The Manaslu Circuit is Nepal’s wild side. This 14-day Manaslu Circuit trek itinerary loops around Mount Manaslu (8,163 metres), the world’s eighth-highest peak, through a restricted region that sees a fraction of the trekkers heading to Everest or Annapurna. This trail takes you through some of the most beautiful and untouched landscapes in Nepal.
It’s a trail of steep gorges, glacier-fed rivers and high passes where the air gets thin and the tea houses smell of strong tea and wood smoke. Tibetan-influenced villages like Samagaun and Lho still carry on with little fuss, prayer flags snapping in the wind while the Himalayas rise behind them.
You’ll probably see more yaks than tourists. You’ll thread past stone houses, flickering butter lamps in Buddhist monasteries, and at the same time build up to one of Nepal’s greatest challenges: crossing the Larke La Pass at 5,106m, a high and windy pass with stupendous views of the Himalayas.
Manaslu Circuit trek is for hikers who crave wilderness over bragging rights. For experienced trekkers, it’s a no-brainer. For beginners, it is an achievable commitment. It’s a tough trek through a restricted area across varied terrain. Fourteen days of big mountains, thin air and tea houses that smell of woodfired stoves and butter tea. If you want Nepal unfiltered, this is the circuit.
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Manaslu Circuit Trek Overview
- Location: Gorkha District, (Manaslu Conservation Area).
- Duration: 14–18 days
~177 km total,
6–7 hours average walking per day. - Difficulty: Strenuous.
- Highest altitude: Larke La Pass (5,106m).
- Accommodation: Tea houses along the route.
- Best time to go:
Spring (March–May): Clear skies, rhododendrons in bloom.
Autumn (Sept–Nov): Stable weather, excellent mountain visibility. - Highlights:
Crossing the Larke La Pass.
Close up views of Mount Manaslu.
Remote Tibetan-style villages and monasteries.
Less crowded than Everest or Annapurna.
Manaslu Circuit 14-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Drive Kathmandu → Soti Khola (700m). Long jeep ride, overnight in Soti Khola.
- Day 2: Soti Khola → Machha Khola (930m), ~6 hrs. Forests, suspension bridges.
- Day 3: Machha Khola → Jagat (1,410m), ~7 hrs. River gorges, a stone village.
- Day 4: Jagat → Deng (1,804m), ~7 hrs. Entry into the restricted zone.
- Day 5: Deng → Namrung (2,630m), ~6 hrs. First views of Manaslu peaks.
- Day 6: Namrung → Lho (3,180 m), ~5 hrs. Mani walls, monasteries, mountain views.
- Day 7: Lho → Samagaun (3,530m), ~5 hrs. Hike through alpine fields, Manaslu views.
- Day 8: Acclimatisation in Samagaun. Side trips to Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Monastery.
- Day 9: Samagaun → Samdo (3,860m), ~4 hrs. Remote village near the Tibetan border.
- Day 10: Samdo → Dharamsala (4,460m), ~4 hrs. Short but steep climb to high camp.
- Day 11: Dharamsala → Larke La Pass (5,106m) → Bimthang (3,590m), 8–9 hrs.The toughest and most rewarding day.
- Day 12: Bimthang → Tilije (2,300m), ~6 hrs. Descend through rhododendron and pine forests.
- Day 13: Tilije → Dharapani (1,970m), ~5 hrs. Join the Annapurna Circuit trail.
- Day 14: Drive Dharapani → Kathmandu.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Highlights
The Manaslu Trek offers diverse and dramatic landscapes. You’ll walk through subtropical forests and rice terraces, then climb into alpine meadows and glacier-carved valleys. Higher up, the views open to towering peaks including Manaslu, Himlung, Cheo Himal and Annapurna II. Crossing the Larke La Pass gives a panorama of both the Manaslu
and Annapurna ranges.
The trek is also a cultural journey. Many villages like Lho and Samagaun have Tibetan-style monasteries where prayer wheels spin and colourful flags flutter in the wind. You’ll walk past mani walls carved with Buddhist scriptures and in places like Samdo you’ll meet communities with strong ties to Tibet. During festival periods, traditional dances and rituals add to the experience.
In spring, the lower sections of the trek burst with rhododendron blooms, while higher up, you’ll see yaks and perhaps a blue sheep. Birdlife is abundant, with Himalayan griffons circling overhead being a common sight.
Suspension bridges over the Budhi Gandaki River, ancient trails cut into cliffs and quiet valleys untouched by mass tourism make the Manaslu Circuit unique. It feels wild and isolated, yet you can sleep in a real bed and have good meals every day.
Practical Information
Permits
The Manaslu Circuit requires multiple permits:
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP): $100 per person for the first week, $15 per additional day.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): $30 per person.
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP): $30 per person.
- Permits are issued in Kathmandu through registered trekking agencies.
- Solo trekking is not allowed; you must trek with a registered guide.
Accommodation
Along the Manaslu Circuit, trekkers stay in local tea houses, which are family-run lodges built to lodge trekkers. They have wooden rooms with two single beds, thin mattresses and blankets. Heating is rarely available in bedrooms, so it’s highly recommended to bring a warm sleeping bag, especially above 3,000m.
Toilets are usually outside and shared, squat style in smaller villages, though some places in Namrung and Samagaun now have attached bathrooms. Showers range from cold bucket washes to paid hot showers, often heated by solar or gas.
Compared to Everest or Annapurna regions, facilities here are simpler but that’s part of the circuit’s wild and remote appeal
Food
Dal bhat (rice and lentils, vegetables, and sometimes pickles) is the staple and is both filling and refillable. Other common meals are noodle soup, Tibetan bread with jam or honey, fried rice, pancakes, and simple pasta. Breakfast often consists of porridge, muesli or eggs.
At higher altitudes, food options become more limited and more expensive, as everything has to be carried up by mule or porter. Expect to pay double the Kathmandu price for items like tea, chocolate or soft drinks. Snacks like Snickers, biscuits and instant noodles are available in some villages, though it’s smart to carry a small supply of your own favourites from Kathmandu.
Guides & Porters
As the Manaslu Circuit falls inside a restricted trekking zone, trekking with a licensed guide is mandatory. Guides do more than simply showing you the way: they handle permits, organise accommodation and become a trekking buddy. A good guide is also essential in emergencies like altitude sickness or injuries. Daily rates are around $30-
40.
Porters are optional but highly recommended if you prefer to trek light; they usually carry 20-25 kg for $20-25 per day. Please don’t overload your porter. Hiring local staff not only eases your trek but also directly benefits the mountain communities.
Transport
Getting to the Manaslu Circuit trailhead involves a long, bumpy, and winding jeep ride from Kathmandu to Soti Khola. Depending on road and weather conditions, it can take 8-10 hours. Some trekkers break the journey with an overnight stop in Arughat, but most bite the bullet and do it in one go.
At the end of the trek, you’ll exit at Dharapani, where the trail meets the Annapurna Circuit. From there, jeeps or local buses run back to Kathmandu. Travel times are unpredictable due to landslides, muddy tracks or traffic, so it’s wise to keep at least a day or two buffer in your schedule.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Budget & Costs
A Magical Nepal group trek for the Manaslu Circuit starts from around $1,100-1,300 per person, depending on group size. Private treks cost more, usually $1,400-1,700 but offer more flexibility with pace and itinerary. These packages cover permits, guides, porters, accommodation and meals on the trail.
Extra expenses to consider. WiFi, where available, costs $2-5 per login. Charging electronics costs $1-3 per hour. Hot showers in tea houses may cost $2-5. Snacks, bottled water and drinks can add up to daily expenses, especially at higher altitudes.
Tipping is customary: around 10% of the trek cost is shared among guides and porters. For solo trekkers, it’s generally advised to tip $5-10 per day for your porter and $7-10 per day for your guide. The porters, especially, are doing an amazing job without ever complaining. Your tips will go a long way in their villages.
Overall, budget around $1,500-2,000, and you’ll have a comfortable trek inclusive of hidden costs and personal expenses.
Packing & Preparation Tips
Sturdy trekking boots are essential for long days on rocky trails. I’m on my second pair of Columbia Newton Ridge and will get them again. Layered clothing is important: lightweight shirts for lower sections, warm fleece or down jackets for higher altitudes and waterproof gear for unpredictable mountain weather.
Other essentials include trekking poles, a headlamp, a reusable water bottle, a LifeStraw, and a sleeping bag rated to -10°C. Crampons or microspikes are recommended in spring or late autumn for crossing the Larke La when snow or ice can linger. Many of these items can be rented in Thamel.
Acclimatisation is key. Walk slowly, hydrate and consider carrying Diamox. Fitness preparation should include cardio and leg strength training, as the Manaslu Circuit involve steep ascents and descents every day.
Manaslu Circuit Trek FAQs
- Do I need a guide for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Yes, a licensed guide is required for the restricted area. - How hard is it?
Strenuous, 14-18 days of continuous walking with a high pass crossing. - Can I do the Manaslu Circuit trek in winter?
Possible but not recommended; heavy snow can close the Larke La Pass, and it gets very cold. - Is there WiFi or cell coverage?
Patchy. WiFi is available in some villages but expect slow connections. NCell works in lower sections but not consistently higher up.
Like trekking?
Here are more fantastic hikes from around the world
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➜ South Africa: Wild Coast Hike
➜ South Africa: Lion’s Head
➜ DR Congo: Mount Nyiragongo
Should You Do the 14-Day Manaslu Trek?
The Manaslu Circuit is a trek that offers remoteness, cultural immersion and high Himalayan adventure. From stone villages to the towering heights of Larke La, the trekis physically demanding but deeply rewarding. It’s less crowded than the Everest or Annapurna regions so you’ll it delivers that wild and remote feeling that most trekkers yearn for.
If you’re looking for a longer and more challenging trek in Nepal then look no further than the Manaslu Circuit. It’s sure to deliver the adventure you were looking for.