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Annapurna Circuit Food Prices 2026: What You Actually Pay at 9 Teahouses

Q: What is the best food to eat on the Annapurna Circuit?

Dal Bhat for lunch and dinner, especially above Manang. It is the most nutritionally complete, comes with unlimited refills, and is almost always the best value. For breakfast, tsampa or oat porridge or eggs with Tibetan bread before any serious climbing day.

Q: What should I eat the night before crossing Thorong La?

Carbohydrate-heavy, easy-to-digest food — Dal Bhat with extra rice, pasta, or noodles. Order breakfast the night before and pay the full bill before sleep. You leave at 4am and there is no time for kitchen orders in the dark.

Q: Do you have to eat where you sleep on the Annapurna Circuit?

At most teahouses above Manang, yes. If you sleep at a teahouse and eat elsewhere, most teahouses charge a higher room rate. This is standard practice from Upper Pisang onward.

Q: Can I eat meat safely on the Annapurna Circuit?

Yak meat is a popular choice above Manang and is locally sourced on the upper circuit. The general guideline for imported meats like chicken is to be more cautious above 3,500m where cold storage can be unreliable.

Aug 16, 2026 · 21 min read · By Thapa Kumar

Quick Answer

A cup of black tea costs NPR 100 in Chame and NPR 200 at Thorong High Camp. Dal Bhat costs NPR 800 in Chame and NPR 1,200 at Thorong High Camp. Food prices on the Annapurna Circuit rise steadily with altitude — the higher the halt, the more expensive every item becomes, because supplies have to be carried up by porter or mule from road-accessible sections below.

This guide covers real 2026 menus photographed at 9 halts — seven on the main Annapurna Circuit route and two on the Tilicho Lake side trip — from Chame at 2,710m to Muktinath at 3,760m after the Thorong La crossing. All prices are in Nepali Rupees (NPR). USD 1 is approximately NPR 135.

Price note: These prices were photographed from teahouse menus during our 2026 Annapurna Circuit trips. Menu prices can change during the trekking season, so use these figures as a current guide rather than a guaranteed price list.

Annapurna Circuit Teahouse Food: Key Facts

Key Facts

Daily food budget (lower circuit): NPR 2,000 to 3,000 — three meals and non-alcoholic drinks
Daily food budget (Manang and above): NPR 3,500 to 5,000 — three meals and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks, snacks and specialty items push the total higher.
Best value meal anywhere: Dal Bhat — unlimited refills at most teahouses
Most popular trekker breakfast: Eggs with Tibetan bread or porridge with apple
High-altitude teahouse rule: Eat where you sleep — or pay double room charge
Thorong High Camp rule: Order breakfast the night before and pay your bill before you sleep
MountainKick guided packages: Main meals included — Annapurna Circuit from USD 770

Annapurna Circuit Food Prices at a Glance

Typical 2026 Food and Drink Prices Across the Annapurna Circuit (NPR)
Item	Typical Price Range (NPR)
Black Tea (cup)	100 to 200
Coffee (cup)	150 to 260
Dal Bhat	700 to 1,200
Breakfast Set	850 to 1,400
Thukpa / Thenthuk	600 to 1,350
Pizza	650 to 1,600
Momo (steam or fried)	550 to 850
Soup	350 to 800
Beer	700 to 1,200
Daily food budget	2,000 to 5,000

Prices vary by altitude and teahouse. Thorong High Camp at 4,925m is consistently the most expensive stop. Muktinath, lower in altitude after the pass descent, is noticeably cheaper than High Camp for the same items.

Trail near Manang village on the Annapurna Circuit at 3500m with mountain views Nepal 2026 — The trail above Manang — where food prices shift noticeably as altitude increases

What Trekkers Actually Eat on the Annapurna Circuit

The food culture on the Annapurna Circuit is genuinely good — not just functional. What you eat changes as you gain altitude, and knowing what to order at each stage makes a real difference to how you feel on the trail. If you are planning your overall budget, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost 2026 guide for the full picture beyond food.

Dal Bhat: The best meal on the circuit

Dal Bhat is rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, pickled vegetables, and usually a papadum. At most teahouses it comes with unlimited refills for one fixed price. Guides and porters eat it twice a day. It is the most nutritionally complete, most calorie-dense, and usually the cheapest hot meal on the menu. If you eat Dal Bhat for dinner every night above Manang you will feel better on the trail than trekkers ordering pizza.

Garlic soup: A popular choice at altitude

Garlic soup is one of the most popular dishes among trekkers above Manang. It is warm, light, and easy to have as a starter on cold evenings. Many guides and trekkers enjoy it during the higher sections of the circuit. It should not be considered a treatment or prevention for altitude sickness — proper acclimatisation, gradual ascent, and paying attention to your symptoms are what matter most.

Thukpa and Thenthuk: Tibetan warmers for cold nights

Thukpa is a Tibetan noodle soup — thick, warming, and easy to digest on cold evenings. Thenthuk uses hand-pulled flat noodles. Both appear from Upper Pisang onward and become more prominent in the Tibetan Buddhist communities of the upper circuit. On a cold night at Yak Kharka or High Camp, a bowl of thukpa before sleep is one of the better decisions you will make on the trek.

Tsampa porridge: The right breakfast above 4,000m

Tsampa is roasted barley flour — a Tibetan staple that has sustained high-altitude communities for centuries. Mixed with hot water or milk it becomes a dense, slow-burning porridge. It is a good breakfast choice before any serious climbing day, particularly the pre-dawn push from High Camp to Thorong La. Avoid heavy, oily breakfasts before a big climb — digestion slows at altitude.

Yak meat: Worth trying in the upper circuit

From Manang onward, yak meat appears on menus — yak curry, yak burger, yak thukpa, yak steak. Yak is free-range, lean, and locally raised. The general guideline on meat at altitude is to be cautious with imported frozen chicken above 3,500m where cold storage can be unreliable. Yak tends to be locally sourced on the upper circuit and is a popular choice among trekkers and guides.

Apple products: A highlight after the pass

The Kali Gandaki valley, particularly Marpha, is known for apple orchards. After the Thorong La crossing, apple pie, apple pancakes, apple juice, and apple cider appear on menus. The apple pie at Marpha teahouses is one of the most talked-about food experiences on the circuit and worth stopping for.

Upper Pisang to Ngawal high route trail on the Annapurna Circuit with Himalayan peaks Nepal — The high route between Upper Pisang and Ngawal — one of the most scenic sections of the circuit

How Teahouse Prices Work on the Annapurna Circuit

Every item gets more expensive as you gain altitude. As you travel higher, transporting food and supplies becomes increasingly difficult and expensive. Beyond the road-accessible sections, supplies must be carried by porters, mule trains, or other means — and that cost passes directly into the menu price.

The altitude price rule: Black tea costs NPR 100 in Chame (2,710m) and NPR 200 at Thorong High Camp (4,925m). Dal Bhat goes from NPR 800 in Chame to NPR 1,200 at High Camp. The pattern is consistent across virtually every item on the menu.

Most teahouses above Manang operate a house rule: if you sleep there you eat there. The menu at Upper Pisang’s Manag Marsyandi New Cottage states it plainly: “If you don’t eat dinner and breakfast here, you can pay double room charge from the menu.” This is standard practice on the upper circuit. On MountainKick guided trips this is handled as part of the package — your guide manages teahouse relationships throughout the route.

Annapurna Circuit Food Prices by Teahouse

The nine menus below cover seven halts on the main Annapurna Circuit route (Chame, Upper Pisang, Ngawal, Manang, Yak Kharka, Thorong High Camp, Muktinath) and two halts on the Tilicho Lake side trip (Shree Kharka and Tilicho Base Camp). All prices were photographed from actual teahouse menus in 2026.

Halt 1: Chame — Hotel Mountain Eagle Eye (2,710m)

Altitude: 2,710m | Day on circuit: Day 4 to 5 | Route: Main circuit

Chame is the district headquarters of Manang and the first proper town on the upper circuit. The Marsyangdi valley narrows dramatically above Chame and the peaks begin to feel close for the first time. It is a good place to stock up on snacks and sort any gear issues before the trail gets more serious. Hotel Mountain Eagle Eye has a well-stocked dining room with full menu and prices that reflect the relatively easy road access at this elevation.

Hotel Mountain Eagle Eye dining room interior Chame Annapurna Circuit Nepal 2026 — Hotel Mountain Eagle Eye dining room, Chame — April 2026

Chame — Hotel Mountain Eagle Eye: Food Prices 2026 (NPR)
Item	NPR
Black Tea (cup)	100
Milk Tea (cup)	200
Black Coffee (cup)	200
Hot Chocolate (cup)	250
Breakfast Set (bread, egg, jam, tea, porridge, fried potato)	1,000
Dal Bhat Set	800
Chicken Khana Set	1,050
Veg Curry + Rice	650
Yak Curry + Rice	750
Mushroom Pizza	750
Veg Steam Momo	550
Fried Noodle	450
Swiss Rosti	500

Halt 2: Upper Pisang — Manag Marsyandi New Cottage (3,300m)

Altitude: 3,300m | Day on circuit: Day 6 to 7 | Route: Main circuit (high route)

Upper Pisang is one of the most visually striking stops on the circuit. The village sits above the valley floor with Annapurna II and Pisang Peak filling the skyline behind the teahouses. The high route from Chame through Upper Pisang, Ghyaru, and Ngawal is more demanding than the valley floor route but delivers significantly better mountain views. The Dal Bhat Yak Meat at NPR 1,300 is worth ordering here before prices climb further up the route.

Manag Marsyandi New Cottage teahouse Upper Pisang Annapurna Circuit 3300m Nepal 2026 — Manag Marsyandi New Cottage, Upper Pisang — 3,300m

Standard room inside Manag Marsyandi New Cottage Upper Pisang Annapurna Circuit Nepal — Standard room at Manag Marsyandi New Cottage

Upper Pisang — Manag Marsyandi New Cottage: Food Prices 2026 (NPR)
Item	NPR
Dal Bhat Set	800
Dal Bhat Yak Meat	1,300
Chicken Dal Bhat	1,100
Yak Meat Curry with Rice	1,050
Veg Thukpa	600
Korean Ramen	650
Veg Soup	500
Cheese Pizza	650
Apple Pie	500
Beer	800
Chhyang — Local Beer (cup)	250
Manang Coffee (cup)	350

Teahouse rule from Upper Pisang onward: If you don’t eat dinner and breakfast at the teahouse where you sleep, you pay double room charge. This applies at most teahouses on the upper circuit.

Halt 3: Ngawal — New Annapurna Guest House (3,657m)

Altitude: 3,657m | Day on circuit: Day 7 | Route: Main circuit (high route)

Ngawal sits at 3,657m on the high ridge route and is one of the quieter overnight stops on the circuit. The New Annapurna Guest House has a dining room with a direct view of the Annapurna range — one of the best mountain views available from a teahouse window on the entire circuit. Sea buckthorn juice appears on the menu here for the first time, made from bright orange berries native to this altitude zone.

New Annapurna Guest House exterior Ngawal village Annapurna Circuit 3657m Nepal 2026 — New Annapurna Guest House, Ngawal — Annapurna range directly behind

New Annapurna Guest House dining room Ngawal Annapurna Circuit with mountain views Nepal — Dining room, New Annapurna Guest House, Ngawal

Ngawal — New Annapurna Guest House: Food Prices 2026 (NPR)
Item	NPR
Dal Bhat Set	900
Dal Bhat Set (Yak or Chicken)	1,200
Yak Meat Curry with Rice	1,200
Veg Curry with Rice	800
Veg Thukpa	650
Meat Thukpa	800
Veg Thenthuk	650
Apple Pie	750
Sea Buckthorn Juice (organic)	350
Black Coffee (cup)	250
Hot Chocolate (cup)	280
Beer	900
Chhyang — Local Beer (cup)	250

Halt 4: Manang — Hotel Skyline Manang (3,519m)

Altitude: 3,519m | Day on circuit: Day 8 to 9 — main acclimatisation stop | Route: Main circuit

Manang is the last significant town before Thorong La and the main acclimatisation stop before Thorong La, and most itineraries include a rest day here and one for the acclimatisation hike to Ice Lake at 4,600m. The Himalayan Rescue Association runs an altitude clinic here with daily talks on AMS symptoms — attend it. Hotel Skyline Manang has the most ambitious menu of any halt on this list, including a Yak Special section with steak, burger, fajita, and sizzler that is impressive at any altitude. For overall trip budgeting beyond food, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost guide.

Manang village Annapurna Circuit Nepal at 3519m with Annapurna range in background — Manang at 3,519m — the mandatory acclimatisation stop on the Annapurna Circuit

Manang — Hotel Skyline: Food Prices 2026 (NPR)
Item	NPR
Special Nepali Dal Bhat Set	770
Yak Steak (grilled veg, finger chips)	1,500
Yak Burger (with finger chips)	1,100
Yak Curry Rice	1,000
Yak Fajita (tortillas, cheese, Mexican rice)	1,300
Chicken Sizzler (fries, veg, mushroom sauce)	1,100
Chicken Fajita	1,100
Chicken Curry Dal Tarkari Set (refill)	1,000
Set Breakfast (2 toast, 2 eggs, hash brown, tea/coffee)	900
Cheese Omelet (2 eggs)	480
Veg Soup	350
Milk Tea (cup)	130
Black Coffee (cup)	170
Sea Buckthorn Juice	200
Beer	750

Halt 5: Shree Kharka Teahouse (~3,870m) — Tilicho Lake Side Trip

Altitude: approx 3,870m | Route: Tilicho Lake side trip — first night out from Manang

Shree Kharka is a small cluster of teahouses on the trail to Tilicho Lake, sitting between Manang and Tilicho Base Camp. This halt is on the Tilicho Lake side trip, not the main Annapurna Circuit route. The turquoise-covered menus are practical and prices are slightly lower here than at Tilicho Base Camp. Red Bull makes a surprise appearance at NPR 400 alongside local Raksi at NPR 250.

Shree Kharka: Food Prices 2026 (NPR) — Tilicho Lake Side Trip
Item	NPR
Dal Bhat Set	860
Veg Steam Momo	600
Tuna Steam Momo	800
Apple Pie	500
Veg Curry	420
Cheese Pizza	650
Plain Noodles	450
Fried Noodles	500
Black Tea (cup)	100
Black Coffee (cup)	150
Beer	800
Khukuri Rum	800
Local Raksi (cup)	250
Red Bull	400

Halt 6: Tilicho Base Camp — Hotel Mountain View (4,150m) — Tilicho Lake Side Trip

Altitude: 4,150m | Route: Tilicho Lake side trip — last teahouse before the lake

Tilicho Base Camp is a two-day side trip from Manang adding Tilicho Lake at 4,919m — one of the highest lakes in the world. Hotel Mountain View at 4,150m is the last teahouse before the lake. The menu is extensive for this altitude with sizzlers, thali sets, and burgers. Prices are higher than Manang, reflecting the extra porter days required to supply this remote location.

Tilicho Base Camp — Hotel Mountain View: Food Prices 2026 (NPR)
Item	NPR
Veg Thali Set	900
Non Veg Thali Set	1,100
Yak Sizzler	1,500
Buff Sizzler	1,800
Yak Steak	1,500
Chicken Sizzler	1,500
Breakfast Set (toast, 2 eggs, hash brown, tea/coffee)	1,050
Veg Thukpa	650
Cheese Pizza	800
Apple Pie	650
Black Tea (cup)	100
Black Coffee (cup)	180
Beer (can)	700

Halt 7: Yak Kharka — Himalayan View Hotel (4,018m)

Altitude: 4,018m | Day on circuit: Day 10 | Route: Main circuit

Yak Kharka sits at just over 4,000m — the point where altitude starts affecting appetite and digestion for many trekkers. The high pastures above the village are used by yak herders. Himalayan View Hotel has a striking red menu that reads more like a European mountain restaurant than a remote Himalayan teahouse — lasagna, moussaka, sizzlers, and two breakfast set options. Order the Himalayan View Breakfast Set the night before if you plan an early start the next morning.

Yak Kharka trail Annapurna Circuit Nepal at 4018m with mountain views before Thorong La — Yak Kharka at 4,018m — the last comfortable halt before Thorong High Camp

Yak Kharka — Himalayan View Hotel: Food Prices 2026 (NPR)
Item	NPR
Dal Bhat	950
Himalayan View Breakfast Set	1,200
Swiss Breakfast Set	1,100
Yak Curry with Rice	1,300
Yak Burger	1,200
Yak Fried Rice	1,100
Chicken Curry with Rice	1,250
Veg Lasagna Cheese	900
Mixed Lasagna	1,200
Veg Moussaka	850
Fungi Pizza (Mushroom)	950
Mixed Pizza	1,100
Veg Soup	500
Black Tea (cup)	100
Black Coffee (cup)	250
Beer	900
Sea Buckthorn Juice	350

Halt 8: Thorong High Camp — Thorong High Camp View Hotel (4,925m)

Altitude: 4,925m | Day on circuit: Day 11 — Thorong La crossing next morning | Route: Main circuit

Thorong High Camp is the highest teahouse halt on the entire Annapurna Circuit. You sleep here before the 4am start for the Thorong La crossing at 5,416m. Prices are the highest on the circuit — Prices are highest here because supplies have to be transported to one of the highest overnight stops on the circuit. Have a carbohydrate-heavy dinner, order breakfast the night before, pay the full bill before sleep, and get to bed early. Trekkers usually leave around 4am for the Thorong La crossing, depending on weather and trail conditions

Trail approaching Thorong High Camp Annapurna Circuit Nepal 4925m before Thorong La pass — The approach to Thorong High Camp at 4,925m — the highest teahouse on the Annapurna Circuit

Female trekker at Thorong La Pass 5416m Annapurna Circuit Nepal — Thorong La Pass at 5,416m — crossed the morning after your night at High Camp

Thorong High Camp — Food Prices 2026 (NPR)
Item	NPR
Dal Bhat	1,200
Thorong High Camp Breakfast Set (2 eggs, toast or porridge, hash brown, tea or coffee)	1,400
Veg Fried Rice	900
Tuna Fried Rice	1,200
Margherita Pizza	1,050
Mixed Pizza	1,400
Veg Chowmein	900
Spaghetti Tomato Sauce with Cheese	1,050
Veg Soup	750
Veg Thukpa	950
Chicken Thukpa	1,350
Chicken Dal Bhat	1,600
Black Tea (cup)	200
Black Coffee (cup)	260
Hot Chocolate (cup)	370
Seabuckthorn Juice	500
Beer	1,200

Critical rule at High Camp: Order your breakfast the night before and pay your full bill before you sleep. You leave at 4am in the dark — there is no time for kitchen orders or bill settling in the morning.

Halt 9: Muktinath — Best Step Inn Restaurant and Bar (3,760m)

Altitude: 3,760m | Day on circuit: Day 12 — first stop after Thorong La crossing | Route: Main circuit

Muktinath is the first stop after descending 1,600m from the Thorong La summit. It is simultaneously a major Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site and a busy trekking halt. Best Step Inn has a full restaurant and bar format and prices drop noticeably compared to High Camp — Dal Bhat is back to NPR 700. That drop feels genuinely earned after the prices above the pass. Food is only one part of the picture here — see our Nepal trekking packing list for what else you need for this section of the route.

Descent trail from Thorong La pass to Muktinath Annapurna Circuit Nepal 1600m descent — The descent to Muktinath — 1,600m of downhill after crossing Thorong La

Muktinath — Best Step Inn Restaurant and Bar: Food Prices 2026 (NPR)
Item	NPR
Veg Dal Bhat Set	700
Dal Bhat with Yak Meat	1,000
Dal Bhat with Buff Meat	950
Dal Bhat with Chicken	850
Light Breakfast Set	850
Heavy Breakfast Set	950
Best Step Special Breakfast Set	1,200
American Breakfast Set	1,000
English Breakfast Set	1,100
Chicken Thukpa	650
Yak Thukpa	700
Veg Chowmein	600
Veg Steam Momo	600
Yak Steam Momo	750
Black Tea (cup)	100
Black Coffee (cup)	160
Hot Chocolate (cup)	210

How Prices Change Across the Circuit

Key Item Prices Across All 9 Halts — Annapurna Circuit 2026 (NPR)
Halt	Altitude	Black Tea	Dal Bhat	Beer
Chame	2,710m	100	800	—
Upper Pisang	3,300m	—	800	800
Ngawal	3,657m	—	900	900
Manang	3,519m	—	770	750
Shree Kharka *	~3,870m	100	860	800
Tilicho Base Camp *	4,150m	100	900	700
Yak Kharka	4,018m	100	950	900
Thorong High Camp	4,925m	200	1,200	1,200
Muktinath	3,760m	100	700	—

* Shree Kharka and Tilicho Base Camp are on the Tilicho Lake side trip, not the main circuit route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does food cost per day on the Annapurna Circuit?

Budget NPR 2,000 to 3,000 per day on the lower circuit and NPR 3,500 to 5,000 per day from Manang to Muktinath. These figures cover three meals and typical non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee, snacks, and extras push the daily total higher. At Thorong High Camp a full day of meals and drinks can reach NPR 5,000 to 6,000. MountainKick guided packages include main meals so your out-of-pocket cost is mainly drinks and snacks.

What is the best food to eat on the Annapurna Circuit?

Dal Bhat for lunch and dinner — especially above Manang. Most nutritionally complete, unlimited refills at most teahouses, and almost always the best value. For breakfast, tsampa or oat porridge or eggs with Tibetan bread are popular choices before any serious climbing day. Apple pie and apple pancakes are worth seeking out from Muktinath onward where the local apples are genuinely excellent.

Is garlic soup good for altitude on the Annapurna Circuit?

Garlic soup is a popular warm meal among trekkers, particularly from Manang onward. It is a comforting and easy-to-digest choice at higher elevations. However it does not prevent or treat acute mountain sickness (AMS). Proper acclimatisation, gradual ascent, and paying close attention to your symptoms are far more important. If you experience symptoms of AMS, contact your guide immediately and follow the advice of the Himalayan Rescue Association clinic in Manang.

Why is food so expensive at Thorong High Camp?

As altitude increases, transporting supplies becomes increasingly difficult and expensive. Beyond the road-accessible sections of the route, everything must be carried by porter or mule. At Thorong High Camp at 4,925m, a porter carrying 25kg of food supplies from Yak Kharka is doing a serious day of high-altitude work. That cost passes directly into the menu price.

Do you have to eat where you sleep on the Annapurna Circuit?

At most teahouses above Manang, yes. If you sleep at a teahouse and eat elsewhere, most teahouses charge a higher room rate. This is standard practice from Upper Pisang onward and is printed on menus at several of the halts covered in this guide. On MountainKick guided trips this is managed as part of the package.

What should I eat the night before crossing Thorong La?

Carbohydrate-heavy, easy-to-digest food. Dal Bhat with extra rice, pasta, or noodles. Avoid heavy meats or oily dishes. Order your breakfast at the same time as dinner and pay the full bill before sleep. You leave at 4am and there is no time for kitchen orders or bill settling in the dark.

Can I eat meat safely on the Annapurna Circuit?

Yak meat is a popular choice above Manang. It is locally sourced on the upper circuit and widely ordered by trekkers and guides. The general guideline for imported meats like chicken is to be more cautious above 3,500m where cold storage can be unreliable. As always, use your judgement and ask your guide if you are uncertain about a particular teahouse.

Planning the Annapurna Circuit?

MountainKick’s guided Annapurna Circuit trek starts from USD 770 per person and includes main meals throughout. Our guides know every teahouse on this list personally and handle all bookings before you leave Kathmandu.

WhatsApp: +977 985 118 2718

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