Manaslu region · Tea house trek
Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Trek
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Trek type
- Tea House Trek
- Duration
- 14 days
- Program starts/ends
- Machha Khola / Kathmandu
- Trek difficulty
- Moderate to challenging
- Maximum elevation
- 5,106 m
- Walking duration
- 5–7 hours
- Group size
- 1–6 people
- Best season
- Mar–May · Oct–Nov
- Transportation
- Reserved jeep
- Permits
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Chumnubri Rural Municipality Permit
From $1,375 for 1–2 People
Book this trekOverview
The Manaslu Circuit Trek walks all the way around Mt Manaslu (8,163 m), the world’s eighth-highest mountain. It is one of Nepal’s great tea house treks: quieter than the Annapurna Circuit, with wilder scenery and strong Tibetan Buddhist culture in the upper valley. The high point is the Larkya La pass (5,106 m), with a huge panorama of glaciers and peaks.
From Machha Khola you follow the Budhi Gandaki River up through deep gorges, waterfalls and Gurung villages to Jagat, Deng and Namrung. Higher up, the valley opens out into the Nubri region, with stone villages, mani walls and monasteries at Lho and Samagaon, right below Manaslu.
After an acclimatization day at Samagaon you go on to Samdo, near the Tibetan border, cross the Larkya La, and descend past Bimthang into the green Marsyangdi Valley before driving back to Kathmandu.
The upper Manaslu valley is a restricted area: you need a special permit and a licensed guide. We arrange all permits for you, and you trek with a licensed guide and a porter who carries your main luggage.
With Makalu Arun Social Trek, this is more than a mountain journey. You pay tea houses directly so the money stays with local families, your guide and porter are fairly paid and insured, and part of every trip fee funds our community projects in Sankhuwasabha.
Related treks: the Tsum Valley Manaslu Circuit Trek (adds the hidden Tsum Valley) and the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Learn a few Nepali phrases for the tea houses.
Highlights
- Walk all the way around Mt Manaslu (8,163 m), the world’s eighth-highest mountain
- Follow the Budhi Gandaki gorge past waterfalls, suspension bridges and Gurung villages
- Visit Lho and Samagaon, with their monasteries, mani walls and close-up views of Manaslu
- Take an acclimatization day at Samagaon, with an optional hike to Pungyen Gompa or Manaslu Base Camp
- Cross the Larkya La pass (5,106 m), with huge views of glaciers and peaks
- Descend into the Marsyangdi Valley, from alpine landscapes back to green forests
Itinerary
A. Outline Itinerary
- Day 1 1,400m
- Day 4 1,340m
- Day 7 3,180m
- Day 10 3,875m
- Day 11 4,460m
- Day 13 1,860m
- Day 14 1,400m
| Day | Description | Altitude (m) | Net Gain/Loss (m) | Duration (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu | 1400 | - | - |
| 2 | Kathmandu: permits, preparation and sightseeing | 1400 | 0 | - |
| 3 | Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola | 930 | -470 | 8-9 by jeep |
| 4 | Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat | 1340 | +410 | 6-7 |
| 5 | Trek from Jagat to Deng | 1860 | +520 | 7-8 |
| 6 | Trek from Deng to Namrung | 2630 | +770 | 6-7 |
| 7 | Trek from Namrung to Lho | 3180 | +550 | 4-5 |
| 8 | Trek from Lho to Samagaon | 3530 | +350 | 3-4 |
| 9 | Acclimatization day in Samagaon | 3530 | 0 | optional hike 4-6 |
| 10 | Trek from Samagaon to Samdo | 3875 | +345 | 4-5 |
| 11 | Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi) | 4460 | +585 | 4-5 |
| 12 | Cross Larkya La (5,106 m) to Bimthang | 3720 | +646 / -1386 | 8-10 |
| 13 | Trek from Bimthang to Dharapani | 1860 | -1860 | 6-8 |
| 14 | Drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu via Besisahar | 1400 | -460 | 10-12 by jeep |
B. Detailed Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal! Our representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and takes you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you meet your guide for a first overview of the trek.
While we finalize your restricted-area permit, your guide checks your gear and briefs you on the route, altitude, lodges and safety. The rest of the day is free to explore Kathmandu.
A long drive from Kathmandu through hills, terraced fields and river gorges to Machha Khola, the traditional start of the walking route. Overnight in a tea house.
Follow the Budhi Gandaki River upstream through forest and small farming villages, past the hot springs at Tatopani and over several suspension bridges, to Jagat, the entrance to the Manaslu Conservation Area, where permits are checked.
Climb to Sirdibas and Philim, a large Gurung village, then pass the turn-off to the Tsum Valley. The trail continues through bamboo forest and a narrow gorge, with the river far below, to the small village of Deng.
Cross the river and climb through forest and traditional villages such as Bihi and Ghap, with mani walls carved with prayers. The landscape changes with altitude, and you reach Namrung, known for its mountain views and Tibetan-influenced culture.
A shorter day to help you acclimatize. Walk through Banjam and Shyo, past barley fields and chortens, to Lho, with its monastery on the hill and a superb first close-up view of Manaslu.
After an early view of Manaslu from Lho, walk up the valley through Shyala, with peaks all around, to Samagaon, the main village of the upper Manaslu region, with Manaslu towering above.
Rest and acclimatize. With your guide, take an optional hike to Pungyen Gompa or towards Manaslu Base Camp and Birendra Lake for close-up views of the glacier, returning to Samagaon for the night.
A short, gradual climb through high, open country to Samdo, the last permanent village before the pass, close to the Tibetan border.
Climb past glaciers and mountain walls to Dharamsala, the basic lodge below the pass. Rest, hydrate and prepare for an early start.
Start before sunrise and climb slowly to the Larkya La, with a vast panorama of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II. Then begin the long descent to Bimthang. This is the longest and hardest day of the trek (8–10 hours).
Descend through forest and farmland into the warmer Marsyangdi Valley to Dharapani, where the Manaslu and Annapurna circuits meet.
Drive down the Marsyangdi Valley via Besisahar and on to Kathmandu. Enjoy a celebration dinner in the city.
How to Get to the Manaslu Circuit Trek
The trip starts and ends in Kathmandu. The walking starts at Machha Khola and ends at Dharapani.
- Kathmandu to Machha Khola: 8–9 hours by reserved jeep (not included in the price), through the hills and up the Budhi Gandaki valley.
- Dharapani to Kathmandu: 10–12 hours by reserved jeep via Besisahar (not included).
- Permits: the upper Manaslu valley is a restricted area, so you need a licensed guide. We arrange the permits in Kathmandu on Day 2.
Tea houses: pay as you go
Food and accommodation on the trail are not included in our price. You pay tea houses and lodges directly, so the money stays with local families. Budget around US$50 per person per day for meals, a room and hot drinks (paid in Nepali rupees). Prices rise with altitude.
Your Guide and Porter
Your trek is led by a licensed guide, which is required by law for the Manaslu restricted area. Your guide handles permits and check-posts, knows the route and the lodges, speaks English, and looks after your safety, including watching for signs of altitude sickness.
For every two guests, a porter carries your main luggage (up to 20 kg in total), so you only need a daypack. Both are fairly paid and insured.
Altitude and Fitness
This trek crosses Larkya La at 5,106 m, with a very long day of 8–10 hours on the crossing. You should be fit enough to walk 6–7 hours a day for ten days, and previous trekking experience is recommended. The itinerary keeps the daily height gain gentle above 2,600 m, with a short day to Lho and an acclimatization day at Samagaon. Tell your guide straight away if you have a headache, nausea or dizziness. Travel insurance with helicopter rescue up to 5,200 m is required.
Best Time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek
The best time is autumn (October–November), followed by spring (March–May).
| Months | What to expect | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Mar–May (spring) | Rhododendrons lower down; snow can still lie on the Larkya La in March and early April | Good, especially April–May |
| Jun–Sep (monsoon) | Heavy rain, leeches and landslides on the Budhi Gandaki trail; cloud over the peaks | Avoid |
| Oct–Nov (autumn) | Clear, stable weather and the best views of Manaslu and Ganesh Himal | Best time |
| Dec–Feb (winter) | Very cold; snow often closes the Larkya La and some high lodges shut | Not recommended |
Permits for this trek
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit: September–November USD 100 per person for the first week, then USD 15 per day. December–August USD 75 for the first week, then USD 10 per day.
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP): NPR 3,000 per person.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 3,000 per person.
- Chumnubri Rural Municipality permit
Restricted-area permits are issued only through a registered agency, to trekkers travelling with a licensed guide. Since March 2026 a solo trekker can get these permits too.
We arrange all your permits through our registered agency (TAAN no. 1597) before the trek. Please send us a copy of your passport and 2 passport-size photos. Fees can change, so we confirm the current amounts when you book. See The Cost Includes for which fees are in your price. Want to know how your price is worked out? See how we price your trek.
Cost and Price Details
The price includes
- A licensed guide: daily wages, food, accommodation and insurance
- A porter (one porter per 2 guests): daily wages, food, accommodation and insurance
- Shoes, socks and gloves for your guide and porter
- All restricted-area and conservation-area permits listed above
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Kathmandu
- MAST service charge and government tax (VAT)
- A contribution to our community projects
The price does not include
- International flights
- Nepal visa (currently $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days)
- Hotels in Kathmandu
- Reserved jeep Kathmandu – Machha Khola and Dharapani - Kathmandu (we can arrange it for you at extra cost)
- Food and accommodation on the trek (paid directly to tea houses)
- Travel and medical insurance, including helicopter rescue
- Personal expenses: drinks, hot showers, charging, laundry, shopping
- Tips for your guide and porter
- Costs caused by events outside our control, such as flight cancellations, landslides or strikes
Manaslu Circuit Trek Map
FAQs
General
It’s challenging. Most days involve 5–7 hours of walking, and the Larkya La crossing (5,106 m) is a very long, high day. Good fitness and some previous trekking experience are recommended.
The Larkya La pass at 5,106 m. The highest overnight stop is Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi) at about 4,460 m.
Yes. Since March 2026 a solo trekker can get the restricted-area permit when trekking with a licensed guide through a registered agency like ours. The package costs US$1,375 for one trekker.
The Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, plus the Manaslu (MCAP) and Annapurna (ACAP) conservation area permits. We arrange all of them for you in Kathmandu.
US$1,375 for one trekker, or US$1,525 in total for two trekkers, including all permits. The reserved jeeps are not included. On top of this, budget for food and accommodation at tea houses (around US$50 per person per day), plus insurance.
October–November is best, with stable weather and clear views. March–May is also good. The monsoon (June–August, often into September) brings rain and landslides on the Budhi Gandaki trail, and from December to February snow can close the Larkya La.
Yes. Our Tsum Valley Manaslu Circuit Trek adds five days in the hidden Tsum Valley, with Mu Gompa and Piren Phu, on the way up.
Yes. Day 9 is a rest and acclimatization day in Samagaon (3,530 m), and Day 7 to Lho is a short day, so you gain height slowly before Samdo and the Larkya La.
A reserved jeep (not included in the price) takes you from Kathmandu to Machha Khola, a long 8–9 hour drive through the hills and the Budhi Gandaki valley. At the end, a reserved jeep brings you back from Dharapani to Kathmandu via Besisahar (10–12 hours).
Most lodges offer charging and hot showers for a small fee, though they become basic above Samagaon. Bring a power bank.
There are no ATMs on the trail, so bring enough Nepali rupees from Kathmandu. Mobile signal and paid Wi-Fi are available in some villages, but not reliably.
Full payment is due before the trek. If you cancel, we don’t give refunds, but the amount you paid stays as a credit for a later trek with us.
Warm layers, a down jacket, a four-season sleeping bag, good boots, microspikes (for a snowy pass), a water filter or purification tablets, a power bank, snacks and toilet paper.
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