I Tried a 7-Day Nepal Trip & Here’s Exactly How Much I Spent

Nepal has a tremendous arrangement of culture and nature and provides many options for unique experiences in one week for relatively low cost. I followed the most common tourist route in Nepal by heading out from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Chitwan National Park. This is the most popular track for first-time tourists to Nepal. At the same time, you will have a chance to see temples and mountain views while there, enjoy some downtime at a peaceful lake and go on a safari adventure in the jungle as well.

To help you understand where and how much I spent, I have listed out the way I approached my daily plan. To give you some more information on price range, all prices listed reflect midrange to lower midrange (high/ low) price ranges. Prices can change according to seasons, so actual prices may vary.

Day One: Arrive in Kathmandu

Traveling through immigration at Tribhuwan International Airport on arrival to Kathmandu, I went to pick up my baggage. Next, I took a taxi from the airport to get to Thamel (the main tourist area in Kathmandu). The cost of a taxi from the airport to Thamel is about $6.00 to $8.00 depending on traffic patterns.

Thamel is known as where all of the tourists stay in Kathmandu. The area is a very busy place and consists mainly of narrow streets that are lined with shops that sell outdoor equipment and has many restaurants and souvenir shops. Once I checked into my budget-oriented hotel ($15.00/ night), I decided to just explore the streets and soak up the culture and activity that fill this busy area.

After that, I went to the peaceful and serene Garden of Dreams, a beautiful garden developed in a European-style design, located near Thamel. The cost was about $3 entry fee. It was the best spot to unwind after a long flight.I also experienced traditional Nepalese cuisine while dining out on momos and a plate of dal bhat or rice and lentils for around $6-$8 at a restaurant.

My total expenditure for Day 1 was approximately $30-$35.

Day 2: Explore the UNESCO world heritage sites of Kathmandu

I began with a visit to Swayambhunath Stupa or Monkey Temple. This site is located on a hill and has approximately 365 stone steps to reach the top and view the Kathmandu Valley. I paid an entry ticket of about $3.

Then continued onto Kathmandu Durbar Square where the royal palace complex of the ancient kings is located. It is full of Newari architecture with temples and courtyards which contain the current living goddess or Kumari. The entry fee was approximately $5-$10.

In the afternoon, I visited Pashupatinath Temple, which is one of the most sacred temples for Hindus and is devoted to Lord Shiva, and was located along the banks of the Bagmati River where many cremation ceremonies occur on the gaths at this complex; the entry fee here was approximately $10.

I concluded my day of cultural exploration at the Boudhanath Stupa, which is considered one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. There was a serene and spiritual ambience created as I walked with monks and other pilgrims around the stupa while they spun prayer wheels. The entry fee was approximately $3. This Include all my food and transportation, my total expense for the day was approximately $40–45.

Day 3 : Kathmandu to Pokhara

Day three of the trip was spent travelling from the fast-paced capital city of Kathmandu to the peaceful lakeside town of Pokhara, which is commonly known as Nepal’s adventure capital. Located about 200 km west of Kathmandu, Pokhara is famous for its incredible mountain views, relaxing environment, and outdoor activities.

I decided to use a tourist bus as my mode of transport since it is one of the most affordable forms of travel for budget-conscious travellers. I spent approximately $10 for the ticket and travelled for approximately 6–7 hours depending on traffic/road conditions. Most tourist buses depart early in the morning from Kathmandu’s Sorhakhutte area and make several short stops along the way for breakfast and tea.

The road trip was surprisingly scenic. During the course of the bus ride travelled along Prithvi Highway and the scenery changed every few minutes from the hectic nature of the towns to the tranquil countryside.The long commute seemed shorter as it was regularly interspersed with scenes of daily life that unfolded in front of me along the highway.

A pleasant highway, one filled with fast-moving rivers like the Trishuli River, numerous suspension bridges, terraced fields created over the hills, and small townships along the way. All these incorporated into the experience of being here made for a much more pleasant duration than I had anticipated.

I eventually reached Pokhara in the middle of the afternoon, where I checked into a fairly comfortable motel located near Phewa Lake at the northern end of the lively Lakeside District. The Lakeside District is the main tourist area of Pokhara, filled with many restaurants, tour agencies, yoga studios, and souvenir shops. The cost of the room was right around $20, and I considered it to be quite reasonable as it included a balcony overlooking the serene lake and the lush green hills surrounding the lake.

I went for a relaxing, leisurely stroll along the lakeside promenade after dinner. While walking, I enjoyed watching the sun go down and how the lake reflected the glowing golden hues of the sunset as so many colourful wooden boats floated on the lake. Numerous lakeside restaurants had outdoor dining areas that allow you to eat while viewing the Himalayan peaks. On clear days, you can see the famous mountain Machapuchare, one of Nepal's most well-known peaks.

Dinner at a lakeside restaurant cost around $8–$10, and enjoying a warm meal with lake views was the perfect way to end the day. By the time I returned to my hotel, Pokhara’s peaceful atmosphere made it clear why so many travelers fall in love with this city.

Total spending for the day: around $35.

Day 4: Sunrise at Sarangkot and Pokhara Adventures

Day four began very early but became one of the most memorable days of the entire trip! I took a taxi from my place to one of the best view points in Nepal, Sarangkot, which is located on a hilltop above Pokhara, Nepal, leaving at about 5:00 AM costing approximately $10 (for the taxi fare) and 25-30 minutes to drive up the winding roads.

Once I arrived at the viewpoint, there were already dozens of other travelers there with their cameras waiting to photograph the sunrise. As the sun was about to rise, it began to shine rays of light on the Himalayan mountains and as the sun came up, the entire Himalaya range lit up in various shades of pink, orange, and gold. The marvellous panoramic view consisted of two of the highest mountains in the world Mt Annapurna and Machapuchare with its distinctive fish tail characteristic standing out against the light of the morning sky.

Overall, I would have to say that watching the sun grow on the snowy peaks of the Himalayas is one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had and has been one of the most memorable experiences of this trip so far! After I returned to Pokhara and ate breakfast, the rest of my morning was spent visiting some of the other many attractions within the city of Pokhara.

Devi’s Falls is a very interesting waterfall that flows over; it disappears from view into a tunnel under the ground. Water from Phewa Lake flows over Devi’s Falls and eventually disappears into the ground through a cave. It is an incredible natural occurrence that is powerful and mysterious. The entry ticket cost around $1 – $2 to enter.

There is a sacred cave temple called Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave directly across from the waterfall that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Visitors enter the cave through a series of stone steps leading down into a cooler, darker part of the cave that contains a shrine to Lord Shiva. There is also a place to view the underground water flow from Devi’s Falls in the cave.

I rented one of the colorful wooden boats rented from Lakeside on Phewa Lake. The rental cost is around $5, and it felt great to row out on a quiet, calm lake. The famous Tal Barahi Temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Barahi is located on an island in the middle of the lake, and was popular with tourists and locals alike offering prayers and enjoying the sights.

In addition to being a great destination for visitors, Pokhara is also considered one of the best paragliding destinations in the world. Flights from Sarangkot are approximately $80-$100, and all offer breathtaking views of the area.

Total spending for the day: around $35–$90, depending on activities.

Day 5: Journey to Chitwan National Park

On Day 5 of our journey, we departed to continue our southward trip to Chitwan National Park, one of Nepal’s most visited national parks. Our trip from Pokhara to the small town of Sauraha (using a bus) cost around $10-$12 and took approximately 4-5 hours. As we traveled from the hills down to the Terai area, we noticed a gradual change in the landscape — from cool, mountainous regions to warm lowland forests, flat farmland, and large parts of jungle.

Once we reached Sauraha, I found a small jungle lodge that was priced at approximately $25 per night. In the area, most lodges offer package deals which include lodging, meals, and safari activities.

After check-in, I visited a nearby village of the Tharu people. The Tharu are the original people who lived in and around Chitwan and have developed their own distinct cultural and social environment that co-existed with the surrounding forests for hundreds of years. The Tharu people live in traditional homes constructed of earth, bamboo, and thatch and the entire village ambiance is very different than what you would find in your city.

The lodge had organized a cultural event for the evening, with the traditional Tharu dances performed by local performers. The stick dance was very energetic, and the drumming of the music created an exciting and entertaining experience for the attendees, as well as a great opportunity to gain insight into the culture of the area.

Along with food and accommodation costs, I spent approximately $35-$40 for the entire day.

Day 6: Chitwan jungle safari

Day six was about experiencing the lovely wildlife within Chitwan. A tranquil canoe ride on the Rapti River, which runs along the banks of the national park, was the start of the day. We sat quietly on a traditional wooden canoe and floated gently down the river as our guide pointed out different species of animals along the banks. We had the opportunity to see several species of birds, and thankfully we did get to see crocodiles basking in the sun.

In the morning, I also went to the Elephant Breeding Center, where various conservation programs are located to protect and take care of the Asian elephants. In the Elephant Breeding Center, visitors can observe the behaviour of the elephants, breeding programs and conservation efforts in the area.

Following the morning events, the best activity of the day was the afternoon's jeep safari into Chitwan National Park. Riding in an open jeep allowed us to drive over dense jungle paths, very tall elephant grass, and riverbanks as we searched for various animals.

While on safari we were able to see a number of animals including spotted deer, monkeys and the very special and rare Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, one of the parks iconic animals. To see such an enormous creature in its natural environment is something that I will never forget and was exhilarating.

Most of the safari packages that included park permits, guides and transportation were approximately $25-$40 which is an excellent value for such a unique opportunity to see wildlife.

After a long day of excitement, I returned to the lodge for dinner and relaxation while listening to the sounds of the jungle.

The total of my daily expenses will be approximately $40-$50.

Day 7 - Return to Kathmandu and Departure

This is the last day of my trip and I returned back to Kathmandu.

All travelers who leave Bharatpur Airport must either take a bus or fly from there. I chose the bus, which was approximately $12 and took about 6 hours from Bharatpur to Thamel.

After arriving in Thamel I took some time shopping for souvenir items including:

1. Pashmina scarfs
2. Prayer flags
3. Singing bowls
4. Nepali tea

Overall I spent approximately $20-$30 for gifts before departing Tribhuvan International Airport.

What to Pack for Your 7-Day Nepal Trip

Some of the basic packing you can do for your best time in Nepal are-

Clothing (Layering is a Must):

• Light-weight tees & long sleeves shirts

• Fleece jacket or sweater

• Water-proof or wind-proof jacket/breathable shell

• Good pair of comfortable shoes to walk/hike in.

• Sun hat & warm beanie.

• Scarf/shawl will work as a cover to wear while visiting temples.

Essential Gear:

• Universal power adapter for Type C, D, & M plugs

• Re-usable water bottle with a filter for clean drinking water

• Sunscreen & sun glasses, (due UV rays being stronger at higher elevation)

• Basic first aid kit

• Portable power device for longer travel days

• Headlight or flashlights for early morning activities

Important Docs:

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months from when you enter the country

• Two passport size photo (for visa)

• Travel insurance papers

• Copies of all flight confirmations

• Cash in U.S. dollars will be needed for Visa fees.

Travel Tips for a Smooth Journey

Purchasing a local SIM card (Ncell or Nepal Telecom) to access inexpensive, fast 4G internet data can be done upon arrival at the airport! Data packages last for 1 week. Prices range from $5-$10 USD.

Safety Precautions:

Drink only bottled or filtered water! Do not drink tap water.

1. When entering temples, you must remove your shoes.
2. Wear appropriate clothing when visiting religious places.
3. When bargaining in markets (prices are generally negotiable at 30-50%) be respectful.
4. Books for adventure-based activities should be made with certified operators.
5. When going on a trekking/adventurous excursion, travel insurance is a must; it is very expensive to be evacuated via helicopter.

Total cost of my 7-Day Nepal trip:

After considering all expenses - accommodations, food, transportation, activities, entrance fees. My total spending for a 7-day Nepali trip was approximately $450-$520 USD.

This included the following trip experiences:

- Cultural sites in Kathmandu

- Lakes and mountains in Pokhara

- Wildlife adventures in Chitwan National Park

For anyone seeking a travel experience to a destination that combines culture, adventure, and wildlife; Nepal is an amazing place to travel.