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The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a 12 to 16 day teahouse trek circling Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m), Nepal’s eighth highest peak. It crosses the Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m, passes through restricted territory near the Tibetan border, and finishes by joining the Annapurna Circuit route at Dharapani. You need a licensed guide, a registered agency, and three separate permits. As of March 2026, solo trekkers can now get a Restricted Area Permit without finding a second person, but the guide requirement has not changed.
Why trekkers pick Manaslu over Annapurna or Everest
We guide trips in all three regions, so we say this without any sales motive: Manaslu gives you the most diverse terrain with the fewest people on the trail. The Annapurna Base Camp route recorded roughly 250,000 trekkers in the 2024 season. Everest Base Camp saw around 50,000. Manaslu had about 12,500.
That gap is shrinking. The trail has gained real popularity since 2022, and the new solo permit rule will push those numbers up. But for now, you can still walk for hours between Deng and Namrung without passing another group.
The landscape shifts more dramatically here than on most Nepal treks. You start around 600 m to 870 m in rice terraces and subtropical forest along the Budhi Gandaki River. By the time you reach Sama Gaon at 3,520 m, you are in a Tibetan Buddhist village with stone houses, mani walls, and a clear view of the Manaslu massif. Two days later you are on an icy pass at 5,106 m watching a glacial cirque open up below you.
We tell trekkers who have already done the Annapurna Circuit or EBC to put Manaslu next. It is closer to what Nepal trekking felt like 20 years ago.
How long the Manaslu Circuit Trek takes
Most itineraries run 13 to 15 days on the trail, plus two or three days for Kathmandu logistics and transport. We typically build a 14 day manaslu circuit trek with these key stages:
Days 1 to 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (870 m). The road from Kathmandu takes seven to nine hours by private jeep. It is rough, dusty, and bumpy past Arughat, and some agencies start the trek from Soti Khola instead, which adds a walking day.
Days 3 to 6: Trek through the Budhi Gandaki gorge. You pass through Jagat (the first permit checkpoint at 1,340 m), Deng, Namrung, and up to Lho and Samagaon. The walking averages five to seven hours per day. The trail crosses suspension bridges, follows river gorges, and gradually transitions from Hindu lowland villages to Tibetan highland settlements.
Days 7 to 8: Acclimatization around Sama Gaon (3,520 m) and Samdo (3,860 m). We always build in a rest day here. There are side trips to Birendra Lake, Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m), and Pungyen Gompa, a monastery dating back several hundred years that sits at about 4,000 m with a direct view of Manaslu’s north face.
One thing we see go wrong: trekkers who treat Sama Gaon as a pass-through instead of spending a full rest day. Altitude hits differently above 3,500 m, and you need your body to catch up before pushing to Dharamsala.
Days 9 to 10: Samdo to Dharamsala (4,460 m), the last settlement before the pass. Dharamsala is a cluster of stone shelters, not a proper village. Some groups tent here. Expect cold nights, basic food, and no charging facilities.
Day 11: Larkya La Pass crossing. This is the big day, usually 10 to 12 hours of walking. You start at 3 or 4 AM to reach the pass before winds build mid-morning. The descent to Bimthang (3,590 m) is steep and often icy. We recommend micro-crampons for the downhill section. The views from the pass and the glacial cirque on the western side, framed by Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, Nemjung, and Kang Guru, make it one of the best high-pass crossings in Nepal.
Days 12 to 14: Descend through Bimthang, Tilije, and on to Dharapani (1,960 m), where you meet the Annapurna Circuit trail. From Dharapani, most groups take a jeep back to Kathmandu via Besisahar.
Some agencies compress this into 10 or 11 days. We do not recommend it. You lose acclimatization time, and the risk of altitude sickness above 4,000 m goes up sharply when you rush.
Manaslu Circuit Trek permit requirements (as of May 2026)
You need three permits to complete the full circuit. A fourth is required if you add the Tsum Valley. All must be arranged through a registered trekking agency. You cannot apply for any of them independently.
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) This is the main permit. It covers the trail between Jagat and Dharapani. The cost depends on the season:
- September to November (peak): USD 100 per person for the first seven days, USD 15 per additional day
- December to August (off-peak): USD 75 per person for the first seven days, USD 10 per additional day
For a standard 14 day trek, expect to pay USD 205 in peak season or USD 145 in off-peak season for the RAP alone.
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) NPR 3,000 (roughly USD 22 to 30) for foreign nationals. NPR 200 for SAARC nationals. Flat rate, no seasonal variation.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) Required because the last section of the circuit, from Dharapani onward, falls within the Annapurna Conservation Area. Same pricing as MCAP: NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals.
Chumnubri Rural Municipality Fee NPR 1,000 to 2,000 (approximately USD 10 to 15) per person. This is a newer local fee that many older guides and blogs do not mention.
Total permit cost estimate: USD 175 to 280 per person depending on season and trek duration. Your agency handles all of these. You will need a color passport scan, two passport-size photos, a copy of your Nepal visa, and proof of travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation up to 6,000 m.
One important note: TIMS cards (Trekker’s Information Management System) are not required for the Manaslu Circuit as of 2024 through 2026. If an agency tells you otherwise, they are either uninformed or adding unnecessary cost.
Permit processing takes one to two business days at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu, but allow three to four days during October when offices are overwhelmed. Your agency will need your original passport for a few hours to get the final verification stamp. Government offices are closed on Saturdays and public holidays.
Source: Nepal Department of Immigration permit fee schedule; verified against TAAN and Manaslu Conservation Area Project office, May 2026.
The March 2026 solo trekking rule change
For years, the Restricted Area Permit required a minimum of two foreign trekkers on the same application. Solo travelers either had to find a second person or skip Manaslu entirely.
On March 22, 2026, Nepal’s Department of Immigration removed the two-person minimum. Solo trekkers can now apply individually for a Manaslu RAP.
What did not change: a licensed guide is still mandatory. This is verified at checkpoints. You cannot legally walk the Manaslu Circuit without one, regardless of group size. The March 2026 rule makes solo private treks possible (just you and a guide), but it does not create any form of independent or guideless trekking.
We have already noticed more solo bookings this spring. If you are planning an autumn 2026 trek, book early. Experienced guides for restricted area routes tend to get fully booked by July.
How much the Manaslu Circuit Trek costs
Beyond permits, here is what to budget. All figures are in USD as of spring 2026.
Agency package (14 days): USD 950 to 1,800 per person depending on service level. A standard package typically covers Kathmandu hotel, transport to and from the trailhead, guide, porter, teahouse accommodation, and meals on the trek.
Guide fee (if hiring separately): USD 25 to 35 per day.
Porter: USD 20 to 25 per day. Porters carry a maximum of 25 kg. We strongly recommend one, especially for the Larkya La crossing day when you want your daypack as light as possible.
Meals on trek (if not included): USD 15 to 25 per day for three meals at teahouses. Prices increase with altitude. A dal bhat at Machha Khola might cost NPR 500. The same meal at Dharamsala can run NPR 1,000 or more.
Extras: Hot showers (NPR 300 to 500 per use), charging devices (NPR 200 to 500 per device), bottled water or purification tabs, snacks and chocolate bars, tips for guide and porter.
Rough total for a 14 day Manaslu Circuit Trek: USD 1,400 to 2,500 per person including permits, agency package, personal expenses, and tips. Group treks run toward the lower end. Private treks with one guide cost more.
Best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit
Autumn (September to November) is the most popular season. Post-monsoon skies are clear, visibility is excellent, and temperatures are moderate at lower altitudes. October is the busiest month. The Larkya La is most reliably open during this window. Expect the trail to be at its busiest, though “busy” on Manaslu is still quiet compared to Annapurna.
Spring (March to May) brings stable weather, warmer temperatures in the valleys, and rhododendron blooms at middle elevations. April and May are strong months for crossing the Larkya La. We see fewer trekkers in spring, which makes it a good pick if you want more solitude.
Winter (December to February) is possible but risky. Temperatures drop hard above 3,500 m, and the Larkya La may be snow-blocked or closed entirely. Teahouses at higher altitudes sometimes shut down. Only experienced cold-weather trekkers should consider this.
Monsoon (June to August) is not recommended. Leeches below 3,000 m, landslide risk along the Budhi Gandaki gorge, poor visibility, and dangerous river crossings. We do not run Manaslu trips during monsoon season.
Common mistakes we see on this trek
We have guided hundreds of trekkers through the Manaslu region. These are the problems that come up most often:
Skipping acclimatization at Sama Gaon. The jump from the Budhi Gandaki valley to Dharamsala and the Larkya La is significant. Trekkers who push through without a proper rest day at Sama Gaon (3,520 m) or Samdo (3,860 m) are the ones who get headaches, nausea, or worse above 4,500 m. Don’t treat rest days as wasted days.
Underestimating Larkya La day. The pass itself is not technical, but 10 to 12 hours of walking at altitude, starting before dawn, with an icy descent, is no joke. Bring micro-crampons or at least trekking poles. Pack extra layers, snacks, and a headlamp with fresh batteries. The cold drains batteries fast, so keep spares inside your jacket, close to your body.
Arriving in Kathmandu the day before departure. Permit processing needs at least one full working day at the Department of Immigration. If you land on a Friday evening, the office is closed Saturday, and you lose a day. Build in a minimum of two nights in Kathmandu before your trek start date.
Not having proper insurance. Standard travel insurance will not cover a helicopter rescue from the Manaslu region. You need a policy that explicitly covers emergency helicopter evacuation at high altitude, up to at least 6,000 m. Agencies will not start your trek without verified coverage, and if you need a rescue without it, you are looking at a bill of USD 3,000 to 5,000 or more.
Packing too heavy. Your porter carries the bulk. Your daypack should have water, snacks, rain gear, a warm layer, your camera, and not much else. We have watched trekkers struggle on the Larkya La descent with 12 kg on their backs when they could have had four.
What to expect from teahouses on the Manaslu Circuit
Teahouses on this route are basic compared to the Annapurna or Everest regions. Expect twin beds with thin mattresses, shared squat toilets, and a communal dining room warmed by a wood or dung-burning stove. Private rooms exist at lower altitudes but are not guaranteed above Namrung.
Electricity is available at most stops but unreliable above Sama Gaon. Charging costs NPR 200 to 500 per device. Wi-Fi exists at some lower teahouses but disappears above 3,000 m.
Food is dal bhat, noodle soup, fried rice, and variations on the same. At Dharamsala, your options narrow to whatever the single lodge has available. We always tell our trekkers to eat dal bhat over western food on the trail. It is fresher, cheaper, and you get free refills at most places.
At Sama Gaon, the Yeti Hotel and a handful of other lodges offer slightly more comfort, hot showers, and a wider menu. This is the last proper village before the pass. Stock up, charge everything, and rest here.
FAQ
How difficult is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
It is rated moderate to challenging. You walk five to eight hours per day over varied terrain, with one long day of 10 to 12 hours for the Larkya La crossing. The trail is not technical, but the altitude (peaking at 5,106 m), remote setting, and limited facilities make it harder than Annapurna Base Camp or Poon Hill. Prior trekking experience at altitude helps but is not strictly required. Good cardiovascular fitness is essential.
Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit without a guide?
No. A licensed guide is legally required in the Manaslu restricted area. This is enforced at multiple checkpoints between Jagat and Dharapani. The March 2026 rule change removed the two-person group minimum but did not change the guide requirement.
Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek safe?
Yes, with proper preparation. The main risks are altitude sickness, weather changes near the Larkya La, and landslides during or just after monsoon. A good guide monitors your condition, adjusts pace, and knows when to turn back. Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation coverage is mandatory.
Can I combine Manaslu with the Tsum Valley?
Yes. Adding the Tsum Valley typically adds three to five days and requires an additional restricted area permit (USD 35 to 70 depending on season and duration). The Tsum Valley is a culturally distinct, sacred Buddhist valley that sees very few visitors. We recommend it if you have the time.
What is the best month for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
October offers the clearest skies and most stable weather. April and May are strong alternatives with fewer crowds. Avoid June through August entirely.
Do I need a sleeping bag?
Yes. Teahouses provide blankets, but they are often thin and not enough above 3,500 m. Bring or rent a sleeping bag rated to at least minus 15 degrees Celsius. Your guide or agency can help you rent one in Kathmandu.
How fit do I need to be?
You should be comfortable walking six to eight hours on hilly terrain with a daypack. Start cardiovascular training (hiking, running, cycling, stair climbing) at least eight weeks before your trek. The pass day demands sustained effort at altitude, so the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy it.