Manaslu Circuit Trek
Mountain Hawk Trek
Manaslu RegionModerate

Manaslu CircuitTrek

Circle Manaslu (8,163m) on a 15-day restricted-area circuit crossing Larkya La Pass (5,106m). Tibetan-influenced villages, Manaslu glacier, Budhi Gandaki gorge, and a fraction of the Annapurna Circuit crowds. From USD 1,675.

View Itinerary
15
DaysTotal trek duration
5215m
Max AltitudeHighest point reached
Sep–May
Best SeasonIdeal trekking window
$1,675
FromPer person (twin sharing)
Trip Highlights

The moments that matter most

The Budhi Gandaki gorge on the approach is one of the most dramatic river valleys in Nepal. The trail follows the river through a narrowing canyon with waterfalls, suspension bridges, and subtropical forest. The transition from rice paddies to arid Tibetan terrain happens gradually over five days.

Samagaon (3,530m) sits in a flat valley below the Manaslu glacier. The village has a large Buddhist monastery, stone houses with flat roofs, and a Saturday market. Birendra Lake is a short hike above the village, a glacial tarn reflecting Manaslu's north face.

Larkya La (5,106m) is a long crossing but not steep. The moraines on the eastern approach give way to a broad, prayer-flag-covered pass with Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and the back of Annapurna II visible. The descent to Bimtang is steep scree with Manaslu framed behind you.

Trip Overview

A closer look

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a 15-day loop around Manaslu (8,163m), the eighth-highest mountain on Earth. The route follows the Budhi Gandaki river from Soti Khola through a deepening gorge, climbs to the Tibetan-influenced villages of Samagaon and Samdo, crosses Larkya La Pass (5,106m), and descends to Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit trail. A restricted area permit keeps trekker numbers at a fraction of the Annapurna Circuit.

The trail transitions from subtropical forest and rice paddies in the lower Budhi Gandaki to arid trans-Himalayan terrain above Samagaon. The village of Samagaon (3,530m) sits below the Manaslu glacier with views of the north face. Samdo (3,860m) near the Tibetan border is the last village before the pass. Birendra Lake, a glacial tarn below the Manaslu glacier, is reached on a rest-day hike.

Larkya La (5,106m) is a long, non-technical crossing. The east side climbs gradually through moraines. The west side descends steeply through scree to Bimtang, a yak pasture with views of Manaslu, Himlung Himal, and Annapurna II. From Bimtang, the trail descends to Dharapani and the road.

Permits: Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, restricted area permit (USD 100 peak season / USD 75 off-season for first 7 days), and TIMS card. All included. Licensed guide mandatory. Since March 2026, solo trekkers can obtain the restricted area permit individually (previously required groups of 2+).

To combine Manaslu with the Annapurna Circuit, the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek extends the route over Thorong La in 23 days. For the hidden Tsum Valley detour off the Manaslu trail, see the Tsum Valley Manaslu Trek (16 days). The trail meets the Annapurna Circuit Trek at Dharapani.

Route & Elevation

The trail, mapped

Elevation ProfileDay-by-day altitude
TrailPeak
4,500m3,553m2,605m1,658m710mSoti KholaMachha KholaJagatNgyakGhapLhoSamagompaSamdoDharamashalaTiljeChamjeKathmandu4,500m
Itinerary

Day by day, on the trail

15 days from Kathmandu arrival to departure. Hover any day for full details.

Day01

Drive to Soti Khola

Soti Khola

Drive to Soti Khola (710 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

710m6h trekTented Camp
Day02

Trek to Machha Khola

Machha Khola

Trek to Machha Khola (900 m), approximately 5.5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

900m6h trekTented Camp190m
Day03

Trek to Jagat

Jagat

Trek to Jagat (1,410 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

1,410m6h trekTented Camp510m
Day04

Trek to Ngyak

Ngyak

Trek to Ngyak (1,950 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

1,950m6h trekTented Camp540m
Day05

Trek to Ghap

Ghap

Trek to Ghap (2,050 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

2,050m6h trekTented Camp100m
Day06

Trek to Lho

Lho

Trek to Lho (3,200 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

3,200m6h trekTented Camp1,150m
Day07

Trek to Samagaon

Samagaon

Trek to Samagaon (3,500 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

3,500m6h trekTented Camp300m
Day08

Trek to Samdo

Samdo

Trek to Samdo (4,500 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

4,500m5h trekTented Camp1,000m
Day09

Acclimatization & Exploration Day

Samdo

Acclimatization and exploration day at Samdo. Overnight at tented camp.

4,500mTented Camp
Day10

Trek to Dharamsala

Dharamsala

Trek to Dharamsala (4,500 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

4,500m5h trekTented Camp
Day11

Cross Larkya La Pass to Bimthang

Bimthang

Cross Larkya La Pass (5,215 m) and trek to Bimthang (3,590 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

3,590m7h trekTented Camp910m
Day12

Trek to Tilje

Tilje

Trek to Tilje (3,900 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

3,900m5h trekTented Camp310m
Day13

Trek to Chamje

Chamje

Trek to Chamje (1,725 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

1,725m5h trekTented Camp2,175m
Day14

Drive Back to Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Drive back to Kathmandu by bus, approximately 7 hours. Overnight at hotel.

1,345m7h trekHotel380m
Day15

Departure

Kathmandu

Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.

1,345mTransfer
Good to Know

Before you commit

Trek Cost

TierPrice
Per Person
USD 1,675
Package Details

What's in, what's out

What's Included

8

Airport to hotel to airport pickup and drop-off by private car, van, or bus.

Standard meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) and teahouse accommodation during the trek.

A government-licensed English-speaking guide for the trek, the required number of porters, and their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and a general first aid kit.

Annapurna and Manaslu Conservation Area permits and all other necessary permits.

Surface transfer from Kathmandu.

Down jacket, duffel or kit bag, and sleeping bag (to be returned after the trek).

All applicable government taxes.

Tourist service charge and VAT.

Not Included

9

Lunch, dinner, and accommodation while in Kathmandu.

Travel insurance (compulsory).

International airfare and airport departure tax.

Nepal entry visa fee.

Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and laundry.

Personal trekking equipment.

Tips for trekking staff and driver.

Sightseeing and monument entrance fees.

Any other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.

Add-on

Extra Nights in Kathmandu

Single Room$60per night · breakfast included
Twin Sharing$35per person / night · breakfast included

Dear guest, should you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, we are pleased to offer the following rates: US$60 per person per night for a single room and US$35 per person per night for a double (twin sharing) room, both inclusive of breakfast.

The Reward

Why you'll love it

Three reasons this trek stays with you long after the plane home.

Scenery

Manaslu (8,163m) is the eighth highest mountain on Earth and you circle it completely. The north face from Samagaon and the west face from Bimtang are two entirely different mountains.

Thrill

The restricted area permit keeps trekker numbers at a fraction of the Annapurna Circuit. The trail feels genuinely remote above Samagaon.

Connection

The Budhi Gandaki gorge is one of the most dramatic river-valley approaches in the Himalayas. Five days of deepening canyon.

Honest Check

Is this trek for you?

A few things worth knowing before you commit. No sugar-coating, no surprises on day one.

Expectations

Before you book

5

You want a high-altitude circuit comparable to the Annapurna Circuit but with fewer trekkers and a restricted-area mystique.

You can walk 6 to 7 hours a day for 12 trekking days with one pass crossing at 5,106m.

Prior altitude experience above 4,500m is recommended. You sleep at 4,800m (Dharamsala) the night before the pass.

You are interested in Tibetan Buddhist culture and remote trans-Himalayan villages.

Budget includes the restricted area permit. Our package at USD 1,675 covers all permits.

Gear Up

What to pack

The full kit that's built from years on the trail. Skip it at your own risk, bring it and you'll never think about it again.

Equipment

Packing checklist

31 items

Duffel or Rucksack bag (This should be nice with good zipper

Daypack

Down Jacket (Company also nice and clean down jacket provide)

Sleeping bag 4 season ( also provide )

Hiking pants

Waterproof jacket

Full, sleeves shirt

Jumper or pile jacket

T, shirts

Trekking boots (Water proof)

Camp shoes/Sandal

Polypropylene/wool socks

Light cotton socks for under wool socks( take quite several pairs of these too. Better to carry some extra weight rather than spend the whole time washing socks)

Woollen socks to wear with boots

Sun hat

Beanie

Gloves

Sun block for lips

Sun lotion

Goggles or sunglasses ( with spare)

Thermal Long underwear (take quite a few pairs. Although the weather may be cold one tends to sweat a lot)

Insulated pants

Nylon windbreaker

Nylon wind pants

Water bottle

Sewing kit

Medical & first aid kit

Flash light ( with spare batteries)

Walking stick. (company also provide or you can buy in Kathmandu)

Camera ( do not forget to buy the spare film and batteries to go with it before you leave.)

Book ( buy them before you leave or in Kathmandu)

Notepad (writing a diary in the evening by the fireside is a favorite past time of trekkers) Multipurpose knife or Swiss army knife Personal towel Personal toiletries and medication which should be labelled Please. Note: Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing, such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially on women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer then please pack something to wear over the top of them.

Good to Know

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? Tap through the answers below or reach out directly. We reply within the hour.

FAQs

The most asked

8
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Trail Stories

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