Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost and Itinerary

This guide will give a total description of the cost involved in the Manaslu circuit trek, the necessary permits, and the factors that affect the budget, as well as an itinerary to allow trekkers to plan well.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Duration, Grade, and Best Season

The walk usually takes 14 to 16 days of walking time, without considering the transport to and back to Kathmandu. It is rated as strenuous due to the length of daily uphill climbs, cold nights above 3,500 meters, and the high pass crossing. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most favourable months of the Manaslu circuit trek. The spring offers blooming rhododendrons and a warm climate, and autumn offers clear skies and the best views.

Prices of the Manaslu Circuit Trek

The total price will be based on the nature of the trek, the number of people in the group, the mode of transportation, and the level of comfort. A realistic budget of the standard 14-day Manaslu circuit trek is between US$1,200 to 1,900 per person in 2025. This is the cost of a permit, a licensed guide, porter services, transport on the ground, teahouse accommodation, and meals.

Permit Costs for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

Trekking in the Manaslu region is categorized as a restricted area, and therefore, the trekkers need to acquire a Restricted Area Permit (RAP). Only the registered trekking agencies are permitted to issue this permit, and a licensed guide is required. Besides this, the trekkers require Manaslu Conservation Area Permits (MCAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permits (ACAP) since the trail culminates by entering the Annapurna area.

•  Restricted Area Permit (RAP):

• September-November, US $100/first 7 days, then US 15/day.
• December to August: US $75 in the first 7 days, followed by US 10 per day.

• MCAP: NPR 3,000 (approximately US $25).
• ACAP: NPR 3,000 (approximately US $25).

Guide and Porter Costs for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu circuit trek requires hiring a licensed guide. An English-speaking professional guide typically costs US $25-40 a day, and a porter who can carry up to 20 kilograms normally costs US $20-30 a day.

Accommodation and Food for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

There are teahouses all over the circuit, which offer simple twin-bed rooms with common facilities. Accommodation prices begin at approximately US$8 in smaller villages, and increase to approximately US$15-20 in larger and more distant villages. Meals cost between US$20–35 per day.

Transportation for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

The walk starts with a long journey by road between Kathmandu and Machha Khola or Soti Khola and ends with a jeep ride between Dharapani and Besisahar, after which a bus or personal vehicle can be taken back to Kathmandu. The cost of public buses is cheap (US $15-20), whereas the cost of private jeeps is higher but quicker and more comfortable (US $250-300 as a group).

Miscellaneous Costs for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

Hot showers, charging devices, Wi-Fi, and snacks are not included in the budget of trekkers, and they may cost between US$5-10 each day.

Normal Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary (14 Days)

1. Day 1: Machha Khola (930 m) The rhythm of the journey is determined by a drive through Kathmandu and a trek to Machha Khola over terraced fields and small villages.
2. Day 2: Machha Khola to Jagat (1,340 m). It follows the route of the Budhi Gandaki River and has suspension bridges and stone steps to Jagat, the formal gateway to the restricted area.
3. Day 3: Jagat to Deng (1,860 m) The road becomes narrower as it goes into pine forests and Buddhist villages. High mountain landscapes are first hinted at by Deng.
4. Day 4: DengtoNamrung(2,630m) The path gradually reaches mani walls and prayer flags. Namrung gives great sights of Ganesh Himal and the Himalaya Chuli.
5. Day 5: Namrung to Lho (3,180 m) The first sweeping views of Manaslu itself are seen in this stage. Lho village contains numerous monasteries and traditional houses made of stone.
6. Day 6: Lho to Samagaun (3,530 m) A comparatively brief day enables trekkers to reach Samagaun, which is considered to be one of the largest settlements in the area, and it is located under the giant ice flutings of Manaslu.
7. Day 7: Rest day in Samagaun. Trekkers are allowed to hike up to Birendra Lake or Manaslu Base Camp to acclimatize themselves as they immerse themselves in the village culture.
8. Day 8: Samagaun to Samdo (3,860 m) The path is drier and windier as it nears Samdo, a Tibetan refugee village adjacent to the border.
9. Day 9: Rest in Samdo. The other crucial acclimatization day with possibilities of side hikes to the next ridges or ancient routes.
10. Day 10: Samdo to Dharamsala/Larkya Phedi (4,460 m) A shorter distance, but higher up. Accommodation is rudimentary, and trekkers stay here before the high pass.
11. Day 11: Larkya Phedi to Bimthang over Larkya La (5,160 m.) The hardest day of the journey, as it started before daylight with a slow climb up to the pass. The crossing also gives the trekkers a reward of seeing Himlung, Cheo, and Manaslu, after which a long descent into Bimthang comes.
12. Day 12: Bimthang to Tilije (2,300 m) The path leads on through forests and pastures into Tilije, a Gurung village, which has orchards of apples.
13. Day 13: Tilije to Dharapani (1,960 m) The path leads to the Annapurna circuit path, which links up with the road system.
14. Day 14: Kathmandu and Dharapani by car. The circuit is completed by a jeep ride to Besisahar and a bus or a personal car ride to Kathmandu.

Health and Acclimatization for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu circuit trek is to be acclimatized. There is no bargain on rest days in Samagaun and Samdo to mitigate the chances of altitude sickness. The trekkers are supposed to climb slowly, keep hydrated, and avoid alcohol. Medications like acetazolamide should be taken along.

Equipment Essentials for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

It is important to pack lightly and well. They need a good-quality down jacket, a four-season sleeping bag, good trekking boots, trekking poles, and a headlamp.

Power bank, water purifying process, sunscreens, and glacier sunglasses will also be included to make it comfortable and safe. Above 3,500 meters, the nights are cold, and therefore the use of thermal layers is essential.

Final Thoughts

The Manaslu circuit trek is a perfect combination of cultural immersion and Himalayan brutality and is one of the most rewarding trekking circuits in Nepal. It is not as expensive as Evere, but it is just as dramatic with fewer crowds and more authentic experiences. To trekkers who are ready to spend money on the right preparation, permits, and support, the Manaslu circuit trek is not just a challenge of stamina but also a permanent cultural and landscape recollection.