Manaslu Circuit Trek Porter & Guide Cost 2026/27
Manaslu Circuit Porter Guide
The Manaslu Circuit Trek requires a licensed guide by law, since Manaslu is a restricted area and Nepal will not issue the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) without one, unlike Annapurna or Langtang, unguided trekking isn't permitted.
In 2026/27, independently hired staff cost $26–$30/day for a guide and $20–$24/day for a porter (18–25 kg load), or $23–$26/day for a combined guide-cum-porter carrying ~10 kg — though we recommend separate roles for Manaslu given the long, high-altitude Larkya La Pass (5,160m) crossing. These day rates cover wages only; insurance, meals, and lodging are typically extra.
Three permits are required: the RAP ($150 for the first 10 days, $12/day after), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP); no TIMS card is needed.
This guide is based on our porter-guides' experience on the Manaslu Circuit. Our permit information, porter load limits, and prices reflect real trekking conditions, and every porter-guide is trained in altitude safety and carries a pulse oximeter.
Do I need a guide for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Yes — it's a legal requirement, not a recommendation. Manaslu is a restricted trekking area, and the Nepal government will not issue the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) without a registered guide and a registered trekking agency. Unlike Annapurna or Langtang, solo or unguided trekking simply isn't permitted here.
Beyond the legal requirement, a guide matters practically on this specific route: navigating landslide zones and 15+ suspension bridges (some over 100m long), the exposed climb to Larkya La Pass (5,160m/16,924ft), and altitude monitoring — our guides are trained through the Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP) and carry a pulse oximeter to check trekkers daily.
How much does a guide cost ?
An independently hired English-speaking guide costs $26–$30 per day . This rate typically covers wages only — accommodation, insurance, and equipment for the guide are usually billed separately.
Over a standard 13-day Manaslu itinerary, that's roughly $338–$390 in guide wages alone, before insurance, meals, and lodging for the guide are added back in — which is why most trekkers book an all-inclusive package instead of hiring a guide piecemeal.
How much does a porter cost on the Manaslu Circuit?
A porter costs $20–$24 per day and typically carries 18–25 kg. As with guides, this rate usually covers wages only, not the porter's insurance, meals, or accommodation.
What does a Manaslu porter guide (combined role) cost?
A guide-cum-porter costs $23–$26 per day and carries roughly 10 kg while also guiding.
A porter-guide is a good budget choice on many trekking routes, but we don't recommend it for the Manaslu Circuit. The Larkya La Pass is long, high, and weather can change quickly, so it's safer to have a guide focused on leading the trek while a porter carries your gear.
| Role | Daily rate (USD) | Typical load | What's covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guide | $26 – $30 | — | Wages only — accommodation, insurance, equipment billed separately |
| Porter | $20 – $24 | 18 – 25 kg | Wages only — insurance, meals, accommodation billed separately |
| Porter-guide (combined) | $23 – $26 | ~10 kg | Wages only; not recommended for Manaslu due to the Larkya La Pass crossing |
A commonly used tip guideline is $10+ per day for a guide and $5–10 per day for a porter, given at the end of the trek. This is separate from the package price or independent day-rates above.
Independent Hire vs. Package: What You Actually Pay
Independent day-rates cover wages only; insurance, meals, lodging, and permit processing are extra, and Manaslu's RAP can only be issued through a registered agency regardless of how you hire staff. Once every real cost is counted, hiring independently is rarely the cheaper route.
Here's the total cost for two trekkers over 13 days, including permits and other essential expenses.
Cost item | Hiring independently | Adventure Mountain Treks Manaslu package |
| Guide wages (13 days, whole group) | $338 – $390 | Included |
| Porter wages (13 days, shared) | $260 – $312 | Included |
| Guide/porter insurance, meals, lodging | Billed separately | Included |
| RAP permit (per person: $150 + 3 days × $12) | Cannot obtain independently | Included |
| MCAP + ACAP permits | Agency-processed either way | Included |
| Kathmandu hotel, transfers, equipment | Not included | Included |
Whether you hire a guide and porter independently or book an all-inclusive package, Manaslu permits must be arranged through a registered Nepali trekking agency. The main difference is that permit fees and processing are included in a package, while they are paid separately when hiring independently.
What's included in a Manaslu Circuit Trek package?
A full-service Manaslu package should include a licensed guide, porter, all required permits, teahouse accommodation, meals on trek, staff insurance, and safety monitoring — not just transport and lodging.
Our own Manaslu Circuit package includes:
- Government-certified, TAAN-registered guide (+ assistant guide for groups of 6 or more)
- Porter at 1-per-2-trekkers ratio, carrying 10–12 kg per person
- All guide/porter wages, insurance, meals, and equipment covered
- RAP, MCAP, and ACAP permits
- Daily pulse oximeter checks and a first-aid kit carried by your guide
- 24/7 support from our Kathmandu-based team
- 2 nights in a 3-star Kathmandu hotel, airport transfers, and ground transport to/from Soti Khola
- Sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag, crampons, and trekking poles
Not included: international airfare, personal travel insurance (essential at this altitude), meals in Kathmandu outside the itinerary, personal expenses, and staff tips.
Cost of Manaslu Circuit Trek in 2026/27?
Our 13-day Manaslu Circuit Trek (Trip Code AMT-TREK-301) runs $999 (Budget), $1,300 (Standard), or $1,800 (Deluxe) per person, with all three tiers including guide, porter, permits, accommodation, and meals — the difference is comfort level and group services, not what's covered.
Trip snapshot:
- 13 days
- ·Strenuous grade
- Max altitude 5,160m (Larkya La Pass) ·
- Best seasons: Spring & Autumn
- ·Any group size.
Custom durations and private departures are available on request.
Permits needed for the Manaslu Circuit, and their cost
Three permits are required: the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) — no TIMS card is needed, since the RAP replaces it for this region.
Permit | Cost | Notes |
| Restricted Area Permit (RAP) | $150 for first 10 days, $12/day after | Issued only through a registered agency |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) | One-time fee | Included in our package |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | One-time fee | Required since the route exits near Annapurna |
| TIMS Card | Not required | Replaced by the RAP on this route |
One porter per two trekkers, each carrying up to 10–12 kg of your gear (20–24 kg total per pair) — a load cap we maintain deliberately for porter welfare, not just convenience.
Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek suitable for a beginner?
It's rated strenuous — 6 to 8 hours of daily walking and a 5,160m pass crossing — so reasonable fitness matters more than prior trekking experience specifically. First-timers do complete it successfully with proper acclimatization and a guide who paces the group correctly.
A solo female trekkers requesting a professional female guide for Manaslu, can be arranged on request.
How to choose a trustworthy trekking agency for Manaslu?
Check for government and TAAN certification (ask to see it — not every agency's "guide" actually holds one), documented high-altitude first-aid training, a stated porter load limit, and a clear emergency evacuation plan.
Here's what we'd tell you to verify with any agency, including us:
- Government and TAAN certification — verifiable, not just a logo
- High-altitude and first-aid training — our guides are KEEP-trained specifically for altitude illness recognition
- Fair porter treatment — our cap is 10–12 kg per porter for two trekkers, with proper gear provided rather than expected from the porter
- Route-specific experience on Manaslu specifically, not general trekking background
- Real emergency capability — evacuation coordinated by mule or helicopter, guides reachable 24/7
Adventure Mountain Treks is a government-licensed trekking company (License No. 2231/073), based in Thamel, Kathmandu, with 10+ years running Himalayan treks and an average 4.5/5 rating across 150+ reviews on TripAdvisor, Google, and Trustpilot. We're affiliated with the Nepal Tourism Board, the Department of Tourism, TAAN, and the Village Tourism Promotion Forum (VITOF) Nepal.
📞 +977-9862790129 (24/7, Viber/WhatsApp) ·
✉️ info@adventuremountaintreks.com ·
📍 Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
