By road
Jeeps and buses from Kathmandu reach Machha Khola or Soti Khola in about 8–10 hours. At the end, jeeps run from Dharapani to Besisahar, and on to Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Gandaki Province · Nepal
Manaslu Circuit travel guide
A two-week loop around the world's eighth-highest mountain, crossing the Larkya La at about 5,106 m. Quieter than Annapurna, but only with a licensed guide and a restricted-area permit.
Photo: Bobby Thapa / Unsplash
Quick facts
- Best time
- October to November and March to May
- How long
- 13–16 days
- Daily budget
- ₹4,000–6,000 backpacking
- Getting in
- Machha Khola or Soti Khola, a day's drive from Kathmandu
- Altitude
- Up to about 5,106 m at the Larkya La
Costs are typical per-person ranges in Indian rupees, reviewed September 2026. Nepal prices are in Nepali rupees, fixed at NPR 1.60 to ₹1. Check current prices and conditions before you book.
The circuit climbs the Budhi Gandaki gorge through Gurung and Tibetan-influenced villages to Samagaun, below Manaslu (8,163 m), then crosses the Larkya La pass and drops to Dharapani on the Annapurna side.
Manaslu is a restricted area, so you can't trek it alone: permits go through a registered agency, and you walk with a licensed guide. In return, the trails and lodges are far quieter than on the Annapurna or Everest routes.
When to go
Best time to visit Manaslu Circuit
- Oct–NovBest
Clear skies and the most reliable conditions on the Larkya La. The busiest time, though still quiet.
- Dec–FebAvoid
Snow often closes the Larkya La, and many high lodges shut.
- Mar–MayGood
Warmer, with rhododendrons lower down. Early spring can still bring snow on the pass.
- Jun–SepAvoid
Monsoon: landslides in the Budhi Gandaki gorge, leeches and cloud.
Getting there
How to reach Manaslu Circuit
Budget
Manaslu Circuit trip cost per day
| Per day | Backpacker | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Teahouse room | ₹400–1,000 | ₹1,500–3,000 |
| Food (rises with altitude) | ₹1,500–2,500 | ₹2,500–3,500 |
| Licensed guide (your share; required) | ₹1,500–2,500 | ₹2,500–3,500 |
| Charging, Wi-Fi and hot showers | ₹300–600 | ₹500–1,000 |
Permits are the big fixed cost. The restricted-area permit is USD 100 for the first 7 days from September to November (USD 75 the rest of the year), plus a daily fee after that, and you also need the Manaslu and Annapurna conservation area permits. Agencies arrange them with a guided trek; ask whether Indian passport holders get any reduction.
Itinerary
14-day Manaslu Circuit route
- 1
Day 1: Kathmandu to Machha Khola
A long drive west, then up the Budhi Gandaki valley.
- 2
Day 2: Jagat
Walk up the gorge past waterfalls; restricted-area permits are checked at Jagat.
- 3
Day 3: Deng
Into narrower, wilder country with suspension bridges over the river.
- 4
Day 4: Namrung
Climb into Tibetan-influenced villages with mani walls and prayer flags.
- 5
Day 5: Lho
The first big views of Manaslu from the monastery above the village.
- 6
Day 6: Samagaun
A short walk to Samagaun (about 3,530 m), the main village below Manaslu.
- 7
Day 7: Rest day in Samagaun
Acclimatise with a hike to Birendra Tal lake or towards Manaslu Base Camp, then sleep low.
- 8
Day 8: Samdo
On to Samdo (about 3,860 m), close to the Tibetan border.
- 9
Day 9: Dharamsala
A short day to the high camp (about 4,460 m) below the pass.
- 10
Day 10: Larkya La to Bimthang
Start before dawn to cross the Larkya La (about 5,106 m), then a long descent to Bimthang.
- 11
Day 11: Tilije
Down through forest into the Marsyangdi valley.
- 12
Day 12: Dharapani
Join the Annapurna Circuit road.
- 13
Day 13: Besisahar
Jeep down the valley.
- 14
Day 14: Kathmandu or Pokhara
Drive out, and keep a spare day for road or weather delays.
Don't miss
Top things to do in Manaslu Circuit
Larkya La
One of the longest and highest trekking passes in Nepal, with glaciers on all sides.
Samagaun and Birendra Tal
A Tibetan-style village and a turquoise glacial lake right below Manaslu.
Budhi Gandaki gorge
Deep, green and dramatic in the first days of the trek.
Quiet trails
Far fewer trekkers than on the Annapurna or Everest routes.
Kids and pets
Visiting Manaslu Circuit with kids or pets
With kids
Better with older kids- Two weeks of walking and a 5,100 m pass make this one for experienced teenage trekkers only.
- Agencies set their own minimum age for restricted-area treks; ask before you book.
- For a family trek in Nepal, Ghandruk, Poon Hill or the lower Langtang Valley are far gentler.
With pets
Not recommended- Restricted-area treks are arranged through agencies, and lodges on the route don't cater for pets.
- The Larkya La crossing is long, cold and high, and unsafe for dogs.
- If you're travelling with a pet, Pokhara is a much better base.
Pet and child policies vary by stay and operator and change often. Confirm before you book.
Local guides
Local guides in Manaslu Circuit
Reviewed by WanderTrail. Message them on the site without sharing your number.
S
Sandesh bhandari
Pokhara, Lumbini, Chitwan +5 · Nepal
English, Nepali, Hindi
Licence provided
$25 / day
Before you go
Practical tips
- Permits and guides
- Solo trekking isn't allowed. A registered agency arranges the restricted-area permit, and you walk with a licensed guide; most agencies also need at least two trekkers per permit. Carry your passport.
- Crossing the pass
- Leave Dharamsala around 4 am, carry warm layers and water, and don't cross in fresh snow or bad weather. It's a 9–10 hour day.
- Altitude
- Take the rest day in Samagaun, climb slowly from Samdo, and turn back if headache, nausea or breathlessness at rest get worse.
Questions
Manaslu Circuit FAQs
Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit alone?
No. It's a restricted area: the permit must be arranged by a registered agency, and you must trek with a licensed guide. Indian passport holders are not exempt.
How hard is the Larkya La?
It's a long, high day of 9–10 hours, reaching about 5,106 m. It's not technical, but you need good fitness, good acclimatisation and settled weather.
Manaslu Circuit or Annapurna Circuit?
Manaslu is quieter and wilder but needs a guide, an agency and more expensive permits. The Annapurna Circuit is busier, cheaper and has more road and lodge choice.
Planning Manaslu Circuit with friends?
Send them this guide so everyone sees the same costs and route.
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