The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a 15-day restricted-area route that circles Mount Manaslu (8,163m), the world’s 8th highest peak, covering around 177km on foot. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River north from Machha Khola through deepening gorges and subtropical forest, climbs through Tibetan-influenced villages above 3,500m, and crosses Larkya La Pass at 5,160m before descending through alpine meadows to connect with the Annapurna Circuit at Dharapani.
Deciding between this and the Annapurna Circuit? Read our Manaslu vs Annapurna Circuit comparison.
Our representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. Permits for the Manaslu region require one full day to process so your guide begins the paperwork immediately on arrival. The evening briefing covers the full route, gear check, and what to expect in a restricted trekking area. Bring passport photos and your travel insurance documents.
An early departure from Thamel along the Prithvi Highway before turning north at Arughat into increasingly rough mountain roads. The drive follows the Budhi Gandaki River through terraced hillsides and small villages. Tarmac ends well before Machha Khola and the last stretch is a proper jeep track. Arrive by late afternoon with enough time to settle in before the first full day on foot tomorrow.
The first day on the trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River north through dense subtropical forest, past waterfalls and suspension bridges. The trail alternates between river bank and cliff-hugging sections cut into the gorge wall. Jagat is the first checkpoint where your restricted area permits are verified. Keep all documents accessible as checks are thorough on the Manaslu circuit.
The trail climbs away from the river through terraced fields and pine forest before descending back to the Budhi Gandaki at Philim, a large Gurung village worth a short stop. Tibetan cultural influence becomes noticeable from here as the valley narrows and the first mani walls and prayer flags appear on the trail. Deng sits at a river confluence and marks the boundary into deeper mountain terrain.
A significant altitude gain today as the valley opens and the landscape shifts from subtropical forest to pine and rhododendron. The first clear views of Manaslu’s satellite peaks appear above the ridgeline as you approach Namrung. This is the day the mountain starts to feel close. The trail passes through several small stone villages where life runs on a seasonal rhythm tied entirely to the high pastures above.
A shorter day with a big reward. The trail climbs through juniper and pine to Lho, a traditional Tibetan village with one of the finest direct views of Manaslu’s north face on the entire circuit. The gompa above the village is active and worth visiting. Use the shorter afternoon to rest, explore the village, and watch the light change on the mountain as the sun drops.
Another short day as the altitude begins to demand respect. The trail passes through Shyala with continuous views of Manaslu, Himalchuli (7,893m), and Ngadi Chuli (7,871m) filling the horizon. Samagaon is the largest village on the circuit, a fully Tibetan settlement with a monastery, a small medical post, and teahouses that are noticeably better equipped than anything on the lower trail. Tomorrow is a full rest day here.
Do not rest completely. Hike up to Pungyen Gompa (4,800m) for direct views across the Manaslu glacier, or push toward Manaslu Base Camp for a longer acclimatisation day. Both options follow the climb high, sleep low principle that matters most before Larkya La. Back in Samagaon by afternoon, visit the monastery and attend the evening prayer session if it coincides with your stay.
A deliberately short day to keep acclimatisation on track before the pass. The trail climbs through yak pastures and open alpine terrain with the Tibetan border visible to the north. Samdo is the last permanent settlement before Larkya La and sits closer to Tibet than any other village on the circuit. Blue sheep are commonly spotted on the slopes above the village in the late afternoon.
A short but important day climbing to Dharamsala, also known as Larkya La Base Camp. The trail crosses a glacial moraine and enters a stark high-altitude landscape with little vegetation and big views. Dharamsala has basic accommodation and limited menu options. Eat well, drink plenty of water, and sleep early. The alarm goes off between 3 and 4am tomorrow for the pass crossing.
The hardest and most rewarding day on the circuit. A pre-dawn start in the cold climbs steadily to the prayer flags at Larkya La where Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Annapurna II, and dozens of other peaks fill every direction. The descent to Bimthang is long and steep on tired legs through moraines and alpine meadows. Bimthang sits in a wide glacial valley with Manaslu dominating the skyline behind you.
A long descent through rhododendron and maple forest as the altitude drops dramatically and the air thickens noticeably with every hour. The trail passes through Hampuk and crosses several suspension bridges over the Dudh Khola river. By the time Tilije comes into view the vegetation is lush and green again, a striking contrast to the bare moraine and ice of yesterday. Your legs will feel the 1,400m drop.
A short morning walk through the final section of trail brings you to Dharapani where the Manaslu Circuit meets the Annapurna Circuit road. The trekking ends here. A jeep transfers you to Besisahar through the Marsyangdi valley, the same valley the Annapurna Circuit climbs north from. It is a strange feeling to rejoin the road after nearly two weeks in a restricted mountain region.
An early jeep departure from Besisahar back to Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway. The drive takes 7 to 8 hours through the Trishuli River gorge with meal stops along the way. Arrive in Thamel by early evening. Hot shower, real bed, proper food. After 12 days on a restricted mountain circuit, Kathmandu feels like a different planet.
Breakfast at the hotel then a private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport timed to your flight. If you have a late departure the team can arrange luggage storage or a final morning at Boudhanath or Pashupatinath. Fifteen days, 177km, one full circuit of the world’s 8th highest peak. Done.
Daily budget estimate on trek: $35-55/day covers all meals, drinks, hot showers, and charging. No ATMs exist between Machha Khola and Dharapani. Withdraw sufficient USD or Nepali rupees in Kathmandu before departure. Some teahouses in Samagaon accept USD cash but at poor rates.
Days 1 and 14 – 3-Star Hotel, Thamel (1,400m) Twin-sharing rooms with private bathroom, hot water, Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. Single room supplement available on request (add $30-50/night). Upgrade to 4-star available on request.
Accommodation throughout is in teahouses and basic guesthouses, twin-sharing. Rooms are simple with thin mattresses, blankets provided, and shared bathrooms in most locations. Facilities improve at Samagaon (Days 7-8), which has the best-equipped teahouses on the upper circuit including some rooms with attached bathrooms and reliable solar charging. Dharamsala (Day 10) is the most basic stop – stone lodges with no electricity and limited menu – as it exists purely as a staging point for the pass crossing. From Bimthang onward facilities gradually improve as you descend. A sleeping bag rated to -10C is essential from Namrung onward. Single rooms are not guaranteed anywhere on the trek route.
Kathmandu: 3-star hotel, twin-sharing, breakfast included, private bathroom and Wi-Fi. Single rooms available at extra cost.
On trek: Teahouse rooms are more basic on the Manaslu Circuit than on the Annapurna or Everest routes. This is a restricted area with fewer trekkers and less infrastructure investment. What to expect:
Hotel Vistara
The Manaslu Circuit is shorter at 15 days versus 21 days for the classical Annapurna route, but it is a harder trek day by day. The trail is more remote, teahouses are more basic, and the restricted area status means fewer trekkers and less infrastructure. Larkya La at 5,160m is lower than Thorong La at 5,416m but the approach is steeper and the descent longer. Trekkers who have done the Annapurna Circuit often say Manaslu feels wilder and less developed. Read our Manaslu vs Annapurna Circuit comparison for a full breakdown.
It is a hard trek suited to trekkers with prior multi-day Himalayan experience. You are walking 5 to 8 hours a day for 12 active days, reaching 5,160m on Larkya La crossing day, and dealing with basic facilities in a remote restricted region with limited rescue access. The 15-day itinerary includes an acclimatisation day in Samagaon and deliberately short stages before the pass. It is not technically demanding but it is physically and logistically serious. If this would be your first high-altitude trek, speak to Kumar before booking.
Altitude sickness above 4,000m and the remoteness of the circuit combined. The nearest hospital is in Kathmandu. Above Namrung there are no reliable medical facilities and helicopter evacuation is the primary emergency option. Your guide carries an oximeter and first aid kit throughout. The acclimatisation day in Samagaon and the short stage to Samdo are built into the itinerary specifically to reduce your AMS risk before Larkya La. Read our altitude sickness guide before you travel.
More basic than Everest or Annapurna but reliable enough. Every overnight stop on the MountainKick itinerary has a functioning teahouse. Rooms are simple wooden beds with blankets, shared bathrooms at most stops, and limited hot water above Lho. Dharamsala, the final stop before the pass, is the most basic accommodation on the circuit. It is basic but functional. Bring a sleeping bag rated to -10°C and do not rely on hot showers above Samagaon.
October and November are the most reliable months. Clear skies, stable weather, and good trail conditions for the pass crossing. March and April are the second best window. May is possible but pre-monsoon cloud builds in the afternoons. Avoid June to August entirely. Monsoon makes the lower gorge sections dangerous, leeches are present on the subtropical trail, and Larkya La can be blocked after monsoon storms. December to February is possible but Larkya La can have deep snow and temperatures at Dharamsala drop below -15°C.
Yes. Tsum Valley is a sacred Himalayan valley north of the main circuit accessible via a side route from Jagat. It adds 4 days and requires a separate Tsum Valley restricted area permit of around $40. The valley has ancient monasteries, a distinct Tibetan Buddhist culture, and almost no commercial tourism. It is one of the most culturally intact valleys in Nepal. Tell us when you book and we will build it into your itinerary.
Altitude and Acclimatisation
Hardest Days
Fitness
Cash and ATMs
Permits and Group Requirements
Best Season
Mobile and Internet
Buffer Day
Extension Options
These items are considered absolutely critical by our Mountain Kick guides for the challenging Manaslu Circuit Trek. Based on our extensive experience in the remote Himalayas, we strongly recommend prioritizing these items for the extreme conditions at 17,110 feet:
| TRIP STARTS | TRIP ENDS | STATUS | COST | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 9, 2026 | May 23, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| May 16, 2026 | May 30, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| May 23, 2026 | June 06, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| May 30, 2026 | June 13, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| June 6, 2026 | June 20, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| June 13, 2026 | June 27, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| June 20, 2026 | July 04, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| June 27, 2026 | July 11, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| September 4, 2026 | September 18, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| September 11, 2026 | September 25, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| September 18, 2026 | October 02, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| September 25, 2026 | October 09, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| October 2, 2026 | October 16, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| October 9, 2026 | October 23, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| October 16, 2026 | October 30, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| October 23, 2026 | November 06, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| October 30, 2026 | November 13, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| November 6, 2026 | November 20, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| November 13, 2026 | November 27, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| November 20, 2026 | December 04, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| November 27, 2026 | December 11, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| December 4, 2026 | December 18, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| December 11, 2026 | December 25, 2026 | available | $1,275 | |
| December 18, 2026 | January 01, 2027 | available | $1,275 | |
| December 25, 2026 | January 08, 2027 | available | $1,275 |
We never force our customers to follow our set itinerary. You can customize your itinerary exactly the way you want. Please share with us your ideas.
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