Manaslu Circuit Trek – 14 Days
Fourteen days circling Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain, crossing Larke La at 5,106m. The Annapurna Circuit as it was thirty years ago.
Trip Facts
| Duration | 14 days (11 trekking days) |
|---|---|
| Max altitude | 5,106m — Larke La Pass |
| Difficulty | Strenuous |
| Trek start / end | Machha Khola to Dharapani |
| Best season | Mar–May, Sep–Nov |
| Accommodation | Teahouse + hotel |
| Group size | Minimum 2 (restricted area rule) |
| Permits | Manaslu Restricted Area Permit + MCAP + ACAP |
| Daily walking | 5-6 hours |
Overview
Trekkers who walked the Annapurna Circuit in the 1990s, before the road, usually describe the Manaslu Circuit as what Annapurna used to be. It follows the Budhi Gandaki river from subtropical gorge country at 900m all the way to the Tibetan border region, circles Manaslu (8,163m) — the eighth-highest mountain on earth — and crosses Larke La at 5,106m into the Marsyangdi valley. The cultural transition is as dramatic as the altitude. The lower valley is Hindu and Gurung, with rice terraces and waterfalls dropping into a gorge so narrow the trail is cut into the cliff face. By Namrung and Lho you are in Tibetan Buddhist territory — mani walls, chortens, monasteries and yak trains — and at Samagaon (3,530m) you are two days' walk from the Tibetan border, looking straight up at the north face of Manaslu. The acclimatisation day at Samagaon is one of the best rest days in Nepal. You can walk to Manaslu Base Camp at 4,800m, or to the turquoise Birendra Lake below the glacier, or up to the Pungyen Gompa on the moraine. Larke La is a long, cold crossing — typically eight to nine hours from Dharamsala — but non-technical, with the reward of the Annapurna II and Himlung panorama from the top and a long descent to the meadows of Bimthang. Manaslu is a restricted area. A licensed guide, a minimum of two trekkers and a government restricted-area permit are mandatory. Because of the permit system, trekker numbers stay low and the trail retains the feel that Annapurna lost.
Highlights
- Circle Manaslu (8,163m), the eighth-highest mountain in the world
- Cross Larke La Pass (5,106m) with Himlung, Cheo Himal and Annapurna II in view
- Samagaon at 3,530m, with Manaslu Base Camp, Birendra Lake and Pungyen Gompa excursions
- The Budhi Gandaki gorge — cliff-cut trails, waterfalls and suspension bridges
- Tibetan Buddhist villages of Lho, Sama and Samdo, close to the Tibetan border
- Restricted-area status keeps trekker numbers low — no roads, no crowds
- Connects to the Annapurna Circuit at Dharapani for extended itineraries
Itinerary
Arrive Kathmandu; restricted-area permit processing and briefing
Drive Kathmandu to Machha Khola
Machha Khola to Jagat
Jagat to Deng
Deng to Namrung
Namrung to Lho (first full Manaslu view)
Lho to Samagaon
Samagaon acclimatisation — Manaslu Base Camp (4,800m) or Birendra Lake
Samagaon to Samdo
Samdo to Dharamsala (Larke Phedi)
Dharamsala to Larke La Pass (5,106m) to Bimthang
Bimthang to Tilije to Dharapani
Drive Dharapani to Besisahar to Kathmandu
Final departure
Kathmandu-machhakhola-jagat-Deng-syala-sama gau-samdo-Dharmasala-Bhimtang-Tilije-dharapani-Beshishahar
What the Price Includes
Cost Includes
- Airport pick-up and drop-off (private vehicle)
- All ground transport per itinerary
- Teahouse/lodge accommodation throughout the trek (twin share)
- Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu/Pokhara per itinerary (3-star, B&B)
- Three meals a day on trek — breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Tea/coffee with meals on trek
- Government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers, max 25kg)
- All staff wages, insurance, equipment, food and lodging
- All required trekking permits and entry fees
- TIMS card
- Seasonal fresh fruit after dinner
- First aid kit and pulse oximeter carried by guide
- Duffel bag, trekking map and company T-shirt
- All government taxes and service charges
Cost Excludes
- International airfare and Nepal visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory — must cover helicopter evacuation to 6,000m)
- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (except where stated)
- Personal trekking equipment and clothing
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, battery charging and bottled drinks on trek
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses — laundry, phone, souvenirs
- Emergency evacuation costs (recoverable from your insurer)
- Tips for guide and porters
- Anything not listed under "Cost Includes"
Best Time to Trek
The most reliable season. Clear skies, stable weather, firm trails and the sharpest mountain views of the year. Book early; this is peak season on every route.
The second-best window and the finest season for scenery below 4,000m, when rhododendron forests are in full bloom. Warmer nights and longer days, with some afternoon haze building through May.
Clear, quiet and cold. Excellent for lower routes such as Poon Hill, Mardi Himal and Kathmandu Valley. High passes may close under snow.
Wet and leech-prone on most routes, but this is the right season for the rain-shadow trails: Upper Mustang, Nar Phu and Upper Dolpo.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Restricted Area Permit is currently around USD 100 per person per week (Sep–Nov) or USD 75 (Dec–Aug), plus the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit for the exit through Dharapani. A minimum of two trekkers and a registered agency are required by law.
Slightly. Larke La at 5,106m is lower than Thorong La, but the approach days are longer, the lodges are more basic, and there is no road access to bail out on. Manaslu also has less infrastructure in an emergency — which is exactly why it feels wilder.
No. Restricted area regulations require a minimum of two trekkers with a licensed guide, and permits are issued only through registered agencies.
Simpler than Annapurna or Everest — clean, adequate rooms with basic menus and limited hot water, particularly above Namrung. Charging and Wi-Fi are paid extras and often unavailable. Bring a good sleeping bag.
Yes. The Manaslu Circuit exits at Dharapani, directly on the Annapurna Circuit trail. Continuing to Manang and over Thorong La makes roughly a 24–26 day route.
Ready to Book This Trek?
Departures run year-round on your dates — private groups, couples and solo trekkers all welcome. Tell us your dates and we will send a full quote within 24 hours.
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