The short answer
The Manaslu Circuit is more expensive than the Annapurna or Langtang treks for two reasons: the restricted area permit, charged by the week and the day, and the rule that every trekker must be accompanied by a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency. You cannot save money by going independently, because independent trekking is not allowed here.
For most trekkers the total comes to US$1,100 to 1,600 for a 14-day trip from Kathmandu, including permits, guide, porter, food, lodges and jeeps. Add international flights, insurance, gear and personal spending on top. The table shows where the money goes for one person in a pair, in peak autumn season.
| Item (14 days, per person, twin share) | Typical cost (US$) | Typical cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Manaslu restricted area permit (≈ 9 days, autumn) | 130 | 11,300 |
| MCAP + ACAP + municipality fee | 55–60 | 4,800–5,200 |
| Licensed guide, 12 days (share of one guide) | 190–220 | 16,500–19,000 |
| Porter, 12 days (one porter per two trekkers) | 140–170 | 12,000–15,000 |
| Lodges and three meals on the trek, 11 nights | 350–450 | 30,000–39,000 |
| Jeeps in and out (share of private jeep) | 120–160 | 10,500–14,000 |
| Kathmandu hotel, 2 nights (3-star) | 60–100 | 5,000–9,000 |
| Agency costs, insurance for staff, equipment | 100–200 | 9,000–17,000 |
| Typical package price | 1,150–1,500 | 1,00,000–1,30,000 |
Permit fees in detail
Three permits and one local fee cover the standard circuit. The Manaslu restricted area permit, as we understand the 2026 rates, costs US$100 for the first seven days from September to November and US$15 for each extra day; from December to August it is US$75 for the first week and US$10 per extra day. Most itineraries spend eight to ten days between Jagat and Dharapani, so the permit costs US$115 to 145 in autumn.
The Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit each cost NPR 3,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, including Indians. The Tsum Nubri rural municipality collects about NPR 1,000 near Jagat. If you add the Tsum Valley you need its own restricted area permit, about US$40 for the first week in autumn plus US$7 a day. Fees change, so check current status before you travel.
Guide and porter wages
A government-licensed trekking guide is compulsory in the restricted area. Agencies pay guides roughly US$30 to 40 a day plus food, lodging, insurance and transport, and that cost is shared across the group. That is why a solo trekker pays more per person than a couple or a group of four. Since 2026 the Department of Immigration has allowed solo trekkers to get the permit without a second person, but the guide cost then falls on one traveller.
Porters are optional but strongly recommended. One porter usually carries up to 20 to 25 kg for two trekkers, at about US$22 to 28 a day plus food and lodging. A porter-guide, who carries some weight and guides, is cheaper than two staff but must still be licensed as a guide for the permit.
- Guide: about US$30–40 per day, shared across the group
- Porter: about US$22–28 per day, usually one per two trekkers
- Staff transport, insurance and gear are part of the agency price
- Expect to tip 10 to 15 percent of the trek cost, split among staff
Teahouse rooms and food on the trail
Lodges on the Manaslu Circuit charge little for rooms, often NPR 500 to 1,500 a night, because they earn their income from meals. Food prices are set by local lodge committees and rise with altitude, since everything above the road is carried by mules or porters. A plate of dal bhat costs around NPR 600 to 700 in Machha Khola and NPR 1,000 to 1,200 in Samdo and Dharamsala.
Budget US$30 to 45 a day for three meals, a room and a couple of hot drinks if you pay yourself; agency packages include this. On top, plan for extras: hot showers at NPR 300 to 500, device charging at NPR 200 to 500 per item in the upper villages, Wi-Fi at NPR 300 to 500, bottled water or boiled water, snacks and the occasional beer. Bring enough Nepali cash for the whole trek, because there are no ATMs beyond Arughat.
- Dal bhat: NPR 600–700 low down, NPR 1,000–1,200 near the pass
- Tea or hot lemon: NPR 150–300 a cup, more at Dharamsala
- Hot shower: NPR 300–500
- Charging or Wi-Fi: NPR 200–500 each in the upper villages
- Snacks and chocolate: two to four times Kathmandu prices
Transport costs
Getting to Machha Khola by private jeep costs roughly NPR 30,000 to 40,000 for the vehicle, shared among up to six people; buses and shared jeeps cost about NPR 1,000 to 2,000 per person but take longer. At the end, a private jeep from Dharapani to Kathmandu costs a similar amount, while shared jeeps to Besisahar and buses onward to Kathmandu or Pokhara cost NPR 2,500 to 3,500 per person.
If you prefer to skip Larkya La or are short of time, a helicopter from Samagaun to Kathmandu costs about US$900 to 1,200 per seat when shared and US$4,500 to 5,500 for a private charter. Rescue flights cost similar amounts, which is why insurance with helicopter evacuation to at least 6,000 m is essential.
What pushes the price up or down
The biggest variables are group size, season and comfort. A couple sharing a guide and porter pays far less per head than a solo trekker. Autumn permits cost more than spring or winter ones. Private jeeps in both directions add comfort but cost more than buses. Extra days for Manaslu Base Camp, Tsum Valley or a rest in Bimthang add roughly US$55 to 70 per person per day.
Be cautious of very low prices. A trek priced well below US$1,000 for 14 days usually means underpaid staff, no insurance for porters, shared rooms with strangers or buses instead of jeeps. Ask what is included, check that the guide is licensed and that porters are insured and properly equipped.
Sample budgets for Indian and foreign trekkers
An Indian couple booking our 14-day package from ₹1,04,000 each should add about ₹10,000 to 15,000 per person for extras and tips, plus flights or train and bus to Kathmandu. Indian nationals pay the SAARC rate for conservation permits but, as we understand it, the same restricted area permit fee as other foreigners.
An international trekker joining a small group should budget about US$1,190 for the package, US$150 to 250 for extras and tips, US$50 for a 30-day Nepal visa, travel insurance and any gear rental in Kathmandu, where a down jacket or sleeping bag costs around US$1 to 2 a day.
Places in this guide
Questions travellers ask
How much does the Manaslu Circuit trek cost in total?
Expect about US$1,100 to 1,600 per person for a 14-day trek through a registered agency, covering permits, guide, porter, lodges, meals and jeeps. Add US$150 to 250 for drinks, showers, charging and tips, plus flights, visa and insurance. Solo trekkers usually pay US$200 to 300 more.
How much is the Manaslu permit in 2026?
As we understand it, the restricted area permit costs US$100 for the first week from September to November plus US$15 a day after that, or US$75 and US$10 from December to August. Add NPR 3,000 each for the Manaslu and Annapurna conservation permits and about NPR 1,000 municipality fee. Check current status before you travel.
Can I do the Manaslu Circuit cheaply without an agency?
No. The Manaslu restricted area permit is issued only through registered agencies, and you must trek with a licensed guide. You can reduce costs by trekking in spring, sharing a guide with friends, using buses and shared jeeps and skipping porters, but an agency is unavoidable.
How much does a Manaslu guide cost per day?
Licensed guides earn roughly US$30 to 40 a day, plus food, lodging, insurance and transport paid by the agency. In a package the cost is shared by the group. A porter costs about US$22 to 28 a day. Tips of 10 to 15 percent of the trek cost are customary at the end.
What is the Manaslu Circuit cost from India in rupees?
Our 14-day package starts from about ₹1,04,000 per person, twin sharing. With extras, tips and travel to Kathmandu, most Indian trekkers spend ₹1,20,000 to 1,50,000 in total. Indians pay the SAARC rate for conservation permits, which saves about ₹3,000.
How much cash should I carry on the Manaslu trek?
Carry NPR 3,000 to 5,000 a day for personal extras if meals are included, or NPR 6,000 to 8,000 a day if you pay for food and lodging yourself, plus tips. There are no ATMs beyond Arughat and few lodges accept cards, so bring cash from Kathmandu in small notes.
Is the Manaslu Circuit more expensive than Everest Base Camp?
They cost about the same overall. Everest Base Camp has Lukla flights, which Manaslu replaces with jeeps; Manaslu has the restricted area permit and compulsory guide. A 14-day trek in either region usually costs US$1,200 to 1,800 with a reputable agency.
Does the package price include tips?
No. Tips are personal and paid at the end of the trek. A common guideline is 10 to 15 percent of the trek cost for the whole crew, with the guide receiving a larger share than porters. Hand tips directly to each person in Nepali rupees.
Why do solo trekkers pay more for Manaslu?
Because the guide's wage, the jeep and some lodge costs are fixed and are not shared. Since 2026 solo trekkers can get the restricted area permit alone, as we understand it, but they still need a licensed guide. Joining a small group is the easiest way for a solo traveller to reduce costs.
