Manaslu group sizes: solo, couples and groups of up to 8
Written by our trekking team
Photo: Remote Nepal Treks, 2 Apr 2023.
The short version
We run the Manaslu Circuit for groups of one to eight. A solo trekker pays $2,100, a couple $1,950 each, three or four $1,850, five or six $1,750 and seven or eight $1,650 per person. One is allowed because a Manaslu RAP can be filed for a single trekker with a licensed guide. Eight is our own cap, not a permit rule. It keeps the pace comfortable and the teahouses uncrowded. Every group gets the same 15-day itinerary, guide and inclusions.
Price by group size
| Group size | Per person (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 trekker | $2,100 |
| 2 trekkers | $1,950 |
| 3–4 trekkers | $1,850 |
| 5–6 trekkers | $1,750 |
| 7–8 trekkers | $1,650 |
The price falls as the group grows because some costs are fixed: the guide and the transport cost the same whether there's one of you or eight, so a bigger group shares them. Permit fees are set by the Nepal government and can change, so we confirm your final figure in the quote. Our Manaslu cost breakdown lists everything that's included.
Why one is allowed on Manaslu
Manaslu is a restricted area, so every trekker needs a Restricted Area Permit, which only a licensed agency can file. On Manaslu that permit can be issued for a group of one, as long as a licensed guide walks the whole route with you.
That isn't true of our other routes. The Tsum Valley, Kanchanjunga and Makalu all need at least two trekkers per group for the RAP. If you're on your own and set on one of those, you'd need to be paired with another booking. On Manaslu you can just go. Trekking Manaslu solo goes into how that works.
Why we stop at eight
Eight is our policy, not a permit rule. With eight or fewer, a guide can walk at a pace that suits the group and still keep an eye on everyone, especially above 3,000m, where your altitude is checked at every stop.
It also keeps the teahouses from filling up. Lodges on Manaslu are simpler and fewer than on the Everest or Annapurna trails, and the most basic ones, at Samdo and Dharamsala just below the pass, take a group of eight comfortably.
If you're more than eight, talk to us before you book.
Photo: Remote Nepal Treks, 27 Mar 2023.
What each size is like
Solo. Just you and your guide. The pace is yours, the Samagaon rest day is yours to plan, and all your guide's attention is on you. It costs the most per person.
A couple or two friends. A simple way to share costs without coordinating a big group. You still walk at your own pace, and you have someone to compare notes with at Dharamsala the night before the pass.
Three to six. A small group: easy to keep together on the trail, cheaper per head, and still small enough that you won't crowd a lodge dining room.
Seven or eight. The lowest price, and the most social trip. It works best when everyone walks at a similar pace, because the group moves together on the long days, especially the 8 to 9 hour Larkya La crossing.
What every group gets
Whatever the size, the trip is the same 15-day itinerary, with a licensed guide the whole way and porters for the shared gear. Your RAP, MCAP and ACAP fees, 11 teahouse nights plus the hotel night in Besisahar, every meal on the trek and the drives to Machha Khola and back from Tilije are all included. International flights, your visa, the Kathmandu hotel nights on Days 1, 14 and 15, insurance and tips aren't.
Groups with mixed fitness
On a long day like the pass, a group moves at the pace of its slowest member. That's fine, and it's why the itinerary has short days, a rest day at Samagaon and a staging night at Dharamsala. If your group's fitness varies a lot, tell us when you book, so we can talk through the plan honestly.
The rest of the planning is in our Manaslu Circuit Trek guide, and when you know your numbers, request a quote for Manaslu.
Frequently asked
What is the minimum group size for the Manaslu Circuit?
One. On Manaslu we can file the Restricted Area Permit for a single trekker, as long as a licensed guide walks the whole route with them.
What is the maximum group size on your Manaslu treks?
Eight trekkers. That's our own policy, not a permit rule. It keeps the pace comfortable and the teahouses uncrowded.
How much does the Manaslu Circuit cost per person?
$2,100 for one trekker, $1,950 each for two, $1,850 for three or four, $1,750 for five or six and $1,650 for seven or eight.
Why is the solo price higher?
Because the guide and the transport cost the same whatever the group size, so on a solo trip they aren't shared.
Do the other restricted-area treks allow solo trekkers?
No. The Tsum Valley, Kanchanjunga and Makalu all need at least two trekkers per group for the RAP.