Every overnight stop on the Manaslu Circuit has a lodge kitchen. Dal bhat with free refills is the staple, and menus also offer momos, thukpa, noodles, Tibetan bread and pasta. In the Tibetan-influenced upper villages you'll find tsampa and salty butter tea. Prices climb with altitude: dal bhat costs about NPR 550 to 750 low down and NPR 900 to 1,200 near the Larke La, and a food budget of USD 25 to 40 a day covers three meals. Drink boiled or treated water, go vegetarian above Samagaon and skip alcohol until you're back down.
- Daily food budgetUSD 25 to 40
- Dal bhatNPR 550 to 1,200
- Staple mealDal bhat, refills free
- Upper-village foodTsampa, potatoes, butter tea
- WaterBoiled, filtered or treated
- Above SamagaonOrder vegetarian
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a walk through the Himalayas with good local cuisine and hot drinks at every stop. While trekking in Manaslu, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy, from home-style Nepali meals to freshly brewed teas. This guide covers what you'll eat and drink on the trek, what it costs and how to stay well.
Remember that the variety and accessibility of food alternatives may change based on the season and the precise location along the route. Menus get shorter and pricier above Samagaon, so a small bag of snacks is worth carrying.
The Manaslu Circuit follows the Budhi Gandaki valley up to the Larke La (5,106 m). The route passes through various villages and towns, so there are plenty of alternatives for food and drink along the way.
Lodges in the main villages, including Jagat, Deng, Namrung and Samagaon, serve traditional Nepali food. You can try momos (dumplings), thukpa (noodle soup), dhido (a thick porridge of buckwheat or millet flour) and aloo tikki (potato patties). Sel roti, a sweet rice-flour ring, turns up mostly at festival time in the lower villages. The Nepalese national meal, Dal Bhat (lentil soup and rice), is typically served alongside these dishes.
Along the trek, tea houses sell traditional Nepali snacks like pakora (vegetable fritters) and Bhajiya, as well as spicy potato fritters. These are excellent for munching on while out for a hike. In some of the more rural areas, you can discover food stands serving simple snacks like boiled eggs or potatoes.
The teahouses serve a menu of Nepali food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with curries, soups and dal bhat. Sweets like jalebi turn up in a few lower-village lodges, but most menus stick to pudding, pie and chocolate.
You'll always have delicious food alternatives on your trip around the Manaslu Circuit.
Traditional Nepali Foods You'll Love
Having the opportunity to try the native cuisine is one of the best aspects of trekking.
While on your Manaslu Circuit Trek, you'll eat some of the best locally prepared traditional Nepali cuisine.
Dal Bhat is a typical food you'll encounter on your trek. Steamed rice, lentil soup (dal), and veggies make up this well-liked lunch. You can customize your dal bhat to your taste by adding spices and condiments like chilli sauce and pickles.
Momos are yet another tasty food you can enjoy on the Manaslu trek. These are vegetable, chicken, or pork-filled dumplings that can be steamed or fried. Often, they come with a flavorful dipping sauce. When you're trekking, non-veg momos are an excellent source of protein to keep you going.
Try Tibetan bread for breakfast, a lightly fried wheat-flour flatbread that pairs well with tea or coffee. In the Tibetan-influenced upper villages of Nubri, from around Namrung to Samdo, you may also come across tsampa, roasted barley flour traditionally mixed with salty butter tea. Villagers in Samagaon still grind barley in water-powered stone mills.
No matter what type of food you prefer, there's something for everyone during your Manaslu Circuit Trek. So be sure to sample as many dishes as possible to get an authentic taste of the local cuisine.
Manaslu Dish Guide
| Dish | What it is | Where you'll find it |
|---|---|---|
| Dal bhat | Rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry and pickle, with free refills | Every lodge |
| Dhido | Thick porridge of buckwheat or millet flour, eaten with curry | Lower villages |
| Momo | Steamed or fried dumplings | Most lodges |
| Thukpa | Tibetan noodle soup | Most lodges |
| Tibetan bread | Fried wheat-flour flatbread, a breakfast favourite | Most lodges |
| Tsampa | Roasted barley flour, eaten as porridge or mixed with butter tea | Namrung to Samdo |
| Sherpa stew (shyakpa) | Thick stew of vegetables and hand-torn dough | Upper villages and Tsum |
| Butter tea | Salty tea churned with butter | Upper villages |
| Sea buckthorn juice | Tart juice from a local mountain berry | Samagaon area |
| Raksi | Home-distilled spirit of millet or rice | Lower villages |
For more on these dishes, see our guides to Sherpa foods and shyakpa.
Western foods available during the Manaslu trek
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a fantastic experience for trekkers of all skill levels and dietary preferences. While many tourists enjoy the distinctive local food, some might prefer something more familiar. Some of the settlements in the Manaslu region have begun to provide a variety of Western foods.
Pizza and pasta appear on many menus. Samagaon and Bimthang serve omelettes, chips, momos and sandwiches as well. Dharamsala (Larke Phedi) is a small high camp with a short menu, so expect dal bhat, noodles and soup there. These are usually run by local families that want to offer their guests something fresh.
You can also enjoy a classic Nepali meal experience in these settlements if you're searching for one. On the Manaslu Circuit Trek, you can still eat some of your favourite Western foods, so don't worry if you're feeling homesick.
What to Drink on Your Manaslu Circuit Trek?
When trekking the Manaslu Circuit, you'll want to stay hydrated to have the best experience possible. The best way to do this is to ensure you drink enough fluids throughout the day. Fortunately, there are plenty of tasty drinks to enjoy while on the trek.
Tea is one of the most consumed drinks in Nepal, offered everywhere, including fancy restaurants and roadside tea shops. Milk tea is the most common, brewed with milk and sometimes ginger or cardamom, and served sweet and hot. In the upper villages, try salty butter tea, the Tibetan-style drink made with tea, butter and salt.
You can also come across raksi, a traditional Nepali spirit distilled from millet or rice. It is strong and warming, but best sampled in moderation and at lower altitudes, since alcohol increases the risk of altitude sickness.
Lassi, a yogurt drink, turns up in some lower villages. Higher up, look for sea buckthorn juice, a tart local drink.
In some locations along the route, you'll also be able to purchase bottled water. However, sticking to boiled or filtered water wherever feasible is recommended. Avoid consuming water from rivers or taps since they could be contaminated with bacteria or parasites, as that could make you sick.
Aim for three to four litres of fluid a day at altitude, and bring a refillable bottle.
Drinking Water in Manaslu Circuit Trek
One of the most important considerations when planning a Manaslu Circuit trek is water. Having clean and safe drinking water during your trek is essential to staying healthy and hydrated.
Bottled or boiled water is the safest source of drinking water on the Manaslu Circuit trek. You should avoid tap water as it is unreliable and can contain harmful bacteria and viruses. Bottled water is widely available in towns and villages along the trek. However, it can be pretty expensive. If you'd rather skip plastic, refill your bottle with boiled water from the lodge or treat tap water with a filter and purification tablets.
You should also avoid drinking from streams and rivers, as these can contain high contaminants and parasites. Melted snow can carry the same bugs as stream water, so treat it as well.
It is recommended to always carry at least two liters of water with you while trekking the Manaslu Circuit. It will help keep you hydrated and reduce the need to buy plastic bottles while trekking.
Finally, suppose you plan to camp while trekking the Manaslu Circuit. In that case, you should bring your camping water filter to ensure that the water you drink is safe and clean.
By following these tips, you can enjoy the beauty of the Manaslu Circuit while staying safe and hydrated on your trek.
Dal Bhat Prices Along the Route
Typical 2026 ranges for a plate of dal bhat, based on recent trek guides. Treat them as a guide, since lodges set their own prices each season.
| Section | Price range | Dal bhat |
|---|---|---|
| Lower valley Machha Khola to Deng | NPR 550 to 750 | |
| Middle valley Namrung to Samagaon | NPR 700 to 1,000 | |
| High section Samdo to Dharamsala | NPR 900 to 1,200 | |
| Exit Bimthang to Tilje | NPR 650 to 950 |
List of Food and its cost in Manaslu Circuit
Most rows below show typical lower-village prices, and the dal bhat row covers the whole route. Expect to pay 50 to 100 percent more above Samagaon, where everything arrives by porter or mule.
Foods
| Foods | Cost (NPR) |
| Chapati(a type of Bread/roti) | 150-350 |
| Dal Bhat (Veg/Non-Veg) | 550-1,200 |
| Pasta/Spaghetti | 350-600 |
| Porridge | 250-400 |
| Muesli (Plain or with fruit) | 240-400 |
| Curry | 250-400 |
| French Fries | 200-400 |
| Egg (Boiled or omelet) | 100-300 |
| Toast | 150-350 |
| Pancake | 150-350 |
| Tibetan Bread | 150-350 |
| Paratha | 250-400 |
| Papad | 100-250 |
| Salad | 250-500 |
| Sizzler(Veg/Chicken/Yak) | 600-1,000 |
| Mashed Potatoes | 400-700 |
| Soup (Veg/Non-Veg) | 250-600 |
| Momo (Veg/Non-Veg) | 300-600 |
| Pizza | 400-700 |
| Spring roll | 350-500 |
| Noodles | 350-600 |
| Macaroni | 300-500 |
| Thukpa | 300-500 |
| Dinner Set (Veg/Non-Veg) | 700-1,000 |
| Breakfast set | 500-1000 |
| Dhido | 200-350 |
| Aloo Tikki (potato patties) | 300-500 |
| Pakora (vegetable fritter) | 50-150 |
| Bhajiya | 300-500 |
| sandwich | 300-500 |
| Fried Rice (Veg/Non-Veg) | 200-350 |
Food available in Manaslu circuit
Desserts
| Desserts | Cost (NPR) |
| Pudding | 250-400 |
| Sel Roti (a sweet bread) | 50-150 |
| Pie | 300-500 |
| Chocolate Bars | 100-300 |
| Custard | 300-500 |
| Chocolate | 100-300 |
| Jalebi (Jeri) | 80-200 |
Desserts in Manaslu Circuit Trek
List of Drinks and its cost in Manaslu Circuit
| Drinks | Cost (NPR) |
| Black Tea | 50-100 |
| Milk Tea | 50-150 |
| Green Tea | 150-300 |
| Hot Chocolate | 100-200 |
| Black Coffee | 50-150 |
| Milk Coffee | 150-300 |
| Beer | 500-1000 |
| Can Beer | 300-700 |
| Fruit Juice | 150-300 |
| Can Juice | 100-300 |
| Bottled water (per litre) | 100-300 |
| Boiled water (per litre) | 100-300 |
| Soft Drinks (Coke, Fanta, Dew etc.) | 100-300 |
| Wine | 500-1000 |
| Raksi (Local Spirit) | 100-300 |
Drinks in Manaslu Circuit
Drinks and food prices while trekking the Manaslu circuit
Manaslu Circuit Trek is an excellent adventure for trekkers of all ages. Food and drinks are an essential part of the experience and are readily available along the way. Manaslu's food and drink prices rise with altitude and distance from the road.
Generally, the most expensive meals are found at lodges located at higher elevations. For example, in lower villages like Jagat or Tilje, a plate of dal bhat (rice, lentils and vegetables) costs around NPR 550 to 750, while at Samagaon, Samdo and Dharamsala the same meal runs NPR 900 to 1,200, roughly USD 4 to 9 across the route.
Regarding drinks, beer and sodas are available in some villages. They usually carry a higher price tag than elsewhere in Nepal. A beer bottle will cost between 400 and 800 rupees, while a can of soda will cost around 200 rupees. Bottled water costs from about NPR 100 a litre low down to NPR 300 near the pass.
Lodges set their menu prices, and bargaining over food isn't the custom. Budget about USD 25 to 40 a day for three meals, the same range as our Manaslu Circuit cost guide.
Eating and Drinking at Altitude
Appetite often drops above about 3,500 m, just when your body needs more fuel. Eat a little at every stop, favour carbohydrates like dal bhat, potatoes and noodles, and keep drinking through the day. Skip alcohol until you're back below Bimthang, because it dehydrates you and can hide early signs of altitude sickness. Our altitude sickness guide explains the warning signs.
Foods to avoid during the Manaslu Circuit trek
When trekking in Manaslu, taking precautions regarding the food you consume is vital. As with any outdoor adventure, you should avoid some food items as they can potentially make you ill. To ensure a safe and healthy journey, here are a few foods to avoid while trekking in Manaslu:
Uncooked or undercooked foods
Make sure all meats, fish, and eggs are cooked thoroughly before eating. Raw foods may carry harmful bacteria that can cause diarrhea and other illnesses.
Tap water
Unless you are sure of its quality, it's best to avoid drinking tap water. Bring enough purified water for your trek and refill your bottles with boiled or bottled water from safe sources.
Salads
The last thing you want on a trek is to get an upset stomach from eating a salad. The vegetables used to make salads may not have been properly washed and prepared, so it's best to avoid them altogether.
Unpeeled raw fruit and vegetables
Raw produce washed in untreated water is a common cause of stomach trouble. Stick to fruit you peel yourself and to cooked vegetables.
Meat in the upper villages
Above Samagaon, meat is carried up for days without refrigeration, and Buddhist villages here don't slaughter animals locally. Order vegetarian dishes from there to the pass.
These are just a few items to avoid while trekking in Manaslu. Always be cautious when choosing what to eat and drink during your trek, as your health is the highest priority.
Should you bring any food for the Manaslu Circuit trek?
Every overnight stop on the Manaslu Circuit has a lodge kitchen, so you don't need to carry meals. A bag of snacks still helps on long days and on the Larke La crossing, when you leave Dharamsala before dawn.
Energy bars or snacks like trail mix, almonds, dried fruit, and chocolate are essential items to pack for the hike. These give you energy on the long days of trekking. Protein snacks like peanut butter or tuna packs also travel well. These are excellent for a quick meal and will give you the protein that is much needed to stay energized.
Noodles and quick soups are excellent alternatives. These are simple to prepare and only require the addition of boiling water to create a hot, tasty meal that you can consume at any time of day. For a hot beverage in the morning or evening, you should pack some tea bags and coffee packets if you have space.
Pack two water bottles, a filter and some purification tablets.
With both, you can treat water from taps and side streams away from villages. Without them, buy boiled water from the lodges, which costs more higher up.
Properly preparing your meals and snacks can vastly increase the overall quality of your Manaslu Circuit trip. Packing some high-nutrition snacks will ensure you have all the energy you need to complete the walk.
Eating Well on the Manaslu Circuit
The Manaslu Circuit is one of Nepal's most rewarding treks, and a challenging one too. On your trek, you can enjoy delicious Nepali dishes, Western food, and refreshing drinks.
Take drinking water seriously, because staying hydrated matters at altitude. If you carry food during your trek, avoid certain items that may not suit your taste or health. Select light, non-perishable items that provide energy and nutrition.
By adequately planning and following the tips in this article, you can have a fantastic time on the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Manaslu Food and Drink: FAQs
How much does food cost per day on the Manaslu Circuit?
About USD 25 to 40 for three meals, rising as you climb. A plate of dal bhat costs about NPR 550 to 750 in the lower villages and NPR 900 to 1,200 near the Larke La.
Is the water safe to drink on the Manaslu trek?
Not straight from taps or streams. Drink boiled water from the lodges or treat your own with a filter and purification tablets, which also cuts plastic waste.
Can vegetarians eat well on the Manaslu Circuit?
Yes. Dal bhat, vegetable momos, thukpa, potatoes and tsampa are all vegetarian, and vegetarian food is the safer choice above Samagaon.
Do I need to carry food on the Manaslu Circuit?
No full meals. Every overnight stop has a lodge kitchen, so snacks for long days and the Larke La crossing are enough.
Can I drink alcohol on the trek?
Wait until you're coming down. Alcohol dehydrates you and makes altitude sickness harder to spot.
