7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost

About the Annapurna Base Camp Trek 7 Days and Its Cost

The 7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost is an important factor to consider when planning this incredible Himalayan venture in Nepal. Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) is one of Nepal’s most popular treks, and it can be surprisingly affordable with the right planning. This blog provides a detailed breakdown of the Annapurna Base Camp trek cost for a 7-day itinerary, including all major expenses such as permits, guides, porters, transportation, accommodations, and meals. By understanding the Annapurna trek budget, seasoned travelers and backpackers alike can ensure they’re prepared for the journey without any financial surprises.

7-Day Annapurna Base Camp trek cost with a guide and a porter

Hiring a guide and a porter can greatly enhance your trekking experience, and their fees will be a significant part of the 7-day Annapurna trek cost. As of 2025, hiring a licensed guide typically costs around $30-50 per day, while a porter costs about $22–$25 per day. For a 7-day trek, this means budgeting roughly $175–$245 for the guide and $105–$140 for the porter, totaling approximately $280–$385 in wages if you hire both. These rates can vary slightly with seasons (peak season rates may be on the higher end of the range). Keep in mind that hiring a combined guide-porter (one person who can both guide and assist with carrying lighter loads) may be a cost-effective option for budget travelers, with a rate of around $20–$30 per day.

In addition to their wages, you are expected to cover the guides and porters’ food and accommodation during the trek. Many trekkers also budget for tips as a courtesy for good service – a common guideline is about 10% of the trek cost or around $5–$10 per day for guides and $3–$7 per day for porters, depending on your satisfaction with their service. However, suppose you hire a trekking guide through a reputable trekking agency, such as Overland Trek Nepal. In that case, the cost of the guide includes meals, accommodations, and all logistics of the guide and porter. You don’t have to pay separately for their food and accommodations.

If you book through a trekking agency or choose a trek package with a company like Overland Trek Nepal, the guide and porter fees are usually included in the overall Annapurna Base Camp trek price. Overland Trek Nepal offers a 7-day ABC trek package where the cost covers the guide, porter, permits, accommodation, and meals. This ABC trek package price starts at around $699 per person for a solo traveler, with the per-person cost dropping to about $650 each for a small group of 2–5 trekkers.

Annapurna Base Camp trek cost, including permits and transportation

Besides the trekking guide and porter, the Permit card plays an important role in the 7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost. Without the permit card, no trekkers can do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. These are mandatory or necessary costs that every trekker must account for:

Trekking Permit cost for ABC Trek

To trek in the Annapurna region, you need two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card. The ACAP is required for entry into the Annapurna Conservation Area, and TIMS helps authorities keep track of trekkers for safety. For foreign trekkers, the ACAP costs NPR 3,000 (approximately $22–$25 USD per person).

Transportation Cost

The 7-day Annapurna Base Camp trektypically starts and ends in Pokhara. Thus, you should factor in the cost of getting from Kathmandu to Pokhara (and back, if your journey returns to Kathmandu) as well as the trip from Pokhara to the trailhead. There are a few options:

Kathmandu to Pokhara: The most budget-friendly option is a tourist bus, which costs about $10–$15 USD per person one-way. The bus ride takes 6–8 hours. A faster and more comfortable option is a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, priced around $110 USD one-way. Flights take only ~30 minutes and offer great Himalayan views on clear days. Finally, a private car or jeep can be hired, costing roughly $180–$220 for the vehicle.

Pokhara to Trailhead: The traditional trailhead for the ABC trek is Nayapul, but many 7-day itineraries now start a bit further in (for example, driving to Jhinu Danda or Ghandruk) to shorten the walking duration. From Pokhara to Nayapul, you can take a local bus for around USD 5-6 or hire a private Jeep for USD 100.

Annapurna Base Camp trek cost vs Everest Base Camp trek cost

Many travelers eventually ask: How does the cost of trekking to Annapurna Base Camp compare to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek cost? Both are famous treks in Nepal, but some key differences make Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) generally more budget-friendly than EBC.

Overall Price Range: Annapurna Base Camp Trek is definitely less expensive than the popular EBC Trek. The ABC Trek Package costs somewhere between USD 500 and USD 999 per person. In contrast, the Everest Base Camp trek costs range from $1299 to $1599 per person for an inclusive package. A standard EBC itinerary is usually 12–14 days (round-trip Lukla to EBC), while the ABC trek can be done in 7–10 days (depending on the route and if you include side trips like Poon Hill). Fewer days on the trail means fewer days of lodging and food to pay for, which naturally makes ABC cheaper. The reason why the Everest Base Camp Trek package is a bit expensive is the flight fare from Kathmandu to Lukla, and also the duration of the trek. The standard Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary is around 12-14 days, whereas the ABC Trek itinerary is around 7-10 days.

Annapurna Base Camp trek cost with the helicopter return option

One exciting variation of the Annapurna Base Camp trek is to trek up to ABC and take a helicopter flight back to Pokhara. This option has grown in popularity for trekkers short on time or those who want to avoid retracing the same path back down. However, adding a helicopter return will noticeably increase your Annapurna Base Camp trek cost.

Here’s what to expect with the helicopter return option:

Helicopter Flight Cost: Chartering a helicopter from Annapurna Base Camp (or nearby, such as Machhapuchhre Base Camp) to Pokhara can be quite expensive if you’re alone, but usually the cost is shared among 5–6 passengers (the typical capacity of trekking helicopters in Nepal). On average, the cost per person for a helicopter ride from ABC to Pokhara ranges from about $500 to $700 if the helicopter is filled to capacity. If you book this as part of a package or group, you might see prices like $400 per person for the heli return, given an optimal group size. If you were to charter a private heli for just yourself or a very small group, total costs can be $2,000+, so joining others is key to keeping it (relatively) affordable.

7 days Annapurna Base Camp trek cost from Pokhara

If you’re already in Pokhara (or plan to start your journey there), you might be wondering about the Annapurna Base Camp trek cost from Pokhara specifically. Starting from Pokhara can actually reduce your costs a bit, since you won’t need to pay for Kathmandu–Pokhara transport if you’re skipping Kathmandu altogether or if you’ve accounted for it separately. Let’s break down the budget when Pokhara is your base for the 7-day ABC trek:

Trekking Packages from Pokhara: Many local agencies in Pokhara offer short ABC trek packages. Typically, the cost for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek from Pokhara ranges from about $499 to $799 per person for a standard 7-day package. This price usually includes your permits, guide/porter, meals, teahouse accommodations, and the transportation from Pokhara to the trailhead and back. Because these packages start and end in Pokhara, they often exclude any Kathmandu services (like Kathmandu hotel, city tours, or domestic flights). This is ideal for travelers who plan to stay in Pokhara or who may have taken a bus or flight to Pokhara on their own and just want to begin the trek there.

Trek with Overland Trek Nepal to Annapurna Base Camp

When planning your ABC trek budget, choosing the right trekking company can make a big difference. Overland Trek Nepal is one of the local operators known for reasonable pricing and excellent service, and trekking with them provides good value for your money. Moreover, if you have extra days, we provide optional side treks like the ABC Trek with Poon Hill or the combined ABC Mardi Himal Trek. We offer competitive prices with personalized service to provide you with the best Himalayan adventure in the Annapurna Region. Feel free to contact us via email or WhatsApp us at +9779841920870.

7 Day ABC Trek Cost FAQs

Is a 7-day Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary enough to reach ABC and back?

Yes, a 7-day itinerary is a short version of the Annapurna Base Camp trek that is feasible for fit and experienced trekkers. In General, this 7 Day ABC Trek starts and ends at Pokhara.

What permits do I need for the ABC trek, and how do I get them?

You will need two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS card. ACAP costs NPR 3,000 (around $22–$25) for foreigners and is obtainable through the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara. However, when you choose Overland Trek Nepal for this Trek, we handle all the permits ourselves.

How much money should I budget per day for personal expenses on the trek?

If you have paid for a package that includes meals and lodging, you won’t need a lot of money on the trail – just for extras like snacks, drinks, hot showers, charging electronics, and tips. If meals aren’t included, then budget about $30–$40 per day for food and accommodation.

How much should I tip a guide during the ABC Trek in Nepal?

Tipping the guide and porter is a common practice in Nepal to show gratitude for their work. While it’s not mandatory, it is highly expected when the service is good. For a 7-day ABC trek, a rough guideline could be: Guide: anywhere from $50–$70 total, Porter: about $30–$50 total (roughly $5–$7 per day).

Can I do ABC Trek without a guide or porter?

As of the latest regulations (from April 2023 onwards), solo trekking without a guide is no longer allowed in Nepal, including the Annapurna Region. This rule was implemented by the Nepal Tourism Board to improve trekker safety, as there had been incidents of lone trekkers getting lost or facing difficulties.

Conclusion

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is not only a once-in-a-lifetime experience with its stunning up-close views of Himalayan peaks, but it’s also refreshingly achievable on a wide range of budgets. We’ve seen that the 7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek cost can vary because of the package you choose and the level of service you prefer. To know more about the 7 Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek cost, feel free to contact us via email or WhatsApp us at +9779841920870.