Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost 2026: Full Budget Breakdown

What Does the Manaslu Circuit Trek Package Include?

Our 12-day Manaslu Circuit Trek starts at USD 1,060 per person (as of May 2026). That price covers a licensed trekking guide, all three required permits (Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit), teahouse accommodation for every night on the trail, three meals a day during the trek, ground transportation from Kathmandu to Machha Khola and from Dharapani back to Kathmandu or Pokhara, and one night's hotel in Kathmandu.

What is not included: international flights to Kathmandu, Nepal tourist visa (USD 30 for 15 days or USD 50 for 30 days, as of 2026), travel insurance, personal gear, alcoholic and cold drinks on the trail, hot showers above 3,000 meters (NPR 300 to 500 per shower), device charging above 3,500 meters (NPR 300 to 500 per charge), tips for your guide and porter, and the NPR 1,000 Chumnubri Rural Municipality local development fee collected at Jagat checkpoint.

How Much Do Manaslu Permits Cost?

Permits are the single biggest fixed cost on this trek, and they are non-negotiable. Manaslu is a restricted area under Nepal's Department of Immigration. You cannot enter without three separate permits, all processed through a registered trekking agency like ours.

Here is the permit cost breakdown verified against the Department of Immigration and Nepal Tourism Board (as of May 2026):

Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP): USD 100 per person for the first 7 days, plus USD 15 per additional day (September to November). USD 75 per person for the first 7 days, plus USD 10 per additional day (December to August).

Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP): NPR 3,000 per person (approximately USD 22), all seasons.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 3,000 per person (approximately USD 22), all seasons. You need this because the trail exits through Dharapani into the Annapurna Conservation Area after crossing Larkya La Pass.

For a standard 12-day trek in autumn (peak season), the total permit cost comes to approximately USD 250 per person. In spring, it drops to roughly USD 190. All permit costs are included in our package price.

One important note: TIMS cards are not required for the Manaslu Circuit as of 2024 onward. If any agency tells you otherwise, they are either misinformed or padding the cost.

Update (March 2026): The Nepal Department of Immigration changed the rules on March 22, 2026. Solo trekkers can now apply individually for a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit. The old requirement of a minimum two foreign trekkers per group has been removed. You still need a licensed guide, and you still need to book through a registered agency. But finding a second trekker is no longer necessary.

How Much Does the Guide Cost?

A licensed trekking guide is legally required on the Manaslu Circuit. This is not optional. The Nepal government enforced this rule in 2015 for all restricted areas, and checkpoints at Jagat and Philim verify it strictly.

Guide fees range from USD 25 to USD 35 per day depending on experience and English proficiency. For a 12-day trek, that works out to USD 300 to USD 420. In our package, the guide cost is included, along with the guide's meals, accommodation, and insurance.

We assign guides who have crossed Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters) multiple times. On our October 2025 Manaslu departures, our guide knew exactly which room at the Dharamsala teahouse (4,460 meters) stays warmest overnight, the one closest to the kitchen wall on the south side. That kind of knowledge matters when you are sleeping at 4,460 meters the night before a 5,106-meter pass crossing.

Do I Need a Porter, and How Much Does One Cost?

Porters are optional but highly recommended. Above Samagaon (3,520 meters), the trail gets steep and the air gets thin. Carrying a 10 kg daypack instead of a 15 kg full pack makes a real difference when you are crossing Larkya La.

Porter cost: USD 20 to USD 25 per porter per day. One porter is shared between two trekkers, carrying a maximum of 25 kg combined. For a 12-day trek, budget USD 240 to USD 300 per person for porter service. We offer porter service as an add-on to any Manaslu package.

What Does Transportation to the Trailhead Cost?

The Manaslu Circuit starts from Machha Khola (870 meters) in the Gorkha District and ends in Dharapani (1,860 meters) on the edge of the Annapurna region. Getting there and back is part of the cost.

Shared bus/jeep (included in package): Kathmandu to Machha Khola takes 8 to 10 hours on a bumpy road. The stretch past Arughat is unpaved and dusty, especially in pre-monsoon. The return from Dharapani to Kathmandu or Pokhara takes 7 to 9 hours.

Private jeep upgrade: Kathmandu to Machha Khola costs USD 200 per jeep (fits up to 5 passengers). Dharapani to Kathmandu or Pokhara costs USD 250 per jeep. Split among 4 trekkers, that is USD 112 per person round-trip. We recommend the private option for anyone who wants to arrive at the trailhead without being completely exhausted from the drive.

How Much Will I Spend on the Trail Beyond the Package?

Even with an all-inclusive package, you will spend money on the trail. We tell every group to carry USD 50 to USD 80 in cash (Nepali rupees) for personal expenses over the 12 days. There are no ATMs after Kathmandu.

Here is what the extra costs look like based on what we saw in the 2025 season:

Hot showers: NPR 300 to 500 (USD 2 to 4) per shower. Available at most teahouses up to Samagaon. Above that, availability is hit or miss.

• Device charging: NPR 300 to 500 (USD 2 to 4) per charge. At Dharamsala (4,460 meters), it costs NPR 700 and may not be available if the solar panel is down. Bring a 20,000 mAh power bank and charge it fully at Namrung or Samagaon.

• Wi-Fi: NPR 300 to 500 per day where available. Signals exist at Machha Khola, Jagat, and Namrung. Above Samagaon, do not expect any connectivity.

• Bottled water: USD 1 to 4 per liter depending on altitude. We recommend bringing water purification tablets from Kathmandu (NPR 500 for a set that lasts the entire trek) instead of buying bottles. It saves money and reduces plastic waste on the trail.

• Snacks and drinks beyond meals: NPR 200 to 500 for tea, coffee, chocolate bars, or extra noodle soup.

• Beer (where available): NPR 700 to 1,000 per bottle at higher altitudes.

• Chumnubri Rural Municipality fee: NPR 1,000 (approximately USD 8), collected at the Jagat checkpoint. This is a local development fee that supports the communities along the trail.

Tips: Standard tipping is USD 8 to 12 per trekking day for a guide, and USD 5 to 8 per day for a porter. For a 12-day trek, budget USD 100 to 150 total for tips.

How Does Season Affect the Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost?

The season you choose changes the total cost by USD 50 to USD 150, primarily through permit pricing and teahouse demand.

Autumn (September to November): Peak season. Best weather, clearest views of Mt. Manaslu (8,163 meters) and the surrounding Himalchuli (7,893 meters) and Ngadi Chuli (7,871 meters). The Restricted Area Permit is at its highest rate (USD 100 for 7 days). Teahouses fill up, especially at Samagaon and Dharamsala in October. Book at least 6 weeks ahead. This is when we run our largest groups.

Spring (March to May): Second-best season. Rhododendron forests between Jagat and Namrung are in full bloom. The RAP drops to USD 75 for 7 days, saving USD 25 to USD 55 on permits alone. Fewer trekkers than autumn. The trail can be muddy in late May as pre-monsoon moisture builds.

Winter (December to February): Lowest permit cost, fewest trekkers, but Larkya La Pass can be blocked by snow. Some teahouses above Samagaon close entirely. We only recommend this season for experienced trekkers who are flexible with dates. Our guide will assess pass conditions daily.

Monsoon (June to August): We do not operate Manaslu trips during monsoon. The Budhi Gandaki River floods sections of the trail, leeches are a constant companion below 3,000 meters, and landslides regularly block the road to Machha Khola.

How Does Manaslu Compare to Other Trek Costs in Nepal?

If you are choosing between Nepal's major treks, here is how the Manaslu Circuit stacks up cost-wise based on our 2026 package prices:

Manaslu Circuit Trek (12 days): From USD 1,060. Includes restricted area permits, which is the biggest cost driver.

Everest Base Camp Trek (14 days): From USD 1,490. Higher cost due to Lukla flights (USD 180 to 350 round-trip depending on season) and higher teahouse prices in the Khumbu region.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek (10 days): From USD 850. Lower permit costs (no restricted area permit), shorter duration, and road access reduces transportation expense.

Annapurna Circuit Trek (12 days): From USD 1,050. Similar duration to Manaslu but no restricted area permit needed, so slightly cheaper.

Manaslu falls in the mid-range for Nepal trekking costs. You pay more than Annapurna routes because of the restricted area permit, but less than Everest because there are no internal flights. The trade-off: far fewer trekkers on the trail and Tibetan Buddhist villages in the Nubri Valley that feel untouched by mass tourism.

What Mistakes Do We See Trekkers Make With Their Manaslu Budget?

After running Manaslu groups every season for years, here is what catches people off guard:

Not carrying enough cash. There are no ATMs and no card machines after Kathmandu. We had a trekker in October 2025 who brought only NPR 5,000 for 12 days and ran out by Samagaon. Carry at least NPR 10,000 to 15,000 (USD 75 to 115) in small bills.

Skipping travel insurance. Your insurance must explicitly cover trekking up to 6,000 meters. Standard travel policies cap at 3,000 meters. If you need a helicopter evacuation from near Larkya La Pass, the bill starts at USD 3,000 to USD 5,000. We check every client's insurance policy during our pre-trek briefing at our Paknajol office.

Buying gear at full price in Thamel. Kathmandu's Thamel district has dozens of shops selling trekking gear, both new and used from returned expeditions. A quality used down jacket costs NPR 3,000 to 5,000 (USD 22 to 38). A new one from a brand shop costs USD 150 or more. We tell our clients exactly which shops to visit for the best deals.

Not budgeting for the Chumnubri local fee. This NPR 1,000 fee at Jagat is relatively new and not mentioned on many agency websites. It is mandatory and collected in cash.

Booking through an international operator. International agencies charge USD 2,500 to USD 4,500 for the exact same route, same teahouses, same meals. The difference goes to the international middleman. A local agency like ours delivers identical on-trail service at a fraction of the cost because there is no markup chain.

What Gear Should I Budget For?

If you already own trekking basics, gear costs are minimal. If you are starting from scratch, here is a realistic budget based on Thamel prices (as of 2026):

• Sleeping bag rated to minus 15 degrees Celsius: USD 25 to 40 for rental, USD 80 to 150 to buy new. Required for Dharamsala and the Larkya La crossing.

• Down jacket: USD 15 to 25 for rental, USD 40 to 100 to buy (used or new in Thamel).

• Trekking poles: USD 10 to 15 for rental, USD 20 to 40 to buy.

• Good trekking boots (already broken in): Bring from home. Buying new boots in Kathmandu and wearing them on a 12-day trek is a recipe for blisters.

• Total gear budget if renting essentials: USD 50 to 80. Total if buying everything new in Thamel: USD 200 to 400. We review every client's gear during the Day 1 briefing and can arrange last-minute rentals or purchases.

See our full 12-day Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary and pricing

What Is the Total Realistic Cost for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Complete Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost Breakdown (Per Person, Autumn 2026)

Total realistic budget: USD 1,500 to USD 2,200 per person depending on your choices. 

Groups of 4 or more will come in closer to the lower end because jeep costs and guide costs split further.

For custom quotes based on your group size and preferred dates, message Gokarna on WhatsApp at +977 9851363944 or email info@regalnepaltreks.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost in 2026

A standard 12-day package with a local agency like Regal Nepal Treks costs USD 1,060 to 1,300 per person, including guide, permits, meals, accommodation, and transport. Add USD 400 to 900 for extras like porter, insurance, gear, and personal trail spending. Total realistic budget: USD 1,500 to 2,200 per person.

Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit solo?

As of March 22, 2026, yes. The Nepal Department of Immigration removed the old requirement of two foreign trekkers per group. Solo trekkers can now apply individually for the Restricted Area Permit. A licensed guide through a registered agency is still mandatory.

What permits do I need for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Three permits: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) from the Department of Immigration, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) from the Nepal Tourism Board, and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Total cost ranges from USD 190 (spring) to USD 250 (autumn) for a 12-day trek. All must be processed through a registered trekking agency.

Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek cheaper than Everest Base Camp?

Yes. Our Manaslu package starts at USD 1,060 compared to USD 1,490 for Everest Base Camp. The main savings come from no internal flights (EBC requires a Kathmandu to Lukla flight costing USD 180 to 350) and generally lower teahouse prices in the Manaslu region.

Do I need a TIMS card for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

No. TIMS cards have not been required for the Manaslu Circuit since 2024. Your three permits (RAP, MCAP, ACAP) are sufficient. Checkpoints at Jagat, Philim, and Dharapani verify only these permits.

What is the best time to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

October and November offer the best weather, clearest mountain views, and driest trails. March to May is a close second with fewer crowds and lower permit costs. We do not recommend monsoon (June to August) or deep winter (January to February) for most trekkers.

How do I save money on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Trek in spring instead of autumn (saves USD 25 to 55 on permits). Go with a group of 4 or more (splits jeep and guide costs). Buy or rent gear in Thamel instead of from home. Use water purification tablets instead of buying bottled water (saves USD 30 to 50). Book directly with a local Kathmandu agency instead of through an international operator.

View our 12-day Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary and book your dates | WhatsApp: +977 9851363944 | Email: info@regalnepaltreks.com