# 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.

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).

Booked on Yatra For Fun (yatraforfun.com) — our Kathmandu concierge confirms the exact NPR price, permits, guide, and dates within 2 business hours.

## Key facts

- Duration: 14–18 days
- Max altitude: 5,160 m
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- 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.
- Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
- Typical cost (per person, 2-pax group, mid-tier): NPR 1,40,000 – NPR 3,00,000
- Start / end: Kathmandu (Soti Khola jeep) → Kathmandu (Besisahar jeep)
- 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)
- Fitness: 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 evacuation typically takes longer to arrive than on the Everest route), 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.

## 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 far fewer trekkers on the trail. 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 11 of the standard itinerary — 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 For Fun 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 11) is a long 8-9 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) (700 m · 1h walking)

6-8 hour jeep ride via Arughat to Soti Khola, trek 30 min to the trailhead.

### Day 2: Soti Khola → Machha Khola (870 m · 6h walking)

First trekking day along the Budhi Gandaki river through subtropical forest.

### Day 3: Machha Khola → Jagat (restricted zone entry) (1,340 m · 7h walking)

Permit check at Jagat; entry into the Manaslu restricted zone.

### Day 4: Jagat → Deng (1,860 m · 7h walking)

Cross-river ascent into the upper Budhi Gandaki valley.

### Day 5: Deng → Namrung (2,630 m · 7h walking)

Forest climb to Namrung (2,630 m); Tibetan-Buddhist cultural influence begins.

### Day 6: Namrung → Lho (3,180 m · 5h walking)

First close view of Manaslu (8,163 m) from Lho. Tibetan monastery at the village entrance.

### Day 7: Lho → Sama Gaun (cultural day) (3,520 m · 4h walking)

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) (4,400 m · 5h walking)

Rest day with side-trip to Pungyen Gompa or Manaslu Base Camp (4,400 m) for acclimatisation.

### Day 9: Sama Gaun → Samdo (3,860 m · 4h walking)

Last permanent village before the Larkya La approach. Samdo (3,860 m) is a Tibetan refugee settlement.

### Day 10: Samdo → Dharamsala (Larkya phedi) (4,460 m · 4h walking)

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 (5,160 m · 9h walking)

Pre-dawn start, 5-6h ascent to the Larkya La pass, then long descent to Bhimtang (3,720 m).

### Day 12: Bhimtang → Tilije (2,300 m · 7h walking)

Descent through pine and rhododendron forest to Tilije (2,300 m).

### Day 13: Tilije → Dharapani → Besisahar (jeep) (760 m · 3h walking)

Trek to Dharapani (1,860 m), then 4-5h jeep to Besisahar.

### Day 14: Besisahar → Kathmandu (drive) (1,400 m)

6-7 hour bus / jeep ride back to Kathmandu.

## Cost breakdown

- **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, licensed, English-speaking):** 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 For Fun concierge + emergency line:** NPR 15,000
- **Total per person (2-pax minimum):** NPR 140,000-300,000 — Lower = published starting price; upper = 18-day with Tsum Valley extension

## What's included

- Manaslu Restricted Area + MCAP + ACAP permits
- Kathmandu ↔ trailhead transport (jeep + bus)
- Licensed, English-speaking trekking guide (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 For Fun rents)
- Tsum Valley extension (+NPR 35-55K)

## 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 For Fun 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 184-300K 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). Your guide will postpone the pass day if conditions are unsafe, and anyone with worsening altitude symptoms should descend rather than cross.

### 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 arranges the permit and a licensed guide for your group.

### 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 much quieter, 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 For Fun 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 For Fun 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 usually the best month: typically the clearest pass-day weather, 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).

## Book this trek

- Yatra For Fun page: https://yatraforfun.com/treks/manaslu-circuit-trek
- WhatsApp concierge: https://wa.me/9779708072951
- Email: support@yatraforfun.com