How much does it cost to trek the Manaslu Circuit?

Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the best off-the-beaten-trail treks in Nepal. It is the ultimate paradise for those travel fanatics looking for an adventurous journey in the Himalayas.

This magical journey takes you to the foothill of Mt. Manaslu, the world’s 8th-highest mountain. The Manaslu Region is located between the Annapurna Mountains and the Langtang Valley in the Gorkha District. The trek has varied landscapes, rich biodiversity, flora, fauna, and diverse culture.

If you are browsing through Manaslu Circuit Trek costs, you plan to do this Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Larke La Pass - Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost
Larke La Pass – Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost

Along with proper training and physical and mental fitness, every trekker’s financial aspect is a significant concern. Thus, planning your basic cost estimate helps you outline your trip well.

Unlike the Annapurna Circuit Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek, the cost of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, also known as Manaslu Base Camp Trek, is pretty reasonable.

You can explore the Manalsu Region in two ways: the classical Manalsu Circuit Trek and Manaslu Circuit Trek via Tsum Valley. Hence, your Manaslu Circuit Trek cost depends on various factors, such as how you want to trek, when you want to trek, and the number of days you want to spend on the trail.

Now let us go through the cost detail of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, which shows where you will spend your money:

Manaslu Circuit Trek

Manaslu Circuit Trek

15 Days Moderate
US$ 1550

Significant Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost

Manaslu Trek Permit Cost

Manaslu region is classified as a restricted area by the Nepal Government since some of the villages share borders with China (Tibet).

Hence, trekkers must obtain a special restricted permit to trek inside the Manaslu region. The Manaslu Trek Permit cost varies according to the trekking season and duration.

September, October, and November are the best seasons for Manaslu trekking. Hence, the costs of the permit are more expensive during these months compared to the off-season.

You will need a total of 3 permits for the Manaslu Circuit trek. They are:

  • Restricted Area permit
  • Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit

Manaslu Restricted Area Permit Cost

  • September to November: USD 100 per week (Additional USD 15 per day beyond a week).
  • December to August: USD 75 per week (Additional USD 10 per day beyond a week)

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit cost is USD 23 per person.

Manaslu Conservation Area Permit

  • Manaslu Conservation Area Permit cost is USD 23 per person.

Tsum Valley Restricted Permit (if Tsum Valley is included in your list)

If you plan to trek the Manaslu Circuit via Tsum Valley, you require an additional Tsum Valley Permit.

  • Tsum Valley Restricted Permit is USD 35 per week per person.

Note: This may not seem very clear. Hence it is better to consult your local travel agency, or you can contact us.

Transportation Cost for Manalsu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu trek begins from Arughat or Sotikhola and ends at Tal or Besisahar. You must drive through the off-beat roads by taking a local bus or hiring a private jeep. The cost of transportation depends on which medium you choose. Here is the detail regarding the transportation cost:

Kathmandu to Soti Khola via Arughat

  • Distance: 141 km
  • Duration: 7-9 hours by bus or jeep
Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost
Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost
Local bus

If you travel on a local bus to Soti Khola, you must make a transit at Arughat and change the vehicle to get to Soti Khola. (Since there is no direct public transportation to Soti Khola from Kathmandu.)

Traveling on a local bus will cost around USD 10 – USD 15 to reach Soti Khola from Kathmandu.

Private Jeeps

Private Jeeps are a more accessible and convenient way of traveling to Soti Khola.

Private jeeps are much more expensive than the local buses and will charge you USD 200 – 250. If you are traveling in a group, the cost can be divided among the travelers, reducing your cost.

Dharapani to Kathmandu via Beshi Sahar

  • Distance: 190 km
  • Duration: 7-8 hours

 

From Dharapani, there are no direct buses or jeeps to Kathmandu, but you can find local jeeps that will take you to Besisahar. So, you will have to transit to Beshi Sahar and get into a different vehicle to Kathmandu.

The local jeeps from Dharapani to Besisahar will cost you around USD 20 – USD 25 per person, or you can hire a private jeep which costs around USD 200 – USD 250.

From Besisahar, you can take a local jeep to Kathmandu for USD 10 – USD 15 per person or take a local bus for USD 7 per person.

Accommodation Cost

Manaslu Trek is a famous tea house trek; hence, you will find many tea houses for accommodation along the trail. You will stay in these teahouses with basic service throughout the trek.

Tea Houses charge about USD 6 – USD 10 for a night. The rooms are pretty basic: twin sharing basis with a shared bathroom. But if you want a room all for yourself, they will charge you twice the price.

Food and Drink Costs

Since you are trekking in the remotest part of the country, transportation is a big problem—porters and mules transport all the food supplies. Hence, food and other basic needs are on the pricer side. And as you go to the higher altitude, food costs become more expensive.

It will cost you roughly USD 5 for a meal, i.e., USD 15 – USD 20 daily.

Typically, dal-bhat, a typical Nepali meal, is the most common meal on any trek around Nepal. It includes rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, and some pickles. This food is filling, healthy, and good for mountains.

Tea and coffee could cost you USD 1.5 – USD 4 and USD 2 – USD 4. Similarly, a beer bottle will cost you about USD 5 – USD 7, and A bottle of water or soda will cost you around USD 2 – USD 4.

However, I highly recommend avoiding any alcoholic drink that risks altitude sickness.

Cost of guides and porters

As mentioned earlier, Manaslu Circuit Trek falls under the restricted area. Hence, nobody is allowed to do Manaslu Trek without a guide. A registered trekking guide must accompany at least a group of two trekkers.

Nowadays, you can easily find a single person who does both porter and guide. He will guide you along a trail as well as carry your load. Here is the cost for hiring a professional guide, porters, and porter cum guide:

  • Professional guides: USD 25 –  30 daily, including food and accommodations.
  • The porter costs USD 20 – 25, including food and accommodations.
  • Cost of porter-guide: USD 22 – 25, including food and accommodations.

 

If you wish to lower your Manaslu Trek cost, hiring a porter guide is cheaper than hiring an individual guide and a porter.

Cost of travel insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory if you are planning to trek in Nepal. Travel insurance covers all expenses from injuries or accidents during the trek. It will also include the cost of an ambulance, helicopter rescue, doctor’s fees, treatment costs, hospital charges, repatriation costs, theft and liability, cancellation, and misplaced luggage.

Hence, if any of these events occur, you won’t have to worry about the expenses. A 30-day travel insurance policy costs you around USD 150 – 200. Furthermore, make sure that the policy covers up to 6,000 meters.

On and around Manaslu Circuit Trek
On and around Manaslu Circuit Trek

Cost of clothes and trekking gear

Manaslu Circuit Trek is a high-altitude trek, as we all know. So, the weather and temperature vary according to the altitude. Hence, you will require proper clothes and gear to make the trek easier. Talking about the cost of clothes and trekking gear depends on how much you already own and how much you are willing to buy. The clothes and the trekking gear will cost roughly USD 1500- 2000. However, if you are not a regular trekker, I recommend renting the gear and equipment to lower your Manaslu Circuit Trek cost. You can easily rent the gear from Thamel.

Other Miscellaneous Costs

Apart from all these expenses, there are a few extra costs that you will bear during the trek, which are as follows:

Charging Your Electronic Gadgets

Charging your electronic gadgets, such as a camera, mobile phone, etc., may cost you a few dollars. Since there are no plug points in the room, you have to charge your device is commonplace, i.e., in the reception area. The owner will charge you about USD 3 – USD 5 for an hour of charging.

Hot Water Bath

Hot showers are treated as a luxury in the Himalayas. Only a few teahouses provide a hot water bath service. They will provide you with a bucket of hot water, which will cost you USD 0.5 – USD 1 for hot water.

Tips for The Staff

Tipping is always expected from the guides and the porter. Hence, to show your trek companions your gratitude, you can give your porters and guide some tips after the trek ends. You can give as much as possible since there is no fixed tipping rate.

Note: This is not mandatory.

Some Tips to Reduce the Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost

  • Buy the snacks while in Kathmandu, as they cost higher if you buy them during the trek.
  • Bring your water bottle and water purification tablets.
  • Try eating Dal-Bhat on the trail since it is cheap and healthy.
  • Taking a bath every day while trekking is impossible, so bringing some wet wipes to wipe your body with is good.
  • Bring a solar battery charger, a portable power bank, and extra batteries for your camera.
  • Travel using local transportation.
  • Trek in Off-season.

 

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Conclusion

Trekking in Nepal is much more affordable than in other parts of the world. So is the cost of Manaslu Circuit Trek. Depending on your trekking itineraries and how you choose, the Manaslu Circuit trek cost varies. Contact us with any questions or queries regarding this trek or other treks in the Manaslu region.