The Complete 2026 Guide
MANASLU CIRCUIT TREK
The remote, road-free classic — a restricted-area loop around Manaslu (8,163m), the world’s eighth-highest mountain, crossing the dramatic Larkya La pass (5,160m). The wild experience the Annapurna Circuit used to be. This is the complete 2026 guide.
The Essentials
Manaslu at a Glance
Manaslu Circuit + Larkya La (5,160m)
14–16 days
Strenuous (high pass, remote)
5,160m (Larkya La pass)
Soti Khola/Machha Khola (start) → Dharapani (end, joins Annapurna)
October–November, March–May
Manaslu RAP (restricted) + MCAP + ACAP
Teahouses (basic, improving)
Day by Day
The Itinerary
Drive Kathmandu → Soti Khola (700m)
Long rough drive.
Soti Khola → Machha Khola (870m)
6 hrs.
Machha Khola → Jagat (1,340m)
6–7 hrs.
Jagat → Deng (1,860m)
6 hrs. Entering Nubri country.
Deng → Namrung (2,630m)
6–7 hrs.
Namrung → Samagaon (3,520m)
6 hrs. Tibetan-influenced village.
Acclimatisation day at Samagaon
Day hike to Manaslu Base Camp or Birendra Lake.
Samagaon → Samdo (3,860m)
4 hrs.
Acclimatisation day at Samdo
Day hike toward the Tibetan border.
Samdo → Dharamsala / Larkya Phedi (4,460m)
4 hrs.
Cross Larkya La (5,160m) → Bimthang (3,720m)
8–9 hrs. The big day.
Bimthang → Tilije (2,300m)
6 hrs.
Tilije → Dharapani → drive toward Besisahar
Drive Besisahar → Kathmandu
Can be combined with the sacred Tsum Valley for a longer journey — see /blog/tsum-valley-trek-guide-2026. Day-by-day deep dive: /blog/manaslu-circuit-trek-itinerary-2026
Budget
How Much Does Manaslu Cost?
Includes guide (mandatory), permits, teahouses, ground transport. Excludes international flights, visa, insurance, tips, gear.
Full breakdownThe Real Challenge
How Hard Is Manaslu?
Larkya La pass (5,160m)
A long, cold, demanding crossing and the trek's crux. An alpine start and good acclimatisation are essential.
Remote and long
14–16 days with basic facilities and a real expedition feel. Harder and wilder than ABC or Langtang.
Requires fitness & experience
Best for trekkers with prior multi-day or high-altitude experience. 8–12 weeks of training recommended.
TrainingRestricted Area
The Restricted-Area Rules
Manaslu is a restricted area. You MUST trek with a registered guide and in a group of at least two trekkers — solo and fully independent trekking are not permitted. You need three permits: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for the final section. Your agency arranges all of these. These rules are exactly what keep Manaslu wild and uncrowded.
Paperwork
Permits You Need
Your agency arranges these; a registered guide and group of 2+ are mandatory.
All Nepal permitsWhen to Go
Best Time to Trek Manaslu
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Best — clear, stable, the pass is open. Peak season.
Spring (Mar–May)
Excellent — rhododendrons, warming weather, pass usually open.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Larkya La often snow-closed and dangerous; very cold.
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Wet, leechy lower down, landslide risk — not recommended.
Gear
What to Pack
The essentials for Manaslu: warm layers, a down jacket, a -15 to -20°C sleeping bag for the pass, broken-in boots, sun and wind protection, and trekking poles.
Full packing listThe Case for Manaslu
Why Choose Manaslu
The scale of an 8,000m peak, the cultural depth of the Tibetan-influenced Nubri and Tsum valleys, and the variety of the old Annapurna Circuit — without the crowds of any of them. Road-free, restricted, and pristine, Manaslu is the connoisseur’s Nepal trek.
Compare with the Annapurna CircuitCommon Questions
Manaslu Circuit Trek FAQ
How long is the Manaslu Circuit trek?
The Manaslu Circuit takes 14–16 days, including the drive to and from the trailhead and two essential acclimatisation days (at Samagaon and Samdo). Adding the Tsum Valley extends it to around 18–21 days.
How much does the Manaslu Circuit cost?
A budget Manaslu Circuit trek costs $1,300–1,800 per person (in a 2-person group), including the mandatory guide, the restricted-area permits, teahouses, and ground transport. Comfort-level trips run $2,000–2,800. The restricted permit makes it pricier than Annapurna or Langtang.
Do I need a permit and guide for the Manaslu Circuit?
Yes — Manaslu is a restricted area. You must have the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), the MCAP, and the ACAP, and you are legally required to trek with a registered guide in a group of at least two people. Solo and independent trekking are not allowed.
How hard is the Manaslu Circuit and Larkya La pass?
The Manaslu Circuit is strenuous, with the Larkya La pass (5,160m) as its crux — a long, cold, demanding crossing. The route is remote with basic facilities. It's harder and wilder than Annapurna Base Camp; good fitness, proper acclimatisation, and ideally prior trekking experience are recommended.
What is the best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit?
October–November (autumn) is the best season — clear, stable, with the Larkya La pass open. March–May (spring) is the second-best window. In winter the pass is frequently snow-closed; the monsoon brings rain, leeches, and landslide risk and is not recommended.
Is the Manaslu Circuit better than the Annapurna Circuit?
It depends on what you want. Manaslu is more remote, road-free, far less crowded, and feels more like an expedition — the wild experience the Annapurna Circuit has partly lost to roads. The Annapurna Circuit has more infrastructure, flexibility, and the higher Thorong La pass. For solitude and wildness, choose Manaslu.
Ready for Manaslu?
We’ve guided the Manaslu Circuit since 1998 with NMA-certified local guides and handle all the restricted-area permits. Let’s plan your wild Himalayan circuit.