Manaslu Circuit trek, Nepal
Less well known than the nearby Annapurna Circuit, the Manaslu Circuit trek is a spectacular and isolated circular walk around the eighth highest mountain in the world, Mount Manaslu, which rears up to a height of 8,163m. The government of Nepal opened up the trail to trekkers in 1991, and it’s still something of a best-kept secret, but the route itself is very old and follows an ancient salt trading road along the Buri Gandaki River.
As ever in Nepal’s Himalayas, the scenery does not disappoint, with landscapes that change with every hour of walking, from lush farmland to a steep river gorge, Alpine meadows and rocky moraine carved through by glaciers.
You’ll enjoy fantastic views of Manaslu and the Ganesh Himal Range and the trek takes you past villages that are extremely remote, and see far fewer trekkers than those lining the Annapurna Circuit. As you climb, Hindu settlements give way to a scattering of Tibetan communities, which nestle in the shadow of mighty Manaslu’s north face. The climax of the trek, in terms of altitude, is the long day crossing the Larkya Pass (5,130m), which provides epic views of snowy peaks, before dropping steeply down and eventually joining the main Annapurna Circuit route for the final day’s walking.
Our Nepal trekking Vacations
Nepal family vacation, walking in the Annapurnas
Low altitude trek in the Annapurna foothills
From
US $1799 to US $1850
12 days
ex flights
The Heart of Nepal trek, tailormade
Trekking, wildlife, culture and temples
From
£3080
14 days
ex flights
Nepal trek with Chitwan National Park safari
Trek in Kathmandu valley & Chitwan
From
US $849 to US $955
14 days
ex flights
Sailung Valley trekking vacation, Nepal
Walking adventure in beautiful, undiscovered region of Nepal
From
£1255 to £1367
11 days
ex flights
Everest Base Camp trek, Nepal
For anyone who has dreamed of seeing Mt Everest
From
US $1226 to US $2010
15 days
ex flights
Annapurna Sanctuary trek & Chitwan safari
Spectacular trekking and jungle safari at Chitwan
From
US $1095 to US $1195
17 days
ex flights
Nepal trekking vacation, Annapurna and Everest
Trek Nepal's famous Everest and Annapurna Trails in 2 weeks
From
US $2899 to US $2990
15 days
ex flights
Manaslu Circuit hiking vacation, Nepal
A spectacular and fairly isolated circular trek in Nepal
From
US $2479 to US $2879
18 days
ex flights
Annapurna Sanctuary trek in Nepal
The world famous Annapurna Sanctuary trek
From
£840
14 days
ex flights
Annapurna Circuit trekking vacation
One of the world's classic treks
From
US $2479 to US $2649
22 days
ex flights
Annapurna Sanctuary trekking vacations
One of the very best alpine treks to Annapurna Base Camp
From
US $2179 to US $2399
15 days
ex flights
Annapurna Circuit 16 day vacation, Nepal
One of the best high altitude adventures in the world.
From
US $1760 to US $2525
16 days
ex flights
Gokyo Everest trek in Nepal
Trek the Gokyo region in Northeast Nepal
From
US $1375 to US $1475
18 days
ex flights
Trek & volunteer in Nepal, help rebuild it
Join helping hands with us to rebuild in Nepal
From
US $799 to US $855
12 days
ex flights
Annapurna trekking vacation in Nepal
It gives the incredible views of silvery mountains
From
US $1095 to US $1155
12 days
ex flights
Ghorepani Poon Hill trek in Nepal
Moderate trek in the Annapurna Region.
From
US $860 to US $1125
5 days
ex flights
Everest base camp trek
The classic route through the Sherpa heartland to Base Camp
From
US $2479 to US $2949
16 days
ex flights
Annapurna base camp trek, Nepal
Mountain views & local culture on the Annapurna trek
From
US $850
12 days
ex flights
Nepal family vacation
A fabulous family vacation including the best of Nepal
From
£1750 to £2100
12 days
ex flights
Everest base camp trek
Trek amid stunning views of the Himalayas
From
US $1375 to US $1475
18 days
ex flights
Trekking with Sherpas in the Everest region
Trek in the foothills of the mightiest of the mountains
From
£888
11 days
ex flights
Everest Base Camp and Gokyo lakes trek in Nepal
This high altitude trek explores the heart of Sherpa homeland
From
US $2749 to US $3149
19 days
ex flights
Khopra danda trekking vacations in Nepal
This is a moderate,off-the-beaten-track adventure
From
US $1090
9 days
ex flights
Tengboche trek in Nepal
A great option if you're short on time.
From
US $1990 to US $2705
8 days
ex flights
Annapurna trek in Nepal
Trek the Himalaya foothills in the Annapurna region
From
US $1569
15 days
ex flights
Annapurna trekking vacation, Nepal
Trek towering peaks and reconnect with ancient ways
From
US $825 to US $1199
15 days
ex flights
Langtang trekking vacations in Nepal
unravel the magic of the Himalayas and its people
From
US $960 to US $1760
10 days
ex flights
Annapurna base camp trekking vacation in Nepal
Classical lodge trek in the Nepal Himalayas
From
£1258
15 days
ex flights
Highlights of the Manaslu Circuit
The Manaslu Circuit trek has always traditionally started in Arughat Bazaar in the Buri Gandaki Valley, an eight to 10 hour drive from Kathmandu, but with roads being built in this region, some organised treks start at either Barpak or Soti Khola a bit further up the trail. The trail follows the beautiful Buri Gandaki River to its source just below the Larkya Pass (5,125m). You start at low altitude, around 700m, where the weather is often hot and humid, then hike through a varied range of landscapes. Farming country and rice paddies give way to lush forests of bamboo and rhododendron, steep cliffs and raging waterfalls, terraced hillsides with small villages, and on up to dramatic, rocky high altitude terrain ripped through by huge glaciers.
Above about 2,000m, you come across footholds of Tibetan culture that exist in the high Himalaya and will see Tibetan style villages and mani stones (prayer stones) carved into rocks by the path. As you climb, the mountains swing into view and rear over the trail. Enjoy superb views of the Shringi Himal as you reach Sirdabas and at Lho, 3,170m up, you’ll get your first views of Manaslu, Naike and Larkya Peak. Trekking on from Lho, drink in the epic views, with snow-capped mountains all around you: Himal Chuli and Peak 29 to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers up ahead, and Ganesh Himal at the far end of the valley.
Samdo is the last permanent settlement on the trail and only a day’s walk from the Tibetan border. Organised treks always build in a day for acclimatisation here, with optional short walks, before pressing on to Dharamsala at 4,480m, the last overnight stay before crossing the Larkya Pass (5,130m). Once you’re over the pass, there’s a long, steep descent down but the views are amazing, with the brilliantly blue glacial waters of Pongkar Lake visible amidst three glaciers below. The stretch from Bimthang down to the Burdin Khola valley is particularly beautiful, with mountains behind and in front and superb views of Manaslu. At Dharapani the route connects with the main Annapurna Circuit, eventually crossing the Marsyangdi River and ending the trek in Jagat or Besisahar.
Our top Nepal trekking Vacation
The Heart of Nepal trek, tailormade
Trekking, wildlife, culture and temples
From
£3080
14 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be arranged at any time to suit you, and adapted to your requirements as necessary. Please contact us for further details
This trip can be arranged at any time to suit you, and adapted to your requirements as necessary. Please contact us for further details
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Nepal trekking or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Practicalities on the Manaslu Circuit
The Manaslu circuit is one of the more remote treks in Nepal’s Himalayas, and typically involves around 13 days of point to point walking. You’ll be staying in teahouses along the route, with a night in a fixed tent in Dharamsala. You can join a small group (between four and 16 people) or opt for a tailor made trek. Both will include experienced local guides and porters, who should be tasked with carrying no more than 25kg and should be fully insured. Read more here about porters’ rights and what questions to ask your vacation company.
You’ll need to be in good shape to tackle, and also enjoy, the Manaslu Circuit. Expect to be trekking for between five and eight hours a day, with the odd longer day, for instance when you cross the Larkya Pass – this involves about 11 hours on foot. Some of this will be at high altitude, which carries a risk of altitude sickness, but well organised treks build in time to acclimatise and the trek leader will be sure that you are pacing yourself correctly, to minimise the chances of being adversely affected. Oxygen and a first aid kit is usually carried by the porters.
You’ll need to be in good shape to tackle, and also enjoy, the Manaslu Circuit. Expect to be trekking for between five and eight hours a day, with the odd longer day, for instance when you cross the Larkya Pass – this involves about 11 hours on foot. Some of this will be at high altitude, which carries a risk of altitude sickness, but well organised treks build in time to acclimatise and the trek leader will be sure that you are pacing yourself correctly, to minimise the chances of being adversely affected. Oxygen and a first aid kit is usually carried by the porters.
The trail can be narrow or uneven at times, with some walking on rocky glacial moraine and some very steep descents, plus expect to cross suspension bridges over the river. Finding out you suffer from vertigo three days into a 13 day trek is not pretty, so be honest with yourself about your abilities and the rigours of this route before signing up.
As it ranges from hot and humid at the start of the trek, to cold at the top, with the potential for snow and ice, too, most organised treks offer the chance to hire a down jacket and suitable sleeping bag. March and April, October and November are great times to trek the Manaslu Circuit, with daytime temperatures at most altitudes pretty comfortable for walking, clear skies, and only occasional rain or snow. Expect it to be around 10°C at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher you go.
More about Nepal trekking
The best time to trek in Nepal depends on which elevation you’re intending to head for with Annapurna, Langtang and Everest regions all displayed on our easy to use temperature and rainfall chart.
Our Nepal trekking travel guide gives you Nepal in a nutshell as well as stripping away the husk and inviting you to discover if a Nepal trekking vacation is for you and what does trekking in Nepal entail.
Our straightforward interactive map allows you to discover some of the best treks in Nepal as well as sample Nepal trekking itineraries, where to trek and what our expert suppliers recommend.
There are several tried and tested Nepal trekking activities to help you break up a day’s trekking, including city sightseeing in Kathmandu, photographing the Himalayas and taking time to sip tea with the Sherpas as you pause and remember that looking down is as impressive as looking up.
If the only peaks you’ve seen are in Derbyshire, Nepal’s Annapurna region will blow your mind, as this is a mountain range so vast, high and majestic that even seasoned travelers are left speechless.
The trek to Everest Base Camp, at a dizzying 5,364m, is varied, exciting and rich in history, and it demands stamina but also patience.
A perfect introduction to Himalayan trekking, Nepal’s mini Annapurna circuit trek uses an internal flight to shave some distance off the full circuit route, condensing this awesome hike into a two week trip.
There are some no-brainers when it comes to our top 10 walks in Nepal, but Nepal also offers some surprises, including lower-elevation routes that make treks possible for less experienced hikers.
Fancy trekking in Nepal with kids? This page is all about activities for families on a Nepal trek, including the Poon Hill Trek, the Royal Trek and time spent at Kathmandu’s bazaar.
Our Nepal trekking advice from our friends in Nepal is essential reading and will help you make the most of your experience, with recommendations and tips from Nepal trekking experts.
Porters’ rights, wood for fuel and orphanage problems all need to be addressed if you want to travel right in Nepal, and our responsible trekking in Nepal page lightens your load as you find to do to help.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Petr Meissner] [Topbox: Lukas Kolisko]
[Highlights: Rick McCharles]
[Practicalities: Petr Meissner]
Back to the top
- Recently viewed
