Manaslu Trek

Manaslu at sunrise (Photo: Ben Tubby, CC BY 2.0)

The Manaslu Trek is in the Gorkha district of Nepal.

Understand

The Manaslu Trek (or Manaslu Circuit Trek) is a 14-day tea-house trek which circumnavigates Mt. Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world (8,156 m). The trek has all the elements of other treks in Nepal, including both Hindu and Buddhist culture, protected wildlife, rhododendrons and wildflowers, a 5,000+ m pass, raging rivers, precarious bridges and stunning mountain scenery.

The trek is much easier than it used to be, with greatly improved trails along the Budhi Gandaki river gorge. In terms of difficulty, it is comparable with the Annapurna Circuit Trek or Everest Base Camp trek. Its highlight is undoubtedly the spectacular, unhindered views of Manaslu that appear midway through your ascent of the valley.

Just over 2,000 people complete the trek per year, with more than half visiting in October. This is substantially fewer than visit Annapurna, Everest or Langtang. There are two main reasons for the lower numbers.

The first reason is that the trek used to require camping, as there were too few tea-houses along the trail. In particular, there was no lodge below Larkya La (a pass at 5,135 m), requiring an enforced night of camping. This is no longer the case. Since 2010, there has been a tea-house below the pass and others regularly spaced all the way up from the starting point at Arughat. A few of the tea-houses are still rustic compared with counterparts on the Annapurna Circuit, but most are comfortable.

The second reason is that the trek has restricted-area status. This means it requires a special permit (see below), that the group must have two or more members, and that a registered trekking guide must accompany the group. In 2011, for Nepal Tourism Year, the permit fee was reduced to USD 50 per week. The fee for this permit has since been increased to USD 100 plus USD 15 for every day over seven days, counting only those days needed for trekking between Jagat and Bhimtang.

These two factors together have made the trek affordable for budget travellers, and it is now being referred to as the New Annapurna Circuit.

Prepare

The Manaslu Circuit is a restricted-area trek, requiring a group of at least two people and a licensed guide. Permits must be arranged through a registered trekking agency. While the TIMS card (Rs 2,000 for independent trekkers; Rs 1,000 for those in a guided group) is generally not required for the Manaslu restricted area itself, you will need it if you plan to extend your trek into the Annapurna Circuit (e.g., continuing past Dharapani towards Thorong La).

Government regulations mandate a minimum of two trekkers and a licensed guide; solo trekking is strictly prohibited. Your agency will handle the paperwork for the mandatory Restricted Area Permit, which requires a scanned copy of your passport and a valid visa.

In addition to the agency fees, you must budget for the following permits:

• Restricted Area Permit (RAP): During peak season (September–November), the fee is USD 100 for the first seven days plus USD 15 for each additional day. In the off-season (December–August), it is USD 75 for the first week plus USD 10 per additional day.
• Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP): Rs 3,000.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP): Rs 3,000. This is required as the trail exits through the Annapurna region.
• Chumnubri Rural Municipality Fee: A local entry fee of Rs 1,000 is often collected locally.

Eat

Tea-houses along the entire route provide standardised menus, meaning camping stoves and heavy food supplies are unnecessary. The staple is Dal Bhat, though Tibetan bread, noodle soups and basic pasta are common. Small village shops sell snacks, but prices rise with altitude. Bringing your own energy bars or electrolyte powders is recommended to supplement the high-carbohydrate lodge diet.

Drink

Tap and stream water are not potable and should never be consumed untreated. Use a UV purifier, portable filter or purification tablets. While tea-houses sell boiled water and some bottled water, the latter is discouraged to reduce plastic waste in the conservation area. Aim to drink 3–4 litres of treated water daily to aid acclimatisation.

Sleep

Accommodation consists of basic, family-run tea-houses with twin-share rooms and shared toilets. While blankets are usually provided, a four-season sleeping bag (rated to −15 °C) is essential for the cold nights at higher elevations. Electricity for charging devices is usually available in common areas for a small fee, though solar power can be unreliable in cloudy weather.

Climate

Autumn (September to November) offers the clearest skies, while spring (March to May) features blooming rhododendrons. Both seasons see freezing temperatures at night above 3,500 m. Winter brings heavy snow that often closes Larkya La and the upper lodges. The monsoon (June to August) is avoided due to leeches, rain-slicked trails and high landslide risks.

Get in

The trek generally starts at Soti Khola. From Kathmandu, buses take about 7–8 hours and cost around US$7. The road is largely unpaved, so hiring a private four-wheel-drive jeep is another option. Jeeps can be arranged through rental companies in Kathmandu and typically cost around US$150–220.

Depending on road conditions, buses may continue beyond Arughat towards Arket or Soti Khola. Otherwise, it is possible to stay overnight in Arughat and continue the following day.

An alternative starting point is Gorkha Bazaar, which is quicker to reach from Kathmandu on a smoother road. From there, onward transport is available to Barpak, where there is accommodation. The trek can then continue via Larpak to join the main route.

Walk

Soti Khola - Machhakhola

14 km 6 hr

From Soti Khola (1,000 m), the trail follows the Budhi Gandaki through forested hillsides and terraced farmland. Expect a mix of gentle climbs and descents with several suspension bridge crossings. Arriving at Machhakhola (1,000 m), you’ll find good lodges for the night.

Machhakhola - Jagat

22 km 6 hr

From Machhakhola, the trail follows the Budhi Gandaki upstream through an increasingly narrow gorge, repeatedly climbing and descending between forested slopes and the river. It passes Khorlabesi and the hot springs at Tatopani before continuing through Dobhan and Yaru. Several suspension bridges cross the river, and near Yaru a cantilever walkway carries the trail along the steep side of the gorge. Stone steps and rocky paths then lead to Jagat (1,400 m), a stone-built village and an important permit checkpoint at the entrance to the restricted Manaslu region.

Jagat - Deng

19 km 6 hr

Leaving Jagat, the trail climbs over a rocky ridge towards Salleri and then descends to Sirdibas. It continues upstream through cultivated hillsides to Philim, one of the larger Gurung villages on the lower circuit, before turning north towards Ekle Bhatti. Beyond Philim, the surroundings become noticeably quieter as the route enters a steep, sparsely inhabited gorge. The trail crosses the Budhi Gandaki several times and passes through bamboo and rhododendron forest before crossing the Deng Khola and reaching Deng (1,860 m). Deng has lodges for the night.

Deng - Namrung

19 km 6 hr

From Deng, the trail crosses the Budhi Gandaki and climbs through forest towards Rana and Bihi Phedi. Beyond Bihi Phedi, mani walls, chortens and prayer flags become increasingly common as the Tibetan Buddhist influence of the upper valley becomes more apparent. The route continues through forest to Ghap, crossing the river and several smaller streams along the way. From Ghap, there is a sustained climb through pine, oak and rhododendron forest before reaching Namrung (2,600 m), which offers several reasonable lodges.

A side trip to Kal Tal (Kalchhuman Lake) can be made from Prok. Syarang Gompa can also be visited from Bhi village.

Namrung - Lho Bazar

11 km 4 hr

From Namrung, the path ascends through alpine forest and open meadows. Lho Bazar (3,100 m) has reasonable lodges and a monastery with fine views of Manaslu.

Lho Bazar - Samagaon

8 km 4 hr

Continuing another hour past Lho Bazar brings you to Shyala (3,500 m), where accommodation is more basic. Pungyen Gompa can be visited as a side trip from Shyala or Samagaon.

The trail leads gently up the valley, with Manaslu and other snow peaks dominating the skyline. Samagaon (3,500 m) is a large village with good lodging options. It is a useful place to spend a rest day acclimatising before continuing higher.

Samagaon - Manaslu Base Camp (detour)

12–15 km 7–9 hr

A strenuous full-day detour climbs from Samagaon towards Birendra Lake and Manaslu Base Camp (about 4,800 m). The route gains more than 1,200 m in elevation and gives close views of the Manaslu Glacier and surrounding peaks. Return to Samagaon for the night. The hike is commonly used as an acclimatisation excursion before continuing towards Samdo.

Samagaon - Samdo

7 km 4 hr

From Samagaon, the trail follows the upper Budhi Gandaki through a broad valley of yak pasture and increasingly sparse vegetation. As the route climbs gently north, the forest gradually disappears and the landscape becomes drier and more distinctly alpine. The path passes mani walls and crosses several side streams before reaching Samdo (3,800 m). Samdo is the last substantial permanent village before Larkya La and has long been associated with trade across the nearby Tibetan border. The relatively short stage allows additional time for acclimatisation before climbing higher.

Samdo - Rui La Pass (detour)

16 km 7–8 hr

A full-day detour leads to Rui La Pass on the Tibetan border, with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Return to Samdo for the night.

Samdo - Larke Phedi

6.5 km 4 hr

From Samdo, the trail descends briefly to cross the upper Budhi Gandaki before beginning a gradual climb through increasingly barren high-altitude terrain. The route passes areas traditionally associated with the old trans-Himalayan trading route and continues over yak pasture, scree and moraine as vegetation becomes sparse. Larke Phedi (4,460 m), also known as Dharamsala, is a small seasonal trekking stop rather than a substantial village. Accommodation is basic, and trekkers generally arrive early enough to rest, eat and prepare for an early start over the pass the following morning.

Larke Phedi - Bimtang

24 km 8 hr

This is the longest and most demanding stage of the circuit. Trekkers normally leave Larke Phedi before dawn, climbing gradually across moraine, rocky ground and, depending on the season, snow or ice. The ascent eventually reaches Larkya La (5,106 m), marked by prayer flags and surrounded by extensive views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and peaks towards the Annapurna range. From the pass, the trail descends steeply over loose rock and glacial terrain, losing well over 1,000 m before the gradient begins to ease. The route eventually enters broader alpine meadows on the approach to Bimtang (3,700 m). The long descent can be tiring, particularly when snow or ice is present, and the early start allows more time to complete the exposed high-altitude section before weather conditions change. Good lodges in Bimtang provide welcome rest after the crossing.

Bimtang - Tilche

20 km 6 hr

The trail descends through rhododendron and pine forests, with river crossings and scenic valleys leading to Tilche (2,100 m), where good lodges are available.

Tilche - Jagat

16 km 6 hr

From Tilche, the route descends to Jagat, now a roadhead. Depending on arrival time, you can stay overnight or take a jeep to Besisahar (800 m). Besisahar is the endpoint of the trek and has good lodging. Public transport to other parts of Nepal departs from here.

Stay safe

The principal danger is altitude, specifically going too high too quickly. Follow these instructions for altitude sickness prevention. This is a serious issue. There was one death on the high pass in October 2013 from cerebral oedema. Acclimatisation is not to be taken lightly. Your life depends on it.

Go next

Take a bus from Besisahar to return to Kathmandu or continue onward to Pokhara.

From Dharapani, it is also possible to continue onto the Annapurna Circuit. Having already acclimatised, trekkers can continue through Manang and over Thorung La, finishing at Jomsom and then flying or taking a bus onward to Pokhara. Allow about another week for this option, and longer if making the side trip to Tilicho Lake.

The Tsum Valley can be trekked separately from the Manaslu Circuit. Its trail branches from the lower Budhi Gandaki route near Lokpa and continues northeast through the Tsum Valley, passing villages and monasteries towards Mu Gompa near the Tibetan border. It requires several additional days and is better treated as a separate trek rather than a side trip from the circuit.

Another possibility is to continue towards Nar and Phu and cross another pass of about 5,300 m, taking advantage of the acclimatisation and fitness gained on the trek.

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