Manaslu Circuit Trek cost: prices by group size and what's included
Written by our trekking team
Photo: Remote Nepal Treks, 27 Mar 2023.
The short version
Our Manaslu Circuit Trek costs $1,650 to $2,100 per person, depending on how many of you there are. That's $2,100 solo, $1,950 each for two, $1,850 for three or four, $1,750 for five or six and $1,650 for seven or eight. It covers the RAP, MCAP and ACAP permits, a licensed guide and porters, teahouse lodging and every meal on the trek, plus the drives in and out. Flights, your visa, Kathmandu hotel nights, insurance and tips are separate.
The price table
We price the 15-day Manaslu Circuit Trek per person, and the rate drops as the group grows. These are our current rates, in US dollars.
| Group size | Per person | Whole group | Each saves vs solo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 trekker | $2,100 | $2,100 | — |
| 2 trekkers | $1,950 | $3,900 | $150 |
| 3–4 trekkers | $1,850 | $5,550–$7,400 | $250 |
| 5–6 trekkers | $1,750 | $8,750–$10,500 | $350 |
| 7–8 trekkers | $1,650 | $11,550–$13,200 | $450 |
So a couple pays $3,900 between them, and a group of four friends pays $7,400 in total.
Yes, the top row is real. You can trek Manaslu on your own. We file the Restricted Area Permit for a group of one, as long as your licensed guide walks the whole route with you. A lot of trekkers assume two is the minimum on Manaslu, so it's worth saying plainly.
What the price covers
Once you're off the plane and through your first night in Kathmandu, almost everything on the trek itself is paid for.
Permits. The RAP, MCAP and ACAP fees are all in the price, and we do the filing. The RAP can only be issued through a licensed agency anyway. You'll need the ACAP too, because the route finishes through Dharapani on the Annapurna side. Our permit explainer goes through what each one is for.
Your guide and porters. A licensed guide walks with you from Machha Khola to the end, and porters carry the shared gear. Above 3,500m you're carrying a daypack and nothing more.
Lodging on the trail. Eleven nights in teahouses from Machha Khola to Tilije, including the basic lodge at Dharamsala below the pass, then a hotel night in Besisahar after the walk. Never a tent. Rooms are simple and twin-share.
Every meal on the trek. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, cooked fresh at each lodge. Dal bhat with refills, noodle soups, momos, porridge, Tibetan bread, and garlic soup once you're higher up. You won't need to budget for food on the trail.
The drives. The road from Kathmandu to Machha Khola at the start, and the jeep and road journey from Tilije back to Kathmandu at the end.
Photo: Remote Nepal Treks, 28 Mar 2023.
What you pay for separately
Four things sit outside the price. None of them are surprises, but they're worth adding to your budget early.
| Not included | Notes |
|---|---|
| International flights and Nepal visa | Book once your dates are confirmed |
| Kathmandu hotel nights | Day 1, Day 14 and Day 15 |
| Travel insurance | Must cover high-altitude evacuation |
| Tips for your guide and porters | Up to you, paid directly to the crew |
The insurance line matters most. Manaslu's rescue infrastructure is thinner than on the Everest or Annapurna trails, and the Larkya La tops out at 5,106m, so check your policy covers evacuation at that height before you fly.
Day 15 is a spare day in Kathmandu, built in case the drive back on Day 14 runs slow. If everything runs on time, it's a free day before your flight home.
Why solo costs more
The guide walks the same fifteen days whether there's one of you or six. The jeep from Tilije costs the same with one passenger or four. On a solo trip, those fixed costs land on one person instead of being shared.
Even so, the gap is smaller than people expect. Solo is $450 more per person than a big group, and $150 more than going as a pair. For a private trek around the world's eighth-highest mountain with your own licensed guide, we think that's fair.
Why Manaslu costs more than open treks
If you've priced the Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp, Manaslu will look dearer. The reasons are built into the trek.
Manaslu is a restricted area. You can't walk it independently, you can't buy the RAP yourself, and a licensed guide is mandatory for every trekker. On open treks, plenty of people go without a guide and pay for teahouses as they go. Here, every trip comes with a guide, permits filed through an agency, and a crew.
That's also exactly why the trail is quiet. The cost of entry is what keeps Manaslu feeling the way Everest and Annapurna did decades ago. Our post on what the restricted area means for your trek explains the rules in more detail.
Getting a firm price
Permit fees are set by the Nepal government and can change, so we confirm your final price in writing when you book. Send us three things and we'll do the rest:
- Your dates, or the season you have in mind.
- How many of you are coming, so we can match the right row of the table.
- Any trekking you have done before, especially anything above 4,000m.
Before you write, have a look at the day-by-day Manaslu itinerary so you know what the price buys. For the bigger picture, from difficulty to the pass itself, our complete guide to the Manaslu Circuit is the place to start.
Frequently asked
How much does the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost?
Our price is $1,650 to $2,100 per person, depending on group size: $2,100 solo, $1,950 for two, $1,850 for three or four, $1,750 for five or six and $1,650 for seven or eight.
Are permit fees included in the Manaslu trek price?
Yes. The RAP, MCAP and ACAP fees are included. The Nepal government sets them and they can change, so we confirm your final price in the quote.
Can I trek Manaslu solo, and what does it cost?
Yes. We can file the Restricted Area Permit for a group of one as long as a licensed guide walks the whole route with you. The solo price is $2,100.
What is not included in the Manaslu trek price?
International flights and your Nepal visa, Kathmandu hotel nights on Days 1, 14 and 15, travel insurance with high-altitude evacuation cover, and tips for your guide and porters.
Are meals included on the Manaslu Circuit?
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included every day on the trek, cooked fresh at each teahouse.