Tips for Tipping in Nepal: A Quick and Easy Guide

Tipping is a way to show gratitude for the service provided by someone. The word TIPS can be expanded as “Thanking for Individual Personal Service”, which can be given in any form like cash, goods, clothes, gears, or food. However, people generally consider TIPS as cash rewards for their service, which motivates them to provide better service.

The amount and ways of tipping may differ from country to country, but if you’re visiting Nepal, it’s customary to show appreciation with a TIP, preferably in cash. But it doesn’t mean that you need to tip everyone who provides you assistance, like giving directions to your hotel. A simple “Thank You” or “Dhanyabaad” in Nepali with folded hands can also express your gratitude.

How much to Tip your Tour Guide and Trek staff ?

Once you know where and whom to tip for your enjoyable trip, the next question arises: How much should you tip?

In Nepal, there is no fixed rate for tipping. You can tip restaurant staff and vehicle drivers as suggested, but when it comes to tipping your guide, porters, or other trekking staff, the amount depends on their services.

The general rule is to give your guides and porters what they deserve for their services, and you can skip tipping (either the whole team or a particular staff member) if their services were unsatisfactory. However, many travelers still struggle to determine the appropriate tipping amount, fearing that they might give too little or too much.

To help you out, we have compiled a guideline on a reasonable amount of tipping suitable for most situations.

The tipping rates for Camping Trips and Expeditions may differ from those of Lodge Treks. Typically, the following tipping rates are used for such trips.

Best time to Tip your guide and porters?

It is customary for the porters to join you at the trek starting point and bid you farewell on the last day of your trek. Therefore, it is recommended to express your gratitude and provide tips a day prior to the completion of your trek. The ideal time for tipping is after dinner, during the group discussion before retiring for the night. You can place the tipping amount in an envelope and present it to the staff with a smile and kind words of thanks. Generally, the staff will graciously accept the tip without counting it in front of you. Even if your guide is accompanying you on the following day, it is best to offer the tip along with the rest of the group.

Preferred currency 

When providing tips, you have the option to use Nepalese currency, US dollars, or euros. The trek staff can exchange these currencies at money exchange centers in Kathmandu or the local town. However, if you are tipping a porter who is not returning to Kathmandu with you but instead traveling to their village home from the trek completion point, it is advisable to use Nepalese currency. This will make it easier for them to use the money immediately without having to search for money exchange centers.

Things to avoid while Tipping

When giving tips, it is important to avoid overcompensating and simply show your gratitude for the excellent service provided. If you are satisfied with the service, thank the staff sincerely and offer your tip. If you plan to leave any trekking gear behind for the staff, make sure it is not worn out or damaged, as this may be seen as insulting. If you have damaged gear that you wish to dispose of, ask the staff for advice on how to do so.

It is important to note that these suggestions are only guidelines and are not mandatory. The amount and manner of tipping may vary based on your level of satisfaction and the quality of service provided. It is also not necessary to always tip the guide more than the porter; if you feel that the porter provided exceptional service, you may choose to tip them more. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our travel expert directly.