The Manaslu Circuit circumnavigates the world’s eighth highest mountain — Manaslu at 8,163m — through a restricted area that requires a licensed guide and a special permit that most other Nepal treks don’t. That friction is exactly why it’s worth considering. In October, when the EBC route has hundreds of trekkers per day between Lukla and Namche, the Manaslu Circuit might see thirty. The permit system has kept the numbers low enough that the trail through the Budhi Gandaki valley still feels genuinely remote, the Nubri Tibetan-influenced villages in the upper valley have retained cultural practices that more accessible routes have lost, and the Larkya La crossing at 5,160m delivers everything that a Himalayan high pass crossing should.
This guide covers the full circuit with honest day-by-day detail, the permit and cost reality, what the restricted area rules mean in practice, and how Manaslu compares to the more famous circuits.
Route Overview and Key Facts
- Maximum altitude: Larkya La pass, 5,160m
- Duration: 14–18 days depending on pace and side trips
- Difficulty: Moderate-strenuous. Long approach days on the lower circuit, high altitude on the Larkya La section. Comparable to Annapurna Circuit in overall demand.
- Start point: Soti Khola (730m) or Arughat Bazaar (563m), accessible by road from Kathmandu via Gorkha (7–8 hours)
- End point: Dharapani (1,860m), which connects to the Annapurna Circuit and bus services to Pokhara
- Best seasons: Autumn (October–November) and Spring (March–May)
- Mandatory requirement: Licensed guide, minimum group of 2 (or 1 trekker + 1 licensed guide)
Permits: What You Need and What It Costs
The Manaslu Circuit sits within a restricted area designated by Nepal’s government, which means the permit system is more complex and more expensive than standard trekking routes.
Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
- September–November (peak season): $100 USD per person per week, or part thereof
- December–August (off-peak): $75 USD per person per week, or part thereof
Most trekkers complete the circuit in two weeks, so budget $200 USD (peak) or $150 USD (off-peak) for the RAP. This permit must be arranged through a registered trekking agency — you cannot purchase it at the trailhead or at a government office without an agency booking. This is the primary reason independent trekking isn’t possible here.
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCA)
NPR 3,000 ($22 USD) per person. This is the standard conservation area entry fee equivalent to ACA on the Annapurna Circuit.
TIMS Card
NPR 2,000 ($15 USD). Checked at the first checkpoint at Jagat.
ACA (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit)
NPR 3,000 ($22 USD) — required if you continue into the Annapurna region after the circuit ends at Dharapani. Most trekkers who finish the Manaslu Circuit take a bus directly to Besisahar or Pokhara without entering the Annapurna Conservation Area zone, but those extending into the Annapurna area need this permit.
Total Permit Cost
For a standard peak-season two-week circuit: approximately $237 USD ($200 RAP + $22 MCAP + $15 TIMS). This is significantly higher than EBC ($52) or Annapurna Circuit ($37), but it’s directly why the trail has fewer people on it.
The Mandatory Guide Rule
Nepal’s government requires all trekkers in the Manaslu restricted area to be accompanied by a licensed guide from a registered agency. Minimum group size is two people, which can be two trekkers or one trekker plus one licensed guide. This rule is enforced at the checkpoints and at the permit stage.
What this means practically: you cannot simply buy a TIMS card in Thamel and walk into the Manaslu Circuit the next morning. You need to book through an agency, have your guide assigned, and have your restricted area permit documentation in order before entering the restricted zone at Jagat.
The cost of the mandatory guide runs $25–35 USD per day. For a 14-day circuit with a guide at $30/day plus a standard $60 tip, budget approximately $480 total. Many agencies also require a porter for the Manaslu Circuit given the remoteness of the route — not mandatory, but significantly more common here than on accessible routes.
Day-by-Day Itinerary (16 Days)
Day 1: Drive Kathmandu to Soti Khola
Kathmandu 1,400m → Soti Khola 730m | 7–8 hours by road
The drive from Kathmandu goes west through Prithvi Highway to Arughat, then south to Soti Khola on increasingly rough road. Most agencies arrange a private jeep for this section (NPR 8,000–12,000 for the vehicle) as public transport to Soti Khola is unreliable. Arrive by early afternoon for an overnight stay before the first trekking day. Basic teahouses in Soti Khola: NPR 200–400 per room.
Day 2: Soti Khola to Machha Khola
730m → 869m | 4–5 hours
The Budhi Gandaki river defines the first days of the circuit — the trail follows it upstream through subtropical forest, crossing and recrossing on wooden suspension bridges. The lower valley is warm and lush, with cascading waterfalls and terraced farmland on the hillsides. Machha Khola (869m) is a small riverside settlement with basic teahouses. This first day is gentle by design — the altitude is low, the terrain is straightforward, and the focus is on finding the rhythm of the trail.
Day 3: Machha Khola to Jagat
869m → 1,340m | 5–6 hours
Jagat (1,340m) is the first major checkpoint on the circuit — all permits are inspected here. The checkpoint staff take restricted area permits seriously; have your documentation organised. The trail to Jagat passes through a dramatic gorge section where the Budhi Gandaki carves through narrow rock faces and the water level dramatically influences the trail below. Jagat has a reasonable collection of teahouses: NPR 300–500 per room.
Day 4: Jagat to Deng
1,340m → 1,804m | 5–6 hours
The valley begins to narrow and steepen above Jagat. The trail passes Philim (1,570m), a Gurung village that is the last predominantly Hindu community before the valley culture shifts to Tibetan Buddhism as you move higher. At Deng, the first prayer wheels and mani walls appear. The transition from the subtropical lower valley to the mountain cultural zone is one of the circuit’s most interesting aspects — it happens gradually over these middle days.
Day 5: Deng to Namrung via Ghap
1,804m → 2,160m (Ghap) → 2,630m (Namrung) | 5–6 hours
Ghap (2,160m) is a midpoint stop with a significant Tibetan-influenced gompa. The trail continues upward through pine and rhododendron forest, passing under cliffs hung with waterfalls and prayer flags. By Namrung the cultural transformation is complete — white-painted houses with carved window frames, chortens at the village entrance and exit, and yaks replacing the cattle of the lower valley. Namrung: NPR 350–600 per room.
Day 6: Namrung to Lho
2,630m → 3,180m | 4–5 hours
Lho (3,180m) is where Manaslu (8,163m) first comes into full view. The mountain’s enormous south face fills the northern skyline in a way that photographs fail to capture completely. Lho also sits at the junction for the Tsum Valley restricted area (see side trip section below). The village has a restored gompa with resident monks and a small community of traditional stone houses. This is also where altitude begins to be felt by some trekkers — slower pace and proper hydration matter from here.
Day 7: Lho to Samagaon
3,180m → 3,530m | 4–5 hours
Samagaon (3,530m) is the most important village on the circuit — the largest Nubri settlement in the upper valley, the main acclimatization stop, and the closest point to Manaslu for trekkers who aren’t on a climbing permit. The Rachen Gompa monastery sits above the village and is worth the 30-minute climb for the views and the monastery’s collection of thangka paintings and butter sculpture offerings. Samagaon teahouses are among the better quality on the circuit: NPR 500–900 per room. There is a ACAP/NP checkpoint here and a small medical post.
Day 8: Acclimatization Day in Samagaon
Base 3,530m | Side hike to Birendra Lake 3,450m or Manaslu Base Camp 4,800m
A rest day is essential before continuing to Samdo and the Larkya La approach. Two options for the acclimatization hike:
Birendra Lake (3,450m): A 1–2 hour return walk to a glacial lake at the foot of the Manaslu glacier. The lake is a vivid turquoise and the views of Manaslu’s north face from the lakeshore are outstanding. Suitable for a morning’s hike with an easy afternoon rest.
Manaslu Base Camp (4,800m): A full day’s return hike gaining 1,270m. This is a serious acclimatization exercise and provides views directly into the Manaslu cirque. The terrain is rocky moraine and glacier edge; no technical climbing but requires good footwear and route-finding. Only recommended for trekkers feeling strong after several days at altitude.
Day 9: Samagaon to Samdo
3,530m → 3,860m | 3–4 hours
A short day that keeps the altitude gain conservative before the Larkya La approach. The trail above Samagaon crosses high pastures to Samdo (3,860m), the last significant village before the pass. Samdo has a few teahouses and a view north toward the Tibetan border — the Chinese plateau is visible on clear days from above the village. An optional side hike to the Tibetan border (an hour’s walk from Samdo) is worth doing in the afternoon if you have energy. The border area is open to view from the Nepali side.
Day 10: Samdo Acclimatization or Rest
Rest at 3,860m
A second acclimatization day this close to the pass is optional for trekkers who acclimatized well at Samagaon and are feeling strong, and advisable for those with any symptoms. The altitude jump from Samdo to Dharamsala (4,480m) and then the pass (5,160m) is significant and is where most altitude problems on the circuit occur. Don’t skip both rest days.
Day 11: Samdo to Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi)
3,860m → 4,480m | 3–4 hours
A short day by distance but demanding by altitude. Dharamsala (also called Larkya Phedi, meaning “base of the pass”) at 4,480m is a collection of teahouses built specifically for pass-crossing trekkers. The facilities are basic even by Manaslu standards — small rooms, cold, shared toilets — but the location is necessary for an early start. Eat a full dinner, drink plenty of water, and set your alarm for 3:00–3:30 AM. Rooms: NPR 500–800.
Day 12: Larkya La Crossing — Dharamsala to Bimthang
4,480m → Larkya La 5,160m → Bimthang 3,590m | 8–10 hours total
The defining day of the circuit. Depart Dharamsala by 4:00 AM in the dark. The initial trail crosses moraines and glacier edge terrain before the sustained climb to the pass begins. Cold is intense — temperatures at the pass regularly reach −15°C or below in October. Have all your layers accessible before departure, not buried in the pack.
The Larkya La summit (5,160m) is marked by a large cairn and prayer flags. The views from the pass are exceptional: Manaslu (8,163m) to the east, Himlung Himal (7,126m) and Cheo Himal (6,820m) directly ahead, Kangguru (6,981m) to the northwest. The descent to Bimthang takes 3–4 hours down snow slopes and rocky switchbacks to the first vegetation — a dramatic shift from the barren high terrain above. Bimthang (3,590m) has several teahouses and feels civilised after the austerity of Dharamsala: NPR 500–900 per room.
Important warnings for Larkya La: Do not cross in poor visibility or actively falling snow. The crevassed glacier near the pass approach requires care in early morning when ice is hard. Your guide will know current conditions — listen to them. Every season trekkers attempt the pass in deteriorating conditions and require rescue. The pass isn’t worth your life; it will still be there tomorrow.
Day 13: Bimthang to Tilije
3,590m → 2,300m | 5–6 hours
The descent from Bimthang drops rapidly through forest and terraced farmland to the Dudh Khola valley. The transition from the high Tibetan plateau culture back to the temperate mid-hills culture happens visibly over these hours. Rice paddies replace yak pastures. The air thickens. The temperature rises. Tilije (2,300m) is a pleasant lower-valley village with more food variety than you’ve had in a week.
Day 14: Tilije to Dharapani
2,300m → 1,860m | 3–4 hours, then transport to Besisahar or Pokhara
A short final trekking day ending at Dharapani (1,860m) on the Annapurna Circuit. From Dharapani, buses and jeeps run to Besisahar (1.5 hours) and onward to Pokhara (4–5 hours total). Most agencies arrange transport from Dharapani back to Pokhara or Kathmandu as part of the circuit package. The Manaslu Circuit connects directly to the Annapurna Circuit here — trekkers with more time often add the section through Manang and over Thorong La for a combined circuit that takes 3–4 weeks.
The Tsum Valley: Side Trip from Lho
The Tsum Valley branches east from the main Manaslu Circuit at Chhekampar, near Lho (3,180m), and is one of the most culturally preserved valleys in Nepal. The Tsum people maintain a Tibetan Buddhist tradition largely untouched by modern influence; the monastery at Mu Gompa (4,000m) at the head of the valley is a significant religious centre that has been active for centuries.
The Tsum Valley has its own restricted area permit: $40 USD per week in peak season (September–November), $30 USD per week in off-peak. A minimum of 5 extra days is needed for the side trip. The combination of Manaslu Circuit plus Tsum Valley is one of the most culturally rich trekking experiences available in Nepal and attracts a specific type of traveler who wants depth over speed. Planning this combination requires at least 20–22 days total.
Manaslu vs. Annapurna Circuit
The two circuits are the natural comparison. Both circumnavigate a major Himalayan massif, both cross significant high passes, both take 14–21 days. The key differences:
Crowds: The restricted area permit means Manaslu sees perhaps 10–20% of the trekker numbers that Annapurna Circuit sees in October. You will not be queuing for teahouse rooms on Manaslu. You may be the only people at some lodges entirely.
Road impact: The Annapurna Circuit has been significantly impacted by road construction. Manaslu’s restricted area status has largely protected it from this — the main circuit section from Soti Khola through to Bimthang is trail, not road.
Cost: Manaslu is more expensive. The restricted area permit alone adds $150–200 to the permit cost, and the mandatory guide adds $420–500. Total cost is $400–600 more than an equivalent Annapurna Circuit trip.
Culture: Both circuits pass through Tibetan Buddhist areas, but the Nubri people of the upper Manaslu valley are more culturally distinct from the mainstream Nepal experience than the communities on the Annapurna Circuit. The Tsum Valley option amplifies this further.
Altitude: Thorong La (5,416m) is higher than Larkya La (5,160m), but both require the same serious acclimatization approach.
Total Cost Breakdown
For a solo trekker on the 16-day peak-season circuit with mandatory guide:
- Nepal visa (30 days): $50
- Kathmandu to Soti Khola jeep (shared): $30–40
- Restricted Area Permit (2 weeks, peak season): $200
- MCAP permit: $22
- TIMS card: $15
- Mandatory licensed guide (14 days at $30/day + $60 tip): $480
- Optional porter (14 days at $20/day + $40 tip): $320
- Accommodation (14 nights, average NPR 550/night): $58
- Food (15 days, average NPR 2,300/day): $259
- Dharapani to Pokhara transport: $9–12
- Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation: $100–150
- Miscellaneous: $80–100
Total with guide and porter: approximately $1,700–2,000 USD. Without porter: $1,400–1,700. These numbers are comparable to EBC despite Manaslu being a less well-known circuit — the restricted area permit and mandatory guide are the main drivers.
Fitness Preparation
The Manaslu Circuit requires a similar fitness level to the Annapurna Circuit. The lower valley days (Days 2–7) involve 5–6 hours of trekking in warm subtropical terrain. The upper valley days require altitude management more than raw fitness. The Larkya La crossing (Day 12) is the physically demanding outlier: 8–10 hours including the ascent from Dharamsala (4,480m) to the pass (5,160m) and the long descent to Bimthang (3,590m).
Start preparation 8–12 weeks ahead with hiking, running, or cycling as the primary cardio base. Pack hiking practice with 8–12kg loaded over 15–25km days is the most transferable preparation. The mandatory guide means there’s a professional with you who can manage pace and assess altitude symptoms — this is one advantage of the restricted area requirement over independent trekking.
Altitude Warnings Specific to Manaslu
The rapid altitude gain from Samagaon (3,530m) through Samdo (3,860m) to Dharamsala (4,480m) in two days happens faster than the equivalent section of EBC or Annapurna Circuit. The mandatory acclimatization day at Samagaon helps, but trekkers who skip the Samdo rest day (Day 10) are making a meaningful error. The Larkya La approach in the dark at −10°C with depleted sleep quality is not the time to discover that acclimatization is incomplete.
HACE and HAPE are real risks above 4,000m. Know the symptoms. Your guide should know them too — ask directly about their altitude illness training when you meet them in Kathmandu. Descend immediately at any sign of confusion, ataxia, or breathlessness at rest. The nearest helicopter landing zones on the circuit are limited above Samagaon; evacuation from the upper valley is possible but slower than from more accessible routes.
A Note from Nepal Trail Guide
The Manaslu Circuit is the trek that trekkers who’ve done EBC and Annapurna Circuit tend to do when they want something that feels like what those routes felt like before the crowds arrived. The permit system isn’t ideal as a bureaucratic mechanism, but the effect of it is real: the trail is quiet, the teahouses are uncrowded, and the Nubri villages in the upper valley still exist on their own terms rather than organised around the logistics of feeding two hundred trekkers per day.
The Larkya La at 5,160m in the dark is one of the experiences that defines high-altitude Himalayan trekking. The approach through the Budhi Gandaki gorge is extraordinary. The culture of the upper valley is unlike anything accessible on the standard circuits. It costs more, it requires a guide, and it demands more logistical planning than Annapurna or Langtang. Every one of those barriers is also a reason the experience is better.