All about tips in Nepal — How much to tip in Nepal for a porter, trekking guide, tour guide & others

TIPS, this word itself describes its meaning while elaborated. TIPS can stand for “Thanking for Individual Personal Service”. Tipping is ultimately a personal decision. Regardless, you should only add a tip when you feel the staff did an excellent job. So, how much to tip a porter in Nepal, how much to tip in Nepal, how much to tip Nepal trekking guide? Let’s check out our suggested all about tips in Nepal as the following article!

With its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality, Nepal has become a popular destination for travelers worldwide. As you plan your journey to our beautiful country, you may wonder about the etiquette of tipping, one of the frequently discussed travel insights. Many guests ask about tipping rules for guides, helpers, and restaurants.

When I set foot on the paths of Everest Base Camp, I shook with joy and fatigue from my legs. Looking at the Sherpa porter, smiling at me with his huge backpack, I immediately thought, how should I advise this warm person?

Knowing how much to tip in Nepal, particularly for adventure guides and porters, can be tricky. We will delve into the customs and expectations of tipping in Nepal so you can learn how to show your appreciation and navigate this aspect of your trip with ease and respect for local customs.

Where and whom to tip in Nepal? (# how much to tip in nepal)

The following shows where to tip and to whom to different professionals for your information. Tipping is often seen as a gesture of appreciation for the services provided, and it can play a significant role in the income of those working in the tourism industry.

Restaurant and Hotel staff

When enjoying local cuisine in Nepal, service charges may sometimes be included about 10% already in your bill. This service charge is then distributed equally among the staff so that the staff or cook who prepared your food. However, if you are pleased with the kind hospitality and sweet service from the serving staff, a small tip as a gesture of gratitude can be paid to them.

Similarly, for hotel staff, a tip for housekeeping is common. A tip of 20 NPR (0.15 USD) is sufficient for anyone who helps carry your luggage, such as a porter or bellboy. If you are traveling with a group, 10 NPR (0.075 USD) per bag is standard for tipping.

Local taxi drivers and private vehicle drivers

When you grab a taxi to go somewhere, don’t forget to bargain as normally bargaining works to get discounts in the hustling and bustling towns of Kathmandu and Pokhara. If the driver is polite to you and shows respect, talks to you, and shows some information on your safe routes, please think about a small tip to him as gratitude.

You can offer him a tip by leaving the change while you pay or offer a small amount of 50 to 100 NPR (0.38 to 0.75 USD), which brings you some advantages during your trip.

The same can be the case with private transfers. If you feel you were well taken care of and safely driven, you can tip 500 to 1,000 NPR (3.77 to 7.55 USD) depending on the length of the drive or service rendered.

Tour Guides, Trek Guides, Mountain Sherpas and Porters (# how much to tip a porter)

Your guides have a huge role in either making or breaking your trip. The Trek Guiders team usually assigns the best available guide for your trip, whether for a day tour, week trek, or month expedition. A great professional guide will handle all your logistics and needs on your trip. Therefore, gratitude is offered to them for their hard work.

Trip Specialist (Optional)

Maybe they do not accompany your trip, but trip planners make your trip run smoothly, there are days and nights of hard efforts of your trip planner to arrange for you what you enjoy.

If you find that the trip planning was a hassle-free task and your specialist co-operated with your every request in every possible way, you may meet them and hand over a few amounts to thank despite being uncommon.

How much to tip?

In Nepal, there is no fixed rate for tipping. Instead, it is an acknowledgment of the hard work and hospitality. Here are some guidelines about a reasonable amount of tipping suitable for most cases as follows:

Tipping Rates for Lodge/Tea House Treks

• Tour guide: 10-15 USD per day or 1,000-1,500 NPR per day
• Trek guide: 10-15 USD per day or 1,000-1,500 NPR per day
• Sherpa local tour guide: 8-10 USD per day or 800-1,000 NPR per day
• Personal porter: 8-10 USD per day or 800-1,000 NPR per day
• Private driver: 5-10 USD per day or 500-1000 NPR per day

For solo travelers, the tip may be a little less. These prices may vary for camping and mountain expeditions.

Tipping rates for camping trips and climbing/trekking adventures (# how much to tip nepal trekking guide)

• Climbing Sirdar Mountain: 10-15 USD per day or 1,000-1,500 NPR per day
• Personal climbing Sherpa: 10-12 USD per day or 1,000-1,200 NPR per day
• Camping chef: 10-12 USD per day or 1,000-1,200 NPR per day
• Personal kitchen staff: 8-10 USD per day or 800-1,000 NPR per day
• Personal porter: 8-10 USD per day or 800-1,000 NPR per day

The amounts mentioned are usually per day, not personalized. If you are on a 1-month trip, the tips are 300-350 USD for the guide and 200-250 USD for the porter.

When and how to tip?

It’s good to thank them for their services and offer gratitude by tipping a day before your trek completion day. The best time would be after dinner while enjoying group talk before bed. You can keep your tip amount in an envelope and hand it to the staff with a smile and sweet thanks. Most staff will accept whatever you give and never count the money in front of you.

Preferred currency

While tipping, you may either use Nepalese currency, US Dollars, or Euro. The trekking staff can exchange them from the money exchange in Kathmandu or the local town. But when you are tipping your porter who is not returning Kathmandu with you but instead moving ahead to their village home from the trek completion point, it’s suggested to tip them with Nepalese currency as it might be easy for them to use that money instantly without having to search for money changers.

Tips on tipping

When handing over a tip, do so with your right or both hands as a sign of respect. A smile and a word of thanks in Nepali, such as Dhanyabad, go a long way in showing gratitude.

If you think of returning any of your trek gear for needy trek staff, you are sure they are not worn out or damaged. Avoid giving torn and old clothes or boots to the staff. This might turn out to be a humiliating prize to the receiving person. Ask them to advise how to dispose of such goods if you are willing to get rid of such damaged gear.

Tipping is a personal and sincere gesture. The amount of the tip and the way of tipping may vary depending on the level of your satisfaction and the standard of services rendered by the staff.

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Nepal FAQs

The below FAQs provide the answer to many queries of the people who are planning and preparing to visit Nepal.

Who should I tip in Nepal?

It would help if you made tipping to tour guides, trek guides, porters, drivers, and restaurant staff. Tipping is also optional but appreciated by the trip experts and planners who make your trip enjoyable.

Do I need to tip in Nepal? (# how much to tip in nepal)

Tipping is not mandatory in Nepal. However, it is considered polite. You are not required to tip, but it is kind and respectful.

What currency should I use to tip?

Most of the people preferred to get the tips in Nepali rupees. Foreigners can use either tip in US Dollars or Nepali rupees. Most of the trek guides can exchange these currencies easily.

When is the best time to tip in Nepal?

For trekking activity, you tip a day before your trek completion day. The best time would be right after dinner when you can express your gratitude and share tips with the staff.

It’s important to remember that the tipping guidelines in Nepal are just suggestions and not mandatory. It’s up to you to decide how much to tip based on the quality of service you received and your budget.

Tipping is a way to show appreciation for good service and to support the local community. So, be fair and considerate when tipping, and be noted that it’s not just about the amount of money, but also the gesture of gratitude.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Kathmandu you can refer to

• Kathmandu Heritage Tour
• Plane Ticket (One Way) for Kathmandu to Pokhara
• Plane Ticket (One Way) for Pokhara to Kathmandu
• Kathmandu Bazaar Walking Tour
• Kathmandu Morning Rickshaw Tour
• Kathmandu Evening Rickshaw Tour
• Patan and Bhaktapur Tour
• 12D11N Annapurna Circuit Trek
• 10D9N Mardi Himal Trek from Kathmandu
• 7D6N Langtang Valley Trek from Kathmandu
• 12D11N Everest Base Camp Trek
• 15D14N Everest Base Camp Trek
• Everest Mountain Flight
• Nagarkot Day Hike
• 5D4N Nepal Private Tour
• Nagarkot Sunrise Tour
• Kathmandu Full Day Exploration
• 11D10N Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Flight to Lukla
• 3D2N Chitwan National Park Tour from Kathmandu

Read more Nepal guide here.