Pokhara & Annapurna, Manaslu
A restricted-area teahouse trek around Manaslu (8,163 m), up the Budhi Gandaki gorge through Gurung and Nubri villages, over the Larkya La (about 5,106 m) and down to Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit.
The Manaslu Circuit walks around the world's eighth-highest mountain. It starts in the low, hot gorge of the Budhi Gandaki in Gorkha district, climbs through Gurung villages and forest into the Tibetan Buddhist valley of Nubri, crosses the Larkya La at about 5,106 m, and descends into Manang district to join the Annapurna Circuit at Dharapani.
Teahouses now line the whole route, including a basic stop at Dharmasala below the pass, so camping is no longer needed. Because the upper valley is a restricted area, trekkers must travel with a registered agency and a licensed guide, and numbers are far lower than on the Annapurna Circuit.
The circuit packs a lot of change into under two weeks: suspension bridges and waterfalls low down, mani walls and gompas in Nubri, close views of Manaslu from Samagaun, and a long, cold pass day with Himlung Himal and the Annapurna peaks ahead.
Why it is rated strenuous
Sleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Machha Khola | 900 m | - |
| 2 | Jagat | 1,340 m | - |
| 3 | Deng | 1,860 m | - |
| 4 | Namrung | 2,630 m | - |
| 5 | Samagaun | 3,530 m | - |
| 6 | Samagaun (rest) | 3,530 m | 4,800 m |
| 7 | Samdo | 3,860 m | - |
| 8 | Samdo (rest) | 3,860 m | - |
| 9 | Dharmasala | 4,460 m | - |
| 10 | Bimthang | 3,590 m | 5,106 m |
| 11 | Dharapani | 1,900 m | - |
| 12 | Kathmandu | 1,400 m | - |
About 8 to 10 hours by jeep via Dhading Besi or Gorkha, Arughat and Soti Khola; the last section is rough dirt road. Depending on road conditions some groups stop at Soti Khola and walk from there.
Teahouse in Machha KholaAbout Machha Khola
Up the narrowing gorge via Khorlabesi, the hot springs at Tatopani and Dobhan, with suspension bridges and a cantilevered walkway near Yaru. Permits are checked at Jagat, the start of the restricted area.
Teahouse in JagatAbout Jagat
Over a ridge to Salleri and Sirdibas, through the Gurung village of Philim and on via Ekle Bhatti into a quiet gorge of bamboo and rhododendron, crossing the river several times.
Teahouse in DengAbout Deng
Across the Budhi Gandaki and up through forest via Rana, Bihi Phedi and Ghap, where mani walls and chortens mark the start of Buddhist Nubri, then a sustained climb to Namrung.
Teahouse in NamrungAbout Namrung
Through alpine forest and meadows to Lho, with its gompa and views of Manaslu, then past Shyala to Samagaun on the broad valley floor. This day gains about 900 m; Lho (about 3,100 m) is a gentler stop.
Teahouse in SamagaunAbout Samagaun
Walk to Pungyen Gompa or Birendra Tal, or for strong, well-acclimatised walkers, a full day up towards Manaslu Base Camp (about 4,800 m), returning to sleep in Samagaun.
Teahouse in SamagaunAbout Samagaunhigh point Manaslu Base Camp (optional), 4,800 m
A short walk up the open valley past mani walls and yak pastures to Samdo, the last permanent village before the pass.
Teahouse in SamdoAbout Samdo
Climb a few hundred metres above the village and return to sleep low. Some itineraries skip this day, but it makes the pass safer and more comfortable.
Teahouse in SamdoAbout Samdo
Across the upper Budhi Gandaki and up over pasture and moraine to the seasonal stop below the pass. Rest, eat early and prepare for a pre-dawn start.
Basic teahouse or tent at DharmasalaAbout Dharmasala
Leave before dawn and climb across moraine and, often, snow to the prayer flags on the Larkya La, with views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal and Kang Guru. A steep, loose descent of more than 1,400 m leads to the meadows of Bimthang.
Teahouse in BimthangAbout Bimthanghigh point Larkya La, 5,106 m
Down through pine and rhododendron forest along the Dudh Khola via Tilije and Thonje to Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit, where the ACAP permit is checked.
Teahouse in DharapaniAbout Dharapani
By jeep down the Marsyangdi to Besisahar, roughly 4-6 hours, then by bus or car to Kathmandu, roughly 5-7 hours more; many groups split this with a night in Besisahar. Alternatively continue on foot up the Annapurna Circuit.
Hotel in KathmanduAbout Kathmandu
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Trail geometry from OpenStreetMap.
Manaslu restricted area permitRestricted area
Issued by the Department of Immigration through a registered agency for the restricted area from around Jagat. Its fee table lists USD 100 per week plus USD 15 per extra day (September to November) and USD 75 per week plus USD 10 per extra day (December to August).
Manaslu Conservation Area entry permit (MCAP)Conservation area
Arranged in Kathmandu with the other permits. The Nepal Tourism Board's fee table lists NRs 3,000 per entry for foreign visitors.
Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit (ACAP)Conservation area
Needed because the trek exits through Bimthang and Dharapani in Manang district. The Nepal Tourism Board's fee table lists NRs 3,000 per entry for foreign visitors.
TIMS cardTrekker card
Check whether a TIMS card is currently required in addition to the restricted area permit; your agency will advise.
Local rural municipality feeLocal
A local fee has been reported as collected in Chumnubri Rural Municipality; check whether it currently applies.
Restricted area
Restricted-area permits are issued by the Department of Immigration only through a government-registered trekking agency, for trekkers accompanied by a licensed guide; the rules have long required a minimum group of two trekkers, and changes have been reported, so confirm the current rule with the Department of Immigration or a licensed agency.Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of Immigration: Trekking route and permit fee. Guide rule: Nepal Tourism Board: TIMS card and trekking guide rule.
Nepal trekking permits explainedBest months: Mar-May, Oct-Nov
Nearest hub: Kathmandu. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By busfrom KathmanduLocal buses
Public buses run from Kathmandu as far as Arughat or Soti Khola; the last rough stretch up the valley is normally a shared jeep, so a through bus band would be misleading.
When to set off: morning departures from Kathmandu, by about 07:00
By car or jeepfrom Kathmanduabout 8-10 h
A hired jeep is the usual way in: sealed road as far as Dhading Besi or Gorkha, then an unpaved hill road through Arughat to Soti Khola, and on up the valley to Machha Khola when the track allows.
Road: Sealed to Dhading Besi or Gorkha, then a largely unpaved hill road through Arughat; a jeep or 4WD is normally needed and the upper sections are monsoon-affected.
When to set off: leave Kathmandu by about 06:00 to reach the roadhead in daylight
By motorbikefrom Kathmanduabout 9-12 hExperienced riders only
Riders do reach the Manaslu roadhead, but the stretch beyond Arughat is rough, dusty and exposed, with river crossings and loose surfaces, so it suits experienced off-road riders only.
Road: Highway to Dhading Besi, then an unpaved hill road with loose gravel, steep pitches and stream crossings beyond Arughat.
When to set off: start early; the unpaved section beyond Arughat is slow going
On footfrom Soti Kholaabout 6-7 h6-7 h from Soti Khola, up and down beside the river with a net gain of only about 150-200 m
Most trekkers who drive straight to Machha Khola skip this stage; walked, it is a gentle but long first day.
Typical seasonal exposure along the route, merged from the stops that have a place page. Seasonal patterns only, never conditions today.
Altitudehigh in a typical yearAll year
At roughly 3,000-5,106 m on the circuit, thin air affects most people. General information, not medical advice: gain height slowly, build in acclimatisation days, learn the symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, nausea, breathlessness, broken sleep) and go down if they get worse. See a doctor before travelling and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Recorded for Manaslu, Samagaun, Samdo, Dharmasala (Larke Phedi) and 1 more. Manaslu Trek, Wikivoyage
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Budhi Gandaki gorge is one of the more landslide-prone trekking corridors in Nepal and the monsoon months of June to September are generally avoided because of rain-slicked trails and slope failures.
Recorded for Manaslu, Machha Khola, Jagat (Gorkha), Deng and 5 more. Manaslu Trek, Wikivoyage
Road blockageshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The largely unpaved road beyond Arughat is prone to landslide blockages and washouts during the June to September monsoon, when most of Nepal's annual rain falls.
Recorded for Manaslu, Machha Khola, Jagat (Gorkha), Kathmandu. Climate of Nepal, Wikipedia
River crossingshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The route crosses the Budhi Gandaki repeatedly on suspension bridges, and near Yaru a cantilever walkway carries the trail along the gorge wall. These are the most exposed sections when the river runs high in the monsoon.
Recorded for Manaslu, Machha Khola, Jagat (Gorkha), Deng and 2 more. Manaslu Trek, Wikivoyage
Seasonal closurehigh in a typical yearDec-Feb
Heavy snow often blocks the Larkya La in deep winter and many upper lodges shut for the season, so the crossing is rarely attempted between December and February.
Recorded for Manaslu, Samdo, Dharmasala (Larke Phedi), Bimthang. Manaslu Trek, Wikivoyage
Snowhigh in a typical yearNov-Apr
Heavy snow lies on the Larkya La and the upper Nubri villages through the winter and into March, and upper lodges are seasonal.
Recorded for Manaslu, Namrung, Samagaun, Samdo and 2 more. Manaslu Trek, Wikivoyage
Coldhigh in a typical yearOct-Mar
Nights are below freezing above about 3,500 m in both trekking seasons and far colder in winter.
Recorded for Manaslu, Namrung, Samagaun, Samdo and 3 more. Manaslu Trek, Wikivoyage
Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Aug, Dec-Apr
Leeches are common on the forested lower trail through the monsoon, which is one reason most trekkers avoid these months.
Recorded for Manaslu, Machha Khola, Jagat (Gorkha), Deng and 2 more. Manaslu Trek, Wikivoyage
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Riverside settlements and trail sections beside the Budhi Gandaki sit close to the water, and monsoon rain raises the river and its side streams quickly.
Recorded for Machha Khola, Jagat (Gorkha), Deng, Kathmandu. Climate of Nepal, Wikipedia
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-May
At about 900 m the gorge is hot and close in April and May, before the monsoon breaks.
Recorded for Machha Khola. Climate of Nepal, Wikipedia
Check current conditions before you travel
Nothing here describes the Manaslu Circuit Trek today. Trail, road, pass and flight conditions change with the weather and with roadworks. Check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal and the local authority or your licensed operator before and during the trek.
Forecasts for start (Machha Khola, 900 m), highest overnight (Dharmasala, 4,460 m), end (Kathmandu, 1,400 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
Forecast for 900 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Forecast for 4,460 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Forecast for 1,400 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Branch off at Lokpa, north of Philim, for 6-8 extra days in the Buddhist Tsum Valley before rejoining the circuit; needs a separate restricted area permit.
A strenuous day from Samagaun to about 4,800 m above the Manaslu glacier, used as an acclimatisation hike.
Continue on the Annapurna Circuit
From Dharapani, walk on to Manang and over the Thorong La while already acclimatised; adds about a week.
From the Marsyangdi, extend into the restricted Nar and Phu valleys.
About 12 to 16 days from Kathmandu, including the drives and two acclimatisation days. Adding the Tsum Valley takes it to about 18 to 22 days.
No. Manaslu is a restricted area: permits are issued only through a registered agency, for trekkers with a licensed guide, and a minimum group of two has long been required. Confirm the current rule.
It is the crux of the trek: a pass of about 5,106 m crossed in an 8-10 hour day from Dharmasala, often with snow. Good acclimatisation and settled weather are essential.
The Department of Immigration lists USD 100 per week plus USD 15 per extra day from September to November, and USD 75 per week plus USD 10 per extra day from December to August. MCAP and ACAP entry permits are extra. Verify current fees.
October and November, then March to May. Winter snow often closes the pass, and the monsoon brings landslides in the gorge.
A restricted-area trek from the Budhi Gandaki into the Buddhist Tsum Valley in northern Gorkha, through Chumling, Chhokang Paro and Nile to Mu Gompa (about 3,700 m) near the Tibetan border. Often combined with the Manaslu Circuit.
A teahouse journey around the Annapurna massif, from the green Marsyangdi valley through Manang and over the Thorong La (5,416 m) to Muktinath and the dry Kali Gandaki valley.
A restricted-area trek from Koto on the Annapurna Circuit into the high Tibetan Buddhist villages of Phu and Nar, crossing the Kang La (about 5,320 m) to Ngawal and Manang.
Manaslu Circuit · 12 days
