 1 to 2 nights in Kathmandu before heading to Pokhara. Hotels run $15 to $80/night and meals add another $20 to $40/day. Budget $60 to $250 for your Kathmandu time.
Travel insurance: High-altitude trekking coverage with helicopter evacuation is non-negotiable. A helicopter rescue in the Annapurna region costs $3,000 to $5,000 without insurance. A policy that covers altitude to 6,000 meters runs $80 to $150 for the duration of the trek.
Independent vs Guided Annapurna Trek Costs
The mandatory guide rule since 2023 means you cannot trek alone without a licensed guide regardless. But there is still a meaningful cost difference between hiring independently and booking a full package.
Hiring a Guide Independently
You find and hire a guide directly, arrange your own permits, and manage lodges yourself.
Typical costs for a 14-day Circuit (independent approach):
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Guide (freelance, arranged locally) | $350 - $560 |
| Porter (arranged independently) | $250 - $420 |
| Permits (individual TIMS rate) | $43 (ACAP + individual TIMS) |
| Accommodation (walk-in rates) | $120 - $280 |
| Food | $280 - $490 |
| Transport | $80 - $150 |
| Subtotal | $1,123 - $1,943 |
Pros: Full flexibility over pace, itinerary changes, and lodge selection.
Cons: Walk-in lodge rates are typically 10 to 20 percent higher than agency rates. Individual TIMS cards cost more than group cards. Freelance guides hired locally vary widely in quality, emergency protocols, and English proficiency. If something goes wrong - a weather closure, an altitude emergency, a flight cancellation - you handle it entirely on your own.
Booking a Package with an Agency
Your operator bundles permits, guide, porter, accommodation, meals, and transport into a single price.
Typical package prices for the Annapurna Circuit:
- Budget package: $900 - $1,200 per person (group departures, shared rooms)
- Standard package: $1,200 - $1,800 per person (private guide, better teahouses)
- Premium package: $1,800 - $2,600 per person (private guide and porter, best available lodges, flexible itinerary)
Add visa ($50), travel insurance ($80 - $150), tips ($150 - $250), and personal expenses to arrive at your all-in total.
The honest comparison: An independent trek and a standard package often land within $200 to $400 of each other in total cost - once you account for the individual TIMS surcharge, walk-in lodge premiums, and the value of a professionally trained guide with emergency protocols. For most trekkers, especially first-timers, the package delivers better value per dollar.
For ABC and Poon Hill, the calculation is similar. Packages bundle permits, guide, meals, and transport more efficiently than individual arrangement in almost every scenario.
What a Navigate Globe Annapurna Package Includes
Navigate Globe is a Nepali-owned trekking company. When you book an Annapurna package with us, here is exactly what the annapurna trek price covers - line by line, with no surprise charges on the mountain.
Included in every Navigate Globe Annapurna package:
- All trekking permits (ACAP and TIMS card, group rates)
- Licensed, English-speaking guide with wilderness first aid training and deep local knowledge of the Annapurna region
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers, insured, equipped with proper gear)
- Teahouse accommodation for every night on trail
- Three meals per day on the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Ground transport from Pokhara to the trailhead and return
- Pokhara airport or lakeside hotel pickup and drop-off
- Pre-trek briefing covering permits, itinerary, altitude protocol, and gear check
- 24/7 emergency support with satellite communication backup
Not included: International flights, Nepal visa fee ($50), travel insurance (we help you choose the right policy), tips for guide and porter, personal snacks and drinks beyond included meals, hot showers, device charging, and any personal expenses in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
This means your core trek budget is locked before you leave home. The only variable costs on the trail are personal items - your hot shower preferences, extra snacks, and the tips your team earns at the end.
For Annapurna Circuit enquiries, see our Annapurna Circuit packages. For ABC, see our Annapurna Base Camp packages. For Poon Hill, see our Poon Hill packages. Or contact us directly for a custom quote based on your group size, chosen route, and travel dates.
Plan Your Annapurna Trek Budget With Confidence
The Annapurna region offers three world-class treks at three very different price points. A week on the Poon Hill route costs less than most short-haul holiday packages. The ABC trek delivers a genuine high-altitude experience for $1,000 to $2,000 all-in. The Annapurna Circuit - one of the world's most celebrated long-distance treks - runs $1,200 to $2,500 depending on how you travel.
The key to managing your annapurna trek cost is knowing the numbers before you arrive. Budget for the permits up front. Understand that food and accommodation prices climb with altitude. Set aside $200 to $400 for hidden costs - altitude meds, tips, hot showers, charging fees, and the occasional chocolate bar at Thorong La. And choose a trekking partner you trust, whether that is a reputable agency or a well-researched independent plan.
Nepal has been welcoming trekkers for more than five decades. The trails are well marked, the teahouses are warm, and the mountain hospitality is genuine. With the right budget and the right support, any of these three Annapurna routes delivers memories that outlast the cost by years.
Prices in this guide reflect 2026 rates and are quoted in US dollars. Nepal permit fees are set by government regulation and published by the Nepal Tourism Board. ACAP permit fees are administered by the National Trust for Nature Conservation. Navigate Globe monitors all fee changes and updates trekkers before departure.
