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Manaslu · 16 days · Level 5

Manaslu Circuit

A demanding circuit through the Budhi Gandaki valley to Samagaun, Larkya La and the Annapurna trail at Dharapani.

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Mount Manaslu rising above the Budhi Gandaki valley
Photo: Pratapgrg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Day by day

Sample 16-day itinerary

  1. 01

    Kathmandu → Machha Khola

    Travel by road to the lower Budhi Gandaki.

  2. 02

    Machha Khola → Jagat

    Follow the gorge through Khorlabesi and Tatopani.

  3. 03

    Jagat → Deng

    Enter the restricted route and continue through the narrowing valley.

  4. 04

    Deng → Namrung

    Climb through forest and stone villages.

  5. 05

    Namrung → Lho

    Continue toward the upper Nubri valley.

  6. 06

    Lho → Samagaun

    Walk beneath Manaslu to Samagaun.

  7. 07

    Samagaun acclimatisation

    Keep a rest and acclimatisation day with a local walk selected by the guide.

  8. 08

    Samagaun → Samdo

    Make a shorter day into higher, drier terrain.

  9. 09

    Samdo acclimatisation

    Hold a second flexible day before the pass approach.

  10. 10

    Samdo → Dharamsala

    Move to the high camp only if lodge, trail and weather conditions allow.

  11. 11

    Dharamsala → Larkya La → Bimthang

    Cross the pass early with the guide and descend to Bimthang.

  12. 12

    Bimthang → Gho

    Descend through alpine meadows and forest.

  13. 13

    Gho → Dharapani

    Join the Annapurna trail network at Dharapani.

  14. 14

    Dharapani → Besisahar

    Travel out by local road connection.

  15. 15

    Besisahar → Kathmandu

    Return to Kathmandu by road.

  16. 16

    Contingency day

    Keep one flexible day for weather, trail or transport changes.

Before you go

Manaslu Circuit: common questions

How many days is the Manaslu Circuit trek?

A common itinerary is 16 days starting and finishing at Machha Khola and Dharapani. Add buffer time for weather, road conditions and, where relevant, domestic flights.

How high does the Manaslu Circuit trek go?

The highest point on this itinerary is about 5,106 m. Because you sleep above 3,000 m, plan a gradual ascent and treat headache with nausea, dizziness or unusual fatigue as possible acute mountain sickness.

What permits does the Manaslu Circuit trek need?

Restricted-area permit, licensed guide and registered agency arrangements are required; conservation-area permits also apply. Check the current Nepal Tourism Board and Department of Immigration pages close to departure, and ask a government-registered agency to name every permit your itinerary requires.

When is the best season for the Manaslu Circuit trek?

October–November and March–May. Winter is colder with snow higher up; the monsoon brings rain, cloud and, on some trails, leeches.

What makes the Manaslu Circuit a restricted trek?

Part of the route lies in a restricted area near the Tibetan border. It requires a restricted-area permit, a licensed guide and arrangements through a registered agency, plus conservation-area permits. Solo trekking is not permitted on the restricted section.

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