Manaslu Circuit Trek — Around the Eighth-Highest Mountain on Earth | 14 Days

The trek follows the Budhi Gandaki River upstream from Soti Khola, in Gorkha district, climbing gradually through a series of narrow river gorges, suspension bridges, and forested hillsides before the valley opens out and the villages start turning more Tibetan in character. Jagat, Deng, Namrung, and Lho each mark a shift  lower down you're passing through Gurung farming communities, and by the time you reach Lho and Samagaon, the architecture, prayer flags, and monasteries feel closer to Tibet than to the mid-hills you started in.

Samagaon is the trek's acclimatization hub, and it earns the extra day: side trips from here reach Birendra Lake, a glacial lake beneath Manaslu's south face, and for the more ambitious, Manaslu Base Camp itself. From Samagaon, the route continues to Samdo, the last real village before the high country, then up to Dharmasala (also called Larke Phedi), a sparse cluster of lodges sitting right below the pass.

The crossing of Larkya La, at roughly 5,106 meters, is the trek's defining day  a pre-dawn start, several hours of steady climbing over glacial moraine, and a long, often icy descent on the far side into Bimthang. It's physically the hardest single day of the trip, but also the one most trekkers talk about afterward: the pass delivers a wide panorama that includes Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II. From Bimthang, the trail descends through rhododendron forest into the Annapurna region proper, finishing at Dharapani  a village many trekkers doing the Annapurna Circuit will recognize  before the drive back toward Kathmandu.

Highlights

• Budhi Gandaki Gorge
• Lho & Samagaon 
• Birendra Lake 
• Manaslu Base Camp (optional) 
• Larkya La Pass (5,106 m) 
• Bimthang
• Tibetan Buddhist culture
• Low-traffic trekking

Manaslu Circuit Permits (2026)

Manaslu is a restricted area, so you can't trek it without a registered agency and a licensed guide.

• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP):
  • September to November: USD 100 per person for the first 7 days, then USD 15 per extra day
  • December to August: USD 75 per person for the first 7 days, then USD 10 per extra day
• Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP): NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 3,000. This is needed because the trek finishes in the Annapurna region after Bimthang.
• Local municipality fee: a small fee may be collected by the local rural municipality.
• Tsum Valley: this needs its own separate permit, only if you add it.

The two-trekker minimum for restricted areas has reportedly been relaxed in 2026, so solo trekkers can join with a licensed guide. We confirm the latest rule when you book.

Fees and rules change from time to time. We check them with the Department of Immigration before confirming your trip.

How Difficult Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

It's a challenging trek, roughly on a par with the Annapurna Circuit. The Larkya La is lower than Thorong La, but the pass day is long, at 8–10 hours. The lower valley also has many steep ups and downs on narrow, sometimes exposed trails. There are no technical sections. You should be comfortable walking 6–7 hours a day for several days in a row, and ideally have done at least one multi-day hike before.

Altitude: You sleep above 3,500 m for five nights. Your highest night is Dharamsala at 4,460 m. The itinerary includes a full acclimatisation day in Samagaun and a short day to Samdo before the pass.

Remoteness: Lodges are simpler than on the Everest and Annapurna main trails, menus get shorter as you climb, and Wi-Fi and mobile signal can be patchy. That's part of the appeal, but come prepared.

What to pack specially for Manaslu:

• A warm sleeping bag rated to −15 °C
• A good down jacket
• Trekking poles
• Microspikes for the pass in early spring or late autumn
• Enough Nepali rupees in cash, because there are no reliable ATMs after Arughat

Best Time to Trek the Manaslu Circuit

Autumn (late September to November): Clear skies and stable weather. This is the best and most popular window. The higher RAP rate applies.

Spring (March to May): Rhododendrons bloom in the lower forests and on the descent from Bimthang. Days are warm, and snow on the pass usually clears from April.

Winter (December to February): Very cold. The Larkya La is often closed by snow, and many lodges above Samagaun shut. We don't recommend the full circuit in winter.

Monsoon (June to August): Heavy rain, landslides in the Budhi Gandaki gorge and cloudy views. Not recommended.

Why Choose This Trek

Manaslu gives you almost everything Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit are known for big mountain views, high Himalayan passes, Tibetan Buddhist culture  with a fraction of the trekker traffic. It's a natural next step for anyone who's already done one of Nepal's classic treks and wants more remoteness and a harder physical challenge, without needing technical climbing skills. The Larkya La crossing in particular is a serious, memorable day that separates this trek from most "circuit" itineraries in Nepal.