TIPPING ON TREKS IN NEPAL
A tip is a gratuity paid to show appreciation for EXCEPTIONAL service. Over the years tipping trek staff after a trek in Nepal has become common and, unfortunately, expected. While some nationalities like the Americans tip quite generously, others like Australians don’t have much of a tipping culture. This is not to say one practice is better than the other.
At Crystal Mountain Treks we are aware that tipping is a personal preference. You may tip any amount you want; you are your best judge. We can only make a recommendation. Most groups pool together the agreed amount and tip each staff individually. If any of you want to tip a staff who has gone out their way to help you, it is OK to tip them extra. While it is OK to tip the guides, cooks and assistant guides in US$, Euro, GBP, AUS$ etc, it is best to tip the porters and kitchen crew in Nepali Rupees. Please tip each staff individually. Again, please keep in mind the following is just a recommendation; you can tip any amount you want – or not tip at all.
RESTAURANTS IN KATHMANDU/POKHARA/CHITWAN/LUMBINI:
Earlier a 10% service charge was included in your restaurant bill in Nepal. This practice was banned by the Government. So it is OK to tip 5-10% of your total bill at restaurants. A tip is NOT required while eating at the lodges on treks.
SIGHTSEEING TOURS IN KATHMANDU/POKHARA/CHITWAN/LUMBINI:
Groups of 1 – 2 participants:
Cultural or hiking guide: US$25 – US$50 per day total
1 Driver: US$ 15 per day total
Groups of 3 – 6 participants:
Cultural or hiking guide: US$40 – US$ 60 per day total
1 Driver: US$ 15 to US$ 20 per day total
Groups of 7 or more:
Cultural or hiking guide: US$60 – US$ 80 per day total
1 Driver: US$ 25 per day total
1 Bus helper: US$ 10 per day total
TIPS ON LODGE TREKS:
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Langtang and Gosaikunda Trek
- Ultimate Everest Trek (Add 5% extra for this trek)
- Everest Three Passes Trek (Add 10% extra for this longer trek)
| # of Trekkers | Staff | Total Pool Amount | Tip Breakdown |
| 1 |
1 guide 1 porter |
US$ 300 per participant | 1 Guide – US$ 200
1 Porter – US$ 100 |
| 2 | 1 guide
1 porter |
US$ 250 per participant
X 2 participants = US$ 500 |
1 Guide – US$ 400
1 Porter – US$ 100 |
| 3 | 1 guide
2 porters |
US$ 200 per participant
X 3 participants = US$ 600 |
1 Guide – US$400
2 Porters – US$ 100 each |
| 4 | 1 guide
1 Assistant Guide 2 porters |
US$ 200 per participant
X 4 participants = US$ 800 |
1 Guide – US$450
1 Assistant Guide – US$150 2 Porters – US$ 100 each |
| 5 | 1 guide
1 Assistant Guide 3 porters |
US$ 200 per participant
X 5 participants = US$ 1,000 |
1 Guide – US$500
1 Assistant Guide – US$200 3 Porters – US$ 100 each |
| 6 | 1 guide
1 Assistant Guide 3 porters |
US$ 170 per participant
X 6 participants = US$ 1,020 |
1 Guide – US$520
1 Assistant Guide – US$200 3 Porters – US$ 100 each |
| 7 | 1 guide
2 Assistant Guides 3 porters |
US$ 170 per participant
X 7 participants = US$ 1,190 |
1 Guide – US$500
2 Assistant Guides – US$145 each 4 Porters – US$ 100 each |
| 8 | 1 guide
2 Assistant Guides 4 porters |
US$ 160 per participant
X 8 participants = US$ 1,280 |
1 Guide – US$500
2 Assistant Guides – US$190 each 4 Porters – US$ 100 each |
| 9 | 1 guide
3 Assistant Guides 5 porters |
US$ 160 per participant
X 9 participants = US$ 1,440 |
1 Guide – US$490
3 Assistant Guide – US$150 each 5 Porters – US$ 100 each |
| 10 | 1 guide
3 Assistant Guides 5 porters |
US$ 150 per participant
X 10 participants = US$ 1,500 |
1 Guide – US$500
3 Assistant Guide – US$160 5 Porters – US$ 100 each |
CAMPING/TENT TREKS WITH PORTERS
| # of Trekkers | Staff | Total Pool Amount | Tip Breakdown |
| 2 |
1 Guide 1 Cook 2 Assistant cooks 5 porters |
US$ 400 per participant
X 2 participants = US$ 800 |
1 Guide – US$ 250
1 Cook – US$ 150 2 Assistant cooks – US$ 75 each 5 Porters – US$ 50 |
| 3 | 1 Guide
1 Cook 3 Assistant cooks 6 porters |
US$ 360 per participant
X 3 participants = US$ 1,080 |
1 Guide – US$255
1 Cook – US$ 150 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 75 each 6 Porters – US$ 75 each |
| 4 | 1 Guide
1 Cook 1 Assistant guide 3 Assistant cooks 7 porters |
US$ 350 per participant
X 4 participants = US$ 1,400 |
1 Guide – US$300
1 Cook – US$ 175 1 Assistant guide – USD 100 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 7 Porters – US$ 75 each |
| 5 | 1 guide
1 Cook 1 Assistant guide 3 Assistant cooks 8 porters |
US$ 320 per participant
X 5 participants = US$ 1,600 |
1 Guide – US$400
1 Cook – US$ 200 1 Assistant guide – USD 100 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 8 Porters – US$ 75 each |
| 6 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant guides 3 Assistant cooks 8 porters |
US$ 300 per participant
X 6 participants = US$ 1,800 |
1 Guide – US$450
1 Cook – US$ 250 2 Assistant guides – USD 100 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 8 Porters – US$ 75 each |
| 7 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant guides 3 Assistant cooks 9 porters |
US$ 300 per participant
X 7 participants = US$ 2,100 |
1 Guide – US$450
1 Cook – US$ 250 2 Assistant guides – USD 100 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 9 Porters – US$ 100 each |
| 8 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant guides 3 Assistant cooks 10 porters |
US$ 280 per participant
X 8 participants = US$ 2,240 |
1 Guide – US$450
1 Cook – US$ 250 2 Assistant guides – USD 120 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 10 Porters – US$ 100 each |
| 9 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant guides 3 Assistant cooks 10 porters |
US$ 250 per participant
X 9 participants = US$ 2,250 |
1 Guide – US$450
1 Cook – US$ 260 2 Assistant guides – USD 120 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 10 Porters – US$ 100 each |
| 10 | 1 guide
1 Cook 3 Assistant guides 3 Assistant cooks 11 porters |
US$ 250 per participant
X 10 participants = US$ 2,500 |
1 Guide – US$480
1 Cook – US$ 260 3 Assistant guides – USD 120 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 11 Porters – US$ 100 each |
CAMPING/TENT TREKS WITH MULES
| # of Trekkers | Staff | Total Pool Amount | Tip Breakdown |
| 2 |
1 Guide 1 Cook 2 Assistant cooks 1 mule handler |
US$ 350 per participant
X 2 participants = US$ 700 |
1 Guide – US$ 300
1 Cook – US$ 150 2 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 1 mule handler – US$ 50 |
| 3 | 1 Guide
1 Cook 3 Assistant cooks 1 mule handler |
US$ 300 per participant
X 3 participants = US$ 900 |
1 Guide – US$300
1 Cook – US$ 200 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 1 mule handler – US$ 100 |
| 4 | 1 Guide
1 Cook 1 Assistant guide 3 Assistant cooks 1 mule handler |
US$ 275 per participant
X 4 participants = US$ 1,100 |
1 Guide – US$400
1 Cook – US$ 200 1 Assistant guide – USD 100 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 1 mule handler – US$ 100 |
| 5 | 1 guide
1 Cook 1 Assistant guide 3 Assistant cooks 2 mule handlers |
US$ 250 per participant
X 5 participants = US$ 1,250 |
1 Guide – US$400
1 Cook – US$ 250 1 Assistant guide – USD 150 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 2 mule handlers – US$ 75 each |
| 6 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant guides 3 Assistant cooks 2 mule handlers |
US$ 250 per participant
X 6 participants = US$ 1,500 |
1 Guide – US$450
1 Cook – US$ 300 2 Assistant guides – USD 150 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 100 each 2 mule handlers – US$ 75 each |
| 7 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant guides 3 Assistant cooks 2 mule handlers |
US$ 250 per participant
X 7 participants = US$ 1,750 |
1 Guide – US$500
1 Cook – US$ 300 2 Assistant guides – USD 150 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 150 each 2 mule handlers – US$ 75 each |
| 8 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant guides 3 Assistant cooks 2 mule handlers |
US$ 220 per participant
X 8 participants = US$ 1,760 |
1 Guide – US$510
1 Cook – US$ 350 2 Assistant guides – USD 150 each 3 Assistant cooks – US$ 150 each 2 mule handlers – US$ 75 each |
| 9 | 1 guide
1 Cook 2 Assistant guides 4 Assistant cooks 2 mule handlers |
US$ 200 per participant
X 9 participants = US$ 1,800 |
1 Guide – US$500
1 Cook – US$ 300 2 Assistant guides – USD 150 each 4 Assistant cooks – US$ 135 each 2 mule handlers – US$ 75 each |
| 10 | 1 guide
1 Cook 3 Assistant guides 4 Assistant cooks 2 mule handlers |
US$ 200 per participant
X 10 participants = US$ 2,000 |
1 Guide – US$500
1 Cook – US$300 3 Assistant guides – USD 150 each 4 Assistant cooks – US$ 125 each 2 mule handlers – US$ 75 each |
