Manaslu Circuit Trek Guide

Welcome to Nepal, the home of the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest, and 14 more peaks over 8,000 meters above sea level. The world’s eighth-tallest peak, Mount Manaslu, is 8,163 meters above sea level. It is in the isolated land of Nepal, which offers a breathtaking journey for adventure seekers. This Manaslu Circuit Trek Guide will help you to explore the trails of mountains filled with rhododendron forests, rivers, bridges, remote villages, and viewpoints that offer the breathtaking view of snow-capped peaks.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a 14- to 18-day journey that offers trails filled with adventure to experience the Himalayan region of Nepal. The trails of Mount Manaslu are still one of the least explored lands of Nepal, so you must hire a professional Manaslu Circuit Trek guide to navigate the trekking routes. It is not as popular as ABC and EBC, the trails are less crowded and offer you a peaceful journey. The professional Manaslu Circuit Trek guide will break the language barriers and explain to you the stories of different religious places. 

Trekking in Nepal offers more than just an adventure or a vacation, but a journey to explore the trails of mountains to get away from the city crowd, and enjoy the different traditions, culture, and festivals while being surrounded by the majestic view of the tallest peak touching the clouds. The Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp treks are the most popular and highlighted adventures in Nepal, but the trails of Manaslu offer unpredictable opportunities.

This blog will offer you a perfect Manaslu Circuit trek guide to plan your proper travel itinerary. The Himalayan region trails are filled with adventure and rich in culture, so it is important to hire a professional travel guide who will help you to navigate the trails, weather, food, accommodation, transport, permits, and all the logistical things to make your journey comfortable. The high altitude journey can be risky because of the low temperature and altitude sickness, so you must travel with a professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide.

Understanding the Manaslu Region

Mount Manaslu, also known as the “Spirit or Soul Mountain,” is located in the Gorkha district of Nepal. The Japanese expedition team led by Toshio Imanishi completed the world’s eighth-tallest mountain, with a height of 8,163 meters above sea level, in 1956. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River, Solti Khola, Marsyangdi River, religious temples, and bamboo and rhododendron forests above 2,500 meters from sea level.

The travelers can enjoy the rich culture, tradition, food, and festivals of the Gurung and Magar communities. These two groups of community people have been protecting and conserving the trails for many generations, and this Manaslu Circuit trek guide will help you to create a bond with locals. The remote villages are filled with colorful flags and decorations during the festival time that represent their religious beliefs. Many monasteries and religious temples are located on your journey after you cross the Jagat.

The Manaslu region is a restricted area, so you will need to apply for permits before starting your journey. The cost of the permits is later used to maintain the trails, monasteries, and temples, and build infrastructure for the area’s development. The MCAP, ACAP, TIMS, and local area permits are the four important permits to start and end your journey. Travelers are not allowed to start their journey without a professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide.

Why do you need a Manaslu Circuit Trek guide?

You will walk through the unexplored trails covered with rhododendron and bamboo forests, rivers, remote villages, and routes that are hard to navigate. So the government of Nepal has added the restriction to start your journey, like you will need to get permits and show them at the different checkpoints, and you are not allowed to travel solo. You will need a professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide to start your journey.

The Manaslu Circuit trek offers the opportunity to experience the unexplored land of Nepal and an area influenced by Buddhism, Gurung, and Magar culture, festivals, and their traditions. The trails pass through villages filled with monasteries, a home for monks decorated by colorful prayer flags engraved with mantras. The place has been protecting the centuries-old monasteries that tell the stories of religious devotees, so it is important to travel with an experienced Manaslu Circuit trek guide to learn about their culture and beliefs.

The trails are not easy, and it is physically demanding, as you have to walk 5 to 6 hours daily on the Himalayan trails at high altitude. The weather is unpredictable, and many trekkers suffer altitude sickness as they reach 2,800 meters above sea level. You will reach Larkya La Pass, located at 5,160 meters above sea level, from where you will enjoy the majestic view of snow-capped peaks. So it is important to hire a professional Manaslu Circuit Trek guide, as they will help you to navigate the trails and help you reach your destination.

Best Season to Start your Manaslu Circuit Trek

This Manaslu Circuit trek guide will help you to choose the best trekking season according to your comfort. So you can enjoy your journey with the proper travel plan with your family, friends, or solo. Choosing the right season is very important in high-altitude places because it can create obstacles in your journey.

I. Autumn

Autumn is known as the most popular season for trekking in Nepal. The adventure seekers filled the trail with energy and motivation. The autumn starts in September, waving goodbye to the monsoon rain, and lasts till November. Remember, you will still notice small monsoon rain at the start of September.

The Access Nepal professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide always recommends this time to start your journey, as the skies are clear and offer the majestic view of the mountains. The warm temperature makes the trails easy, and the forest is filled with different shades of rhododendron and other wildflowers.

II. Spring 

Spring is not as popular as the crowd you will notice in the autumn season. But according to the professional Manaslu Circuit Trek guide, the maintained weather and temperature from March to May offer an excellent time for starting your adventurous journey. The smaller crowd makes the trails peaceful and provides more opportunities to experience the Himalayan culture.

In Nepal, there are more than 30 different species of rhododendron with different shades like red, white, and pink. It is also known as the national flower of Nepal. You will notice the forest is filled with colorful flowers, and the longer warm daylight makes the trails beautiful and easy to navigate for the Manaslu Circuit Trek guides.

III. Winter 

The winter brings cold temperatures, short daylight, and longer nights with darkness. The trails are filled with snow and make the navigation harder. The temperature can drop up to -20 degrees Celsius at nighttime, and trekkers might suffer from frostbite, the most common thing in high-altitude places, which is considered life-threatening if it’s not treated in time.

The winter starts in December and lasts till February, and the trails are less crowded because beginners and intermediate trekkers are not recommended to start their journey around this time. But with the help of a professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide, the experienced mountaineers who are craving breathtaking adventure can join the journey to experience the thrills within their bodies.

IV. Monsoon

The season that brings heavy rainfall and dark clouds blocking the view of the mountains. The monsoon starts in June and lasts till August, which is the worst time to start your journey, according to the professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide. The rain fills the air with the sweet fragrance of mud, but it can also make navigation harder.

In the monsoon season, the trails are slippery and dangerous for beginner, intermediate, and even experienced trekkers. The forest is covered with bloodsucking leeches, and clouds block your visibility. The weather is already unpredictable in higher places, and sometimes you even have to end your journey midway. The teahouses and lodges are closed during this time of year.

Permits For Manaslu Circuit Trek

The government of Nepal has made a few rules and regulations to control the flow of trekkers, which help them to maintain the trails and protect the Himalayan culture. You will need four permits, and each of them has its own purpose in your journey. The group must hire a professional and licensed Manaslu Circuit trek guide to start their journey.

I. Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP or MRAP)

The MRAP can help you access the trekking area of Jagat and Dharapani. You have to pay $100 per person for 7 days of access and $15 for each day you are going to spend there.

II. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) 

You will have to submit your permit at the checkpoint located at Sama Gaon village, or you will not be allowed to enter the village without the permit. It will cost you around $30 per person and works for the entire journey.

III. Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) 

After crossing the Larkya La Pass located at 5,160 meters above sea level, you will start to descend from the Annapurna region, so trekkers must acquire the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs $10 to $30 per person.

IV. Chumnubri Rural Municipality Permit (Local Area Permit) 

From 2026, the local area permit has been compulsory, which costs NPR 1,000 per person, and the money helps to develop the trails while raising funds to improve the health post and education in the remote areas.

Remember, if you lose your permit, you have to apply again for the new one, and the cost of the permits changes according to the season, and SAARC nations have to pay less compared to other foreign countries. Your professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide will hold all of your permits and show them at checkpoints located at different locations of your journey.

Day-by-Day Itinerary of Manaslu Circuit Trek 

Access Nepal has planned this itinerary with the help of a professional Manaslu Circuit Trek guide so you can adjust to walking the Himalayan trails and build your stamina for more physically demanding days. Here is your 14-day planned itinerary for your journey.

Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu 

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and also the starting point of your journey. You will land at Tribhuvan International Airport and check into a hotel. Then, after resting for a few hours, you can spend the time enjoying the nighttime of Kathmandu.

Day 2: Exploring Kathmandu 

You will spend another day in Kathmandu preparing your permits and trekking gear. You can also spend time exploring different religious places like Boudhanath, Pasupatinath, and Swayambhunath.

Day 3: Kathmandu to Machha Khola

Now you will spend 6 to 7 hours sharing the ride with your team to reach Machha Khola and reach the village surrounded by the river, which is located near the Manaslu Conservation Area, and spend the night there.

Day 4: Machha Khola to Jagat Trek

Finally, you will start your first day of the trek starting from Machha Khola, and after 6 to 7 hours of trekking, crossing villages and rivers, you will reach Jagat Trek, covering 1,300 meters of distance.

Day 5: Jagat to Deng

The journey will continue from Jagat and travel 2,300 meters to reach Deng, a small village and the major attraction of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Day 6: Deng to Namrung 

Now the exciting part of your journey is where you will walk through the dense forest of rhododendrons, you will notice monasteries decorated with colorful flags, and you will reach Namrung village, covering 2630 meters of distance.

Day 7: Namrung to Lho 

You will start your journey towards the village influenced by Tibetan culture, a 6 to 7-hour walk to cover the 3,180 meters to reach the beautiful village of Lho, and enjoy the majestic view of the mountains surrounding the village.

Day 8: Lho to Sama Gaun 

Another exhausting day where you will cover the 3,530 meters above sea level. You will start your trek from the villages of Lho, and after walking for 6 hours, you will reach Sama Gaun and spend the night there.

Day 9: Rest at Sama Gaun 

You will spend another day exploring the village and creating a bond with the local people. You will join a short hike to Pungyen Gompa to watch the majestic view of the mountain and gather the energy for your upcoming journey.

Day 10: Sama Gaun to Samdo 

The short walking day to cover a little distance and walk through the mani wall to reach Samdo. You will spend the remaining time taking rest to keep you mentally motivated.

Day 11: Samdo to Dharamsala 

Another short climb, but the hard part of your journey to reach Dharamsala from Samdo. This day journey is to keep your body physically and mentally prepared for the upcoming journey.

Day 12: Cross Larkya La Pass and Trek to Bhimthang 

The most physically demanding day of your journey is when trekkers will walk for 10 to 11 hours to reach Larkya La, the highest point of your journey, located above 5,000 meters from sea level. Then you will start to descend to Bhimthang on the same day.

Day 13: Bhimthang to Tilche

Now you will walk through the forest of rhododendron, which is filled with different shades of Nepal’s national flower and different wildflowers, to reach Tilche, also the last night of your journey to spend at the Manaslu region.

Day 14: Drive from Tilche to Kathmandu 

Now you start your ride from Tilche, another 6 to 8 hours ride where you will enjoy the majestic view of snow-capped mountains from the jeep and talk about your experience of your adventure. You will reach Kathmandu and share a drink upon completing your journey.

Contact our Access Nepal team and book your adventurous journey now. We will take care of all the logistical things like permits, food, accommodation, and transport. We will even provide you with a professional licensed Manaslu Circuit trek guide to help you conquer the unexplored land of Nepal.

Adding Side Trips

I. The Tsum Valley Trek 

The Tsum Valley was not open to trekking or other visitors, as it is a more isolated region that protects its culture and traditions. The village has a unique culture, influenced by the Tibetan people and their Buddhist traditions. The secret Himalayan trail is connected with the Manaslu Circuit trek, which is not explored by many people. You will need a professional Manaslu Circuit Trek guide who is familiar with their religion and beliefs.

If you have time, make sure to join the Tsum Valley Trek, as since 2008, you are allowed to explore the area after purchasing the permit, which costs NPR 1,000 per person and is valid for a week. The trek will take around 5 to 7 days, as it is known as a historic place filled with old monasteries like Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa, including medieval caves offering the majestic view of Baudha Himal and Ganesh Himal.

II. Birendra Lake and Pugyen Gompa

Most of the travel agencies tell you about the classic routes to reach Larkya La Pass, located at a height of 5,160 meters above sea level. But Birenra Lake and Pugyen Gompa are two locations that offer you the majestic view of South Manaslu, located near Samagaon. The glacier lake, filled with blue water, is located at 4,450 meters at the bottom of the Manaslu Glacier.

The Pugyen Gompa is an old monastery built in ancient times in Nepal, located at the high point of Samagaon. The well-maintained religious place, decorated with different colors of flags and prayer wheels engraved with mantras, is the perfect opportunity to learn about the Buddhist religion and Himalayan culture at the same time.

I hope this Manaslu Circuit trek guide helped you to figure out your doubts. If you have more queries, you can contact our Access Nepal team, and we will take care of all the doubts and help you create the itinerary according to your needs. We will help you with all the logistical things like permits, food, transportation, and accommodation. We will provide an experienced licensed Manaslu Circuit trek guide for your journey.

FAQs

Do you need a professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide to complete your journey?

Yes, you need a professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide to complete your journey, as they will help you to navigate the Himalayan trails they are familiar with and help break the language barrier with the local communities.

How long does it take to complete the Manaslu Circuit trek?

With the help of a professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide, you can complete the adventure in 14 to 16 days.

What is the highest point of the trek?

Larkya La Pass is located at 5.160 meter above sea level, which is the highest point of the trek.

Are you allowed to start your journey without a professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide?

No, the rules of the Nepalese government do not allow you to start your journey without a professional Manaslu Circuit trek guide.