The Manaslu Circuit Trek is fast turning into a favorite amongst the trekkers all over the world, with something beyond breathtaking Himalayan scenery and a Tibetan way of life and culture. The Manaslu Circuit Trek not only offers unmatched natural splendor but also decent food and drinks on the way. Whether you camp on the trail or stop in a local teahouse, you’re going to taste some authentic Nepali foods with a Tibetan touch.
There are no luxury hotels available; you’re going to stay in a local teahouse with basic facilities. The hospitality of the remote Nepalese people is warm and comforting. They serve you locally grown foods like rice, vegetables, and fruits, which they cook in the wooden stove and serve you hot. Don’t expect much from the food options, as there are very few options available.
You’ll be eating dal bhat, a traditional meal. It is a comfort meal, full of nutrients and carbs. Dal bhat consists of a plate of rice, lentils, vegetables, pickle, and green salad. In lower elevations, you might get a variety of food options like noodles, momo, pasta, or more things; in higher elevations, you only get dal bhat, Tibetan bread, hot tea, soup, and some more food options.
Types of Foods on the Manaslu Circuit Trek
Breakfast
● Tibetan Bread with jam or honey
● Porridge (plain, apple, or cinnamon)
● Pancakes (apple, banana, chocolate)
● Omelet or boiled eggs
● Tsampa (roasted barley flour porridge)
● Soup
Lunch and Dinner
● Dal Bhat (lentil soup, rice, vegetable curry, and pickles)
● Fried noodles
● Fry rice with vegetables or egg
● Momos (dumplings)—veg or meat (lower altitudes only)
● Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup)—Great for cold weather
● Thenduk
● Potato dish
● Vegetable curry with chapati or roti
● Macaroni
● Spaghetti, or pasta—with basic tomato or cheese sauce
● Papad
● Pickles (achar)
● Cheese toast
● Soup bowls
Vegetarian and vegan options are also available. But gluten-free foods are hard to find, so trekkers have to manage that for themselves. Non-veg items are not recommended after Jagat or Deng due to a lack of refrigeration. If meat is served fresh in a higher-altitude teahouse, you can consider eating it in a small portion. Inform your guide/teahouses in advance if you have allergies or special diets.
Where should you eat food on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
You’ll be eating at a teahouse, where you’ll stay overnight. They are family-run teahouses that offer not only shelter to the trekkers but also freshly prepared food made of local produce. Eating your meals where you stay overnight, which will go into funding the local families and ensuring hygienic and well-cooked food.
In a city like Kathmandu, you will be dining in a fine dining restaurant. There are several options for food, and you can have anything you wish to have. Food costs are relatively high, but hygiene and variety of options are not compromised.
In the Manaslu Circuit Trek, avoid roadside stalls and perishable items like meat or dairy at higher altitudes due to a lack of refrigeration.
Drink options on the Manaslu Circuit Trek
While trekking on the Manaslu Circuit Trek, drink enough water to hydrate yourself. Hydrating yourself is essential for energy, acclimatization, and overall well-being. Because of a fair amount of remoteness in the area, drink options are limited; nevertheless, you will find a few safe and warm kinds of drinks in the teahouses along the path.
Safe Drinking Water
● Boiled Water: Available at all teahouses for a small fee. This is the safest and most common option.
● Filtered or Treated Water: Bring a portable filter (like Sawyer Mini or LifeStraw) or purification tablets (like Aquatabs).
● UV Sterilizers: Devices like Steripen can purify water from taps or rivers.
● Avoid Plastic Bottled Water: High-priced, ecologically unsound, and often not recommended above Jagat.
Hot Drinks (Available in Teahouses)
● Milk Tea (Chiya): A Nepali-style tea with milk and sugar.
● Black Tea: Cheap to the core and everywhere.
● Ginger Tea: Helps to digest and reduce altitude symptoms.
● Lemon Tea / Hot Lemon: Invigorating and good to drink for hydration.
● Garlic Soup/Garlic Tea: Designed to prevent altitude sickness.
● Herbal Tea: Mint, rhododendron, or mixed, based on what is available.
Coffee and Specialty Beverages
● Coffee and Special Drinks
● Instant Coffee: Available in teahouses, usually Nescafé or equivalent.
● Black Coffee: Maybe available in more high-end teahouses.
● Hot Chocolate: Sweet and warm at high altitude.
● Yak Butter Tea (in Tibetan-influenced villages): Taken into taste, though. Worth trying.
Drinks to Avoid
● Unfiltered Tap or River Water: Risk of waterborne disease.
● Alcohol: Avoid beer or local liquor at high altitude—they dehydrate and increase AMS risk.
● Too Much Caffeine: Dehydration is increased.
Tips for Eating Healthy and Staying Hydrated
● Take a full plate of rice, vegetables, lentils, pickles, salad, and spinach.
● Take a minimum of fried food and oily food because they are slow to digest.
● Take carbohydrate food for long-term energy.
● Do not take meat foods after Deng, as while ascending, there are no circumstances for refrigerators.
● Eat freshly cooked and local food to reduce the possibility of illness.
● Take food at frequent intervals and small amounts of food; it gives energy to the body.
● Take energy-providing snacks such as a protein bar, dry fruits, peanut butter, or any other foods.
● Take plenty of water to remain hydrated.
● Take a refillable water bottle and water purifiers always.
● Do not take alcohol and caffeine because both of them dry out your body.
● Take warm and energy-providing soups such as garlic soup, ginger soup, and hot lemon water.
Conclusion
Food and drinks along the Manaslu Circuit Trek offer a blend of traditional Nepali flavors and basic international dishes that sustain trekkers through challenging terrain. Teahouses serve staple meals like dal bhat, noodles, momos, and Tibetan bread, providing both energy and comfort. Hot tea, coffee, and soups help combat the cold at higher altitudes, though bottled water becomes costly and less available. While options are simpler compared to more commercial routes, the food is fresh, hearty, and nourishing. Overall, dining on the Manaslu Circuit enhances the trekking experience, reflecting the region’s authentic culture and warm hospitality.
