Manaslu Base Camp & Circuit Trek
5,160m — Larkya La Pass — 16 Days — Autumn 2026 — $2,000
A restricted-area circuit around the eighth highest mountain on Earth — Tibetan-influenced villages of the Nubri and Tsum valleys, yak pastures beneath Manaslu’s south face, and a single crossing of Larkya La at 5,160m, with a licensed guide who stays with the group from Kathmandu to the pass.
Is this trek right for you?
Manaslu is a restricted area, and by Nepali law you cannot be on this trail without a licensed guide — which means the guide you get is the trek you get. There are real accounts from other regions of trekkers paying premium prices and ending up with guides who walked fifty to a hundred paces ahead watching videos on their phones, rarely spoke, and sometimes left clients to hike back to the lodge alone. On Manaslu, that kind of disengagement is not just disappointing — it is the difference between a permitted trek and an unattended one. Our guides stay with the group, set the pace to the slowest member, and brief you at the start of every day so you know the distance, altitude change, terrain, and where lunch will be. Trust in the guide is the baseline. The next question is whether the route itself matches your fitness and experience.
Good fit
This trek works well if you have solid fitness and some prior multi-day trekking experience — ideally at least one trek above 3,500–4,000m. You should be comfortable walking 5–8 hours a day on uneven trails, stone stairs, and alpine paths for consecutive days, across a 16-day itinerary with only one scheduled rest day. No technical climbing skills are needed, but endurance and mental patience matter more on Manaslu than on better-developed routes.
The route crosses Larkya La Pass at 5,160m — a long, physically demanding day from Dharamsala, not technical, but relentless. The itinerary is built around a gradual altitude gain with an acclimatization day in Samagaon (3,530m) before the push to Samdo and the pass. If you can hike 15–20 km on hilly terrain at home without issue and understand that your body will need time to adjust, you are in the right range.
Not the right fit
If this is your first multi-day trek and you have no altitude experience, Manaslu is too much as a starting point. The Annapurna Base Camp trek is shorter, lower, and better developed — a more realistic first Himalayan route. The Everest Base Camp trek is also well-suited to trekkers building toward something like Manaslu.
This also is not the right trek if you expect comfortable lodge standards throughout. Tea houses in the upper Manaslu region are more basic than Annapurna or Khumbu — shared rooms, limited hot water, simple food. And if your schedule has zero flexibility, weather at Larkya La can force an extra day at Dharamsala or an alternative descent. Build buffer into your plans, or choose a shorter route.
What you’re walking into.
Overview
The Manaslu Circuit is a 16-day trek that wraps around Mount Manaslu — the eighth highest mountain on Earth at 8,163m — through the Manaslu Conservation Area in Gorkha district. It starts low, at around 700m in the subtropical Budhi Gandaki river valley, and climbs steadily north through a series of increasingly remote villages before crossing Larkya La Pass at 5,160m and descending into the Annapurna region. The entire route sits inside a restricted area that the Nepali government opened to regulated trekking only in 1991 and still manages with special permits and a mandatory licensed guide.
What makes Manaslu different from Annapurna or Khumbu is the degree of cultural immersion and the lower traffic. The upper valleys — Nubri near Samagaon and the side valley of Tsum — are ethnically Tibetan, with their own dialect, architecture, and strong Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Yak caravans still move goods between villages. Monasteries sit above most settlements. You share the trail with fewer trekkers than on any comparable route in Nepal, and the views of Manaslu, Himalchuli, Ngadi Chuli, and the Larkya peaks stay with you for days rather than flashing past in an afternoon.
The Key Sections
Soti Khola to Deng (Days 2–5) — The lower valley. A long drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola, then three days of trekking through dense bamboo and pine forests along the Budhi Gandaki, over suspension bridges, past small settlements, and onto steep stone staircases. The altitude gain is modest — from 700m to around 1,800m — which is deliberate. Your body is banking acclimatization for what is coming.
Namrung to Samagaon (Days 6–8) — The cultural heart. The trail climbs out of the forest into open Tibetan-influenced terrain. Namrung, Sayla, and Samagaon are stone-built villages with mani walls, chortens, and direct views of Manaslu. Samagaon sits at 3,530m directly beneath the mountain’s south face. Day 9 is the acclimatization day — an optional hike up toward Manaslu Base Camp viewpoint or Pungyen Gompa, then back down to sleep low.
Samdo to Larkya La (Days 10–12) — The crux. A short day to Samdo (3,875m), then to Dharamsala at 4,460m, which is less a village than a cluster of basic stone shelters at the base of the pass. Day 12 is the long one: an early start, a steady climb through glacial moraine to Larkya La at 5,160m, then a 1,440m descent to Bhimthang on the other side. Seven to ten hours, depending on conditions.
Bhimthang to Besisahar (Days 13–15) — The return. A descent through alpine valleys and pine forests to Tilche, then two days of driving through Manang and the upper Marsyangdi valley back to Kathmandu. The landscape softens, the air thickens, and the trek is over.
The Risks — Stated Plainly
Altitude is the primary concern. At 5,160m on the pass, your body is working with roughly half the oxygen it has at sea level. Acute Mountain Sickness can develop regardless of fitness or prior experience. Our guides monitor the group daily for symptoms, and the itinerary includes a full acclimatization day in Samagaon specifically so your body adjusts before the push to Dharamsala and Larkya La. If symptoms develop, we add rest time at the current elevation or descend. The pass is not worth pushing through AMS.
Weather at Larkya La changes fast. Snow, high winds, and low visibility are all real possibilities — especially late in the autumn window. If conditions make a safe crossing impossible on the scheduled day, we wait at Dharamsala or take the descent back toward Samdo and out via the lower valley. This happens occasionally and is built into the flexibility of the route. Lower down, landslides in the Budhi Gandaki gorge can close sections of the trail during or after heavy rain, which is another reason we operate only in the post-monsoon autumn window when conditions are most stable.
Evacuation from the upper Manaslu region is more complex than from Khumbu or Annapurna. There is no airstrip on the circuit and the nearest helicopter landing points are several hours of walking from most villages. This is part of the reason we require trekking insurance that explicitly covers helicopter evacuation from altitudes up to 5,500m, and part of the reason we do not take anyone on this route who is not prepared for it. If you arrive fit, with the right gear, and willing to listen to your body and your guide, the risk is manageable.
Exactly what’s covered — and what isn’t.
No surprises on the trail, no costs that appear after you land in Kathmandu. Everything below is settled before you leave.
What’s Included
Accommodation
- 2 nights hotel in Kathmandu (twin-sharing, breakfast included)
- Tea house / lodge accommodation along the entire trekking route
- Airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu
Permits & Fees
- Manaslu Restricted Area Special Permit (RAP) — Gorkha district
- Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit for the Bhimthang – Besisahar descent
- All associated government and conservation area fees
Transport
- Kathmandu to Soti Khola drive at the start of the trek
- Tilche to Besisahar and Besisahar to Kathmandu drives at the end
- All ground transportation during the trek (bus / jeep per itinerary)
Guides & Support
- Licensed restricted-area trekking guide for the full 16 days
- Porter service (one porter shared between two trekkers, 15 kg per person, max 30 kg per porter)
- Guide and porter insurance as required by Nepali government regulations
- Guide and porter salary, meals, and accommodation throughout
- Basic first-aid kit carried by the guide
What’s Not Included
Your Responsibility Before Departure
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal entry visa fees
- Personal travel, medical, evacuation, and trekking insurance (mandatory — proof required before departure)
On the Trail
- Meals during the trek ($30–50 per day at tea houses)
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
- Accommodation in Kathmandu beyond the included 2 nights
- Personal trekking gear and clothing
- Individual first-aid kit and personal medications
Personal Expenses
- WiFi, SIM cards, and device charging at lodges
- Hot showers at tea houses (typically $3–5 per shower)
- Laundry, phone calls, snacks, souvenirs
- Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and bottled beverages
- City sightseeing tours and entrance fees
Tips (Recommended)
- Trekking guide: $200 per group (recommended)
- Porter: $100 per porter (recommended)
Additional
- Any expenses caused by emergencies, weather delays, route changes, or unforeseen situations
16 days, day by day.
The itinerary below reflects our standard plan. Weather at Larkya La, road conditions, and group acclimatization may require adjustments — we build flexibility into the schedule for exactly that reason.
At a Glance
Our team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. The evening includes a trek briefing where you meet your guide, review the itinerary, and hand over the documents needed for the restricted-area permits. Your guide goes over what to expect day by day — distance, altitude change, terrain, lodge conditions — so nothing on the trail comes as a surprise.
A long drive west and north from Kathmandu through Arughat, passing terraced farmlands, rivers, and traditional villages. The last section to Soti Khola is a rough mountain road. Soti Khola itself is a small settlement on the Budhi Gandaki river where the trek proper begins the next morning.
The first trekking day. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki through lush forests, small settlements, and suspension bridges. Gentle terrain, occasional stone stairs. This is a day to settle into the rhythm of walking and for your body to adjust to the pack weight and pace.
The valley narrows and the trail climbs more steadily through forested hillsides, crossing rivers and suspension bridges. You pass small temples and farmland before reaching Jagat, a village at the entrance to the restricted area. Your permit is checked here.
The trail climbs through bamboo and pine forests along the river, passing smaller villages where you start to see the shift from Hindu to Tibetan-influenced culture. Deng is a quiet settlement with basic tea house lodges and your first clear sense of being deep in the restricted area.
A significant day of elevation gain. The trail winds higher into the Himalayan interior, through terraced fields and stone-built villages with prayer wheels and chortens. Namrung sits at a ridgeline with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and is a natural rest point before the push to higher ground.
The landscape opens as you climb above the tree line. Alpine forests, mani walls, and small mountain villages. The first full views of Manaslu come into frame on this day. Sayla (sometimes called Shyala) is a peaceful settlement — a good place to pause and acclimatize before Samagaon.
A shorter day by design, through yak pastures and traditional villages. Samagaon is the largest settlement in upper Nubri — stone houses, a working monastery, and Manaslu’s south face directly overhead. This is where you spend two nights for acclimatization.
A critical rest day. The recommended acclimatization hike is up toward Manaslu Base Camp viewpoint (~4,400m) or Pungyen Gompa — both put you higher for a few hours before you return to sleep at 3,530m. This is the “climb high, sleep low” principle in practice. If you feel tired, rest in the village instead. Either way, the day matters — skipping it creates problems at Larkya La later.
A short trekking day along the Budhi Gandaki through open alpine meadows and yak pastures. Views of Manaslu and the surrounding Tibetan peaks stay with you most of the morning. Samdo is the last permanent village before the pass — a cluster of stone houses and a small monastery close to the Tibetan border.
Alpine valleys, glacial streams, and moraine landscapes. Dharamsala is not really a village — just a cluster of basic stone shelters at the base of the pass, where trekkers rest before the Larkya La day. Accommodation is minimal and cold. Early dinner and early to bed.
The biggest day of the trek. A pre-dawn start — typically 4:00–5:00 AM — for the climb through glacial moraine to Larkya La at 5,160m. The ascent is steady and relentless but not technical. At the pass, the views stretch across Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and the Annapurna range in every direction. The descent to Bhimthang is long — 1,440m down — over mixed moraine and steep trail. Knees and trekking poles earn their keep on this one.
The descent continues through alpine valleys and dense pine and rhododendron forests. The landscape softens, the villages get larger and more developed, and the air thickens. Tilche is a traditional village in the upper Manang district, where the Manaslu circuit meets the Annapurna region.
A jeep day down the upper Marsyangdi valley. The road is rough in sections but the scenery stays dramatic — terraced hillsides, river gorges, and first views of farmland and warmer climate. Besisahar is a small market town and the gateway to the Annapurna region.
A scenic drive along the Prithvi Highway back to Kathmandu, following rivers and passing small towns. Check into your hotel and spend the evening exploring Thamel or simply resting. A hot shower and a proper meal after 13 days on the trail feel earned.
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight. Depending on your schedule, there may be time for last-minute shopping or a short walk through the city before heading out.
How we set you up for a good trek.
Before the Trek
Once you book, we send you a full preparation guide covering physical training recommendations, a complete packing list for a 16-day restricted-area trek, and practical information about what to expect on the trail — teahouse standards, daily walking hours, cold at higher elevations, food options above Namrung, and how the restricted-area permit process works. This is not a generic download. It is built for this specific route so that nothing about the trip catches you off guard.
If you have questions about your fitness level or gear, your guide is available by email or WhatsApp before departure. We also collect the documents we need for your restricted-area permit during this window — passport copies, photos, insurance details. None of it is left to the last minute in Kathmandu.
On the Trail
Your guide sets the daily pace to the slowest member of the group and stays within voice range throughout the day. This sounds obvious, but it is exactly where most Nepal trek complaints originate — guides walking far ahead watching videos, guides skipping acclimatization days to stay on schedule, guides who treat clients as a job to finish rather than people to look after. Our guides brief you every morning about the day ahead — distance, altitude change, terrain, and where lunch will be — and check in every evening about how people are feeling. If altitude symptoms appear, we slow down, add rest time at the current elevation, or descend. No pass crossing is worth your health.
Your porters carry up to 15 kg of your gear so you walk with a light daypack. At each tea house, your guide handles check-in, meal coordination, and the logistics of the permit checkpoints along the route. You focus on the walking, the villages, and the mountain views.
2026 dates and pricing.
What your $2,000 actually covers.
At $2,000, your licensed guide, porter, accommodation, three permits, and logistics are handled. You pay for your meals on the trail (expect $30–50 per day at tea houses), your flights, and your personal expenses. Whatever amount we quote is exactly what you pay — there are no hidden costs on this route.
Flexibility and rebooking.
Weather at Larkya La and road conditions in the Budhi Gandaki gorge can change without warning. If conditions require an extra day at Dharamsala or a change in the descent route, we coordinate alternatives and keep you informed. If you need to cancel before departure, contact us for our rebooking and refund terms. We are upfront about what is possible given the permits and advance commitments involved.
Questions we hear most.
How fit do I need to be for this trek?
You should be able to walk 5–8 hours a day on uneven trails and stone stairs for consecutive days across a 16-day itinerary with only one scheduled rest day. The Larkya La pass day is the hardest — 8 to 10 hours with a pre-dawn start, climbing from 4,460m to 5,160m and descending to 3,720m. If you can comfortably hike 15–20 km on hilly terrain at home, you are in the right range. We recommend starting cardio and hill training at least 10–12 weeks before departure. Prior trekking experience above 3,500–4,000m is strongly preferred.
Why is a guide mandatory on Manaslu?
Manaslu sits inside a Nepali government restricted area. Trekking the circuit without a licensed guide is not permitted under any circumstances, and the restricted-area permit itself is only issued to groups of two or more with a licensed guide attached. This is different from Annapurna or Everest, where solo trekking is technically possible. The guide rule is part of why the region has stayed less crowded, more culturally intact, and better regulated than the main Nepal trekking circuits. Our licensed guides handle all permit checkpoints along the route so you never have to manage paperwork on the trail.
How does this compare to the Annapurna Circuit?
Both are high-pass circuits of roughly similar altitude — Thorong La on Annapurna is 5,416m, Larkya La on Manaslu is 5,160m — but the experience is quite different. Manaslu is more remote, less developed, culturally deeper (upper Nubri and Tsum are ethnically Tibetan), and requires a restricted-area permit and mandatory guide. Annapurna is longer-established, has better lodges and more varied food, and sees several times more trekkers. If you want fewer people, more cultural immersion, and a genuinely remote route, choose Manaslu. If you want more comfort, more diversity of terrain, and more flexibility, choose Annapurna.
How many trekkers will be in the group?
Minimum 2, maximum 15. The two-person minimum is a government requirement for the restricted area. If you are traveling solo, you can join an existing group within our autumn 2026 window, or we can build a private trek for your own party at a different price point — contact us for details. Smaller groups tend to get better tea house accommodation and move through permit checkpoints faster.
What about altitude sickness?
The itinerary is built around gradual altitude gain with a full acclimatization day in Samagaon (3,530m) specifically to prepare your body for the Samdo – Dharamsala – Larkya La sequence. Your guide monitors the group daily for symptoms — headaches, nausea, difficulty sleeping, fatigue beyond normal tiredness. Diamox is commonly used as a preventive; consult your doctor before departure. If symptoms develop, we add rest time at the current elevation or descend. The pass is not worth pushing through AMS.
What are the tea houses like on this route?
More basic than Annapurna or Khumbu. In the lower valley (Soti Khola through Deng) the lodges are simple but comfortable — private rooms with twin beds, shared bathrooms, a communal dining area. From Namrung upward they get smaller and more basic, with fewer rooms and limited hot water. At Dharamsala below the pass, accommodation is minimal — stone shelters with shared dormitory sleeping. Food is dal bhat, thukpa, momos, Tibetan breads, and basic Western options lower down; simpler as you go higher. The preparation guide we send you covers all of this so nothing comes as a surprise.
Why aren’t meals included?
On Manaslu, tea house meals are purchased directly from the lodges. This is standard across Nepal treks and is deliberate — food options and prices vary significantly by altitude and remoteness, and including meals would require us to either charge more than you would actually spend or dictate your menu. Budget $30–50 per day. Your guide knows which lodges cook well and helps you navigate menus at each stop.
Is trekking insurance mandatory?
Yes. You must carry personal travel and medical insurance that covers trekking to altitudes of at least 5,500m and includes helicopter evacuation coverage valid in Nepal. Proof of valid insurance is required before departure from Kathmandu — we will not proceed without it. The Manaslu region is more isolated than Khumbu or Annapurna and evacuation logistics are more complex, which is why the coverage requirement is firm. We can recommend providers if you need guidance. Your insurance covers real emergencies; we will never pressure you into an unnecessary evacuation.
Before you go.
Everything you need before departure — download, review, and prepare so nothing is left to the last minute.
Equipment List
This is a non-technical trekking route — no climbing gear required. Key items include: sturdy trekking boots (broken in before departure), a sleeping bag rated to –15°C (warmer than standard Annapurna or EBC treks, because of the cold nights at Dharamsala and Bhimthang — or rent in Kathmandu), down jacket, fleece jacket, waterproof shell jacket and pants, thermal base layers (upper and lower), trekking pants and convertible pants, warm hat and sun hat, glove liners and insulated gloves, trekking socks (multiple pairs, wool or wool-blend), a 30–40 liter daypack, trekking poles (strongly recommended for the Larkya La descent), sunglasses with UV protection, sunscreen (SPF 50+), lip balm with SPF, headlamp with extra batteries, water bottles or hydration system, water purification tablets or filter, a small personal first-aid kit, and a duffel bag for porter transport. A full packing checklist with quantities is provided within a week of booking.
Required Documents
Before departure, you will need: a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining, four passport-sized photos (required for the restricted-area permit), a Nepal tourist visa (available on arrival or in advance), trekking insurance with helicopter evacuation coverage valid to at least 5,500m (proof required before departure from Kathmandu), a completed medical disclosure form, a signed liability waiver and assumption of risk, and an emergency contact and next-of-kin form. All forms are sent after booking confirmation.
Restricted-area note: Manaslu requires a special Restricted Area Permit (RAP) in addition to the MCAP and ACAP permits. The RAP is only issued to groups of two or more accompanied by a licensed guide — we arrange all three permits on your behalf and handle the paperwork in Kathmandu during the Day 1 briefing. You do not queue at government offices.
Manaslu Region — What to Expect
The upper Manaslu region — the valleys of Nubri (around Samagaon and Samdo) and Tsum (the side valley branching off before Namrung) — is ethnically Tibetan. This makes it culturally distinct from the Khumbu (Sherpa) or Annapurna (Gurung, Magar, Thakali) regions. Residents speak Nubri or Tsumpa dialects alongside Nepali, practice Tibetan Buddhism, and maintain strong ties to Tibet through trade and family. Monasteries are active and often sit above the main villages. You will pass mani walls, chortens, and prayer wheels constantly — always pass them on the left, in the direction of the sun. Remove shoes before entering monasteries and ask before photographing people or religious objects.
Food at tea houses is dal bhat (lentils and rice), thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup), momos (dumplings), tsampa (roasted barley flour), yak cheese, and rildok (a yak-butter potato dish specific to the region). Tibetan-style butter tea (su-chya) is common. Options are more varied lower down and simpler above Namrung. Vegetarian meals are manageable throughout. Carry cash in Nepali Rupees — there are no ATMs past Arughat. WiFi is available at some lodges below Samagaon (paid, slow) and essentially unavailable above. All E2E guides speak English. The entire route sits within the Manaslu Conservation Area (a UNESCO Tentative Site) and the final descent passes briefly through the Annapurna Conservation Area. You share the trail with yak caravans, which still move goods between villages in the upper valleys.
Ready to start the conversation?
No commitment. Tell us about your experience and goals — we will give you an honest assessment of whether this trek is right for you, help you find a compatible departure date within our autumn window, and answer any questions about permits, pacing, or the route.
Average response time: 48 hours. You will hear from someone who has walked this route.