How much does Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost?

Manaslu Circuit Trek Overview

Manaslu Circuit Trek is a beautiful an enticing adventure trek in Nepal around Mount Manaslu (8,163m), the world's eighth-highest peak. The trek offers unique Himalayan vistas, diverse landscapes, and ample cultural experiences as it passes through remote villages with Tibetan-style culture. It's a wonderful option for those looking to avoid the crowds of the Annapurna Circuit and enjoy an off-the-beaten-track experience in Nepal's limited Manaslu region.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek begins at Soti Khola (700m)/Machhakhola( 900m) and climbs gradually through thick forests, rice fields, and deep river canyons of Budi Gandaki. The summit is Larkya La Pass (5,106m), offering breathtaking views of Himalchuli (7,893m), Ganesh Himal (7,422m), Annapurna II (7,937m), and Manaslu itself. The trek concludes in Dharapani (1,860m), where the trail meets the Annapurna circuit.

Conservation Area Entry Permit, Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit, Restricted Area Entry Permit and Tsum Valley and Manaslu Local Entry Permit. These all required permits can be obtained via local trekking companies in Kathmandu.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty level is demanding, requiring great physical fitness and proper acclimatization.  Every day Trekking is a long day's trek, steep ups and downs, and trekking at high altitudes. The most demanding section of the Manaslu Circuit trek is the traverse of Larkya La Pass due to its steep slope and potential extreme weather.

Accommodation in Manaslu Circuit is available in teahouses on the trail with basic rooms and food such as dal bhat, noodles, and Tibetan bread. The facilities are basic with minimal electricity and Wi-Fi in some villages. Hot showers and charging in Manaslu Circuit Trekking at a supplement.

The best time for Manaslu Circuit trekking is spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) when the weather is not changing, and the view is clear.  Manaslu Circuit Trekking in Winter is possible but challenging due to heavy snowfall, and during the monsoon season, landslides and difficult routes occur. Special preparations are required for winter and summer Manaslu Circuit Trek.

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How much does Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost?

The Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost involves various charges on various titles, including permit fees, charges for guides and porters, transportation, accommodations, and dining. The complete cost per person as of 2025 will typically fall within the range of $900 and $1500, with variations depending on the services involved and duration of stay.

Permits Cost: Trekking involves securing a series of permits:

Restricted Area Permit: $100 a person for the initial 7 days of fall (September-November), and $75 a person for the first 7 days in other times of year. Extra days cost $15 and $10, respectively.

Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP): Approximately $25 per person.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Approximately $25 per person.

Local Tsum Valley and Manaslu Region Entry Permit: Approximately USD 8

Guide and Porter Fees: It is mandatory to employ a licensed guide for this trek. The guide costs around $40 a day and the porter around $25 per day.

20-30 kg luggage is generally carried by the porters.

Transportation Fees: Getting from Kathmandu to the starting point of the trek, i.e., Machha Khola, involves some transport fees. The cheapest option is public buses, and private jeeps are more comfortable but expensive.

Accommodation and Food Expenses in Manaslu Circuit Trek: Trailside teahouses provide rooms for about $8 to $10 per night, with bathroom rooms included at a higher price. Food costs between $10 for breakfast and $8 to $10 per meal for lunch and dinner, with rising prices at higher elevations due to transport challenges.

By considering these factors, trekkers can plan well for an enriching experience on the Manaslu Circuit.

Now let’s see different titles and the possible expenses you make on them in your Manaslu Circuit Trek in detail one by one.

How much do Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit Cost?

Manaslu Circuit Trek needs 4 necessary permits:

Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (MRAP): This is a special permit that is compulsory because of the area's restricted nature. It costs differently according to the season:

September to November: USD 100 per person for the first seven days, with an additional USD 15 per person for each day thereafter.

December to August: USD 75 per person for the first seven days, and USD 10 per person for each additional day.

Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP): For visiting the Manaslu Conservation Area, this permit is required. The fee is:

Foreign Nationals: NPR 3,000 (approx. USD 30) per person.

SAARC Nationals: NPR 1,000 per person.

Nepali Citizens: NPR 100 per person.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): As the trek concludes in the Annapurna area, this permit is also necessary. The fee is the same as the MCAP:

Foreign Nationals: NPR 3,000 per individual.

SAARC Nationals: NPR 1,000 per individual.

Nepali Citizens: NPR 100 per individual.

Local Tsum Valley and Manaslu Region Entry Permit: $8 maximum

For these required permits for Manaslu Circuit Trek, trekkers must employ a licensed trekking agency in Nepal because independent trekkers are not permitted in the controlled Manaslu zone. Application for all the necessary permits will be carried out by the agency. The MRAP is issued by the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu, while the MCAP and ACAP can be collected at Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Requirements are a valid passport, visa, itinerary, travel insurance details, and passport-size photographs. Leave enough time for permit processing before the trek begins.

How much do meals and accommodations cost in Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Food and accommodation cost in Manaslu Circuit Trek is varied based on altitude, season, and quality of facilities provided at lodges. A budget traveler can expect to pay $25–$40 per day for food and accommodation. In lower regions, teahouses provide a basic room with twin beds for $6–$10 per night, whereas in higher regions like Samagaun and Dharamsala, the cost may reach $10–$20 per night since there are fewer facilities.

The food in Manaslu Circuit is predominantly Nepali, Tibetan, and simple Western cuisine. Dal Bhat (vegetables, rice, and lentils) for $5–$8 with refills is the staple. The other vegetarian options in Manaslu Circuit are vegetable fried rice ($5–$7), chapati with vegetable curry ($4–$6), and Tibetan bread with honey ($3–$5). The non-vegetarian options are chicken curry with rice ($7–$10) and yak meat momos ($6–$8), which are less available at high altitudes and more available at lower villages.

For dietaries in Manaslu Circuit, gluten-free foods like buckwheat pancakes ($5–$7), boiled potatoes ($4–$6), and vegetable soups ($3–$5) are available. Since food is costly at the higher altitudes, carrying energy bars, nuts, and dry fruits is a cost-effective and effective energy source for long days of trekking during Manaslu Circuit.

How much is guide and porter for Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Cost of Hiring Guide and Porter for Manaslu Circuit Trek

It is mandatory to employ an experienced guide and porter for Manaslu Circuit Trek because the region requires trekkers to be accompanied by a registered guide due to restrictions on access. To employ an experienced guide will cost between $25 and $35 per day depending on their experience, language ability, and agency. The cost typically includes food, accommodation, and insurance.

A porter typically costs $18 to $25 per day. Porters can carry 20-25 kg of your weight, which will make your Manaslu Circuit trek more comfortable. If you wish to have a guide-cum-porter (who is both your guide and porter but will carry less weight), you will need to pay $25 to $30 per day.

How to Hire a Professional Guide and Porter? 

In order to ensure your journey is safe and well-planned, employ porters and guides through government-registered trekking agencies of Kathmandu or Pokhara. Such agencies guarantee licensed, insured, and experienced guides with local route expertise, knowledge of culture and emergency protocol. Never hire direct-hiring guide/porters on the trails since they would not have the requisite training and be adequately insured.

Tipping in Manaslu Circuit Trek is anticipated and appreciated. The tipping fee should be at least 10-15% of their total wage. It is customary to tip $100-$150 for a guide and $70-$100 for a porter at the end of the trek. You can present them with the tip personally as a token of appreciation for their work.

How much is Manaslu Circuit Trek transportation?

Manaslu Circuit Trek offers several different transport options with varying costs, times, and distances.

Kathmandu to Machhakhola

Public Bus: There are daily public buses from the Macha Pokhari Bus Park in Kathmandu to Machhakhola that cover a distance of about 160 kilometers. It usually takes 9 to 10 hours and tickets cost roughly NPR 1,000 per person.

Private Jeep: A much more comfortable and quicker alternative is private jeeps. The journey will take about 7 to 8 hours with a price of USD 200 to 250 per vehicle.

Dharapani to Besisahar:

Jeep: The journey from Dharapani to Besisahar is about 60 kilometers. The private jeep can be hired for about USD 150 to 200 that can accommodate as many as 7 people. The journey would be around 4 to 5 hours.

From Besisahar to Kathmandu:

Local Bus: By public buses one can travel almost 175 kilometer distance by spending 7 to 8 hours, whose charge is of around NPR 700 to 800 per head.

Private Jeep: The facility of private jeeps is somewhat more comfortable one and takes only around 6 to 7 hours, taking around USD 180 to 220 per jeep.

Finally, there are different means of transportation for the Manaslu Circuit Trek with varying costs and durations of travel. Public buses are inexpensive but add to travel time, while private jeeps are luxurious with brief travel times at higher costs.

How much is hot shower and Wi –Fi in Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Wi-Fi and hot showers in Manaslu Circuit Trek are available from some teahouses on the Manaslu Circuit Trek, but location and altitude determine availability and cost. Most teahouses provide bucket showers of hot water, and there are solar or gas-heated showers in a few. Gas-heated showers are more readily available in lower sections like Machha Khola and Jagat and take NPR 300–500 ($2–$4) per shower. As you ascend, hot water becomes less accessible, and higher up, for example at Samagaon and Samdo, bucket showers with limited hot water are the main option, at a price of around NPR 500–800 ($4–$6) per shower.

Wi-Fi in Manaslu Circuit Trek is offered in some teahouses, mainly in villages such as Jagat, Namrung, and Samagaon. It costs between NPR 300–800 ($2–$6) an hour or per device, depending on the location. The connection tends to be weak and unstable at higher elevations because of remoteness. Ncell or Everest Link Wi-Fi cards can sometimes offer a better connection in some locations.

How much extra money should I bring for Manaslu Circuit Trek? 

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is an off-the-beaten-path, adventurous trek, and therefore, it is always a good idea to carry some extra money for unforeseen expenses. Besides your standard package price, budget for additional meals, beverages, tips, donations, hot showers, Wi-Fi, souvenirs, and tips. Cash in Nepali Rupees is very important as there are no ATMs along the route beyond Machhakhola.

Other meals can cost anything from $5–$10 per meal, depending on where you are and the altitude. Three meals a day are normally included in most trekking packages, but you can always supplement them with extra snacks or meals, especially after days of extensive trekking. A dal bhat plate will cost you anything from $6–$10, while other options such as momos or fried rice cost $5–$8.

Hot drinks such as tea and coffee in Manaslu Circuit Trek route are pricier as you go higher. A tea is $1.50–$3, and coffee is $3–$5. Bottled water is pricier, from $1–$4 per liter. Refilling water bottles and using purification tablets is cheaper.

Hot showers in Manaslu Circuit Trek at some teahouses are $3–$6 per shower. Wi-Fi is limited and $3–$5 an hour. Charging batteries is $2–$5 a charge, so better bring a power bank.

Donations at monasteries or school villages during Manaslu Circuit Trek are appreciated, around $1–$5. Souvenirs such as prayer flags, handicrafts, and woolen goods are from $5–$30.

Tipping in Manaslu Circuit Trek is expected, $100–$150 for a guide and $70–$100 for a porter. Keeping an extra $150–$300 covers you for these expenses.

How much should I tip for my guide and porter in Manaslu Circuit Trek?

A guide for the Manaslu Circuit Trek typically costs $25–$40 per day, and a porter costs $18–$25 per day. Costs may vary depending on experience, season, and bargaining.

Tipping is the norm in Nepal as a sign of appreciation for their work. For a guide, tip $7–$15 per day, depending on service quality. For a porter, tipping $5–$10 per day is fine. If you have a porter-guide (one person doing both jobs), tip $6–$12 per day.

The usual practice is to tip at the conclusion of the hike in an envelope. For a group, you can collect tips together. A group of 4 hikers may pay around $150–$250 for a guide and $80–$150 for a porter. Tipping is not expected but very appreciated, as guides and porters supplement some of their salaries with it.

Final Words

The total cost of the Manaslu Circuit Trek varies based on the trek duration, group size, level of comfort, and other expenses. On average, trekkers can expect to pay between $1,200 and $1,800 per person for a guided trek, including permits, transportation, accommodations, food, and guide/porter. Solo trekkers can reduce the costs somewhat but are still obligated to employ a guide due to restricted area regulations. Additional costs include travel insurance ($50–$150), equipment rental or purchase ($100–$300), personal expenses on snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi ($5–$15 a day), and potential tips for guides and porters ($50–$100).

For budget trekkers in Manaslu Circuit Trek, a minimum of $40–$50 per day is recommended, and for those preferring more comfort, $60–$80 per day is suitable. It is advisable to have some extra money for unforeseen expenses as there are no ATMs available on the trail beyond Machhakhola. With proper planning, there is a well-budgeted plan, and trekkers can enjoy the scenic Manaslu region without any financial concern.