Manaslu Circuit Trek

Welcome to Nepal. An AltiPro representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Kathmandu (1,350 m). The evening begins with a welcome briefing covering the Manaslu Circuit Trek 2027 itinerary, restricted area permit requirements, gear checklist and altitude protocols. Dinner at the hotel.

A full day in Kathmandu for permit processing: Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (MRAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS Card — all arranged by AltiPro. Final gear check and full trek briefing from your licensed guide. Thamel is well stocked for any last-minute equipment purchases or rentals.

A 7–8 hour drive from Kathmandu via the Prithvi Highway and Arughat to the Soti Khola trailhead (730 m) in Gorkha district. The Budhi Gandaki River is heard before it is seen. The first walk into cardamom jungle and subtropical forest leads to the overnight camp at Machha Khola (930 m). The outside world is already far behind.

The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River through increasingly dramatic gorge scenery — waterfalls, suspension bridges and flourishing subtropical vegetation on both sides. Jagat (1,340 m) is the official restricted area entry point, where MRAP and MCAP permits are checked and registered. From Jagat, the gorge narrows and deepens, and the first Tibetan architectural elements begin to appear. 5–6 hrs walking.

Dramatic gorge walking above Jagat — sheer rock walls rising hundreds of metres above, suspension bridges crossing the roaring Budhi Gandaki, and waterfalls tumbling from unseen ridges above. The Tatopani hot springs are accessible near Jagat for those who want to soak tired legs at the end of the day. Deng (1,860 m) is the first major staging point in the genuinely remote interior of the Budhi Gandaki valley. 5–6 hrs walking.

The trail above Deng enters proper Tibetan-influenced terrain — traditional stone architecture, mani walls and prayer flags appear with increasing frequency. Namrung (2,630 m) is the first traditional Tibetan stone village on the circuit, and it is here above the valley walls that the Manaslu massif makes its first full appearance. The moment of first seeing Manaslu above the gorge rim is one of the defining emotional experiences of the circuit. 5–6 hrs walking.

The trail climbs from Namrung through increasingly alpine terrain to Lho (3,180 m) — a beautifully positioned village above the gorge with a spectacular open view of Manaslu and Ngadi Chuli. An ancient monastery and mani walls frame the view of the north face of Manaslu from the village edge. Alpine meadows above the treeline mark the complete transition from subtropical valley to high Himalayan landscape. 3–4 hrs walking.

The ascent to Samagaon (3,530 m) — the largest village in the upper Budhi Gandaki valley and the cultural and geographical centre of the entire Manaslu Circuit. Guru Rilva Monastery is visible above the village on the approach. From Samagaon, the full southwest face of Manaslu fills the northern horizon. Manaslu Base Camp, Birendra Lake and Pungyen Gompa are all accessible from here on acclimatisation days. 3–4 hrs walking.

The finest day of the Manaslu Circuit. The day hike from Samagaon to Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m / 15,748 ft) is 12–14 km round trip and 7–9 hours total. The glacial Birendra Lake (3,980 m) — an extraordinary deep-blue lake in ancient moraine beneath the Manaslu Glacier — is reached en route. Manaslu Base Camp itself sits directly beneath the southwest face of the eighth-highest mountain on Earth. As an alternative afternoon option, the centuries-old Pungyen Gompa above Samagaon offers exceptional painted murals and glacier views. Return to Samagaon overnight.

A mandatory acclimatisation rest day at Samagaon before the high-altitude section ahead. AltiPro guides lead optional short hikes on surrounding ridges above 3,700 m to reinforce altitude adaptation. Visit Guru Rilva Monastery for the morning puja (if schedules allow) and rest well for the final push toward Larkya La. Altitude monitoring with pulse oximeter throughout the day.

A relatively short day from Samagaon to Samdo (3,860 m) — the last permanent village on the circuit before Larkya La. The Tibetan border is visible to the north from Samdo's ridge, and trans-Himalayan trade culture is palpable in the architecture and daily life of the community. The short day allows maximum rest and energy conservation ahead of the two demanding days leading to the pass crossing. 3–4 hrs walking.

A deliberately short day from Samdo to Dharmasala (4,460 m / Larkya Phedi) — the high camp positioned directly below Larkya La. Maximum energy preservation is the sole objective today. Arrive early, hydrate well, eat a full dinner and rest. Departure tomorrow is at approximately 4 AM. Accommodation at Dharmasala is basic — a simple lodge with communal sleeping — but adequate for one night before the pass. 3–4 hrs walking.

The most dramatic and defining day of the Manaslu Circuit — the pre-dawn Larkya La crossing. Departure from Dharmasala at approximately 4 AM. The ascent takes 4–5 hours on snow and rock to the Larkya La summit (5,160 m / 16,929 ft) — Manaslu, Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal and Annapurna II fill the horizon in a panorama available at no other point on the circuit. The long descent to Bimthang (3,720 m) through rhododendron forest takes a further 4–6 hours. Total crossing: 10–12 hours. This is the physical and emotional climax of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

The final descent of the Manaslu Circuit — a long but celebratory walk from Bimthang through rhododendron forest, past waterfalls and farmland, all the way down to Dharapani (1,860 m) on the Annapurna Circuit trail. The circuit is complete at Dharapani — 177 km from Soti Khola, through one of Nepal's most culturally and geographically extraordinary valleys. Congratulations are in order. 6–7 hrs walking / ~1,860 m descent.

A 6–7 hour drive from Dharapani via Besisahar and Dumre back to Kathmandu. The landscape that you now know intimately from the trail above passes beneath the vehicle window. Transfer to hotel in Thamel. Farewell dinner with the AltiPro team in the evening — Manaslu Circuit Trek certificate presented. A fitting celebration of one of Nepal's greatest trekking circuits.

Buffer days built into the AltiPro itinerary to account for possible weather delays on the Larkya La crossing, road disruptions on the Kathmandu–Gorkha highway, landslides (common during monsoon shoulder periods), or any other unforeseen delay. If no buffer days are consumed, these days are free in Kathmandu for last sightseeing, shopping or rest. AltiPro always includes buffer days in the Manaslu Circuit — the variable Larkya La weather window requires it.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your flight schedule. AltiPro arranges all airport transfers. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the most complete Himalayan experiences available — a living culture, a 177 km circuit, a 5,160 m pass, and a direct encounter with the eighth-highest mountain on Earth. Safe travels.