Manaslu Circuit Trek Guide

Overview

The Manaslu Circuit is one of Nepal's finest long teahouse treks — a complete circuit around Manaslu (8,163 m), the world's eighth-highest mountain, set in the Gorkha district of the Gandaki province. It offers much of the grandeur of the classic circuits but a fraction of the crowds: where the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp trails can feel busy in peak season, on Manaslu you walk through deep gorges and high Tibetan-Buddhist villages with the trail largely to yourself.

The route follows the dramatic Budhi Gandaki gorge, climbing from subtropical riverside terraces and waterfalls into the high, arid Nubri valley, where the culture turns distinctly Tibetan — mani walls, prayer flags, chortens and ancient gompas line the trail. The trek builds steadily to its crux, the crossing of the Larkya La (5,106 m), the highest point and the great prize of the circuit, before descending the far side to Dharapani, where the trail joins the Annapurna Circuit.

Most people complete the circuit in 14 to 18 days, including the drives to and from the trailheads. It is graded strenuous: the daily distances are long, the trail rolls steeply, and you spend several nights above 3,500 m before the high pass. What makes Manaslu more accessible than the truly remote treks such as Makalu is its chain of comfortable teahouses — you sleep and eat in lodges throughout, rather than carrying camping gear.

Manaslu sits in a restricted area, which keeps numbers down and means you must trek with a licensed guide in a group of at least two through a registered agency. The reward is a journey that feels genuinely wild and culturally rich — the high villages of Lho, Samagaon and Samdo, side-trips to Manaslu Base Camp and Pungyen Gompa, and the option to branch off into the remote Tsum Valley. For trekkers wanting a big Himalayan circuit without the crowds, Manaslu is hard to beat.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

This is a classic Manaslu Circuit itinerary built around steady acclimatisation before the Larkya La. It can be shortened slightly by fit groups or extended with extra rest days at Samagaon and side-trips to Manaslu Base Camp, Pungyen Gompa or the Tsum Valley. The trek begins and ends with long jeep drives between Kathmandu and the roadheads.

Day 1 — Drive Kathmandu to Soti Khola / Machha Khola (roadhead)

A long, scenic but rough jeep drive west from Kathmandu through Gorkha to the roadhead at Soti Khola or Machha Khola, where the trail up the Budhi Gandaki begins. (7-9 hours of driving.)

Day 2 — Machha Khola to Jagat (1,340 m)

Trek up the Budhi Gandaki gorge past waterfalls, hot springs at Tatopani and suspension bridges to Jagat, the first restricted-area permit checkpoint. (6-7 hours.)

Day 3 — Jagat to Deng (1,860 m)

Continue up the steep-sided gorge, crossing the river several times and passing the turn-off for the Tsum Valley, to the small village of Deng, where the landscape and culture begin to feel more Tibetan. (6-7 hours.)

Day 4 — Deng to Namrung (2,630 m)

A long day climbing through forest and past mani walls and gompas, with the gorge gradually opening out, to the gateway village of Namrung, the entrance to the upper Nubri valley. (6-7 hours.)

Day 5 — Namrung to Lho (3,180 m)

A beautiful day through Tibetan-style villages, barley fields and forest, with the first close views of Manaslu opening up. Lho offers a superb sunset and sunrise on the peak and a fine hilltop gompa. (4-5 hours.)

Day 6 — Lho to Samagaon (3,520 m)

A shorter day past Shyala, with grandstand views of Manaslu and surrounding peaks, to the large village of Samagaon, the key acclimatisation hub of the trek. (4-5 hours.)

Day 7 — Acclimatisation day at Samagaon

An essential rest and acclimatisation day. Take a side-trip up to Manaslu Base Camp (around 4,800 m) or to the atmospheric Pungyen Gompa beneath the glaciers — both aid acclimatisation and offer spectacular high views.

Day 8 — Samagaon to Samdo (3,860 m)

A gentler day following the Budhi Gandaki up toward its source, past the turn-off to Birendra Tal, into increasingly arid high country to the Tibetan trading village of Samdo, the last permanent settlement. (3-4 hours.)

Day 9 — Acclimatisation day at Samdo

A second acclimatisation day before the pass. Hike toward the old trade route and the Tibetan border viewpoints above the village to gain height and aid adjustment, returning to sleep low.

Day 10 — Samdo to Dharamsala / Larkya Phedi (4,460 m)

A short but high day across moraine and barren slopes to the simple lodges at Dharamsala (also called Larkya Phedi), the base for the pass crossing. An early night ahead of a pre-dawn start. (3-4 hours.)

Day 11 — Cross the Larkya La (5,106 m) to Bimthang (3,720 m)

The crux of the trek: a long, demanding day starting before dawn, climbing steadily over moraine and glacier to the prayer-flag-strewn Larkya La (5,106 m), with a magnificent panorama of Himlung, Cheo, Kang Guru and Annapurna II, then a long, steep descent to the meadows of Bimthang. (8-9 hours.)

Day 12 — Bimthang to Dharapani (1,860 m)

A long descent through rhododendron and pine forest and across the Dudh Khola to Dharapani, where the route joins the Annapurna Circuit. (6-7 hours.)

Days 13-14 — Drive Dharapani to Kathmandu

A jeep drive down the Marsyangdi valley to Besisahar, then on to Kathmandu, usually with a vehicle change at Besisahar. Build in a contingency day, as the high pass and mountain roads are weather-dependent.

Difficulty & Fitness

The Manaslu Circuit is graded strenuous. It is a serious high-altitude trek, but the chain of teahouses makes it more accessible than camping treks such as Makalu or Dhaulagiri. The main challenges are the length, the daily ascent and descent, and the Larkya La.

• The Larkya La (5,106 m). The high point and crux of the trek is crossed in a single long day from Dharamsala, with an early start, exposure to wind and snow, and a steep descent on the far side. It is a tough but non-technical pass.
• Altitude. You spend several nights above 3,500 m — at Samagaon, Samdo and Dharamsala — before the pass. Proper acclimatisation days at Samagaon and Samdo are built in and non-negotiable.
• Long, rolling days. The trail climbs and drops steeply through the Budhi Gandaki gorge, with numerous suspension-bridge crossings and sustained uphill sections. Several days are 6-7 hours of walking.
• Teahouse comfort. Unlike the remote eastern treks, you sleep and eat in lodges throughout, which keeps your pack light and removes the need for camping logistics.

You should be comfortable walking 6-7 hours a day on rough trails for two weeks, with one very long day at the pass. Previous high-altitude experience helps but is not essential for a fit, well-acclimatised trekker. Train with long hill walks, stair climbs and loaded day-pack hikes for at least a couple of months beforehand.

Permits & Regulations

Manaslu lies in a restricted area, so the permit requirements are stricter than on the open trekking routes. Solo trekking is not allowed: you must travel in a group of at least two trekkers with a licensed guide arranged through a registered trekking agency. You need three permits:

• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) — around USD 100 per person per week in the peak season (September-November) and around USD 75 per person per week in the off-season (December-August). It is issued only to groups of two or more through a registered agency, never to solo trekkers.
• Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit — around NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals, covering the conservation area you trek through.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit — around NPR 3,000, required for the exit section beyond Dharapani where the route joins the Annapurna region.

Permits are checked at posts along the way, beginning at Jagat. Carry your passport and several passport photos, and keep all three permits handy for checkpoints. Because rules, fees and the exact restricted-area boundaries can change from season to season, confirm the current requirements with a registered agency or the Nepal Tourism Board before you travel.

Cost & Budget

Because Manaslu is a restricted-area trek requiring an agency, a licensed guide and the special permit, it costs more than open teahouse routes — but it remains cheaper than the fly-in expedition treks of the far east, since access is by road rather than air.

• Guided package: typically around USD 1,000-1,800 per person, depending on group size and the number of days. This usually covers the guide, porters, all three permits, ground transport to and from the trailheads, accommodation and meals on the trek.
• Restricted Area Permit: a significant fixed cost — around USD 100 per person per week in autumn (USD 75 per week in the off-season) — which is lower per head for larger groups.
• Conservation permits: MCAP (around NPR 3,000) plus ACAP (around NPR 3,000) for the exit.
• On-trail spending: carry enough Nepali rupees in cash for the whole trek — there are no ATMs in the gorge or the upper villages, and you will need cash for extras, charging, hot showers, Wi-Fi and tips.

Prices climb with altitude as goods are carried in by porter or mule, and a generous tip for guides and porters is customary, especially after the long pass day. Budget a contingency for weather delays on the high pass and the mountain roads.

Best Time to Trek

There are two trekking seasons for Manaslu, and the choice matters because of the high Larkya La and the landslide-prone gorge road.

• Autumn (September-November) is the most reliable season: stable weather, clear skies, the sharpest mountain views and firm trails after the monsoon. This is the prime window, though also the busiest and the season when the Restricted Area Permit costs more.
• Spring (March-May) brings warmer days, blooming rhododendron forests on the lower trail and good views, with a slightly higher chance of afternoon cloud and spring snow on the pass.

Avoid the monsoon (June-early September): the Budhi Gandaki road and trail are prone to landslides and washouts, the lower forest is wet and leech-ridden, and clouds hide the mountains. Deep winter (December-February) is generally too cold and snowy on the Larkya La, which is often snow-blocked. For the best balance of weather, views and a clear pass, plan for autumn or late spring.

Packing, Safety & Tips

Acclimatisation

With several nights above 3,500 m and a high point of 5,106 m at the Larkya La, altitude sickness is a real risk. Keep the built-in acclimatisation days at Samagaon and Samdo, ascend slowly, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol high up, and watch for headache, nausea and dizziness. If symptoms worsen, descend — and remember that on the pass day there is no quick bailout once you have left Dharamsala.

Gear & packing

Pack for a high, cold trek: a warm sleeping bag rated well below freezing, a good down jacket, layered clothing, sturdy broken-in boots, trekking poles, sun and snow protection, gloves and a warm hat for the pre-dawn pass start, and a headlamp. Bring a reliable water-purification method, basic snacks, and a first-aid kit including blister care and altitude medication discussed with your doctor. For the wet lower gorge in shoulder seasons, pack leech protection and waterproofs.

Communications & money

Mobile signal is patchy in the gorge and upper villages, though some lodges offer paid Wi-Fi. There are no ATMs on the route, so carry enough cash for the entire trek plus a buffer for delays, tips and teahouse extras such as charging and hot showers.

Safety & insurance

Buy comprehensive travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking to at least 5,500 m and includes helicopter evacuation — a rescue from the upper valley is essential and expensive without cover. Trek with a licensed guide who knows the pass and the weather, keep contingency days for delays, and stay weather-aware on the exposed Larkya La crossing.

Combining with other treks

The Manaslu Circuit pairs naturally with the remote Tsum Valley, a sacred side-valley that branches off near Deng and adds roughly a week to the trip — many trekkers combine the two into a single restricted-area expedition. Because the circuit ends at Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit, fit trekkers occasionally continue over the Thorong La rather than driving out. For most people, the better progression is to build up through routes like the Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp first, then take on Manaslu for a quieter big circuit. Base yourself in Kathmandu before and after to arrange the agency, permits and gear.