Manaslu Circuit Trail

A remote and demanding 14-day trek that circles the Manaslu massif and crosses a major high pass.

Time to Hike: 14 days covering approximately 177 km; itineraries commonly vary by a few days for extra acclimatisation or transport connections.

Best Time to Go: September to November and March to May are the main windows for stable weather and clear mountain views.

Getting there: Fly into Kathmandu and take a jeep or local bus to the southern trailheads at Soti Khola or Arughat to begin the trek; many finish at Dharapani where road links return you toward the Annapurna region.

Costs: Expect higher costs than lowland treks because of required permits, the mandatory guide and vehicle transfers into the region; tea-house meals and accommodation are available but become more expensive above the tree line. Arrange permits and a registered agency before travel.

Difficulty: High-altitude trekking with long days, rocky and sometimes icy trails, and the steep Larkya La pass at about 5,100 metres. Key hazards are altitude sickness, snow or ice on the pass, and remoteness that slows emergency response.

The route threads through the western slopes of the Manaslu Himalaya, moving from subtropical river valleys into alpine meadows, moraine fields and stark glacial ridgelines. Expect cascading waterfalls, terraced farm villages, and panoramic views of Manaslu and neighbouring peaks as you gain altitude.

Villages such as Samagaon and Samdo provide the backbone of accommodation with simple teahouses and basic lodges; above treeline and on the high pass days services thin out and nights are colder. The Larkya La crossing is the trek’s highlight, offering expansive glacier and summit views before a long descent to Bimthang and lower valleys. The circuit is notable for its cultural variety, relative solitude compared with the Annapurna circuit, and the requirement to travel with a licensed guide, which keeps it more managed and less crowded.

Most international arrivals fly into Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport. From Kathmandu there are daily tourist buses and private jeep services that run to Arughat or further to Soti Khola; the road sections can take several hours and include bumpy mountain tracks.

Trekkers commonly start from the southern trailheads and walk north into the Manaslu valleys, completing the circuit with a descent to Dharapani where onward road transport returns you toward Kathmandu or the Annapurna area. Organising the jeep transfer and permit paperwork in Kathmandu through a licensed agency is the usual approach.

The trek is walkable in the post-monsoon months of September to November and in spring from March to May when daytime visibility improves and high camp access is more reliable. Monsoon months bring heavy rain and landslide risk, while winter months can deposit deep snow on Larkya La and close the pass.

A Manaslu Restricted Area Permit is required and trekkers must be accompanied by a licensed guide; arrange permits and guide/porter bookings in advance, and book high-season teahouses early for October. On the pass and in shoulder seasons expect snow, low temperatures and potential need for crampons or an ice axe.