The short version
- 114 days, about 140 km on foot, topping out at 5,106m (Larke La). Rated Moderate on Trail to Tides.
- 2Best in Apr–May, Oct.
- 3Starts from Kathmandu / Soti Khola, reached via Kathmandu.
- 42 nights gain more than 500 m above 3,000 m. That's common on Himalayan treks, but it's where altitude sickness tends to show up: go slowly the day before and drink well.
- 5Operators charge ₹88,000 per person; 1 listed, 1 verified.
The trek
Overview
The Manaslu Circuit is Nepal's most compelling alternative to the Annapurna Circuit — 14 days around the 8,163m Manaslu massif, through remote Gurung and Tibetan-influenced villages largely untouched by mass tourism. Camp puts Manaslu's ice-and-rock face across your entire field of vision, and the Larke Pass (5,106m) rivals Thorong La for views and surpasses it for solitude.
Right for you if
- You've done a high trek before (EBC, Annapurna) and slept above 4,000m fine
- You can walk 8–10 hours on pass day over Larke La (5,106m), starting before dawn
- You're going with at least one other trekker: the permit needs two people and a licensed guide
- You can take 15–16 days off, including the long jeep ride in
- You want quiet trails and simple village lodges
Think twice if
- You're going solo or without a guide: permits for this restricted area won't be issued
- You have a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition without a doctor's OK for 5,100m
- Rough roads wreck you: it's 8–9 hours by jeep on mountain roads to the trailhead
- Your dates can't move: snow can close Larke La for days
Season
When to go
Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
Autumn: the clearest skies and steadiest weather of the year. Nights get cold quickly from October, and early snow is possible in November.
More on the Himalayan seasons: When to go.
Travel
Getting there
Meet in
Kathmandu
Nearest airport
Kathmandu
Nearest railway
No railway
By road
Kathmandu to Machha Khola or Soti Khola, about 8 to 9 hours on rough roads
Most operators run a shared pickup from Kathmandu early on day one. Arrive the evening before so a late train or flight doesn't cost you the trek, and keep a buffer day at the end: mountain roads close for landslides and snow. Travel times are approximate.
Itinerary
Day by day
A typical plan, measured along the mapped trail: 133 km with about 6,450 m of climbing. The biggest day is day 4, climbing 1,200 m. Operators vary it a little; figures marked ≈ are estimates where the path isn't mapped.
- Day1
Soti Khola → Machha Khola
Up the Budhi Gandaki gorge on a path cut into its side
13.1 km470 m230 msleep at 837 m
- Day2
Machha Khola → Jagat
Past the hot springs at Tatopani into the restricted area: permits are checked here
16.8 km650 m150 msleep at 1,317 m
- Day3
Jagat → Deng
Through a narrow gorge into the Tibetan-Buddhist upper valley
18.7 km910 m380 msleep at 1,889 m
- Day4
Deng → Namrung
Through forest, with the first views of Manaslu
16.8 km1,200 m480 msleep at 2,574 m
- Day5
Namrung → Lho
Past mani walls and monasteries, Manaslu straight ahead
9.4 km600 m30 msleep at 3,170 m
- Day6
Lho → Samagaun
A short day to the largest village of the upper valley
7.3 km480 m130 msleep at 3,530 m
- Day7
Rest day at Samagaun
Acclimatisation day: up towards Manaslu Base Camp or Birendra Tal and back
- Day8
Samagaun → Samdo
Up to the last village before Tibet
8.2 km340 m0 msleep at 3,895 m
- Day9
Samdo → Dharmasala
A short climb to the stone huts below the pass
≈7.2 km800 m0 msleep at 4,670 m
- Day10
Dharmasala → Bimthang
via Larkya La
Leave around 4 am to cross Larkya La at 5,106 m, then a long descent to Bimthang
11.7 km930 m1,890 msleep at 3,705 m
- Day11
Bimthang → Dharapani
Down through forest to join the Annapurna Circuit
23.4 km60 m1,870 msleep at 1,891 m
Altitude
Altitude and acclimatisation
Start
659 m
Highest night
4,670 m
Highest point
5,559 m
Know the warning signs before you go: Altitude sickness.
Fitness
How fit you need to be
Rated Moderate. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack.
What this trek asks of you, on the ACE scale from 0 to 5:
Take the Matchmaker to compare yourself against these scores, and use the 8-week plan to close any gaps. How ACE works.
Paperwork
Permits and paperwork
- Manaslu is a restricted area: a special permit, a licensed guide and at least two trekkers are required, plus the Manaslu and Annapurna conservation area permits.
- National park or conservation area permits, plus any trekker registration. Indian citizens need a passport or voter ID; no visa.
- Carry original government photo ID and a few photocopies.
- Rules and fees change. Ask your operator what's included and what you need to bring, two weeks before you go.
More detail: Permits and documents.
Kit
What to pack
For Manaslu Circuit Trek in particular, on top of the standard layers:
- Warm layers for a high camp well below freezing, even in summer, and glacier glasses for snow
- Broken-in trekking shoes with ankle support, trekking poles, and a 25 to 35 litre daypack with a rain cover
The full list and how to layer: What to pack. The trek page has a tick-off checklist for this trek.
Safety
Safety on this trek
- Altitude is the main risk. Don't go higher with symptoms; descend if they get worse.
- Stay between the leader and the sweep, and respect the turnaround time on summit or pass days.
- Signal is scarce beyond the roadhead. Share your itinerary and your operator's emergency number with someone at home.
See also Trail craft and Insurance and emergencies.
Booking
Booking and cost
1 operators run this trek on Trail to Tides, from ₹88,000 per person. Prices usually cover the trek from the roadhead; check transport, permits and offloading.
- Trek The Himalayas4.8₹88,000
What to ask before you pay: Choosing an operator.
Navigation
Offline map and GPX
Download the trail, with every overnight stop and its height, and load it on your phone before you lose signal.
Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors, via BRouter.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How difficult is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
It's rated Moderate on Trail to Tides. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack. The highest point is 5,106m (Larke La), so pace and acclimatisation matter as much as fitness.
When is the best time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Apr–May, Oct. Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
How many days does the Manaslu Circuit Trek take?
14 days including travel to and from the trailhead, with 10 walking days. Add a buffer day for weather or road delays.
How do I reach the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Most groups meet in Kathmandu. Nearest airport: Kathmandu. Nearest railway: No railway. Kathmandu to Machha Khola or Soti Khola, about 8 to 9 hours on rough roads.
How much does the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost?
Listed operators charge from ₹88,000 per person. Check what's included: transport, permits, meals, tents and offloading vary.
Do I need a permit for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Manaslu is a restricted area: a special permit, a licensed guide and at least two trekkers are required, plus the Manaslu and Annapurna conservation area permits. National park or conservation area permits, plus any trekker registration. Indian citizens need a passport or voter ID; no visa.
This guide is built from Trail to Tides' trek data, mapped trails and operator listings, and checked by our team. Conditions change with weather and seasons: your trek leader's call on the day always comes first.