Affordable Manaslu Circuit Trek: Budget Breakdown with Tips

The cost of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is where most people start their planning, and also where most people get the wrong number first. Prices advertised online range from USD 700 per person to well around USD 2,000, and that range creates real confusion before you have even settled on an itinerary.

Let us give you the honest picture right away. For a 14 to 15-day trek on the Manaslu Circuit, a properly arranged trip costs between USD 1,200 and USD 1,800 per person! That includes four mandatory government permits, a licensed guide required by law, teahouse accommodation, meals on the trail, and transport between Kathmandu and the trailhead.

So, if you’re getting a Manaslu Circuit Trek package lower than the aforementioned range, know that the trekking agency has left out one or more of these. So, think twice before you book!

In fact, read this Manaslu Circuit cost breakdown guide twice to know what each cost actually is, what the smaller trail expenses add up to, and how to keep the total manageable. Also, we’ll let you know why our price at Everest Trekking Routes is the most affordable for any trekking style in the Manaslu-Tsum Valley region.

Total Cost of Manaslu Circuit at a Glance

Let us tell you a realistic picture of what different trekking styles cost on the Manaslu Circuit.

Budget treks (that involves group joining, shared transport, basic teahouses) will cost you about USD 700 to 1,000.

Standard ones (that is a full agency package with good service) will be around USD 1,050 to 1,450. And luxury *that comes with private drives, premium lodges, private guide and transport) will cost you USD 1,500 to even 2,000!

But here’s what you are guaranteed to get in all three ranges: permits, guide (sometimes porter separate, otherwise guide-porter), teahouse accommodation, meals, and transport from Kathmandu (even if it’s on a local bus).

Now, let’s take a peek at all the packages that we offer at Everest Trekking Routes and the starting prices of each:

• Most Affordable Manaslu Circuit Trek (in 7 days): $790/person
• 10-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek: $850/person
• Standard Manaslu Circuit Trek: $925/person
• Manaslu Circuit with Serang Gompa: $1090/person
• Manaslu Circuit for solo trekkers: $970/person
• Manaslu Circuit Trek in 12 days: $925/person
• Luxury Manaslu Circuit Trek: $1550/person
• Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek for both solo trekkers and group trekkers: $1490/person
• Manaslu and Annapurna Circuits: $1825/person

Note: We even organize the rare Manaslu Rupina La Pass trek along with other treks in the Manaslu region. The cost is somewhere in the above range itself. Contact us directly if you’re interested to opt for this unique experience. 

You see, even our luxury package is below USD 1,600 per person, and that is enough to let you know why we’re the most affordable yet best trekking agency for Manaslu Circuit Treks. That’s because of our years of experience guiding trekkers, good local guides who support us, and our continuous providing business to the remote trails of Chumnubri Rural Municipality!

Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit Costs

You need four separate permits with fees to trek the standard Manaslu Circuit legally. Let us introduce you to them one by one:

Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

The RAP is the most variable and the biggest single permit expense for this trek, with its costs depending on season and days inside the restricted zone. Here are the details:

• September to November (peak): USD 100 per person for the first 7 days, then USD 15 per person per day after that
• December to August (off-season): USD 75 per person for the first 7 days, then USD 10 per person per day after that

For example: if you’re going to choose a 10-day October itinerary, that works out to almost USD 145 per person (100 + 3 additional days × 15). The same 10-day itinerary in spring or winter season costs USD 105. 

You see, that is a USD 40 saving from season selection alone, before you consider any other budget differences.

Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)

This is the permit that allows you to legally enter the Manaslu Conservation Area. This one varies based on nationality:

• Foreign nationals: NPR 3,000 per trekker 
• SAARC nationals: NPR 1,000 per trekker 

Note that seasonal discounts aren’t available for this one. The rate remains the same all year!

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

This might surprise you, but the final leg after crossing Larke Pass to Tilche or Dharapani falls under the Annapurna Conservation Area. And for that reason, you need to get the ACAP permit too! 

The cost is the same as that of the MCAP: NPR 3,000 per foreign trekker and NPR 1000 per SAARC national. 

Chumnubri Rural Municipality Fee

This is one fee that you need to pay when you’re in Jagat. It’s a local development fee that many older blogs do not mention (now, you’re updated!).

It costs NPR 1,000 000 (around USD 10 to 15) per person. Since guide is compulsory in the Manaslu Circuit Trek, he/she shall handle this for you!

Note: Even Nepalese trekkers need to pay NPR 200 for this one!

Now, adding up all four permits, the total cost is approximately USD 200 to 250 per person in peak season, or USD 150 to 180 in off-season (can vary based on days). 

Good news if you’ve planned to trek with Everest Trekking Routes, as we handle all of the permits for every Manaslu trek package!

Transportation Cost to the Manaslu Trailhead

The Manaslu Circuit Trek starts at Soti Khola or Machha Khola (sometimes Jagat when road conditions are good). That means you need to travel approximately 140 km northwest of Kathmandu in the Gorkha district. 

No domestic flight options are available. And the local bus or jeep drive can take 7 to 10 hours because the road deteriorates significantly after Arughat, regardless of the vehicle.

Here’s the tentative transportation cost to reach the starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek:

• Local bus from Kathmandu Bus Park: NPR 1,000 to 1,500 per person (approximately USD 6 to 12). Cheap, slow, and rough after Arughat.
• Jeep shared among 4 to 6 trekkers: USD 200 to 250 per vehicle total, around USD 35 to 60 per person. Saves roughly 2 hours and is noticeably more comfortable.
• Private jeep for a solo traveler or pair: The same USD 200 to 250 total makes this expensive per person.

For the return from Tilche/Dharapani, a shared local jeep to Besishar costs about USD 80 to 100 per vehicle. 

And then the road trip from Lamjung (Besisahar) to Kathmandu costs approximately NPR 1,000 to 1,500 per person. 

Cost of Accommodation on the Trail

Teahouses in the Manaslu region are just basic, but very functional! You get twin-sharing rooms (in most cases) with mattresses and blankets that are the standard (sleeping bag recommended for Dharmashala).

You’d be surprised to find hot showers available up to Samagaon and at most lodges (USD 3 to 5 per shower)! Even electricity is reliable up to Samdo (thanks to the micro-hydropower projects). 

But above that (in case you stay in Larke Bazaar and the final night in Dharmashala), a power bank becomes important!

Very important thing that you need to keep in mind is that the prices here increase with altitude. Here’s the general idea on the accommodation costs:

• Lower sections (below 1,400 m): USD 3 to 8 per night
• Mid-trail (Jagat to Namrung and Tilche, up to 2,600 m): USD 5 to 10 per night
• Upper sections (Lho to Samagaon and Bhimthang, 3,000 to 3,500 m): USD 8 to 12 per night
• Dharmashala (4,470 m, the night before Larkya La): USD 15 to 20 per person, and in peak season, you may end up in a tent if the teahouse is full

For a 13 to 14-night itinerary, accommodation usually totals USD 80 to 180 per person. Many teahouse owners reduce or waive the room fee if you take all your meals at their lodge. That is a common arrangement on this trail (along with others in Nepal) and is worth confirming when you check in each day.

Food and Drink Costs in Manaslu

Meal prices are reasonable in the lower sections and climb steadily as you gain altitude. Everything above Samagaon is either carried in by porter or mule, and that shows up directly on the menu!

A realistic price guide for what you will actually pay:

• Dal bhat: USD 5 to 9 per plate with unlimited refills at most lodges. The saying “Dal Bhat Power 24 Hour” is not exaggerated.
• Noodle soup, pasta, fried rice: USD 5 to 10 per dish
• Breakfast (porridge, eggs, toast): USD 4 to 8
• Garlic soup or ginger tea: USD 2 to 3 per cup
• Black or milk tea: USD 1 to 2 per cup
• Boiled water (500 ml): USD 1 to 2 per fill

This means that your daily food budget on the trail is around USD 20 to 35 per person. Over 13 days, that totals USD 260 to 455 (depends on the luxury)

Our ETR team’s suggestion is to rely on dal bhat for main meals as often as possible. That’s because the unlimited refill system lets you eat enough for a 7 to 8-hour day on the trail, and the cost per calorie at altitude is hard to beat with any other item on the menu for sure!

Guide and Porter Costs in Manaslu Trail

For the Manaslu Circuit trek, a licensed guide is not optional; it’s a legal requirement enforced at every checkpoint. That’s because the Manaslu Conservation Area within the Chumnubri Rural Municipality (all wards) is a restricted area.

That also means you have to go through a registered trekking agency (like Everest Trekking Routes), and that means a guide is always arranged for you.

This professional is the one you rely on the most on the trail as he/she manages all permit registrations, handle lodge arrangements, monitor weather conditions, and are your first line of response if altitude sickness or a trail injury becomes serious.

As of 2026, the daily rates of guides and porters are as follows:

• Licensed guide: USD 25 to 40 per day, all-inclusive (wages, food, accommodation, and insurance). 
• Porter: USD 20 to 30 per day, all-inclusive, and they carry your weight up to 20 to 25 kg.
• Porter-guide combo: USD 35 to 50 per day. This is a practical option for solo trekkers wanting both services from one person, and also many chose this as a budget option.

Beyond their daily allowance, note that tipping is a standard part of trekking culture in Nepal. So, allocating around 10% of your total trek cost for tips to your guide, porter, and driver is the accepted practice across all trekking destinations in the country (including Manaslu).

Practical Ways to Keep Your Budget Manageable

These tips should help you bring down your overall Manaslu Circuit Trek and make it more affordable:

• Trek in the off-season with the right weather window: As explained earlier, the RAP can be cheaper for the same trip in March versus October, and the trail is quieter, which often means better accommodation availability at the busier teahouses. But make sure to track the weather or it  may add to the overall difficulty of the trek.
• Join a group departure: We even do group-joining option which helps you save USD 100 to 150 less than a private booking. For solo travelers, this is the most straightforward cost-saving option, honestly.
• Share transport: A private jeep split among 4 to 6 trekkers comes down drastically on the same vehicle compared to the one that you take privately for one to three people.
• Rely more on dal bhat: Earlier, we mentioned it’s the best food, and honestly, it’s cheaper per meal than any other Western options too. Also, add some light snacks to your packing list (from Kathmandu itself).
• Read your package inclusions carefully: Don’t book immediately, thinking it’s cheap (safety matters equally). Make sure to confirm that permits, guide, porter, transport, accommodation, and meals are all listed in the package description. You don’t want to compromise on cost when heading to such a remote region.
• Travel insurance (it’s a compulsion): Since we, along with other agencies, require your travel insurance description to process for the RAP, you simply can’t skip it. But also note that you need to get insured that covers your helicopter evacuation, altitude sickness treatment (over 5,000 meters), and trip interruption. Contact us, and we’ll let you know some affordable options for you!

Get the Best Deal with Everest Trekking Routes

Well, at USD 790 to 1,550 per person, the Manaslu Circuit Trek gives you something that is genuinely difficult to find on Nepal’s busier trails.

You’re getting a restricted area, well-preserved trekking route where you cross Larkya La at 5,106 m, walk through Tibetan Buddhist villages in the Nubri Valley (which is one of the natural highlights), and hike on the off-the-beaten trails. So, if you ask us, we’d say Manaslu Circuit Trek is totally worth it and affordable no matter how much price you pay!