The short version
The complete day-by-day Manaslu Circuit itinerary — from Soti Khola over the Larkya La pass (5,106m) and out via Annapurna. Altitudes, walking hours, acclimatisation and what to expect each day.
The Manaslu Circuit is the road-free classic the Annapurna Circuit used to be — a 14-day loop around the world's eighth-highest mountain (Manaslu, 8,163m) through restricted, Tibetan-Buddhist country, climaxing on the wind-scoured Larkya La pass at 5,106m. This is the complete day-by-day itinerary: altitudes, walking hours, where to acclimatise, and exactly what each day feels like on the ground.
- The standard plan is 14 days, climaxing in the Larkya La pass (5,106m) on Day 11.
- Two acclimatisation days are built in — Samagaon (3,520m) and Samdo (3,860m).
- Manaslu is a restricted area: you need the Manaslu RAP, MCAP and ACAP, a licensed guide, and a minimum group of two. No solo trekking.
- The pass day is long (8–9 hrs) and cold — a pre-dawn start, then a big descent to Bimthang (3,720m).
The wild circuit, day by day
The Manaslu Circuit loops anticlockwise around Manaslu through the restricted Nubri valley — remote, deeply Tibetan-Buddhist country of mani walls, gompas and stone villages. You start low and humid beside the thundering Budhi Gandaki and finish on a glacier-fringed pass before dropping into the Annapurna region. Here's how the standard 14-day route unfolds.
The Manaslu Circuit, end to end — our cut from the trail.
Altitude profile: how the trek climbs
The reason this itinerary works is its gradient. You gain height slowly for a week, pause twice to acclimatise, and only then push to the pass. Here's the sleeping altitude night by night — note how Days 7 and 9 hold flat on purpose.
The 14-day itinerary, day by day
| Day | Route | Sleep | Walk | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu → Soti Khola | 700m | 8–9 hr drive | Rough road along the Budhi Gandaki river |
| 2 | Soti Khola → Machha Khola | 870m | 6 hr | First suspension bridges, hot, riverside trail |
| 3 | Machha Khola → Jagat | 1,340m | 6–7 hr | Tatopani hot spring; permit checkpoint at Jagat |
| 4 | Jagat → Deng | 1,860m | 6 hr | Enter the restricted Nubri valley |
| 5 | Deng → Namrung | 2,630m | 6–7 hr | Forests, mani walls, first close peaks |
| 6 | Namrung → Samagaon | 3,520m | 6 hr | Tibetan-style village under Manaslu's north face |
| 7 | Samagaon — acclimatise | 3,520m | day hike | Hike to Manaslu Base Camp or Birendra Lake |
| 8 | Samagaon → Samdo | 3,860m | 4 hr | Last permanent village before the pass |
| 9 | Samdo — acclimatise | 3,860m | day hike | Hike toward the old Tibetan trading border |
| 10 | Samdo → Dharamsala | 4,460m | 4 hr | Short, slow day to the foot of the pass |
| 11 | Larkya La → Bimthang | 3,720m | 8–9 hr | The big day: pre-dawn start, 5,106m pass, long descent |
| 12 | Bimthang → Tilije | 2,300m | 6 hr | Descend through rhododendron and pine |
| 13 | Tilije → Dharapani → drive | — | 4 hr + drive | Join the Annapurna Circuit road |
| 14 | Besisahar → Kathmandu | — | 7–8 hr drive | Out through the foothills to the city |
We run the full 14-day Manaslu Circuit — restricted-area permits, your licensed guide, porters and every lodge all handled. From $1,550pp ($2,100 solo). Autumn (Sep–Nov) departures are limited by permit caps, so dates fill early.
See dates & price →The Larkya La day
The pass crossing from Dharamsala is the day everything builds toward — and the hardest. You start in the dark, head-torch on, for a steady three-to-four-hour climb over moraine and snow to the prayer-flag-strewn pass at 5,106m (you'll also see it cited as 5,160m). Then comes a knee-pounding 1,400m descent to the green basin of Bimthang. Weather and fresh snow can turn it serious in minutes.
It's a long, cold, demanding day with a pre-dawn start. Snow can block or slow the crossing, and altitude is real at 5,106m. The two acclimatisation days at Samagaon and Samdo are exactly what get you over it safely — never shorten the itinerary to "save" a day.
Best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit
Season makes or breaks this trek, because the pass is the bottleneck. Autumn is the sweet spot; spring is a close second; winter and monsoon both fight you.
| Season | Months | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | Clear, stable skies and the sharpest mountain views | Best — peak season |
| Spring | Mar–May | Warm, rhododendron in bloom, some afternoon haze | Excellent |
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Very cold; the pass is often snow-blocked | Hard — pass risk |
| Monsoon | Jun–Aug | Rain, leeches, landslides and cloud-locked views | Avoid |
Permits, rules & costs
Manaslu is a government-restricted area, so the paperwork is stricter than on the teahouse classics — and it's part of what keeps the trail quiet. You need three permits, a licensed guide, and at least two trekkers in the group.
| Permit | Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Rest of year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manaslu RAP (restricted area) | US$100 / first 7 days | US$75 / first 7 days | +US$15 (autumn) or US$10 per extra day |
| MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area) | NPR 3,000 (~US$23) | NPR 3,000 (~US$23) | Covers the restricted Nubri section |
| ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) | NPR 3,000 (~US$23) | NPR 3,000 (~US$23) | For the Annapurna-side exit at Dharapani |
You cannot do the Manaslu Circuit independently. A licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers are mandatory for the restricted-area permit. We arrange all three permits, the guide and the logistics — see our full Manaslu regional guide, the permits, cost & route breakdown and the Nepal permits hub. Fees as of 2026 — confirm current rates when you book.
Manaslu vs the Annapurna Circuit
People weighing this trek almost always compare it with the Annapurna Circuit. The short version: Manaslu trades comfort and crowds for wilderness and culture.
~177 km · 14 days · guide + permit + group of 2 required · far fewer trekkers · richer Tibetan culture · fewer, simpler lodges
Longer · no special permit or guide rule · busier trail · more road sections · more comfortable lodges and food
If this is your first big Himalayan trek and you want comfort, start with Annapurna. If you've trekked at altitude before and want wilderness, Manaslu wins. We break the two down head-to-head in Manaslu vs Annapurna Circuit, or compare the whole field in best treks in Nepal.
Five moments that make the trek
What to pack for the pass
A down jacket, fleece, thermal base layers and a windproof shell. The pass morning is the coldest of the trek.
Microspikes or crampons, gaiters, sunglasses, a head-torch and 2L+ of water for the 8–9 hr crossing.
Broken-in boots, a blister kit, SPF 50 and a buff — UV is brutal at altitude and the snow doubles it.
Why this itinerary works
Trek it as written and the Manaslu Circuit delivers what almost no other Nepal route still can: a genuine wilderness traverse with deep living culture and barely another tour group in sight. You walk from sub-tropical river gorge to glacier in a fortnight, sleep in villages that feel a world away from Kathmandu, and stand on a 5,106m pass you earned one slow day at a time. For a full cost breakdown, see our Manaslu permits, cost & route guide.
We handle the permits, the licensed guide, the porters and every night's lodge — you just turn up and trek. Fixed departures and private dates through the autumn and spring seasons.
Plan your 14-day trek →Manaslu Circuit FAQs
How many days do you need for the Manaslu Circuit?
The standard itinerary is 14 days, including two acclimatisation days at Samagaon and Samdo. Some operators run 13- or 16-day variants, but 14 days is the proven balance of safety and pace.
How high is the Larkya La pass?
The Larkya La (Larke Pass) sits at 5,106m — you'll also see it cited as 5,160m. It is the high point of the trek and is crossed on Day 11, with a long descent to Bimthang (3,720m) the same day.
Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit solo?
No. Manaslu is a government-restricted area requiring the Manaslu RAP, MCAP and ACAP, a licensed guide, and a minimum group of two trekkers. Solo and fully independent trekking are not permitted.
What permits do I need and what do they cost?
Three: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (US$100 for the first 7 days in autumn, US$75 the rest of the year), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (NPR 3,000) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (NPR 3,000) for the exit side. We arrange all three; confirm current rates when you book.
When is the best time to trek Manaslu?
Autumn (September–November) is best, with clear skies and stable weather. Spring (March–May) is a close second and adds rhododendron blooms. Winter often blocks the pass with snow, and the monsoon (June–August) brings rain and cloud — both are best avoided.
How hard is the Manaslu Circuit?
It's strenuous. You walk 6–7 hours on most days, climb to 5,106m, and face one very long pass day of 8–9 hours. You don't need technical climbing skills, but you do need good fitness, prior multi-day hiking experience, and proper acclimatisation.
Keep reading
The full budget and permit breakdown for the trek.
Which of Nepal's two great loops is right for you.
Remote wilderness, or the famous trail to EBC?
The top 12 routes for every kind of trekker.
Ready to plan it? Contact us to arrange your permits, a licensed guide and your 14-day departure.
Private Manaslu departures on any date, hand-picked NMA guides, and 25+ years on these trails. Tell us your dates — we usually reply within a few hours.
Browse Manaslu treks & tours → Read the Manaslu guide →
Written by
Travel Himalaya Nepal
Pokhara-based, NMA-certified trekking guides. We’ve led 5,000+ treks across the Annapurna and Everest regions since 1998 — every word here comes from the trail. Meet the team →
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