Plan my trek
Plan my trek
5,106 m (Larkya La)
13–16 days
Strenuous
Machha Khola–Dharapani
RAP + MCAP + ACAP
Oct–Nov, Mar–May
The Manaslu Circuit trek, often just called the Manaslu trek, is a 13 to 16 day teahouse trek that loops around Manaslu (8,163 m), the world’s eighth-highest mountain, in Gorkha district in west-central Nepal. You start in the warm, terraced lower valley of the Budhi Gandaki river, follow it north through gorges and Gurung villages into the Tibetan Buddhist Nubri region, cross the Larkya La at 5,106 m, and come down the Marsyangdi side to join the Annapurna Circuit road at Dharapani.
It is a restricted area, which shapes everything about the trip. You need a special permit that only a registered Nepali trekking agency can arrange, a licensed guide, and two conservation area permits. That paperwork, and the long drive in, keep numbers far below the Everest and Annapurna trails, and it is the main reason people choose Manaslu.
The first three or four days are low and often hot: long suspension bridges, stone staircases above the river, banana trees and rice terraces, with lodges in villages such as Machha Khola, Jagat and Deng. Around Namrung (2,630 m) the valley opens, the houses change to stone and timber with prayer flags, and Manaslu itself appears above Lho and Samagaun.
Samagaun (about 3,530 m) is the cultural and logistical heart of the trek and where you spend at least one acclimatisation day. From there it is a short climb to Samdo near the Tibetan border, then the high camp at Dharamsala (also called Larkya Phedi, 4,460 m) and a pre-dawn start for the pass. The descent to Bimthang gives some of the best mountain views of the trip: Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and the huge west face of Manaslu.
The Annapurna Circuit is the obvious comparison: both are loops over a high pass (Thorong La is 5,416 m). The Annapurna Circuit has better lodges, more side trips and a road along much of its length; Manaslu has far fewer people, more continuous footpath and the cost and rules of a restricted area. Compared with Everest Base Camp, Manaslu has no flight to Lukla and no out-and-back retracing of steps, but also fewer lodge comforts and harder access if something goes wrong.
Many people combine the two: walk Manaslu, then continue up the Marsyangdi from Dharapani towards Manang and over Thorong La. Others add the Tsum Valley extension, a culturally rich side valley north of Jagat with its own permit.
Current trail status (3 November 2026): a flash flood on the Budhi Gandaki on 11 to 12 October damaged bridges and trail in the lower valley, particularly around Jagat and Philim, after an earlier September flood near Namrung. The circuit was reported open via Larkya La by 25 October, on partial repairs. Cyclone Arnab then brought heavy snow, and we’ve found no route report since. Read the safety section and our Nepal trekking after the floods update, and check current conditions with your agency before booking.
These are the sights most trekkers rate as the best of the region. Most sit on or close to the Manaslu Circuit; the Tsum Valley highlights need extra days and a separate permit.
The mountain dominates the upper valley. You first see it properly around Lho, where the morning view across the monastery roofs to the twin summits is one of the best on any teahouse trek. From Samagaun the Manaslu Glacier spills almost to the village. Manaslu was first climbed on 9 May 1956 by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu of a Japanese expedition, and the name is usually translated as ‘mountain of the spirit’. Mornings are clearest; cloud often builds by early afternoon.
The high point of the circuit and the reason most people come. From the stone huts at Dharamsala you leave by headtorch, usually between 3 and 5 am, and climb about 650 m over moraine to a broad, prayer-flagged crest. The descent to Bimthang is longer, about 1,400 m, and often icy near the top. Plan for 8 to 11 hours. Some maps give the pass as 5,160 m; most use 5,106 m. Carry microspikes in spring and from mid-November, and keep a spare day in case snow closes it.
A milky glacial lake at the snout of the Manaslu Glacier, about 30 to 45 minutes’ walk from Samagaun. It is the gentle option on an acclimatisation day, with ice cliffs and avalanches occasionally rumbling down from above. Go early for still water and reflections, and do not walk on the moraine edges, which are loose. Combine it with a slow wander round Samagaun’s mani walls for a restful half day.
A monastery site on a grassy shelf at roughly 4,000 m above Samagaun, facing the icefall of Manaslu. The original building was destroyed by an avalanche in the 1950s, and local tradition linked the disaster to the first climbing attempts. Allow about 4 to 5 hours return. It is a superb acclimatisation hike: you gain about 500 m and sleep low again. Take a warm layer, water and snacks, as there are no facilities.
The tough option from Samagaun: a 7 to 8 hour round trip with around 1,300 m of climbing to the expedition base camp above the glacier. The views of the Manaslu icefall and Naike Peak are huge, but this is a big day before you are fully acclimatised. Only do it if you are sleeping and eating well, start early, and turn round if a headache develops. In the autumn and spring climbing seasons you may see expedition tents.
Lho’s monastery stands on a ridge above the village with a classic view of Manaslu behind its chortens. It is an active gompa with resident monks, and morning or evening prayers are often open to quiet visitors. Allow 30 to 60 minutes from the lodges. Walk clockwise around chortens and prayer wheels, ask before photographing monks, and leave a small donation if you go inside.
The lower valley is the unsung highlight: a steep, roaring river gorge crossed again and again on long suspension bridges, with waterfalls, cliff-cut stone staircases and hot springs at Tatopani. It is warm, often humid and more tiring than people expect. After the 2026 floods parts of this section are on temporary routes, so expect diversions and listen to your guide. Early starts help beat the midday heat.
At the head of the Tsum Valley, Mu Gompa (about 3,700 m) is the valley’s largest monastery, close to the Tibetan border and surrounded by bare hills and yak pasture. Lower down, Rachen Gompa is a nunnery in the Shiar Khola valley, often visited on the same loop. Both are working religious communities, not museums. Visiting them needs the separate Tsum Valley permit and usually a 6 to 7 day detour from the main circuit. See our Tsum Valley trek guide.
The Tibetan saint Milarepa is said to have meditated in caves in Tsum, and the best known, Piren Phu or ‘Pigeon Cave’, sits on a cliff near Burji in the upper valley. It has small shrines and is an important pilgrimage site, so behave as you would in a temple. Allow half a day from Chhokangparo. Several caves in the region are linked to Milarepa; ask your guide which one you are visiting.
Bimthang (about 3,590 to 3,720 m) is a wide, grassy ablation valley below the Larkya La with views of Himlung (7,126 m), Cheo Himal and the west face of Manaslu. If you have energy after the pass, or spend an extra night, walk up to the Ponkar Glacier and its small lake for 2 to 3 hours. The descent below Bimthang through rhododendron forest is spectacular in April.
Samdo is the last village before the pass and a short way from the old trade route to Tibet over the Lajyang La. On the acclimatisation day, walk up towards the border valley for 3 to 4 hours, gaining up to about 500 m, for wide views and the chance of seeing blue sheep. You cannot cross into Tibet; the hike is purely for altitude and views.
Below is a standard 13-day itinerary from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with two acclimatisation days (Samagaun and Samdo). Fit, experienced trekkers sometimes cut the Samdo day, but we would not: it is the cheapest insurance you can buy before the pass. Add a day in Kathmandu either side for permits and a buffer, so plan on 15 nights in Nepal as a minimum.
| Day | Route | Altitude | Walking time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drive Kathmandu to Machha Khola (via Arughat and Soti Khola) | about 870–930 m | 8–10 hr drive |
| 2 | Machha Khola to Jagat, via Khorlabesi and Tatopani hot spring | about 1,340–1,410 m | 6–7 hr |
| 3 | Jagat to Deng, via Salleri and Philim; Tsum Valley turn-off at Lokpa junction | 1,860 m | 6–7 hr |
| 4 | Deng to Namrung, via Rana, Ghap and the start of the Nubri area | 2,630 m | 6–7 hr |
| 5 | Namrung to Lho, via Lihi and Sho, with the first big Manaslu views | about 3,180 m | 4–5 hr |
| 6 | Lho to Samagaun via Shyala, optional detour to Pungyen Gompa | about 3,520–3,530 m | 3–5 hr |
| 7 | Acclimatisation day at Samagaun: Birendra Tal, Pungyen Gompa or Manaslu Base Camp | 3,530 m (up to 4,800 m) | 3–8 hr |
| 8 | Samagaun to Samdo | about 3,860 m | 3–4 hr |
| 9 | Acclimatisation day at Samdo, hike towards the Tibetan border trail | 3,860 m (up to about 4,500 m) | 3–4 hr |
| 10 | Samdo to Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi) | 4,460 m | 3–4 hr |
| 11 | Cross Larkya La to Bimthang | 5,106 m pass, about 3,590–3,720 m | 8–11 hr |
| 12 | Bimthang to Tilije (or on to Dharapani) | about 2,300 m | 5–7 hr |
| 13 | Walk or jeep to Dharapani, jeep to Besisahar, then bus or jeep to Kathmandu or Pokhara | about 1,900 m, then 760 m | 1–2 hr walk, 8–10 hr drive |
Altitudes vary between maps and agency sites by up to 100 m, and Larkya La itself is given as 5,106 m on most maps and 5,160 m on some. Walking times are for a steady pace with stops; your guide will adjust days to conditions and how the group is acclimatising. A jeep track now runs up the lower Budhi Gandaki and is being extended, so some agencies drive further than Machha Khola in the dry season and shorten day 2; the trade-off is losing some of the best lower-valley walking.
Older itineraries start walking at Soti Khola (about 710 m), a riverside village a few hours past Arughat. Today most agencies continue by bus or jeep to Machha Khola, roughly 15 km further, on a rough track carved along the river. In the monsoon and just after, buses often stop at Soti Khola and you either change to a local jeep or walk the first day to Machha Khola (around 5–6 hours via Lapubesi).
Walking from Soti Khola is not wasted time: it is a gentle warm-up at low altitude, with forest and waterfalls, and it lets your legs adjust before the long climb begins. If road conditions are poor, it is also the more predictable option. After the October 2026 floods, check which of the two your agency is planning and how they will get you past any damaged sections near Jagat.
Samagaun is a large Nubri village on a broad plain beneath Manaslu, with a monastery, lodges with wifi and the last reliable hot showers before the pass. Spend at least one full extra night here. Three classic day hikes:
Your guide should ask how you slept and check how you feel before choosing. The principle is to climb high and sleep low.
The crossing from Dharamsala (4,460 m) to Bimthang is the hardest day of the trek and one of the longest pass days in Nepal’s standard teahouse circuits. Groups usually leave between 3 and 5 am by headtorch to reach the top before the wind picks up. The climb is about 650 m over moraine and, in many seasons, snow; the crest is broad with prayer flags and a view of Himlung, Cheo Himal and Kang Guru.
The descent is longer than the ascent: about 1,400 m down to Bimthang, steep and sometimes icy at the top, then a long walk across ablation valleys. Expect 8 to 11 hours in total, and temperatures well below freezing at dawn in autumn. Carry microspikes in spring and late autumn, enough water, snacks and a warm layer you can reach. If there is heavy snowfall, the safe decision is to wait at Dharamsala or Samdo, which is another reason to keep a spare day.
From Bimthang the trail drops through rhododendron and pine forest to Karche and Goa, then to Tilije and the confluence with the Marsyangdi at Dharapani (around 1,900 m), on the Annapurna Circuit. Here you leave the Manaslu Conservation Area and show your ACAP permit.
A jeep road now reaches Tilije and sometimes higher, so many groups finish by jeep from Tilije or Dharapani to Besisahar (roughly 3–4 hours on a rough road), then take a bus or jeep onward to Kathmandu or Pokhara. If you have time, walking down to Dharapani from Tilije is pleasant and short. You can also turn north here and continue up the Annapurna Circuit, though you will need a new itinerary and a guide for that section too.
The Tsum Valley branches north from the main trail near Lokpa, between Jagat and Deng, and runs towards the Tibetan border. It is a separate restricted area with its own permit, and adds roughly 6–7 days. A typical loop goes Lokpa, Chumling (about 2,390 m), Chhokangparo (about 3,010 m), Nile and Mu Gompa (about 3,700 m), with Rachen Gompa nunnery and the Milarepa cave on the way, then back down to Chumling and on to Deng to rejoin the circuit.
Tsum is lower than the main circuit and makes a good acclimatisation lead-in before Samagaun. Lodges are simpler and fewer, and the lower Tsum trail lost a bridge near Lokpa in the October 2026 flood. Access reopened on temporary bridges in late October, so check its condition before you commit. Total trip length with Tsum is usually 18–21 days.
11–12 days: possible if you drive further up the valley, skip the Samdo rest day and drive out from Tilije. We only suggest it for trekkers who have recently been above 4,500 m.
Reverse direction: very rarely done, because climbing from Bimthang to the pass gains around 1,400 m in a day, which is too much for safe acclimatisation.
Manaslu plus Annapurna Circuit: from Dharapani, walk to Chame, Pisang and Manang, then over Thorong La to Muktinath. Allow 24–26 days in total.
Serang or Rupina La routes: remote variations used by some specialist operators; they involve camping and are outside the scope of this guide.
The region has one famous trek, the Manaslu Circuit, and a handful of variations built around it. All of them start up the same lower Budhi Gandaki valley, so the 2026 flood damage affects every route below except the far end of the Annapurna extension.
13–16 days from Kathmandu. Max 5,106 m. Strenuous. The classic loop: up the Budhi Gandaki from Machha Khola, through Nubri with acclimatisation days at Samagaun and Samdo, over the Larkya La and down to Dharapani. It suits fit trekkers with multi-day experience who want a real pass and few crowds. The day-by-day itinerary, costs and packing list are all on this page.
12–15 days from Kathmandu. Max about 3,700 m (Mu Gompa). Moderate. An out-and-back from Lokpa into the sacred Tsum Valley, visiting Chumling, Chhokangparo, Nile, Mu Gompa, Rachen Gompa and Milarepa’s Cave. No high pass, simpler lodges and some of the most traditional Tibetan Buddhist villages in Nepal. It suits culture-focused trekkers. The October 2026 flood destroyed a bridge on the way in. Access reopened on temporary bridges in late October, so check its status carefully.
18–22 days. Max 5,106 m. Strenuous. Tsum first, then rejoin the circuit at Deng and continue to Samagaun and the Larkya La. The Tsum days work as a gentle acclimatisation lead-in, so the high section feels easier. This is the best way to see the whole region if you have three weeks. You need both restricted area permits.
24–26 days. Max 5,416 m (Thorong La). Strenuous. Finish Manaslu at Dharapani, then walk up the Marsyangdi to Manang and over Thorong La to Muktinath. You arrive at Thorong La superbly acclimatised. Long, but one of the great Himalayan journeys. See our Annapurna Circuit guide for the second half.
1 extra day from Samagaun. Max about 4,800 m. Hard day. Not a separate trek but a long acclimatisation hike on the circuit, worth building in if you are strong and well. It can also be the focus of a shorter out-and-back trip to Samagaun for people who do not want to cross the pass, returning down the same valley.
Typically 16–20 days. Camping. Very strenuous. A handful of specialist operators run camping routes from the Gurung village of Barpak (the epicentre of the 2015 earthquake) over the Rupina La (about 4,600 m) into the Budhi Gandaki, or explore the Serang and Kutang areas. These involve tents, cooks and more remote terrain, and are outside the teahouse trekking we describe here.
| Trek | Days (from Kathmandu) | Max altitude | Difficulty | Lodges | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manaslu Circuit | 13–16 | 5,106 m | Strenuous | Teahouses | A real pass, few crowds |
| Tsum Valley | 12–15 | about 3,700 m | Moderate | Simple lodges, homestays | Monasteries, village life |
| Manaslu + Tsum | 18–22 | 5,106 m | Strenuous | Teahouses | Seeing the whole region |
| Manaslu + Annapurna Circuit | 24–26 | 5,416 m | Strenuous | Teahouses | Long double-pass journey |
| Out-and-back to Samagaun / Base Camp | 11–13 | about 4,800 m | Moderate to hard | Teahouses | Manaslu views without the pass |
| Rupina La | 16–20 | about 4,600 m | Very strenuous | Camping | Experienced, remote-minded trekkers |
Day counts include the drive in and out and assume sensible acclimatisation. Agencies vary by a day or two either way. Compare these with other routes in our trekking in Nepal guide.
Honestly: strenuous, but within reach of a fit person with no technical climbing skills. There is no rope work on the normal route in good conditions. What makes it hard is the combination of long days, constant up and down in the lower valley, basic lodges and a very long pass day at over 5,000 m.
You sleep below 2,000 m for the first three nights, which is gentle. The key gains are Namrung (2,630 m) to Lho (around 3,180 m) to Samagaun (around 3,530 m), then Samdo (around 3,860 m) and Dharamsala (4,460 m). Above 3,000 m, the usual guidance is not to increase your sleeping altitude by more than about 300 to 500 m a night, with a rest day for every 1,000 m or so. The itinerary above follows that pattern, which is why the Samagaun and Samdo days matter.
Dharamsala is cold and high, and many people sleep badly there; that is normal. What is not normal is a worsening headache that painkillers do not touch, vomiting, confusion or breathlessness at rest. Read our guide to altitude sickness; the advice applies equally to Manaslu.
Aim to be comfortable walking 6 hours with a 7–8 kg daypack, two days in a row, with plenty of climbing. Over 8 to 12 weeks before you go:
Our training plan for Everest Base Camp is a good template; add more downhill work for the Larkya La descent. Trekking poles help a great deal.
Manaslu is one of Nepal’s restricted areas, so the rules are stricter than on most popular treks. Here is what applies at the time of writing (October 2026). Fees and rules change, sometimes at short notice, so ask your agency to confirm before you pay.
| Permit | Cost (foreign nationals) | Approx. GBP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, September to November | US$100 for the first 7 days, then US$15 a day | about £75 plus £11 a day | Through a registered agency only. Covers roughly Jagat to Dharamsala. |
| Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, December to August | US$75 for the first 7 days, then US$10 a day | about £57 plus £8 a day | Same rules; cheaper off-season rate. |
| Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (optional) | about US$40 for the first 7 days (Sep–Nov) or US$30 (Dec–Aug), then about US$7 a day | about £23–30 | Only if you add the Tsum extension. |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) | NPR 3,000 (SAARC nationals NPR 1,000) | about £17 | Covers Jagat to Bimthang. Issued by NTNC. |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | NPR 3,000 (SAARC nationals NPR 1,000) | about £17 | Needed from Bimthang/Dharapani onwards. Checked on the exit. |
| Chumnubri Rural Municipality fee | reported as NPR 1,000 | about £6 | Local fee collected around Jagat; amount not confirmed by an official source. |
For the 13-day itinerary above, you are inside the restricted area for about 9 days, so in autumn the RAP costs about US$130 (about £100) and in spring about US$95 (about £72). Conversions assume roughly NPR 175–180 to £1 and US$1 to about 75–78p.
MCAP and ACAP can be issued through NTNC’s online system or by your agency in Kathmandu; buying conservation area permits at a checkpoint can cost more. Children under ten are generally exempt from conservation area fees, but confirm restricted area charges for children.
Since 1 April 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board has required foreign trekkers to hire a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas across most of the country. For Manaslu this changed little, as restricted areas already required a guide. The TIMS card is officially part of the system, but on restricted area treks the RAP is the document that is checked and most agencies report TIMS is not issued or checked for Manaslu. If your agency includes it, that is fine.
| Style | Typical total (13–14 days, from Kathmandu) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Permits, guide and transport only (you pay lodges yourself) | roughly US$1,000–1,400 per person in a pair, more if solo, plus US$30–40 a day for food and rooms | Agency arranges permits and a licensed guide; you pay teahouses and extras as you go |
| Standard full-board package | roughly US$1,300–2,200 (about £1,000–1,700) | Permits, guide, porter, all lodges and meals on trek, transport, often Kathmandu hotel nights |
| Premium small-group or tailor-made | roughly US$2,500–4,000+ | Experienced senior guides, better ground transport, extra days, Kathmandu hotels, sometimes a helicopter exit |
These are typical market ranges from current agency listings, not quotes. Very cheap prices usually mean underpaid staff, overloaded porters or cut acclimatisation days.
The best months are October and November, followed by late March to May. Both windows give you a realistic chance of a clear, snow-free Larkya La crossing. For a Nepal-wide view, see our best season to travel in Nepal guide.
| Months | Weather | Crowds | Views and trail |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Cold at altitude, warming lower down; snow possible on the pass | Low to moderate | Clear mornings; Larkya La may need microspikes |
| April to May | Mild and mostly dry; haze and afternoon cloud increase in May | Moderate | Rhododendrons in flower below Bimthang; second-best season |
| June to August | Monsoon: heavy rain, leeches, landslides, road closures | Very low | Cloudy; high landslide and flood risk in the Budhi Gandaki |
| September | Monsoon tailing off; rain early in the month | Moderate | Lush lower valley; roads and trails can still be damaged |
| October | Stable, dry and clear; cold nights high up | Highest on this trek | Best visibility; book lodges and permits early |
| November | Dry and clear, colder; first snow possible late month | Moderate to high | Excellent views; nights well below freezing at Dharamsala |
| December to February | Very cold; heavy snow can close Larkya La | Very low | Some upper lodges close; only for experienced winter trekkers with a flexible plan |
Even on a crowded October day, Manaslu is quiet by Everest standards, but the best lodges in Samagaun, Samdo and Dharamsala do fill up. Dharamsala in particular has limited beds, and late arrivals can end up in a dormitory or a dining room.
The Budhi Gandaki is a steep, narrow valley that floods and slides in heavy rain. In 2026 the trail suffered a flash flood near Namrung in early September and a larger flood in the lower valley in October, which is outside the monsoon. Whatever month you choose, build in at least one or two spare days and use an agency that monitors trail conditions.
Villages are listed in the order you reach them on the standard anticlockwise circuit, followed by the two main Tsum Valley stops. Altitudes vary by 50 to 100 m between maps and agencies; we give typical figures.
The usual first night: a riverside village of simple lodges where the road from Arughat and Soti Khola gives out, named after the ‘fish river’ that joins the Budhi Gandaki here. It is hot, low and full of the noise of the river, with banana trees and rice fields around. Lodges are basic but have dal bhat, charging and sometimes hot showers. Buses and jeeps reach it in the dry season; after the monsoon and the October 2026 flood, you may have to walk from Soti Khola (about 5 to 6 hours). On: Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley.
A paved, stone-flagged village at the entrance to the Manaslu Conservation Area, where the first permit checkpoint sits. It has long been a key stop for both the circuit and the Tsum Valley. Jagat was badly hit in the 11 October 2026 flood: the Kathmandu Post reported hotels at Tallo Bagar swept away and the trail to Philim destroyed, with conservation officials saying Jagat was cut off from both directions. Expect rebuilding, temporary trails and fewer beds in the 2026–27 seasons. On: Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley.
A small cluster of lodges in a narrow, forested section of the gorge, just beyond the Lokpa junction for the Tsum Valley. Deng marks the start of the transition from Gurung and Hindu villages to the Buddhist Nubri area, and you begin to see mani walls and prayer flags. It is a quiet, simple overnight stop rather than a place to linger. Day 3 on most circuit itineraries, reached from Jagat via Salleri and Philim. On: Manaslu Circuit.
The gateway to Nubri and the first village where the trail feels properly mountainous. There is a permit checkpoint, some of the better lodges on the lower route, paid wifi and good views of Siringi Himal and, on clear mornings, Ganesh Himal. The September 2026 flood destroyed a bridge on the Therang Khola nearby; a temporary crossing was built. Above Namrung the houses change to stone and timber with flat roofs. Day 4 on most itineraries. On: Manaslu Circuit.
A Nubri village spread along a terrace, famous for the view of Manaslu behind Ribung Gompa. Many trekkers stay here rather than walk straight through, because sunrise from the monastery is a highlight of the trek. Lodges are simple and cold at night; carry a warm sleeping bag from here on. It is reached in 4 to 5 hours from Namrung via Lihi and Sho, and it is a good first night above 3,000 m. On: Manaslu Circuit.
The largest village in Nubri and the heart of the region: a broad plain of barley fields, stone houses and yak herds beneath Manaslu, with a monastery and school. It has the best lodges above Namrung, paid wifi, a few shops and the last reliable hot showers before the pass. Everyone should spend at least two nights here for acclimatisation, with day hikes to Birendra Tal, Pungyen Gompa or Manaslu Base Camp. Basic health posts exist, but serious problems mean descent or a helicopter. On: Manaslu Circuit, Manaslu Base Camp.
A windswept village of Tibetan origin, settled by families from across the border, and the last permanent settlement before the Larkya La. It sits on a high shelf with wide views and is a three to four hour walk from Samagaun. Most good itineraries include a second acclimatisation night here, with a hike towards the Tibetan border trail. Lodges are basic and cold, and food prices rise. On: Manaslu Circuit.
Not a village but a high camp: a handful of stone lodges and, in peak weeks, overflow dormitories and tents at the foot of the pass. It is the most basic and coldest night of the trek, and many people sleep poorly; that is normal at this height. Dinner is early and the alarm is usually set for 2 or 3 am. Beds are limited in October, so arrive in good time. If anyone shows serious altitude symptoms here, the safe move is down to Samdo, not over the pass. On: Manaslu Circuit.
The first stop after the Larkya La, on a grassy plain below the Ponkar Glacier with arguably the best mountain panorama of the trek: Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and the west face of Manaslu. Lodges are basic but welcome after a 9 to 11 hour day. If your schedule allows, an extra night here is a pleasant reward and lets you walk up to the glacier. Bimthang marks the move from the Manaslu Conservation Area into the Annapurna Conservation Area. On: Manaslu Circuit.
The end point of the circuit, where the Dudh Khola joins the Marsyangdi in Manang district. It is a road-side village on the Annapurna Circuit, with lodges, shops and jeeps down to Besisahar. ACAP permits are checked here. From Dharapani you can drive out to Besisahar and on to Kathmandu or Pokhara, or turn north towards Chame and Manang to continue on the Annapurna Circuit. Jeeps now often pick up at Tilije, a little higher.
The main settlement of upper Tsum: two neighbouring villages, Chhokang and Paro, on a wide, sunny shelf with views towards Ganesh Himal. Houses are stone with firewood stacked on the roofs, and fields of barley and buckwheat surround them. It is the usual base for visiting Milarepa’s Cave and the Rachen Gompa nunnery. Lodges and homestays are simple. Reached from Chumling in about 5 to 6 hours. On: Tsum Valley.
The high point of most Tsum itineraries: the valley’s largest monastery, close to the Tibetan border, above the last villages of Nile and Chhule. Accommodation is very basic, in the monastery guesthouse or a nearby simple lodge, and nights are cold. Many groups walk up from Nile for the day and return. Expect a working monastery with resident monks, morning prayers and very few visitors. Bring a warm layer for the prayer hall and leave a small donation if you stay. On: Tsum Valley.
The whole circuit is now possible on a teahouse basis, with lodges in every overnight village. Standards are simpler than on the Everest or Annapurna trails, but improving every year.
Menus are similar to other Nepal trails: dal bhat (rice, lentils and vegetable curry, usually with free refills), noodles, fried rice, potatoes, momos, porridge, pancakes and eggs. Prices climb with altitude because everything is carried in. As a rough guide, dal bhat is about NPR 500–700 (£3–4) in the lower valley and NPR 900–1,200 (£5–7) above 3,500 m. Most trekkers spend about US$25–40 (£20–30) a day on food and rooms if they pay as they go.
Dal bhat is the best value and the safest choice, as it is cooked fresh. Be cautious with meat higher up, where it may have been carried in without refrigeration.
Do not drink untreated tap or stream water. Bottled water is sold but adds plastic waste in an area with no collection system. Carry a filter or purification tablets and refill from lodge taps, or buy boiled water at lodges. Drink 3 to 4 litres a day at altitude.
Walking up the Budhi Gandaki is a walk through cultural zones as well as climate zones. Knowing the broad picture makes the trek more interesting. For a wider introduction, see our guide to culture in Nepal.
From Arughat to around Jagat and Philim, most villages are Gurung, with Magar, Brahmin, Chhetri and Dalit families too. Religion is a mix of Hinduism, Buddhism and older local traditions. Houses are often whitewashed or slate-roofed, with terraces of rice, millet and maize. Many Gurung families have a long tradition of service in the British and Indian Gurkha regiments, and you may meet former soldiers running lodges.
Above Deng and especially beyond Namrung, you enter Nubri, whose people (Nubriba) are of Tibetan origin and speak a Tibetan dialect. They follow Tibetan Buddhism, mostly of the Nyingma tradition. Villages are compact and built of stone and timber, with long mani walls carved with prayers, chortens at the entrance to each settlement, and kani (arched gateways) to walk through. Life revolves around barley, potatoes, buckwheat and yak and sheep herding, with seasonal trade with Tibet that was once central to the economy.
The Tsumba of the Tsum Valley also speak their own Tibetan dialect and have strong traditions of their own. The valley is regarded as a beyul, a sacred hidden valley, and since the 1920s local leaders and monks have upheld an agreement against killing animals, so there is no hunting, fishing or slaughter. Polyandry, in which brothers share a wife, has persisted in some families. The valley was opened to foreign trekkers in 2008, so tourism is young and the culture very little changed.
Manaslu is remote. Help is often a day’s walk or a helicopter flight away, and weather can close helicopter access. Good preparation and a competent guide matter more here than on busier trails. Our safety tips for trekking in Nepal cover the basics.
2026 has been a difficult year for the Budhi Gandaki valley. On 6 September a flood on the Therang Khola near Namrung destroyed bridges and the local district office suspended travel on the circuit until temporary routes were in place. Then on 11 to 12 October a landslide-dammed flash flood swept down the lower valley, washing away bridges and trail between roughly Machha Khola, Jagat and Philim and damaging the Arughat road and the Lokpa bridge on the Tsum Valley trail. More than 100 trekkers were temporarily stranded and some were evacuated by helicopter.
By 25 October, the Kathmandu Post reported that trekkers had been returning since 16 October and were walking from Jagat through Philim towards Larkya La, with vehicles reaching Khorlabesi and the rest on foot to Jagat. Nepal’s trekking agencies’ association (TAAN) said the same day that the circuit had reopened on partial repairs and that permits were available. Access to the Tsum Valley reopened temporarily on temporary wooden bridges around the same time.
Cyclone Arnab then brought heavy snow, and restricted-area permits were suspended from 29 to 31 October. We couldn’t find a route report since the storm, or a notice that permit issuing has formally resumed. If you are travelling in late 2026 or 2027, ask your agency for a current, specific route plan, including Larkya La snow and the repaired sections. Our Nepal trekking after the floods page has the wider picture.
You need travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking up to at least 5,200 m and helicopter rescue. Check the altitude limit and whether you must be with a licensed guide (you will be). See do I need travel insurance for trekking? for what to look for.
At the time of writing (October 2026), the FCDO does not advise against travel to Nepal. Its advice highlights flooding and landslide risk in Gorkha and other districts after the severe flooding in Rasuwa in August 2026, reminds trekkers that a guide or porter is required in protected areas and that trekking alone is not advised, and notes that protests and strikes can start at short notice, as in the September 2025 unrest in Kathmandu. Check the latest FCDO travel advice for Nepal before you book and again before you fly.
Snow can fall on Larkya La in any month. A good guide will turn back or wait if the pass is unsafe. Do not let a tight flight schedule push you over in bad conditions; keep a spare day.
Porters on Manaslu carry heavy loads over a 5,000 m pass in cold conditions. Choose an agency that limits loads (around 20–25 kg for two trekkers’ kit), provides proper clothing, footwear and sunglasses, insures its staff and pays fair wages. Ask how they look after porters on the pass day; a good company will have a clear answer.
There is no airport on the Manaslu Circuit, so you reach the trailhead by road from Kathmandu. The route runs west on the Prithvi Highway to Dhading Besi or via Gorkha, then north to Arughat and up the Budhi Gandaki to Soti Khola and Machha Khola. The last stretch is a rough, single-lane dirt road that is often slow and sometimes blocked.
| Leg | Option | Time | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu to Machha Khola or Soti Khola | Local bus from Kathmandu’s main bus park area (early morning) | 8–10 hr | about US$10–15 (NPR 1,500–2,500, £8–14) per person |
| Kathmandu to Machha Khola | Private jeep (up to 6–7 people) | 7–9 hr | about US$150–280 per vehicle |
| Tilije or Dharapani to Besisahar | Shared or private local jeep | 3–4 hr | about US$15–30 per seat, or US$100–150 per vehicle |
| Besisahar to Kathmandu | Tourist or local bus | 6–8 hr | about US$8–12 (NPR 1,000–1,600) |
| Besisahar to Pokhara | Local bus | 4–6 hr | about US$5–10 |
| Dharapani to Kathmandu | Private jeep, door to door | 8–10 hr | about US$200–300 per vehicle |
Fares are approximate, from current agency and transport guides; they change with fuel prices, season and road damage. Most packages include transport, typically a private jeep for small groups or a reserved bus seat for budget trips.
From Dharapani or Tilije, local jeeps run down the Marsyangdi valley to Besisahar, the district headquarters of Lamjung. From Besisahar there are frequent buses to Kathmandu and to Pokhara. Many people end in Pokhara for a few days of rest by the lake before flying or driving back. A private jeep from Dharapani all the way to Kathmandu takes a long day but avoids the change at Besisahar.
You walk from subtropical valleys to a 5,000 m pass in about ten days, so layers are everything. Keep your porter bag to around 10–12 kg and your daypack to 6–8 kg. Our full trekking packing list applies to Manaslu; the points below are specific to this route.
Gear can be rented or bought cheaply in Thamel in Kathmandu, especially sleeping bags and down jackets.
Manaslu ends where several other great Nepal trips begin, so it is easy to extend.
From Dharapani, turn north up the Marsyangdi to Manang and cross Thorong La to Muktinath. It makes a long, superbly acclimatised double-pass trip. Read our Annapurna Circuit guide.
The quieter, more spiritual side valley branching off the Manaslu trail. Add 6–7 days and a separate permit. Read our full Tsum Valley trek guide.
Recover in Pokhara after the trek, or add the short Poon Hill trek for sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South.
If you want big mountain scenery on a shorter, better-supported trail, our Annapurna Base Camp trek is a strong alternative or a second trip.
The classic. Busier, with better lodges and a flight to Lukla. See our Everest Base Camp trek.
Compare all the main routes in our trekking in Nepal guide. When you are ready, tell us your dates, experience and how much time you have, and we will help you plan a Manaslu trek with a licensed guide, sensible acclimatisation and a current route plan: plan your trip with Get Lost Forever.
Related guides to read next.
The Himalayan Trek Packing Checklist
Every item you need for a teahouse trek, plus weight limits and what to rent in Kathmandu. Free and printable.
No. Manaslu is a restricted area, and the permit is only issued through a registered Nepali trekking agency with a licensed guide assigned. Independent trekking is not allowed and permits are checked at several points along the trail.
Since March 2026, the Department of Immigration allows solo trekkers to get restricted area permits through an agency, as long as a licensed guide is assigned. Previously at least two foreign trekkers were needed. You still cannot walk without a guide, and solo trips cost more per person.
From September to November it is US$100 for the first seven days and US$15 for each extra day. From December to August it is US$75 for the first week and US$10 a day after that. You also need MCAP and ACAP permits at NPR 3,000 each.
It is strenuous but non-technical. Expect 5 to 7 hours of walking most days, a rugged lower valley and an 8 to 11 hour pass day over Larkya La at 5,106 m. Good fitness and previous multi-day hiking experience are strongly recommended.
Plan on 13 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu for the standard route with two acclimatisation days, plus a spare day for weather or transport. With the Tsum Valley extension, allow 18 to 21 days.
Reports say yes, on partial repairs. Trekkers were walking from Jagat through Philim to Larkya La by 25 October 2026, with vehicles reaching Khorlabesi. Cyclone Arnab then brought heavy snow and a short permit suspension, and we found no route report since. Check with your agency for the latest status.
Larkya La (5,106 m) is lower than Thorong La (5,416 m), but Manaslu is usually considered a little harder overall: the lodges are more basic, the lower valley is rougher, and help is further away. The pass days are similar in length.
It depends what you want. Everest Base Camp offers iconic views and better lodges, with more people. Manaslu offers a full circuit, fewer trekkers and a stronger sense of remoteness, but needs a restricted area permit and a long drive in.
In practice, most agencies report that TIMS is not checked on Manaslu because the restricted area permit takes its place. Your agency will advise; rules change, so it is worth asking when you book.
Partly. There is mobile signal in parts of the lower valley and paid lodge wifi in larger villages such as Namrung and Samagaun, but it is slow and often down. Expect several days with little or no connection.
October and November give the most stable weather and clearest views, though nights are cold. April and May are also good, with rhododendrons on the descent from Larkya La. Avoid June to August because of monsoon rain and landslides.
In northern Gorkha district, west-central Nepal, between the Annapurna and Ganesh Himal ranges and bordering Tibet. The trek ends in neighbouring Manang district. The trailhead is roughly a 7 to 10 hour drive from Kathmandu.
A sacred Tibetan Buddhist side valley in the north-east of the Manaslu area, opened to trekkers in 2008. It has monasteries such as Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa, Milarepa’s Cave and a no-killing tradition. It needs a separate permit and adds about 6 to 7 days to the circuit.
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By Govind Rai · Updated 3 November 2026The tick-box kit list for Everest Base Camp, Annapurna and every teahouse trek in Nepal.
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