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Manaslu · 16 days · From $1,188

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
Your time on the trail

Every day, a little further.

16 days from Machha Khola. Select a day to explore where it takes you.

  1. Travel by road to the lower Budhi Gandaki.

    Machha Khola

  2. Follow the gorge through Khorlabesi and Tatopani.

  3. Enter the restricted route and continue through the narrowing valley.

  4. Climb through forest and stone villages.

  5. Continue toward the upper Nubri valley.

  6. Walk beneath Manaslu to Samagaun.

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

  8. Make a shorter day into higher, drier terrain.

  9. Hold a second flexible day before the pass approach.

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

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

  12. Descend through alpine meadows and forest.

  13. Join the Annapurna trail network at Dharapani.

  14. Travel out by local road connection.

  15. Return to Kathmandu by road.

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

Before you set off
Highest point
5,106 m
Season
October–November and March–May
Stay
Teahouses with limited facilities

Restricted-area permit, licensed guide and registered agency arrangements are required; conservation-area permits also apply.

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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.

What does the Manaslu Circuit trek cost?

From $1,188 per person. Final cost depends on your dates, group size and agreed inclusions. Ask for an itemised quote before booking.

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