What budget for activities and outings Nepal?
Organizing your trek on site in Nepal through a local agency is a less expensive solution than booking from France. You can choose an all-inclusive package (food, accommodation and transport), or a package including equipment and paying for food and accommodation on your own.
As of March 1, 2023, a guide is mandatory for all treks in Nepal. A major revolution that will generate the employment of 40,000 new guides. Don't forget to include it in your budget.
In Nepal's tourist areas, changing euros into Nepalese rupees is not a problem, as there are plenty of exchange offices (every day, often until 9pm) and banks (Sunday to Friday, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm). Prefer the latter, as they offer more attractive rates.
What budget to eat Nepal?
In Nepal. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you'll be spoilt for choice by the wide range of world cuisine on offer: Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian... Make the most of it, as variety is far from the order of the day in the provinces and on the treks, where dhal bat reigns supreme!
Bhutan. If you've had enough of hotel buffets (which can get a bit monotonous after a few days, it's true!), you can try a local establishment. Bhutanese restaurants are generally very affordable. However, you should be aware that the wait can be long, and beware of spicy food, because while the Bhutanese are used to it, our Western palates are more fragile!
In Nepal. Taking a break in a café is a good way to connect to the Internet: most have free wifi access. Between 5pm and 8pm, happy hour is de rigueur in the big cities.
Bhutan. Outside Thimphu and Paro, cafés are still rare in Bhutan.
What is the budget for accommodation Nepal?
Nepal. Kathmandu's hectic, polluted atmosphere can be a nuisance for some travellers. For those who value their peace and quiet, a good option is to stay in the quieter Patan, from where you can explore Kathmandu and the surrounding area. For those who want to stay in the capital's downtown area, avoid Freak Street and prefer Thamel, which offers a plethora of addresses. A word of advice: compare establishments, as there's something for every budget, from 5-star hotels to small shacks! Generally speaking, hotels are often clean and inexpensive.
In Bhutan. The development of tourism has led to a proliferation of luxury hotels. Bear in mind, however, that Bhutanese standards are not comparable to European ones.
Travel budget Nepal and cost of living
In Nepal. Nepal is an inexpensive destination. You can get by on €30/day/person for comfortable accommodation (from Rs. 2,500 for a bed), world cuisine meals, sightseeing, and transportation by top-of-the-range tourist bus (from US$20) or cab. You can also visit Nepal and make the most of the luxury hotels (from €100/night), luxury restaurants and, above all, prefer domestic transport by plane rather than bus. Yes, although Nepal is above all a destination for backpackers, you can also find real oases of luxury all over the country!
- Tipping is a widespread practice. It is generally included in the 10% service charge. For trekkers, it's customary to tip your porters and guide (to be given separately) at the end of the trek. If you're satisfied with the service, expect to pay around 300 Rs/day.
- Haggling is a common practice (so beware of prices advertised by cab drivers or souvenir sellers at first sight!) To get an idea of the real price of a product, don't hesitate to visit several stores and discuss the prices to obtain a price that seems fairest to you. Remember that a difference of a few rupees may not mean much to you, but it can be very appreciable to the vendor in question.
- Taxes: all establishments will include a 10% "service" tax at the end of your bill, and luxury establishments an additional so-called government tax of 13%.
In Bhutan. The Kingdom of Bhutan is an expensive destination, due to its visa policy, now accessible only to the very wealthy. Before 2023, a "visa" cost between US$200 and US$250/day/person, depending on the season, and was in fact a package including everything: the visa itself, hotels, meals, transport and sightseeing. But since 2023, you've had to pay US$200/day/person for a visa just to breathe in Bhutan. You'll have to pay for the flight (US$ 450 return), meals, transport and visits in addition, i.e. roughly double. However, Bhutan has backtracked a little since then, and now offers special offers for 4 days of visa purchased and 4 days free.
