Manaslu Circuit Trail Nepal: Route, Teahouses, and Tips

The Manaslu Circuit Trail is one of the very few long Himalayan routes that still feels like a working mountain path!

It starts in warm valleys near Soti Khola and follows the Budhi Gandaki river north. Then it crosses Larkya La at 5,106 m and finishes in the Annapurna region.

In this guide, we will walk you through the trail stage by stage, with teahouses, seasons, permits, and tips from our own departures at Everest Trekking Routes.

The Manaslu Circuit Trail Stage by Stage

Most trekkers drive from Kathmandu (1,400 m) to Soti Khola (710 m) or Machha Khola (869 m). The drive takes 8 to 10 hours, and the road can be rough after rain.

From there, the trail runs anticlockwise and takes 12 to 14 days on foot:

Lower Budhi Gandaki: Soti Khola to Deng

The first three days follow the river through terraced fields, forest, and suspension bridges.

Expect steep ups and downs rather than steady climbing. Machha Khola, Jagat (about 1,410 m), and Deng (about 1,860 m) are the usual overnight stops.

Officers check permits at Jagat, so keep them handy! Days here are hot and humid, so start early and carry enough water.

Nubri Valley: Namrung to Samagaon

Above Deng, the valley widens and the culture shifts toward Tibet.

Namrung (about 2,630 m) and Lho (about 3,180 m) have mani walls, gompas, and your first clear views of Manaslu. Then comes Shyala before you reach Samagaon, at 3,530 m, which is the largest village on the trail.

Be sure that you take a detour to Pungen Gumba (or Pungyen Gompa) from Shyala before heading to Samagaon. It’s one of the best places to visit during your Manaslu Circuit Trek!

Most groups take a rest day here. A hike to Birendra Lake or toward Manaslu Base Camp works well, because you climb high and sleep low.

Samdo and Dharmasala

Samdo (3,875 m) is a short, easy day from Samagaon. It sits close to the Tibet border and feels bare and windy.

Next up is Larke Bazaar (with only one teahouse currently) before your reach Dharmasala. This is the last point of Manaslu Conservation Area, and is also called Larke Phedi, which sits at 4,460 m.

There are only a few basic lodges here, so treat it as a place to eat, layer up, and sleep early!

Larkya La to Tilche/Dharapani

Pass day starts between 3:30 and 4:30 am. You climb over moraine to 5,106 m, then descend about 1,400 m to Bimthang (about 3,720 m) via High Camp (where many trekkers stop for lunch). Those who have time can even pay a visit to Ponker Lake.

Plan for 8 to 11 hours, depending on snow and pace. The descent is hard on knees, so trekking poles really help!

After Bimthang, the trail drops through rhododendron and pine forest to Tilije or Tilche (about 2,300 m).

It then reaches Dharapani (about 1,860 m), where it joins the Annapurna Circuit. From Dharapani or Tal, a jeep takes you to Besisahar, and a longer ride brings you back to Kathmandu.

These days, jeeps are available in Tilche itself, so most of our itinearies are slowly choosing to end the trek early so you get enough rest!

Teahouses on the Manaslu Circuit Trail

Every night on this trail is in a teahouse, so you do not carry a tent. From Machha Khola to Samdo, twin rooms with shared bathrooms are standard. Namrung, Lho, and Samagaon have the most comfortable lodges.

Dharmasala and Bimthang are more basic. Dormitory rooms are common there in busy weeks. After the pass, Tilije, Dharapani, and Tal offer simple, reliable rooms again!

For Dharmashala (that one night), it’s suggested to carry a sleeping bag. Don’t worry! If you book your Manaslu trip with Everest Trekking Routes, we will inform you whether it’s needed.

Moving on to food, Dal bhat comes with refills, so we suggest it most days!

Hot showers, charging, and Wi-Fi cost extra, and signal fades as you climb. In autumn, private rooms at the top are not guaranteed. Therefore, we book ahead for all our groups!

Trail Conditions by Season

So, when should you choose to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek? Well, here are the trail details on different season to help you decide:

• Autumn (September to November): This season brings the clearest skies and the firmest trail. It is also the busiest, so lodges fill up. Nights at Dharmasala fall below freezing.
• Spring (March to May): Lower forests bloom with rhododendron, and days feel warmer. Afternoon cloud builds early, and old snow can linger near the pass in March.
• Monsoon (June to August): Leeches, slippery gorge sections, and landslides on the access road make progress slow. Clouds also hide most views.
• Winter (December to February): Heavy snow can close Larkya La, and some high lodges shut. For this reason, we do not usually run departures in these months.

Can You Walk the Manaslu Circuit Trail in Reverse?

Yes, but few trekkers do, and we rarely recommend it!

Walking clockwise from Dharapani brings you to Bimthang (about 3,720 m) with little high-altitude preparation. The next day asks for a climb of roughly 1,400 m to Larkya La. You then finish the day at Dharmasala, which sits at 4,460 m!

That altitude profile is much harder on the body than the standard direction. If you still want to try it, adapt the plan:

• Add a second night at Bimthang and hike higher during the day.
• Add at least 1 buffer day in case weather closes the pass.
• Book Bimthang and Dharmasala early, because lodges are limited.
• Talk to your doctor about altitude medication before you travel.

Permits and Costs for the Manaslu Circuit Trail

You need four permits: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and a local Chumnubri municipality fee. You do not need a TIMS card (as this has become completely optional these days).

Here are the permit cost details:

A registered agency like Everest Trekking Routes applies for the RAP, so we arrange every permit as part of our package.

Note that since March 2026, solo trekkers can apply without a partner. Our package also includes an experienced guide. We recommend one for pacing, route decisions, and altitude checks on the pass!

Practical Tips Before You Walk the Manaslu Trail

Here are some tips for all our readers who are planning to book the Manaslu Circuit Trek with us:

• Take the rest day at Samagaon, and keep daily sleeping gains to about 500 m above 3,000 m.
• Carry Nepali rupees in cash, because ATMs stop after the lower villages.
• Buy insurance that covers trekking to 5,200 m and helicopter evacuation.
• Pack a sleeping bag rated to about -10°C, a headlamp, and trekking poles (we’ll inform you!).
• Tell family to expect quiet days, since signal is unreliable above Samagaon.
• Keep 1 or 2 spare days in your itinerary for pass weather.

Why the Manaslu Circuit Trail is One of Nepal’s Best?

Few routes in Nepal pack this much variety into one walk!

You start in subtropical forest and pass through Tibetan Buddhist villages. Then you cross a glaciated pass and drop into the Annapurna region. All of it comes with fewer crowds than the Annapurna Circuit or even Everest Base Camp!

The trail asks for time and effort, and that is why it stays quiet. If you want to plan your dates, contact us at Everest Trekking Routes. We will build a Manaslu itinerary that gives you the acclimatization days the trail deserves!