A classic trek featuring exemplary trekking experiences; off the beaten trail, outstanding views, high pass and diverse cultural and geographical experience.
Trip Overview
Highlights
- Manaslu (8th Highest mountain in the world)
- Off the beaten trail experience
- Mountain views, captivating villages and landscapes
- Larkya La, a mountain pass at 5160m/17200ft
Manaslu Circuit Trek is a classic off the beaten trek in Nepal with pure wilderness and baffling beauty circuiting the eighth highest mountain in the world. Manaslu Circuit Trek provides an exemplary experience of trekking in Nepal featuring off the beaten path, high mountain pass, outstanding views and diverse cultural and geographical experience.
The sublime experiences you enjoy in Manaslu region are unlike any other you’d ever imagine. Manaslu Circuit trek is an odyssey through some of the most arduous routes on the planet amid raw punishing beauty in the Himalayan region; it defies the mind, body and soul…it can change you for good…
The wealth of biological diversity in the Manaslu region stuns the imagination and the gripping, peculiar culture and lifestyles of the local folks, who represent much their neighbours in Tibet. It gives us wonderful opportunities to witness traditions that are ancient in nature and the chilling superstitions the folks believe in down here may raise the hair on your body and stir your imaginations to the core. Despite the tough and bitterly cold and harsh conditions these people live in, they will welcome you with warm hearts.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary Overview
Delve into off the beaten path, soak in panoramic views, conquer high mountain pass, and immerse yourself in diverse cultural and geographical experiences. Our Manaslu circuit trekking is a 17 days trip covering all the major highlights of the region while ensuring proper rest and acclimatization.
After 2 nights in Kathmandu, our journey to Manaslu commences with a long off-road driving experience to Soti Khola. From here, we tread the trail passing by numeral villages with some rest and acclimatization days scheduled. Following the standard route, we pass by villages and get to Samagoan where we will spend two nights before moving up higher. We also get to visit Pungyen Gompa as a side exploration. Two major acclimatization days are scheduled in the itinerary at Samagoan and Samdo for better success ratio, and we have devised the itinerary keeping all the important aspects in mind.
The peaking point in this trip is the ‘Larkya La Pass’ which most trekkers consider to be one of the most striking passes when crossing the Himalayas. We have made sure that you get ample time for proper acclimatization so your body adjusts with the thin air at the higher elevations, and you feel comfortable when treading the heights on the trail. Due to its isolation and far-flung geographical nature, ‘Trekking through the wilderness on the Manaslu Circuit’ is meant for those who blend in and become one with Mother Nature…and on achieving this special feeling; you will have enjoyed the trip of a whole lifetime.
After the pass, we connect on the Annapurna trail and conclude our trek at Dharapani, from where we take a drive back to Kathmandu.
Manaslu is a legendary trail and is known for its natural diversity of landscapes that it traverses. However, the sceneries we witness hereabouts don’t come easy; the paths are rock-strewn and sometimes steep and include rickety bridges and slippery rock faces – this is all part of adventurous forays into the unknown wild.
All these venture needs are a brawny pair of lungs, strong legs that have done a lot of hiking around, especially in mountainous regions and some detailed preparation that leaves out nothing. Hiking these gritty trails will reward you with experiences that will be non-fiction fables for you to write about when you get back home; a story to remember for a lifetime.
How hard is Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Manaslu circuit trek is considered challenging due to its longer duration of trekking days and with a maximum elevation of 5,160m/16,930ft at Larkya La Pass. A daily average walking hour is 6-7 on this trek. Unlike other famous trekking regions of Nepal, Manaslu is still considered off the beaten so a basic sense of adventure is required on this trek. Previous experience of trekking is not required but you need to be fit and comfortable walking 6-7 hrs every day carrying your day pack.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Map
Important Note: Your safety is of imperative concern while travelling with Highland Expeditions. Please take care to note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to your safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails travelling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather, health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The trek leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.
Trip Itinerary
Dates & Price
Our trips are available on both fixed departure and private group basis.
If you are looking for a group to join this trip please click the Fixed Departures tab for more information on departure dates, availability and price. All our fixed departures are guaranteed to run. Or, if you would like to do this trip alone, or with your friends, families & colleagues in a private group style, please fill out the contact form in Private Group tab and send us your message. We will organize a private trip for you at your preferred dates catering any request you may have.
Apr, 2024
May, 2024
Sep, 2024
Oct, 2024
Nov, 2024
Apr, 2025
May, 2025
Sep, 2025
Oct, 2025
Nov, 2025
Cost Inclusion
- All meals (B,L,D) on OPEN/CHOICE Menu whilst on the trek with tea & coffee.
- Twin sharing accommodation at Kathmandu guest house or similar category for 3 nights with breakfast
- All required permits for trek (Special permit, MCAP & ACAP)
- All ground transfers as per mentioned in the itinerary on private vehicle
- Experienced local trek leader with 1:4 assistant guide to client ratio
- Full support crew with 1 porter for every 2 trekkers
- Sightseeing of Kathmandu including guide and entrance fees
- Kathmandu airport transfers and escorts on private vehicle
- Comprehensive first aid kit with oxygen mask and regulator
- Satellite phone for emergency purpose but nominal charge for personal use
- Duffel bag, Sleeping bag with liner and Down Jacket (Sleeping bag and down jacket must be returned after completion of trek)
- Staff equipment, insurances and allowances
- Trek completion certificate (Upon request)
Cost Exclusion
- International airfare, Visa and travel insurance
- Meals at Kathmandu
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu or on trek for any reason (Early arrival or delay, Early arrival from trek due to any reason)
- Personal expenses - Drinks and Souvenirs
- Gratuities for staff
Essential Information
Equipment List for Manaslu Circuit Trek
The gear listed below is recommended for Manaslu Circuit Trek. We encourage you to get all the equipment listed below for the trip and kindly ensure you check and try every piece of equipment. You can also buy or hire the same in Thamel,Kathmandu as they are available in the many trekking shops from branded to local manufacturers in Kathmandu.
Head gears:
- Sunhat
- Warm hat (should cover head & ear comfortably)
- Buffs X 2
- Sunglasses (High-quality, UV-blocking sunglasses with good all-around protection)
- Headlamp with spare batteries (200-300 lumens output)
Upper Body:
- Thermal or fleece base layer top X 2
- Short Sleeve Trekking shirts X 2
- Full Sleeve trekking shirts X 2
- Soft-shell jacket/fleece jacket X 2
- Light down jacket X 1
- Hardshell jacket with a hood X 1
- Insulated Down Jacket (provided by us at request)
Lower body:
- Thermal or fleece base layer bottom X 2
- Trekking trousers/pants X 2
- Warm trekking trousers X 1
- Hardshell pants (Non-insulated and waterproof)
- Insulated down pants (optional)
Underwear:
- 5 pairs of underwear (synthetic or wool fabrics only)
- 2 Sports Bra for women
Footwear:
- Waterproof Hiking Boots (GoreTex and Good Tread)
- Hiking socks X 4 pairs medium to heavy (synthetic and wool)
- Liner socks X 2
- Camp shoes to wear at the teahouse
- Gaiters
- Microspikes / Yaktrax
Handwear:
- Softshell gloves X 1
- Heavyweight gloves X 1
Gears / Personal equipment:
- Daypack 30-35 litres with rain cover
- Waterproof Duffel bag (provided by us at request)
- Down Sleeping bag (-15 C rated) (provided by us at request)
- One-litre capacity water bottle X 2 (Nalgene & Thermos)
- Trekking poles
- Camera with charger or spare batteries
- Personal snacks and energy bars (you can buy them during the trek too)
- Laundry bag to keep the dirty clothes
- Padlock (Optional)
- Rain Poncho
- Earplugs (Recommended for light sleeper)
- Large plastic bags to keep the clothes dry
- Extra clothes to wear in Kathmandu when you come back from the trek.
- Sandals or sneaker (To wear around camps and Kathmandu)
Toiletries and hygiene
- Quick-drying towel
- Small face towel
- Toothbrush &Toothpaste
- Face mask
- Water treatment tools or tablets (Recommended: Aquatabs)
- Soap and Shampoo/Dry shampoo (Smaller bottle)
- Face and body moisturizer
- Sunscreen SPF30+ and Lip balm SPF 30+
- Hand sanitiser/Antiseptic wipes
- Hygiene products
- Basic first aid kit
Documents
- Passport with visa and validity of 6 months after your trip completion
- 2 copies of passport-size photos (For sim card and travel purposes)
- Credit cards in case of emergencies
- Driving ID or any other ID in case of loss of your passport
- Travel Insurance and Flight tickets
Reviews
We did the Manaslu circuit trek with Highland Expeditions and were very happy with the excellent organisation of the whole trip and the professionalism and friendliness of everyone involved – from management to guide, porter and drivers. The trek was very demanding and challenging, but also stunningly beautiful. Our wonderful guide Angrita was always helpful and patient when we were struggling and looked after us really well. Porter Angnuru took very good care of our luggage while also being incredibly fast. I highly recommend booking any Nepal trip with Highland expeditions. Hopefully, we will be back for another trek with them one day!
Trekking to Manaslu and Larkya Pass was an amazing experience. The trek was hard especially for novice trekkers like us, it definitely pushed us to our limits but the support and care we received from the boys helped us accomplished the trek. The crew were wonderful, knowledgeable and a joy to spend 2 weeks with.
Overall great experience and we hope we’ll have the chance to return again.