Have you trekked in higher altitudes before? Are you an adventure lover? Do you love to explore remote trails? If yes, then Manaslu Circuit Trek best meets all your travel needs. This trek has a unique combination of cultural, natural, and adventurous trekking exploration. Come join us on this exciting journey and we assure you with a safe and unforgettable travel experience. We customize the itinerary as per your travel needs and also offer additional packages upon request. Contact us for more information.

Let’s have a look at the highlights of Manaslu Circuit Trek, these are the reasons why this trek is so much fun:

The isolated trail is less crowded and peaceful
Diverse topography with breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, suspension bridges, gorges, mountains, and hills
Local settlements with rich culture
Authentic Nepali cuisine at every accommodation
Opportunity to reach the pinnacle of Larkya La Pass
Stunning views of Mt. Manaslu, Annapurna Range, Gyaji Kang, Cheo Himal, and Himlung Himal

What makes Manaslu Circuit Trek special?

Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the rough trekking trails which let you traverse through the diverse beauty of highlands. This trekking was not very popular among the travelers until recent years. Thousands of tourists come to trek in this trail because of its picturesque beauty and adventurous paths. What makes this trip more exciting is the view of Mt. Manaslu which is at the elevation of 8,156 meters and is known to be the eighth highest mountain in the world.

The journey throughout Manaslu Circuit Trek can be challenging because of the rocky path. No wonder, this route is isolated and witnesses fewer trekkers as compared to Annapurna Circuit Trek. This trek is certainly not for beginners as it requires impressive stamina and fitness. However, for experienced trekkers, this trail can be quite interesting and adventurous. If you are someone who loves exploring the beauty of high altitudes, Manaslu Circuit Trek is just for you. Not just adventurous but this trip can be very interesting in terms of cultural exploration too.

As you continue on your journey, you will witness Annapurna range to your west and Mt. Ganesh to your east. The snow-capped mountains are sure to leave you mesmerized. Moreover, Manaslu Circuit Trek is the trekking route with the highest number of suspension bridges. You will even come across the enchanting gorges by Budhi Gandaki. The suspension bridges throughout the path pave your way towards the destination. It certainly adds to the beauty of the route. Likewise, you will see nature in its purest form as you will be bewitched by the beauty of the waterfalls on your way. If you plan on trekking during monsoon, you will have to cross the river with submerged rocks as the suspension bridges would be washed away by monsoon rain.

There is an interesting fact about Manaslu Circuit Trek. This trial was open to only a maximum of 400 people in 1992. Hence, it is also one of the first off beat trekking route in Nepal.

The trip will take you to the maximum elevation of 5,167 meters at Larkya La Pass. The pass is near the Tibetan borders and you will pass through several Buddhist monasteries until you reach there. The way to this pass is almost always covered in snow and hence you will require micro crampons. Moreover, you will have to begin your journey early to avoid avalanches. You will see the view of the lowland and panoramic mountain ranges all around you from the pass. The scenery there will make you forget all your tiredness.

Manaslu Circuit Trek is full of authentic tea houses, cultural lifestyles, and glorifying natural landscapes. Similarly, the diverse geography, lifestyle, culture, flora, and fauna along the trail are hard to not fall for. The trail is remote but thrilling to the ones seeking the adventure of a lifetime.

Beautiful landscape of Nepal in Manaslu Circuit trek

Best time to set out for Manaslu Circuit Trek

The best time to set out for Manaslu Circuit Trek is during Spring and Autumn. The views are clear during this time of the season and minimum to no natural calamities occur either. On the other hand, monsoon is the least preferred season for Manaslu Circuit Trek. The rocky path gets more slippery during the monsoon and there can also be storms around the Manaslu region. The chances of landslides and avalanches are also high during monsoon.

What are the possible difficulties during Manaslu Circuit Trek?

This is one of the frequently asked questions by travelers who want to go for Manaslu Circuit Trek. While the difficulty of the trekking somewhat depends on your prior trekking experience and the travel operator you choose, here are a few things to keep in mind regarding the possible difficulties in this region:

1. Physical Strength

You will need good stamina to carry out this trekking journey. Your physical strength will determine the quality of the trek. With fit physique and preparedness for the unforeseen, the difficulty of the trek can be minimized. Similarly, it is very important to have strong mental soundness so that you can enjoy your journey fully.

2. Varying Weather

The weather in the Manaslu region dramatically changes as we move from one stop to the other. The temperature also starts to drop as we elevate towards the top. If you trek during monsoon, the weather changes are frequent and it can get stormy too. Likewise, there are maximum chances of avalanches during the winter. The unpredictable weather situation is also one of the major reasons why most trekkers prefer spring and autumn season to traverse through this region.

3. Altitude Sickness

It is very normal for your body to not be able to adapt to a different climatic condition. The chances are that you might catch altitude sickness because of that. To avoid catching altitude sickness, we advise you to keep yourself hydrated. We have a day separated as an acclimatization day where we allow you to rest and adapt to the surrounding.

4. Possible Injuries

You will be walking through a remote and tough path throughout the trek. Therefore, it is very important that you stay aware of getting physical injuries. For the best experience, always bring travel gear with you. In the cases of minor injuries, we will have our first aid kit ready. But that still might make your journey hard.

5. Strenuous paths

You will pass across the maximum altitude of around 5200 meters during Manaslu Circuit Trek. The paths are very sloppy. So, you must walk slowly and steadily. This will help avoid altitude sickness and other injuries. Not only that, but you will also have to be prepared for the exhaustion that comes with the trail. It is completely normal to feel tired even if you are an experienced trekker.

Tips to make the best out of your Manaslu Circuit Trek

Kids in Manaslu trek native Tibetan Face

Here are some tips and tricks to make your journey to Manaslu Circuit memorable:

Pack light, pack smart. The heavy packing will only add up to the difficulty of your journey, so make sure you pack light and pack everything essential.
Stay hydrated to avoid getting altitude sickness. Acclimatize often.
Stay updated beforehand on the weather forecast of each day before you set out on your trek.
Always have travel insurance backed up. This will cover your additional expenses in cases of unpredictable situations.
Bring micro crampons or your trekking boots with you. This will prove to be a savior in the snow-covered paths.
Make sure to exchange enough Nepali currency before you head out on the trip if you plan on spending extra cash during the trek.
Never trek while intoxicated.
If you take any medicines, do not forget to pack it.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Route and Distance

You will trek for approximately 180 kilometers during Manaslu Circuit Trek either can join for side walking trips in different villages that take longer than this distance. We can customize the trekking days according to your interest. It can be completed from 10 to 16 days. The route can be shortened or elongated upon your request. Please feel free to reach us out for your own customized itinerary.

The trek begins after an off-road drive to Arughat, Gorkha, and endpoint at Besisahar. The distance of the trek can vary if you choose different starting and ending locations. Furthermore, it also depends on the speed with which you walk. If you are a slow walker, it might take relatively few more days to complete the trek. If you have extra days (four or five days rec commended) you can jump to Tsum valley hike which even almost virgin hidden gems for hikers and explorer. But, for this trek you need to plan from Kathmandu required special trek permit that cost only 35 usd per week.

Since it takes 10 to 16 days to complete the trek and we customize the itinerary upon your request, the following is an itinerary for 14 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek: View the trekking map of Manaslu Circuit trek in Google

Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Kathmandu to Arughat, Gorkha

We start our trek from Arughat in Gorkha. It will take around 6 to 7 hours to reach Arughat from Kathmandu by bus. We will cover 138 kilometers by transport on the first day of our trek.

Arughat to Soti Khola

You can either hike or choose to take a transport to reach Soti Khola from Arughat. It is at a walking distance of 3 hours if you choose to hike. You will be walking at a maximum of 13 kilometers.

Day 2: Soti Khola to Machha Khola

Machha Khola is 24 kilometers away from Soti Khola. So, you will walk for about 6 to 8 hours on day 3. The route is very exciting as you will witness beautiful landscapes and wildlife along your way.

Day 3: Machha Khola to Jagat

On day 4, we will walk through a sloppy path to reach Jagat. There are lots of rocky slopes in this trail. So, it will take roughly about 7 hours and we will cover a total distance of 23 kilometers.

Day 4: Jagat to Deng

After showing the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) in Jagat, we will head towards Deng. We will walk for 6 hours to complete a distance of 21 kilometers. During our journey, you will pass through the mesmerizing streams of Ghatta Khola and Deng Khola.

Day 5: Deng to Namrung

We will trek for about 5-6 hours on day 6 as we set out towards Namrung from Deng. We will cover a distance of 20 kilometers on this day. This day requires additional physical strength because the route is very remote.

Day 6: Namrung to Lho

We will cross Budhi Gandaki and walk through the lush forests on day 7. So, we will start our journey quite early. We will trek for 4 hours to reach Lho which is 11 kilometers away from Namrung. Lho is a village with welcoming villagers. We will call it a day and enjoy the hospitality of the local residents.

Day 7: Lho to Samagaon

On day 8, we will only walk for a few hours. The total distance to be covered on this day will be 18 kilometers. You will witness Shyala, a village and famous monastery like Pungyen monastery on your way to Samagaon.

Day 7: Acclimatization day at Samagoan

This is the spare day to get acclimatize in the high altitude area before cross the Larkya La pass. We take the highest assent hike up to Manaslu Base Camp either Pyungen Gompa on the west side of Mt. Manaslu glacier and hike around the village.

Day 9: Samagaon to Samdo

We will set out for Samdo on day 9. We will traverse through Birendra lake. You will come across plenty of suspension bridges on your way. The mighty view of Mt. Manaslu is also another interesting aspect of this day. We will cover a distance of 8 kilometers in 4 hours. Samdo is a village mostly inhabited by Tibetan refugees which is also a vantage point to view Mt. Manaslu.

Day 10: Samdo to Larkya Phedi

We will walk for about 5 hours on day 10. We will descend from Samdo and cross numerous monasteries until we start climbing uphill to reach Larkya Phedi. Larkya Phedi will be our stop for the day.

Day 11: Larkya Phedi to Bimthang

We will walk for 8 to 9 hours to cover the 24 kilometers distance from Larkya Phedi to Bimthang. This is the longest and the most tiring distance throughout the trek. We can add a day to acclimatize since Larkya Phedi lies at a high altitude.

Day 12: Bimthang to Tilije

The trek gets easier from the twelfth day. We will walk through pine forests and wooden bridges to complete the 26 kilometers trek. The easy path will help us cover the distance in only 6 hours. The Gurung settlements in Tilije will help you explore the culture and traditions of the natives there.

Day 13: Tilije to Dharapani to Besisahar

By day 13, we will have almost come to an end of the trek. We will walk for 3 hours from Tilije to reach Dharapani. Dharapani is also the beginning point for Annapurna Circuit Trek. After we reach Dharapani, we will take a bus to Besisahar. It is almost 5 hours drive from Dharapani. We will stay at Besisahar for the night and have amazing experience-sharing sessions.

Day 14: Besisahar to Kathmandu

On day 14, we will head back to Kathmandu from Besisahar with lots of memories. We will escort you back to your hotels and have fun activities before parting ways.

Note: We can customize the itinerary and take you through Tsum valley as an alternate path. Also, we have not mentioned acclimatization in this itinerary but we can take a day off to avoid altitude sickness and call it an acclimatization day.

Required Permits for Manaslu Circuit Trek

Before you book the trip to Manaslu Circuit Trek with your travel operator, here are a few permits you will have to know about:

#1 Manaslu Restricted Permit

Manaslu region is a protected area and therefore requires certain permits for travelers to traverse in this region. It is near to the Tibetan border and it is an open border. So, the permits are regulated for additional security.

Manaslu Restricted Permit can be obtained from the office of the tourism board in Kathmandu.

You will be asked to submit a few documents to obtain this permit. For trekking during autumn and spring season, the cost of the permit is USD 100 which is for the first week only. You can extend your permit by paying USD 15 per day as well. However, for trekking during any low seasons than the above mentioned, you will be charged USD 50 for the first week and USD 7 per day for an extended permit.

To attain this permit, you will have to accept and meet a few conditions. The conditions are as follows:

You can only trek in a group with at least two trekkers.
You cannot trek in this region without a guide. Thus, you must have a registered guide or a porter with you.

#2 Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)

Manaslu Circuit Trek will take you through Manaslu Conservation Area for which you will require Manaslu Conservation Area Permit. If you belong to any of the SAARC countries, the permit will cost you USD 3 only. However, for other nationals, the cost of the permit is USD 28.

#3 Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

Since you will also pass through Annapurna Conservation Area during your Manaslu Circuit Trek, you will require Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. Like MCAP, this permit costs USD 3 for SAARC nationals and USD 28 for others.

Are you finding it chaotic to apply for these permits? Do not worry, if you book with us, we will arrange these permits without any hassle for you. Moreover, we are a long-established company and have registered guides as well as porters to make your travel experience better.

Conclusion of the Manaslu Trek

Although, Manaslu circuit trek is one of remote, restricted and unexplored wild-land in Nepal that is near from Kathmandu (about 150 km road drive). For this trek, a minimum of 2 persons required to get the special trek permits, Registered trek company can issue the permit through the Nepal Immigration. The trek is not permitted without a guide, at least a license holder guide required for Manaslu trek.