Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary

The Places Nepal Manaslu Circuit Trek runs 12 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu. You drive to Machha Khola (890 m) on Day 1, trek for ten days through the Budhi Gandaki valley and the Nubri region, cross the Larkya La Pass (5,106 m) on Day 10, and finish trekking at Dharapani on Day 11 before driving back to Kathmandu on Day 12.

The trekking section — Machha Khola to Dharapani — covers roughly 125–130 km on foot, walked over ten trekking days plus one acclimatization day at Samagaun. Daily walking time varies a lot more than most itinerary pages admit: some days are 3–4 hours, the pass-crossing day is 8–10 hours. There is one dedicated acclimatization day, at Samagaun on Day 7, and the whole route is built around a gradual climb from 890 m to 5,106 m so your body has time to adjust before the pass.

This page breaks down what happens on each of the 12 days: where you sleep, how far you walk, how much elevation you gain, and why the itinerary is shaped the way it is. For trek cost, physical preparation, and packing, we link out to the dedicated Places Nepal guides on those topics rather than repeating them here — this page is about the route itself.

12-day itinerary at a glance

Manaslu Circuit itinerary options compared

Manaslu Trek Route overview

The route follows the Budhi Gandaki River north from the lowlands of Gorkha district into the Nubri valley, a Tibetan-influenced region tucked against the Manaslu massif and the Tibet border. Around Namrung the valley opens into high alpine terrain; by Samagaun you're walking among yak pastures with Manaslu's north face filling the sky. From there the trail climbs to Samdo and Dharamsala, crosses Larkya La, and drops into Bhimthang before a long forested descent to Dharapani, where the circuit ends and the Annapurna region's road network takes over. 

Two of the twelve days involve no trekking at all — Day 1 and Day 12 are both road transfers. The trek itself runs Day 2 through Day 11, with the acclimatization day at Samagaun (Day 7) built in rather than added as an extra day, which is one reason this itinerary runs 12 days rather than the 13–17 day versions some other operators sell for the same route.

Day 1: Kathmandu → Machha Khola

Distance: ~160 km by road · Travel time: ~7–9 hours · Overnight: Machha Khola (890 m) · Trekking: none

Route overview

This is a driving day, not a hiking day — worth saying plainly because a lot of itinerary pages blur the two. You leave Kathmandu early (buses depart Gongabu Bus Park roughly 6:00–8:00 AM), follow the highway west and north, and by early afternoon you're past Arughat and into the Budhi Gandaki gorge on unpaved road. You reach Machha Khola (890 m) in the late afternoon.

What the journey is like

The paved road ends at Arughat. From there the route is dusty, bumpy, and slow — not because it's dangerous, but because it's a mountain dirt road with river crossings and terraced hillsides on either side. It's the kind of day that feels longer than its distance suggests, purely from time spent sitting.

Why this day matters

There's no way to reach the Manaslu region except by road, and Machha Khola is the standard trailhead. Treating this as a rest-and-transition day rather than the start of "the trek" sets expectations correctly — the actual walking starts tomorrow.

Practical notes

Eat breakfast before you leave; most buses depart before hotel kitchens open. Keep snacks, water, and a jacket in your daypack rather than the main duffel. Machha Khola has reliable electricity and Wi-Fi — charge everything here, because power gets progressively less reliable above this point. A private jeep is available as a paid upgrade if you'd rather not take the shared tourist bus.

Day 2: Machha Khola → Jagat

Distance: ~14 km · Walking time: 6–7 hrs · Starting elevation: 890 m · Ending elevation: 1,340 m · Overnight: Jagat

Route overview

This is the first proper trekking day, following the Budhi Gandaki River north through subtropical forest and a handful of Gurung villages: Khorlabeshi, the hot springs at Tatopani, then a sequence of bridge crossings — a suspension bridge at Doban, a wooden bridge near Yaruphant, and a traditional cantilever bridge at Yaru — before the trail reaches Jagat.

What the trail is like

Dense forest for the first hour, opening into terraced valley villages. The gorge is narrow enough that you're rarely far from the sound of the river. Langurs are a regular early-morning sighting in the canopy.

Why this day matters

Jagat is the first Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (MRAP) checkpoint. Once you clear it, you're formally inside the conservation area. It's also a reasonable gauge of how your legs handle a full trekking day at low altitude, before things get harder.

Practical notes

The hot springs at Tatopani are a genuine highlight but an easy time sink — a 15–20 minute soak is enough. Have your passport accessible (not buried in your pack) for the checkpoint at Jagat. Bridges here are solid but cross one at a time as a habit.

Day 3: Jagat → Deng

Distance: ~19–20 km · Walking time: 5–6 hrs · Starting elevation: 1,340 m · Ending elevation: 1,860 m · Overnight: Deng

Route overview

The longest-distance day of the early circuit. The trail passes Sirdibas and Philim — the second permit checkpoint — then follows the river to the Siyar Khola bridge, where the Tsum Valley trail branches off to the right. The Manaslu Circuit continues left toward Pewa and on to Deng.

What the trail is like

The gorge narrows and the forest shifts from subtropical to rhododendron and pine. Prayer flags and gompas start appearing on the hillsides — the first visible sign of the Tibetan Buddhist influence that dominates the upper valley. The cultural character of the route becomes increasingly Tibetan-influenced from here northward, though the shift is gradual rather than sudden.

Why this day matters

This is the Tsum Valley junction — relevant if you're combining Manaslu with a Tsum extension (see below). It's also where the trek visibly leaves the Gurung lowlands behind.

Practical notes

Nearly 20 km is a full day; leaving Jagat by 7:00 AM keeps you ahead of the light. Deng's teahouses are basic and can fill up in busy season — confirm accommodation before leaving Jagat if you're trekking independently of a fixed group.

Day 4: Deng → Namrung

Distance: ~20 km · Walking time: 5–6 hrs · Starting elevation: 1,860 m · Ending elevation: 2,630 m · Overnight: Namrung

Route overview

Another long-distance day, and the one with the most elevation gain so far (770 m). The trail moves through bamboo forest, crosses a suspension bridge near Rana, passes mani walls at Bihi Phedi, and works through an active landslide zone near Ghap before climbing to Namrung.

What the trail is like

Bamboo forest gives way to fir, oak, and rhododendron as the valley narrows into a canyon. The Ghap section requires attention — loose rock and eroded trail edges that shift after rain or snowmelt. It's manageable with a guide setting the line, but not a place to be distracted.

Why this day matters

Namrung marks a real threshold. This is where the upper Nubri valley's Tibetan Buddhist culture becomes the dominant reality rather than an occasional detail, and where many trekkers notice altitude for the first time — mild headache or slightly laboured breathing on stairs is common and not unusual at 2,630 m.

Practical notes

Start early — 20 km with 770 m of gain needs the full daylight window. Walk single file and follow your guide's exact line through the Ghap landslide section rather than looking for a faster route yourself.

Day 5: Namrung → Shyala

Distance: ~10 km · Walking time: ~5 hrs · Starting elevation: 2,630 m · Ending elevation: 3,500 m · Overnight: Shyala

Route overview

A shorter distance day, but with the steepest single-day elevation gain on the circuit so far — 870 m, starting from an altitude where the air is already noticeably thinner. The trail climbs through alpine forest to Lho, then continues into an open glacial valley to Shyala.

What the trail is like

Lho is the highlight: the first full, unobstructed view of Mount Manaslu (8,163 m), alongside an active monastery worth stopping for. Past Lho, the treeline ends and the landscape opens into a wide glacial valley ringed by Himal Chuli, Ngadi Chuli, and the Ganesh Himal range.

Why this day matters

This is the day the trek visibly becomes high-altitude Himalayan trekking rather than valley walking. The 870 m gain, arriving on top of several already-long days, is where pacing starts to matter more than fitness alone.

Practical notes

Don't rush Lho — budget 45–60 minutes there. Walk slower than feels necessary on the climb; the gentle-looking gradient is deceptive at this altitude. Clouds typically build over the peaks by midday and clear again toward evening, so scout your sunset viewpoint before dinner.

Day 6: Shyala → Samagaun (via optional Pungyen Gompa)

Distance: ~10 km · Walking time: 5–6 hrs · Starting elevation: 3,500 m · Ending elevation: 3,530 m (net gain of only 30 m) · Overnight: Samagaun

Route overview

On paper this looks like an easy day — barely any net elevation change. In practice you're already above 3,500 m, and the optional detour to Pungyen Gompa (4,040 m) adds real climbing if you take it. The gompa is not part of the standard route; it's a well-regarded, worthwhile optional side trip, and Places Nepal's current material is clear that it's optional rather than a fixed itinerary stop.

What the trail is like

The last real forest disappears and the valley opens fully into the high alpine terrain of the Nubri valley — yak pastures, mani walls, and Manaslu's north face dominating the view ahead. Samagaun itself is the largest settlement of the upper circuit, with proper teahouses, a health post, and a helipad.

Why this day matters

Samagaun is the circuit's acclimatization hub — you spend two nights here, and how you treat today and tomorrow affects how the Larkya La crossing goes several days from now.

Practical notes

Decide on the Pungyen Gompa detour before leaving Shyala, based on how you slept, not mid-trail. It adds roughly 540 m of climbing and 2–3 hours round trip. A flat gradient at this altitude is not a rest day — your cardiovascular system is still working. Pace to your breathing, not the terrain.

Day 7: Acclimatization at Samagaun

Base altitude: 3,530 m · Options: Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m) or Birendra Tal (3,450 m) · Overnight: Samagaun (2nd night)

Why this day matters

This is not a comfort buffer — it's physiologically necessary. At 3,530 m your body is adjusting its red blood cell production and cardiovascular response, and this is the groundwork for crossing a 5,106 m pass a few days from now. The point is adaptation, not simply resting motionless in a teahouse.

The two options

Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m) — the demanding option. A steep 6–8 hour round trip covering 14–15 km, gaining 1,270 m past Birendra Tal and up through glacial moraine to a high shelf directly below Manaslu's north face. Genuinely strenuous, and appropriate only if you woke up feeling strong, ate a full breakfast, and have no headache.

Birendra Tal (3,450 m) — the easier option. A 1.5–2 hour, 3–4 km round trip to a glacial lake just below the village, with minimal elevation change. Better suited to trekkers managing a mild headache, poor sleep, or low appetite from the night before.

Places Nepal's current guidance is straightforward on how to choose: pick based on how you actually feel that morning, not on ambition. Either choice counts as legitimate acclimatization — moving gently at altitude still helps.

Practical notes

An early departure (by 7:00 AM) is necessary if attempting Base Camp, since cloud typically closes in over the glacier by early afternoon. Eat more than you feel like eating — appetite suppression at altitude is normal but your body needs the fuel. Report any worsening headache, persistent nausea, or difficulty walking a straight line to your guide immediately; these go beyond ordinary tiredness at this stage of the trek.

Day 8: Samagaun → Samdo

Distance: ~8 km · Walking time: 3–4 hrs · Starting elevation: 3,530 m · Ending elevation: 3,875 m · Overnight: Samdo

Route overview

A short day by design — and correctly so at this altitude. The trail moves north through open yak pastures, passes a whitewashed mani wall archway (the White Kani), crosses a wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki, and arrives at Samdo, the last permanent village before Larkya La.

Why this day matters

Short distance does not mean easy. Roughly 345 m of gain over just a few hours is still real physiological work above 3,500 m. Samdo also offers an optional afternoon hike toward Samdo Peak (1–2 hours round trip) with wide views toward the Tibetan plateau, for trekkers who feel strong.

Practical notes

Pass mani walls and chortens on your left, moving clockwise — standard Tibetan Buddhist practice and a genuine courtesy to the communities you're walking through. Charge all devices this afternoon: Samdo has common-area charging only, and the next stop has none at all.

Day 9: Samdo → Larkya Phedi (Dharamsala)

Distance: ~6 km · Walking time: 4–5 hrs · Starting elevation: 3,875 m · Ending elevation: 4,460 m · Overnight: Dharamsala / Larkya Phedi

Route overview

The shortest trekking day on the entire circuit by distance, and one of the most consequential. You're gaining nearly 600 vertical metres to reach Dharamsala (also called Larkya Phedi), the high camp that serves as the staging point for the pass crossing. The trail crosses a glacial meltwater stream and moves through completely barren, exposed alpine terrain.

Why this day matters

Distance means very little here — what matters is careful, deliberate ascent and genuine rest once you arrive. This is not simply "an easy day" because the kilometres are low; a short, steep climb to 4,460 m asks more of your body than a much longer day at lower elevation.

Practical notes

Dharamsala has the most basic facilities on the circuit — shared bathrooms, no in-room charging, and during busy periods trekkers may share common sleeping areas rather than private rooms. Layer up immediately on arrival; temperatures drop sharply after sunset. An optional short acclimatization hike (roughly 200 m up toward Khaki Danda) is worthwhile if you're feeling well; if not, rest is the right call. Be honest with your guide about how you feel tonight — this is the last stop before a 5,106 m pass, and pushing through altitude symptoms here is genuinely dangerous.

Day 10: Larkya Phedi → Larkya La Pass → Bhimthang

Distance: ~17 km · Walking time: 8–10 hrs · Starting elevation: 4,460 m · Pass elevation: 5,106 m · Ending elevation: 3,728 m · Overnight: Bhimthang

This is the day the entire circuit is built around, and it deserves the most detail.

Route overview

Departure is around 3:00 AM, in darkness, following a wake-up around 1:30–2:00 AM for a hot breakfast and final gear check. The climb to the pass takes roughly 4–5 hours from Dharamsala. Larkya La, at approximately 5,106 m, is the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit. From the summit, on a clear day, you get views of Manaslu, Larkya Peak, Himalchuli, Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli), Himlung Himal, Kang Guru, and the Annapurna range. The descent — roughly three hours of demanding terrain — passes the frozen expanse of Ponkar Lake before the landscape softens into the green valley of Bhimthang.

What the trail is like

The ascent is steep and sustained, with snow and ice common in the upper section, particularly earlier in the season or after fresh snowfall. Conditions genuinely vary by season and by year — this is not a technical climb requiring mountaineering skill, but it is a serious high-altitude pass crossing, and whether crampons are needed on a given day depends on current snow and ice conditions rather than being a fixed requirement every time. Your guide makes that call on the day. The descent is on loose rock and packed snow, and is harder on the knees than the ascent is on the lungs.

Why this day is physically demanding

It combines four separate stressors: extreme altitude (5,106 m), pre-dawn cold, 8–10 hours of continuous exertion, and a long technical descent immediately afterward with no rest between the two efforts. Any one of these alone would make for a hard day; together, this is consistently rated the hardest single day on the Manaslu Circuit.

Practical notes

Everything — crampons, warm layers, headlamp — goes on before leaving the lodge; there's no stopping to re-kit in the dark. Pace the ascent conservatively; trekkers who push hard early in thin air typically slow to a crawl later. Don't linger long at the summit — wind and cold set in fast once you stop moving. If your guide recommends turning back due to weather, that call is based on direct experience with this specific pass and should be followed without argument.

Day 11: Bhimthang → Dharapani

Distance: ~21 km · Walking time: ~7 hrs · Starting elevation: 3,728 m · Ending elevation: 1,910 m · Overnight: Dharapani

Route overview

The longest-distance day of the trip and the final full trekking day. You descend nearly 1,800 vertical metres through rhododendron, pine, and oak forest, follow the Dudh Khola river valley past Karche (the lunch stop), move through the Gurung farming village of Gurung Goa, and continue via Tilije into Dharapani.

Why this day matters

This is a genuinely long day on legs that worked hard yesterday. The scenery shifts dramatically and quickly — from high-altitude bare terrain to dense, colourful forest to terraced farmland — in the space of a single day's walking. Dharapani is the current endpoint of this Manaslu itinerary before road transport takes over; it also marks the last permit checkpoint of the trek.

Practical notes

A sustained nearly-1,800 m descent on already-tired legs is real stress on knees and ankles — use poles actively, especially on the steep upper section out of Bhimthang. Start early (6:30–7:00 AM) to move through the forest in the cool of the morning; the lower valley gets noticeably warmer by afternoon. Eat a proper lunch at Karche — it's the last reliable meal stop before Dharapani.

Day 12: Dharapani → Kathmandu

Travel: local jeep to Besisahar (~3 hrs), then road to Kathmandu (~6–7 hrs) · Trekking: none

After breakfast, a local jeep covers the winding road from Dharapani to Besisahar, followed by a longer drive back to Kathmandu. Total travel time runs roughly 9–10 hours depending on road conditions, and this figure can shift with traffic, weather, or seasonal road work — treat it as a plan rather than a guarantee. An optional detour to Pokhara instead of a direct return to Kathmandu is possible if your schedule allows.

Want to Customize This Itinerary?
If this 12-day itinerary doesn't quite suit your schedule, fitness level, or travel plans, talk to our team about customizing your trek. We can adjust the pace, add extra acclimatization days, or extend the route with options such as Tsum Valley or the Annapurna Circuit. Whether you prefer a slower private trek or have specific dates and route preferences, our team can help build an itinerary that works for you.

Which days are the hardest on the Manaslu Circuit?

No single ranking is universal — fitness, altitude tolerance, and weather all change how a day feels — but based on distance, elevation, altitude, and cumulative fatigue, the pattern is fairly consistent:

Day 10 (Larkya La crossing) is the hardest day by most measures: highest altitude on the trek, longest hours (8–10), a pre-dawn start in the cold, and a demanding technical descent immediately after the ascent, with no rest in between.

Day 11 (Bhimthang to Dharapani) is a close second for a different reason: it's the single longest-distance day (~21 km) and involves nearly 1,800 m of descent on legs that crossed a 5,106 m pass the day before. Descent stress on knees is cumulative, not a fresh start.

Day 9 (Samdo to Dharamsala) is short on paper (~6 km) but demanding in practice — a steep, high-altitude climb to the highest overnight stop on the circuit, at basic facilities, the night before the pass.

Days 3 and 4 (Jagat–Deng and Deng–Namrung) are the hardest of the early circuit simply on distance and cumulative walking, at roughly 20 km each, though altitude isn't yet a major factor at this stage.

How acclimatization works on this itinerary

The itinerary's shape is deliberate: gradual daily gains through the lower valley, a full rest-and-adapt day at Samagaun before the altitude gets serious, then shorter, more careful daily gains from Samdo through Dharamsala into the pass. This structure reduces — but does not eliminate — the risk of altitude sickness. An acclimatization day improves your odds; it doesn't guarantee a symptom-free crossing, and trekkers should still know the warning signs of Acute Mountain Sickness and communicate honestly with their guide throughout the upper section of the trek.

Is the Manaslu Circuit hard because of the distance?

Not primarily, no. At roughly 125–130 km of actual trekking spread across ten walking days, the daily distances themselves are moderate — several days are under 15 km. What makes the Manaslu Circuit demanding is the combination of altitude, a genuinely high pass, cold, and terrain that shifts from subtropical forest to glaciated high mountain within the same trek.

A useful comparison sits inside this itinerary itself: Day 9 is only about 6 km, and Day 8 only about 8 km, yet both are widely considered tougher than several of the 20 km days earlier in the trek, purely because of altitude. Distance is a factor in trek difficulty. It is not the deciding one.

Manaslu Circuit distance: how far do you actually walk?

Our 12-day itinerary is roughly 126 km. That is the sum of the daily trekking stages from Machha Khola to Dharapani (Days 2 to 11, excluding the Day 7 side trip). The roughly 160 km drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola is a separate road transfer, not part of the walked distance.

For context, some Manaslu itinerary pages elsewhere quote 180 km — typically for longer 13–17 day versions of the route that include more villages, extra acclimatization days, or a Tsum Valley extension. There isn't one single "correct" total distance for "the Manaslu Circuit" in the abstract; there's a correct distance for the specific itinerary you're booking. 

How much of the Manaslu Circuit is actually walked?

Day 1 is a drive. Days 2 through 11 are trekking, with Day 7 spent on an optional acclimatization hike rather than forward progress. Day 12 is a drive. Out of 12 total days, ten involve walking and two are road transfers.

This split is fairly standard for restricted-area treks in Nepal, where road access to the trailhead has expanded in recent years. It's also worth knowing that not every operator's "12-day Manaslu Circuit" walks exactly the same route — some itineraries start slightly further up the valley if road conditions allow closer vehicle access, which shortens the walked distance without changing the advertised day count. Ask any operator you're comparing exactly where their vehicle drops you and picks you up before comparing total distances.

Manaslu Circuit Trek map

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Manaslu Circuit elevation profile

Can you add Tsum Valley to the Manaslu Circuit?

Yes. The junction is on Day 3, at the Siyar Khola bridge, where the trail splits between the standard Manaslu Circuit (left) and Tsum Valley (right). Tsum is a separate restricted area with its own permit requirement, and combining it with Manaslu typically extends the trip by roughly five to seven additional days depending on how much of the valley you visit. Places Nepal runs this as a dedicated Tsum Valley with Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary if you want the two combined, or a standalone Tsum Valley Trek if you'd rather do them separately.

Can you combine Manaslu with the Annapurna Circuit?

Yes, and this is a natural pairing — the Manaslu Circuit finishes at Dharapani, which sits directly on the classic Annapurna Circuit route. Trekkers with more time sometimes continue from Dharapani rather than driving back to Kathmandu, connecting into Annapurna Circuit territory toward Manang and Thorong La. Places Nepal runs this combination as the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek, a longer itinerary built specifically around this onward connection. We won't invent a fixed number of extra days here — it depends on how much of the Annapurna side you want to add — but the route geography genuinely supports it.

Is this 12-day itinerary suitable for beginners?

It can be attempted by a well-prepared first-time high-altitude trekker, but it is not a beginner trek in the way a short lower-altitude trek would be. Realistic factors to weigh:

• Several consecutive days of 5–7 hours of walking, with some days considerably longer
• A genuine high pass at 5,106 m, with real cold and altitude exposure
• Basic facilities and cold conditions at the higher elevations (Samdo, Dharamsala)
• A remote setting with limited rescue infrastructure compared to more developed regions like Everest Base Camp
• The need for solid physical preparation — cardiovascular fitness matters more here than technical hiking skill

With good training, a sensible pace, and honest communication with your guide about symptoms, this itinerary is realistic for a fit, well-prepared beginner. It is not a trek to underestimate. For a structured look at getting ready physically, see the Places Nepal Manaslu Circuit Trek preparation and training guide, and for an honest breakdown of what makes the route challenging day by day, see Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty Explained.

Solo trekkers and guide requirements

As of March 2026, Nepal's Department of Immigration removed the long-standing requirement that Restricted Area Permits be issued to a minimum of two trekkers. A solo foreign trekker can now obtain the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit individually, without needing to be paired with a second traveller.

This does not mean unguided trekking is now allowed. A licensed guide from a registered trekking agency remains mandatory throughout the Manaslu restricted area — this requirement is unchanged and independent of the permit rule above. "Solo" in the current regulations means you and your guide, not trekking alone without one. Regulations in this region have shifted more than once in recent years, so if you're planning a trip, it's worth reconfirming current rules with your operator at the time of booking rather than relying solely on this or any other page.

Group joining vs. private, customized itineraries

Places Nepal offers this 12-day Manaslu Circuit Trek both as a fixed-departure group-joining trek and as a private, customized trip. Group joining lets you share the route and cost with other trekkers on a published departure date; private trips allow flexibility on departure date, pace, extra acclimatization days, or adding Tsum Valley or an Annapurna extension. Neither option changes the itinerary's underlying altitude or terrain — private customization improves flexibility and pacing, not the mountain itself. Current group rates and departure dates are on the Manaslu Circuit Trek trip page.

Manaslu Circuit Trek with Places Nepal

Places Nepal is a Nepal-based, locally run trekking company operating this route with a Manaslu-region expert guide, teahouse accommodation for 11 nights, all three daily meals from Day 1 through Day 12, and the full permit package — MRAP, MCAP, and ACAP — along with the Chumnubri Rural Municipality entry fee, all arranged before you arrive. Ground transfers, including the Kathmandu–Machha Khola journey and the Dharapani–Besisahar–Kathmandu return, are included as part of the package.

Current group pricing starts from around US$980 per person for groups of 2–4, with lower per-person rates for larger groups — see the trip page for the full pricing table and any current offers, since these figures are reviewed periodically and this article won't be updated as often as the live page. Both fixed group departures and private customized trips are available.

Ready to see the current 12-day route, inclusions, and departure options? View the Places Nepal Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Manaslu Circuit Trek? The current Places Nepal itinerary runs 12 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu, with ten trekking days, one acclimatization day, and two road-transfer days.

Is 12 days enough for the Manaslu Circuit? Yes, for this specific route and starting point — it includes one dedicated acclimatization day at Samagaun, which is the minimum generally considered necessary before attempting Larkya La. Trekkers wanting extra buffer, a Tsum Valley extension, or a slower pace can book longer versions (13–17+ days).

What is the best Manaslu Circuit itinerary? There isn't a single best version — it depends on your time, fitness, and whether you want to add Tsum Valley or an Annapurna Circuit extension. The 12-day version is the standard, efficient option for trekkers without extra days to spare.

What day do you cross Larkya La? Day 10 of the 12-day itinerary, departing Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi) around 3:00 AM.

How high is Larkya La? Approximately 5,106 m (16,752 ft), the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit.

How many kilometers is the Manaslu Circuit? Roughly 125–130 km of actual trekking (Machha Khola to Dharapani), separate from the approximately 160 km road journey each way between Kathmandu and the trailhead.

How many hours do you walk each day? It varies considerably — from as little as 3–4 hours (Day 8, Samagaun to Samdo) up to 8–10 hours on the Larkya La crossing (Day 10). Most days fall in the 5–7 hour range.

Where do you stay each night? Teahouses throughout, with two consecutive nights at Samagaun for acclimatization. Facilities are more comfortable in the lower valley (Machha Khola to Namrung) and progressively more basic from Samdo upward, with Dharamsala being the most basic stop on the route.

Is Day 10 the hardest day? Generally yes, based on altitude, hours, and the combination of a long ascent with an immediate technical descent — though Day 11's distance and cumulative descent stress make it a close second for many trekkers.

Why is there an acclimatization day in Samagaun? Because you're spending two consecutive nights above 3,500 m before climbing to a 5,106 m pass, and the physiological adaptation that happens during that extra day meaningfully reduces (though doesn't eliminate) altitude sickness risk on the days that follow.

Can I add Tsum Valley? Yes, via the junction on Day 3. It typically adds roughly five to seven days and requires a separate restricted-area permit. See the Tsum Valley with Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Can I combine Manaslu with the Annapurna Circuit? Yes — Dharapani sits on the Annapurna Circuit route, making this a natural extension. See the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Can solo trekkers do Manaslu in 2026? Yes. Since March 2026, solo trekkers can obtain the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit individually, without needing a second trekker on the same permit.

Is a guide mandatory? Yes, always, regardless of group size — this has not changed and is unrelated to the solo-permit rule above.

Can I customize the 12-day itinerary? Yes — Places Nepal offers private, customized departures where pace, extra acclimatization days, and route additions like Tsum Valley can be built in.

Can I join a group? Yes, fixed-departure group joining is available alongside private trips — see the trip page for current departure dates.

What happens if the road or weather delays the itinerary? Road conditions on the Kathmandu–Machha Khola stretch and weather at Larkya La are the two most common sources of delay. Your guide and Places Nepal's ground team build in judgment calls around both — including the option to delay a pass attempt by a day if conditions are poor — as a normal part of running this trek, not an exception to it.