Nepal Budget Itinerary 7 Days

Overview

Nepal has long been a favourite of budget travellers, and for good reason: accommodation, food, and local transport remain genuinely affordable by any international standard. The main costs are entry fees to heritage sites (which add up) and domestic flights. This itinerary keeps costs low by using buses, staying in guesthouses, eating in local restaurants, and trekking independently.

Daily Budget Breakdown

Accommodation: NPR 600-1,200 per night for a clean guesthouse double room. Food: NPR 300-600 per day eating dal bhat, momos, and local fare in non-tourist restaurants. Local transport: NPR 50-200 per journey by local bus or shared taxi. Heritage sites: budget NPR 3,000-4,000 total for the major Kathmandu Valley sites and Poon Hill permits.

Days 1-2: Kathmandu

Stay in Thamel — guesthouses like Hotel Marshyangdi or Kathmandu Peace Guesthouse offer clean rooms for USD 10-15. Walk to Boudhanath (30 minutes from Thamel) rather than taking a taxi. Local buses from Ratna Park serve Pashupatinath and Bhaktapur. Dal bhat at a local restaurant costs NPR 200-350 and includes unlimited refills.

Days 3-4: Kathmandu to Pokhara by Bus

Tourist bus from Thamel to Pokhara costs NPR 700-1,200 (6 hours). Stay in budget Pokhara guesthouses near Lakeside — USD 8-12 per night for a clean room. Day four: rent a bicycle (NPR 400/day) to explore Phewa Lake, Davis Falls, and the World Peace Stupa.

Days 5-6: Poon Hill Trek

Local jeep from Pokhara to Nayapul (NPR 250). TIMS and ACAP permits at the checkpoint (bring passport copies). Teahouse accommodation on the trail costs NPR 300-600 per night (often free if you eat all meals there). The trek is fully doable without a guide if you download the trail map on an offline GPS app.

Day 7: Return to Kathmandu

Bus from Pokhara back to Kathmandu (NPR 700). Final evening in Asan Bazaar for spice shopping and street food.

FAQ

Is it safe to trek the Poon Hill circuit independently on a budget?
Yes. The Ghorepani-Poon Hill route is one of the most trekked paths in Nepal and well-marked throughout. Download Maps.me or the Wikiloc trail before departure and carry a printed map as backup.

How much does the Poon Hill trek cost in total?
Permits (TIMS + ACAP) NPR 5,000 combined. Transport NPR 500. Teahouse accommodation NPR 600-1,200/night (two nights). Meals on trail NPR 500-800/day. Total approximately NPR 9,000-12,000 (USD 65-85) for the two-day trek.

Are there ATMs on the Poon Hill trek route?
There is an ATM in Nayapul but it is frequently out of cash. Withdraw enough NPR in Pokhara before departing.