Manaslu Circuit Trek
The 'new Annapurna Circuit' — a spectacular trek around the world's eighth highest peak with far fewer trekkers and rich Tibetan culture.
Know before you go
Trip readiness
Best timing
March-May, September-November
Treat this as the first planning window, then verify local trail and weather conditions.
Time needed
16 days
Include acclimatization and transport buffers for mountain routes.
Permit status
Permit required
Manaslu restricted area permit (USD 100/week Sep-Nov, USD 75/week Dec-Aug), Manaslu Conservation Area permit (NPR 3,000), TIMS card. Licensed agency and guide required.
Difficulty
Challenging
Other route. Match this to fitness, altitude experience, and daily walking hours.
Live conditions
Trail weather available
Use the weather card before starting, especially during monsoon and winter windows.
The Manaslu Circuit has emerged as one of Nepal's finest treks, often called the 'new Annapurna Circuit' — offering similar diversity of landscape and culture but with far fewer trekkers. The 14-18 day circuit circumnavigates Manaslu (8,163m), the world's eighth highest peak, crossing the dramatic Larkya La pass at 5,160m.
The route follows the Budhi Gandaki gorge from Arughat through incredibly diverse terrain — subtropical lowlands give way to terraced farmland, then dense forests, and finally high alpine landscapes. Tibetan-influenced villages with ancient monasteries, mani walls, and prayer flags line the upper sections.
As a restricted area, the Manaslu Circuit requires a licensed agency, guide, and minimum group of two. This keeps visitor numbers manageable and preserves the trek's wild character. The Larkya La crossing is demanding — steep, potentially snow-covered, and at serious altitude — but the views from the pass are extraordinary.
Field log · Day by day
The route, walked
- Stages
- 11
- Day01
Soti Khola→Machha Khola
moderateOvernightMachha Khola- Walking
- 6.0–7.0h
Start from Soti Khola and follow the Budhi Gandaki upstream through subtropical forest, crossing suspension bridges.
- Day02
Machha Khola→Jagat
moderateOvernightJagat- Walking
- 6.0–7.0h
Continue up the Budhi Gandaki gorge; trail becomes steeper and rougher. Enter the Manaslu Conservation Area.
- Day03
Jagat→Deng
moderateOvernightDeng- Walking
- 6.0–7.0h
Enter the upper Budhi Gandaki valley. Views of Shringi Himal begin to appear as the valley opens.
- Day04
Deng→Namrung
moderateOvernightNamrung- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Climb through pine forest and Gurung villages. First views of Manaslu's north face appear above Namrung.
- Day05
Namrung→Samagaon
hardOvernightSamagaon- Walking
- 6.0–7.0h
Pass through Lho and Shyala villages with increasingly dramatic Manaslu views. Reach Samagaon at the foot of the mountain.
- Day06
Samagaon→Samagaon
AcclimatizationOvernightSamagaonAcclimatization day. Optional day hike to Manaslu Base Camp or Birendra Tal, or explore the monastery at Samagaon.
- Day07
Samagaon→Samdo
moderateOvernightSamdo- Walking
- 4.0–5.0h
Climb gradually through high alpine terrain to Samdo, the highest permanent village in the Budhi Gandaki valley, near the Tibetan border.
- Day08
Samdo→Dharmasala (Larkya Phedi)
moderateOvernightDharmasala- Walking
- 4.0–5.0h
Short day to the base of the Larkya La crossing. Keep the afternoon easy for altitude rest before the pass.
- Day09
Dharmasala→Bimthang
cruxOvernightBimthang- Walking
- 8.0–10.0h
Cross Larkya La (5,106m) — the highest and hardest day of the circuit. Early start required. Spectacular views of Manaslu, Himlung Himal, and the Annapurna range from the pass. Long descent to Bimthang.
- Day10
Bimthang→Dharapani
moderateOvernightDharapani- Walking
- 7.0–8.0h
Descend through rhododendron and pine forest into the Marsyangdi valley. Reach Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit trail.
- Day11
Dharapani→Dharapani
Rest dayOvernightDharapaniContingency day. Most published itineraries carry one spare day for weather delays at the Larkya La crossing; if unused, many groups take a jeep from Dharapani toward Besisahar a day early.
- End
views
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