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Sagarmatha Atlas
Manaslu Circuit — Manaslu, Nepal

Trek · Manaslu

MANASLU CIRCUIT

Duration14 daysMax altitude5,106 mDifficultyDemanding

01 — Overview

Trekkers who want remoteness and Tibetan culture, with fitness for a serious pass.

Around the 'mountain of the spirit' — a restricted-area circuit that has quietly become the connoisseur's alternative to Annapurna. Fewer teahouses, deeper forests, Tibetan-border culture, and one enormous pass: the Larkya La.

The Budhi Gandaki gorge is narrower and wilder than anything on the Annapurna circuit, and the circuit's upper section feels like the Tibet of thirty years ago.

  • Larkya La (5,106 m) crossing
  • Samagaun and the Birendra lakes under Manaslu's north face
  • Pungyen Gompa — the circuit's most atmospheric monastery
  • Tibetan Nubri valley culture

02 — The Route, Day by Day

The line you'll draw on the mountain.

Scroll to walk the route — the profile draws itself as the days pass, and the current altitude follows you.

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Day 1 — KathmanduNow: Day 1 · 1,400 mDay 14 — Kathmandu
  1. Day 01

    Kathmandu → Kathmandu

    Briefing; restricted-area permits processed.

    1,400 m

  2. Day 02

    Kathmandu → Soti Khola

    Long drive via Dhading Besi to the Machha Khola roadhead.

    700 m

  3. Day 03

    Soti Khola → Machha Khola

    Enter the Budhi Gandaki gorge.

    930 m

  4. Day 04

    Machha Khola → Jagat

    Suspension bridges, the entry checkpoint to the restricted area.

    1,340 m

  5. Day 05

    Jagat → Deng

    Narrow gorge trails, first Nubri villages.

    1,800 m

  6. Day 06

    Deng → Namrung

    Cross into Tibetan Buddhist cultural area.

    2,630 m

  7. Day 07

    Namrung → Lho

    First clear views of Manaslu above Lho's gompa.

    3,180 m

  8. Day 08

    Lho → Samagaun

    The circuit's heart — stone villages under the north face.

    3,530 m

  9. Day 09

    Samagaun → Samagaun

    Acclimatisation day: Birendra Tal or Pungyen Gompa.

    3,530 m

  10. Day 10

    Samagaun → Samdo

    The last village, 4 km from the Tibetan border.

    3,860 m

  11. Day 11

    Samdo → Dharamsala

    Short day to the pass camp, resting for the crossing.

    4,460 m

  12. Day 12

    Dharamsala → Bimthang via Larkya La

    Pre-dawn crossing of the Larkya La, descent to the high meadows of Bimthang.

    5,106 m

  13. Day 13

    Bimthang → Tilije → Dharapani

    Descend the Dudh Khola and join the Annapurna circuit trail.

    2,300 m

  14. Day 14

    Dharapani → Kathmandu

    Drive back via Besisahar.

    1,400 m

03 — Included

  • Full board on trek
  • Restricted-area & ACAP/TIMS permits
  • Guide + porter
  • Road transport

Not included

  • International flights
  • Insurance
  • Gear
  • Tips