Trekking Nepal’s Manaslu Circuit: What you need to know

What is it that makes the trekking route that loops around Mt Manaslu (8156m), the world’s eighth-highest mountain, so magical? Well, firstly and perhaps the most obvious is the distinctive, two-pronged mountain itself. Sure, it may not be as lofty as Everest and some of the other Nepalese giants, but it’s certainly a more graceful mountain to gaze at.

The second reason is the sheer variety encountered as you hike around the Manaslu Circuit. There are humid lowland villages painted green with banana plants, thundering waterfalls that explode down trailside cliffs, attractive stone-built Tibetan villages festooned in colourful prayer flags, flower-filled yak pastures, remote Buddhist monasteries. Add to all that is a spectacular crossing of a high-altitude pass, semi-frozen lakes, Hindu shrines, a daunting gorge to creep along, and plenty of opportunities to deviate off onto stunning side trips. Then there’s the third reason why this is such a wonderful trek and, considering all of the above, it’s perhaps the most surprising reason of all.  

The Manaslu Circuit trek remains the least known of all the main Nepalese trekking routes and even in high season crowds remain a fraction of those found on more famed trekking route. Sounds great doesn’t it? But before you rush off to pack your bags let’s look at everything you need to know before trekking Nepal’s Manaslu Circuit.

How difficult is Manaslu Trek?

Discussing how difficult the Manaslu Circuit trek really depends on how much previous experience you have of multi-day, high-altitude trekking. It’s certainly not the easiest trek in Nepal, but neither is it especially hard. If you compare the Manaslu Circuit to some of the other more popular ‘teahouse’ treks then we would say that it’s notably harder than the Langtang trek and the Annapurna Basecamp.

Most people would say it’s also a little harder than the Annapurna Circuit. However, it’s probably a little easier than Everest Basecamp, but that’s as much to do with the lower altitude than anything else. It’s certainly considerably easier than the epic Everest Three Passes trek. So long as you’re equipped for the cold, and ensure that you acclimatize well (build in the time to do several side trips) as well as being reasonably walk-fit then you shouldn’t have any major problems with this trek. If we were to rate it against multi-day treks elsewhere in the world then we would describe the Manaslu Circuit trek as being of moderate difficulty.

What are the highlights of the Manaslu Circuit?

Of course, one of the first things everyone needs to know about the Manaslu Circuit trek is what are the walk highlights? Well, here’s the good news. The Manaslu Circuit is frequently described as the best trek in Nepal and we whole heartedly agree! Lower crowds than some of the more famous routes, plus a neat circular route around the great mountain help to give a real sense of a journey. In regards to specific highlights though these would be:

Larkya La

The high point – and highlight - of this trek is the 5,106 m Larkya La pass. It’s an exhausting climb up to the pass but the superb alpine scenery with giant frozen peaks on either side mean that when you reach the colourful prayer flags marking the pass you’ll feel like you’re on the summit of the world.

Buddhist culture

The higher parts of this trek pass through a region with a rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. There are some stunning monasteries, long mani walls, mediation caves, prayer flags everywhere you look, and the constant murmuring of Buddhist mantras from local people.

Side trips 

The Manaslu Circuit offers some of the best side trips found on any major Nepalese trekking trail. Add some extra days to your schedule and hike to Manaslu base camp, clamber to high passes along the Tibet border, visit crystalline lakes, and hang out in atmospheric monasteries if you can add in the week-long side trip up into the sacred Tsum Valley and enjoy its mix of superb mountain scenery, traditional villages, and rich overlay of Buddhist mythology.

How much does Manaslu Circuit cost?

Hiking the Manaslu Circuit need not cost very much. There are trekking lodges (tea houses) all along the trail. Accommodation and food on the Manaslu Circuit trek is generally more basic, and prices slightly lower, than on the more popular trails such as those in the Everest region. There are also less temptations such as beer and steaks to spend your money on. One thing that does add to daily costs though is that a guide is compulsory for the Manaslu Circuit trek.

The cost of trekking the Manaslu ranges from USD 700 to USD 2000 +  per person, depending on whether you opt for basic or deluxe services.

How long does Manaslu trek take?

How long the Manaslu Circuit trek takes to walk really depends on how long you want it to take. Until a few years ago the bare minimum required was 16 days with a start in Arughat and a finish in Besi Sahar on the Annapurna Circuit. Today, the ever-expanding road network has eaten away at the start and end points of this trek and reduced the number of days required.

As of 2024 most people now start at Machha Khola (the driveable part of the road actually extends as far as Jagat but tourists are normally forbidden from driving this far up the valley unless they hire a local vehicle) and finish in Dharapani. This means that at a bare minimum, you need 11 or 12 days. Do we suggest you hike the Manaslu Circuit trail that quickly? No! There are two important reasons why we do not suggest you hike the Manaslu trail so quickly.

The first is that this timeframe only allows for one acclimatization day before crossing the 5100m high Larkya La pass and such a short acclimatization period means the risk of dangerous altitude sickness is high. The second reason is that one of the real delights of the Manaslu Circuit are the number of possible side trips. For many people, these side trails to hidden temples, beautiful lakes, and stirring viewpoints are the highlights of the trek. By only allowing 11 or 12 days you will have to miss out on many of these.

Taking all of this into account we believe that 14 walking days will really allow you to get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime trek. Give yourself 19 or 20 days and you can also venture deep into the little-known, but culturally fascinating Tsum Valley.

Do you need a guide for Manaslu trek?

The Manaslu Circuit trek is considered a restricted area trek and this means that an officially registered guide is compulsory. It’s also important to note that you must be part of a party of at least two people.

How to get to the start of the Manaslu Circuit trek?

There’s no airstrip anywhere near the Manaslu Circuit trail head so you will have to travel in by road. This might sound like a disadvantage, but as anyone who has taken many internal flights around the Nepalese mountains will tell you, being able to drive in and out is actually a big advantage because it means that when the mountain weather forces flight cancelations (as happens often) you’re not stuck waiting for the weather to clear.

That said, the drive in from either Kathmandu or Pokhara is long and tiring and the road often leaves a little to be desired. Although you can get to the trailhead by public transport most people opt to travel by private vehicle which will cost at least US$180 from either Kathmandu or Pokhara.

When to trek the Manaslu Circuit?

Another key bit of information that everyone trekking the Manaslu Circuit needs to know is when to set out on the trail. The Manaslu area follows the same weather patterns as most of the other main Nepalese trekking routes. This means a wet summer (June-Sept), clear, dry, and mild autumn (Oct-Nov), cold and dry winter (Dec-Feb), and a spring season (March-May) that gets steadily warmer and more unsettled as the year ticks on.

The best times to trek the Manaslu Circuit are generally considered to be October to mid-November and late March to the end of April. Of course, these periods also mean more trekkers on the trail, which some people might find dilutes the experience a little.

For those who are well equipped for the cold and have crampons and possibly an ice-axe for the crossing of the Larkya La then mid-winter offers wonderfully clear skies and few other trekkers. If the monsoon ends early, then the very start of October can be good. Late April and early May can also be good if the weather gods are smiling on you. But, you should be prepared for some hazy cloudy skies and the odd heavy thunderstorm at this time.

What to pack for the Manaslu Circuit trek?

The essentials are good hiking boots and poles, a high-quality sleeping bag that will keep you warm in sub-zero temperatures, a decent jacket, thermals and a good fleece, a water bottle with filter as well as sunglasses and other sun protection. Beyond those vitals, you will also likely need gloves and hat, mini crampons (micro spikes) for the crossing of the Larkya La, a camera, phone, spare batteries, and a good book.

You also need a decent, comfortable backpack to carry everything in. If using the services of a porter then anything you’re not intending to carry yourself will need to go in a big duffel bag.

What permits are required for the Manaslu Trek?

For the Manaslu Circuit trek, you need both a Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit as well as a restricted area permit. If adding in the Tsum Valley then also need a Tsum Valley permit. To get these permits you must be in a party of at least two trekkers and be accompanied by a guide. However, it’s sometimes possible to pay for a second “ghost” trekker permit. Find below cost for Manaslu Trek.

Manaslu Restricted Area Permit: USD 100 for the first 7 days (September to November) and USD 75 for the first 7 days (December to August). Additional days cost USD 15 per day.

Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP): Approximately USD 30.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Approximately USD 30.

What are the accommodation options on the Manaslu Trek?

There are now lots of trekking lodges (tea houses) throughout the Manaslu Circuit (and the neighbouring Tsum Valley). In general, these are more basic than those found in the Annapurna and Everest areas, but they still offer a surprising amount of comfort when you consider the remote location. Rooms, which are normally divided from one and other by paper-thin wooden walls, tend to have two single beds in them and possibly a small table.

In some places, electric sockets can be found in the rooms. In-room heating is non-existent and this means that at altitude it can get bone numbingly cold. Blankets are normally available but you definitely need to bring a decent sleeping bag. Attached bathrooms are more the exception than the rule although in most cases they’re hardly the most salubrious of places and you might prefer to use the communal bathrooms. Some trekking lodges have a hot shower available although there is always a charge for this. Pay for wi-fi is increasingly common and connection speeds are normally good enough to check emails, make a call, and browse websites.

With rooms often being cold and gloomy most people congregate in the dining area. These often have big windows that act like greenhouses to keep the room warm on sunny days. Come evening though and warmth is quickly replaced by cold. All lodges have some form of heating in the dining room, around which all the guests tend to huddle while they wait for their meal to be served. Most menus – and prices - are pretty similar. Expect the trekking lodge standards of dhal bhat, noodles, pasta, and momos to predominate. For breakfast, you can look forward to porridge, toast, and eggs. Whatever you eat you should order it as far in advance as you can to avoid a long wait.

Expert Suggestion

To get the most out of Nepal’s Manaslu Circuit trek ensure you have at least 20 days so that you can do several side trips and the week-long adventure through the Tsum Valley. And, if that’s not enough, once you drop down off the Larkya La and onto the Annapurna Circuit turn north rather than south and hike that trail as well. What an adventure!

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a trek that combines everything that upland Nepal excels at then look no further than the Manaslu area. With challenging trekking, superb scenery, and an ever-changing human landscape this trek really does have it all. So, what more do you need to know. Get out there and enjoy!