Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal does not need any built-up story to explore. It is one of the most popular treks in Nepal after Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp Trek. This trek is a blend of thrills and chills that the remote location of Mid-Western Nepal offers that would be memorable for a lifetime. From the scenery of beautiful mountain vistas to cultural immersion, from the diverse wild flora and fauna to the hospitable community settling in the region, Manaslu Circuit Trek is all the getaway you are looking at right now. But embarking on the beautiful journey to this region must be planned well.
So understanding the cost of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the most crucial things while planning. Whether you are looking for a long or a short and budget-friendly trek, cost always comes as a priority. The trek has several prerequisites, including permits, meals, accommodation, transportation, and other essential expenses that should be acknowledged before embarking on the trek.
In this blog, we will uncover the average budget required for the Manaslu Trek and also discuss on how you can minimize the expenses. Let’s explore them in detail!
Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost
The standard package of Manaslu Circuit Trek costs around USD 1400 per person at Nepal Eco Adventure. With this cost, trekkers can enjoy the full-fledged Himalayan experience that takes you from the lower altitude of Besisahar and Machha Khola to the higher altitude, Larke Pass, at 5106 meters above sea level. After paying the total package cost, you don’t have to worry about your accommodation, transportation, logistics, and food during the trek. However, you have to pay for the accommodation services in Kathmandu and any other extra activities.
Similarly, one of the important things you should know is that the cost of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is highly influenced by the group size, time of the year, and the total itinerary included in the package. For example, the cost of trekking during the peak seasons like Spring and Autumn will be higher than in the off-season. But the risk and challenges will be higher in the off-peak season trek compared to Spring and Autumn seasons.
There are several packages for Manaslu Circuit Trek at Nepal Eco Adventure. And the cost comes in different ranges. Here is the list of our packages and cost details:
| Package | Number of Days | Cost |
| Manaslu Circuit Trek | 12 Days | USD 1400 |
| Manaslu Circuit Trek | 15 Days | USD 1650 |
| Manaslu Circuit Trek | 19 Days | USD 1800 |
All the packages include the hike from the standard route; however, the pace of the trek differ from one another. Similarly, the increase and decrease in the number of days in the itinerary adds to and minimizes the activities during the trek. It is important to acknowledge your expectations and preferences before booking the trekking package, which helps in budget management.
Cost Includes
- Required Permits like ACAP, MCAP, and Restricted Area Entry Permits.
- Domestic Transportation, such as Jeep service to Machhakhola from Kathmandu and drive back to Kathmandu from Dharapani.
- Professional and certified guides fluent in English.
- Three meals a day.
- Accommodation services and all its charges during the trek.
- Porter services during the trek to help you carry your backpacks and other items.
- First aid kits and essential medical supplies.
- Government taxes and other legal expenses.
Cost Excludes
- International flight and transportation services.
- Accommodation and food services in Kathmandu.
- Nepal Entry Visa fees.
- Personal and additional expenses during the trek.
- Alcoholic beverages, narcotics, and other forms of drinks.
- Tips for guides and porters.
- Emergency evacuation service charge.
- Travel and Medical Insurance
Detailed Cost Breakdown for Manaslu Circuit Trek
While trekkers embark on the beautiful journey to the Manaslu Circuit, there are several aspects to which they should allocate the budget. From accommodation to transportation, and from eating the daily meals to drinking water, trekkers have to pay for it all. The total package cost covers it all, but let’s see how much they cost during the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Accommodation Services
There are two forms of accommodation services available during the Manaslu Circuit Trek. They are Tea Houses and Hotels/Guest Houses. Tea houses are the most common form of accommodation services in the region. Almost every stop on the route has this facility. They come with a shared bedroom and bathroom and sometimes 24/7 electricity and internet services. Regarding the price tag, tea houses are the cheapest means of accommodation. The average price of living at a tea house is around $7 to $10 per person, but you have to compromise sharing your bedroom with other trekkers. There will not be much privacy as you expect from the hotel-like accommodation facility. However, if you are on a tight budget, staying at a tea house is the best option you have got.
Similarly, the popular places en route to the Manaslu Circuit Trek feature several guest houses and hotels. These are the expensive means of accommodating yourself during the trek, where you will be showered with the facilities and privacy. Hotels come with single-bedroom services with the amenities like attached bathrooms and hot showers. The average cost of staying at a hotel is around $10 to $20 per person. In the meantime, you will get services of charging and electricity and also internet services to stay connected to the online world.
Besides all this, there is also another option for accommodation, which is camping. If you are looking forward to camping in the Manaslu Circuit Trek, you must compromise on several things, such as carrying your sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents, food, and water. The trekking companies sometimes sponsor these accommodations; however, most of the time, trekkers need to figure it out by themselves. If you stay a night at Larke Pass at 5106 meters above sea level, the only accommodation option you will have is camping. But setting up the camping tents and carrying your essentials, such as gas canisters, food, utensils, and other accessories, might be challenging.
Transportation Service Cost
Manaslu Circuit Trek starts from either Soti Khola or Machha Khola. But to reach there, trekkers must figure out the way of transportation. Most of the time, the trekking agency takes the lead in transporting trekkers and their equipment to the starting point. To reach Soti Khola or Machha Khola, there are two ways of getting there; by bus and jeep. If you opt for traveling by bus, it costs you around USD 15 per person to reach Sotikhola from Kathmandu. But since Nepal Eco Adventure plans for a safe and sound ride to the starting point, we opt for traveling by Jeep. It costs around USD 175 to 200 per person to travel by Jeep. But here is the interesting thing to know – the transportation cost is relatively low if you travel in a group as the price can be divided. But if you have a small group or if you travel solo only with guides, then the cost might be expensive.
It’s the same mechanic to return to Kathmandu from Dharapani while trekkers complete their Manaslu Circuit Trek and wrap it up with a drive to the capital city. The average cost of traveling by jeep from Dharapani to Kathmandu is around Rs.2500 (USD 25) for tourists and Rs.1500(USD 15) for Nepalese trekkers.
Food and Drinks Cost During the Manaslu Circuit Trek
The cost of food and drinks during the Manaslu Circuit Trek is average. The average breakfast cost in the tea house en route to the Manaslu region is around $8 to $12 per meal. Similarly, you can get lunch for $10 to $15. The dinner also has the same price tag of $10 to $15 per meal.
Besides, trekkers can get a variety of drinks in the tea houses. A cup of tea can cost you around $2 to $5, while the cost of coffee is around $3 to $7 per cup. If you choose to have soft drinks such as beer, tea houses charge you around $8 to $10 per bottle. Similarly, a water bottle or soda costs $2 to $7.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking Permit Cost Details
There are three types of trekking permits required to embark on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. They are Special Restricted Area Permit for Manaslu (Manaslu RAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP Permit), and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP Permit). Trekkers must pay certain fees to obtain these licenses and take on the moderately challenging Manaslu Circuit Trek.
The Restricted Area Permit for Manaslu is essential when you reach Besisahar. This permit helps you to embark through the Manaslu Trail to Jagat without any legal issues. Similarly, ACAP and MCAP are required for this trek because the trail traverses through Manaslu Conservation Area and Annapurna Conservation Area. These are two of the popular conservation areas in Nepal which work to conserve the natural flora and fauna of the region. So they are restricted areas, and humans cannot enter its premises without special permissions.
Here are the cost details of these permits required for the Manaslu Circuit Trek:
The cost of a Special Restricted Area Permit for Manaslu (Manaslu RAP) has different price tags in different seasons. If you choose to embark on this trek during Autumn (September to November), then the cost will be USD 100 per person for the first seven days. After seven days, you must pay an additional USD 15 per person daily. From December to August, the RAP has a price of USD 75 per person, valid for seven days. After one week, trekkers will be charged USD 10 per person daily.
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) costs NRs. 3000 per person. Trekkers from SAARC Nations must pay NRs. 3000 per person, while the cost for the Nepalese trekkers is NRs. 100 per person. The price range is the same since there are no variations in the price range for this permit.
Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit can be purchased at NRs. 3,000 per person per entry. This price is for foreign trekkers. If you are a citizen of SAARC Nations (South Asian Countries), the cost comes to be around NRS. 1000 per person. Similarly, Nepalese trekkers have to pay only NRs. 100 per person to acquire this permit.
| Permit Name | Cost | Nationality |
| Restricted Area Permits | USD 100 per person [September-November USD 75 per person [December-August] | All Nationality |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit | – NRs. 3000 – NRs. 1000 – NRs. 100 | – Foreign Tourists – SAARC Nationals – Nepalese Trekkers |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Entry Permit | – NRs. 3000 – NRs. 1000 – NRs. 100 | – Foreign Tourists – SAARC Nationals – Nepalese Trekkers |
Guide and Porter Service Cost
The Importance of a Guide During Manaslu Circuit Trek:
Having a guide in your trekking team is a must. And these days, you cannot even embark on trekking destinations without hiring them. Hiring a professional guide is beneficial in different ways. First, they offer a great service in navigation – they are well equipped with local knowledge and cater your trekking route as per the best viewpoints.
Second, they deeply understand the local culture and environment to offer valuable insights about the people, their lifestyle, culture, and religion. It ultimately helps in cultural immersion and assimilation.
Third, guides ensure trekkers’ safety, which they can do since they are professionally trained in first aid mechanics. And if anything emergency happens, they can seek medical attention and evacuation services. Last but not least, they have extensive knowledge of the Manaslu Region’s geography and weather conditions, so they can even help you to plan and prepare well for this trek.
Average Guide Cost:
Concerning the cost of professional guides for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, several factors influence it. Factors such as their language proficiency, experience, and the service they provide directly impact their price fluctuation. On average, hiring a guide costs around $25 to $35 per day. Some experienced guides can even charge you up to $50 per day. But they are worth the fare since trekkers will get insightful experiences and knowledge via guides.
The Role of Porters:
Like guides, porters are also integral to the Manaslu Circuit Trek. They can help carry your heavy backpacks and other items, allowing you to delve deep into the beauty of the Manaslu Trek. They are also highly trained and have an extensive background in their industry, ensuring safe and sound transport of your belongings during the journey. But remember, one porter can only carry the maximum load of 25kg – if you have fewer items, you can share one porter with two trekkers. But the weight should be below 25 kg.
Average Porter Cost:
If you see the cost of a porter for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, they cost you anywhere from $20 to $30. In this price range, you can get the services of carrying your backpacks, ensuring their safety, and transporting them from one location to another.
How can you choose the right guide and porter?
The right guide and porter is crucial while preparing for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Trekkers must take the recommendations from the previous service seekers, so they can know what type of service guides and porters provide. They can also read the online reviews of guides and porters to know them well.
If you are booking your trek from Trekking Agencies, the company caters you to have the right guide and porter services. But check that they are professional and licensed by Nepal Tourism Board. Understanding local landscapes, trails, climate, weather, and geography is a must for guides and porters. So look for these features in them. In addition, always negotiate well in the price they charge and respect them with fair pay. Last but not least, offer them attractive tips after the journey. Tips are not mandatory, but they are highly expected in Nepal.
| Average Guide Cost | $25 to $35 per day |
| Average Porter Cost | $20 to $30 per day |
Conclusion
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a beautiful and thrilling trekking journey to the remote landscapes of Mid-Western Nepal. But we recommend trekkers to have planned for everything, including the cost and required expenses for this trip. Only the planned and prepared journey to Manaslu Circuit will offer you mesmerizing experiences and also helps in budget management.
At Nepal Eco Adventures, we strive to offer the best cost for the Manaslu Circuit Treks. We always offer a plan with a realistic budget essential to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trekking experience on the Manaslu Circuit. We do have several packages, including 12 days, 15 days, and 19 days itinerary treks, and they come in various prices. But we ensure that every need and preference of the trekkers will be taken care of. So, if you are looking forward to going on this beautiful trek, contact us – we will try our best to customize our cost plans according to your needs, preferences, and expectations. So several factors to consider, the duration of the trek, accommodation preferences, level of comfort and guides/porters services are all managed by our agency. Also, it is important to understand the package costs so that you can plan your budget accordingly and make decisions to optimize your adventure.
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