Tipping on Everest Base Camp Trek (Don’t Tip Less Than This!)

Tipping in Nepal isn’t vey common.. but tipping while trekking is.

And this isn’t just a customary gesture.

It can make a substantial difference for guides and porters livelihoods as they often rely on these additional earnings.. especially during the off-season (when work can be scarce).

However, finding clear and consistent information about how much to tip can be challenging.

When I trekked Everest Base Camp in mid 2024 I remember combing through online forums (like reddits r/nepal) and reaching out to my agency for additional assistance. But they each offered different advice.

It was overwhelming. Especially when I was trying to ensure my tip was fair and respectful of the local culture.

Here’s what I’ve learned, and what I ended up tipping on Everest base camp to help you navigate this aspect of your adventure.

Related: Check out this article for my favorite everest base camp trekking company

General Guidelines for Tipping

Tipping amounts will vary based on your group size, the number of porters and guides, and the duration and difficulty of the hike.

For example, a 17 day EBC hike including Chola Pass in a large group would elicit a greater tip than a solo 14 day hike

A common approach is to tip as a percentage of the total tour price. This ranges from 10-15% of the trek cost. Another method is to tip based on a daily rate. 

Lets look at these in a bit more detail:

Tipping 10-15 percent of the total tour cost
Our base camp page was $1250 USD per person, therefore we could estimate a tip of $125 – $190.

NB: this is the total tip

Per Person vs. Per Group

If you’re trekking solo or as a couple, you’ll tip less overall than when in a large group, however you should probably tip more per person that you would in a big group.

Larger groups might give a single tip that’s divided among the staff, while smaller groups often tip individually. Remember, the tip should reflect the effort each person has put into making your trek a success.

Tipping Amounts for Guides

For guides, a typical rate might be $10 per day, per person. For a 12-day trek, this adds up to about $120. If your guide went above and beyond—providing exceptional service, sharing deep cultural insights, or helping you through a tough time—consider tipping on the higher end of that range or even more.

Tipping Amounts for Porters

Porters typically receive a bit less than guides, around $5 per day, per person. For a 12-day trek, this amounts to $60. If your porter carried an especially heavy load or provided extra assistance, like carrying your gear in addition to the group load, it’s worth tipping a bit more.

My Recommendations For Tipping on Everest Base Camp

I created this table below to give guidance on how the tip amount should change based on the group size, and the number of days spent trekking.

Note: this is the tip amount PER PERSON.

BTW. I actually created a tip calculator spreadsheet that accounts for things like different staff roles, and the difficulty of the treks. So let me know if you’re interested in that.

Best Practices for Tipping

When to Give the Tip

The consensus is to tip at the end of the trek, during a final gathering or celebration. This ensures that the tip reflects the overall experience and gives you a chance to express your gratitude personally. But, if you feel particularly moved by someone’s help during the trek, a small tip along the way can also be appreciated.

For us, this meant giving the tip when having some celebratory beers back in Lukla, the night before our flight back to Kathmandu.

How to Tip Discreetly

Cultural sensitivity is key when tipping in Nepal. It’s best to hand over tips discreetly, in an envelope and directly to the individual.

I recommend to give a lump sum to the lead guide, who then distributes it among the staff. But this approach may lack the personal touch of giving directly to each person.

Tipping in Large Groups

If you trekked as a group, you can pool the tips from everyone and then distribute them among the staff. This ensures everyone contributes fairly and the staff receives a well-deserved collective tip.

Discuss this with your group at the start of the trek to avoid any last-minute confusion.

Trekking Guide- USD $5 to $6 per day
Tour guide- USD $5 to $6 per day
Porters- USD $3 to $4 per day

Tipping in Small or Private Groups

In smaller or private groups, you’ll likely interact more closely with your guides and porters. This personalized experience often warrants a slightly higher tip. 

I found that in these settings, the relationships you build with the staff can make the trek even more memorable, and tipping generously feels more personal and meaningful. 

And if you’re dissatisfied with the service, it’s okay to adjust your tip accordingly. Just be sure to communicate your reasons politely.

Trekking Guide- USD $10 to $15 per day
Tour guides- USD $10 to $15 per day
Porters- USD $5 to $10 per day

How to handle Additional Tip Requests

Sometimes, unexpected situations arise, like a staff member requesting additional money or tips. This can be uncomfortable, but it’s important to handle it with tact. If the request seems reasonable, considering the circumstances, it might be worth accommodating. But, if it feels inappropriate, it’s okay to politely decline and stick to your original plan.

How Much I Paid

I did the standard 14-day Everest Base Camp hike which included 11 hiking days. It was just myself and my girlfriend (so a group size of two) and we had 1 guide and no porters – so we only were tipping the guide.

We elected to tip him 30,000 NPR, or around USD 225 which (we hope) was on the high end as he worked incredibly hard and gave as a fantastic experience. We also felt, having opted to not have porters, we were happy to give some of the money we would have given for a porter’s tip to our guide instead.