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In a nutshell
The Manaslu Circuit Trek with Larkya La Pass takes you through one of the most remote and unspoiled mountain regions in Nepal. Over 14 days, the landscape shifts completely: from lush river valleys and bamboo forests to high alpine terrain with a distinctly Tibetan character. The Manaslu Circuit is rugged, quiet and varied. Every day looks different from the one before.
The trip starts in Kathmandu with a pre-trip meeting: you meet your guide and porters, go through the itinerary and do a gear check. The following morning, a bus takes you to Seti Khola, where the trek begins.
For 12 days, you follow the Budhi Gandaki river upstream, passing mani walls, stone villages and narrow gorges, while the landscape slowly transforms from green and lush to raw and high. Acclimatisation days in Samagaon and Samdo give your body the time it needs to adjust before the high section begins.
The absolute highlight is the crossing of the Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m / 16,752 ft. An early start, a long climb through ice and stone, and then the summit: prayer flags in the wind and a view you will not forget. The descent to Bhimtang is its own reward.
The trek ends in Tilje. From there, a jeep and bus take you back to Kathmandu.
Note: This is a suggested itinerary. Your trip is custom-made to fit your wishes and experience. Tell us what your preferences are. We’ll draft a personalised day-to-day program.
Spring (February through mid-May) and autumn (September through November) are the best seasons for this trek. The weather is stable, the skies are clear and the chance of snow on Larkya La Pass is at its lowest.
Autumn is slightly busier. Spring is a little quieter, with rhododendron forests in full bloom along the route.
You don’t need to be a top athlete, but this trek does ask something of you. Think 4 to 7 hours of walking per day, several days in a row, at altitude. If you’re used to multi-day mountain hikes, you’ll generally be fine. The day to the summit of Tserko Ri (4,985 m) is the most demanding section: steep and possibly icy.
Not sure? Just get in touch. We’re happy to look at your experience level together and see whether this route suits you.
This is a suggested itinerary. A plan that shows what a trek like this can look like. Not how it has to go.
Want to add an extra acclimatisation day, start from a different point? Or make this a complete Nepal trip, including time elsewhere in Nepal? Get in touch and we will build a trip that fits your pace and preferences.
Get in touch and we’ll create a trip that fits you.
This is not a beginner’s trek. The route is long, remote and reaches high altitude. You should be in good physical condition and comfortable walking for 5 to 7 hours a day over multiple days. Prior trekking experience is strongly recommended.
Not sure if you qualify? Get in touch and we will give you an honest answer.
⛰️ Manaslu means "Mountain of the Spirit"
The name Manaslu comes from the Sanskrit word manasa, meaning intellect or soul. At 8,163 m / 26,781 ft, it is the 8th highest mountain in the world. The first successful summit was reached by a Japanese expedition in 1956.
What’s included
The price of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is per person, based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
Are you travelling solo or with a larger group? We are happy to make you a custom price proposal. Just send us a message and we’ll get back to you with the options.
Included in this trip
- Pre-trip meeting and briefing in Kathmandu
- All required trekking permits
- Licensed, English speaking trekking guide (salary, transport, accommodation, meals, gear and insurance)
- Private transport from Kathmandu to the trailhead and back
- All teahouse accommodation during your trek
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner during your trek
- 24/7 support from the By Mountain People team throughout your trip
- Booking secured through the Calamity Fund
- Booking secured through VZR Garant
- VAT and tourist service charge
Not included
- Porter (on request)
- Any hot and cold drinks
- Insurance covering rescue and evacuation
- Tips
- All other expenses not listed under 'Included'
Day-to-day program
This is an example itinerary. It shows you how a trip like this is typically structured, day by day. Because we tailor every journey to your wishes and experience, the exact program may vary.
Note: walking times are indicative and depend on your pace.
The day before the trek begins. You meet your guide, go through the itinerary and check your gear. Missing something? Your guide will take you to the outdoor shops nearby to get everything sorted.
Got everything you need? Take the rest of the day to recover from the jetlag, explore Thamel at your own pace or venture a little further into the city.
Early morning, you board the bus and head northwest towards the Gorkha region. The road is smooth until Dhading Besi. After that, it becomes rougher and more remote. Villages, terraced fields and river valleys pass by the window. By late afternoon, you reach Machha Khola, the starting point of the trek.
🚙💨 Prefer a jeep?
That's possible. It's faster, a bit more flexible and includes some great stops along the way. Get in touch for details.
The trek begins. You follow the Budhi Gandaki river upstream, crossing swaying suspension bridges and walking through small riverside settlements. Halfway through the day, you pass the natural hot springs of Tatopani, such a tempting stop.
The trail climbs through forest and rocky terrain before reaching Jagat, the entry point to the Manaslu Conservation Area.
🚫 One of the last restricted trekking areas in Nepal
The Manaslu Conservation Area requires a special restricted area permit. This was introduced to protect the fragile ecosystems and Tibetan-influenced cultures along the route. As a result, the trail sees far fewer trekkers than the Annapurna or Everest regions.
You leave Jagat and climb over a rocky ridge towards Salleri, then descend to Sirdibas. The trail continues through rhododendron forest and Himalayan pine, past mani walls and Buddhist prayer flags. You cross the Siyar Khola bridge and pass the junction where the trail splits towards Tsum Valley. By the end of the day, you reach the Buddhist village of Deng.
Countless Tibetan mani walls line the path today, their stones carved by hand with Buddhist texts. The trail winds through narrow gorges and colourful forests of spruce, oak and rhododendron. At the end of the day, you reach Namrung.
🌊 The Budhi Gandaki flows the entire length of the route
From Machha Khola to the high camps below the Larkya La, the Budhi Gandaki river is our constant companion. The trail follows its course upstream for most of the trek, climbing from subtropical valley floors to glacial terrain above 5,000 metres.
You climb gradually into alpine terrain. For the first time, Manaslu North and Manaslu itself appear on the horizon. You spend the night in Lho Gaon.
👫🏽 Locals in Lho Gaon still wear traditional Tibetan clothing
In Lho Gaon and other villages in the upper Nupri region, you will see locals wearing the chuba, a traditional Tibetan robe. This part of Nepal has strong historical ties to Tibet, and the culture, language and religion reflect that connection clearly.
A shorter day, designed to let your body adjust. You walk through a gorge thick with moss and rhododendrons. There is time to breathe, look around and arrive slowly in Samagaon.
Walk high, sleep low. Today you stay in the area around Samagaon. The day hike takes you to Pungyen Gompa and the glacial lake Birendra Tal, past the monastery destroyed by an avalanche in 1953, all the way to the ice-blue lake at the foot of the glacier.
Another shorter day above the tree line. Past yaks, marmots and high mountain meadows. Samdo is a yak-herding village at the junction of three valleys. On a clear day, you might spot traders from Tibet.
🏘️ Samdo sits at a crossroads of three valleys
The small yak-herding village of Samdo lies where three valleys meet, close to the Tibetan border. Historically, it was a trading point between Nepal and Tibet. On a clear day, you can sometimes see Tibetan traders crossing the high passes above the village.
From Samdo, you follow a wide path, cross the Budhi Gandaki and walk alongside a long mani wall. The trail climbs towards the Larkya glacier. You reach Larkya Phedi with views over a deep gorge. An early night. Tomorrow is the big day.
Today is the day. You start before sunrise and move steadily through ice and stone, past frozen lakes, towards the pass. At the top, prayer flags snap in the wind. You made it. The descent to Bhimtang is long, but the sense of achievement carries you through.
⛰️ The Larkya La Pass is one of the highest trekking passes in Nepal
At 5,106 m / 16,752 ft, the Larkya La is a serious crossing. The trail over the pass involves glacier terrain, frozen lakes and a long exposed ridge. Most groups start the crossing before 5am to avoid afternoon weather. The descent to Bhimtang drops more than 1,300 metres in a single day.
We cross a glacial stream and descend into a forest of rhododendrons and tall pines. With Manaslu still in view, you continue along the Dudh Khola through farmland to Tilje.
It’s the final walking day. Tired, satisfied and with a pack full of memories, we reach the end point of the trek.
You pack your bags for the last time on the trail. From Tilje, a jeep takes you to Besi Sahar. The road follows the Marsyangdi valley and runs alongside the construction works of the hydro power project. Dusty and busy, but the mountains are still with you.
After breakfast, we catch the bus back to Kathmandu. Time to rest, reflect and let it all sink in.
Congrats! You did it! You completed the Manaslu Circuit with the high Larkya La Pass. 🎉
🚙💨 Prefer a jeep?
That's possible. It's faster, a bit more flexible and includes some great stops along the way. Get in touch for details.
Walking & pace
We start the day early. Breakfast is at 7 AM, and we leave the lodge around 8. The morning hours are when the air is freshest and the views are at their clearest.
We stop for lunch towards the end of the morning. Lunch is freshly prepared, warm and unhurried. It can take a while for the food to come out, but that is part of the rhythm. You sit down, drink something, rest your legs and refuel for the afternoon.
In the afternoon, we usually walk a little further to reach the lodge for the night. By around five, we sit down for an early dinner. We order breakfast for the next morning at the same time, so it is ready when we are.
Throughout the day there is plenty of time to drink water, reapply sunscreen, take photos and simply look around. The mountains are not in a hurry, and neither are we.
Route
Altitude
About the Manaslu Circuit Trek
This trek takes you through a remote and restricted mountain region, circling the world’s 8th highest mountain over 13 walking days. You walk an average of 6 hours per day. The itinerary includes two acclimatisation days; one in Samagaon and one in Samdo, to give your body time to adjust before the Larkya La Pass.
The paths vary from wide river valley trails to narrow gorge paths, forest tracks and high alpine terrain above the tree line. The final day over the pass involves glacier terrain and a long descent. Trekking poles and warm layers are essential.
Quick facts
- Route type: loop
- Total distance: approximately 177 km / 110 mi
- Starting point: Machha Khola (930 m / 3,051 ft)
- Highest point: Larkya La Pass (5,106 m / 16,752 ft)
- End point: Besi Sahar (760 m / 2,494 ft)
- Number of trekking days: 10
- Highlights along the way:
- Tatopani hot springs
- Lho Gaon and the first views of Manaslu
- Samagaon and Birendra Tal glacial lake
- Samdo yak village
- Larkya La Pass
- Bhimtang
Practical
Everything you need to know before you go. Below you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about this trip. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Feel free to reach out.
Altitude sickness can affect anyone. Regardless of age, fitness or experience. Even the most seasoned mountain walkers can struggle with it.
The best prevention is going up slowly. That’s why our itinerary deliberately includes acclimatisation days where needed. This gives your body time to adjust to the altitude.
Drink plenty of water and listen to your body. Headaches, dizziness or nausea are signals to take seriously. Our guides are trained to recognise symptoms and will adjust the programme if necessary.
And if you do get altitude sickness? Descending is the only right choice. No debate, no hesitation. That’s not failure. That’s wisdom.
During the trek you sleep in teahouses: simple mountain lodges with firm mattresses, pillows and blankets against the cold, and dal bhat in the shared dining room.
Expect a twin room, a shared bathroom and cold water. A hot shower or wifi is sometimes possible, usually for a small extra fee. Charging your electronics is always possible, sometimes for a small fee. And then there is the warm fire in the dining room, friendly hospitality and views no hotel can match. This is the Himalaya.
PS: even though pillows and blankets are provided, we recommend bringing your own warm sleeping bag. The nights at altitude get cold, and your own bag makes a real difference. After booking, you’ll receive a detailed packing list that helps you prepare for both the trek and the nights in the lodges.
Yes, always.
The teahouse menu is plant-based by nature and offers plenty of choice. Three warm meals a day are freshly cooked in the teahouse kitchen. Breakfast options include porridge, pancakes, omelette and local bread. For lunch and dinner, expect dal bhat, curry, lentil soup, noodles, dumplings, spring rolls and pasta.
We strongly advise against eating meat on the trail. Ingredients are often carried in on foot and cannot always be kept properly refrigerated. Vegetarian and vegan options are the safer and more reliable choice.
Yes. The Manaslu Conservation Area requires a restricted area permit, which can only be obtained through a registered trekking agency. This permit is included in the price of your trip. We take care of all the paperwork.
The best preparation is simply walking. Preferably several days in a row, with a backpack and elevation gain. In the months before departure, build up to walking days of 5 to 6 hours. Work on your overall fitness with cardio training (running, cycling, swimming) and don’t neglect your legs: squats, lunges and stair training work wonders.
Just as important: break in your hiking boots in time. New boots in Nepal are a guaranteed recipe for blisters. Ideally, start your training 3 to 6 months before departure.
Once your trip is confirmed, you’ll receive all the practical information you need to leave well prepared. This includes visa information, recommended vaccinations and a detailed packing list.
After arriving in Kathmandu, there’s a pre-trip meeting with your guide. We go through the route, the latest weather forecasts and there’s plenty of room for any final questions. We also do a gear check, to make sure you have everything you need for the trip. Missing something, or not sure about your gear? We’ll head out together to sort it. Kathmandu has plenty of good outdoor shops. 😉
Yes. Our individual trips are custom trips, and hiring a porter is optional and can be added to your booking. Most people travelling as a pair share one porter. The porter carries a maximum of 15 kg (33 lbs) in a duffel bag, which we provide on loan for the duration of the trek.
Hiring a porter is more than a practical choice. It is one of the most direct ways to contribute to the local economy. Portering is an important source of income and often the first step into the tourism sector for young people from mountain communities. It is how most of the guides started out. They learn the trekking routes, work with international travellers, pick up English and other languages, and build the experience needed to become a guide themselves.
If you feel uncertain about hiring a porter, there is no need to. At By Mountain People their work is valued, the pay is fair and the opportunity matters. If you would like to add a porter to your trip or have questions, get in touch and we will put together a proposal.
Nepal Trek – Manaslu Circuit with Larkya La, the Remote Trail
- A full loop around Manaslu, the world's eighth highest mountain
- Cross the Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m / 16,752 ft at your own pace
- Deep into restricted Tibetan culture, villages and landscapes few trekkers ever reach
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