Manaslu Circuit Trek: The Complete 2027 Guide to Nepal’s Quieter Circuit

Last updated: October 2026

The highest point on the Manaslu Circuit is Larkya La, and according to the internet it stands at 5,106 metres. Or 5,135. Or 5,160. Or, on one operator’s itinerary, 5,213.

I found this out at 1 a.m., on a night that was supposed to be about booking one flight. Twenty-three browser tabs later, I was cross-referencing Wikipedia against three trekking agencies and a stranger’s blog comment, and I had learned only that confident people disagree about very large rocks. I closed my laptop feeling like someone who had gone out to buy a jacket and come home with a thesis on the metric system.

That spiral is why this guide exists. Planning the Manaslu Circuit means wading through confident, contradictory information: old rules repeated as current ones, prices with no explanation attached, brochure prose standing in for facts. So I did the sorting, and where sources disagree, I’ll tell you.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek in Brief

The Manaslu Circuit is a long loop around Manaslu, which at 8,163 metres is the eighth-highest mountain on Earth. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki river up a deep gorge, climbs through Tibetan-influenced villages in the Nubri valley, crosses the high pass of Larkya La, and drops into the Annapurna region on the far side. Foreign trekkers have only been allowed here since 1991, and parts of it still feel that way.

Why do people pick it over Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit? Mostly for two reasons: fewer people, and a culture that visibly changes as you climb. The lower valleys are Gurung and Magar country. Higher up, the villages are Tibetan Buddhist, with mani walls [long walls of stones carved with prayers], prayer wheels and monasteries tucked above the barley fields.

It is not gentle. This is a long, high, remote trek with basic lodges and a pass that tests almost everyone who crosses it. If you’re still working out whether Nepal trekking in general is for you, our trekking in Nepal post covers the wider picture.

Manaslu Circuit Trek at a glance

Typical duration	12–16 days, including the drive from Kathmandu
Distance	Roughly 140–180 km, depending on start, finish and side trips (Wikipedia lists the standard route at 177 km)
Highest point	Larkya La, 5,106 m
Start	Machha Khola or Soti Khola, reached by road from Kathmandu
Finish	Dharapani or Tilche, then road to Besisahar
Accommodation	Teahouses [family-run mountain lodges]
Guide	Required
Permits	Four
Best seasons	October to early December; late March to May
Difficulty	Hard, mainly from length and altitude, not technical terrain

Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits and the Guide Rule

Before you think about boots or bags, understand this: the Manaslu Circuit runs through a restricted area, and that changes how you book everything.

You can’t simply turn up at the trailhead. A licensed guide is mandatory, and the restricted area permit is issued only through a registered trekking agency. So the first big decision of your trip is which agency to use, even if all you want from them is the paperwork and a guide.

The four permits

The Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is priced by season and by days spent in the restricted section. From September to November it costs US$100 for the first seven days plus US$15 for each extra day. From December to August it’s US$75 for seven days plus US$10 per extra day. Agencies count the restricted days differently, so published totals for the same trek range from roughly US$95 to over US$200. Your agency will give you the exact figure.

The Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) is NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals, about US$23–30 depending on the exchange rate and who’s quoting.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is also NPR 3,000. Why would a Manaslu trek need an Annapurna permit? Because the final stretch drops into the Annapurna Conservation Area, where the route meets the Annapurna Circuit near Dharapani.

The Chumnubri Rural Municipality fee is a newer local charge of around NPR 1,000, collected at Jagat. Plenty of guides never mention it, so ask whether your quote already includes it.

Add them up and most foreign trekkers pay somewhere between US$150 and US$275 in permits, depending on season and days counted. Indian and other SAARC nationals pay lower conservation-area rates.

Do you still need a group of two?

Older articles will tell you yes. For years the restricted area permit required at least two trekkers plus a guide, and plenty of pages still repeat that. Several 2026 sources report that Nepal’s immigration department dropped the requirement in March, so solo travellers can now apply individually. The guide requirement did not change: a solo trekker still walks with a licensed guide. Rules here shift often and agencies don’t always agree on details, so confirm the current position in writing before you pay a deposit.

How Much Does the Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost?

Search for a price and you’ll find figures anywhere from US$800 to US$2,500. The spread comes down to what’s included, who’s guiding, and how comfortable you want to be.

Here are realistic 2026 ranges for a guided trek, drawn from published agency pricing and cost guides:

Style	Approximate total per person
Budget group trek	US$950–1,200
Standard (guide, porter, comfortable pace)	US$1,200–1,700
Private or premium	US$2,000–2,500+

Treat these as planning estimates. Individual agencies publish prices both below and above them. Among the pages I read, one standard 14-day package started at US$925 and another at US$1,985, and the difference came down to inclusions and service level.

Where does the money actually go?

Permits are the fixed part. Everything else flexes. A guide runs roughly US$25–35 a day and a porter US$20–30, with one porter usually carrying the bags of two trekkers. Teahouse rooms are cheap, generally US$5–15 a night, and many lodges discount the room if you eat there, because food is where they earn their living. Budget US$30–40 a day for meals. Prices climb with altitude because everything above the road arrives on someone’s back or a mule’s.

Transport is the other big line. The drive to Machha Khola by private jeep can cost US$120–250, shared among your group. Public options exist but are slower and less predictable. Then come the small extras: hot showers, charging and wifi often cost a few dollars each, and they add up. Tipping is customary, and a common guideline is around 10% of the trek cost, shared between guide and porters.

Cash is its own problem — there are no reliable ATMs on the trail, so carry Nepali rupees. One cost guide suggests NPR 20,000–40,000 for personal spending, and more if you plan to tip generously.

Finally, insurance. Buy a policy that explicitly covers trekking up to at least 5,200 metres, including helicopter evacuation. Check the fine print, because some policies stop at 4,500 or 5,000 metres, which is exactly where you’ll need them.

Choosing an Agency Without Losing Sleep

Since you must book through someone, how do you pick? The gap between a US$925 package and a US$1,985 one tells you that “cheap” and “good” are not the same question.

A few questions are worth asking every agency, and the quality of the answers tells you more than the price. What exactly is included? Ask whether the quote covers all four permits, both road transfers, porter service, meals, and insurance for guides and porters, and find out what anything missing will cost on the day. Who will actually guide you? Ask about their experience on this specific route, and whether they have first-aid and altitude training.

Then ask the uncomfortable ones. What happens if someone gets sick, or the pass is shut? A good agency has a clear plan: when to turn back, how an evacuation is arranged, and whether a buffer day is built in. A vague answer is a warning. How are the staff treated? One operator quotes a cap of 20 kg per porter, with one porter for every two guests, and that’s the kind of specific, checkable answer you want. And what’s the refund and rescheduling policy, given that weather and road conditions can derail plans?

Also check that the company holds a valid Nepali tourism licence, look for membership of recognised industry bodies, and read recent reviews from people who’ve done this trek, not just the testimonials on the brand’s own site.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary, Day by Day

Itineraries differ by a day or two, mostly in how many nights you spend in Samagaon and whether you add side trips. This 12-day outline runs from the drive in to the drive out. Most operators sell 14–16 days once you add arrival, a Kathmandu day, departure and a buffer. Altitudes are approximate because every source rounds differently.

Day	Route	Sleep altitude	Time
1	Drive Kathmandu to Machha Khola	~900 m	6–8 hr drive
2	Machha Khola to Jagat	~1,350 m	6–8 hr
3	Jagat to Deng	~1,860 m	6–8 hr
4	Deng to Namrung	~2,630 m	6–8 hr
5	Namrung to Lho	~3,000–3,200 m	4–5 hr
6	Lho to Samagaon	~3,530 m	4–5 hr
7	Rest and acclimatization at Samagaon	~3,530 m	Optional day hike
8	Samagaon to Samdo	~3,860 m	4–5 hr
9	Samdo to Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi)	~4,460 m	4–5 hr
10	Cross Larkya La to Bimthang	~3,600–3,700 m	8–10 hr
11	Bimthang to Tilche (or Gowa)	~2,260 m	6–7 hr
12	Drive to Besisahar, then on to Kathmandu	~1,400 m	8–9 hr drive

The river gorge (Days 1–4). The trek starts in subtropical country: bamboo groves and millet terraces, crossed by long suspension bridges over the Budhi Gandaki. It’s hot, steep in places, and more tiring than the altitude suggests. Parts of the trail are cut into cliffs, and you cross the river repeatedly. These first days toughen your legs more than you’d expect.

Into Nubri (Days 4–6). Past Deng and Namrung the valley opens up and the culture shifts with it. Stone houses take on a Tibetan look, mani walls appear at village edges, and the first big views of Manaslu’s snowfields arrive. Lho is a particularly good stop, with a monastery and a mountain view that rewards a clear evening.

Samagaon and beyond (Days 6–9). Samagaon is the main hub and the usual acclimatization base. From here you can walk to Birendra Lake, climb to Pungyen Gompa, or go further to Manaslu Base Camp. Samdo is the last village before the pass, and Dharamsala, also called Larkya Phedi, is the high camp: a handful of stone rooms at about 4,460 metres with little in the way of comfort. Expect to sleep in most of your clothes.

Over the pass and down (Days 10–12). The descent into Bimthang is long and steep. After it comes the trek’s best reward, the lower valley on the Annapurna side: rhododendron forest and terraced farms, then the road at Dharapani.

If you want a gentler pace, add a night in Lho or Samdo. Lodges are limited on this route, so ask your agency what’s feasible before you change anything.

Shorter, Longer and Add-On Routes

Not everyone has two weeks. Not everyone wants to stop at two weeks, either.

Short versions of 7 to 10 trekking days exist, mostly aimed at experienced, fast walkers. They cross Larkya La but compress the acclimatization, and that trade-off deserves serious thought, not a bargain-hunter’s shrug.

Going longer, there are three popular options. Tsum Valley adds roughly six to eight days and needs its own restricted-area permit; it’s one of the most remote and culturally significant side valleys in Nepal, and a favourite for people who want even fewer crowds. Manaslu Base Camp and Pungyen Gompa are usually day trips from Samagaon. And from Dharapani your ACAP stays valid, so you can continue onto the Annapurna Circuit, which turns a two-week trek into a multi-week expedition. Be honest about your time and fitness before you commit.

Crossing Larkya La

Most of the trek is a lead-up to one very long morning.

You wake around 3 or 4 a.m. at Dharamsala, force down something warm if you can face it, and are on the trail by about 4:30 or 5:00. The route climbs roughly 700 metres along a glacial moraine [a ridge of rock and debris pushed up by a glacier], often through snow. It’s gradual at first and steeper near the top. Most trekkers reach the pass in three to four and a half hours — the whole crossing to Bimthang takes 8 to 10.

At the top you’ll find prayer flags and a panorama that includes Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal and Annapurna II. Don’t linger. The wind is brutal, and the descent is where people get caught out: it’s long, steep and sometimes icy, so microspikes [small metal traction devices that strap onto your boots] are worth carrying in autumn and essential in shoulder seasons or after fresh snow.

Weather decides everything. If the pass is stormy or loaded with new snow, a good guide delays a day or turns around. That’s why every sensible itinerary includes a buffer day, and why a schedule with no slack is an unsafe one.

So how high is Larkya La?

The figure you’ll see most often is 5,106 metres (16,752 ft). It’s the number used on Wikipedia and on many trek maps and agency itineraries, so it’s the one I’d use. Other numbers do appear: 5,135, 5,160, even 5,213 on a few operator pages, sometimes within the same page. I couldn’t find a source that explains the gaps. Likely culprits are handheld GPS readings and operators copying each other’s pages, but that’s an educated guess, not a finding.

The practical takeaway: don’t build your plan around the exact figure. Whatever the number, the pass is high enough to deserve respect.

How Hard Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Really?

This is a hard trek, and not mainly because of the pass.

The difficulty is cumulative. You walk six to eight hours a day, for ten days or so in a row, on uneven trail with steady altitude gain and plenty of steep staircases. None of it is technical, and in normal conditions you won’t need ropes, crampons or climbing experience. What you do need is endurance, and a willingness to be tired for a long time without complaining about it to your guide.

A reasonable benchmark: if you can hike uphill with a loaded pack for around seven hours without being wrecked, you’re in the right range. Give yourself two to three months of training built around long hikes with a pack, stair work and back-to-back days, which matter more than gym sessions.

Facilities add to the challenge. Rooms are basic, toilets are mostly squat, and hot showers are only reliable as far as Samagaon. Electricity from micro-hydro [small local hydroelectric systems] reaches Samdo, but weather can interrupt it. Phone signal and wifi come and go; one trekker reported usable connection on roughly 40% of the trip and almost none past the first week. Tell people at home not to expect daily updates.

Best Time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

October to early December is the classic window. Skies are usually clear, daytime temperatures are comfortable, and the pass is generally open. October is the busiest month, though “busy” on Manaslu is still far quieter than the Annapurna or Everest routes.

Late March to May is the runner-up. Rhododendrons bloom in the lower forests and the high sections gradually clear of winter snow.

June to September is monsoon, and the practical problem is the road. In these months buses typically can’t go beyond Soti Khola, and trekkers may have to start walking from Arughat in rough conditions. Most people should skip it.

December to February is possible with a reliable agency that runs winter treks regularly, but it’s demanding, with cold nights and snow on the pass.

For the wider view across the country, see our guide to the best time to trek in Nepal.

Climbing High Without Getting Sick

Above roughly 3,000 metres, acute mountain sickness (AMS) becomes a possibility. It tends to start with a persistent headache, nausea, poor sleep, no appetite and unusual fatigue. Caught early, most cases are mild. The severe forms, HAPE [fluid on the lungs] and HACE [swelling of the brain], are rare but can become life-threatening quickly.

The principles are straightforward, even if following them isn’t. Climb slowly: that matters more than fitness or any medication. The standard itinerary builds in an acclimatization day at Samagaon, so treat it as essential, not optional, and don’t rush the days on either side. Use that rest day properly by walking high during the day, then sleeping low. Drink and eat steadily, because dehydration makes everything feel worse. And never ignore symptoms. If you feel worse, don’t go higher and tell your guide immediately. If symptoms persist or worsen, descend.

Diamox, the brand name for acetazolamide, is sometimes used to help acclimatization, but whether it suits you is a conversation for you and a doctor before you leave, not a decision to make at a pharmacy in Thamel.

Villages, Monasteries and the Border Country

This is the part brochures squash into a bullet point, and it’s one of the best reasons to come.

In the upper valley, life faces north. Villages like Samagaon and Samdo have historically traded across the nearby border with Tibet, and many residents are of Tibetan descent. You’ll pass prayer wheels at village entrances, long carved-stone walls, and chortens [Buddhist shrines] at village gates. The convention is to walk clockwise around them.

Worth the detour: Pungyen Gompa high above Samagaon, and Birendra Lake, a glacial lake beneath Manaslu’s face. Wildlife is part of the draw too. The conservation area is home to Himalayan tahr and, for the very lucky, snow leopards, though most trekkers will settle happily for yaks and marmots.

Respect matters more here than on busier routes. These communities are small, and a few badly behaved groups can change how a whole village feels about visitors. Remove your boots before entering a monastery, ask before photographing people, carry out your rubbish, and buy tea, snacks and handicrafts from local families, not only through your own lodge.

What to Pack, and What to Rent in Kathmandu

You don’t need to buy everything new. Sleeping bags and down jackets can be rented in Kathmandu, which makes sense if you won’t use them again.

Footwear is where not to economise: waterproof, properly broken-in trekking boots with ankle support, plus light shoes for evenings. For layers, think thermal base layers, a fleece, a proper insulated down jacket and a waterproof shell. Nights at Dharamsala fall well below freezing — add a warm hat, a sun hat, a buff, and two pairs of gloves, a thin liner and an insulated outer.

For the pass, bring microspikes or crampons, especially outside peak autumn, plus trekking poles and a headlamp with spare batteries, since you’ll start in the dark. Carry two one-litre water bottles with purification tablets or a filter, a large power bank (charging costs money and is unreliable), blister treatment, electrolyte powder, a personal first-aid kit and your regular medication. Keep copies of your passport, permits and insurance details.

On sleeping bags, even the sources disagree. One trekker I read did the whole route without one, relying on lodge blankets and a down jacket, while one operator’s packing list calls for a bag rated to -10°C to -20°C. The sensible compromise is to ask your agency what they supply, and if you’re trekking in late autumn or shoulder season, carry or rent one.

Keep your daypack light, with only water, snacks and a jacket. The porter carries your main bag, and one operator’s guideline is 10–15 kg per trekker. For essentials that apply to any trek, see our hiking essentials, and download offline maps before you leave using the tools in our best hiking apps post.

Manaslu or the Annapurna Circuit?

The Annapurna Circuit is the more famous route, with more infrastructure and easier logistics, though roads have eaten into much of its lower trail over the years. Manaslu is more remote, quieter and more culturally distinct, but harder and less comfortable. Want solitude and the feeling of having left the world behind? Choose Manaslu. Want flexibility, more lodges and fewer permits? Choose Annapurna. We cover that route in our Annapurna Circuit trek post.

If Manaslu sounds like too much, shorter and easier options exist. Our Ghorepani Poon Hill and Langtang Valley are good places to start, and our Everest Base Camp post covers the most famous route of all.

So, Should You Go?

If you need comfort, constant connection or a short trip, probably not. If you’re reasonably fit, comfortable with basic conditions and willing to give the trail two weeks, it’s hard to beat.

No summit here. Instead, a slow change from jungle to snowfield, villages that feel like another country, and one cold pre-dawn moment when the pass you’ve heard about for nine days finally shows up in your headlamp beam.