Manaslu Circuit and Manaslu Base Camp
Anele Tshabalala
Cape Town
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a 14-day journey with 10 days of walking around Mount Manaslu (8,163 m), the world’s eighth-highest mountain. The route follows the Budhi Gandaki River from Machha Khola through river gorges, forests, traditional villages, and high Himalayan valleys before crossing Larke Pass at 5,106 m.
The trek begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola, followed by the trail through Jagat, Deng, Namrung, Lho, Samagaon, Samdo and Dharamsala. Along the way, you cross suspension bridges, pass waterfalls and terraced hillsides, and walk through narrow river valleys and rocky sections.
Above Namrung, forests thin and Tibetan Buddhist influences become more visible through mani walls, prayer wheels, chortens, monasteries and stone houses. Manaslu, Himalchuli and Ngadi Chuli dominate the views as the trail approaches Samagaon.
After acclimatizing in Samagaon, the route continues to Samdo and Dharamsala before the climb to Larke Pass. At 5,106 m, the pass is the highest point of the trek. The trail then descends through Bimthang and Tilije toward Dharapani and the Marsyangdi Valley.
The trek requires a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). A licensed guide and required group regulations also apply. We arrange the permits and paperwork before departure.
Most walking days take 5 to 7 hours, with the Larke Pass crossing taking longer. The route includes steep ascents, long walking days, cold conditions, and high-altitude terrain. Your guide monitors the group, controls the pace, and explains the following day’s route during the evening briefing.
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The Manaslu Circuit Trek uses road transport from Kathmandu to the trailhead and back to Kathmandu. There are no domestic flight options on this trek.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek follows old Himalayan trading routes through stone villages, Buddhist monasteries, and the Budhi Gandaki Valley. Over 14 days, the route climbs from lower river valleys to Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m, passing through villages such as Namrung, Lho, Samagaon and Samdo before crossing into the Marsyangdi Valley.
The Manaslu Circuit has fewer trekkers than the Everest and Annapurna routes. The difference is particularly noticeable in the higher valleys around Samagaon and Samdo, where the trail remains quieter even during the main trekking seasons.
The lower route passes through rice terraces, waterfalls, subtropical forest and river valleys. Above Namrung, the landscape becomes drier and more open, with alpine terrain around Samagaon and Samdo and increasingly rocky ground toward Larkya La.
Villages in the lower sections contain Hindu temples and traditional settlements, while communities farther north have strong Tibetan Buddhist influences. Mani walls, chortens, prayer flags, monasteries and stone houses become increasingly common as you approach Samagaon and Samdo.
At 5,106 m, Larkya La is the highest point of the circuit. The pass connects the Manaslu region with the Marsyangdi Valley, with views of Manaslu, Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal and Kang Guru from the high trail.
For a Manaslu Circuit Trek, the company you choose should understand the permit system, restricted-area regulations, mountain roads, high-altitude sections, and the practical limits of a remote trekking route. Before booking, check who will lead your trip, how emergencies are handled, what is included in the price, and whether the permits and logistics are arranged before your arrival.
Saligram began as a trekking porter in 1996, became a licensed mountain guide in 2000, and established Mountain World Treks in 2010. His work on Nepal’s trekking routes has given him first-hand knowledge of the conditions trekkers face from the trailhead to the high mountain passes.
Saligram Started as a Trekking Porter
Became a Licensed Guide
Founded Mountain World Treks
Still Actively Guiding Treks in Nepal
Years of Experience (Porter to Founder)
Our TripAdvisor position comes from trekkers who reviewed our guides, transport, accommodation, and trek arrangements after travelling with us.
Saligram cannot lead every departure, so he trains his guides in route planning, altitude awareness, communication, & handling situations on the trail.
If you are unsure about your fitness or Larke Pass crossing, ask before booking. We explain walking hours, altitude gain, remote sections, and trail conditions.
We normally operate groups up to 12 trekkers, allowing guides to monitor walking pace, check each trekker, and adjust rest stops when someone needs more time.
Your guide carries a pulse oximeter and first-aid kit, monitors trekkers daily, and adjusts the pace, adds rest, or changes the plan if symptoms appear.
Saligram began as a trekking porter and understood the demands of carrying loads, so our porters receive reasonable loads and fair payment, including medical support.
Yes, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is suitable if you want a remote route with fewer facilities and are comfortable spending several nights in mountain teahouses. The trek passes through restricted areas and reaches 5,106 m at Larke Pass, so you need to be comfortable with changing conditions and limited services at higher elevations.
It is different from more developed trekking routes with easier access to facilities. Above Samagaon, accommodation and food become increasingly basic, and weather can affect the trail and transportation. A licensed guide is required for the restricted section. See our Manaslu Circuit Trek Beginners Guide for details.
Rest for two nights beneath Manaslu's south face, with the mountain rising directly above the settlement.
A short side trip from Samagaon leads to this glacial lake, fed directly by the Manaslu Glacier.
Pass through a stone gateway marking the start of the upper Tibetan-influenced villages, with Lho's monastery overlooking the trail.
An off-trail monastery hike above Samagaon, rarely visited by trekkers outside this route.
Cross before dawn for the coldest, highest point of the trek, then descend into Bimthang on the far side.
A wide alpine meadow surrounded by peaks, the first stop after the pass and a quiet contrast to the climb before it.
This is the exact 14-day itinerary I follow on every Manaslu Circuit trek I run. Starting in Kathmandu, we drive approximately 160 km to Machha Khola, then trek through Jagat, Deng, Namrung, Lho, and Samagaon to cross Larkya La Pass. From Dharapani, a 230 km drive brings you back to Kathmandu. In total, the trek covers approximately 390 km by road and 131 km on foot. The itinerary includes a dedicated acclimatization day at Samagaon, helping your body adjust to the altitude before crossing the pass. Below, you’ll find the daily itinerary, overnight elevations, walking times, and practical advice based on my years leading treks in the Manaslu region.
Our 14-day Manaslu Circuit Trek starts from USD 1,199 per person for a group departure and USD 1,299 per person for a private trek. The price includes private transportation, all required permits, teahouse accommodation, meals during the trek, a government-licensed guide, porter service, airport transfers, and government taxes. You only need to budget for your Nepal visa, travel insurance, personal expenses, and tips.
Trek with like-minded adventurers. Departures every spring and autumn season.
14-day package, your own dates and pace. Permits, Licensed guide, & porter for your group.
Add Extra days on the trek, extension trek to Tsum valley, or sightseeing tours
From your first inquiry through all 14 days of your trek, we handle the key arrangements that keep your Manaslu Circuit journey organized.
Contact us by WhatsApp, email, or our inquiry form. Share your trekking dates, group size, and any questions about the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
We will send your detailed itinerary and quotation, including the route, transport, accommodation, meals, permits, guide, porter, and other trek arrangements.
Once you approve the plan, pay the required deposit to confirm your trek. We will secure your booking and send the essential information for your trip.
Before you arrive, we will provide packing advice, equipment guidance and preparation details for the restricted Manaslu route and your trek.
Important: Travel insurance is not included in the package. Before your trek, you must purchase a policy that covers high-altitude trekking (up to at least 6,000 m) and emergency helicopter evacuation.
You’ll stay in family-run teahouses throughout the trek, offering a warm place to sleep, home-cooked meals, and an authentic experience of life in the Manaslu region. Before and after the trek, you’ll stay in a comfortable 3 to 4-star hotel in Kathmandu with a private room, hot shower, and Wi-Fi.
For a closer look at teahouse rooms, facilities, and what to expect in each village, read our Manaslu Circuit Trek Accommodation Guide.
Meals on the Manaslu Circuit Trek are simple, nutritious, and prepared fresh in local teahouses. You’ll enjoy a mix of Nepali, Tibetan, and international dishes, with menus becoming more limited as you gain altitude. Hot drinks and safe drinking water are available throughout the trek, while prices gradually increase at higher elevations due to transportation costs.
For a detailed guide to food, drinks, meal costs, and teahouse dining, read our Manaslu Circuit Trek Food & Accommodation Guide.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek difficulty is moderate to challenging. The main challenges are high altitude, long walking days, and crossing Larke Pass (5,106 m). As you gain elevation, lower oxygen levels make each day more physically demanding.
What makes the trek challenging?
For a detailed guide to fitness requirements, altitude, daily walking distances, and how to prepare, read our Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty Guide.
You don’t need technical climbing skills, but you should be comfortable with long days on your feet, steep climbs, and walking at higher altitude. Build endurance with regular hill walking, stairs, and longer weekend hikes before the trek. It’s also worth training with a light daypack, as you’ll be walking several hours a day for 10 trekking days.
You’ll Handle This Trek Well If You
Our Complete Trek Fitness & Difficulty Guide covers training and altitude preparation in more detail.
The best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit is March to May and late September to November. These months offer the most stable weather, clear mountain views, and the best conditions for crossing Larkya La Pass. For a month-by-month guide, read our Manaslu Circuit Trek Best Time Guide.
Spring brings mild temperatures, blooming rhododendron forests, and excellent mountain views. It's one of the most popular seasons, with comfortable trekking conditions and fewer crowds than Everest or Annapurna.
Autumn offers the clearest skies and the most reliable weather for crossing Larkya La Pass. October and November are the busiest months, thanks to outstanding mountain views and dry trails.
Summer is Nepal's monsoon season, bringing frequent rain, muddy trails, and occasional road disruptions. Although the landscapes are lush and green, mountain views are often limited.
Winter offers empty trails and snow-covered landscapes, but freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall can make Larkya La Pass difficult or temporarily inaccessible. Good preparation and flexibility are essential.
Manaslu Circuit takes more planning than most treks I run, mostly because of the permits and how remote the route is. Here’s everything I usually tell clients to sort out before they fly out.
I’ve put together guides on training, monthly weather, insurance, visas, transport, what the teahouses are actually like, extra costs, and tipping, based on questions I get asked before almost every trip. There are also guides for trekking this route solo, as a couple, or with family, plus a look at the Gurung and Tibetan communities you’ll pass through, since that’s a part of the trek most people don’t know much about before they arrive.
I don’t send clients to the gym for this one. What actually gets people ready is walking uphill, using stairs, hiking on hilly ground, and doing some basic leg-strength work. Push your walks longer as the trip gets closer, especially if you’re not used to being on your feet for hours at a stretch. The day I see people struggle with most isn’t the first week, it’s Larkya Pass. That day runs long and stays at altitude for hours, so stamina gets you over, not speed. My Manaslu Circuit Trek Training Plan lays out exactly what to work on in the weeks before departure.
Flights and gear, most people handle those fine on their own. What gets missed more often is checking the weather pattern for your dates, getting insurance that actually covers high-altitude evacuation, and having your Nepal visa sorted before you land. Manaslu also needs its Restricted Area Permit arranged well ahead. This isn’t something you can leave until the last minute. I’ve written guides on Manaslu Circuit Weather, Travel Insurance for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, and the Nepal Visa Guide covering each of these.
The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki through farmland and Gurung villages, then climbs into Tibetan-influenced Nubri near Deng, marked by mani walls and prayer flags. By Lho and Shyala, the trees thin and Manaslu dominates the skyline, usually where altitude starts to bite. Samagaon and Samdo bring a built-in rest day before Larkya Pass, above 5,100 metres, a long, cold climb and an even longer descent into the villages beyond. From there, the trail drops through forest and joins the Annapurna region for the walk out, farmland to alpine ground to forest again, in about two weeks.
Anele Tshabalala
Cape Town
Unathi Madikizela
Cape Town
Liam Jacobs
Cape Town
Find answers to the most common questions about the Manaslu Circuit Trek, including difficulty, altitude, accommodation, permits, costs, and preparation.
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