Manaslu Circuit Trek – Complete 2027 Guide

Trek Overview

The Manaslu Circuit Trek loops around the eighth-highest mountain on Earth and crosses the 5,106-metre Larkya La pass. Opened to foreigners in 1991, the route traverses a culturally Tibetan region bordering Tibet and remains a restricted-area trek, which keeps numbers low. You start at Soti Khola, climb the Budhi Gandaki river through Nubri villages, and exit at Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit. It is the standard alternative to the Annapurna Circuit for trekkers who want fewer roads, more wilderness, and stronger Tibetan-Buddhist village culture.

Why Visit

You come to Manaslu for the wilderness feel and the Tibetan culture. The Budhi Gandaki valley is steep, forested, and far less roaded than the Annapurna approach. The Nubri people are ethnically Tibetan, with monasteries, mani walls, and prayer flags at every village. The Larkya La pass at 5,106 metres is a serious high point with views of Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal. It is the trek we recommend when clients have done Annapurna and want something more remote.

Best Time to Trek

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the only viable seasons. The Larkya La pass is snowed in from December to February, and monsoon (June to August) makes the lower trail dangerous with leeches and landslides. October is the busiest month. For 2027 spring departures, book by December 2026 as restricted-area permits require lead time.

Difficulty Level

We rate this trek Strenuous. You walk 5 to 7 hours a day on steep, often narrow trail, with continuous altitude gain over 10 days. The Larkya La pass at 5,106 metres is a long, tiring day with serious altitude risk. The trail is more remote than Annapurna, with fewer lodges and limited exit options. Solid fitness and prior trekking above 4,000 metres are strongly recommended.

Duration

Plan 14 to 18 days from Soti Khola to Dharapani, plus drive days. The shorter 14-day version skips rest days and side trips. The 18-day version adds the Manaslu Base Camp side trip from Samagaon. We recommend 16 days for most experienced clients, including two acclimatisation days.

Route Details

The route starts at Soti Khola, a 7-hour drive from Kathmandu, and climbs the Budhi Gandaki river through Machha Khola, Jagat, and Deng to the Tibetan village of Namrung. From there you climb to Lho and Samagaon, with an optional day hike to Manaslu Base Camp. The trail crosses the Larkya La pass at 5,106 metres and descends to Bimthang, then exits at Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: drive to Soti Khola. Day 2: Soti Khola to Machha Khola. Day 3: Machha Khola to Jagat. Day 4: Jagat to Deng. Day 5: Deng to Namrung. Day 6: Namrung to Lho. Day 7: Lho to Samagaon. Day 8: acclimatisation in Samagaon, optional Manaslu Base Camp hike. Day 9: Samagaon to Samdo. Day 10: acclimatisation in Samdo. Day 11: Samdo to Larkya Phedi. Day 12: cross Larkya La (5,106 m), descend to Bimthang. Day 13: Bimthang to Tilije. Day 14: Tilije to Dharapani, drive to Besisahar and Kathmandu.

Maximum Altitude

The highest point is the Larkya La pass at 5,106 metres (16,752 feet), crossed in one long day. You sleep at Samdo (3,860 m) and Larkya Phedi (4,460 m) in the days before, which acclimatises you for the pass. The optional Manaslu Base Camp hike reaches 4,400 metres. The sleep altitude at Larkya Phedi is high enough that AMS risk is real.

Weather

Daytime temperatures run 10 to 18 degrees Celsius in the lower valley in autumn, dropping to minus 10 at night above 3,500 metres. On the Larkya La pass it can be minus 15 with wind chill. Spring is slightly warmer but cloudier in the afternoons. Snow can close the pass in any season, so build in flex days.

Accommodation

You sleep in family-run tea houses with twin beds, foam mattresses, and shared bathrooms. The lower valley lodges are basic but adequate, with shared squat toilets. The higher lodges in Samagaon and Samdo are newer and slightly better. Bring a four-season sleeping bag rated to minus 15 Celsius.

Tea Houses

Tea houses on the Manaslu Circuit are simpler than Annapurna or Everest, with solar lighting and wood stoves in the dining room. Charging is available for $2 to $4 per device above Namrung. Hot showers are rare above 3,000 metres. Bed rates run $5 to $8 if you eat dinner at the lodge.

Camping

This trek uses tea-house lodging; camping is not typically required. Some groups carry tents for the Larkya Phedi night if the lodge is full.

Food

Food is simple and Tibetan-influenced in the upper valley, with dal bhat, thukpa, Tibetan bread, and fried rice. The lower valley lodges offer more variety, including pasta and pancakes. Carry high-calorie snacks from Kathmandu, as the trail shops thin out above Jagat. Vegetarians eat well, and the upper valley is largely vegetarian by tradition.

Drinking Water

Tap and stream water is available but must be treated. We carry a SteriPen and iodine tablets, with a filter as backup. Boiled water is sold at lodges for $1 to $2 per litre. Plan for 3 to 4 litres a day, more on the Larkya La day. Avoid the tap water at Larkya Phedi; use boiled only.

Electricity

Lower villages have grid power or micro-hydro; above Namrung most lodges run on small solar setups. Charging a phone or camera battery costs $2 to $4 per device. Bring two power banks for the upper section. Solar lighting in the dining room is dim and brief in the evening.

Internet & Mobile Network

Ncell and Nepal Telecom work intermittently up to Philim, then drop out above. Some lodges offer paid satellite Wi-Fi for $5 to $10 per device. Buy a data pack in Kathmandu and download maps before you start. Treat the upper valley as a digital detox.

Transportation

The trailhead at Soti Khola is a 7 to 8 hour drive from Kathmandu along a rough road, by private jeep or public bus. The exit at Dharapani is a 5 to 6 hour drive back to Kathmandu via Besisahar. We arrange private 4WD jeeps for both transfers for our groups. Public buses run but are slow and crowded.

Required Permits

You need four permits: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit at $100 per week in September to November ($75 in other months), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) at $30, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) at $30 for the exit, and the TIMS Card at $20. We arrange all four in Kathmandu. Bring six passport photos and your passport. A licensed guide is mandatory.

Packing List

Pack a four-season sleeping bag rated to minus 15, a down jacket, and full windproof layers. Sturdy waterproof boots with good ankle support are essential for the steep trail and pass crossing. Carry a 35-litre day pack, trekking poles, a headlamp with spare batteries, and a full first-aid kit including diamox. Bring two power banks and a buff or scarf for dust on the approach road.

Budget Guide

Below is a rough per-person budget for a 16-day Manaslu Circuit trek in 2027, assuming a small group with guide and porter.

This is a remote-area trek and costs more than Annapurna. Solo trekkers pay more for the mandatory guide.

Photography Tips

Shoot Manaslu from Lho and Samagaon in the early morning, when the peak catches first light. The mani walls and prayer wheels of the upper valley are strong foregrounds. The Larkya La pass view of Himlung Himal is the big panorama; arrive at the top by 9am before cloud rolls in. A 24-70mm lens covers most scenes.

Wildlife

The Manaslu Conservation Area holds blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, and musk deer in the upper valley. Snow leopards are present but very rarely seen. Lammergeiers and Himalayan griffons soar above the ridges. Look for danphe (the national bird of Nepal) in the forest below Namrung.

Flora

The trail climbs from subtropical forest at Soti Khola through pine, oak, and rhododendron to alpine scrub and bare rock at the pass. Spring brings rhododendron flowers and orchids on the lower trail. Above 4,000 metres the vegetation thins to juniper and cushion plants. Blue poppies bloom near Samdo in late summer.

Local Culture

The Nubri people of the upper valley are ethnically Tibetan, with strong ties to Tibet across the border. The culture blends Tibetan Buddhism with the Bon religion, visible in the mani walls, chortens, and prayer flags along the trail. Many families still herd yaks and trade across the border. Ask before photographing people and respect the no-entry signs at monasteries during prayer.

Local Villages

Samagaon is the largest village in the upper valley, with a monastery and views of Manaslu. Samdo is a smaller, more Tibetan village near the old trade route to Tibet. Lho has a famous monastery and a viewpoint for Manaslu. Namrung marks the transition from Hindu-middle-hills to Tibetan-Buddhist-highland culture.

Safety Tips

The Larkya La pass is serious: do not attempt it in fresh snow or bad weather. Carry a satellite phone or have your guide carry one. The trail is steep and narrow in places, so use trekking poles. Treat all water, and carry a full first-aid kit including diamox.

Altitude Sickness Guide

You sleep at 4,460 metres at Larkya Phedi and cross a 5,106-metre pass the next day. AMS risk is high. We build in two acclimatisation days (Samagaon and Samdo) and recommend diamox 125mg twice daily from Namrung. Descend immediately if you vomit, get breathless at rest, or develop a severe headache. The nearest evacuation point is Dharapani, two days from the pass.

Emergency Contacts

Keep the Himalayan Rescue Association clinic in Manang (open in season) on your contact list, accessible after crossing the pass. The local police number is 100. Serious cases require helicopter evacuation to Kathmandu. Carry your travel insurance details and ensure it covers trekking to 5,500 metres. Your guide should carry a satellite phone.

Responsible Tourism

Manaslu is a restricted area for a reason; respect the isolation and the Tibetan Buddhist culture. Walk clockwise around mani walls and chortens, never sit on them. Carry out all rubbish, including wrappers and batteries. Dress modestly in villages, especially near monasteries. Tip guides and porters around 10 to 15 percent given the difficulty of the route.

Frequently Asked Questions

We answer the most common client questions about the Manaslu Circuit Trek below, covering permits, fitness, and logistics. Read these before you book. If your question is not here, our team is happy to help.

Summary

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is the remote, restricted-area alternative to the Annapurna Circuit, looping around Manaslu and crossing the 5,106-metre Larkya La. It is rated Strenuous, runs only in spring and autumn, and requires a licensed guide. The Tibetan-Buddhist culture of the Nubri valley is the cultural highlight. Book early and pack for serious cold.

Conclusion

If you have done Annapurna or Everest and want the next level of remoteness with serious Tibetan culture, the Manaslu Circuit is our 2027 pick. The Larkya La is a real pass, the villages are extraordinary, and the crowds are thin. Book by December for spring departures, train hard, and pack for cold nights.

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