If the Annapurna Circuit is the classic Himalayan circuit, the Manaslu Circuit is its wilder, quieter sibling. It loops around Manaslu (8,163 m), the world's eighth-highest mountain, following the deep gorge of the Budhi Gandaki river up into high Tibetan Buddhist valleys, crossing the Larkya La Pass (5,106 m) and descending into the Marsyangdi valley to join the Annapurna Circuit near Dharapani.
Because it is a restricted area, trekkers must have a special permit, travel in a group of at least two and walk with a licensed guide. That keeps numbers far lower than on the Everest and Annapurna trails and helps protect the region's culture. For many of our guides, it is their favourite trek in Nepal.
Quick answer: the Manaslu Circuit takes 14–16 days from Kathmandu, crosses the Larkya La (5,106 m) and costs about US$1,400–1,900 with guide, porter, restricted area permit, MCAP, ACAP, transport and lodges. It is best in October–November and March–May. It is graded challenging, with long days on rough trails, but lodges are available throughout.
Manaslu Circuit at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 14–16 days from Kathmandu |
| Distance | About 170 km |
| Highest point | Larkya La Pass, 5,106 m |
| Highest sleeping altitude | Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi), about 4,460 m |
| Grade | Challenging |
| Start | Machha Khola or Soti Khola (by jeep from Kathmandu) |
| Finish | Dharapani (jeep to Besisahar and Kathmandu) |
| Permits | Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, MCAP, ACAP |
| Rules | Minimum 2 trekkers, licensed guide, registered agency |
| Best time | October–November; March–May |
Why trek the Manaslu Circuit?
- Fewer trekkers than Everest or Annapurna, thanks to the restricted-area permit.
- Big scenery: from the deep Budhi Gandaki gorge to glaciers and the massive north face of Manaslu.
- Tibetan culture in villages such as Lho, Samagaon and Samdo, with monasteries, mani walls and yak herders.
- A high pass: the Larkya La, with views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II.
- The Tsum Valley extension, a sacred hidden valley close to Tibet.
Recommended 15-day itinerary
| Day | Route | Sleeping altitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu; permit paperwork | 1,400 m |
| 2 | Drive to Machha Khola via Arughat | 930 m |
| 3 | Trek to Jagat | 1,340 m |
| 4 | Trek to Deng | 1,860 m |
| 5 | Trek to Namrung | 2,630 m |
| 6 | Trek to Lho | 3,180 m |
| 7 | Trek to Samagaon | 3,530 m |
| 8 | Acclimatisation: Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Gompa | 3,530 m |
| 9 | Trek to Samdo | 3,875 m |
| 10 | Acclimatisation hike towards the Tibet border | 3,875 m |
| 11 | Trek to Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi) | 4,460 m |
| 12 | Cross Larkya La (5,106 m) to Bimthang | 3,720 m |
| 13 | Trek to Dharapani, jeep to Besisahar | about 800 m |
| 14 | Drive to Kathmandu | 1,400 m |
| 15 | Departure | — |
Take a look at our Manaslu Circuit Trek for full details, or combine it with the Tsum Valley for a three-week adventure.
The journey, section by section
The Budhi Gandaki gorge
The first days follow the roaring Budhi Gandaki through a deep, narrow gorge. The trail is rough, with many ups and downs, suspension bridges and cliffside paths blasted from the rock. Villages such as Jagat and Philim are Gurung and Hindu, with terraced fields of millet and maize. It is hot and humid in the lower valley, and landslides are common after the monsoon, so this section can feel tough, but it is dramatically beautiful.
Into Nubri
Above Deng, the valley turns and the culture changes. You enter Nubri, a region of Tibetan Buddhist villages where people speak a Tibetan dialect and trade historically with Tibet. Namrung, Lho and Samagaon are full of chortens, mani walls and gompas, and from Lho, the first full view of Manaslu rising above the village monastery is one of the great moments of the trek.
Samagaon and Samdo
Samagaon is the largest village in the upper valley and the natural acclimatisation stop. Hike to Birendra Lake below the Manaslu glacier, to the monastery of Pungyen Gompa, or, for strong trekkers, up towards Manaslu Base Camp (about 4,800 m). Samdo, a short walk further, is the last village before the pass, a windswept settlement of families originally from Tibet, just a day's walk from the border.
The Larkya La
From Dharamsala, pass day starts before dawn. The trail climbs gradually over moraine to the Larkya La (5,106 m), a broad pass strung with prayer flags, with Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II lined up in front of you. The descent to Bimthang is long and steep, sometimes icy, and the whole day takes 8–10 hours. Bimthang is a beautiful meadow with views of Manaslu's west face, a well-earned rest after the pass.
The descent to Dharapani
From Bimthang, the trail descends through rhododendron and pine forest to Tilije and Dharapani, where you join the Annapurna Circuit and the road. Most trekkers take a jeep from here to Besisahar and on to Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Permits and rules
The Manaslu Circuit crosses a restricted area between Jagat and Dharapani. You need:
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit: about US$100 for the first seven days in September–November, then about US$15 per day; lower in other months.
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP): NPR 3,000.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 3,000, for the exit via Dharapani.
Permits are issued only through registered agencies, for groups of at least two with a licensed guide. See our permits guide.
How difficult is the Manaslu Circuit?
The Manaslu Circuit is challenging. The lower gorge is rough and steep, days are 6–8 hours, and the pass day is long and high. Lodges are simpler than on the Annapurna Circuit. However, the itinerary has good acclimatisation built in, and fit trekkers with some previous hiking experience handle it well. It's less crowded, and a lot of people like it more for that.
Cost of the Manaslu Circuit
| Item | Approximate cost (US$) |
|---|---|
| Restricted area permit (autumn, about 8–9 days) | 115–130 |
| MCAP + ACAP | About 46 |
| Jeep Kathmandu – Machha Khola / Dharapani – Kathmandu | 50–80 shared, more private |
| Guide and porter (per day) | 55–70 |
| Lodges and meals (per day) | 25–40 |
| Full guided package | 1,400–1,900 per person |
Best time
October–November is ideal: stable weather, clear views and the pass usually free of deep snow. March–May is also good, with rhododendrons in the lower valley, although the Larkya La can hold snow in March and April. Winter brings heavy snow to the pass and closures of Dharamsala lodges; the monsoon makes the gorge slippery and landslide-prone.
Lodges and food
Teahouses now operate all the way around the circuit, including at Dharamsala, where the lodge is basic and often crowded in peak season, with some trekkers in tents. Food is simpler than on the Annapurna Circuit, based on dal bhat, noodles, potatoes, Tibetan bread and eggs. Carry some snacks from Kathmandu. Some villages have homestays, where you eat with the family.
Manaslu Circuit vs Annapurna Circuit
| Manaslu Circuit | Annapurna Circuit | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest pass | Larkya La, 5,106 m | Thorong La, 5,416 m |
| Crowds | Quiet | Busier |
| Roads | Very limited on trail | Roads on both sides |
| Permits | Restricted area, min. 2 trekkers | ACAP only |
| Lodges | Simpler | More comfortable |
| Culture | Nubri Tibetan culture | Manangi, Thakali, Hindu and Buddhist |
A day-by-day story of the circuit
The Manaslu Circuit starts with a long, rough drive along cliff roads. Hold on. From Kathmandu, the road heads west to Dhading Besi and then north to Arughat, a bustling bazaar town on the Budhi Gandaki, before continuing on a rough dirt track to Soti Khola or Machha Khola. The last hours are bumpy and dusty, and the valley narrows as you go, but it is an exciting introduction to the wild country ahead.
The first walking days follow the river upstream. At Tatopani, hot springs spill from the rocks beside the trail, and a few trekkers stop for a soak. At Jagat, a neat village of flagstone lanes, the restricted area begins, and your guide shows your permits at the checkpoint. The gorge gets deeper and more impressive: the trail climbs over rock staircases, crosses long suspension bridges high above the river and passes through bamboo forests where langur monkeys watch from the trees. At Philim the trail to the Tsum Valley branches off to the right, while the circuit continues north towards Deng.
Beyond Deng, something shifts. Prayer flags become more frequent, stone gates painted with Buddhist symbols mark the entrances to villages, and people greet you with tashi delek rather than namaste. This is Nubri. In Namrung and Lihi, houses are built of stone with wooden balconies, and barley fields surround the villages. In Lho, the Ribung Gompa monastery sits on a ridge above the village with Manaslu soaring directly behind it, a view that many trekkers remember as the highlight of the whole trek.
Samagaon feels like a small mountain town, with lodges, shops and a large monastery. Here you spend a day acclimatising, perhaps hiking up to Birendra Lake, a glacial lake fed by Manaslu's icefalls, where you can hear the rumble of avalanches across the valley. The next day, the walk to Samdo passes long mani walls and yak pastures, and the landscape becomes higher and barer. Samdo sits on a plateau at nearly 3,900 m, and a hike up the valley towards the old trade route to Tibet gives a sense of how close you are to the border.
The day to Dharamsala is short but high, preparing you for the pass. Pass day starts in the dark, climbing past frozen lakes and moraine ridges as the sky lightens behind Manaslu. The top of the Larkya La is broad and windswept, strung with prayer flags, with peaks all around. The descent to Bimthang is long, steep and sometimes icy, and the relief of reaching the green meadows and warm lodges of Bimthang in the afternoon light is enormous. From there, it is downhill all the way through forest to Dharapani and the road.
Manaslu: the mountain
At 8,163 m, Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain in the world. Its name comes from the Sanskrit word manasa, meaning "intellect" or "soul". It was first climbed in 1956 by a Japanese expedition, and Japan has a special connection with the mountain to this day. In recent years, Manaslu has become a popular expedition peak in autumn, and in September and early October you may meet climbers heading to base camp above Samagaon. From the trail you see the mountain's massive east and north faces, and from Bimthang, its steep west side.
Who is the Manaslu Circuit for?
The Manaslu Circuit suits trekkers who want a challenging, less-developed trek with strong culture and big mountains, and who are happy with simpler lodges and fewer comforts. It is an excellent second or third trek after Annapurna Base Camp or Everest Base Camp. It also suits trekkers who dislike crowds and roads. Because of the restricted-area rules, solo travellers need to join a group or find a partner; our team can often match solo trekkers with others on similar dates.
Adding the Tsum Valley
The Tsum Valley, a sacred "hidden valley" near the Tibet border, branches off the Manaslu trail at Lokpa. It requires a separate restricted-area permit and adds about six to seven days. Tsum is home to ancient monasteries such as Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa, the cave where the poet-saint Milarepa is said to have meditated, and villages where hunting and killing animals are forbidden by local custom. Combining Tsum and Manaslu makes one of the finest cultural treks in Nepal. You'll find the route in detail on our Tsum Valley Trek page.
Responsible trekking in Nubri
The villages of Nubri have opened to tourism relatively recently, and their culture is strong and fragile. Dress modestly, ask before photographing people and religious sites, and do not enter monasteries without permission. Walk clockwise around mani walls and chortens. Buy local products such as handwoven textiles and support community-run lodges and homestays. Keep your waste to a minimum and carry out batteries and plastics, as there are few waste facilities in the upper valley.
Common questions from our trekkers
Is the Manaslu Circuit harder than the Annapurna Circuit? The pass is lower, but the lower gorge is rougher and lodges are simpler, so many trekkers find the overall experience more demanding. Is there phone signal? Mobile coverage exists in several villages and Wi-Fi in some lodges, but expect gaps, especially above Samdo. Is altitude sickness common? With the two acclimatisation days in Samagaon and Samdo, most trekkers adapt well; the main risk is on the night at Dharamsala and on pass day. What if the pass is closed? In heavy snow, you may have to wait at Samdo or Dharamsala, or, in extreme cases, return the way you came. Build a spare day into your plans.
The changing face of Manaslu
When the Manaslu region opened to foreign trekkers in 1991, visitors had to camp, bring their own food and hire large teams of porters. Over the past twenty years, villages have built teahouses, and the circuit has become a lodge trek. A road is gradually being extended up the Budhi Gandaki valley, and in the future jeeps may reach further up the valley. For now, the Manaslu Circuit remains one of the most unspoiled teahouse treks in Nepal, and those who walk it today are seeing it at a special moment in its history.
Training and preparation
The Manaslu Circuit rewards good preparation. Start training at least three months before your trek, focusing on endurance: long hill walks with a pack, stair climbing and regular cardio sessions. The lower gorge has many steep climbs and descents on uneven ground, so strong legs and good balance help. Practise with trekking poles, which are invaluable on the rough sections and the long descent from the Larkya La. Break in your boots thoroughly, and test your layering system in cold, windy weather if you can. If you have not trekked at high altitude before, consider a shorter trek such as Langtang or Annapurna Base Camp first, or build extra rest days into your Manaslu itinerary.
Money and supplies
There are no ATMs on the Manaslu Circuit, so bring all the Nepali rupees you need for extras and tips from Kathmandu. Lodges accept only cash. Snacks, toilet paper, batteries and other supplies are available in the larger villages but at higher prices, so stock up before you leave. Charging is available in most lodges for a fee, often from solar panels or micro-hydro, and may be limited on cloudy days, so a power bank is essential.
Photography on the Manaslu Circuit
The Manaslu Circuit is a photographer's dream. The gorge has waterfalls and sheer cliffs, the villages of Nubri are full of prayer flags, carved doorways and weathered faces, and the upper valley has some of the best mountain views in Nepal: Manaslu above Lho monastery, sunrise on Himlung from the Larkya La, and evening light on Manaslu's west face from Bimthang. Ask before photographing people and monasteries, carry spare batteries in a warm pocket, and bring a lens cloth for dust.
What a typical day on the Manaslu Circuit looks like
Most days start at about 6:30 with tea and breakfast in the lodge dining room, porridge, eggs or Tibetan bread being the usual choices. By 7:30 you are walking, while the air is cool and the mountains are clear. In the lower gorge, the trail is shaded in the morning and hot by midday, and you stop often at small teahouses for tea and snacks. Lunch is usually around noon: dal bhat, noodle soup or fried potatoes. In the afternoon you reach the next village, often by 2 or 3 p.m., leaving time to wash, rest, visit the local monastery or chat with villagers. Evenings are spent around the stove in the dining room, and by 8:30 most trekkers are asleep. In the upper valley, days are shorter in distance but higher and colder, and the evenings are very cold outside the dining room.
Safety and altitude on Manaslu
The main safety concerns on the Manaslu Circuit are altitude, landslides in the lower gorge and weather on the Larkya La. Our itinerary includes two acclimatisation days before the pass, and your guide checks your health each evening. In the gorge, move quickly across landslide areas and listen to your guide's advice about timing. On the pass, start early, turn back if weather deteriorates, and never cross alone. Make sure your insurance covers trekking to 5,200 m and helicopter evacuation, as rescue from the upper valley often requires a helicopter. Read our altitude sickness guide before you go.
Manaslu for experienced trekkers
If you've already done Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu is the natural next step: more remote, but still teahouses, not tents. Strong trekkers can add the side trip to Manaslu Base Camp from Samagaon, spend an extra day exploring the old trade route towards the Tibetan border from Samdo, or combine the circuit with the Tsum Valley and even the Nar Phu Valley on the Annapurna side for a grand traverse of the Himalaya north of Pokhara. These longer combinations need careful permit planning, which we can arrange, and they take you through some of the least-visited country in Nepal.
Booking your Manaslu trek
Because the Manaslu Circuit requires a restricted-area permit issued in Kathmandu, you should book your trek at least a few weeks in advance, and two to three months ahead for October and November departures. Your trekking company will need a scanned copy of your passport and visa and a passport photo, and permits are usually issued a day or two before departure on working days. If you are travelling alone, ask your company to match you with other trekkers; many companies run fixed group departures in the main seasons. Allow one spare day at the end of your trip in case of road delays on the long drive back to Kathmandu.
Tips from our guides
- Take both acclimatisation days: Samagaon and Samdo make the pass much easier.
- Bring microspikes outside the peak autumn weeks.
- Be patient with the lower gorge; the rewards come later.
- Carry cash: there are no ATMs on the trail.
- Respect monasteries and village customs in Nubri.
Who should trek Manaslu?
The Manaslu Circuit is one of the finest treks in Nepal: wild, culturally rich and still relatively quiet. It demands more effort and flexibility than the busier trails, but it gives back an experience that feels closer to the Himalaya of old. If you have trekked in Nepal before and want something more adventurous, or you simply prefer quiet trails, this is the trek we would recommend.