Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost 2027/28: Complete Budget Breakdown

Planning the Manaslu Circuit Trek but unsure how much money you need? The total cost depends on your group size, trekking season, transport, guide, and the services included in your package.

In this guide, we break down the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost for 2027 and 2028, including restricted-area permits, guide and porter fees, teahouse accommodation, food, transport, gear rental, and extra expenses. You will also learn how to plan your budget, avoid unexpected costs, and compare group-joining and private trekking options.

Our goal is to help you understand where your money goes before you book your trek.

How Much Does the Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost in 2027 & 2028? 

Most people pay USD 800 to 2,500+ per person or even more for the Manaslu Circuit Trek in 2027 & 2028. That is a big range, I know. The final number depends on three things:

• How many people are in your group
• Which season you go
• How comfortable you want to be

Here is a simple table that gives you an idea:

When I did the trek, I went for the mid-range style, and it felt right. I had a guide, one porter, and decent teahouse rooms. I was never stressed about money, and I never felt I was missing out.

Why Manaslu Costs More Than Annapurna 

Manaslu is a restricted area. The government controls who walks here. Which means extra rules and extra fees. Here is why the Manaslu trek budget is higher:

• You need a special restricted area permit
• A licensed guide is compulsory
• The road to the start of the trail is long and rough
• There are fewer lodges, so supplies cost more
• Everything is carried up on foot or on mules

On the Annapurna Circuit Trek, you can walk without a guide. But not on Manaslu. That one rule changes your whole budget. But the good part here is that the trail remains quiet because of these rules. I met a few trekkers each day, instead of hundreds. For me, that peace was worth every rupee.

Manaslu Permit Costs for 2027 & 2028

Permits are the highest fixed cost. They are set by the government, so no agency can lower them. You need four permits for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. 

• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP): The price of RAP depends on the season and the number of days. In peak season (September to November), you need to pay USD 100 for the first 7 days, then USD 15 for each extra day. In the off-season (December to August), USD 75 for the first 7 days, then USD 10 for each extra day
• Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP): MCAP is about USD 23 to 30, depending on the exchange rate.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): It is also about USD 23 to 30. You may wonder why you need this for a Manaslu trek. It is because the trail ends at Dharapani, and that village sits inside the Annapurna area.
• Local municipality fee: Around NPR 1000. I paid mine in cash on the trail. Keep some small notes handy.

Get your MCAP and ACAP before you start walking. If you buy them at a checkpoint, the price can double. Your agency can handle this in Kathmandu. Also, you do not need a TIMS card for this trek.

Guide and Porter Cost: Why a Guide Is Mandatory

Being a solo trekker, I was a little annoyed at first. But after the first two days, I changed my mind. My guide knew every turn. He knew which lodge had the warmest room. And on the day of Larkya La, he knew when to wake us up and when to slow down. I felt safe. Even by law, you must have a licensed guide to trek Manaslu. So, there is no way around it.

Guide cost for Manaslu Trek

• About USD 350 to 420 for a 14-day trek
• That is around USD 25 to 30 per day
• This usually covers the guide’s food, room, and insurance

Porter cost for Manaslu Trek(optional)

• About USD 280 to 300 for 14 days
• Around USD 20 per day
• One porter can carry the bags of two trekkers

So, should you hire a porter? Yes, if your bag is over 8 or 9 kg. The trail is long, and Larkya La is not the day to carry a heavy pack. Your knees will thank you for hiring a porter.  

Transport Cost for Manaslu Circuit Trek

The drive from Kathmandu to Maccha Khola and back from Dharapani to Kathmandu is long and bumpy. My body felt like a shaken bottle. But the views from the window made it fun. Your transport costs can look like this.

Transport Cost from Kathmandu to Machha Khola

• Local bus: about USD 20 to 30
• Private jeep: about USD 160 to 200

Transport Cost from Dharapani back to Kathmandu

• Shared jeep: cheaper, but you wait for it to fill
• Private jeep: about USD 160 to 200

If you want to save money, take the local bus on the way in. It is slow, but you get to meet real Nepali travelers, and that will be one of your favorite memories.  But if you want comfort, book a private jeep. Some trekkers also add one extra night on the road if they get delayed. So, keep a small buffer.

Teahouse Prices by Village: Machha Khola to Samagaun to Dharapani

Prices of tea houses go up as you climb higher in the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The rooms are simple which includes a bed, a blanket, and a window with a mountain view. Bathrooms are usually shared.

This price jump is because everything up there is carried in by hand. Even a bag of rice is a long journey. But most lodges give you a cheaper room if you eat your meals there. So eat where you sleep. It is how everyone does it, and it keeps your Manaslu teahouse costs low.

Daily Food and Drink Budget on the Trail

Plan for USD 20 to 35 per day for food and drinks on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. You will spend more in higher villages than in lower villages. 

Here is what I usually paid.

• Breakfast: USD 4 to 8
• Lunch: USD 6 to 12
• Dinner: USD 6 to 12
• Tea, snacks, hot chocolate: USD 1 to 5 each

My usual breakfast was porridge or Tibetan bread with eggs and a big pot of tea. Simple, warm, and enough to start the day. Eat Dal bhat because it is cheap, filling, and healthy. I ordered it almost every night.

Other things that cost extra:

• Hot shower: USD 2 to 5
• Phone charging: USD 1 to 3
• Wi-Fi: USD 2 to 5 (and it is slow)

Bring water purification tablets or a filter. Bottled water gets very expensive at high altitude. It is also bad for the mountains because every bottle has to be carried down again.

Gear Rental vs. Buying in Kathmandu (With Prices)

Kathmandu has many rental shops. So, you don’t have to buy everything new. You can rent:

• Down jacket: about USD 2 per day
• Sleeping bag: about USD 2 per day
• Trekking poles: about USD 1 per day
• Microspikes or crampons: about USD 2 to 4 per day

Microspikes are worth thinking about. Larkya La can be icy, especially in late autumn and spring. They will give you a lot of confidence on the snowy section.

What should you buy instead of renting?

• Good trekking boots: Break in your boots at home.  
• Warm socks
• Thin gloves and a warm hat

Hidden Costs Most Trekkers Forget During Manaslu Circuit Trek

This is the part that may surprise many of you. Many people plan the permits and the guide, but forget the small things. Here is the small costs that most trekkers forget to add. 

• Travel insurance: USD 50 to 150. Make sure it covers helicopter rescue up to 5,200 m. 
• Nepal visa: USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days
• Tips: According to your wish for your guide and porter together
• Extra Kathmandu nights: Hotel and food costs. 
• Weather delays: Snow can close the pass for a day.
• Extra Larkya La days: A rest day or a buffer day costs room and food
• Snacks and chocolate: you will crave them in the mountains. 

I suggest keeping an extra USD 150 to 200 in your budget. If you do not use it, great. If you do, you will not be stressed.

Sample Budgets for Manaslu Circuit Trek: Budget, Mid-Range, and Comfort

Here are three real-style budgets for a 14-day Manaslu Circuit Trek. These are per person.

Budget Manaslu Circuit Trek (about USD 900 to 1,200)

• Permits: about $270
• Shared guide: about $350
• Local bus both ways: about $50
• Simple teahouses and cheap meals
• Rented gear
• No porter

You will walk with your own bag, eat dal bhat, and sleep in basic rooms. It is hard work, but very doable.

Mid-Range Manaslu Circuit Trek (about USD 1,300 to 1,800)

• Permits: about $270
• Private guide: about $400
• One porter shared with another trekker
• Mix of bus and jeep
• Better lodges in the high villages
• Some extra snacks and hot showers

This is the style I picked. It felt balanced.

Comfort Manaslu Circuit Trek (about USD 1,900 to 2,500+)

• Permits: about $270
• Private guide and your own porter
• Private jeep both ways
• Best available lodges
• Extra rest days
• Higher tips

You walk lighter, sleep warmer, and worry less.

So, you need to choose which one is right for you? Ask yourself one question. Do you want to save money, or save energy? 

Group-Joining vs. Private Manaslu Circuit Trek: Which Saves You More?

On my trek, I met two kinds of trekkers. Some had joined a group and walked with new friends. Others had a private trip and walked at their own speed. At dinner, we all asked the same thing. “How much more did you pay?”

The main difference: In a group-joining trek, you join fixed dates with other trekkers. You share the guide and the jeep. But in a private trek, only your own group walks. You choose the dates, the pace, and the style.

Cost comparison (per person, 14 days)

Why groups join the trek to Manaslu Circuit cost less?

A private jeep costs about USD 160 to 200 each way. If four people share it, it is only about USD 40 to 50 each. The guide works the same way. Permit costs are the same for everyone. Only the shared costs get smaller.

Which one should you pick: Group Join or Private Manaslu Trek

Join a group if you are solo and want to save money. You’ll also meet new friends. Go private if you want your own dates and pace, or if you are traveling with family.

Manaslu Trek Cost for Indian, SAARC and Nepali Trekkers

If you are from India, another SAARC country, or Nepal. Your costs for the Manaslu Circuit Trek can be lower.

• SAARC nationals usually pay lower permit fees than other foreigners
• Nepali citizens pay much less. Just keep your citizenship certificate with you. 

Guide rules still apply for everyone on this route, so budget for a licensed guide.

Because rules and prices can change, ask your agency for the latest figures for your passport. I would not trust any number from a random blog, including this one. Always confirm before you book. Also, many Indian trekkers plan their budget in rupees. A good habit is to add 10 percent for exchange rate changes and small trail costs.

Manaslu vs. Annapurna Circuit vs. Everest Base Camp: Cost Comparison

I have walked more than one trail in Nepal, so let me compare them simply. Annapurna Circuit is usually the cheapest. Everest Base Camp costs more than Annapurna, mostly because of the flight to Lukla. And Manaslu Circuit sits in the middle to high range, mostly because of the restricted-area rules. 

Choose Annapurna if you want the best value and easier planning. Choose Everest Base Camp if seeing Everest matters most, and you are happy to pay more for it. And if you want a wild, quiet trek and you are fine with the extra cost, then choose Manaslu Circuit Trek. 

Ways to Cut Your Manaslu Trek Cost Without Losing Safety

You can save money without ruining your trip. Here is what worked for me and my friends during our Manaslu Trek.

• Go in the shoulder season: Late September, early October, or April to May. Prices and Restricted Area Permit fees can be lower.
• Join a small group: You’ll split guide and transport costs.
• Take the local bus on at least one part of the journey.
• Rent your gear in Kathmandu instead of buying everything.
• Carry a water filter instead of buying bottles.
• Arrange MCAP and ACAP early, so you don’t have to pay extra.
• Book early so you can compare agency quotes calmly.

You should never cut costs on a good guide, travel insurance, and warm clothes for the pass, because these three things keep you safe.

Best Time to Trek Manaslu and How Season Changes the Price

The season you trek to Manaslu Circuit changes both the cost and the experience.

• Autumn (September to November): You’ll get clear skies and big views during Autumn. It is the busiest and most expensive time of the year. RAP fees also get higher this time. 
• Spring (March to May): There are rhododendrons all over the trail. The weather is good and days are warm. It’s a lovely time with fair prices.  
• Winter (December to February): It feels really cold in winter. Larkya La can be covered in snow. Prices are lower this time, but the risk is really high. 
• Monsoon (June to August): Monsoon comes with rain. You will find leeches and landslides everywhere. The price is lowest, but I would not recommend it for most people

Autumn is definitely the best time; the mornings are crisp, and Manaslu glows gold at sunrise. If your budget allows, it is the best season.

Ready to Plan Your Manaslu Trek?

I still think about that last morning on the trail. I was walking down toward Dharapani with dusty boots and a very happy heart. The pass was behind me. The whole trek had cost me less than I feared, and it gave me more than I expected.

Now it is your turn. The Manaslu Circuit Trek cost can look scary at first. But when you break it down, it is simple. So, if you are dreaming of this trek, do not wait too long. Good guides get booked early.

Still not sure where to begin? That’s okay. Everyone starts there. Send us a short message with your travel dates, group size, rough budget, and your passport. We will reply with a clear price for your Manaslu trek 2027/28, with everything listed in plain words. 

One last thing: Mountains do not wait for perfect plans. The best trips I know started with one simple message. So take that step today. Your Manaslu story is waiting, and I promise the view from Larkya La is worth it.