The short answer
Hotel category, transport style, number of days, season and group size. Private tours with guides cost more than shared ones.
Because these factors interact, two quotes can differ widely while looking similar. The sensible way to compare is by the inclusion list, not the headline number.
Key facts
- Biggest
- Hotels
- Next
- Transport
- Also
- Days, season, group size
How it works
- Ask for the inclusion listHotels, transfers, flights, entry fees, guide, meals and permits. Anything not named should be treated as extra.
- Separate the big variablesHotel category and private versus shared transport set most of the price. Season, group size and number of days adjust it.
- Compare like with likeA cheaper quote that omits airport transfers, entry tickets or a guide is not cheaper, only incomplete.
The biggest factors
Hotels are usually the largest part of the cost, followed by transport and guides. A private car costs more than a shared bus, and a flight costs more than a drive. Longer trips with more places cost more.
Season matters: autumn and spring are busiest and often more expensive, while the monsoon and winter can be better value. Group size changes the per-person price, since vehicles and guides are shared.
How to compare quotes
Ask for a written inclusion list covering hotels, meals, transfers, entrance fees, flights and guides. Check what is excluded, such as insurance and tips, and ask about cancellation terms.
Compare like with like: the same hotels, the same days and the same vehicle. Do not pay for services you do not need, and do not cut safety or guides on high-altitude trips.
Insider tip
Compare inclusions, not just totals.
Avoid this
Do not accept a quote without a written inclusion list.
Related questions
Does season change the price?
Yes. October, November and April are the most expensive, and June to September and January are usually the lowest.
Is a guide worth paying for?
At heritage sites, yes. A good guide turns a pile of carved wood and brick into a story, and handles tickets, queues and timing.
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