Short Overview of The Manaslu Circuit Trek
The Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you into the heart of northwest Nepal, tracing a spectacular route around Mount Manaslu. This circuit typically takes 14 to 18 days to complete, covering diverse terrain that begins in the lush, subtropical hills of the Budhi Gandaki Valley and gradually climbs into alpine meadows and high mountain passes.
Likewise, this trek is moderately challenging, particularly as you gain altitude and approach the Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters). Each day along this trek offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, glacial rivers, and terraced hillsides.
What Makes The Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost Vary?
The cost of the Manaslu Circuit Trek typically ranges between USD 900 to USD 1200 per person, but several key factors cause this price to vary. One major component is the type of trekking package you choose, whether it’s a fully guided trip with a reputable agency or a more budget-friendly arrangement.
From the start to finish of the trek, you will need to understand how each of these elements affects your budget.
Accommodation In Kathmandu
Accommodation in Kathmandu is one of the first expenses you will encounter when planning your Manaslu Circuit Trek. This cost largely depends on your travel style and comfort preferences.
Depending on your itinerary, you will spend 2 to 3 nights in the capital, usually one or two nights before the trek begins and another night after completing the circuit. Here, Kathmandu offers a wide range of options to suit different budgets.
If you are looking to keep expenses low, you will find budget hotels and guesthouses which are available for around USD 10 to 25 per night.They offer basic facilities like a clean bed, hot water, and free Wi-Fi.
Now, if you are seeking a bit more comfort, you should take mid-range hotels priced between USD 30 and 60 per night. Typically, such rooms include amenities such as attached bathrooms, breakfast, and better locations in areas like Thamel.
Lastly, if you prefer a premium experience before or after your rugged mountain adventure, luxury hotels start at USD 80 and above. Depending on the price you are willing to pay, they will offer you high-end services, spa treatments, fine dining experience, access to a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, a peaceful yoga hall, and other premium amenities.
Meals And Accommodation In The Himalayas
As you move deeper into the remote mountain region, you will rely almost entirely on local tea houses, which offer both a place to sleep and a menu of simple, hearty meals. The cost of teahouse accommodation typically ranges from USD 5 to 15 per night, depending on altitude, location, and season.
These tea houses provide basic rooms with twin beds and thin walls. The facilities are generally modest with no heating preparation and shared washroom. They usually have a washroom outside which is shared and consists of Asian squat style toilets.
Now, when it comes to food, you will need to budget around USD 30 to 40 per day for three meals, which are usually cooked fresh using locally sourced ingredients. The most common and sustaining choice is dal bhat, a traditional Nepali meal of rice, lentil soup, and seasonal vegetables.
Similarly, many tea houses also serve familiar comfort foods like noodles, pasta, fried rice, soup, pancakes, and Tibetan bread. Over a 12 to 15 day trek, the combined cost for basic meals and lodging usually amounts to USD 500 to 700, but it can climb higher if you choose more food variety or snacks. Since prices increase with altitude due to the difficulty of transporting goods, you must be mindful of your daily expenses.
Extra Expenses In The Mountain
While the basic costs of food and lodging are predictable, extra expenses in the mountains can quickly add up. Amenities that are taken for granted in urban areas like Wi-Fi, hot showers, and electricity, become valuable commodities in the remote Himalayan villages.
Wi-Fi access, when available, typically costs around USD 2 to 4 per day. The connections can be slow or unreliable due to limited infrastructure. Similarly, hot showers, though not available at every route, are often solar or gas-heated. Its price ranges from USD 3 to 5 per use, and you will appreciate them even more as the temperature drops with altitude.
Another hidden expense during the trek is charging electronic devices like phones, cameras, or power banks, which usually costs USD 2 to 4 per device full charging. Since electricity is often generated by solar panels or small hydropower systems, tea houses charge for usage to manage demand.
On top of these, snacks and drinks become progressively more expensive the higher you climb, as everything is transported on foot or by mule. Items such as bottled water costs around USD 2 to 4 while chocolate bars, soda, or even a celebratory beer can cost anywhere between USD 4 to 8 each.
Apart from these expenses, it is also essential to carry an emergency cash reserve of around USD 200 to 300, preferably in small denominations. This fund can be a lifesaver in case of unexpected expenses such as needing extra porters, medical supplies, or alternative transportation. For easy deal with it, Nepal Trekking Experts recommend carrying in rupees.
At high altitudes, there is always a risk of altitude sickness or physical injuries, both of which may require immediate treatment or even emergency evacuation by helicopter. These services are costly and often need upfront payment or insurance clearance. Therefore, you must carry emergency cash to cover situations where digital payments aren’t possible.
Cost of Hiring A Guide
Hiring a licensed guide is legally required for the trek, as solo trekking is prohibited in this restricted region. The cost of hiring a professional, government-licensed guide typically ranges from USD 30 to 35 per day, which includes their salary, accommodation, meals, transportation, and insurance.
Here, the knowledgeable guide will help you navigate the remote trail and bring the journey to life by sharing ancient stories of monasteries and customs of ethnic groups. Similarly, they will help introduce you to the local dialect and even point out rare Himalayan flora and fauna around you.
More importantly, such guides ensure your safety, especially in high-altitude areas like Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters). Similarly, the guides here are first-aid trained to recognize symptoms and know how to respond appropriately.
Additionally, having a guide simplifies logistics, such as arranging tea house accommodation and dealing with permits. They will also handle behind-the-scenes details such as securing the best tea house in the village at better rates, even during busy trekking seasons.
Now, for an authentic and enriching experience, you should choose guides who are the locals from this region as the ones you will find in Nepal Trekking Experts.
Cost of Hiring A Porter
To reduce physical strain and fully enjoy the trek without the burden of a heavy backpack, you will need to hire a porter. A typical porter charges between USD 25 to 30 per day, which includes their wages, meals, accommodation, transportation, and insurance. Most porters can comfortably carry up to 20 kilograms of gear, allowing you to walk with just a daypack.
The value of a porter becomes even more apparent as you ascend to higher altitudes, where the air gets thinner and the trails more demanding. By offloading your heavier items, you significantly lower the risk of fatigue, injury, and altitude sickness, enabling you to conserve energy for the trek’s more challenging sections. Beyond the physical support, hiring a porter also provides local employment and directly contributes to the economy of mountain communities.
Transportation Cost
This trek typically begins in Machha Khola, which lies northwest of Kathmandu and takes a full day to reach by road. To get there, you will have several options depending on your comfort and budget. However, as of now, there are no tourist buses or regular shared jeep service available.
Therefore, your main options for travel are limited to public bus or a private jeep. If you are trekking on a budget, the public bus is the economical option, costing you around USD 10. These buses depart very early in the morning (often at 06:45 AM) from the Gongabu Bus Park.
While they are cheap, they have long travel hours (8 to 10 hours or even more) with bumpy roads, limited space, and frequent stops. The situation worsen even more, especially during festival time like Dashain and Tihar (in October and November). Hence, Nepal Trekking Experts recommend you to opt for a more reliable and comfortable option of private jeep.
While the private jeep will cost around USD 200, it is a perfect option, especially if you are traveling in a group. With a private jeep, you will get door-to-door services, a flexible schedule, and a much smoother and faster ride.
Similarly, for the return journey, the trail ends in Dharapani. From there, you will get to drive back to Besisahar or directly to Kathmandu. You can take a local jeep to Besisahar and drive to Kathmandu/Pokhara or take a private jeep directly to Kathmandu.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking Permit Costs
Trekking in the Manaslu region requires several permits, and these costs are a significant part of your overall budget. Since this trek passes through a restricted area, the government mandates a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), along with two additional conservation permits: MCAP and ACAP.
The Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is the most expensive of the three and its cost depends on the time of year. If you are trekking between September and November, the RAP will cost USD 100 for the first 7 days and USD 15 for each additional day you spend in the restricted zone.
In the off-season months from December to August, the permit is slightly cheaper at USD 75 for the first 7 days and USD 10 per additional day. The number of days you will need depends on your itinerary, but most trekkers typically require 8 to 10 days, bringing the RAP cost to about USD 110 to 130 in peak season.
In addition to the RAP, you must also obtain permits for two conservation areas. The Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permits each cost USD 30 per person. These permits help fund trail maintenance, conservation efforts, and community support in the areas you’ll trek through.
Altogether, the total cost of permits for the Manaslu Circuit Trek generally ranges from USD 160 to 200 per person, depending on the season and your specific route.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking Gear Cost
The cost of trekking gear can vary greatly depending on whether you already own equipment or need to rent or buy it in Kathmandu. If you are an experienced trekker with your own reliable gear, you will spend little to nothing on this category.
However, if you are arriving in Nepal without gear, Kathmandu offers a wide range of options for renting or purchasing what you need. Here, renting is a budget-friendly choice, especially if you are planning for a one-time adventure.
You can rent a sleeping bag and a down jacket for around USD 1 per item per day.
Additional essentials like trekking poles, crampons, or a sturdy backpack come at extra daily rates, depending on quality and demand. Altogether, for a full gear set rental for a 12 to 15-day trek, you can expect to pay approximately USD 50 to 100.
However, if you prefer to buy your own gear, especially for future trekking or travel plans, you should be prepared to spend anywhere from USD 300 to 600. The price largely depends on the brand and the level of technical performance you require. Internationally recognized brands come with higher price tags, but even mid-range gear available in Kathmandu’s Thamel district can serve you well on the trek.
Tips For Staff (Guide And Porter)
While it's not mandatory to tip in Nepal, it is a respectful gesture that acknowledges their hard work, dedication, and the crucial role they play in making your trek safe and memorable. These professionals often go above and beyond for you during the trek. Hence, a thoughtful tip is one way to show your gratitude.
For guides, a standard tip ranges from USD 10 to 15 per day, depending on their service quality and your satisfaction. Over a 14-day trek, this translates to around USD 150 to 200 or more. If your guide offers exceptional assistance, you may also feel inclined to tip on the higher end.
Likewise, porters, who carry up to 20 kg of your gear, also deserve appreciation. Their typical tip ranges from USD 5 to 10 per day, which adds up to about USD 100 to 150 for the full trek. Since their physical contribution eases your journey tremendously.
Now, while this is the basic tipping, it is not mandatory to tip this very amount as you can even tip more or less depending on your satisfaction level.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 meters)
Day 2: Free Day in Kathmandu for meetings and trekking preparation
Day 3: Drive to Machha Khola (930 meters), 8 to 9 Hours, 157 km
Day 4: Trek to Jagat (1,340 meters), 7 Hours, 17 km
Day 5: Trek to Deng (1,860 meters), 7 Hours, 20 km
Day 6: Trek to Namrung (2,630 meters), 7 Hours, 17 km
Day 7: Trek to Shyala (3,500 meters), 6 Hours, 14 km
Day 8: Trek to Samagaun (3,520 meters) via Pungen Gompa, 6 Hours, 8 km
Day 9: Acclimatization Day in Samagaun
Day 10: Trek to Samdo (3,860 meters), 3 Hours, 8 km
Day 11: Acclimatization Day in Samdo
Day 12: Trek to Dharmasala (4,460 meters), 5 Hours, 6 km
Day 13: Cross Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters), descend to Bhimthang (3,590 meters), 8 Hours, 22 km
Day 14: Trek to Goa (2,515 meters), 5 to 6 Hours, 15 km
Day 15: Trek to Dharapani (3 Hours, 7 km), drive to Besisahar (4 Hours, 35 km)
Day 16: Drive to Kathmandu (1,400 meters), 6 to 7 Hours, 175 km
Day 17: Departure
Conclusion
Understanding the full breakdown of the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost is essential for planning a smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free Himalayan adventure. From permits and transportation to guides, porters, gear, and daily expenses in the mountains, every element contributes to your overall budget. Hence, you must be aware of these components to help you allocate your funds wisely.
Despite the costs, this trek offers immense value for money. If you are seeking a reliable partner to guide you through this incredible journey, you should contact Nepal Trekking Experts. They offer personalized service, experienced staff, and transparent pricing to help tailor a trek that fits your budget without compromising on safety or experience.
FAQs
How much does the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost on average?
The average costs around USD 1,095 per person, including guide service, meals (three times a day), accommodation, transportation, permit, and the agency’s fee.
Are permits for the Manaslu region expensive?
Yes, due to its restricted status, permits cost between USD 160 to 200, depending on the season and number of days.
Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit solo?
No, solo trekking is not allowed; you must hire a licensed guide and trek with at least one other person.
Is it cheaper to hire a guide and porter separately or through an agency?
Hiring through a reputable agency often offers better value, covering permits, insurance, logistics, and vetted staff.
Do I need to bring all my trekking gear from home?
Not necessarily. You can rent quality gear in Kathmandu for USD 1 to 2 per item per day.
