Nepal – home to the towering Himalayas, ancient monasteries, and mouth‑watering street food – can be explored on a tight budget. This guide shows how ₹1,000 (NPR 1,600) per day can cover a full travel experience: trekking, temples, street eats, local transport, and even crossing the land border (for Indian travellers) to skip flight costs. Whether you’re backpacking from Delhi or joining a group, our guide is going to help you maximize your rupee!
You’ll begin your day around dawn in Kathmandu’s vibrant Thamel district. For roughly 25 NPR (₹15), hop onto a Sajha city bus and glide past monk-topped temples and bustling bazaars. Your first stop? The peaceful Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple). Entry costs just 200 NPR (~₹125), and the view across the valley at sunrise is priceless yet remains within your budget.
After the spiritual start, head to a nearby roadside stall for chai and sel roti, a crunchy rice doughnut. Expect to spend only around 70 NPR (~₹45) for both—a small but satisfying investment to fuel the morning . As you sip and snack, you can observe life unfolding by watching shopkeepers preparing for the day, locals in traditional caps, and colourful prayer flags overhead.
If you’re feeling adventurous, board a long-haul bus to Pokhara for 800–1,000 NPR (~₹400–₹500) . It’s a scenic six-hour ride with fields and mountains sliding past your window. It is your prime place for amazing photography with tall Himalayas and serene lake views.
In Pokhara, look for guesthouses or hostels in Lakeside that charge around 700–1,000 NPR per night (~₹400–₹500). With friendly bargaining you can often secure a twin room with basic amenities, shared bathroom, and free Wi‑Fi. According to travellers, “rooms under 900 rs per night… around 700–800” are common, and bargaining helps .
By lunchtime, find a lakeside momo stall. A plate of 10 momos costs around 150–180 NPR (~₹95–₹100) . Eating where locals and expats gather helps you enjoy authentic flavors for less.
For sunset views, you have a choice: take the cable car (round-trip ~₹700–₹1,000 for SAARC nationals; roughly ₹700 ) or trek uphill through pine forests – for free. If you go on foot, you not only protect your budget, but immerse yourself in nature and feel the crisp mountain air, chirping birds, and Himalayan panoramas unfiltered by gondolas.
Reaching the ridge, the view with snow-capped Annapurnas reflected in Phewa Lake feels like a reward you earned. Sunset here covers Instagram, memory, and mindfulness all at once.
On the way back, drop by Bindhyabasini Temple or Phewa’s lakeside shrine. These smaller temples often charge only 50–100 NPR (₹30–₹60). Larger heritage sites in Kathmandu Valley, like Kathmandu Durbar Square or Pashupatinath, may cost 800–1,000 NPR—but you can alternate days to keep costs low . One temple every few days keeps your daily spend modest while letting you soak in history.
Evening meals in Nepal are best described as soul-soothing. A thali of dal bhat which is a complete plate of lentils, rice, veggies, and possibly a curry comes to roughly 300–400 NPR (~₹180–₹200). Here you’ll fill your plate and belly with traditional nourishment while interacting with locals and fellow travellers around low-lit tables.
Here’s a realistic spend for your day:
| Category | Approximate cost (NPR) |
|---|---|
| City bus (Sajha) | 25 |
| Swayambhunath entry | 200 |
| Morning chai + snack | 70 |
| Bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara | 800 |
| Guesthouse in Pokhara | 900 |
| Trek to Sarangkot | 0 |
| Lunch (momo) | 150 |
| Temple visit (Small) | 75 |
| Dinner (dal bhat + chai) | 350 |
| Total | 2570 |
This comes down to approximately ₹1600 which is just over ₹1,000 and it includes transport to a second city. If you skip the long bus and stay local, include modest adjustments (shared lodging at ₹500 and local exploration), then you’re comfortably accommodated within ₹1,000.
