The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a 14-day trip in Dharapani → Kathmandu or Pokhara (drive 7 - 8 hrs), rated strenuous (larkya la crossing demands full preparation) difficulty, reaching a maximum elevation of Larkya La Pass - 5,160m (16,929 ft). The best time to do this trip is Autumn (Sep - Nov) & Spring (Mar - May). The package includes group sizes of 1–12 people (minimum 2 trekkers required by restricted area rules), basic teahouses on trail / 3-star hotel kathmandu accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner included daily on trail.
| Country | Dharapani → Kathmandu or Pokhara (drive 7 - 8 hrs) |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Strenuous (Larkya La crossing demands full preparation) |
| Max Elevation | Larkya La Pass - 5,160m (16,929 ft) |
| Duration | 14 |
| Best Time | Autumn (Sep - Nov) & Spring (Mar - May) |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner included daily on trail |
| Accommodation | Basic teahouses on trail / 3-star hotel Kathmandu |
| Group Size | 1–12 people (minimum 2 trekkers required by restricted area rules) |
How long is the Manaslu Circuit trek?
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is Nepal's most compelling restricted-area circuit - a raw, ambitious, 14-day loop around Manaslu (8,163m), the eighth highest mountain in the world, through terrain that sees a fraction of the trekker traffic of the Everest or Annapurna corridors. This is the route for trekkers who have done the classics and want something wilder, quieter, and more demanding: a trek where the teahouses are simpler, the permit system controls numbers, and the landscape shifts from subtropical river gorges to Tibetan plateau in a way that leaves experienced trekkers genuinely stunned.
The route begins in Soti Khola (700m), reached by a 6 - 7 hour drive from Kathmandu, and follows the Budhi Gandaki River upstream through a series of dramatically narrowing gorges and waterfalls. Over 10 days of ascending, the trail climbs through the settlement clusters of Jagat, Deng, Namrung, and Lho - each with its own ancient Tibetan Buddhist gompas and mani walls - before reaching the high Manaslu base camp valley around Sama Gaon (3,520m), where the north face of Manaslu dominates the sky and the glacial Birendra Lake sits in perfect stillness below the ice.
The trek's physical and geographical climax is the Larkya La Pass (5,160m) - a 15+ hour day from Larkya Bazaar that involves a pre-dawn crossing through ice, snow, and some of Nepal's most exposed high-altitude terrain. The descent leads to Bimthang and then to Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit, from where transport returns to Kathmandu or continues on to Pokhara.
An optional side extension into the Tsum Valley - an isolated Himalayan enclave inhabited by the Tsumba people, a distinct Tibetan ethnic group with their own dialect, customs, and centuries-old Buddhist traditions - adds 5 - 7 days to the circuit and is considered one of Nepal's most extraordinary cultural trekking experiences. The Tsum Valley requires a separate restricted area permit.
At View Himalaya, the Manaslu Circuit is handled exclusively by guides with multiple Larkya La crossings and specific restricted-area experience. All permits - including the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit and Manaslu Conservation Area Permit - are managed in full as part of the package.
| Group Size | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| Solo (2-person minimum - see note) | USD 1,350 |
| Small Group (2 - 4 people) | USD 1,249 |
| Group (5 - 12 people) | USD 1,149 |
| 12+ people | Contact us for group rates |
Restricted Area Note: Nepal's restricted area regulations require a minimum of 2 trekkers per group on the Manaslu Circuit. Solo travellers are matched with another trekker upon request or pay a solo supplement. All prices include all restricted area permits, licensed guide, porter, teahouse accommodation, all meals on trail, sleeping bag, first-aid kit with emergency oxygen, and full on-ground support. A 20% deposit confirms your booking.
The Manaslu Circuit is in a different register to Nepal's commercial trekking corridors. Facilities are more basic - teahouses are smaller, menus simpler, electricity more intermittent - and the sense of genuine remoteness is present from Day 2 onwards. This is not a drawback; it is exactly what experienced trekkers come for. The trail shares no infrastructure with the tourist-grade teahouse networks of Everest or Annapurna and feels considerably more like an expedition.
The Budhi Gandaki gorge in the first four days is one of Nepal's great trail experiences: a narrow, steep-walled valley carved through ancient bedrock, with the river crashing through boulders far below and the trail clinging to the canyon wall. The vegetation is extraordinary - hanging moss forests, orchids, banana trees, giant ferns - giving way slowly to oak and rhododendron as altitude increases. Above Namrung and Lho, the valley opens into the wide, flat terrain of the Manaslu base camp plateau, where the transition to Tibetan Buddhist culture is complete and unmistakable.
The Larkya La crossing is the defining challenge. You depart Larkya Bazaar at 3:00 - 4:00 AM, traversing frozen moraine and glacial terrain to reach the pass (5,160m) in 6 - 7 hours. The descent to Bimthang through deep snow and boulder fields is 3 - 4 more hours. This is a full 10 - 12 hour day at altitude - the longest and most demanding of any standard Nepal trek. Your guide will make a go/no-go decision at Larkya Bazaar based on weather, fresh snowfall, and group condition. Strong, well-acclimatised trekkers in the right season complete this crossing comfortably. Attempting it in poor conditions is never permitted.
The Manaslu Circuit is rated Strenuous and is suitable only for experienced high-altitude trekkers in excellent physical condition. Prior experience trekking above 4,000m is strongly recommended. The Larkya La crossing is a 10 - 12 hour day at 5,160m - significantly more demanding than the Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit - and the restricted area format means medical facilities are minimal and evacuation response times are longer than in more accessible regions.
| Day | Route | Distance | Altitude | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu → Soti Khola | ~180 km drive | 700m | 6 - 7 hrs drive |
| 2 | Soti Khola → Machha Khola | 14 km | 869m | 5 - 6 hrs |
| 3 | Machha Khola → Jagat | 18 km | 1,340m | 6 - 7 hrs |
| 4 | Jagat → Deng | 15 km | 1,804m | 5 - 6 hrs |
| 5 | Deng → Namrung | 14 km | 2,630m | 5 - 6 hrs |
| 6 | Namrung → Lho | 10 km | 3,180m | 4 - 5 hrs |
| 7 | Lho → Sama Gaon | 8 km | 3,520m | 4 - 5 hrs |
| 8 | Sama Gaon Acclimatisation | - | 3,520 - 4,800m | Rest + day hike |
| 9 | Sama Gaon → Samdo | 8 km | 3,860m | 3 - 4 hrs |
| 10 | Samdo → Larkya Bazaar | 8 km | 4,460m | 3 - 4 hrs |
| 11 | Larkya La Pass → Bimthang | 18 km | 5,160m → 3,720m | 10 - 12 hrs |
| 12 | Bimthang → Tilije | 15 km | 2,300m | 5 - 6 hrs |
| 13 | Tilije → Dharapani → Kathmandu/Pokhara | 8 km + drive | 1,943m | 2 - 3 hrs + drive |
| 14 | Kathmandu (buffer / departure) | - | 1,350m | - |
| Add-On | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tsum Valley Extension (5 - 7 days) | Restricted side valley from Deng junction; Nile, Chhule, Mu Gompa | USD 420 per person (includes permit) |
| Manaslu Base Camp Side Trip | Day hike from Sama Gaon to Manaslu Base Camp (4,800m) | Included on request |
| Extra Porter | Dedicated personal porter for your luggage | USD 240 for full trek |
| Combine with Annapurna Circuit | Continue from Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit to Pokhara | Custom quote (add ~8 days) |
| Upgraded Accommodation in Kathmandu | 4-star hotel pre/post trek | USD 60 - 80 per night |
| Extra Night Kathmandu | 3-star hotel, breakfast, airport transfer | USD 40 per night |
The Manaslu Circuit is rated Strenuous - the most demanding of Nepal's major classic circuits. The Larkya La crossing day (10 - 12 hours at 5,160m) is in a different physical category to anything on the Annapurna or Langtang circuits. The cumulative altitude gain over 10 ascending days, the remoteness of the restricted area, and the basic facilities at high altitude all increase the physical and logistical demands considerably.
Trekkers who successfully complete the Manaslu Circuit are typically those who have: (1) prior high-altitude trekking experience above 4,000m; (2) trained specifically for the crossing (3+ months of regular loaded uphill hiking); and (3) arrived in Nepal in excellent cardiovascular health. A medical check within 3 months of departure is strongly recommended - altitude conditions affect heart and lung function significantly.
The acclimatisation day in Sama Gaon and the short-stage approach to Larkya Bazaar are non-negotiable elements of the itinerary. Any attempt to shortcut these stages increases altitude sickness risk to unacceptable levels. Your guide assesses your acclimatisation daily with a pulse oximeter and will extend the itinerary if necessary - this is preferable to a medical emergency at 5,000m.
The definitive season. October is peak - stable weather windows, clear skies, temperatures above 3,500m at Manang-equivalent altitude ranging from 0°C to 10°C by day. The Larkya La is free of deep snow and crossable with standard equipment. Sama Gaon and Samdo views are at their clearest. November brings very cold nights (below - 15°C at Larkya Bazaar) but excellent pass conditions. September is possible from the trail perspective but the final monsoon storms can bring fresh snow to the pass.
The second reliable season. Rhododendrons bloom in the lower and mid sections of the Budhi Gandaki. The Larkya La carries significant winter snow in March - crampons required, pass risk higher. By April the snow levels reduce and conditions normalise; May is warm below 3,000m but stable at altitude. A strong spring window with fewer trekkers than autumn.
The Manaslu Circuit in winter is for expedition-experienced trekkers only. The Larkya La at 5,160m accumulates deep snow from November onwards and is frequently impassable from December to February. Teahouses at Larkya Bazaar and Bimthang may be closed. Temperature at the pass reaches - 25°C to - 30°C in January. If you are attempting the Manaslu Circuit in winter, employ a specialised high-altitude guide, carry full mountaineering cold-weather gear, and have a clear plan B if the pass is blocked.
The lower Budhi Gandaki gorge section receives heavy monsoon rainfall and is subject to flash flooding and landslide risk. The approach road from Arughat to Soti Khola is particularly vulnerable. The upper valley above Samdo sits in the Tibetan rain shadow and remains relatively dry, but reaching it through the flooded lower section is not feasible for most trekkers. Not recommended for the full circuit.
Teahouses on the Manaslu Circuit are more basic than Annapurna or Everest equivalents - this is the most honest way to set expectations. In the lower gorge villages (Days 2 - 4), teahouses are simple family-run lodges with plank beds and shared squat toilets. From Namrung upward, facilities improve slightly but remain rustic: twin-share rooms with foam mattresses, blankets, communal dining, and wood or yak-dung stoves as the primary heat source. At Larkya Bazaar (Day 10), the teahouses are stone dormitory shelters - bring your sleeping bag and expect basic conditions.
Above Lho, the food takes on a distinctly Tibetan character. Tsampa (roasted barley porridge), thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup), and Tibetan butter tea are available alongside dal bhat and noodle dishes. In Sama Gaon, local families serve traditional meals in homestyle teahouses. Menu variety reduces above 3,500m but portions remain adequate. Included meals cover breakfast and dinner at each lodge plus lunch at teahouses or packed for remote sections. Beverages are not included. Hot showers are available in some lodges from Jagat to Sama Gaon; above Sama Gaon, bucket washing is the norm.
The Manaslu Circuit runs on private departures with flexible start dates throughout the trekking seasons. Restricted area permits have a weekly pricing structure - your guide optimises the start date to minimise permit costs within your preferred window.
The Manaslu Circuit's altitude profile is among the most demanding of any Nepal trek. The itinerary climbs from 700m at Soti Khola to 5,160m at Larkya La over 10 days - a net gain of 4,460m. The mandatory acclimatisation day in Sama Gaon (3,520m) and the gradual two-day approach to Larkya Bazaar via Samdo are critical to safe crossing.
Key altitude thresholds on this trek:
Your guide carries a pulse oximeter and checks oxygen saturation every evening from Namrung onwards. The Manaslu region has no Himalayan Rescue Association clinic equivalent - the nearest medical facility is in Arughat or Kathmandu. This makes altitude vigilance and the guide's assessment authority even more critical than on other routes. Emergency helicopter evacuation is available throughout the circuit; View Himalaya maintains direct emergency contact with operators in Kathmandu.
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is mandatory and more critical on the Manaslu Circuit than on any other standard Nepal trek, given the remote location and limited medical infrastructure. Your policy must explicitly cover:
Helicopter evacuation from the Manaslu Circuit costs USD 3,000 - 6,000 depending on extraction point. We verify insurance documents before confirming booking. Insurance from World Nomads, SafetyWing, True Traveller, or Battleface generally meets requirements - check that your policy specifically covers Nepal and helicopter evacuation at the required altitude.
The Manaslu Circuit requires a licensed guide under Nepal's restricted area regulations - independent trekking is not permitted. View Himalaya assigns only guides with a minimum of three Larkya La crossings and specific Manaslu region experience to this trek. Our guides hold NTB licensing, Wilderness First Aid certification, and complete full emergency protocol training before each season.
Note: Manaslu Restricted Area Permits require advance government processing and cannot be obtained on the day of departure. Plan your booking at least 3 weeks in advance of your intended start date - ideally 4 - 6 weeks during peak autumn season when permit volumes are higher.
| Trek | Duration | Max Altitude | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Circuit Trek | 15 Days | 5,416m | Thorong La, Muktinath, Kali Gandaki, Poon Hill |
| Tsum Valley Trek | 18 - 21 Days (combined) | 4,050m | Sacred Buddhist valley, Mu Gompa, Tsumba culture, restricted area |
| Kanchenjunga Circuit | 20 - 24 Days | 5,143m | North and South BC, grand circuit, Limbu culture, extreme wilderness |
| Everest Base Camp Trek | 14 Days | 5,644m | Khumbu glacier, Kala Patthar, Sherpa culture, UNESCO World Heritage |
Manaslu Circuit trek in one sentence: A 14-day restricted-area teahouse trek circling Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain, via the 5,160m Larkya La pass.
Manaslu Circuit trek altitude: Larkya La Pass at 5,160 metres (16,929 feet), the highest point of the route.
Manaslu Circuit trek difficulty: Strenuous - the Larkya La crossing demands full preparation, comparable to Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit.
Manaslu Circuit permits required: A Restricted Area Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, requiring a minimum of two trekkers.
Best time for the Manaslu Circuit: Autumn (September - November) and Spring (March - May) for stable Larkya La crossing conditions.
Manaslu Circuit trek cost: View Himalaya packages start from USD 1,149 per person, including all required permits, teahouse accommodation, meals, guide, and porter.
Truly one of the highlights of our travels in Asia. The guide's local knowledge added so much depth to the trip. A particular highlight for us was authentic Tibetan plateau culture in villages beyond the tourist mainstream. Would recommend this to friends and family without any reservation.
Exceeded all our expectations in every way. Our guide went above and beyond to make sure everyone in the group was comfortable. A particular highlight for us was glacial Birendra Lake at Sama Gaon - mirror-still beneath the Manaslu north face. If you're considering this trip, just book it - you won't regret it.
A trip we will be talking about for years. Our guide went above and beyond to make sure everyone in the group was comfortable. A particular highlight for us was ancient Tibetan Buddhist gompas at Lho, Sama Gaon, and Pungyen Gompa. Would recommend this to friends and family without any reservation.
Truly one of the highlights of our travels in Asia. The support crew were fantastic throughout, always checking in on us. A particular highlight for us was glacial Birendra Lake at Sama Gaon - mirror-still beneath the Manaslu north face. Booking through View Himalaya made all the logistics completely stress-free.
