Manaslu Circuit

Information

Distance

177.0 km

Duration

13–16 days

Max elevation

5,106 m

Country

Nepal (NP)

Difficulty

Strenuous (restricted area, extreme altitude at Larkya La 5,106 m, mandatory acclimatization, licensed guide required)

Best Season

March–May (spring) and September–November (autumn); December–February is very cold, May–August is the rainy season

Permits & Fees

MRAP (Manaslu Restricted Area Permit): USD 100 for the first 7 days + USD 15/day thereafter (between Jagat–Bhimtang); MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Permit): USD 30; TIMS card; minimum 2 trekkers per group; a licensed guide is required; all permits are arranged through a registered trekking agency in Nepal

Description

The Manaslu Circuit is Nepal's premier off-the-beaten-path trek, circling Mount Manaslu (8,156 m)—the world's eighth-highest peak—through the remote Gorkha district of Gandaki Province. The ~177 km route takes 13–16 days, following an ancient salt-trading trail along the Budhi Gandaki River through Gurung and Tibetan-influenced villages before crossing the dramatic Larkya La (5,106 m), the circuit's thrilling high point. Far less crowded than the Annapurna or Everest circuits, the Manaslu Circuit rewards with unspoiled landscapes, traditional highland culture, and a genuine sense of remoteness. As a restricted-area trek, every trekker needs a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (MRAP), a Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and a TIMS card, and must travel in groups of at least two with a licensed guide booked through a registered agency. Best seasons are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November).

Trail Highlights

Manaslu (8,156 m, the eighth highest mountain in the world), the Larkya La pass (5,106 m), Birendra Lake, the Tibetan-style villages of Samagaon and Samdo, rhododendron forests, and the ancient salt trade route along the Budhi Gandaki River.