Quick answer: A guided Manaslu Circuit Trek costs about US$1,000 to US$1,600 per person in 2026. The restricted-area permit and remote logistics make it cost a little more than Annapurna, but there is no mountain flight. Group size, season, and the Tsum Valley add-on set the price.
A guided Manaslu Circuit Trek costs about US$1,000 to US$1,600 per person in 2026. The exact price depends on group size, season, and comfort level. Manaslu costs a bit more than the Annapurna Circuit. That is mainly because of the restricted permit and the remote logistics.
Key Takeaways
- A guided Manaslu Circuit Trek usually costs US$1,000 to US$1,600 per person.
- The three permits add about US$130 to US$170 per person (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-25).
- There is no costly mountain flight, so the trek stays good value for a restricted area.
- A licensed guide is required, so it is a fixed cost, not an optional extra.
- Manaslu costs roughly US$150 to US$300 more than the Annapurna Circuit.
This guide breaks down every cost in simple terms. For the route and rules, see the full Manaslu Circuit Trek guide. For the trip itself, see our 14-day Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Quick cost breakdown (2026)
Here is what a typical Manaslu Circuit Trek costs, item by item. Some costs are fixed. Others depend on your choices.
| Cost item | 2026 price (per person) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Three permits (RAP, MCAP, ACAP) | about US$130 to US$170 | See our permit guide for detail |
| Licensed guide | about US$30 to US$35 per day | Required by law |
| Porter (one per two trekkers) | about US$25 to US$30 per day | Shared between two people |
| Food and teahouse lodging | about US$25 to US$40 per day | Rises with altitude |
| Ground transport (jeep) | about US$60 to US$200 | Depends on private vs shared |
| Travel insurance (with helicopter cover) | about US$100 to US$250 | Must cover high altitude |
| Nepal visa | US$30 / US$50 / US$125 | 15 / 30 / 90 days |
| Tips (guide and porter) | about US$120 to US$220 total | Customary |
A guided package rolls most of these into one price. Spade Himalaya’s 14-day trek is US$1,300 per person. That covers the permits, guide, porter, transport, lodging, and all meals on the trek.
Why does Manaslu cost more than Annapurna?
The main reason is the Restricted Area Permit. Annapurna only needs the ACAP and a TIMS card, which are cheap. Manaslu needs the RAP on top of two conservation permits. So the permit bill alone is higher.
Manaslu Circuit Trek 14-Days
There are two other reasons too. First, the logistics are more remote, so transport and supplies cost more. Second, the rules require a licensed guide, so that cost is built in. In total, Manaslu usually runs about US$150 to US$300 more than the Annapurna Circuit. For a direct comparison, see Manaslu vs the Annapurna Circuit.
How much are the permits?
The three permits add about US$130 to US$170 per person. This is not optional, and you cannot skip it. The big one is the Restricted Area Permit (RAP). It costs US$100 for the first 7 days in autumn, or US$75 off-season.
The other two are the MCAP and the ACAP, at about NPR 3,000 each. Your agency arranges all three. For the full rules and how the permits work, read our Manaslu permit cost guide.
What do the guide and porter cost?
A licensed guide is required, so it is a core cost, not an add-on. A guide costs about US$30 to US$35 per day. On Manaslu, this is money well spent. The guide reads the weather on the pass, handles permits, and watches for altitude sickness.
A porter is optional but very helpful. One porter usually carries for two trekkers, and costs about US$25 to US$30 per day. So you walk with just a light daypack. On a package, both the guide and porter are already included.
What are the daily costs on the trail?
Budget about US$25 to US$40 per day for food and lodging. Teahouse rooms are cheap, often just a few dollars. Meals cost more as you climb, though, because everything is carried up by porter or mule.
You also pay small extra fees on the trail. For example, hot showers, device charging, and Wi-Fi each cost a little, and the price rises with altitude. On an all-inclusive trip, your three daily meals are covered, so these extras are the main out-of-pocket spend.
What other costs should you plan for?
A few costs sit outside most packages, so plan for them. Here are the main ones.
- Travel insurance. This is a must, and it must cover trekking above 5,000 m plus helicopter rescue. Expect about US$100 to US$250.
- Nepal visa. This is US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, or US$125 for 90 days.
- Tips. Tipping the guide and porter is customary, usually US$120 to US$220 in total.
- Gear. If you do not own a sleeping bag or down jacket, you can rent each for about US$35 in Kathmandu.
- Kathmandu meals and hotels. Nights and meals in the city before or after the trek are often not included.
How do you keep the cost down?
You cannot cut the permits or the guide, but you can still save. Here are a few honest tips.
- Trek in a small group. Permits are per person, but the guide and jeep are shared. So a group lowers the cost for everyone.
- Go in the off-season window (December to August) for a cheaper RAP.
- Share a porter with a trekking partner.
- Refill and purify your own water instead of buying bottled water.
- Bring your own base layers and boots, and rent only the bulky items.
Do not cut insurance, though. A helicopter rescue without cover can cost thousands. So that is the one saving that is never worth it.
What does a Spade Himalaya package include?
Our 14-day Manaslu Circuit Trek is US$1,300 and covers the essentials. That price includes all three permits, a licensed guide, porter support, ground transport, teahouse lodging, and all meals on the trek. So most of the costs above become one clear price.
See the full plan on our 14-day Manaslu Circuit Trek page. For how hard the trek is, read our Manaslu difficulty guide.
Sample budgets: budget, mid-range, and comfort
Your final cost depends on your style, so here are three simple examples. Each one is for a 14-day trip, per person.
- Budget (group trip): about US$1,000 to US$1,150. You share a guide, porter, and jeep in a small group. Also, you keep extras low.
- Mid-range (our standard): about US$1,300. This is a private, well-paced trip. It includes permits, guide, porter, transport, lodging, and all meals.
- Comfort (private, extras): about US$1,500 to US$1,800. On top of the basics, you add a private jeep, more comfort where possible, and a bigger budget for tips and extras.
In short, group trips cost less per person. Private and comfort options cost more.
What is not included in a package?
A package covers the core trek, but a few things sit outside almost every price. So plan for these too.
- International flights to and from Nepal
- Your Nepal visa (US$30 to US$125)
- Travel insurance with helicopter cover
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
- Drinks, snacks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging on the trail
- Tips for your guide and porter
These extras are easy to forget. So add a buffer of a few hundred dollars to your plan.
How much cash should you carry on the trail?
There are no ATMs on the Manaslu Circuit, so you must carry enough cash for the whole trek. Draw Nepalese rupees in Kathmandu before you leave. That way, you are never short up high.
What do you actually spend cash on? Mostly small things. For example, you pay for hot showers, charging, Wi-Fi, drinks, and snacks. These cost more the higher you climb, because everything is carried up by porter or mule. So budget roughly US$10 to US$20 a day in cash for extras, plus your tips.
FAQs
How much does the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost in 2026?
A guided trek usually costs US$1,000 to US$1,600 per person. Spade Himalaya’s 14-day package is US$1,300. The price depends on group size, season, and service level. Permits add about US$130 to US$170, and there is no costly mountain flight.
Is the Manaslu Circuit more expensive than Annapurna?
Yes, by about US$150 to US$300. The main reason is the Restricted Area Permit, which Annapurna does not need. Remote logistics and the required guide add a little more. So Manaslu sits a step above Annapurna on price.
How much are the Manaslu permits?
About US$130 to US$170 per person in total. That covers the Restricted Area Permit (US$100 for 7 days in autumn, or US$75 off-season), plus the MCAP and ACAP at about NPR 3,000 each. Your agency arranges all three.
Do you have to pay for a guide on the Manaslu Circuit?
Yes. A licensed guide is required by law on this restricted-area trek. A guide costs about US$30 to US$35 per day, and it is included in our package price. So it is a fixed cost, not an optional one.
Can you trek Manaslu on a budget?
You can lower the cost, but not below the permits, guide, and insurance. Trek in a small group, go in the off-season for a cheaper permit, share a porter, and rent only bulky gear. Realistically, budget at least US$1,000 for a guided trip.
Accuracy note: official fees, rules, and hard facts in this guide are cited inline from their sources; trail and price details are Spade Himalaya field research; route details reviewed by Yubaraj Katel, government-licensed trekking guide (Licence No. 19827) with 10 years of experience leading treks in the Manaslu region.
Updated: 6 Jul, 2026
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