Manaslu Circuit Trek 2026 — 14-18 Day Itinerary, Cost & Permits
Restricted-area trek around the world's 8th-highest peak (8,163 m) via the Larkya La pass (5,160 m). Quieter than Annapurna Circuit.
- Duration
- 14-18 days
- Max altitude
- 5,160 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Cost from
- NPR 1,40,000
Quick answer
The Manaslu Circuit is a 14-18 day restricted-area trek around Manaslu (8,163 m, world's 8th-highest), starting at Soti Khola near Arughat and crossing the Larkya La pass (5,160 m) into the Annapurna region. Yatra For Fun books the trek with restricted-area + MCAP + ACAP permits, a licensed guide (mandatory for the restricted zone, no solo trekking allowed), porter, teahouse accommodation, and three meals daily, for NPR 140,000-300,000 per person (2-pax minimum group).
Why this trek
Manaslu is the connoisseur's circuit trek in Nepal. It offers the same '360-degree mountain wraparound' feel as the classic Annapurna Circuit (which Manaslu's eastern half retraces) but with one-tenth the foot traffic — most days you'll pass under 20 other trekkers, against 200+ on the Annapurna side. The route is biologically and culturally distinct: lower-valley Gurung and Magar villages give way to Tibetan-Buddhist Tsum-valley culture in the upper section. The high point — the Larkya La pass at 5,160 m on day 12-13 — is one of the most dramatic mountain panoramas in Nepal, with Himlung Himal (7,126 m), Cheo Himal (6,820 m), Kang Guru (6,981 m), and Annapurna II (7,937 m) visible in a single 270° sweep. Yatra books the standard 14-day Soti Khola → Larkya La → Dharapani → Besisahar itinerary for fit trekkers, or the 18-day version that adds a 3-day Tsum Valley side-trip into the closed Buddhist sub-region for an unmatched cultural and Himalayan-monastery experience.
About the route
The trek begins with a 6-8 hour jeep ride from Kathmandu to Soti Khola (700 m) via Arughat. Days 1-5 ascend the Budhi Gandaki valley through subtropical forest, Gurung villages (Jagat, Deng, Namrung), and into the high-altitude Tibetan-Buddhist zone (Lho, Sama Gaun). Sama Gaun (3,520 m) is the cultural high point — a Buddhist village with a Tibetan-Buddhist monastery and views of Manaslu's south face. An acclimatisation day at Sama Gaun is mandatory before the Larkya La approach. The pass itself (day 12-13) is a long 7-8 hour day with a pre-dawn start from Dharamsala (4,460 m); the descent into the Bhimtang side (3,720 m) is via the Larkya Glacier moraine. The eastern half retraces the classic Annapurna Circuit through Dharapani, Tal, Jagat, Chame, and Besisahar — where a jeep returns to Kathmandu. Total walking distance is approximately 177 km over 14-18 days; daily walking time is 5-8 hours.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Kathmandu → Soti Khola (drive)
- Altitude
- 700 m
- Walking
- 1h
6-8 hour jeep ride via Arughat to Soti Khola, trek 30 min to the trailhead.
Day 2
Soti Khola → Machha Khola
- Altitude
- 870 m
- Walking
- 6h
First trekking day along the Budhi Gandaki river through subtropical forest.
Day 3
Machha Khola → Jagat (restricted zone entry)
- Altitude
- 1,340 m
- Walking
- 7h
Permit check at Jagat; entry into the Manaslu restricted zone.
Day 4
Jagat → Deng
- Altitude
- 1,860 m
- Walking
- 7h
Cross-river ascent into the upper Budhi Gandaki valley.
Day 5
Deng → Namrung
- Altitude
- 2,630 m
- Walking
- 7h
Forest climb to Namrung (2,630 m); Tibetan-Buddhist cultural influence begins.
Day 6
Namrung → Lho
- Altitude
- 3,180 m
- Walking
- 5h
First close view of Manaslu (8,163 m) from Lho. Tibetan monastery at the village entrance.
Day 7
Lho → Sama Gaun (cultural day)
- Altitude
- 3,520 m
- Walking
- 4h
Short walk to Sama Gaun (3,520 m); afternoon visit to the Pungyen monastery.
Day 8
Sama Gaun acclimatisation (Pungyen Gompa / Manaslu Base Camp option)
- Altitude
- 4,400 m
- Walking
- 5h
Rest day with side-trip to Pungyen Gompa or Manaslu Base Camp (4,400 m) for acclimatisation.
Day 9
Sama Gaun → Samdo
- Altitude
- 3,860 m
- Walking
- 4h
Last permanent village before the Larkya La approach. Samdo (3,860 m) is a Tibetan refugee settlement.
Day 10
Samdo → Dharamsala (Larkya phedi)
- Altitude
- 4,460 m
- Walking
- 4h
Short, slow walk to the high-camp at Dharamsala (4,460 m). Early bed for the pre-dawn pass start.
Day 11
Larkya La pass (5,160 m) → Bhimtang
- Altitude
- 5,160 m
- Walking
- 9h
Pre-dawn start, 5-6h ascent to the Larkya La pass, then long descent to Bhimtang (3,720 m).
Day 12
Bhimtang → Tilije
- Altitude
- 2,300 m
- Walking
- 7h
Descent through pine and rhododendron forest to Tilije (2,300 m).
Day 13
Tilije → Dharapani → Besisahar (jeep)
- Altitude
- 760 m
- Walking
- 3h
Trek to Dharapani (1,860 m), then 4-5h jeep to Besisahar.
Day 14
Besisahar → Kathmandu (drive)
- Altitude
- 1,400 m
- Walking
- 0h
6-7 hour bus / jeep ride back to Kathmandu.
Cost breakdown (NPR)
Per person in a 2-pax group, mid-tier teahouse accommodation, spring/autumn season. Yatra concierge confirms exact NPR at booking.
| Category | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (Sep-Nov rate) | NPR 22,000-28,000 | USD 100 first 7 days + USD 15/day × 5-7 extra days |
| MCAP + ACAP permits | NPR 6,000 | |
| Kathmandu ↔ trailhead transport (jeep + bus) | NPR 10,000-15,000 | |
| Guide (mandatory, IFMGA-trained, English) | NPR 45,000-65,000 | USD 30-40 per day × 14-18 days |
| Porter (1 per 2 trekkers) | NPR 30,000-42,000 | USD 20-25 per day × 14-18 days |
| Teahouse accommodation (twin-share) | NPR 16,000-26,000 | Limited teahouses in restricted zone; higher pricing |
| Three meals per day | NPR 40,000-65,000 | Higher above Namrung; supplies trucked in by mule |
| Yatra concierge + emergency line | NPR 15,000 | |
| Total per person (2-pax minimum) | NPR 140,000-300,000 | Lower = 14-day, shoulder season; upper = 18-day with Tsum Valley extension |
Required permits
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit
USD 100 first 7 days + USD 15/day after (Sep-Nov); USD 75 + USD 10/day (Dec-Aug) - Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
NPR 3,000 - Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
NPR 3,000
Best season
March-May (spring) and September-November (autumn). October is the absolute best — clearest views of Manaslu, lowest pass-day weather risk, and full teahouse coverage. Avoid December-February (Larkya La pass closed by snow, most teahouses shuttered). Monsoon June-August has landslide risk on the lower-valley jeep road and cloud-covered views.
Recommended months: Mar · Apr · May · Sep · Oct · Nov
Fitness & difficulty
Strenuous. Five factors make Manaslu harder than ABC or EBC: longer total days (14-18 vs 12-14), longer single days (some 8-9 hour walks), high pass crossing (Larkya La at 5,160 m on day 11), limited rescue access in the restricted zone (helicopter evac is 2-4 hour callout vs 30-60 min on EBC), and basic teahouse standard (no hot showers above Sama Gaun, limited Wi-Fi). Recommended: 12-16 weeks training including a high-altitude trek above 4,000 m beforehand.
Difficulty rating: Strenuous
What's included
- ✓Manaslu Restricted Area + MCAP + ACAP permits
- ✓Kathmandu ↔ trailhead transport (jeep + bus)
- ✓Licensed, English-speaking guide (IFMGA-trained, mandatory)
- ✓Porter (1 per 2 trekkers, 25 kg max)
- ✓13-17 nights teahouse accommodation (twin-share)
- ✓All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- ✓Tea / coffee with every meal
- ✓Welcome briefing + farewell dinner in Kathmandu
- ✓Yatra For Fun 24/7 emergency line + helicopter evac coordination
What's not included
- ·International flights to Kathmandu
- ·Nepal visa fee (NPR 4,000 for 30 days / USD 50)
- ·Mandatory travel insurance with high-altitude + heli-evac cover up to 6,000 m
- ·Tips for guide + porter (recommended: USD 12-18 per day per trekker)
- ·Hot showers + device charging (NPR 4,000-10,000 typical)
- ·Soft drinks, alcohol, premium snacks
- ·Personal trekking gear (Yatra rents)
- ·Tsum Valley extension (+NPR 35-55K)
Book Manaslu Circuit Trek 2026 via Yatra concierge
We confirm availability with the operator within 2 business hours and only charge your card once your group is secured. Pay in NPR or USD — taxes included.
Frequently asked questions
What's the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit and how much does it cost?
Manaslu's Tibetan-border region requires a restricted-area permit issued by Nepal Immigration. Cost is USD 100 for the first 7 days plus USD 15/day after (September-November peak) or USD 75 + USD 10/day in shoulder months. Yatra concierge arranges it during the Kathmandu welcome briefing — bring 4 passport photos and a copy of your visa. A minimum group of 2 trekkers is required.
Why is Manaslu pricier than Annapurna Base Camp?
Three reasons: the restricted-area permit alone is NPR 22-28K, the trek is 14-18 days vs ABC's 7-12, and teahouse supplies above Namrung must be trucked in by mule — pushing food and accommodation costs 30-50% above the Annapurna region equivalents. The total NPR 140-300K per person reflects the longer duration and unique permit overhead.
Is the Larkya La pass dangerous?
The pass at 5,160 m is non-technical (no ropes or crampons in good conditions) but it's a long day (8-9 hours) starting at 4 AM from Dharamsala. The risk factors are weather (afternoon storms can roll in by 1 PM), AMS (Dharamsala at 4,460 m is the highest sleeping altitude on the trek), and snow (December-February the pass is closed; April-May and October-November are reliably clear). Yatra's guide carries a weather window check via Sat-phone and will postpone the pass day if conditions are unsafe.
Can I trek Manaslu solo without a guide?
No. The restricted-area permit is only issued via a registered trekking agency with at least 2 trekkers in the group and a licensed guide. Solo trekking is illegal in the Manaslu zone. Yatra For Fun is a registered agency; we pair you with a Sherpa or Gurung guide who has done the route 30+ times.
How does Manaslu compare with Annapurna Circuit?
Manaslu retraces the eastern half of the classic Annapurna Circuit (Dharapani → Besisahar) but the western half is the dramatic remote section that the Annapurna circuit no longer has (since the jeep road took over). Manaslu is quieter (1/10th the trekkers), more culturally diverse (Tibetan-Buddhist upper section is unique to Manaslu), and has the higher Larkya La pass (5,160 m vs Thorong La's 5,416 m). Trade-off: it's 30-40% pricier due to the restricted permit.
What gear do I need for Manaslu?
Same as EBC plus an extra-warm sleeping bag (-15°C rating minimum) for the Dharamsala high-camp, gaiters for the pre-pass snow approach, and a 4-season tent if you're trekking outside the September-November / March-May windows. Yatra rents these in Kathmandu. Trekking poles are essential for the pass-day descent (1,440 vertical metres to Bhimtang in a single afternoon).
What's the Tsum Valley extension and is it worth it?
The Tsum Valley is a closed Buddhist sub-region accessed via a side-permit from Lokpa (day 5 area). Adding 3-4 days, it leads to Mu Gompa (3,700 m), Rachen Nunnery, and the Tsum Buddhist culture — the most authentic Tibetan-Buddhist immersion still possible in Nepal. Cost adds NPR 35-55K per person. Yatra recommends it for second-time Manaslu trekkers or those who want cultural depth over the standard circuit's 270° mountain views.
When is the best month for Manaslu?
October is unanimous best. Clearest pass-day weather (95% Larkya La success rate), driest trail, full teahouse coverage, and peak rhododendron/maple colour in the lower valley. April-May is second-best — warmer, peak rhododendron bloom — but afternoon clouds are more frequent. Avoid December-February (pass closed) and June-August (monsoon, landslide risk on Soti Khola jeep road).