Manaslu Circuit Trek
Circle the world’s eighth-highest mountain on quiet trails through Nubri’s Tibetan villages and over the Larkya La.
Trip at a glance
- Duration
- 12 Days
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Max altitude
- 5,106 m / 16,752 ft · Larkya La pass
- Group size
- Minimum 2 trekkers (permit rule)
- Start / End
- Kathmandu / Kathmandu
- Best season
- Mid-Sep–Nov, Mar–May
- Accommodation
- Teahouses throughout the trek
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner on the trek
- Transport
- Jeep Kathmandu–Machha Khola and Dharapani–Kathmandu
Overview
Highlights
- Far fewer trekkers than Everest or Annapurna
- The Budhi Gandaki gorge, from subtropical forest to high alpine valley
- Tibetan Buddhist villages of Lho, Shyala and Samagaun
- Close views of Manaslu (8,163 m) from Samagaun and Birendra Lake
- Crossing the Larkya La (5,106 m) with Himlung and Annapurna II ahead
- Descent into the larch forests of Bimthang
The Manaslu Circuit is a 12-day trek from Kathmandu that follows the Budhi Gandaki river around Manaslu (8,163 m), crosses the Larkya La at 5,106 m and descends into the Marsyangdi valley. It is a restricted area, which means fewer trekkers, mandatory licensed guides and villages that still feel untouched by mass tourism.
The first days climb a deep, green gorge with long suspension bridges and waterfalls. Above Deng the culture changes: mani walls, monasteries and stone villages of the Nubri people, whose language and customs come from Tibet. You rest in Samagaun, the largest village, with Manaslu’s glaciers hanging above, before the pre-dawn crossing of the Larkya La and a long descent into Bimthang.
This is our itinerary for trekkers with good fitness who want something wilder than the classic routes. Add the hidden valley of Tsum to make it a longer journey — see our Tsum Valley Trek.
Planning resources
Itinerary
Walking times are for an average pace with breaks. Your guide adjusts the day to the group and the weather.
Day-by-day at a glance
| Day 1 | Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola | 870 m |
|---|---|---|
| Day 2 | Machha Khola to Jagat | 1,340 m |
| Day 3 | Jagat to Deng | 1,860 m |
| Day 4 | Deng to Namrung | 2,630 m |
| Day 5 | Namrung to Shyala | 3,500 m |
| Day 6 | Shyala to Samagaun, visit Pungyen Gompa | 3,530 m |
| Day 7 | Acclimatisation day in Samagaun | 3,530 m |
| Day 8 | Samagaun to Samdo | 3,875 m |
| Day 9 | Samdo to Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi) | 4,460 m |
| Day 10 | Cross the Larkya La, descend to Bimthang | 3,720 m |
| Day 11 | Bimthang to Tilije | 2,300 m |
| Day 12 | Walk to Dharapani, drive to Kathmandu | 1,400 m |
-
Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola 870 m 8–9 hrs by jeep Teahouse
- Overnight altitude
- 870 m / 2,854 ft
- Overnight at
- Machha Khola
- Walking / travel
- 8–9 hrs by jeep
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
A long, bumpy but beautiful drive via Dhading Besi and Arughat into the Budhi Gandaki valley. Your guide collects your restricted-area permits the day before. Machha Khola means “fish river” — a small village of lodges by the water.
-
Day 2: Machha Khola to Jagat 1,340 m 6–7 hrs Teahouse
- Overnight altitude
- 1,340 m / 4,396 ft
- Overnight at
- Jagat
- Walking / travel
- 6–7 hrs
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walk up the gorge past the hot springs at Tatopani, cross several suspension bridges and enter the restricted area at Jagat, where permits are checked.
-
Day 3: Jagat to Deng 1,860 m 6 hrs Teahouse
- Overnight altitude
- 1,860 m / 6,102 ft
- Overnight at
- Deng
- Walking / travel
- 6 hrs
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Past Philim and the turn-off to Tsum Valley, the gorge becomes dramatic: cliffs, bamboo forest and the river far below. Deng is a small Gurung settlement.
-
Day 4: Deng to Namrung 2,630 m 6–7 hrs Teahouse
- Overnight altitude
- 2,630 m / 8,629 ft
- Overnight at
- Namrung
- Walking / travel
- 6–7 hrs
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Climb out of the gorge into Nubri, the Tibetan-influenced upper valley. First prayer walls and chortens appear, and Siringi and Ganesh Himal come into view.
-
Day 5: Namrung to Shyala 3,500 m 5–6 hrs Teahouse
- Overnight altitude
- 3,500 m / 11,483 ft
- Overnight at
- Shyala
- Walking / travel
- 5–6 hrs
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Through Lihi, Sho and Lho, with Manaslu dominating the head of the valley. Visit Ribung Gompa above Lho before continuing to the pastures of Shyala.
-
Day 6: Shyala to Samagaun, visit Pungyen Gompa 3,530 m 5–6 hrs Teahouse
- Overnight altitude
- 3,530 m / 11,581 ft
- Overnight at
- Samagaun
- Walking / travel
- 5–6 hrs
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short walk to Samagaun, then an afternoon hike to Pungyen Gompa, a monastery in a meadow right below Manaslu’s north face.
-
Day 7: Acclimatisation day in Samagaun 3,530 m 3–6 hrs (day hike) Teahouse
- Overnight altitude
- 3,530 m / 11,581 ft
- Overnight at
- Samagaun
- Walking / travel
- 3–6 hrs (day hike)
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike to Birendra Lake, a glacial lake fed by Manaslu’s icefall, or — if you feel strong — part of the way to Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m). Back to Samagaun to sleep.
-
Day 8: Samagaun to Samdo 3,875 m 3–4 hrs Teahouse
- Overnight altitude
- 3,875 m / 12,713 ft
- Overnight at
- Samdo
- Walking / travel
- 3–4 hrs
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An easy walk along the river through juniper and yak pastures to Samdo, the last village before the pass, a few hours’ walk from the Tibetan border.
-
Day 9: Samdo to Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi) 4,460 m 4 hrs Basic teahouse
- Overnight altitude
- 4,460 m / 14,633 ft
- Overnight at
- Dharamsala
- Walking / travel
- 4 hrs
- Accommodation
- Basic teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Climb gently to the stone huts of Dharamsala below the pass. Accommodation here is very basic. Early dinner and bed.
-
Day 10: Cross the Larkya La, descend to Bimthang 3,720 m 8–10 hrs Teahouse
- Overnight altitude
- 3,720 m / 12,205 ft
- Overnight at
- Bimthang
- Walking / travel
- 8–10 hrs
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave around 4 am. The climb to the Larkya La (5,106 m) follows moraine ridges and frozen lakes, with views of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II from the top. The descent is steep and can be icy; your guide sets the pace. Bimthang sits in a wide meadow beneath Manaslu’s west face.
-
Day 11: Bimthang to Tilije 2,300 m 5–6 hrs Teahouse
- Overnight altitude
- 2,300 m / 7,546 ft
- Overnight at
- Tilije
- Walking / travel
- 5–6 hrs
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Down through larch, pine and rhododendron forest into the Dudh Khola valley and the Gurung village of Tilije.
-
Day 12: Walk to Dharapani, drive to Kathmandu 1,400 m 2 hrs walking, 8–9 hrs drive
- Overnight altitude
- 1,400 m / 4,593 ft
- Walking / travel
- 2 hrs walking, 8–9 hrs drive
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
A short walk to Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit road, then a jeep to Besisahar and on to Kathmandu, arriving in the evening. Need a hotel? We can book one for you.
What’s included
One clear price for the trek itself. Anything that varies from person to person is listed as not included, so there are no surprises.
Included in the price
Transport
- Jeep Kathmandu–Machha Khola
- Jeep Dharapani–Besisahar–Kathmandu (shared or private)
Accommodation
- Eleven nights in teahouses on a twin-sharing basis
Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner with tea or coffee every day of the trek
Guide & porter
- Government-licensed, English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter to carry your main bag (one porter per two trekkers)
- Salary, meals, lodging, insurance and equipment for all staff
Permits & fees
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- All government taxes and service charges
Safety
- Group first-aid kit carried by your guide
- Pre-trek briefing and route check in Kathmandu
- Back-up from our Kathmandu office throughout the trek
Not included
Travel
- International flights to and from Nepal
- Nepal visa fee (issued on arrival at Kathmandu airport)
- Travel insurance — must cover trekking altitude and helicopter evacuation
Food & lodging
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu (and Pokhara where applicable)
- Hotel in Kathmandu before and after the trek (we can book one for you)
- Bottled water, soft drinks, snacks and alcohol
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi and battery charging on the trail
Personal
- Personal trekking gear (can be hired in Kathmandu or Pokhara)
- Laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Tips for your guide and porter (customary, at your discretion)
Other
- Emergency evacuation and medical costs
- Extra nights or transport caused by weather, flight delays or early return
- Airport transfers (can be added)
Dates & price
Group size discounts
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,450 |
| 2–3 people | $1,265 |
| 4–7 people | $1,210 |
| 8–12 people | $1,160 |
| 13+ people | $1,110 |
Dates don’t line up? Send a request for any date — we’ll make it work. Sending a request is free and doesn’t commit you to pay.
Packing list
50 items, grouped the way you dress on the trail. Your porter carries the main bag; you carry a 25–35 L daypack with water, layers, snacks and documents.
Head & face 5 items
- Sun hat or cap
- Warm beanie that covers your ears
- Neck gaiter or buff (dust and cold wind)
- Category 3–4 sunglasses with UV protection
- Headlamp with spare batteries
Upper body 5 items
- 2–3 quick-dry trekking shirts (no cotton)
- Thermal base layer top
- Fleece or light insulated jacket
- Down jacket rated to about -10°C (can be hired in Kathmandu)
- Waterproof, breathable shell jacket
Hands 2 items
- Light liner gloves
- Insulated waterproof gloves or mittens
Lower body 5 items
- 2 pairs of trekking trousers
- Thermal base layer leggings
- Waterproof over-trousers
- Comfortable trousers or shorts for the evenings
- Underwear (quick-dry)
Feet 5 items
- Broken-in waterproof trekking boots with ankle support
- Camp shoes or sandals for the teahouse
- 3–4 pairs of trekking socks (wool or synthetic)
- One pair of warm thick socks for nights
- Gaiters (useful in snow, Nov–Apr)
Bags & sleeping 6 items
- Daypack 25–35 L with rain cover
- Duffel bag for the porter (we can lend one)
- Sleeping bag rated to -10°C (can be hired)
- Trekking poles
- Reusable water bottles or bladder (2 L total)
- Dry bags or zip bags for electronics and documents
Electronics & documents 6 items
- Passport with 6 months’ validity and spare passport photos
- Copy of your travel insurance policy
- Phone and charging cable
- Power bank (charging costs extra higher up)
- Universal adaptor (Nepal uses type C, D and M sockets)
- Some cash in Nepali rupees for snacks, showers and tips
Toiletries 5 items
- Biodegradable soap and travel towel
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- SPF 50 sunscreen and SPF lip balm
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Toilet paper (not supplied in most lodges)
Medicines & first aid 6 items
- Your personal prescription medicines
- Altitude medication (acetazolamide) — ask your doctor
- Rehydration salts
- Blister plasters and tape
- Painkillers and anti-diarrhoea tablets
- Water purification tablets or a filter bottle
Optional extras 5 items
- Snacks from home (energy bars, nuts)
- Camera and spare memory cards
- Book, cards or e-reader for evenings
- Lightweight binoculars
- Earplugs for thin teahouse walls
Rent instead of buying. Down jackets, sleeping bags and trekking poles are easy to hire in Kathmandu and Pokhara for a few dollars a day. Ask us at the trip briefing and we’ll point you to shops we trust.
Before you go
Permits
Manaslu is a restricted area: the permit comes through a registered agency and you trek with a licensed guide (solo trekkers have been allowed since March 2026). We arrange:
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (US$100 for the first week in Sep–Nov, US$75 in Dec–Aug)
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for the exit via Dharapani
All are included. We need a scan of your passport and visa 7–10 days before the trek to apply. See the Manaslu region guide.
Difficulty and preparation
This is a challenging trek. You walk 5–8 hours a day for many days in a row, mostly above 3,500 m, where every step takes more effort. It is non-technical — no ropes or climbing — but you should be in good shape and ideally have done a multi-day hike before. Train for 8–12 weeks with long hill days carrying a 6–8 kg pack.
Best time to go
Go in mid-September–November or March–May. Larkya La can be snowbound from December to February, and the lower valley is wet and leech-prone in the monsoon. October is the busiest month; late November and April are quieter.
Altitude and safety
The highest point of the Manaslu Circuit is 5,106 m. Most people feel the altitude above 3,000 m: a mild headache and poor sleep are normal. Our itinerary climbs slowly, with rest days where they matter, and your guide checks how you feel every morning and evening.
- Drink 3–4 litres of water a day and skip alcohol until you descend.
- Tell your guide about any headache that does not go away, nausea or unusual tiredness.
- If symptoms get worse, we descend — it is the only reliable cure.
Your travel insurance must cover trekking to 5,500 m and helicopter evacuation. We help coordinate any evacuation with your insurer. Read more in our guide to altitude sickness and acclimatisation.
Accommodation and food
On the trail you sleep in teahouses: family-run lodges with simple twin rooms, foam mattresses, blankets and a shared dining room warmed by a stove. Lower villages have attached bathrooms and hot showers; higher up, toilets are shared and hot water costs a few dollars.
You order breakfast and dinner from the lodge menu — dal bhat (rice, lentils and curry with free refills) is the best fuel and the safest choice. Vegetarian food is the norm; we recommend avoiding meat at higher altitudes, where it is carried up for days.
How to book
Send a free booking request with your preferred dates and group size — there is no payment online. A trip expert replies within 24 hours to confirm availability, finalise your itinerary and send a written quote. Once everything is agreed we explain how to pay the deposit. Questions first? Message us on WhatsApp or read how we run our treks.
Questions trekkers ask
Can I trek Manaslu alone?
Yes, with a licensed guide. Manaslu is a restricted area, and since 22 March 2026 the permit can be issued to a single trekker (before that the minimum was two). You cannot trek it independently — the permit comes through a registered agency, which we handle.
Do I need a guide?
Yes. Since April 2023 foreign trekkers must walk with a government-licensed guide in Nepal’s national parks and conservation areas, and restricted areas such as Manaslu and Mustang have always required one. Every trek we run includes a licensed guide.
What travel insurance do I need?
Your policy must cover trekking at the trek’s maximum altitude and emergency helicopter evacuation. Check the altitude limit in the small print — many standard policies stop at 3,000 m or 4,000 m. Send us a copy before the trek. Read our travel insurance guide.
Can I charge my phone and use Wi-Fi?
Most lodges have charging and Wi-Fi for a small fee (a few dollars), getting pricier and slower with altitude. A Nepali SIM card (Ncell or NTC) gives 4G in many villages. Bring a power bank.
How difficult is the Manaslu Circuit?
Challenging. You walk 5–7 hours a day on rough trails and cross a 5,106 m pass on a 9-hour day. It suits fit trekkers; previous multi-day hiking helps. Read our Manaslu difficulty guide.
What are the lodges like?
Simpler than on Everest or Annapurna. Lower lodges have attached bathrooms; above Samagaun rooms are basic twin rooms with shared toilets. Dharamsala, the night before the pass, has very simple stone huts.
Can I add the Tsum Valley?
Yes — Tsum branches off at Lokpa and adds 5–7 days. Combining both is one of the best long treks in Nepal. Ask us for the combined itinerary.
Can I do this trek privately or join a group?
Both. A private trip starts on any date you choose with your own guide and porters. Fixed departures let you join other trekkers on set dates. If your dates don’t match a departure, send a request anyway — we’ll make it work.
Do I pay anything when I send a booking request?
No. The booking request is free and does not commit you. We reply within 24 hours to confirm details and send a written quote. A deposit is only requested after you have agreed the itinerary and price.
How much should I budget for tips?
Tips are customary but personal. Many trekkers give their guide and porter around 10–15% of the trip cost in total, handed over on the last evening. Your guide will never ask.
Didn’t find your answer? Ask the guide who leads this trek.
Plan your trek
Guides for the Manaslu Circuit Trek
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Questions about the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Ask about dates, fitness, permits or a custom itinerary. The guide who leads this trek will answer — free and without obligation.
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