A 14-day Manaslu Circuit Trek costs between USD 1,300 and USD 2,800 per person, depending on season, group size, and comfort level. That figure covers permits (USD 215-275), a licensed guide, teahouse food and lodging, and ground transport. Permits alone run higher in autumn (September-November) than in the off-season, and solo trekkers now pay the same per-person rate as groups following the March 2026 rule change.
The Manaslu Circuit sits behind more paperwork than the Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp, and that paperwork changes the cost math. Every dollar here comes from what our guides at Prime Himalayas actually pay at the Nepal Tourism Board counter and the Jagat checkpoint this season, not a generic estimate. Below is the full breakdown: permits, guide and porter wages, food, transport, insurance, and gear, plus where the real savings and the real false economies are.
How much does the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost in 2026?
A standard 14-day Manaslu Circuit package runs USD 1,300 to USD 1,900 per person in a small group of 2-4, and USD 2,200 to USD 2,800 for a private or solo-with-guide departure. The spread comes down to season, group size, and whether you want a shared teahouse room or a private one at every stop.
Our guides have run this route since before the 2019 route reopening after the earthquake damage, and the honest advice is this: don’t book the cheapest quote you find. A price far below USD 1,200 for 14 days usually means an unlicensed guide, uninsured porters, or permits arranged through a “ghost” partner – all of which can get you turned back at Jagat.
| Package Tier | Group Size | 14-Day Cost (USD) | What’s Included |
| Budget teahouse group | 4-8 people | $1,300 – $1,600 | Shared rooms, set group itinerary, licensed guide |
| Standard guided | 2-4 people | $1,700 – $2,200 | Shared or twin rooms, flexible dates, guide + porter |
| Private / solo | 1 person + guide | $2,300 – $2,800 | Private room where available, custom pace, dedicated guide |
How much do Manaslu Circuit Trek permits cost?
Permits are the single line item that makes Manaslu more expensive than the Annapurna Circuit. You need three separate permits plus one local fee, and the total for a 14-day itinerary lands at USD 215 in the off-season (December-August) or USD 275 in peak autumn (September-November).
| Permit | Off-Season (Dec-Aug) | Peak Season (Sep-Nov) | Notes |
| Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) | $75 first 7 days + $10/day after | $100 first 7 days + $15/day after | Issued only through a registered agency |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) | $30 flat | $30 flat | Same rate year-round |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | $30 flat | $30 flat | Needed because the route joins the Annapurna side near Dharapani |
| Chumnubri Rural Municipality fee | ~$10 (paid in NPR cash) | ~$10 (paid in NPR cash) | Collected at the Jagat checkpoint |
Our guides recommend budgeting the peak-season figure even if you’re trekking in shoulder months, since the RAP season boundaries are set by entry date, not by when you booked.
Do solo trekkers pay more for permits?
No – and this changed recently. Until March 22, 2026, the Manaslu RAP could only be issued to a group of at least two foreign trekkers. Nepal’s Department of Immigration removed that minimum-two requirement, so a solo traveler can now apply for a Manaslu permit alone, at the same per-person rate a group pays. What has not changed is the guide requirement: every trekker, solo or in a group, must still be accompanied by a licensed guide from a registered agency, and permits still can’t be issued directly to an individual traveler – the application still has to go through an agency like Prime Himalayas.
Do I need a guide, and how much does one cost?
Yes – a licensed guide is a legal requirement on the Manaslu Circuit, not an optional upgrade. Budget USD 25-35 per day for a guide and USD 20-25 per day for a porter if you hire one separately. Most trekkers add a porter once they’re carrying more than 9-12 kg, since the terrain between Namrung and Samagaon climbs steadily and every kilogram matters above 3,000 m.
Most first-time trekkers underestimate how much the guide is doing beyond leading the walk: reading weather ahead of the Larkya La crossing, making the call to rest an extra day at Samagaon if someone is showing signs of altitude sickness, and handling the permit paperwork at each checkpoint. This isn’t a line item to cut.
How much should I budget for food and teahouse accommodation?
Expect USD 25-35 per day at lower elevations (Machha Khola to Deng) and USD 35-45 per day once you’re above Samagaon (3,530 m), where everything is carried in by mule or porter and prices rise accordingly. A basic teahouse room is often free or nearly free if you eat your meals there, which is the standard arrangement on this route.
- Breakfast: USD 4-6 (porridge, eggs, Tibetan bread)
- Lunch/dinner: USD 6-10 each (dal bhat, noodles, momo)
- Hot shower: USD 3-5 where available, less common above Samagaon
- Wifi/charging: USD 2-4 per use at higher elevations
What about transportation to and from the trailhead?
The trek starts at Machha Khola or Soti Khola, roughly 7-9 hours from Kathmandu by road. A shared jeep runs USD 15-25 per person one-way; a private jeep for your group costs USD 150-220 total each way. Most itineraries end at Dharapani or Besisahar on the Annapurna side, and the return to Kathmandu adds a similar cost.
Our guides recommend the private jeep option for the outbound leg, since shared jeeps to Machha Khola run on their own schedule and a missed connection means losing a full acclimatization day.
How much does travel insurance cost for the Manaslu Circuit?
You’ll need a policy that specifically covers high-altitude trekking up to at least 5,200 m and includes helicopter evacuation – standard travel insurance usually excludes altitudes above 3,000-4,000 m. Specialist providers (World Nomads, True Traveller, and similar) typically price a 3-week high-altitude policy in the range of USD 100-200, depending on your home country and age. Confirm the altitude ceiling explicitly before you buy; the Larkya La sits at 5,106 m, above the cutoff on many standard plans.
What gear costs should I budget for?
If you’re arriving without mountain gear, renting in Kathmandu is far cheaper than buying at home. A sleeping bag rated to -15°C, down jacket, and trekking poles together typically rent for USD 30-50 for the full trip. Buying equivalent gear new in the USA, UK, or Australia usually runs USD 300-500, so renting locally is the standard move even for experienced trekkers.
Manaslu Circuit vs Annapurna Circuit: which costs more?
Manaslu comes out more expensive on permits alone, but the two routes are close once guide, food, and transport are added in. If you’re still deciding between the two, our Annapurna Circuit vs Manaslu Circuit comparison breaks down difficulty and scenery alongside cost.
| Cost Factor | Manaslu Circuit | Annapurna Circuit |
| Permits (14 days, peak season) | $275 total | $40 (ACAP + TIMS only) |
| Mandatory guide | Yes, by law | Recommended, not legally required |
| Daily food/lodging | $25-45 | $20-35 |
| Typical total package (14 days) | $1,700-$2,200 | $1,200-$1,700 |
How can I reduce my Manaslu Circuit Trek cost without cutting safety corners?
- Trek in a small group (4-6 people) to split the guide’s daily rate across more trekkers
- Travel in shoulder season (March-April or late November) for the lower off-peak RAP rate, where weather still allows a safe Larkya La crossing
- Rent gear in Kathmandu rather than buying it at home
- Book with a registered TAAN agency directly rather than through a multi-layered international reseller, which usually adds a 15-25% markup
What we don’t recommend cutting: the guide, the insurance altitude ceiling, or the number of acclimatization days around Samagaon. Those are the three places where a shortcut turns into a medical evacuation bill far larger than anything you saved.
What does a full 14-day Manaslu Circuit budget look like?
| Item | Off-Season Cost (USD) | Peak Season Cost (USD) |
| Permits (RAP + MCAP + ACAP + local fee) | $215 | $275 |
| Guide (14 days @ $30/day) | $420 | $420 |
| Porter (14 days @ $22/day, optional) | $308 | $308 |
| Food & lodging (14 days, avg $32/day) | $448 | $448 |
| Ground transport (round trip) | $200 | $220 |
| Insurance | $130 | $130 |
| Gear rental | $40 | $40 |
| Estimated total per person (group of 2-4) | $1,761 | $1,841 |
For a fuller sense of how Nepal trekking costs compare across regions, our guide to how much it costs to trek in Nepal lines up Manaslu against Everest Base Camp and Langtang.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost?
A 14-day trek costs USD 1,300-2,800 per person depending on season, group size, and comfort level, with USD 1,700-2,200 covering a typical small-group guided package.
Is the Manaslu Circuit cheaper or more expensive than Everest Base Camp?
Manaslu’s permits cost more than EBC’s, but daily food and lodging run slightly cheaper, so total package costs land in a similar range – typically USD 1,500-2,200 for both routes over a comparable trip length.
Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit solo?
Yes. Since March 22, 2026, solo trekkers can apply for the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit individually, at the same per-person rate as a group. You still need a licensed guide from a registered agency for the entire restricted section.
Do children need a Manaslu permit?
Children under 10 are exempt from permit fees; anyone 10 or older needs the full set of permits at the standard rate.
Are Manaslu permit fees refundable if I cancel my trek?
No. Permit fees are non-transferable and non-refundable once issued, which is why agencies typically apply only once your dates are confirmed.
What’s the biggest hidden cost trekkers forget to budget for?
High-altitude evacuation insurance with a 5,200 m+ ceiling is the one most first-time trekkers skip or underinsure for – and it’s the one expense you genuinely cannot do without on this route.
Plan Your Manaslu Circuit Trek
Prime Himalayas runs small-group and private Manaslu Circuit departures with licensed guides, all permits handled in-house, and transparent per-person pricing – no hidden markups.