Manaslu Circuit Trek: 14-Day Himalayan Trek & Base Camp
Why the Manaslu Circuit Feels Different: 14 Days Around Nepal's Eighth Highest Peak
You hike 14 days around Mt. Manaslu from Kathmandu, crossing two high passes including the 5,160-meter Larke La, staying in mountain lodges with an English-speaking local guide. All permits, transport, meals, and accommodation are included, which means you show up ready to walk. The paperwork and logistics are done. The trek takes you through remote Tibetan villages and lush Himalayan terrain that sees far fewer trekkers than the major circuits.
Step-by-step itinerary
Drive and begin trek from Soti Khola
- Drive 7 hours northwest from Kathmandu
- Start trek from Soti Khola
- Trek 6 to 7 hours through jungle and villages
What’s included
Your 14-day trek includes all trekking permits (Manaslu Special, Manaslu Conservation Area, and Annapurna Conservation Area permits), round-trip public transport from Kathmandu to Soti Khola and back, hotel pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu, airport pickup, breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, mountain accommodation in lodges and teahouses as per the itinerary, and a government-registered English-speaking local guide for the entire trek.
Times
- Every day 07:00
Before you book
Operated by Nepal Trekking Experts Pvt. Ltd.
Prices and times updated 15 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
What draws people to a trek that takes two weeks and climbs to 5,160 meters? Usually it's the quiet. The Manaslu Circuit doesn't have the crowds of Everest Base Camp or the well-worn trails of the Annapurna Circuit. It's newer, less trafficked, and the villages along the way still look the way they did fifty years ago. You start seven hours northwest of Kathmandu, driving from the city until the road ends at Soti Khola, where the actual walking begins. From there, it's 14 days of trekking through lush jungle, past waterfalls, and up to the Larke La pass at 5,160 meters, with views of Mt. Manaslu itself, the world's eighth tallest mountain, dominating the skyline.
The rhythm is steady: six to seven hours of hiking each day, roughly 15 kilometers, which sounds manageable until you're at altitude and the terrain gets steeper. You'll cross two major passes (the Rui La at 4,998 meters and the more challenging Larke La), and spend nights in mountain lodges or basic teahouses, eating meals cooked by local families. Your guide is a government-registered English speaker from the region, which means they know the route, the weather patterns, and the people in each village. They also know where the water is safe and when to push and when to rest. The trek moves through Tibetan cultural areas, so you'll see monasteries, prayer flags, and the way communities have preserved their traditions despite isolation.
What makes this different from other high-altitude treks in Nepal is the remoteness and the fact that it's still opening up to international trekkers. You're not walking in a line of fifty people. The landscape shifts constantly: dense forest gives way to alpine meadows, then to bare rock and snow as you climb. Standing at the top of Larke La with nothing but white peaks in every direction is the kind of moment that justifies the effort, though you won't know that until you're there, breathing hard, looking around.
The logistics are handled: permits for the Manaslu Special, Manaslu Conservation Area, and Annapurna Conservation Area are included, as is transport from Kathmandu to the trailhead and back. Hotel pickup and drop-off in the city, all meals during the trek, and accommodation in mountain lodges are part of the package. You bring fitness, acclimatization patience, and a willingness to move slowly at altitude. The minimum age is 10 and the maximum is 70, though the real requirement is cardiovascular health and the ability to hike six to seven hours on consecutive days.
Is this one for you?This trek suits trekkers with strong cardiovascular fitness who want a high-altitude Himalayan experience without the crowds of major circuits, and who have two weeks to spend at altitude: the remoteness and the permit requirements are what keep the numbers low and the experience intact.
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Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How fit do I need to be for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
You need a high level of physical fitness and good cardiovascular health. The trek involves six to seven hours of hiking daily for 14 consecutive days at altitude, with the highest pass at 5,160 meters. It's not a casual walk.
What's included in the Manaslu Circuit Trek price?
All trekking permits (Manaslu Special, Manaslu Conservation Area, Annapurna Conservation Area), round-trip transport from Kathmandu to the trailhead, hotel pickup and drop-off, all meals, mountain accommodation, and an English-speaking government-registered guide.
How many days is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
14 days total, including travel from Kathmandu to the starting point and back. The actual trekking portion covers the circuit around Mt. Manaslu with daily hikes of six to seven hours.
What's the highest point on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The Larke La pass at 5,160 meters is the highest point. You also cross the Rui La at 4,998 meters. Mt. Manaslu itself stands at 8,163 meters but is not summited on this trek.
Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek crowded?
No. It's a newly opened route and far less trafficked than the Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit treks. You'll encounter other trekkers but not in large groups.
What kind of accommodation is provided on the trek?
You stay in mountain lodges and basic teahouses run by local families along the route. Accommodation is simple but clean, with basic amenities.
Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit if I'm pregnant?
No, the trek is not recommended for pregnant travelers due to the altitude, physical demands, and remote location.
What's the age range for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The trek is open to ages 10 to 70, provided you have good cardiovascular health and the required fitness level.
Do I need to arrange permits myself?
No. All necessary permits (Manaslu Special, Manaslu Conservation Area, and Annapurna Conservation Area) are included in the package.
What language does the guide speak?
Your guide is an English-speaking government-registered professional from the region, so communication and cultural context are covered throughout the trek.
Manaslu Circuit Trek: 14-Day Himalayan Trek & Base Camp
17d · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 1,190 per person
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