The high point of the circuit: a pre-dawn climb over moraine and snow, then a long descent to the green valley of Bimthang.
The great peak (8,163 m) comes into view above Lho and Samagaon and stays with you for days.
A wild river valley of suspension bridges, waterfalls, terraced fields and forest, rising from warm lowlands to alpine country.
Tibetan-style stone villages with monasteries, prayer walls and yak pastures close to the border with Tibet.
Special permits keep numbers lower than on the better-known circuits, so the trails feel quiet.
A full rest day at Samagaon with optional side trips, plus short stages on the way to the pass.
Gurung, Nubri and Tibetan-influenced communities, each with their own architecture, food and festivals.
Past the pass, walk down beside glaciers into meadows and forest before reaching the Marsyangdi valley.
The Manaslu Circuit follows the Budhi Gandaki river north from the foothills into the shadow of Manaslu, crosses the Larkya La pass and drops into the Marsyangdi valley. It is a true remote-trek experience, with teahouses throughout but few of the comforts of the busier routes.
Altitude is the main challenge. The plan adds an acclimatisation day at Samagaon and keeps the stages short as you climb toward Dharamsala, the high camp below the pass. Weather decides the pass day, so a reserve day near the end of the schedule is a sensible safeguard.
You should be comfortable walking six to eight hours on uneven trails for several days in a row. Training in the weeks before you travel, with hills and a loaded pack, makes the trek much more enjoyable.
| Duration | 17 days including arrival and departure days in Kathmandu |
|---|---|
| Start / End | Kathmandu, by road to Machha Khola; return by road from Dharapani or Besisahar |
| Highest point | Larkya La, about 5,100 m (sources give 5,106 to 5,160 m) |
| Distance | Roughly 150 to 180 km on foot |
| Walking per day | About 3 to 8 hours; the pass day is often 8 to 10 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate to strenuous; long days, high altitude and a cold, early crossing of the pass |
| Best seasons | March to May and September to November |
| Accommodation | Simple teahouse lodges with shared bathrooms; basic at the highest stops |
| Group size | Private trips or small groups |
| Permits | Usually a Manaslu restricted-area permit, Manaslu Conservation Area permit and Annapurna Conservation Area permit; a licensed guide and normally a minimum of 2 travellers are required. We arrange them. |
Meet our team at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest, then meet your guide for a short briefing.
Meals: depend on your hotel planFinal gear check, permit paperwork and a chance to see a little of the city before the long road journey.
Meals: depend on your hotel planA long, bumpy drive through Arughat and Soti Khola along the river. The road gets rougher the closer you come to the trailhead.
Drive: about 7 to 9 hoursFollow the river through forest, cross suspension bridges and pass hot springs at Tatopani. Permits are checked at Jagat.
Walking: 5 to 7 hoursClimb through gorge sections and pass Philim, then enter the narrower upper valley.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursA forest day with steady climbing and several bridges, into the area of Nubri culture.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursPass mani walls and villages, with the first big views of Manaslu in the afternoon.
Walking: 4 to 5 hoursA short day to the main village of the upper valley, with the monastery and glacier lake nearby.
Walking: 4 to 5 hoursRest or take an optional hike toward Pungyen Gompa or the Manaslu base camp area. Climb high, sleep low.
Walking: 0 to 7 hours, optionalA gentle day across open country to the last permanent village before the border area.
Walking: 3 to 4 hoursCross the river and climb to the stone lodge at Larke Phedi. Rest early before the pass.
Walking: 3 to 4 hoursStart well before dawn, climb past frozen ponds and moraine to the prayer flags on the pass, then descend a long way to Bimthang.
Walking: 8 to 10 hoursDescend through rhododendron and pine forest and past farms into the Marsyangdi valley.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursA short walk to the road end at Dharapani, then a jeep or bus ride down the Marsyangdi valley.
Walking: 3 to 4 hours, then driveThe road follows the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers back to the capital. Celebrate with a farewell dinner.
Drive: about 6 to 8 hoursKept free for weather delays on the pass or rough roads, otherwise a rest and sightseeing day in the city.
Meals: depend on your hotel planTransfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: breakfast, depending on hotel planAltitudes and times are approximate and vary between sources and with trail conditions. Snow or storms can delay the Larkya La crossing, and landslides can block the road, which is why a reserve day is kept near the end. Route stops can be adjusted by your guide.
It is moderate to strenuous. Days are long, the trails are uneven and the pass is high, but no climbing skills are needed. Good fitness and a steady pace matter more than speed.
Yes. The route is a restricted area, so a licensed guide is required and a minimum of two travellers is usually needed. You also need conservation area permits. We handle the paperwork, and we need your passport details in good time.
Autumn (September to November) gives the clearest weather, and spring (March to May) brings rhododendrons. Winter often closes the pass with snow, and the monsoon means mud, landslides and leeches.
About 5,100 m. Published figures run from 5,106 to 5,160 m, so we say about 5,100 m. You start early and cross in a long day.
Your guide decides on the day. The itinerary has a spare day at the end that can absorb a delay, and in bad conditions the route may be adjusted. Keep some flexibility before your international flight.
Simple rooms with foam mattresses and shared toilets, and hot meals in a common dining room. Lodges are more basic and cold at Samdo and Dharamsala. Showers and charging cost extra.
Yes. Your policy should cover trekking above 5,000 m, medical costs and emergency helicopter evacuation. Send us the details before you travel.
Broken-in boots, warm layers, a down jacket, hat, gloves, sun protection, poles, a headlamp and a warm sleeping bag. We send a full list after booking, and you can buy or rent gear in Kathmandu.
There are no ATMs on the trail. Bring Nepali rupees for drinks, snacks, showers, charging and tips. Costs rise with altitude.
Yes. We run private departures and small groups, so you can choose your own dates and pace within the permit rules.
Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm dates and details, and a deposit secures your booking.
Lower villages often have a signal, and many lodges sell Wi-Fi or a local SIM data pack for a fee. Higher up and in remote valleys the connection is slow or absent, so tell family to expect quiet days. Wi-Fi is not included in the price. A local SIM bought in Kathmandu is a cheap backup.
Lodges serve dal bhat, noodles, soup, eggs, pasta, momo and pancakes, and dal bhat comes with refills. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to arrange. If you need gluten-free food or have allergies, tell us when you book so your guide can brief the kitchen, though choices narrow as you climb. Meals on trail days are included. City meals are not, apart from breakfast and the two special dinners.
Tap and stream water is not safe to drink untreated. Lodges sell boiled or bottled water for a fee, which is not in the price. Many trekkers bring purification tablets or a filter bottle to save money and plastic. Your guide can show you where it is safe to refill.
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off at Kathmandu airport, hotel nights in Kathmandu with breakfast, a guided city tour, and a welcome and farewell dinner are included. See the Included tab on this page for the full list. Extra hotel nights outside the itinerary are not included, so ask us if you need them.
A 20% deposit secures your booking. Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the dates and how to pay. The balance is paid in Kathmandu before the trek. For cancellation and refund terms, see wildpasstreks.com/booking-policy/
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Fill in your details, and we will confirm availability. A 20% deposit secures your booking. Prices are per person and the final price is confirmed by us.
