How does tipping on treks in Nepal work?
Tipping after a trek in Nepal has become customary and is expected. That said, if you are not satisfied with the service, we do NOT expect you to tip. The amount you tip depends on several factors such as group size, trip duration and your satisfaction. We understand that tipping is cultural: While it is customary for Americans to tip (they are also regarded as the most generous tippers), it may not be so for someone from Japan. Australians, Danes and Belgians are somewhere in the middle. In Nepal, guides and porters are the people who ensure that you have a memorable trek experience. And most of the staff do go out of their way to ensure you have an unforgettable and safe holiday. A tip augments their earnings and goes a long way in helping the staff provide for their family.
How much should you tip?
There is NO standard tipping amount for treks in Nepal. As mentioned above, the tip amount depends on the trek group size, number of staff, trek duration, trekkers preference etc. We have come up with a general guideline that should help you determine how much to tip. You may then choose to tip based on your own judgement. If you are traveling in a group, you should contribute an equal amount into a pool where every staff gets an equal amount depending on their designation. But if you are especially impressed with any particular staff, you may tip that person an extra amount separately.
Tipping on Lodge treks:
A suggested tipping schedule for lodge treks is provided below. This would be applicable for a 10-to-15-day trek such as the Annapurna Base Camp Trek or the Everest Base Camp Trek. Add around US$15 per day in individual contribution for treks longer than 15 days such as on the Everest Three Passes Trek. Similarly for treks shorter than 10 days (Annapurna Skyline Trek), deduct US$15 per day in individual contribution:
| # of Trekkers | Staff | Total Tip Amount | Tip Breakdown |
| 2 | 1 guide
1 porter |
US$ 150 per participant
X 2 participants = US$ 300 |
1 Guide – US$ 200
1 Porter – US$ 100 |
| 3 | 1 guide
2 porters |
US$ 140 per participant
X 3 participants = US$ 420 |
1 Guide – US$ 250
2 Porters – US$ 85 each |
| 4 | 1 guide
1 Assistant guide 2 porters |
US$ 130 per participant
X 4 participants = US$ 520 |
1 Guide – US$ 250
1 Assistant Guide – US$ 100 2 Porters – US$ 85 each |
| 5 | 1 guide
1 Assistant guide 3 porters |
US$ 120 per participant
X 5 participants = US$ 600 |
1 Guide – US$ 245
1 Assistant Guide – US$ 100 3 Porters – US$ 85 each |
| 6 | 1 guide
2 Assistant guides 3 porters |
US$ 110 per participant
X 6 participants = US$ 660 |
1 Guide – US$ 255
2 Assistant Guides – US$ 75 each 3 Porters – US$ 85 each |
| 7 | 1 guide
2 Assistant guides 4 porters |
US$ 100 per participant
X 7 participants = US$ 700 |
1 Guide – US$ 250
2 Assistant Guides – US$ 75 each 4 Porters – US$ 75 each |
| 8 | 1 guide
2 Assistant guides 4 porters |
US$ 100 per participant
X 8 participants = US$ 800 |
1 Guide – US$ 300
2 Assistant Guides – US$ 90 each 4 Porters – US$ 80 each |
| 9 | 1 guide
2 Assistant guides 5 porters |
US$ 100 per participant
X 9 participants = US$ 900 |
1 Guide – US$ 300
2 Assistant Guides – US$ 100 each 5 Porters – US$ 80 each |
| 10 | 1 guide
2 Assistant guides 5 porters |
US$ 100 per participant
X 10 participants = US$ 1,000 |
1 Guide – US$ 350
2 Assistant Guides – US$ 100 each 5 Porters – US$ 90 each |
| 11 | 1 guide
2 Assistant guides 6 porters |
USD$ 100 per participant x 11 participants = US$ 1,100 | 1 Guide – US$ 360
2 Assistant Guides – US$ 100 each 6 Porters – US$ 90 each |
| 12 | 1 guide
3 Assistant guides 6 porters |
USD$ 100 per participant x 12 participants = US$ 1,200 | 1 Guide – US$ 360
3 Assistant Guides – US$ 100 each 6 Porters – US$ 90 each |
Tipping on Camping treks:
A suggested tipping schedule for a 20-to-25-day camping trek such as the Dhaulagiri Circuit trek or the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek where porters are employed is provided below:
| # of Trekkers | Staff | Total Tip Amount | Tip Breakdown |
| 2 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant cooks 6 porters |
US$ 250 per participant
X 2 participants = US$ 500 |
1 guide – US$ 150
1 Cook – US$ 100 2 Assistant cooks – US$ 50 each 6 porters – US$ 25 each |
| 3 | 1 guide
1 Cook 1 Assistant Guide 2 Assistant cooks 7 porters |
US$ 250 per participant
X 3 participants = US$ 750 |
1 guide – US$ 150
1 Cook – US$ 100 1 Assistant Guide – US$ 50 2 Assistant cooks – US$ 50 each 7 porters – US$ 50 each |
| 4 | 1 guide
1 Cook 1 Assistant Guide 3 Assistant cooks 7 porters |
US$ 200 per participant
X 4 participants = US$ 800 |
1 guide – US$ 150
1 Cook – US$ 100 1 Assistant Guide – US$ 50 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 50 each 7 porters – US$ 50 each |
| 5 | 1 guide
1 Cook 1 Assistant Guide 3 Assistant cooks 8 porters |
US$ 200 per participant
X 5 participants = US$ 1,000 |
1 guide – US$ 200
1 Cook – US$ 150 1 Assistant Guide – US$ 75 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 75 each 7 porters – US$ 50 each |
| 6 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant Guide 3 Assistant cooks 9 porters |
US$ 200 per participant
X 6 participants = US$ 1,200 |
1 guide – US$ 225
1 Cook – US$ 150 2 Assistant Guide – US$ 75 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 75 each 9 porters – US$ 50 each |
| 7 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant Guide 3 Assistant cooks 10 porters |
US$ 200 per participant
X 7 participants = US$ 1,400 |
1 guide – US$ 250
1 Cook – US$ 150 2 Assistant Guide – US$ 100 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 10 porters – US$ 50 each |
| 8 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant Guide 3 Assistant cooks 10 porters |
US$ 180 per participant
X 8 participants = US$ 1,440 |
1 guide – US$ 290
1 Cook – US$ 150 2 Assistant Guide – US$ 100 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 10 porters – US$ 50 each |
| 9 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant Guide 3 Assistant cooks 11 porters |
US$ 170 per participant
X 9 participants = US$ 1,530 |
1 guide – US$ 300
1 Cook – US$ 180 2 Assistant Guide – US$ 100 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 11 porters – US$ 50 each |
| 10 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant Guide 3 Assistant cooks 12 porters |
US$ 160 per participant
X 10 participants = US$ 1,600 |
1 guide – US$ 300
1 Cook – US$ 200 2 Assistant Guide – US$ 100 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 12 porters – US$ 50 each |
| 11 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant Guide 3 Assistant cooks 13 porters |
USD$ 150 per participant x 11 participants = US$ 1,650 | 1 guide – US$ 300
1 Cook – US$ 200 2 Assistant Guide – US$ 100 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 13 porters – US$ 50 each |
| 12 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant Guide 3 Assistant cooks 14 porters |
USD$ 150 per participant x 12 participants = US$ 1,800 | 1 guide – US$ 350
1 Cook – US$ 250 2 Assistant Guide – US$ 100 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 14 porters – US$ 50 each |
A suggested tipping schedule for a 20-to-25-day camping trek such as the Dolpo trek, Mustang Trek and the Teri La trek etc where mules are used is provided below:
| # of Trekkers | Staff | Total Tip Amount | Tip Breakdown |
| 2 | 1 guide
1 Cook 1 Assistant Guide 3 Assistant Cooks 1 mule driver |
US$ 250 per participant
X 2 participants = US$ 500 |
1 guide – US$ 150
1 Cook – US$ 100 1 Assistant Guide – US$ 60 3 Assistant Cooks – US$ 50 each 1 mule driver – US$ 40 |
| 3 | 1 guide
1 Cook 1 Assistant Guide 3 Assistant Cooks 1 mule driver |
US$ 200 per participant
X 3 participants = US$ 600 |
1 guide – US$ 200
1 Cook – US$ 150 1 Assistant Guide – US$ 60 3 Assistant Cooks – US$ 50 each 1 mule driver – US$ 40 |
| 4 | 1 guide
1 Cook 1 Assistant Guide 4 Assistant Cooks 1 mule driver |
US$ 200 per participant
X 4 participants = US$800 |
1 guide – US$ 300
1 Cook – US$ 150 1 Assistant Guide – US$ 60 4 Assistant Cooks – US$ 60 each 1 mule driver – US$ 50 |
| 5 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant Guides 4 Assistant Cooks 1 mule driver |
US$ 180 per participant
X 5 participants = US$ 900 |
1 guide – US$ 300
1 Cook – US$ 160 2 Assistant Guides – US$ 75 each 4 Assistant Cooks – US$ 60 each 1 mule driver – US$ 50 |
| 6 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant Guides 4 Assistant Cooks 1 mule driver |
US$ 170 per participant
X 6 participants = US$ 1,020 |
1 guide – US$ 300
1 Cook – US$ 200 2 Assistant Guides – US$ 85 each 4 Assistant Cooks – US$ 75 each 1 mule driver – US$ 50 |
| 7 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant Guides 4 Assistant Cooks 1 mule driver |
US$ 150 per participant
X 7 participants = US$ 1,050 |
1 guide – US$ 300
1 Cook – US$ 200 2 Assistant Guides – US$ 100 each 4 Assistant Cooks – US$ 75 each 1 mule driver – US$ 50 |
| 8 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant Guides 5 Assistant Cooks 1 mule driver |
US$ 150 per participant
X 8 participants = US$ 1,200 |
1 guide – US$ 350
1 Cook – US$ 225 2 Assistant Guides – US$ 100 each 5 Assistant Cooks – US$ 75 each 1 mule driver – US$ 50 |
| 9 | 1 guide
1 Cook 3 Assistant Guides 5 Assistant Cooks 1 mule driver |
US$ 140 per participant
X 9 participants = US$ 1,260 |
1 guide – US$ 340
1 Cook – US$ 225 3 Assistant Guides – US$ 90 each 5 Assistant Cooks – US$ 75 each 1 mule driver – US$ 50 |
| 10 | 1 guide
1 Cook 3 Assistant Guides 5 Assistant Cooks 1 mule driver |
US$ 130 per participant
X 10 participants = US$ 1,300 |
1 guide – US$ 350
1 Cook – US$ 225 3 Assistant Guides – US$ 100 each 5 Assistant Cooks – US$ 75 each 1 mule driver – US$ 50 |
| 11 | 1 guide
1 Cook 3 Assistant Guides 5 Assistant Cooks 1 mule driver |
USD$ 120 per participant x 11 participants = US$ 1,320 | 1 guide – US$ 350
1 Cook – US$ 220 3 Assistant Guides – US$ 100 each 5 Assistant Cooks – US$ 80 each 1 mule driver – US$ 50 |
| 12 | 1 guide
1 Cook 3 Assistant Guides 5 Assistant Cooks 1 mule driver |
USD$ 110 per participant x 12 participants = US$ 1,320 | 1 guide – US$ 350
1 Cook – US$ 220 3 Assistant Guides – US$ 100 each 5 Assistant Cooks – US$ 80 each 1 mule driver – US$ 50 |
Sightseeing in Kathmandu:
This depends on the group size. A suggested tip amount for a tour guide in Kathmandu is as follows: 1 participant – US$ 25 per day; 2 to 4 participants – US$ 50 per day; 5 or more participants – US$ 75 to US$100 per day
A suggested tip amount for the driver in Kathmandu is as follows: 1 participant – US$ 15 per day; 2 to 4 participants – US$ 20 per day; 5 or more participants – US$ 30 per day
Currency for tips:
It’s best to tip the porters in Nepali Rupees. The other staff can be tipped in either Nepali Rupees or US Dollars/Euros/GBP/AUS$.
When to tip:
Tips are distributed on the last night of the trek after dinner. If you are short on cash, you can tip the guide and the assistant guide who will travel with you to Kathmandu later in Kathmandu. But it’s best to tip the porters who will stay back on the last day.
Conclusion:
It is important to note that the suggested tips is just a guideline. It is what generally American groups at our company tip their staff. As a trekking group, you should agree and pool together a minimum amount to be distributed equally among the staff based on their designation. You may then tip any individual staff who has gone out of their way to help you or to enhance your trek experience.
