Back in the day, most trekking regions in Nepal followed the Annapurna model — communal pricing, standard menus, and often even photocopied lists of the same dishes. It worked when choices were few and costs were similar.

But things have changed. Food options in the mountains have expanded, and so has price variation. What used to be a predictable “set menu” is now a mix of comfort food, local dishes, and international cravings — all priced differently as altitude and access change.

On our side, we found it increasingly hard to budget for meals when prices kept shifting from village to village. Worse, travellers began feeling short-changed — some had just a bowl of soup while others had a full meal, yet everyone paid the same “all-inclusive” rate.

So, we made the shift: no more meals included in trek pricing.

This gives trekkers full freedom to eat what they like, when they like — and it saves everyone the confusion. It also means travellers avoid paying the extra taxes and overheads that we’d have to add on top of meals if included in the price.

So how much should you budget for food in the mountains?

It’s not as scary as you might think. A big plate of Dal Bhaat — Nepal’s ultimate energy meal — rarely goes beyond NPR 950 (about USD 8), even high up. Breakfasts and lunches are cheaper, but hot drinks add up fast. A pot of tea can cost as much as USD 15 in the upper reaches.

Our recommendation:

Budget around USD 30–40 per person per day for food and drinks. It’ll start cheaper in lower altitudes and rise as you go higher. If there’s money left over, it’s perfect for tipping your trekking crew — a simple way to give back for all the hard work behind your adventure.