Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost and Departure Dates for 2024

Around Manaslu Trek known as Manaslu Circuit Trek is not a well known trek like Annapurna and Everest in Nepal. Mt Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world and also a good alternative to Annapurna Circuit Trek. You will walk around 145 km in 12 days Manaslu round trek. Likewise, Manaslu tea house trek is not well developed like ABC and EBC trail.There are few trekkers scrambling across precipitous landslides and hazardous rockfall zones, spending nights in rudimentary lodges with hellish toilets.This Manaslu Trek features everything like a classic trek in Nepal with epic scenery, intimate encounters with local people as well as international trekkers on the trail.The 12 day trek around Manaslu starts at Arughat and ends at Besishahar after crossing Larkya La Pass at 5300 m. 

Manaslu Trek is worth, not just because of challenging, but also you will be away from crowds of other busy trek routes. It also allow you a solitude and serenity to connect with primal terrain. A classical Trek in Manaslu is becoming more popular now as you will explore an untouched nature and culture. Besides, Manaslu Round Trek follows a deep river gorge, ascends through hardwood and conifer forests, weaves through villages, and emerges into alpine pastureland north of Mount Manaslu, which at 8187 m, the world’s eighth-highest peak. The glacier-flanked trail then crosses at 5300 m Larkya La pass before descending into region of Annapurna massif.The views are among the most breath-taking in Nepal. It offers epic scenery, incredible mountain views, astounding natural beauty and rich Tibetan culture with local people and much more.

You need to be fit and well-prepare for Manaslu Circuit Trekking.This is a high altitude trek with rough, rocky and snowy terrain. It is important that you are a fit and confident trekkers in the mountain terrain, able to manage ascents and descents by yourself within a reasonable time.Trekking around Manaslu is possible in 12 days and if you are fit with limited time.  If you are feeling strong and stay healthy, then spend a rest day in Samagaun and cross the pass in a day. This is better in terms of acclimatization than sleeping high at Larkya Phedi. 

Accommodation and Food on Manaslu Round Trek
The new tea house lodges are building up, so you will have twin sharing comfortable tea house lodges/home stay accommodation during Manaslu Trek Package. It is nice to bring a good sleeping bag  rated minus 20 degree with you. You will get three times meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner in a day. The breakfast and dinner need to have at the same tea house lodge you stay at the night, and lunch will take in a tea house or guesthouse on the way to the day destination. The choice of the meals do not vary like other trekking in Annapurna and Everest. You can mainly get Tibetan bread, dalbhat, tsampa porridge, noodle soup, muesli, porridge, omelette and boiled egg with tea and coffee. 

Best Season for Trekking Around Manaslu
September, October and November of Autumn season and March, April and May of Spring season are the best time of year trekking in  Manaslu Circuit Trek. June to August during summer also known as monsoon season does not recommend. Autumn has the perfect weather trekking Manaslu as there is no rain and it has warm weather with clear skies and sunny days. 

Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty
You need to walk 6 to 8 hours every day that covers 10 km to 18 km trek in distance. A previous trekking experience, positive attitude and strong determination will surely helpful  to enjoy the trek around Manaslu. It is also necessary to have lots of willpower, tolerance of harsh condition, good health and reasonable physical fitness. Medical and evacuation/rescue expenses are the responsibility of the trekkers travel insurance.

Manaslu Trek Permit
You need three permits-ACAP, MCAP and Manaslu restricted area permit trekking to Manaslu Circuit. We will take care of your trek permit on your behalf once you book Manaslu Trek with us-The Mission Eco Trek & Expedition Pvt. Ltd.The Manaslu Circuit Trek isn’t possible to hike independently. You must hike with guide and there must be at least two people in your group as well as the guide.

Manaslu Round Trek Cost
Manaslu Trek package costs ranges from USD 1500 to USD 1800 and includes all transfers, accommodation, meals, permits, and even the hotel stay before and after the trek.

Internet, Wifi, Sim cards and staying Charged 
If you’re looking to stay connected while trekking the Manaslu Circuit, the options are fairly limited.

Wifi: Wifi is available at some guesthouses in places such as Samagaun, Samdo and Lho. There is however normally a charge for using the internet, and with slow speeds, you may end up wishing you hadn’t bothered. If there’s nothing urgent, our advice would be to wait until you get back from the mountains.Costs anywhere from $4 to $6 to use WiFi at the guesthouses. 

Sim Cards
4 G sim cards and packages can be bought at the airport, or from numerous vendors in the Thamel area of Kathmandu. They’re great in the city but as soon as you leave the coverage is patchy. We recommend Nepal Telecom and Ncell for 3G/4G coverage. It’s safe to say that in the mountains, neither are really any good.

Electricity: You will have to pay anywhere from $3 at low elevation to $5 to charge your power banks, cameras, and phones. The key is to get a fat power bank. Pay to charge that then charge everything from your power bank.Your power bank lets you charge your phone and camera batteries. Most of the places you stay let you charge your gear for an extra cost.

Cost Includes

• Bus transfer- Kathmandu/Soti Khola/Dharapani/Kathmandu.
• Twin sharing tea house accommodation during trek.
•  local jeep transfer sharing with other people at the end of trekking point to last station.
• Trekking permit-TIMS cards,ACAP, MCAP and Manaslu  Valley Restricted Area Permit.
• English Speaking guide and all his expenses like salary, meals, accommodation and transfer
• 3 times meals- breakfast, lunch and dinner during trekking
• All the goverment taxes and company service charge.

Cost Not Includes

• Airport pick up and departure transfer
• Hotel accommodation and meals- lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
• Any kind of drinks – coke, mineral water, hot water, tea, coffee, beer, whisky.
• Travel insurance in case of emergency for rescue helicopter and other medication.
• Upgrade accommodation like room with private toilet.
• Porter for carrying backpack.
• Expenses of personal natures like internet, telephone, WiFi, Laundry,hot shower etc
• Tips for guide and porter
• All the cost not mention on above cost includes.

Manaslu Trek Guide 
A guide is required on this trek and the guide manages all of the logistics, distances, directions, and tea houses. The directions are not always very clear like on the Everest Base Camp trek and having the guide manage all of the logistics is great.The Manaslu Circuit Trek does require a guide. Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit can be done independently but the rules on the Manaslu Circuit are stricter about having a guide.

Money-Everything is payable in the local currency, Nepalese Rupees (NPR).Take plenty of small denomination notes as change is not readily available on the trail, particularly at higher altitudes. Also beware that ATM have max withdrawal amounts, and your bank may have a max daily withdrawal limit, so you may not be able to withdraw the total amount that you need all in one day. The amount of money you need to take on the Manaslu Circuit Trek will depend on whether you’re on an inclusive tour or not. If you are on an inclusive tour then you’ll only need money for any snacks or drinks over and above what’s included in your package. If you are paying as you go, then you’ll need to have enough cash to cover all costs: accommodation, food, drink, etc.

Manaslu Trek Packing List
We would suggest to take what you need and make your bag as light as possible.You can expect to need more warm clothes in the colder months. Also, crampons may be needed if there’s ice and snow on the pass. On the other hand, if you plan to trek with a porter then this will make choosing what to take a bit easier – just don’t overload your porter of course. Also, bear in mind that it’s very common to leave excess baggage at hotels and guesthouses in Kathmandu.

1 Rucksack-60 L to 70 L
1 Sleeping Bag
1 pair of pants that maybe convert to shorts
1 pair of shorts
1 Warm or thicker pair of hiking pants
1 Long sleeve quick-dry shirt
1 Long-sleeve thermal shirt
2 Short-sleeve t-shirts
1 Thermal long underwear
4 pairs of quick-dry underwear
1 Lightweight down jacket
1 Heavy-duty summit down jacket
1 Beanie
1 Cap
Sunglasses
1 Neck Buff
Gloves
Hiking boots
Microspikes
Head torch
Gaiters
1 pair of warm summit socks
2 pairs of regular socks
Sunscreen
Trekking poles
Water filter
Power bank

Insurance for the Manaslu Circuit Trek
Travel insurance is compulsory trekking in Manaslu because the high altitude can lead to many illnesses, weakness in trekkers, and misjudgments. There is also a risk on trails for falls, avalanches, or other mishaps. 

Best Seasons Trekking Manaslu Circuit
Autumn-The best time to go trekking in Manaslu is from September to November. The weather is generally dry and clear, with warm sunny days and excellent visibility. There’s a lower likelihood of weather related natural disasters at this time of year, making for a much safer trekking environment. Furthermore, given that it’s the best season, it’s also the busiest.

Spring-The spring season from March to May is considered to be the next best option. The weather is generally clear although a little colder, particularly at higher altitudes. Mornings are sunny and flowers are in bloom. There is however a higher chance of rain, or even snow, and melting ice increases the chances of landslides or avalanches.

Summer-June to August is to be avoided. The monsoon is responsible for warm and wet weather, with cloud and mist making visibility extremely poor. You can hardly see a mountain. Leeches are a big problem at this time of year, as is the risk of landslides. As the Manaslu Region was one of the worst affected by the 2015 earthquake, there are many landslide areas – these can be more dangerous in wet weather.

Winter-In the winter, from December to February, temperatures in higher altitudes plunge. Snow and ice make this time of year unsuitable for the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Drinking Water
The Manaslu Circuit is physically demanding and drinking plenty of water is a must.Drinking lots of water helps you acclimatize. Please drink at least three liters of water while trekking each day.Use an effective sterilization method to make sure your water is safe to drink.Purification tablets (we always have a few strips of these as a backup) and the Steripen is a perfect means sterilization the drinking water.Bottled water and hot water is available to buy throughout the trek, the cost ranges from USD 3 to USD 5 per liters.

Nepal Visa
Tourist visas are available on arrival at Kathmandu-Tribhuvan International Airport and at all land border crossings that are open to foreign travellers. While this is available for most foreigners, citizens of some countries are required to get a visa prior to arrival, while those from SAARC countries can get their visa free of charge.There are three different visa options and prices: Multiple Entry 15 Days – 30 USD, 30 Days – 50 USD and 90 Days – 125 USD. In order to get a visa on arrival you’ll need four things:

One passport size photo
A passport valid for at least six months
At least one blank page in your passport
The visa fee in cash (US Dollars is best)