15th Jul, 2025

Meals on the Manaslu Circuit

- Magnificent Himalayan Treks

At the time of traveling, hiking or trekking there are certain things that one needs to be cautious of. You are not at home, you are leaving your comfort zone and most importantly you might be  at a place you have never been before.

That’s why availability of essentials may not be like your owned place.

Talking about Manaslu Circuit Trek you need to eat your meals on the nearby tea house/hotel where you sleep.It’s not like cities where you can find anything you want. Trekkings are different.

There are no hotels or restaurants on the way. Likewise, you need to have your lunch on stopping by other tea houses encountered in the mid-day.

In recent years, Manaslu Circuit was the famous camping treks in Nepal. The trek includes the planned journey. The team were supposed to carry needed essentials for cooking and the porters would carry all the cooking utensils and foods for trek.

Likewise, you can eat only things that has been carried from Kathmandu. As there are no restaurants nearby, it makes the journey more starving of your favorite appetizers.

But today, the routes offers multiple or unlimited options for food during the journey of Manaslu Circuit.

Food Options on the Manaslu Circuit Trek"

The Manaslu Circuit Trek has the most hazardous landscapes . You need lots of nutritious diet and energy supply for leading the journey. That’s why Manaslu Circuit offers multiple options focusing our national and international trekkers prioritizing their tastes.

Let’s go through it:

"Traditional Nepali Foods: A Cultural Feast"

Dal Bhat: Steamed Rice(Bhat)  is enriched with carbohydrate and Lentil soup(dal)  supplies protein to the trekkers. This is a Nepalese dish for breakfast and dinner. Most of us think, it is incomplete without pickles and taken sometimes with meat. The mixture to all of this is amazing.

Tarkari: Dal Bhat is incomplete without Tarkari. This is a Nepali name which is served for essential vitamins and minerals. In other words, it is mixed vegetable curry.

Tibetan and Sherpa Food

Momo: This is a Tibetan- Style dumplings which is amazing to taste. It is filled with vegetables, meat, cheese and served with a dipping sauce like tomato ketchup , tomato pickles and so on.

Thukpa: A very nutritious diet made to serve as a soup. This is cooked with noodles, vegetables and meat as per your preference and  added maximum spice for taste. 

Thukpa is mostly taken during winter season.

Tibetan Bread: This is the most famous dish amongst the Tibetan Culture. The bread is fried and often served with honey hash brown potato ,jam or cheese with hot drinks for breakfast.

British  and Continental Options

Porridge: This is a common light breakfast found. It has a special recipe to make.

You add rice and  sugar in milk and let it on a flame. You add other supplements like almond, coconut , honey or jam. This dish is really amazing to taste.

Pancakes: This is also a breakfast served with honey, jam or local butter.

Pastas and spaghetti: This is available in most of the tea houses of Manaslu Circuit  served with multiple options of sauces like tomato or cheese.

Pizza: This is not mostly found dish at Manaslu Circuit Trek but you might encounter on your trek on fewer places.

This dish is often topped with local ingredients and is amazing to taste.

Indian Dish: 

Paratha: You can also find Paratha at Manaslu Circuit Trek . This is an Indian Dish made especially stuffing potato  and flour as a major ingredient.

Snacks and Beverages

Tea and Coffee: You can find abundant types of tea( black, herbal, green) and instant coffee . These are widely available as it keeps your body active. There is special type of tea available during Manaslu Circuit Trek i.e.:

Masala Tea: This is of People’s choice or local favorite due to it’s amazing flavor and unique taste.

Hot Lemon : This beverage will keep the body hydrated and warm and is easily available.

Ginger Tea: The taste to this ginger is amazing and mostly preferred by trekkers. 

This is a healthy drink and easily available at the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Popcorn and Chips: These are packet stuffs which trekkers can enjoy along the journey.

Energy Bars and Chocolates: These are available in some of the tea houses and shops on the way of the Trek.

Special Dietary Requirement

Vegan/Vegetarian: In most of the trekking places, it is very difficult to find the vegetarian meals but not in Manaslu Circuit. The Vegetarian meals are easily available during Manaslu Circuit Trek.  

You can enjoy Dal-Bhat-Tarkari, Momo, vegetable curry ,Thukpa as they are easily available.

However, there might be problem in finding green leafy vegetables and vegan products as it excludes milk, butter, cheese etc.The altitude is very high and it is extremely difficult to carry fresh vegetables at higher landscapes.

Pro-Tip: You are allowed to bring your own vegan food, such as protein bars and nuts. This will keep your body in good condition and allow you to take in Manaslu Circuit's breathtaking scenery.

Gluten-Free: Although Manaslu Circuit offers a wide variety of food alternatives, it's likely that the majority of the dishes contain gluten or are cross-contaminated. Discussing your dietary needs with the tea houses and planning your meals are crucial.

Quality and Availability: A Perfect Duo

No matter where you go, you need energy. Definitely, food is the fuel for human beings. This is the primary source of energy.

Adaptiveness: Despite of the availability of enough food meals, preferably meat, vegetables, the tea houses do not hesitate to serve the trekkers the meals thar suit their dietary preferences and restrictions.Especially if it is informed in advance. Isn’t it amazing?

Embracing Freshness and Variety: There are chances that with the increase in altitude, the freshness of ingredients are declined. But during this trek, the tea houses prepares each meal with care and serve the trekkers with warm hospitality.

Food Restriction

Maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual fitness is essential because the Manaslu Circuit trip is one of the most well-known and hazardous trekking destinations for both domestic and foreign hikers. You can sustain your energy and stamina by eating a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Although the tea house or lodge offers a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, we would not like to suggest them because we believe that hygiene is the main obstacle.

Steer clear of alcohol, dairy items, hot chocolates, and caffeinated beverages as they may render you unconscious during the journey.

Note: It is strictly advised to not eat the non-veg meals or meat above 2500m as there is no proper freezing system and is extremely unsanitized.

Drink water on the Manaslu Circuit

They say , your body is half of what you eat. It means the physique of your body is defined by the portion of food you take or the what your body consumes.

It is necessary for you to take a healthy diet and stay hydrated everyday.

Study shows that, it is necessary to drink 3 liters of water everyday to be safe from dehydration.

Now, talking about Manaslu Circuit Trek , bottled water is easily available on the teahouses or on the way. 

But this is a hazardous way to influence environment pollution. 

That’s why keep looking for the spring water or tap water. This is available at every routes.

You can also add chlorine or iodine for purification.

Likewise, if you don't like the taste of Chlorine , you can easily buy boiled or filtered water from the lodge.

Where to Refill Water on the Manaslu Trek?

You might be confused about the sources of water during the Trek. Fairenough, clearing your Confusion-

• You can find taps outside every Guest house

• You can fill up water at the place you have been staying, or a lunch stop or taps used by locals

• You can but hot water or water under your preference on any teahouse/lodge

Note: There are chances that the water may be frozen early in the morning , so locals in the Manaslu Circuit suggests to refill every bottles at night to avoid scarcity of water.

Sterilization:

Broadly Speaking, if you intend to use tap or stream water in Manaslu Circuit Trek it is advised to sterilize the water for the best results on your body.

Steripen Ultra is the best way to sterilize water. In this method, there is the use of Ultraviolet light. 

This kills bacteria and sterilizes 1l of water in just 90 seconds.

The device has the lifespan of around 8000 treatments and costs around 100$ which is very flexible amount. It is very quick method . So you can use this device instead of purification tablets.

There are other methods of sterilization as well i.e-

• Lifestraw

• Grayl

• Water-To-Go

• Water Purification Tablets( especially Steripen)

The Key to a Good Experience Trip

The hospitality and the service that Manaslu Circuit Trek offers is applaudable. This Manaslu Trek not only offers the scenic beauty but also the other requirements that are important on your journey like:

Cultural Connection

Meals prepares a bridge amongst the trekkers and the local culture . During the days of stay, the trekkers can enjoy the local culture, have traditional food and enjoy cooking methods based on the local culture and tradition.

Energy and Comfort 

Providing food  is a primary source of business to the local people as a way of earling. But mainly, this food is a fuel that every trekkers require on not just Manaslu Circuit trek but every trek possible. It gives comfort and energy necessary for doing anything.

At last

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a very adventurous journey that not everyone can claim. It is not for trekkers who are thinking of a short trip or and easy way. One has to go through enormous difficulties. 

That’s why Manaslu Circuit is designed to boost the energy during the difficult steps of the journey. 

It also focuses on expanding their cultural and local heritages through their meals, their folk songs, their dance and so on. 

That’s why today’s tea house on Manaslu Circuit Trek focuses on interacting with national and international trekkers for more cultural dimension on the trek.