Trek Guide
Manaslu vs Annapurna Circuit compared: crowds, permits, max altitude, difficulty and cost. Manaslu is restricted with a mandatory guide; here is how…
By Travel Himalaya Nepal · Jun 5, 2026
After more than 25 years guiding both of these classic Himalayan loops from our base in Pokhara, the question we field most often is the same: Manaslu Circuit or Annapurna Circuit? They are Nepal's two great teahouse circuits, but they reward very different…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
This is the single biggest difference. The Manaslu Circuit sits in a government-designated restricted zone, which caps trekker numbers and keeps the trail wonderfully quiet — you'll often have a teahouse dining room to yourselves. Villages like Lho, Sama Gaon…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
On paper, Annapurna's Thorong La (5,416 m) is the higher pass — 310 m above Manaslu's Larke La. But altitude isn't the whole story. Larke La is the harder day: you start near Dharamsala (around 4,460 m), climb to 5,106 m, then descend a long, knee-punishing…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
This is where the two treks diverge most for planners. Manaslu is a restricted area , so the rules are strict and non-negotiable. Restricted Area Permit (USD 100 for the first 7 days, USD 15/extra day in Sep–Nov; USD 75 / USD 10 in low season), plus MCAP (USD…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Both circuits are firmly moderate-to-strenuous and demand good cardiovascular fitness, but the texture differs. Manaslu has longer days, rougher trails and basic teahouses — it feels more committing. Annapurna offers more bail-out points: jeep roads now reach…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Manaslu is the pricier of the two, mainly because of the restricted-area permit and the mandatory guide-and-porter setup. A well-run 14-day guided Manaslu package typically lands around USD 1,200–1,900 per person; Annapurna runs roughly USD 950–1,600…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Both treks share the same prime windows: October–November (clear skies, stable weather, the classic season) and March–May (warmer, rhododendrons in bloom). Winter pass crossings are possible but risky on both, and the monsoon (June–August) is best avoided…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Want crowds, comfort, scenic variety and the higher pass? Take the Annapurna Circuit. Want raw wilderness, Tibetan culture and a trail that still feels like an expedition? The Manaslu Circuit is your trek — just remember the guide is mandatory and the permits…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
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