Written By: Rajesh Neupane
Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost
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Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost begins with the area that we trek in. Manaslu Conservation Area being located in Nepal’s very renowned mountainous and Himalayan alpine region, Manaslu region. It covers an overall area of almost 1663 sq. km. and is habitat to many living species and families of floras, fauna, including snow leopards, musk deer, and Himalayan Thar and many other plants. During the course of Manaslu Circuit Trek, trekkers will feel this sublime and serene scenery. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of Nepal’s very famous and less scathed / unblemished trekking routes. This trek touch down the Nepal and Tibet border too. Manaslu Circuit Trek being one of Nepal’s beautiful treks, keeping you and your feelings around the world’s 8th highest peak i.e. Mount Manaslu, which is almost 8163 meters above the sea level. Even though all Himalayan treks in Nepal are outrageous, the trek to Manaslu Circuit is one of the most beautiful one and very picturesque. This Manaslu Trek is a bit lesser popular comparatively than Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Annapurna Base Camp (ABC).
Manaslu Circuit Trek costing depends upon the kind of travel agency, travelling route, modes of transportation and types, the altitude that you reach in, group size and no. of people, tipping capacity, accommodation of stay, services provided, the extra day, additional meal, and another trek aside etc.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost breakdown
The Manaslu Circuit Trek cost can be overviewed and broken down into various heads of cost like Transportation cost, Stay and accommodation cost, cost of food, beverages and drinks, Permits and regulations related costing, buying or renting trek gears cost, tipping options, insurance cost, guide and porters cost.
Transportation cost
Transportation is a very essential heading under Manaslu Circuit Trek cost breakdown because it takes modes of transportation to reach the starting point or initiating point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. From the time you arrive to Kathmandu, you will be accommodated in a hotel. And, by the means of transportation you will reach the starting point Soti Khola from Kathmandu.
On public bus / vehicle
It takes around US$ 25 to US$ 30 on average to reach Soti Khola from Kathmandu.
On private jeep / vehicle
It takes around US$ 170 to US$ 200 on average to reach Soti Khola from Kathmandu.
On a helicopter
It takes around US$ 350 to US$ 400 per person, discount might be given for group involvement.
Flight Cost
There is no any direct flights to Manaslu Circuit Area because it is a very untouched, rural and remote trekking route of Nepal. So, people take Kathmandu as the Gateway and the flights cost varies in reference to the place from where you are flying in.
Accommodation cost
Accommodation during Manaslu Circuit trek includes hotels, guest houses and teahouses. To take care of the place for you to stay and rest at the night so that you can be fully energized and prepared for the next day trek is our prime concern.
At lower altitude
Hotel and guest houses: costs around US$ 20 – US$ 100, from basic to standard
Basic teahouses: costs around US$ 10, for a bed and shared / communal bathroom and toilet
Medium teahouses: costs around US$ 15, for a bed and attached bathroom or toilet
Standard teahouses: costs around US$ 20, for comfortable bed attached bathroom or toilet, hot showers, internet facilities etc.
At higher altitude
At the higher altitude, due to less reach and availability of goods and services the cost becomes higher. And, for the course of Manaslu Circuit Trek it costs US$ 10 more than the accommodation costs at lower altitude.
Food cost
Meal
The usual meal during Manaslu Circuit Trek is Daal Bhaat. It is the ultimate food for Nepalese people and very local. Daal Bhaat as lunch energizes the trekkers throughout the whole trekking day and Daal Bhaat as dinner gives you a peaceful sleep and a good rest.
Simple Daal Bhaat meal costs from US$ 4 to US$ 10 as per your choices ( vegetarian / non – vegetarian )
Replacement meal as per your choices and availability might cost around same or a bit lower.
An extra dessert or meal might cost around US$ 3 to US$ 8.
Drinks and Beverages
Tea / coffee costs around US$ 2 to US$ 5
Drinking water costs around US$ 3 to US$ 5
Soft drinks costs around US$ 4 to US$ 10
Beer and energy drinks costs around US$ 10 to US$ 15/20 per can
Guide and Porter cost
Guide
Costs around US$ 30 to US$ 35 per day
Porter
Costs around US$ 20 to US$ 30 per day
Tips
Tips are never compulsory, but they are appreciated. Usually, your percentage of the total cost can be tipped for guides and porters.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit Cost
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit ( ACAP )
Sum of US$ 30 as ACAP and MCAP
Manaslu Conservation Area permit ( MCAP )
Sum of US$ 30 as MCAP and ACAP
Restricted Area Permit ( RAP )
September to November
US$ 100 for the first week, plus US$ 10 for each extra day
December to August
US$ 75 for the first week, plus US$ 10 for each extra day
Renting Gears cost or buying?
It is very viable to rent gears than buying, if you do not have you own.
Trekking gears involve bag, down jacket, trek poles, shoes, gloves, warmers, sunglasses etc.
Renting Gears
US$ 2 to US$ 4 per day
Buying Gears
US$ 400 to 500
Travel Insurance cost
Travel Insurance, and medical, in general, will cover your expenses when you fall sick or wounded while trekking in Manaslu Circuit Trek. If you fall sick or wounded, this travel insurance will assist you to cover expenses related and find hospitals, and nearby health care facilities. Depending on the duration, and location of your trekking, your insurance costs varies.
Costs around US$ 100 to US$ 150 per person.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Total Cost
Total cost = US$ 905 – US$ 1207 per person
Total Cost Includes:
- Tea houses accommodation in the higher altitude. 3- Star hotel in Kathmandu.
- Pickup and drop arrangement during arrival and departure from TIA airport to hotel and hotel to TIA airport.
- Sight-seeing tour to temples of Kathmandu City, if any time remains.
- Transportation for the whole trip
- Options of bus / jeep / van according to the group size and preference.
- Breakfast / lunch / dinner for the whole course of trip as per itinerary.
- Travel permits ( ACAP, MCAP, RAP )
- Guide and porters.
- First aid box and medical kit with basic medicines.
- Government tariffs, taxes and service charge.
Total Cost Excludes:
- Urgent need of horse.
- Extra night expense or extra dinner / lunch / snacks at hotels or tea houses.
- Extra Transportation for the person who leave early from the group.
- Arrival and departure flight ticket prices.
- Rescue or evacuation cost , if emergency.
- Renting and Buying gears
- Guides and porters tips
- Bar bills , laundry bills and shopping bills.
- Extra Medical expenses and travel insurances.
MANASLU CIRCUIT TREK COST SAVING ADVICES
Travel Off season
If you want your cost to be a bit saved and do the trek in minimum possible budget, you can travel to Nepal and trek during off seasons. September to November, March – April remains good and busy season while, December to March and May to August remains off seasons (Winter + Monsoon), pretty much predictable due to weather conditions.
Trek in Group
Trekking in group with more number of people will benefit because higher number of people results in economies of scale concept. In addition to this, travel and tour operators do have provisions of Group discounts as well which helps your cost to be a bit saved and do the trek in minimum possible budget.
Try to have local experience
Try having local experiences of food, accommodation, drinks and practices, so that the cost is as same as for locals and especially cost is lower because of low cost materials.
Rent Gears instead of buying
It is very viable to rent gears than buying, if you do not have you own. Trekking gears involve bag, down jacket, trek poles, shoes, gloves, warmers, sunglasses etc. You can rent trekking gears from Kathmandu’s trekking equipment shops in very lower prices and negotiable ones.
Less luxuries
Focus on limiting your luxuries and your reducing your luxury facilities, services and items will totally save your cost and helps you in completing your trek in minimum possible budget.
Carrying you own water bottle
Carrying your own water bottle will be very handy as buying water bottles will be expensive. Filling the water bottle in the hotels will be either for free or very cheaper.
Hiring Guide-Porter
It saves money. As Guide costs around US$ 30 to US$ 35 per day and porter costs around US$ 20 to US$ 30 per day individually. But, if you hire guide-porter who can do both of the jobs, it costs around US$ 20 less.
Book in Advance
Book the trip schedules , Travel packages , guesthouses and hotels in advance , because at the final moment you will not get vacant rooms and great packages for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Usually, Manaslu Circuit routes and trails remain busy during seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost of Manaslu Circuit trek?
– The total cost of Manaslu Circuit Trek comes around USD 900 to USD 1200.
What types of costs are there during Manaslu Circuit trek?
– The types of cost during Manaslu Circuit Trek are Transportation cost, Accommodation cost, Food and beverages cost, Gears cost, Permits cost, Insurance cost, and Miscellaneous costs like Souvenirs, Wi-Fi, Hot showers, charging etc.
What should be done to decrease Manaslu Circuit trek cost?
– In order to decrease the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost, you can travel off season, book the package early, book the package in group to get group discount, try to have local experiences, rent the gears rather than buying them, carry your own items like water bottles, snacks, limit your luxuries etc.
What would be costlier? Renting the gears or buying them?
– It is very viable to rent gears than buying, if you do not have you own. Trekking gears involve bag, down jacket, trek poles, shoes, gloves, warmers, sunglasses etc. You can rent trekking gears from Kathmandu’s trekking equipment shops in very lower prices and negotiable ones.
What are the types of permits required, and what are its fees / costs?
– Annapurna Conservation Area permit ( ACAP )
US$ 60 as ACAP and MCAP
Manaslu Conservation Area permit ( MCAP )
US$ 60 as MCAP and ACAP
Restricted Area Permit ( RAP )
September to November
US$ 100 for the first week, plus US$ 10 for an each extra day
December to August
US$ 70 for the first week, plus US$ 7 for an each extra day
Are tips compulsory?
– Tips are never compulsory, but are acceptable. Usually, your % wish of total cost can be tipped for guides and porters.
Which kind of cost is much higher comparatively?
– It depends upon what kind of expense you want to do, like if you want to travel through helicopter it becomes more costly, and if you want to stay in luxurious hotels it might get costlier. If you travel normally by public vehicle, then food and accommodation cost becomes much higher comparatively.
How much does food cost in the Manaslu Circuit Trek Region?
– On an Average, the food on the Manaslu Circuit Trek costs between USD 4 to USD 10 per dish.
What is the cost of accommodation in the Manaslu Circuit Trek Region?
– On an Average, the cost of accommodation ranges between USD 10 to USD 30 per night.
Is it necessary to hire porters?
– It is not necessary to hire porters if you have light baggage and if you can carry your baggage yourself. Hiring porters is very optional and depends upon your choice, but it becomes very helpful when you are walking in higher altitudes.
Are guide-porters available?
– Yes, guide-porters are available and they can save your cost too.
What is the cost of guide-porters?
– A guide-porter costs almost US$ 40-45 per day.
Do hiring guide-porter saves money?
– Yes, it saves money. As Guide costs around US$ 30 to US$ 35 per day and porter costs around US$ 20 to US$ 30 per day individually. But if you hire guide-porter who can do both of the jobs, it costs around US$ 20 less.
Do food price goes up while altitude goes up?
– Yes, food prices rises with the rise in altitude. It is because of less reach and availability of raw food materials in higher altitude.
Do accommodation price goes up while altitude goes up?
– Yes, accommodation prices rises with the rise in altitude. It is because of less reach and availability of furnishing materials and service equipment in higher altitude.
What is the cost of private jeep?
– It takes around US$ 170 to US$ 200 on average to reach Soti Khola from Kathmandu.
What is the transportation cost on a helicopter?
– It takes around US$ 350 to US$ 400 per person, discount might be given for group involvement.
What is the Cost of flight from Kathmandu?
– There is no any direct flights to Manaslu Circuit Area because it is a very untouched, rural and remote trekking route of Nepal. So, people take Kathmandu as the Gateway and the flights (in and out) cost varies in reference to the place from where you are flying in.
Is transportation cost included in the travel package from tour operator?
– Yes. Transportation cost is included in the travel package from tour operator. But, the mode of transportation need to be decided before booking the package, as prices varies.
What if I book package below cost of US$ 1000?
– You can book package below cost of US$ 1000, but you need to compromise with services offered.
Are there ATMs on the route?
– There are very less ATMs on the route to initiating point of Trek. So, it is advised that the cash money should be withdrawn in Kathmandu itself.
What about Travel insurance for Manaslu Circuit Trek?
– Travel Insurance, medical, in general will cover your expenses when you fall sick or wounded while trekking in Manaslu Circuit Trek. If you fall sick or wounded, this travel insurance will assist you to cover expenses related and find hospitals, and nearby health care facilities. Depending on the duration, location of your trekking, you will insurance costs varies.
What is the cost of Travel insurance?
– It costs around US$ 100 to US$ 150 per person.
Do we get hot showers for free?
You usually will not get hot shower facilities for free. You need to pay around US$ 1 – US$ 3 per bath.
Do we get wi-fi facilities for free?
You usually will not get wi-fi facilities for free. You need to pay around US$ 1 – US$ 3 per mobile phone or devices.
Do we get device charging facilities for free?
Charging facility for one plug-in is usually free, but you usually will not get good power charging facilities for free. You need to pay around US$ 1 – US$ 2 per mobile phone or devices.
Should I book the package in advance?
Yes, you need to book the trip schedules , Travel packages , guesthouses and hotels in advance , because at the final moment you will not get vacant rooms and great packages for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Usually, Manaslu Circuit routes and trails remain busy during seasons.
Is travelling off season cheaper?
Yes, travelling off season is cheaper. If you want your cost to be a bit saved and do the trek in minimum possible budget, you can travel to Nepal and trek during off seasons. September to November, March – April remains good and busy season while, December to March and May to August remains off seasons (Winter + Monsoon), pretty much predictable due to weather conditions.