Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost And Itinerary
Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the popular destinations in Nepal that leads you to several natural beauties like snow-capped mountains, forests, waterfalls, and rivers around Manaslu region. Throughout the decade, this trek has been one of the most popular amongst the trekkers around the world. But what you should consider is multiple things that includes Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost and Itinerary.
Manaslu Circuit Trek cost is high if you just look at it from the surface. Many people may not know about the expenses while embarking on the trek but it is better to know beforehand. But it all depends on the duration, season of trek, activities involved and many other things. Lets see more about the cost and itinerary of Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Our Manaslu Circuit Trek Package cost USD 1155 and Manaslu Trek with Tsum valley costs: USD 1,555
Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost Budgeting
Before embarking on the adventurous Manaslu Circuit Trek, you should be looking back to your budget allocation. Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost allocation is the important aspect as you decide to cherish it. You should be sure you have allocated enough capital to cover all required expenses throughout the journey.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost:
Factors Influencing Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost
There are several factors that directly influence Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost; Transportation, Accommodation, Food, and extra activities are some of them. When it comes to the highest price, flight costs are regarded as expensive amongst all other expenses. Quality trekking gears and equipment also contribute to your possible expensive cost. If you are an active trekker, you might be in need of quality gears like sturdy boots and stuff, so renting them would not be so futuristic. If you buy, it might be of better use for your future trek as well, but you should consider a hefty price.
Apart from that, you need different kinds of permits and licenses to trek, which contributes to factors influencing Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost. Similarly, the cost of accommodation and food during the trip are varied, so it’s always better to allocate extra budget on that, so that you don’t get in any possible trouble during your trek.
Permits Cost
Without permit, no one is allowed to enter Manaslu as it is situated inside Manaslu Conservation Area. The first thing is you need a Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) and it has several forms of cost according to months in Nepal. If you are trekking in between September to November, the license will cost you around $100, which is valid for a week. After that, you need to buy additional validity for it which costs $15 per day. From December to August, the price of a permit is $70 per person. After the validity of it expires in seven days, you have to pay an extra $10 per day.
The next permit you need is Manaslu Restricted Area Permits (MRAP). It also has the same conditions like MCAP; from September to November, the cost is $70 dollars with extra $10 per person after the expiration of license in seven days. Similarly, it costs around $50 if you are trekking in between December to August and an extra $7 is applied after it expires.
Besides that, you also need Annapurna Conservation Area Permits (ACAP). You will be charged with NRS. 3000 for the permit.
To get these all permits, you have to consult Nepal Tourism Board in Pradarshani Marga, Kathmandu. You need to fill a form by submitting the copies of your photo, valid passport, and guarantee letter.
Transportation Cost During Manaslu Circuit Trek
You should be considering the transportation cost as well, it is required to plan your transportation route and budget accordingly. To get to the starting point and during your stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara, you will need fares for transportation, so make a sketch of everyday’s transportation plan and you can go with your standard allocation of capital.
To start your trek to Manaslu Circuit, you have to reach Pokhara; you can either take a flight from Kathmandu or rent a taxi or go in a public bus. The flight cost will be somewhere around $100 to $150 per person and it is the fastest way to reach your destination. But if you are considering time and want to go by bus or taxi, allocate your budget anywhere from 2000 to 3000 NPR. The bus/taxi charges you fares depending on the level of services they offer.
You might also like to read Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty
Accommodation Cost During Manaslu Circuit Trek
When you are in Kathmandu, you will be living in a sophisticated room with services like an attached bathroom, hot showers, and internet facilities. With more service, there comes more expenses, so the cost also varies accordingly. If you are staying at an elite like Five Stars hotel, then they charge you more than 10,000 NRS per night. But, living in a medium or cheap hotel will cost you only 500 to 2500 NRS. The same condition is applied when you stay in Pokhara as well; Pokhara too has a hierarchy of hotels and services, so choose as per your will.
After you start your Manaslu Trek, you will find hotels and lodges to some destinations only. After that, you will have to stay at a tea house or camp, the choice is yours. The basic cost of staying at a teahouse is around $3 dollars to $5 dollars. Though the price is cheap, you might not find the services like hot showers and an attached bathroom in these accommodation options. You might need to share your rooms and bathrooms and some of the teahouses do not have internet connections as well.
Food Cost During Manaslu Circuit Trek
Food cost implies on the basis of what types of food you choose. During your stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara, you might need an extra range of cost since the cities feature both Nepalese and Western Cuisine and the prices go higher than in the remote areas.
After you start your Manaslu Circuit Trek cost of the food is compromised because you will be enjoying traditional Nepali Cuisine, which is Daal, Bhaat, and Dhindo. You also can also find other forms of foods like Momos (Dumplings), Gundruk, and other local cuisine. Tea houses offer all these kinds of local and traditional food which will cost you around $3 to $7 per meal. You also can get snacks and breakfast at the designated cost.
If you are camping by yourself, you might need to take your own food and gas canisters to cook it. Here not only food costs you money but gas does too.
Guides And Porters Cost
The cost of hiring guides and porters will cost you around $25 to $35 dollars per day during your Manaslu Circuit Trek. There are several advantages to hiring guides and porters too. If you are trekking for the first time in Manaslu Circuit, then hiring a guide is the best option for that you do not want to get lost in the remote village of Nepal. Similarly, hiring porters will help you lower the weight you carry – they help in both navigating and carrying your luggage.
The next advantage of hiring guides and porters is that they can help you communicate with the local people. They are also the first support system throughout your trek: if anything happens to you, they are the first one to take action in hand.
Gears And Equipment Cost During Manaslu Circuit Trek
You can get the essential gears and equipment in Thamel, Kathmandu – there are numerous stores and shops that deal with the sales of the gears. You can either rent or buy them in hand; the choice is all yours. As said earlier, if you travel frequently, buying the gears will be the best thing to do. But if you trek once in a blue moon, renting might help you minimize the cost.
How Can You Minimize Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost?
Completing Manaslu Trek at a reasonable cost would be an icing to the cake. While the normal Manaslu Circuit Trek cost can go up to around $1000, you can minimize them at your will. There are various ways to trek on a minimum budget in Manaslu region.
The first and foremost thing to know is that Spring and Autumn seasons are overcrowded in Nepal and the cost is high during these times. The price of accommodation, food, and guides are relatively high. So, excluding yourself from traveling during Spring and Autumn is the first way of cutting your expenses before embarking on Manaslu Circuit Trek. Simply, do not travel in the peak season.
Similarly, you can either stay in teahouses or homestays if possible. This will minimize the cost of both food and accommodation at the same time. If there is availability of homestays, then it is a better way to save your money. Also, you can camp by yourself and spend no money except for food.
The last is optional and is only for the experienced trekkers. If you are well-known with the routes of Manaslu Circuit and are physically fit to complete it, try it solo. Do not hire a guide or porter to cut down the expenses on them. But this is not recommended to all for safety reasons. Guides and porters are the first-hand support of you during the treks and expeditions.
Detailed Itinerary of Manaslu Circuit Trek
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Arughat (640m), Trek to Soti Khola (710m) | Trek 3-4 Hours
Location: Arughat/Soti Khola
Arughat Altitude: 640 Meters
Soti Khola Altitude: 710 Meters
Accommodation: Tea House
The trek to Manaslu Circuit starts from Arughat after a 6 hours drive from Kathmandu to the spot. You will ride through the Prithivi Highway from the capital city and pass through the terraced fields, green hills, and lush forest before you reach Arughat.
You will make an off-road trip in Dhading but will always be in the closest view of the natural beauties. After reaching Arughat, you will trek to Soti Khola, which takes 3 to 4 hours to reach. For the overnight stay, you will stay at a teahouse in Soti Khola.
Day 02: Trek from Arughat to Machhakhola (870m) | 5-6 Hours
Location: MachaKhola
Altitude: 870m
Accommodation: Teahouse
On the second day of your Manaslu Trek, you will start your journey from Arughat again. This phase of trek will lead you through the green fields and forests before reaching Machha Khola. It’s a long hike and takes nearly 6 to 7 hours to reach the spot – on the way, you will cross a suspension bridge in Budi Gandaki River.
Then, you will head towards the Khursani Village through a rugged pathway, where you can view several scenic waterfalls along the way. Then, you will reach Labubesi from where you will take a route through rocky terrain. After walking for around 7 hours, you will finally reach Machha Khola.
Day 03: Trek from Machhakhola to Jagat (1350m) | 5-6 Hours
Location: Jagat
Altitude: 1350m
Accommodation: Tea House
On the third day, you will have to walk for five to six hours straight to get to Jagat from Machha Khola. You will catch a narrow path from Machha Khola and head towards Tharo Khola. After crossing Tharo Khola, you will reach Khola Besi and make an ascend to Tato Pani (Natural Hot Spring). After that, you will reach Budi Gandaki river, and then Doban as you pass two suspension bridges in the way.
For a few periods, you will walk alongside the river and head towards Jagat, where you will stay overnight.
Day 04: Trek from Jagat to Deng (2130m) | 5-6 Hours
Location: Deng
Altitude: 2130m
Accommodation: Tea House
Now it’s time to leave Jagat behind and head towards your next destination, Deng, which is situated at the altitude of 2,130 meters above sea level. You will hike through a gorge after leaving Jagat and then there comes a steep valley from where you will have to descend downhill.
Again, you will reach Budi Gandaki river – you will have to cross it and then catch the east bank. The trail takes you to Deng Khola through the bamboo forest. And then, you will finally reach Deng village, which takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach from Jagat.
Day 05: Trek from Deng to Namrung (2630m) | 5-6 Hours
Location: Namrung
Altitude: 2630m
Accommodation: Tea House
It’s a straight 5 to 6 hour hike from Deng to Namrung. On this day too, you will have to cross Budi Gandaki river and make your ascent through a sloppy hill. After that, you will reach Rana from where you will catch adventurous trails that lead you to the west side of Budi Gandaki valley.
After that, you will head for Ghap through the route that is rich in Buddhist culture. Now, you will head towards the Prok Village and then reach the gorge. After that, you will finally reach Namrung. You can view the spectacular view of mountain peaks like Ganesh Himal, Himal Chuli, and many others.
Day 06: Trek from Namrung to Lho (3180m) | 5-6 Hours
Location: Lho
Altitude: 3180m
Accommodation: Tea House
On the sixth day, you will hike through a steep hill and reach lush forests and green fields. First, you will reach Lihi Village from where you will head towards Sho village. From there, you will make your ascend towards Lho Village at the altitude of 3,180 meters.
Day 07: Trek from Lho to Samagaun (3500m) | 5-6 Hours
Location: Samagaon
Altitude: 3500m
Accommodation: Tea House
The mission is to reach Samagaun on the seventh day after completing a 5 to 6 hours hike from Lho Village. You will head towards Shyala village at first and then catch a trail that takes you to Sama. From Sama, you will have the majestic view of Manaslu Peak. Similarly, the scenes of other snow-capped peaks and glaciers are some of the alluring views of this place.
You can also visit Ribung Monastery in Samagaun.
Day 08: Acclimatization day at Samagaun
Since you will be trekking through the high altitudes above 3500 meters, you will need to acclimatize before going on for even higher altitude. On the eighth day, you will be on full day rest. You can join the short visit to monasteries and local habitats but you will be more focused on taking rest and retaining the energy for the next day.
Day 09: Trek from Samagaon to Samdo (3860m) | 5-6 Hours
Location: Samdo
Altitude: 3860m
Accommodation: Tea House
You will be walking through Budi Gandaki Trail again and you will reach Larkya La after crossing suspension bridges. From there, you will take a hike through the stoned and rugged route through the river and finally reach Samdo at the altitude 3860 meters. The total trek time is around 5 to 6 hours from Samagaun to reach Samdo.
Day 10: Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala (4480m) | 5-6 Hours
Location: Dharamsala
Altitude: 4480m
Accommodation: Tea House
On the tenth day, you will head towards Dharmasala at the altitude of 4480 meters above sea level. Crossing Budi Gandaki river bridges is a recurring activity on this day too. You will head through a trail and hike uphill from where you can view the beautiful Larkya Glacier.
After 5 to 6 hours of hiking, you will finally reach Dharmashala. You will stay at a teahouse for the night.
Day 11: Cross the Larke pass (5213m), trek down to Bimtang (3720 m) | 5-6 Hours
Location: Larke Pass/Bimtang
Larke Pass altitude: 5213m
Bimtang Altitude: 3720 Meters
Accommodation: Tea House
Now you will set off on your trek to Larke Pass and then down to Bimtang on the eleventh day. Larke La pass sits at the altitude of 5213 meters above sea level and is one of the attractive tourist destinations in the region.
You will hike through the sloppy terrain to reach Larkya pass which offers the view of Annapurna, Kang Garu, and Himlung peaks. After reaching the pass, it’s time to get downhill and the destination will be Bimtang. You will walk for a few hours enjoying the view of mountains before reaching Bimtang.
Day 12: Trek from Bintang to Tilche (2560m)
Location: Tilche
Altitude: 2560m
Accommodation: Tea House
You will start your trek from Bimtang on the twelfth day through a trail with the opening spaces to view the beautiful scenes of Himalayas. You will walk for a few hours before you reach Dudh Khola and cross a suspension bridge over it.
After that, you will have to make your ascent uphill through the forest and reach the Gho River Bank. From there, you will still make an uphill ascent until you reach Tiliche at the altitude of 2560 meters.
Day 13: Trek from Tilche to Dharapani, Take Jeep to Besisahar (1430m) | 5-6 Hours
Location: Dharapani/Besisahar
Dharapani Altitude: 1669m
Besisahar Altitude: 1430m
Accommodation: Hotel/Lodge
It’s the final day of your stay in the Manaslu region. You will trek to Dharapani from Tilche and will hike through the stone paved route on the way. Once again you will have to cross through Dudh Khola before reaching Thonje Village. After that, you will head towards Dharapani – in between the course, you will reach a police checkpoint, where you will have to show your license and permits.
After nearly 5 to 6 hours of trekking from Tilche, you will finally reach Dharapani. Just before it, there is a waterfall named Tal, which is incredibly fascinating to see.
After reaching Dharapani, you will take a rest for some time before catching a jeep to Besisahar. Your drive time will be around 3 to 4 hours from Dharapani and finally you will arrive at Besisahar in Lamjung.
Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu from Besisahar
After a successful Manaslu Circuit Trek, you will drive back to Kathmandu which takes around 5 to 6 hours.
Check our other Manaslu Trek guide articles:
Prakash Devkota
Meet with Prakash Chandra Devkota, Managing Director and Team Leader
Mr. Devkota hails from the beautiful hilly region of Gorkha District. He started his career as a guide in 1997 and quickly became a reputed figure in the Tourism Industry because of his extensive experience. He has gathered impressive experience in all Trekking and Climbing Routes, such as Mera, Island, Lobuche, Ama Dablam etc.
His success also lies in his brilliant mind and hospitable nature. He is fully dedicated to providing excellent services and introducing innovative concepts. With more than 15 years of experience in trekking and expedition operations in Nepal, Tibet, India, and Bhutan, he has earned a reputation as a renowned leader in the field. He understands the importance of personalized service for creating memorable experiences for his clients and constantly seeks innovative company operation methods.
Mr. Devkota has always been an avid practitioner of eco-friendly tourism and has always promoted environmental conservation throughout his career. He motivates his staff to embrace eco-friendly tourism through responsible tourism practices.