13 days Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost, Itinerary, Departure 2024

Manaslu Circuit Trek is hidden gem of Nepal, also the best trekking adventures in the Himalayas.There is much less traffic of trekkers in Manaslu Circuit trail than EBC, ABC, Annapurna Circuit and Langtang valley trek. Manaslu Trek is in the restricted area of Manaslu Conservation Area(MCAP).So, a minimum of two people are required to trek in Manaslu. Besides, RAP trek permit, you also need to carry ACAP, MCAP and TIMS card.

This is a tea house trek from village to village staying at basic tea houses along the way. The buildings and beds are basic with no source of heat and snow is able to blow in through the paper-thin walls. The beds were a wooden platform with a foam mattress and sheet. It is quite comfortable at times. 

You will walk on stone steps, riverbeds through landslide, avalanche areas and small village following Budi Gandaki river up valley. Manaslu Trail is busy with mule trains, locals and trekkers as it is the mail trail to the remote villages of Manaslu region.Your mind will never be bored as you trek through subtropical jungles, barren alpine terrains and alongside cliffs looking down at the river.

Likewise, Manaslu Trek is for those with prior hiking experience and a strong fitness level.Those who are questioning their fitness and their knees.Also have no previous high altitude trek experience and a desire to check out local sight and not get caught up in need to push a very strong fitness level, I would recommend you the 14 days and 15 days Manaslu Trek. 

Manaslu Trek Difficulty
The paths are mostly in good condition. No technical skills are required so the act of walking is pretty straightforward. The physical effort required, it clearly helps to be as fit as possible. Saying that, you don’t have to be an athlete, far from it. People of all ages and levels of fitness complete the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The key point to remember is to hike at your own pace.Over the course of the trek, you ascend in altitude from 700 m to 5106 m. Much of the route, particularly in the early days, involves plenty of up and down – descending to cross the river, ascending again, then repeating the process further along the trail.

Manaslu Circuit 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 Accommodation
Accommodation is in guesthouses often called tea houses along the way.Rooms generally are more basic than on the Annapurna Circuit trek.Rooms have two single beds and usually a small window. Pillows and blankets are always provided but a sleeping bag is a must (don’t expect the blankets to be particularly fresh or clean). Think of the blanket as supplementary to your sleeping bag when it gets cold. You also have access to hot shower for an extra cost.

Toilets-There are most often shared toilet facilities rather than en-suite bathrooms on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. These can be inside the main building or in an outhouse. It can be a western style toilet or a squat. Things tend to become more basic in places at higher altitude. You’ll need to have your own toilet paper, and soap isn’t always provided so make sure you have hand sanitizer too. Generally speaking, used toilet paper goes in a bin (read battered old metal can or such like) next to the toilet. You flush the squat toilet by scooping water out of the nearby bucket with whatever receptacle is provided.

Dining Room-There’s always a dining room where meals are served, and it’s a good place to get to know your fellow trekkers. The higher you go, there will usually be a fire in the dining room around dinner time, although this is by no means guaranteed.

Hot Shower-Showers are available over the first few days, but chances for a hot shower dwindle the higher you go. Gas needs to be transported by mules and it’s more important for cooking and heating. It’s sometimes possible to get one for a fee, but you might be standing in a cold room under a spray with very little pressure. Best to be prepared to keep yourself clean with wet wipes and look forward to a hot shower when you reach Dharapani.

Meals Around Manaslu Trek
Food and drink on the Manaslu Circuit is similar to what you find on Nepal’s other treks, although options are usually more limited than on busier routes like the Annapurna Circuit. Those options become even more limited throughout the trek as altitude increases, while prices go up as the cost of fuel and transporting goods gets higher.

You have to eat dinner and breakfast at your guesthouse you stay. Lunch will generally be at a different place somewhere along the trail unless it’s a short day and you arrive at your destination earlier.Try to order the same as the people you’re trekking with. Your food will usually arrive more quickly and less fuel will be needed to cook it.Think carefully before ordering meat. Refrigeration, storage and kitchen standards mean that eating veggie is the safest option.

Dal Bhat-Dal Bhat is a combination of dal (lentils), veg curry, pickle, rice and vegetables, this staple of the Nepali diet is a great option. It comes with a guaranteed refill of rice and curry, and usually some extra dal too. The vegetable component varies depending on what or if there’s anything growing in the garden (and it pretty much disappears the last few days before the Larke Pass). Dal Bhat is what all guides and porters eat so it’s constantly being prepared, unlike more western style dishes which always have to be made to order. And as the whole cooking process requires less energy, this means that it’s better for the environment too.

Breakfast-Breakfast include porridge, pancakes, omelettes, boiled eggs, and various breads (Tibetan bread, buckwheat bread, chapatis, and so on).

Main Dishes(Lunch/Dinner)-Standard dishes on menus are soups, pasta dishes, various fried rice dishes, momos, a kind of dumpling, pizzas, and of course, Dal Bhat. Some dishes have meat options but this is something to be wary of. Lots of dishes have egg and some tuna from a can. 

Drinks-Hot drinks are on the menu at every guesthouse, with an often huge range of options stretching from regular black tea and coffee to Masala tea, lemon ginger honey tea, and hot chocolate. 

Manaslu 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.

Day 1: Kathmandu to Sotikhola(710m)
 An early morning, you will ride a  bus drive to Soti khola that takes 7/8 hours. Soti Khola is the starting point of Manaslu Circuit Trek. Stay overnight at Soti Khola. 
Day 2: Soti Khola to Machha Khola(930m, 24km, 7/8 hours trek)
The first stage of the trek follows the narrow, deep Budhi Gandaki valley, passing a dense forests and terraced farmland. Expect hot and humid weather at the early stages of the trek.
Day 3: Macha Khola to Jagat(1,410m, 23 km, 5/6 hours)
On this day you experience some of the best aspects of trekking through a deep gorge: suspension bridges, waterfalls and impressive rapids. As you’ll enter the Manaslu Conservation Area in the beautiful paved village of Jagat.
Day 4: Jagat to Deng(1,804 m, 21 km, 5/6 hours)
Today you will have more steep ups and downs on a suspension bridges, as you get a first views of high, snow-covered mountains.  After crossing several bridges and more spectacular waterfalls you will pass the entrance to Tsum Valley before you enter the area where natives are ethnically Tibetan.
Day 5: Deng to Namrung(2,630 m, 20km, 5/6 hours)
We enter deeper into Tibetan influenced territory, with the first mani stones (prayers etched onto wayside rocks) making their appearance along the trail, while enjoying spectacular views.
Day 6: Namrung to Shyala(3,430 m, 15km, 4/5 hours)
The landscape turns increasingly Alpine as we continue to gain altitude, and we get our first views of Manaslu itself! The village of Lho is lively and has a small gompa (shrine) that’s worth a visit.
Day 7: Syala to Sama Gau via Pungyen Gompa(3,530m, 18km,6/7 hours)
More mani walls and gompas line the trail today, as we continue to see the snowy peak of Manaslu in the distance ahead of us.
Day 8: Sama Gau Manaslu Base Camp and Back(3,860 m, 26 km, 7/8 hours)
We’ll have our first rest day here, to give our body’s time to adjust to the altitude. Explore the village or take a day hike to PungGyen Gompa.
Day 9: Sama Gau to Samdo(3,860 m, 17 km, 3/4 hours)
Another day of incredible mountain views during the walk up to Samdo, just three hours away to limit our elevation gain.
Day 10: Samdo to Dharamasala(4,460 m, 13km, 3/4 hours)
We get closer and closer to the high mountains today, as we climb past glaciers while enjoying spectacular views. You’ll likely feel the altitude, so take it slow today and save your energy for the big day tomorrow.
Day 11: Dharmasala to Bimthang(3,700m) via Larkye Pass(5160m, 25km, 8/9 hours)
Today we get up very early and cross glacier moraines in the dark before we reach the highest point of the trek: The Larkya La Pass. After enjoying the truly unbelievable views, get ready for a steep, ankle straining drop to a trail following the glacial moraine. It’s a long spectacular day and one that you likely will remember forever!
Day 12: Bimthang to Dharapani(1860 m, 30km, 6/7 hours)
From here we continue our descent into the land of apple pie, cold beers and hot showers - the Annapurna Circuit trail and almost the end of our trail. We continue through the bamboo forest and the last stop of our trek, Dharapani.
Day 13: Dharapani to Kathmandu(1340m, 240km, 9/10 hours)
In the morning we say our goodbyes to the crew, load up the jeep and start the drive back to Kathmandu, giving you a chance to reflect on the impressive experiences of the past 2 weeks.