Manaslu Circuit Trek cost

The Manaslu Circuit Trek cost is $1200. This cost is the total expenses for 16 days of trekking from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. This article tends to give a clear breakdown of trekking costs. It will be the most supportive information for budget planning. It helps to know about the cost for guides, porters, teahouses, permits, and transportation during the trek. 

Circuit trek cost breakdown:

• Transportation cost
• Guide cost
• Permit cost
• Accommodation cost
• Food cost

Transportation cost

The Manaslu circuit trek begins from Machha Khola. Therefore, we should drive to Machha Khola from Kathmandu. The local bus and private jeep costs vary.

• Local bus cost from Kathmandu to Machha khola: NRs. 1500
• Private jeep cost from Kathmandu to Machha khola: NRs. 45000
• Local bus cost from Beshisahar to Kathmandu: NRs. 1500
• Private jeep cost from Beshisahar to Kathmandu: NRs. 45000

Guide cost

Guides are the legalized persons to show the route, explain the uniqueness of the landscape, and manage accommodation during the trek. The salary of Guide is based on trekking duration. The salary varies from company to company.

• English-speaking guide cost: NRs. 2000 per day
• Specific language speaking guide cost: NRs. 4000–5000 per day

Porter cost

Porters are your helpers who carry your backpack and make your journey easier. The salary of a porter is less than that of a guide. The cost varies from company to company.

Porter cost: NRs. 1500–1700 per day

Permit cost

The Manaslu circuit requires four permits with different costs. The special permit/restricted area permit is expensive and varies from season to season, whereas the conservation area and local area permit cost is the same throughout the year. 

The required four permits and their cost for a round trek to Manaslu are

1. Restricted area permit

A restricted area permit is required in specific places where FITs (free individual trekkers) are strictly forbidden. They should be engaged with a trekking company to get this permit. A minimum of two people is compulsory for this trekking. We can make this permit by visiting the immigration office or applying for an e-permit. We need specific documents: passport photos, itineraries, and insurance for the guide and porter to get the permit. We should show this permit at each entry point: Jagat, Samdo, Samagaun, and Dharapani.

• Restricted area permit cost from September – November: USD 100 per person for first 7 days, USD 15 per person per additional day
• Restricted area permit cost from December to August: USD 75 per person, USD 10 per person per additional day

2. Manaslu conservation area permit

A Manaslu conservation area permit is required to explore the conservation area. The permit is necessary from Jagat to Bhimthang. 

Manaslu Conservation Area permit cost: NRs. 3000 for foreigners and NRs. 1000 for SAARC country citizens.

3. Annapurna conservation area permit

The Manaslu circuit covers both the Manaslu and Annapurna regions. The place from Bhimthang is the Annapurna conservation area; thus, we need to show this permit in Dharapani. 

Annapurna Conservation Area permit cost: NRs 3000 for foreigners and NRs 1000 for SAARC country citizens.

4. Chumnumbri rural municipality permit

A Chumnumbri rural municipality permit is required to show in wards no. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Chumnumbri rural municipality. It is essential to show this permit in Samagaun. 

Chumnumbri rural municipality permit cost

The Chumnumbri rural municipality permit cost is NRs. 1000 per person for both foreigners and SAARC countries. 

Accommodation cost

There are normal and luxury accommodations in the Manaslu circuit. Luxury accommodation is available in Samagaun, Namrung, Lo, Bhimthang, and Dharapani. 

Normal teahouses cost in Manaslu circuit: USD 5–15 per day

Luxury tea house cost in Manaslu circuit: USD 40–50 per day

Food cost

Food is expensive in the Manaslu region. The food cost varies from lower elevation to higher elevation. We can select food items from the menu. Tentatively, USD $20–$25 is required for three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). 

Common food and its cost in Manaslu circuit:

The food cost varies from tea house to tea house and location to location. 

Extra expenses of trek

Besides accommodation, food, transportation, a guide, and a porter, we need extra expenses for hot water, showers, extra food beside the package, and tips for the guide and porter. 

The hot water and shower costs vary from lower elevation to higher elevation. We should carry a minimum of $300 as an extra expense. The hot water costs NRs. 150 per liter in lower elevation and NRs. 300 in lower elevation. Similarly, showers cost from $5 to $10 from lower to higher destinations.

Conclusion: Manaslu circuit trek cost 

The Manaslu Circuit trek costs from $900 to $1300 based on the services. The permit, food, accommodation, transportation, guide, and porter are the major entities of services during the trek. The hot water, extra food, shower, and emergency evacuation cost is not included in the cost.