Manaslu Circuit Trek
From $1,265 per person
Trekking region
Manaslu & Tsum Valley Trekking
A remote restricted area around the world’s eighth-highest mountain, with Tibetan Buddhist villages, the 5,106 m Larkya La and the hidden valley of Tsum.
- Highest point
- Larkya La 5,106 m
- Trek length
- 12–14 days
- Gateway
- Machha Khola / Soti Khola (drive)
- Best months
- Mid-Sep–Nov, Mar–May
Compare the routes
Treks in the Manaslu Region
Every trek below runs as a private trip on your dates or with a small group. Compare the length, height and grade, then open a trek for its full day-by-day plan.
| Trek | Days | Max altitude | Grade | Best for | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Manaslu Circuit Trek
|
12 | 5,106 m | Challenging | Mid-Sep–Nov, Mar–May | $1,265 |
 Tsum Valley Trek
|
14 | 3,700 m | Moderate | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | $1,090 |
Tsum Valley Trek
From $1,090 per person
Why go
Why trek around Manaslu
Manaslu is what the Annapurna Circuit was before the roads came: a deep gorge, a long climb into Tibetan-influenced highlands, and a high pass with no tarmac in sight. Because it is a restricted area with compulsory guides, numbers stay low and villages keep their character.
Tsum Valley, a side valley opened to visitors only in 2008, is even quieter — a sacred Buddhist valley close to the Tibetan border.
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Manaslu (8,163 m)
Huge views of the world’s eighth-highest peak from Samagaun and Birendra Lake.
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The Larkya La
A 5,106 m pass with Himlung and Annapurna II ahead and glaciers all around.
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Tibetan Buddhist villages
Lho, Samagaun and the nunneries and monasteries of Tsum.
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Few other trekkers
Restricted-area permits keep numbers low.
When to go
Trekking conditions month by month
Jan: Avoid
Feb: Possible
Mar: Good
Apr: Best
May: Good
Jun: Possible
Jul: Avoid
Aug: Avoid
Sep: Good
Oct: Best
Nov: Best
Dec: Possible
- Best
- Good
- Possible, with trade-offs
- Not recommended
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
The best time for the Larkya La, with stable weather and clear views.
Spring (Mar–May)
Good conditions, flowers in the lower valley and fewer people than October.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Larkya La is often closed by snow. Tsum Valley is still possible.
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Wet, landslide-prone gorge and leeches. Not recommended.
Permits & cost
Permits you need
All permits are arranged by us and included in the trek price. Fees are set by the government and can change — we always charge the current rate.
US$100 per week (Sep–Nov), US$75 (Dec–Aug)
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit
Then US$15 a day (Sep–Nov) or US$10 a day (Dec–Aug). Licensed guide required. Included.
NPR 3,000 (about US$23)
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit
Included in our treks.
NPR 3,000 (about US$23)
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Needed for the exit via Dharapani on the Manaslu Circuit. Included.
US$40 per week (Sep–Nov), US$30 (Dec–Aug)
Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit
Then US$7 a day. Only for treks into Tsum. Included in our Tsum Valley trek.
Manaslu treks compared
- Manaslu Circuit Trek — 12 days. Up the Budhi Gandaki to Samagaun, over the Larkya La and down to the Marsyangdi.
- Tsum Valley Trek — 14 days. A cultural trek to Mu Gompa and Milarepa’s cave, without a high pass.
Both can be combined into a 20–22 day journey — ask us for the itinerary.
Restricted-area rules
Permits are issued only through a registered agency and only with a licensed guide for the whole trek. Until March 2026 they also needed at least two trekkers; since 22 March 2026 a single trekker can get one too, so solo travellers are welcome. We need passport and visa scans 7–10 days before the start.
Difficulty
The Manaslu Circuit is challenging: long days on rough trails, basic lodges higher up, and a 9–10 hour pass day. Read our Manaslu difficulty guide and the itinerary and cost breakdown.
Lodges
Lodges are simpler than on Everest or Annapurna, especially above Samagaun. Dharamsala, the night before the pass, has very basic stone huts. Bring a good sleeping bag.
Manaslu & Tsum Valley Trekking: your questions
Can I trek Manaslu solo?
Yes, with a licensed guide. Since 22 March 2026 restricted-area permits can be issued to a single trekker; before that the minimum was two. You still cannot trek it independently — the permit comes through a registered agency with a guide.
Is the Manaslu Circuit harder than the Annapurna Circuit?
Slightly: the pass is lower (5,106 m vs 5,416 m) but the trail is rougher, lodges are more basic and there are fewer escape options.
When does the Larkya La close?
Heavy snow can close it from December to February and occasionally in late November or early March. We check conditions before every departure.
Didn’t find your answer? Ask the guide who leads this trek.
Free trip planning
Not sure which Manaslu Region trek to choose?
Tell us how many days you have and how fit you feel. We’ll suggest the route that fits — or design one around you.
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