How to Trek Manaslu on a Budget?

Sherpa, porters, guides, gears, equipment, articles of clothing and more. The list of expenses attached to trekking below foothills of Himalayas, sounds like it could cost huge dents in your pockets. People make it sound like it’s expensive but there's a clever way around it.

Want to know how? Read through.

For the budget savvy travel junkie in you, Bold Himalaya brings you this short piece on,
How to Trek Manaslu on a budget?

Why Manaslu Circuit Trek?

The offbeat scenic trek to Manaslu is a breathtaking trail with sparse to zero crowd on its rugged trail. Unlike popular trekking routes of Annapurna and Everest, crowded during both spring and autumn season, Manaslu circuit trek is very quaint.

Pro tip, less crowd equals, low visitors and economic costs.

Let’s pick up where we left. 180 Kilometres long, Manaslu trek route consists of varied landscape, picture worthy Buddhist village, awe inspiring peak views, and magical panoramas waiting to be framed by your DSLR lens or cell phone camera. But how do you make this? Magnificence of trek - an affordable reality?

Plan Your Trek Outside Peak Seasons

Choosing the right time for your Manaslu circuit trek is a game changer to trim down your expenses. Autumn and spring are high time visitor seasons; it hikes up permit charges or fees and overnight stay costs of the trek. Selecting an off-season time frame – kick-off of early spring or final elms of autumn is the best time to trek to Manaslu. Sparse and low crowds are guaranteed, and the cost package of your trekking session is enormously slashed. Off-season discounts can be a real win for budget treks.

Go Group Trekking for Shared Costs

One of the best budget hacks is to join a group trek rather than opting for a private one-on-one tour. The number of enthusiastic trekkers in the team results in decreasing guide costs, porter fees, and expenses on transport. Additionally, Nepal government advises and at times requires Manaslu trek permits to be issued in a trekking group. Added benefits of choosing a group trek distributes your adventure burdens with other individuals, ultimately, reducing costs.

Choose Standard Accommodation & Local Meals

Luxury lodges are rare and expensive in Manaslu, our guides recommend travelers stick to teahouses and lodges with simple yet clean rooms for offer. The local palettes and eats served at these local Nepali spots are delightful and light on the wallet. Imported snacks and bites are sold at extremely high premiums – higher than the heights of Everest, Trust us!!

Pack Light but Smart

Rocket since, not really. A large crunch on trek budgets originates in costs of gear and equipment for the trek. Rather than racking your bills with a shopping spree of pristine gear, - Always rent gear readily available in rent zones of Pokhara and Thamel. Cozy sleeping bags (make sure you check, they are washed), trek poles, and down feathered jackets in Kathmandu. Smart packing with multipurpose clothing also limits extra weight and cost.

Hire Licensed Guides & Porters Through Trusted Agencies

Manaslu trek is a restricted area requiring permits only if you hire a licensed guide and porter. DIY treks are not allowed here. Avoid!!! Dodgy offers promising cut-price guides; risks can cost more in health or security. Our certified expert guides and professionals facilitate great service at a modest rate. Streamlined and well planned itineraries, timely acquired permits, and efficiently handled logistics from our end can help you cut unexpected costs.

Budgeting Your Manaslu Circuit Trek Costs

A well-crafted budget Manaslu circuit trek ranges start at a modest rate of USD 800 end at 1,200 per person. 12 to 15 days long trek to Manaslu consist of scaling permits, guide and fees of your porter, accommodation in tea house cum homestays, and filling foods. Bold Himalya offers you support every step of the way through package group treks to divide your costs with other traveller.

Use Local Transportation Options

Leaving your footprints on the Manaslu trek, initiates from Soti Khola and includes a way back from Bhimthang. Economic travel via buses of local routes and jeep rides in a group, nestle you from the costlier private vehicle trips.

Additional notes for cost-cutting

• Pack your backpacks with large refillable water containers (preferably insulated) and a handy purifier to save yourself from purchasing expensive bottled water.
• Avoid stocking on souvenirs back home and purchase light yet affordable gifts in Kathmandu
• Unlike some nations in west, tipping is preferred but does not come attached with the bill. We advise trekkers to keep tips to a fair and minimum shillings.
• Local snacks come at a premium, the price comes attached with transportation. charges involved in sourcing materials to these remote places.

End lines on trek

Manaslu circuit trek can be an affordable adventure for trekking geek in you. Given, you wisely plan your trek The support team at Bold Himalaya can aid you plan smartly, plan for the right time (in accordance to local weather), and make your visit economic on the purse.

Hence, we close this chapter on How to Trek Manaslu on a Budget? Stay tuned for other budget trekking guides.