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Cheapest Treks in Nepal: Affordable Routes for Backpackers
You do not need Everest prices to walk in the Himalaya. The cheapest guided treks in Nepal are the road-access routes close to Pokhara and Kathmandu: Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, Langtang and Gosaikunda. Typical packages run from about $600 to $1,100 per person.
This is the budget-routes companion to our full Himalayan trek cost guide.
Cheapest treks in Nepal (2026)
| Trek | Days | Highest point | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghorepani Poon Hill | 7–8 | 3,210 m | $600–$900 |
| Mardi Himal | 8–9 | 4,500 m | $700–$1,000 |
| Langtang Valley | 9–10 | 4,773 m | $800–$1,100 |
| Gosaikunda Lake | 10–11 | 4,610 m | $850–$1,100 |
Prices include a licensed guide, porter, permits, teahouses and meals on the trek. International flights and insurance are extra.
Why these routes cost less
- No Lukla flight. You reach the trail by tourist bus or jeep.
- Fewer days, so fewer guide, porter and teahouse nights.
- Lower altitude than Everest Base Camp, so a simpler (and cheaper) itinerary.
Which cheap trek is right for you?
- Poon Hill if it is your first trek or you are travelling with children.
- Mardi Himal if you want a quieter ridge and a higher viewpoint.
- Langtang if you have around 10 days and want to start from Kathmandu with no flight.
- Gosaikunda if you want a sacred high lake without a domestic flight.
What we would not cut
Skip bottled water and luxury hotels if you want to save, but keep the licensed guide, acclimatisation days and travel insurance with helicopter rescue. Tell us your budget and we will match a route.