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Manaslu Region · Gorkha District · Nepal
Manaslu Circuit Trek
Nepal’s Most Dramatic Himalayan Circuit — Over the Larkya La Pass
Duration
16 Days Full Circuit
Max Altitude
5,160m Larkya La Pass
Manaslu Peak
8,163m World’s 8th Highest
Difficulty
Challenging High Pass & Remote
Best Seasons
Spring & Autumn Mar–May · Sep–Nov
Route
Kathmandu → Arughat → Soti Khola → Machha Khola → Jagat → Deng → Namrung → Lho → Samagaon → Samdo → Dharamsala → Larkya La (5,160m) → Bimthang → Dharapani → Besisahar → Kathmandu
Trek Overview
Nepal’s Most Rewarding Off-the-Beaten-Path Circuit
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of Nepal’s finest and most dramatic high-altitude adventures, circumnavigating the world’s eighth highest mountain — Manaslu (8,163m) — through deep gorges, ancient Tibetan Buddhist villages, remote wilderness, and a spectacular high-pass crossing.
Far less crowded than the Everest or Annapurna regions, the Manaslu Circuit offers an authentic, raw Himalayan experience through a restricted area accessible only with a special government permit. The trail follows the dramatic Budhi Gandaki River through one of the world’s deepest gorges before opening into the high-altitude Tibetan plateau landscape around Samagaon.
The undisputed highlight is the crossing of the Larkya La Pass (5,160m) — a dramatic glacier pass with breathtaking views of Manaslu, Cheo Himal, Himlung, and the Annapurna range. The circuit finishes by joining the Annapurna Circuit route at Dharapani.
Day by Day
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1Arrival in Kathmandu1,400m▼
Airport pickup, hotel check-in, trek briefing. Permit processing for Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, MCAP and ACAP.
Overnight
- Kathmandu Hotel
Day 2Kathmandu – Arughat – Soti Khola700m▼
Drive from Kathmandu to Arughat then trek through subtropical forest to Soti Khola — the official entry to the Manaslu restricted area.
Drive & Walk
- Approx. 7 hours drive + 1.5 hours walk
Overnight
- Soti Khola Lodge
Day 3Soti Khola – Machha Khola900m▼
Trek along the Budhi Gandaki River through lush bamboo and rhododendron forests, crossing suspension bridges over roaring rapids.
Walking Time
- Approx. 6–7 hours
Highlights
- Budhi Gandaki gorge · Waterfalls · First Himalayan glimpses
Overnight
- Machha Khola Lodge
Day 4Machha Khola – Jagat1,340m▼
The gorge narrows dramatically. Pass through waterfalls, steep cliffs, and hanging bridges to reach Jagat — a checkpoint village.
Walking Time
- Approx. 6–7 hours
Overnight
- Jagat Lodge
Day 5Jagat – Deng1,804m▼
The landscape begins shifting from subtropical to alpine as Tibetan cultural influences appear. Beautiful terraced fields and stone villages.
Walking Time
- Approx. 6 hours
Overnight
- Deng Lodge
Day 6Deng – Namrung2,630m▼
Trek through Rana village and dense forest with the first dramatic views of the Manaslu range appearing above.
Walking Time
- Approx. 6–7 hours
Highlights
- First Manaslu views · Buddhist chortens · Himalayan panorama opening
Overnight
- Namrung Lodge
Day 7Namrung – Lho – Samagaon3,530m▼
Pass through Lho village with its famous monastery and close Manaslu views, then continue to Samagaon — the cultural heart of the circuit.
Walking Time
- Approx. 6–7 hours
Highlights
- Lho Monastery
- Manaslu North face close-up views
- Tibetan Buddhist culture
Overnight
- Samagaon Lodge
Day 8Samagaon – Acclimatization3,530m▼
Rest and acclimatization day. Optional hike to Birendra Tal (glacial lake at 3,450m) or up toward the Manaslu Base Camp trail.
Optional Hikes
- Birendra Tal glacial lake
- Manaslu Base Camp direction (4,000m)
- Samagaon Gompa monastery
Overnight
- Samagaon Lodge
Day 9Samagaon – Samdo3,875m▼
Short but important acclimatization day trek to Samdo — a Tibetan refugee village with spectacular high-altitude views.
Walking Time
- Approx. 3–4 hours
Highlights
- Tibetan border views · Himalayan plateau landscape · Samdo village culture
Overnight
- Samdo Lodge
Day 10Samdo – Dharamsala (High Camp)4,460m▼
Short ascent to Dharamsala — the last shelter before the Larkya La crossing. Prepare gear for the early morning pass crossing.
Walking Time
- Approx. 3–4 hours
Overnight
- Dharamsala Lodge / Camp
Day 11Larkya La Pass – Bimthang5,160m ★▼
The greatest day of the circuit. Pre-dawn start to cross the legendary Larkya La Pass (5,160m) — a dramatic glacier pass with breathtaking 360° Himalayan views. Descend to the beautiful meadows of Bimthang.
Walking Time
- Approx. 8–10 hours — the longest day of the trek
Summit Views
- Manaslu (8,163m) — the world’s 8th highest
- Himlung Himal (7,126m)
- Cheo Himal (6,820m)
- Annapurna II (7,937m)
- Kang Guru (6,981m)
Overnight
- Bimthang Lodge
Day 12Bimthang – Dharapani1,960m▼
A long descent through apple orchards, pine forests and waterfalls to Dharapani — where the Manaslu Circuit meets the Annapurna Circuit trail.
Walking Time
- Approx. 6–7 hours
Highlights
- Dramatic descent · Marsyangdi River · Annapurna II views
Overnight
- Dharapani Lodge
Day 13Dharapani – Besisahar – Drive760m▼
Short drive or trek to Besisahar, then drive back through the Marsyangdi Valley.
Overnight
- Besisahar or en route hotel
Day 14Drive to Kathmandu1,400m▼
Scenic drive back to Kathmandu through Nepal’s countryside. Celebration dinner.
Overnight
- Kathmandu Hotel
Day 15Contingency Day1,400m▼
Buffer day for any route or weather delays. Use for Kathmandu sightseeing or rest.
Overnight
- Kathmandu Hotel
Day 16International DepartureKathmandu▼
Transfer to airport for international departure. End of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
What You’ll Experience
Trek Highlights
Larkya La Pass crossing (5,160m)
Manaslu (8,163m) close-up views
Dramatic Budhi Gandaki river gorge
Ancient Tibetan Buddhist villages
Samagaon & Birendra Tal glacial lake
Lho & Samagaon monastery visits
Remote restricted area — far fewer trekkers
Connects to Annapurna Circuit at Dharapani
Package Details
Cost Includes & Excludes
✓ Cost Includes
Airport transfers
Kathmandu hotel with breakfast
All ground transportation as per itinerary
Trekking lodge accommodation throughout
Full board meals during trek (B/L/D)
Tea and coffee during trekking
Experienced local trekking guide
Porter service
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit
MCAP & ACAP conservation permits
TIMS card
First aid kit & emergency oxygen
Staff insurance & allowances
✕ Cost Excludes
International airfare
Nepal visa fee
Travel & rescue insurance (mandatory)
Emergency helicopter rescue costs
Personal expenses & drinks
Charging, Wi-Fi & laundry
Personal trekking equipment & gear
Extra accommodation/meals due to delays
Tips for guide and porter
Restricted Area — Special Permit Required
The Manaslu Circuit passes through a restricted area requiring a Special Manaslu Restricted Area Permit in addition to the standard MCAP and ACAP conservation permits. Trekkers must be in a group of at least two people and be accompanied by a licensed government guide at all times — solo trekking is not permitted in this zone.
We handle all permit arrangements as part of your package. Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover is mandatory for all participants.
Trek Nepal’s Greatest Hidden Circuit
The Manaslu Circuit offers everything the Annapurna Circuit once did — dramatic scenery, ancient culture, high passes — but without the crowds. An extraordinary Himalayan adventure awaits.