BodhVia

Manaslu

The Manaslu Circuit

A fifteen-day trek around the world's eighth-highest mountain — quieter than Annapurna, wilder than Everest, and still gloriously off the beaten path.

A fifteen-day trek around Mt Manaslu through remote Tibetan-Buddhist villages and over the Larkya La pass at 5,106 m. This is a protected, restricted area, so the trail stays quiet and the culture intact. Privately guided by NMA-registered mountain guides, with all permits handled for you, and limited departures each season.

For travelers who want the Himalaya at its wildest

This is the trek for people who have walked the famous routes and want something quieter, wilder, and more closely tied to the people who live there. Manaslu is a protected, restricted area, which keeps the trail uncrowded and the Tibetan-Buddhist culture of its villages beautifully intact.

It is harder than Annapurna, and the high crossing — the Larkya La at 5,106 m — is one of the most demanding passes in Nepal. It is also one of the most beautiful. We pace it carefully, with two full acclimatisation days, the best lodges on the route, and all permits handled for you.

Every journey begins with a conversation. We keep groups small and departures limited. Tell us when you would like to travel, and we will plan it with you.

The line of the walk · 15 days on foot

max 5,106m (Larkya La)

5,106m

Hover the markers — 6 places along the way

Day by day

The walking
itinerary.

  1. Day 1

    700m

    Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola

    A long drive following the Trishuli and Budhi Gandaki rivers deep into the foothills. We arrive at the trailhead village of Soti Khola for a riverside dinner.

  2. Day 2

    900m

    Soti Khola to Machha Khola

    The trek begins in earnest along the dramatic Budhi Gandaki gorge — waterfalls, swaying suspension bridges, and trails carved into the cliffside.

    Walking6 hrs

  3. Day 3

    1,340m

    Machha Khola to Jagat

    The trail steepens through the gorge. We pass the hot springs at Tatopani and reach Jagat, the official entry point to the restricted Manaslu region.

    Walking6–7 hrs

  4. Day 4

    1,860m

    Jagat to Deng

    The valley narrows dramatically as we climb. Here the first signs of Buddhist culture appear — whitewashed chortens, carved mani walls, and prayer flags strung across the trail.

    Walking6–7 hrs

  5. Day 5

    2,630m

    Deng to Namrung

    We climb into the Tibetan-influenced upper Manaslu valley, through pine forest and Gurung villages, and catch our first distant views of Manaslu itself.

    Walking6–7 hrs

  6. Day 6

    3,520m

    Namrung to Sama Gaon via Lho

    Manaslu comes fully into view at the village of Lho, where we take a long lunch beside the monastery. We then walk on to Sama Gaon, our base for the next two nights.

    Walking6 hrs

  7. Day 7

    3,520m

    Acclimatisation day at Sama Gaon

    An active rest day to help your body adjust. Walk to the glacial lake of Birendra Tal at the foot of the Manaslu Glacier, or climb toward Manaslu Base Camp if you are feeling strong. A long afternoon in the village.

    Walking4–5 hrs

  8. Day 8

    3,860m

    Sama Gaon to Samdo

    A short day to Samdo, one of the highest year-round villages in Nepal and Tibetan to its core. We arrive in good time for afternoon tea.

    Walking3–4 hrs

  9. Day 9

    3,860m

    Acclimatisation day at Samdo

    A second active rest day, with an optional walk up toward the old Tibetan trading border. Wide skies, far horizons, and an easy pace to let your body keep adjusting.

    Walking3–4 hrs

  10. Day 10

    4,460m

    Samdo to Dharmasala

    A short but important day up to Dharmasala, the high camp below the pass. The air is thin here, so dinner and sleep come early before tomorrow's crossing.

    Walking3 hrs

  11. Day 11

    5,106m / descend to 3,720m

    Cross the Larkya La pass to Bimthang

    The big day. A pre-dawn start, a long steady climb, and the spectacular crossing of the Larkya La at 5,106 m. The first stretch of descent to Bimthang is steep, but the rest of the day is gently downhill.

    Walking8–9 hrs

  12. Day 12

    2,300m

    Bimthang to Tilije

    A long, beautiful day of descent through pine and rhododendron forest. Green returns, the air warms, and the first villages of the lower valleys come back into view.

    Walking6–7 hrs

  13. Day 13

    1,100m

    Tilije to Syange via Tal

    We descend into the Marsyangdi valley and briefly join the lower Annapurna trail. Our vehicle meets us at Syange to begin the journey back.

    Walking5–6 hrs

  14. Day 14

    1,400m

    Drive back to Kathmandu

    A long but scenic drive back through the foothills to Kathmandu, where hot showers and soft beds are waiting after two weeks on the trail.

  15. Day 15

    1,400m

    Recovery day in Kathmandu

    A final day to rest and recover — a massage, a leisurely lunch in the old city of Patan, and a private farewell dinner to close the journey.

What is included

  • All Manaslu Conservation Area and restricted-area permits, handled for you
  • Senior NMA-registered trek leader and assistant guide
  • A porter team that carries all your luggage
  • All teahouse accommodation, with a private room wherever available
  • All meals, snacks, and provisions on the trail
  • Kathmandu accommodation before and after the trek
  • Daily SpO2 monitoring and a full altitude-safety protocol

Not included

  • International flights to and from Kathmandu
  • Nepal visa fees
  • Travel insurance covering trekking at altitude and helicopter evacuation
  • Personal trekking gear and clothing
  • Drinks beyond the tea and water provided on the trail
  • Tips for your guiding and porter team
  • Expenses of a personal nature

Honest answers

Practicalities

  • How remote is the trail?

    Genuinely remote — and that is the point. There is no road and no helicopter access along most of the route, and entry requires restricted-area permits, which we arrange for you. Expect intermittent mobile coverage for much of the trek.

  • How hard is the Larkya La pass?

    It is a long, high day at 5,106 m, but it is non-technical — a walk, not a climb. We cross at first light to stay ahead of the wind and carry crampons in the shoulder seasons.

  • How fit do I need to be, and how should I train?

    This is a strenuous, fifteen-day trek with a long high pass, so you should be comfortable walking six to seven hours on consecutive days. Long hill walks with a light pack in the months beforehand are the best preparation; we share a readiness guide during planning.

  • How do you keep me safe at altitude?

    We take daily SpO2 readings, build in two full acclimatisation days, and carry supplementary oxygen and a full altitude-safety protocol. If any traveler dips below safe thresholds, we stop and rest.

  • What travel insurance do I need?

    You will need a policy that covers trekking at altitude, including helicopter evacuation — worth noting on a route this remote. It is not included in the trek price, and we review your cover with you during planning.

  • I am travelling solo — is that possible, and is there a single supplement?

    Yes. The trek is privately guided, so solo travellers are welcome. A private-room supplement applies where a single room is available; we quote it clearly during planning.

  • Is there wifi and charging on the route?

    Coverage is intermittent and both wifi and charging grow scarcer the deeper you go — often solar-powered and offered for a small fee. We suggest carrying a power bank and treating Manaslu as a genuine chance to be offline.

  • Is the drinking water and food safe?

    Yes. We provide safe, treated drinking water throughout and choose the best teahouses on the route for their kitchens. Meals are freshly cooked and chosen to travel and digest well at altitude.

  • Can I add the Tsum Valley?

    Yes. The Tsum Valley is a side journey into one of the best-preserved Buddhist cultures in Nepal — nunneries, mani walls, and a stillness all its own. We are happy to build the extra days into your itinerary.

  • How does payment work, and what is the cancellation policy?

    There is no online checkout. Every trek is arranged by application, and the payment schedule and cancellation terms are set out in the written proposal we prepare for you.

  • How do I book this trek?

    Every journey begins with a conversation. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will reply within three days to start planning your departure.

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Walk this with us.

Autumn 2026 · October–November · From $6,900 per guest, twin share

From $6,900 per guest, twin share

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