Manaslu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu circuit is the longer and quieter alternative to the Annapurna and Everest treks. Eighteen days take in the full circuit around the eighth highest mountain in the world, from the subtropical lower reaches at Machha Khola at 2,854 feet up to the Larke La pass at 16,732 feet, and down again through Bhimthang and Dharapani to the road head at Besisahar. The region is restricted, which keeps the numbers low and the lodges simple.

A long, committed circuit

The route climbs gradually through Jagat, Deng, and Namrung into the upper valley at Syala and Sama Gaun, where rest days allow visits to Pungyen Gompa, Manaslu Base Camp at 15,748 feet, and the Tibetan border at 16,404 feet from Samdo. The crossing of the Larke La is the trek’s pivot, a long day with a steep climb, a high pass, and a sustained descent to Bhimthang. From there the walk drops through forest to Tillje and Dharapani.

What it feels like on the ground

Walking days run six to eight hours on remote trails, sometimes through narrow gorges and sometimes across open pasture. Lodges are simpler than on the Everest or Annapurna routes, with limited menus and shared facilities. The country is more dramatic for being less developed, and the mountain culture in the upper valleys has clear Tibetan roots.

Prayer wheels on the Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Practical notes

Good fitness and prior trekking experience are strongly recommended. The Larke La crossing at 16,732 feet is serious, and the route stays above 11,000 feet for several nights. The restricted area permit requires a minimum group size and is arranged in advance. Personal insurance covering high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation is required. The best seasons are autumn (mid-September to late November) and spring (mid-March to late May).