Manaslu Circuit Trek: Complete 2026 Guide

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is the new Annapurna Circuit. As the original Annapurna Circuit has been progressively damaged by road construction, the Manaslu Circuit has emerged as Nepal's premier 14-day teahouse circuit - circling the world's 8th-highest peak through restricted-area villages with strong Tibetan-Buddhist culture and 60% less trekker traffic than its more famous cousin.

This guide covers everything you need to know.

What is the Manaslu Circuit?

A 14-17 day teahouse circuit around Mount Manaslu (8,163m) in north-central Nepal, ending with the crossing of the Larkya La pass (5,160m) and a descent into the Marsyangdi valley where it joins the Annapurna Circuit at Dharapani. The trek lives inside the Manaslu Conservation Area and the Nubri region of upper Gorkha district - a Tibetan-speaking enclave of Sherpa, Gurung and Bhotia villagers.

A traditional stone village in the hills. — Manaslu Circuit Trek: Complete 2026 Guide — A traditional stone village in the hills.

How long does it take?

The standard itinerary is 14 days walking plus arrival and departure days in Kathmandu. Variations:

14 days: Standard circuit. Drive to Macha Khola, walk to Larkya La, descend to Dharapani.
17 days: Add a Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Gompa side trip from Samagaon.
19 days: Add Tsum Valley side trip - the sacred valley to the east.
21 days: Add both Tsum and Manaslu Base Camp - the complete experience.

Carved mani stones beside the path. — Manaslu Circuit Trek: Complete 2026 Guide — Carved mani stones beside the path.

Permits required

This is the most expensive permit-stack outside the restricted areas of Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo:

Manaslu Restricted Area Permit - USD 100 first week (Sept-Nov) or USD 75 (Dec-Aug), plus USD 15/day after
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) - USD 30
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) - USD 30 (needed after Dharapani for the exit)
Local government entrance fee - NPR 1,000

Total: roughly USD 165-180 per trekker for a 14-day trek.

Restricted-area permit rules require:
- A minimum of two trekkers in the group
- A licensed guide
- Booking through a registered trekking agency

Crossing a high Himalayan pass. — Manaslu Circuit Trek: Complete 2026 Guide — Crossing a high Himalayan pass.

The standard itinerary

Day 1: Kathmandu to Macha Khola by jeep (9-10 hours, 145 km)
Day 2: Macha Khola to Jagat (1,340m)
Day 3: Jagat to Deng (1,860m)
Day 4: Deng to Namrung (2,630m)
Day 5: Namrung to Samagaon (3,530m)
Day 6: Acclimatisation at Samagaon (visit Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Gompa)
Day 7: Samagaon to Samdo (3,860m)
Day 8: Acclimatisation at Samdo
Day 9: Samdo to Dharmasala (4,460m)
Day 10: Dharmasala to Bimtang (3,720m) via Larkya La Pass (5,160m) - the big day
Day 11: Bimtang to Tilije (2,300m)
Day 12: Tilije to Dharapani, jeep to Besisahar
Day 13: Besisahar to Kathmandu by jeep
Day 14: Departure

Fitness required

Strenuous. 14 days of walking, the Larkya La pass at 5,160m, basic teahouse comfort. You should be capable of 6-8 hours daily walking with a daypack, and have done at least one prior multi-day trek (ideally at altitude). 3-4 months of focussed cardio and leg work is the typical preparation.

How does it compare to Annapurna Circuit?

Factor	Manaslu Circuit	Annapurna Circuit
Days	14	15-21
Highest pass	Larkya La 5,160m	Thorong La 5,416m
Crowds	Quieter (1/3 of AC)	Busier
Permits	Restricted (USD 165)	Open (USD 37)
Lodge quality	Good	Excellent
Road impact	Minimal	Heavy (paved most of AC)
Cultural intensity	Very high	High
Wilderness feel	Stronger	Moderate

The short answer: Manaslu is the trek you want now. Annapurna Circuit was the trek your parents wanted.

Best season

Spring (late March-May): Stable weather, rhododendrons in lower forest. Larkya La in good condition.
Autumn (late September-November): Clearest visibility of the year. Cold above 4,000m. October-November is peak.

Monsoon (Jun-Aug) is risky - landslides on the lower jeep road. Winter is technically possible but Larkya La often closes.

What does it cost?

USD 1,100-1,800 per person for a 14-day trek with a reputable Kathmandu-based operator. Includes jeep transfers, permits, guide, porter, lodging, meals and Kathmandu hotel.

Lodges and food

Lodges range from basic plywood-room teahouses to surprisingly comfortable boutique lodges (Samagaon has the most upmarket options). Most have hot showers, some Wi-Fi (paid), and standard dal-bhat / momo / fried rice menus. The lodges in Dharmasala (the night before Larkya La) are the most basic - foam pads on the floor, simple food.

Wi-Fi and mobile signal

Most lodges from Macha Khola to Bimtang have NTC SIM signal. Ncell is patchier. Wi-Fi available in some lodges for USD 3-5 per day. No signal above Dharmasala or on the pass crossing.

What if I want to add Tsum Valley?

Tsum Valley is a separate restricted-area trek that branches east from Lokpa on Day 2-3 of the Manaslu Circuit. The combined Manaslu + Tsum Valley trek runs 19-21 days, adds a separate Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (USD 40 first week, USD 7/day after) and roughly USD 400-500 to the cost.

Tsum is one of the most culturally intact valleys in Nepal - Tibetan-speaking, deeply Buddhist, with the Shyagya non-violence tradition established in 1920 making it an unofficial vegetarian zone. We strongly recommend the combination if you can spare the time.

In summary

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is, in our view, the best 14-day teahouse trek in Nepal. The Larkya La crossing is unforgettable. The cultural depth in Nubri is among the strongest in the country. And the trail still sees only a fraction of the trekkers that crowd Annapurna and Everest.

If you have done EBC or Annapurna and want something quieter, more authentic and more challenging, Manaslu Circuit is the trek to book.