18 daysExtreme6,189 mIsland Peak Climbing — 18 Days
From / person
$3,600
TrekChallenging
Manaslu Circuit Trek — 14 Days
14 days5,106 mFrom Soti Khola / ArughatBest: Oct–Nov, Mar–May
Photo by Sunuwargr on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
01 / 07
Duration
14 days
From
$2,100/person
Max Altitude
5,106 m
Difficulty
Challenging
Starts
Soti Khola / Arughat
Group Size
2–10 People
Stay
Tea House
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Best Season
Oct–Nov, Mar–May
4.9 NMA-licensed guides Secure Stripe checkout Reserve now, pay later
Trip Highlights
Larkya La Pass (5,160 m) — dramatic glacier crossing between two watersheds
Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m) — world's 8th highest peak dominates the skyline throughout
Manaslu Conservation Area — restricted zone; fewer than 5,000 trekkers per year
Ancient Nubri and Tsum Tibetan culture unchanged for generations
Birendra Lake at Samagaon — glacial lake beneath Manaslu's south face
High-altitude villages of Samagaon, Samdo, and Dharmasala
Dense rhododendron and bamboo forest along the lower Budhi Gandaki
Serang Gompa and Pungen Gompa — remote Buddhist monasteries rarely seen by outsiders
Full circuit: Arughat to Dharapani — no two days repeat the same valley
Nepal's most dramatic restricted-area circuit — 14 days around the world's 8th highest peak, culminating in the high-altitude Larkya La Pass (5,160m) with mandatory guide.
Day-by-Day Itinerary(14 days)
Altitude Profile
Peak: 5,160 m · Day 10Long but scenic drive through the Buri Gandaki gorge. Arrive Soti Khola and register permits with your guide.
730 m8-hr drive–B, L, DTea House
The 14-day Manaslu Circuit is our time-efficient version of Nepal's greatest restricted-area trek — covering the full Budhi Gandaki gorge approach, the Nubri Buddhist villages of Samagaon and Namrung, and the Larke La crossing (5,106 m) at the pace appropriate for experienced Himalayan trekkers. Manaslu (8,163 m) dominates the skyline for three consecutive days; the gorge sections are among the most dramatic walking in Nepal; the restricted area permit keeps the trail at a fraction of the Annapurna Circuit's traffic.
The 14-day schedule enters via Soti Khola and follows the Budhi Gandaki north through deepening canyon scenery to the Tibetan-influenced high villages. The Larke La crossing at dawn — a broad 5,106 m snowfield with the world's eighth-highest mountain directly overhead — is one of the great pass moments in the Himalaya. Descent via Bimthang and Dharapani connects to the Annapurna circuit road for the Kathmandu return.
Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Permit: Restricted area (included). Max altitude: Larke La 5,106 m.
What's Included
Included
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (arranged in advance; $100 for 7 days + $15/extra day)
- Manaslu Conservation Area Entry Permit
- TIMS card
- Government-registered English-speaking senior guide (mandatory for restricted area)
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Kathmandu to Soti Khola 4WD jeep
- Dharapani/Beshisahar to Kathmandu transport
- Welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu
- Altitude sickness management kit: pulse oximeter + first aid
- All government taxes and service charges
Not Included
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
- Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency helicopter evacuation
- Meals not listed in daily itinerary
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Tips for guides and porters (recommended: USD 8–12/day guide, USD 5–8/day porter)
- Beverages, hot showers, and battery charging at teahouses (payable direct)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Any costs arising from early departure, illness, or flight delays
Pickup
Pokhara or Kathmandu: where should we pick you up?
This trip begins in Pokhara, Nepal’s lakeside trekking town. Most international flights land in Kathmandu, about 200 km away (25 minutes by plane or 6 to 8 hours by tourist bus), so you can either make your own way to Pokhara or let us collect you in Kathmandu.
Pickup in Pokhara
Already in Pokhara? We collect you from your hotel at no charge.
- Pokhara hotel pickupFrom any hotel in Pokhara, Lakeside included.Free
- Pokhara airport pickupWe quote
- Pokhara tourist bus park pickupWe quote
Pickup in Kathmandu
Landing in Kathmandu? We meet you at the airport or your hotel and get you to the start.
- Kathmandu international airport (on arrival)Includes getting you to Pokhara by tourist bus or flight. The price depends on your arrival, so we confirm it with you.We quote
- Kathmandu domestic airportWe quote
- Kathmandu hotel pickupIncludes getting you to Pokhara by tourist bus or flight. The price depends on your arrival, so we confirm it with you.We quote
- Kathmandu tourist bus park pickupWe quote
Hotel in the city
- No hotel, I will book my own$0
- Kathmandu: tourist standard guest houseWe quote
- Kathmandu: 3-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
- Kathmandu: 4-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
- Kathmandu: 5-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
Prices are per person and added to the trip price when you book. “We quote” means the price depends on your flight time and hotel, so our team confirms it with you before the trip. It is never added to your payment without asking.
Best Time to Go
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Best season. October ideal. Clear skies, stable weather. October less crowded than Annapurna/Everest trails — genuine wilderness feel.
Low: -15°C Larkya La High: 15°C lower valleys November likely at pass
Spring (Mar–May)
Good season. Pass opens reliably by April. Slightly more precipitation than autumn. Rhododendron forests on lower sections.
Low: -12°C Larkya La High: 20°C lower valleys March: possible. April clear
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Larkya La blocked by snow. Not recommended.
Low: -30°C Larkya La High: 8°C Very heavy above 4,000 m
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Trail very wet. Not recommended. Landslide risk on lower gorge sections.
Low: 12°C High: 25°C None
Permits Required
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit
US$100 for the first 7 days + US$15/day (Sep–Nov) · US$75 for the first 7 days + US$10/day (Dec–Aug)Licensed guide required. The old two-person minimum was scrapped in March 2026, so solo trekkers are now allowed (with a guide). We handle all paperwork.
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
NPR 3,000 (about US$23)Combined with ACAP if exiting via Annapurna side.
TIMS Card
NPR 2,000 (about US$15)Required for all Nepal treks.
All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.
What to Pack
Moisture-wicking base layers
Fleece mid-layer
Down jacket (800+ fill — essential)
Hardshell jacket and pants
Trekking trousers (2 pairs)
Merino socks (5–6 pairs)
Balaclava for Larkya La
Warm hat and sun hat
Insulated waterproof gloves
Thermal underwear
A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Frequently Asked Questions
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