How Much to Tip a Trekking Guide in Nepal? My Experience

When I first came to Nepal, one of the main things I wanted to do was to go trekking in the Himalayas. Like many travelers to Nepal who trek, I had read blogs, researched hiking gear, worried over altitude sickness, and continually asked myself one question: how much do I tip my trekking guide and my porter in Nepal? I wanted to make sure I wasn’t coming off as ungrateful or short-changing someone. I didn’t know what it meant to ‘tip fairly’. 

After I returned from trekking, and started to talk with other trekkers and Nepali people, it became clear to me that tipping in Nepal is less about (black and white) rules and more about being common respect and appreciation, or thankfulness and cultural sensibility.

My First Trekking Experience in Nepal.

I joined an organized trek with a group to Annapurna Base Camp. Our guide, Ram, lived in a small village and had been a guide for around twelve years. Even at the very beginning of the trek, he seemed more like a caretaker than a leader of the trip, talking about the culture of the type of village we might have been in, suggesting I should drink lots of water to prevent sickness from the altitude, and carrying my bag one day when I just did not have the energy. 

By the end of the trek, I realized that guides and porters don’t just “do their jobs”; they give you the opportunity for your entire Himalayan experience. Without guides and porters, most of us wouldn’t arrive at our destination even close to safely. This was when the conversation about tipping became very real for me. 

 So, how much to tip? 

From what I learned in my experience (and in conversations with other trekkers and agencies later on), the range is: 

• Guides: $8-$10 USD per day (per trekker)
• Porters: $5-$7 USD per day (per trekker)

While trekking as an overall group of three, at the end we agreed to each give our guide, Ram, approximately $100 for a 10-day trek we had done with him, while each porter we would give approximately $70. This seemed reasonable based on their time, commitment, physical effort, and care during our trek. 

Keep in mind, this is only a suggestion. If your guide is especially nice to you while you are sick, or helped you to make your trek particularly special, or went above and beyond to help you, you may want to tip even more. 

 Cultural Context on Tipping in Nepal. 

One thing I noticed is that tipping is not an expectation, though it is certainly appreciated in Nepal. Many trekking guides and porters rely only on the income they make in one trekking season each year to support their families; tipping is a part of that income. 

I remember giving my envelope to our guide at the end of my trek, and it was clear that it was unexpected; his smile and emphatic dhanyabad (or thank you) demonstrated the meaning of what I had given him and what it meant. He mentioned that he would send his daughter to school with what I had given him. What a moment for me!

My Tips for Tipping

Plan Ahead – It is good to have a tipping budget set aside for your trip ahead of time, so you aren’t scrambling the day of the trek.

Give as a Group – If you have a larger group, consider pooling your money together and giving it as a single envelope. It feels more organized and respectful.

Hand It Off Personally – Don’t just leave it as a tip; hand it directly to the guide and porter. Look them in the eye and say thank you for their work.

Factor in Effort – Did they help you when you were struggling? Did they provide you with  information and keep you safe? Let your tip indicate your feelings.

Don’t Worry Too Much – Tipping is not about perfection; it is about gratitude. Just because you didn’t give “exactly” the suggested amount does not mean you need to feel bad.

Final Reflection:

 Before my trekking adventure, I considered tipping just another part of the trip experience. After trekking for days in the mountains with my porter and guide, I view it as much more than a monetary value. It is about valuing the experience. These men (and often women) literally took my experience on their backs. 

If you are trying to figure out how much to tip your trekking guide while in Nepal, you may want to reference the amount that is recommended in the guidelines, but then you have to listen to your heart. The amount you ultimately decide to give your guide at the end of the trek is the amount that you feel gives meaning to the expression of gratitude for what the guide facilitated for you in memories, safety, or happiness.

For me, tipping was never about the money; it was simply saying thank you for helping me achieve a dream.