If you are away from home in the remote Himalayas of the Manaslu region, you may wonder what types of food are available on the Manaslu Circuit Trek and whether what is available will fit for your taste or dietary needs. Fortunately, trekkers do not need to worry too much, because the Manaslu region offers many local and international food selections that are filling and nutritious. Most of the tea houses along the trail use a fixed Manaslu trek menu that offers standard Nepali meals, Tibetan meals, and simple Western meals.
A typical meal on the trek is Dal Bhat, rice served with lentils and curry, along with noodles, pasta, fried rice, soup, or momos. Vegetarian food is readily available on the Manaslu Circuit trek, usually prepared with fresh local ingredients. A variety of warm drinks, such as tea, coffee, or hot lemon, are enjoyable in the cold of the mountains. Staying hydrated is essential too, and trekkers can easily buy bottled water or refill their bottles with treated or boiled water from the lodges.
Manaslu Circuit trek meals including momos, dal bhat, fried bread, vegetable curry, and traditional Nepali breakfast items
The cost of food on the Manaslu trek also varies with altitude and usually goes up the higher you get. Most trekkers spend between 25 and 35 US dollars per day for three meals on average. Both food and water on the Manaslu trek are safe if chosen wisely.
This blog will cover everything about food and drinks on the Manaslu Circuit trek, the types of food and beverages on the menus, approximate costs, and tips for water safety and hydration. You are even welcome to follow this pattern if you decide to go on a trek in Manaslu now.
What Food is Available on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Along the Manaslu Circuit Trek, the teahouses offer an assortment of Nepali food and Western-style meals, made to keep trekkers warm and energized. Meals are basic, freshly prepared, and well-suited for cold mountain conditions. Typical Nepali dishes like Dal Bhat, as well as comfort foods such as chapati, pancakes, porridge, fried rice, noodles, potatoes, macaroni, and vegetable curries, are commonly served. For the most part, the meals are made with local ingredients, providing a healthy and hearty refuel for trekkers. Despite the difficulty of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, these meals help trekkers regain energy and stay nourished for the long days ahead.
Breakfast Options on the Manaslu Circuit Trek
Breakfast while trekking is typically limited to bread, pancakes, or porridge type meals. There is usually options like:
Chapati - either plain or with jam, honey, peanut butter, egg, or cheese.
Tibetan Bread - a local fried bread also served plain or with jam, honey, peanut butter, or cheese.
Corn bread - either plain or jam, honey, peanut butter, or cheese.
Pancakes - available in several varieties such as plain, banana, apple, chocolate, peanut butter, lemon sugar, or jam, honey.
Porridge - few options include oat porridge, apple porridge, champa (barley) porridge, muesli with hot milk or apple and cornflakes with hot milk.
Curries – such as vegetable curry, potato curry, egg curry, mixed curry, or potato and vegetable curry.
Potato dishes – such as boiled potatoes, fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, or Swiss rolls, sometimes with added vegetables or cheese or eggs.
Chapati/ Roti – frequently offered as a side dish with curry or lentils.
You may also find additional items, depending on the teahouse, such as:
Soups – such as tomato soup, garlic soup, vegetable soup, or noodle soup.
Momos – dumplings filled with vegetables or meat or cheese.
Spring rolls or other fried snacks – available in some of the larger villages.
Dinner Options on the Manaslu Circuit Trek
Dinner menus typically share similar things as lunch menus, with rice, noodle and pasta dishes now on offer. Menu options usually include:
Dal Bhat set – the most popular dinner option, typically featuring rice and lentils, often with self-serve on both rice and lentils.
Rice meals – fried rice and mixed with vegetables, egg, tuna or cheese.
Noodles – fried, mixed with vegetables, egg, tuna or cheese.
Macaroni or pasta – plain, fried, mixed with vegetables, egg, tuna or cheese.
Potato dishes – fried, smashed, or Swiss roll with cheese or egg.
Some teahouses may also serve some other options, including:
Soups – A variety of soups are available, including vegetable, garlic, tomato, and noodle soup.
Momos – Available in steamed or fried varieties, filled with vegetables, cheese, or meat depending on the tea house.
Thukpa – A popular Himalayan noodle soup that can come with vegetables, egg, or chicken
Pizza or Sandwiches – Found in larger villages like Namrung, Lho, or Samagaun, with options such as cheese, vegetable, or chicken pizza, and vegetarian or egg sandwiches.
Drinks – Dinner is often accompanied by a variety of hot drinks, including tea, coffee, hot lemon, or hot chocolate, to keep trekkers warm.
How Much Does Food Cost on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The cost of food on the Manaslu trek depends on the particular location. Lower villages have cheaper food prices while higher altitudes have higher food prices. This is because all ingredients must be carried in by porters or animals. Food and drinks on the Manaslu Circuit Trek include breakfast items which include chapati, pancakes, porridge, or Tibetan bread (400–600 NPR). Lunch and dinner would include fried rice, noodles, dal bhat or curry (500–800 NPR).
Trekkers will also need to get hot drinks as well. Tea, coffee or a hot lemon can cost (150-300 NPR). Most trekkers will average around 2,000-3,000 NPR a day on food. What the total cost of food on Manaslu trek will be will really depend on what you choose to eat, appetite and altitude.
Teahouse menu showing tea, coffee, soup, egg dishes and Tibetan bread prices in Nepali rupees
Can I Get Vegan Meals on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
While vegan food is served on the Manaslu Circuit Trek, options may sometimes be limited, especially in remote villages. Most teahouses serve a limited selection of vegetarian food, which may include options like dal bhat (rice and lentils), vegetable curry, fried rice, noodles, and vegetable momos. Breakfast options include porridge, bread, or pancakes if you request that they not include milk or egg.
It is recommended to inform the teahouse staff, or in advance your trekking agency, that you require vegan food as they may not have every dish made each day. You could consider carrying some snacks with you, such as nuts, dried fruit, or energy bars, for days when vegan options are limited. With a little work, it is possible to have a healthy vegan diet on the trek. If you want you can contact us, as we cater to all types of travelers, including those needing vegan or special dietary needs.
Are Gluten-Free Food Options Available on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Like the Everest region or Annapurna trails, gluten-free food choices are available along the Manaslu Trek. Many traditional Nepali dishes are gluten-free, including the common dal bhat (rice and lentils), vegetable curries, steamed rice and some soups. Breakfast items such as rice or oat porridge are also gluten-free. Snacks like nuts, dried fruits, and energy bars are available at teahouses and can provide extra energy for long trekking days. While the options may not be as varied from normal meals, trekkers who prefer to avoid gluten can eat satisfying and energy-rich meals throughout the Manaslu Circuit.
Can You Safely Eat Meat on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Yes, you can find meat at several teahouses along the Manaslu Circuit Trek, including chicken, yak, and sometimes even pork or beef, often prepared in curries, soup, or fried. In the lower areas of the trek, meat is perfectly safe to eat as fresh supplies are more available. In the high-altitude villages, meat is limited, and may not be as fresh, so it's best to stick to meals that consist of vegetable, lentil, or noodle dishes at those higher elevations.
Essential Food Items to Carry on the Manaslu Trek
When hiking the Manaslu Circuit, it is a good idea to have some personal snacks and drink options to supplement the teahouse meals. For Manaslu Trek food and drink (snacks) for trekking in Manaslu, the following items are essential:
Energy bars and protein bars
Nuts and seeds (almonds, cashews, peanuts)
Dried fruits (raisins, apricots, dates)
Instant noodles or pasta
Chocolate, peanut butter, or energy gels
Tea, coffee, or hot chocolate packets
Electrolyte powders or drink mixes
Crackers, biscuits, or granola
Trail mix or muesli
Powdered milk or plant-based milk
Packet honey or jam
Plate of crispy vegetable spring roll served with french fries and chutney sauce
What Hot Drinks and Beverages Are Available on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
During the Trekking to Manaslu, teahouses and lodges offer a wide selection of hot drinks and beverages, including Nepali tea (chiya), black tea, milk tea, herbal teas, coffee, hot chocolate, hot lemon, and soups (garlic soups, vegetable soups, etc.).
Prices generally range from 150 to 300 Nepali rupees, usually increasing as you go higher, given that these drinks and food items are carried by porters or animals. Drinking warm fluids and soups helps with prevention of altitude sickness and staying hydrated helps your body at a higher elevation.
How Much Does Drinking Water Cost on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The price of a 1-liter bottled water on the Manaslu Circuit Trek is 100–150 NPR in the lower villages, and 200–250 NPR in the higher-altitude teahouses, since porters or pack animals carry their supplies.
Most of the tea houses provide boiled water that you can usually refill for free, and trekkers often use water purifiers or tablets. It is important to drink plenty of water, and you should take warm drinks and soups to help prevent altitude sickness.
Best Tips for Eating Well on the Manaslu Circuit Trek
It is good to begin your day with a hot breakfast such as porridge, eggs, or bread to get you going for your early trekking.
Drink water on a frequent basis. Carry a refillable and if you want to use purification tablets when needed.
Have snacks readily available such as nuts, dried fruits, chocolate, or energy bars for the steepest part of the trek.
Eat dal bhat or vegetable curries at lunch and dinner so you can keep moving with a balanced, filling meal.
Avoid eating raw vegetables or salads at high altitudes because it could cause stomach difficulty.
Share or rotate a meal if portions are small at higher villages.
Drink hot beverages frequently to keep warm, hydrated and sustained energy needs.
Listen to your body. Eat when you are hungry and do not skip meals even on an easier, shorter trekking day.
Pack small extras such as honey, jam, or instant soups, they can come in handy for emergencies or the high altitude days.
FAQs
Do tea houses serve the same food throughout the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
While most tea houses offer more or less similar food like Dal Bhat, noodles, fried rice, pasta, and soup, the taste and food sourcing can be more or less different based on what the villagers can grow for supplies and cooking.
Can I get gluten-free food on the Manaslu trek?
Gluten free options in Manaslu trek are somewhat limited, but you can find safe foods like rice, lentil soup, boiled potatoes, eggs, and vegetables. Because of dietary or lifestyle preferences, it’s best to inform your guide, lodge owner, or cook in advance to help you plan for your food.
Are meals included in the Manaslu Circuit Trek package?
In most trekking packages of Manalsu, there are 3 meals a day included in the package, but drinks, snacks, or desserts, and bottled water usually cost extra.
Is it safe to eat meat on the Manaslu trek?
If you are at higher altitude, it is safer to avoid meat because there are no proper refrigeration facilities; but it’s safer to eat meat in a lower village as it is fresher.
Do tea houses provide packed lunch for trekking days?
Yes, the tea houses can prepare a packed lunch, with a chapati roll or boiled eggs, but might not always have a sandwich or fruits, unless you ask beforehand.
Can I refill my bottle with boiled water at tea houses?
Yes, for a small charge, most tea houses will supply boiled or filtered water which is safe and more eco-friendly for ease on a trek.
What kind of desserts are available on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Yes, there are typically simple desserts like pudding, pie, pancakes, and custard. Some of the lodges even offer chocolate bars and fruit curd.
What is the best meal to try in the Manaslu region?
Dal Bhat is the best and most common meal to try. It is healthy, filling, and provides enough energy for long trekking days.
Metal kettle heating on solar cooker outside mountain teahouse on Manaslu Circuit trek
Conclusion
The Manaslu Circuit Trek has a good variety of food and drink options throughout your trek to keep you nourished and recharged. Most teahouses along the Manaslu trek have a menus which consists of traditional Nepali options such as dal bhat, vegetable curries, noodle dishes, fried rice, and momos, as well as simple Western dishes that may include pasta, bread, and pancakes. Hot drinks such as tea, coffee, hot lemon, and hot cocoa can also be found throughout the route to help keep you warm, along with bottled or boiled drinking water for safe hydration.
For those on special diets, usually you can find vegan food on the Manaslu trek, and limited gluten-free foods, especially in the more remote villages. Snacks are always helpful to have when you're on a longer trek with some good options like nuts, dried fruit, energy bars, or chocolate for an extra energy boost. Food costs on the Manaslu trek can vary based on altitude and typically the higher you go the more your meal will cost.
So if you are gearing up for your trek and would like some guidance on food, hydration, or food planning along the way please contact us at Himalayan Recreation for assistance. We offer full service and support for all of your Manaslu Circuit Trek food and drink needs to ensure a safe, enjoyable, well-fed trek from start to finish.
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