Manaslu Circuit Trek
A restricted, wild circuit around the eighth-highest mountain, over the dramatic Larkya La pass.
Trip Overview
- Duration
- 21 Days
- Difficulty
- Very Difficult
- Max Elevation
- 5,106 m
- Best Season
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Group Size
- 2 – 10 People
- Start / End Point
- Kathmandu
Trip Highlights
- Circle Mt. Manaslu (8,163m)
- Cross Larkya La Pass (5,160m)
- Remote and uncrowded trails
- Ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture
- Pristine Himalayan wilderness
About This Trek
The Manaslu Circuit is one of Nepal's most spectacular and least-visited treks. Circle the world's eighth-highest mountain through remote valleys, ancient Buddhist monasteries, and over the challenging Larkya La Pass (5,160m). This is for those who seek solitude and authentic mountain culture.
Itinerary
Airport transfer, permits and a detailed briefing for the restricted-area route.
A long, dramatic drive off the highway onto rough mountain roads to the trailhead.
Follow the Budhi Gandaki gorge past waterfalls and suspension bridges to Jagat.
The valley narrows and steepens as you enter the restricted Nubri region.
Climb through forest to Namrung, where Tibetan Buddhist culture becomes unmistakable.
Pass mani walls and chortens with Manaslu itself rising ahead to the village of Samagaon.
A rest day with an optional hike toward Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Gompa.
A short day to Samdo, the last permanent village, close to the Tibetan border.
A half day up to the simple huts of Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi) below the pass.
The big day — an alpine start to cross the Larkya La, then a long descent to Bimthang.
Drop back below the treeline through forest and pasture to the village of Tilije.
Join the Annapurna Circuit trail briefly and continue to Dharapani.
A rugged jeep ride down the Marsyangdi valley to Besisahar.
Return drive to the capital and a celebratory final evening.
A buffer day for weather or road delays, or free time to explore Kathmandu.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Gallery
Inclusions & Exclusions
What's Included
- All transfers
- All meals
- Guide, porters, cook
- All permits (restricted area, MCAP, ACAP)
- Camping equipment
- First aid kit
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal gear
- Tips
- Extra drinks
Practical Info
- Permits & Fees
- Every permit your route needs — TIMS card, national park and conservation area fees — is arranged by us and already in the trip price. Bring four passport photos.
- Visa on Arrival
- Most nationalities get a visa at Kathmandu airport. Carry USD in cash for the fee and a passport valid for six months beyond your return date.
- Travel Insurance
- Required, without exception. Your policy must cover trekking to the maximum altitude on your itinerary and include helicopter evacuation.
- Accommodation
- Twin-share teahouse lodges on the trail, three-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Single rooms are available in the cities on request.
- Meals & Water
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on trek, chosen from the lodge menu. Bring purification tablets or a filter bottle — buying bottled water on the trail is expensive and leaves plastic behind.
- Gear & Packing
- Layered clothing, a broken-in pair of boots and a four-season sleeping bag. Down jackets and bags can be hired in Kathmandu, and we send a full checklist once you book.
- Altitude & Acclimatisation
- Itineraries build in acclimatisation days and your guide carries a pulse oximeter. Ascend slowly, drink more than you think you need, and tell your guide about any headache early.
- Money & Connectivity
- Draw rupees in Kathmandu — ATMs thin out fast above the trailhead. Most lodges sell wifi and charging by the hour; a local SIM covers the lower valleys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — Manaslu is a restricted area requiring a special permit, which by law must be arranged through a registered agency with a licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers. We handle all of this for you.
It’s the crux of the trek — a long, high day starting before dawn to cross the pass at 5,106 m. It’s non-technical but demanding, which is why the itinerary builds in careful acclimatisation beforehand.
Very — this is one of Nepal’s quieter major treks. Teahouses are simpler than on the classic routes, and phone signal is intermittent, which is part of the appeal.
A good level of fitness and ideally some previous multi-day trekking experience. You’ll walk for two weeks at altitude with one very long pass day.
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