Upcoming Departures
Date | Duration | Availability | Cost per person | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 8, 2018 | 15 days | Available | $995 USD | Inquire | |
May 22, 2018 | 15 days | Available | $995 USD | Inquire | |
Jun 5, 2018 | 15 days | Filling up | $995 USD | Inquire |
Prices for our 2018 Manaslu Group departures include guide, porter, lodging, transport and permits, but exclude food.
Trek Overview
Fast facts | |
---|---|
Min. duration | 13 days |
Max. elevation | 5,106 m / 16,752 ft (Larkya La pass) |
Start/finish | Soti Khola/Besisahar |
Difficulty | Challenging |
Trek style | Teahouse |

Despite its recent rise in popularity, the Manaslu Trek remains remote and off-the-beaten-path compared to the better known teahouse treks in Nepal. The trek takes you around Manaslu, the world's eighth highest mountain at 8,163 meters (26,781 ft).
Why trek the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Experts consider the Manaslu Circuit Trek among the best treks in Nepal.
Top highlights of this trek include:
- It is far less crowded than its more well known peers Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit. The word is getting out about Manaslu, but there are still about 10 times fewer trekkers on the Manaslu Trail
- The trek is wild and remote, yet there are teahouses at every day stage, so trekkers don’t need to bring tents and food, making it more accessible and affordable than similar treks.
- The trailhead is reached over land, avoiding the need for domestic flights.
- The first part of the trail follows the Buri Gandaki, a deep, long river gorge, with many suspension bridge crossings
- The scenery provides all Nepal has to offer: you'll trek from the subtropical jungle at lower elevations, through the Himalayan foothills to the high, cold and challenging crossing of the Larkya La above 5,100 meters / 17,000 feet.



Getting to the trailhead
The trailhead of the Manaslu Circuit trek is the closest to Kathmandu of the major Nepalese treks. That said, it's still an adventurous 126 km (80 miles) drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola, which takes about 6 hours by jeep (recommended) or 8+ hours by public bus. If road conditions are challenging (which is often the case at the tail end of the monsoon in September) you may have to start walking in Arughat, which adds an extra day.
Permits
You need a trekking permit for the Manaslu Trek. Solo trekkers are not allowed, a minimum group size of 2 is required.
Detailed itinerary (15 days)

Day | Destination | Altitude |
---|---|---|
Day 01 | Drive to Sotikhola via Arughat by jeep | 775m |
Day 02 | Soti Khola - Machhakhola | 800m |
Day 03 | Trek to Jagat | 1300m |
Day 04 | JTrek to Philim | 1560m |
Day 05 | Trek to Deng | 1865m |
Day 06 | Trek to Ghap | 2165m |
Day 07 | Trek to Lho | 3180m |
Day 08 | Trek to Sama Gaon/Ro | 3525m |
Day 09 | In Sama Gaon – acclimatisation day | 3525m |
Day 10 | Trek to Samdo | 3850m |
Day 11 | In Samdo | 3850m |
Day 12 | Trek to Dharamsala | 4460m |
Day 13 | Cross Larkya La (5135m) to Bimtang (3590m) | 3590m |
Day 14 | Trek to Dharapani | 1860m |
Day 15 | Drive to Kathmandu |
The Tsum Valley Extension (19 days)
If you have the time, we highly recommend extending your trek for another week by adding the side trip to Tsum Valley to your itinerary. Tsum Valley is even more remote than the main Manaslu trail, and has amazing views, including the famous view point above Mu Gompa pictured below.

Day | Destination | Altitude |
---|---|---|
Day 01 | Kathmandu - Soti Khola (by jeep) | 775m |
Day 02 | Soti Khola - Machhakhola | 900m |
Day 03 | Macchakhola - Jagat | 1300m |
Day 04 | Jagat - Phillim | 1590m |
Day 05 | Phillim - Chumling | 2360m |
Day 06 | Chumling to Chhokangparo | 3010m |
Day 07 | Chhokangparo to Nile | 3361m |
Day 08 | Nile to Mu Gompa (3700m) and Chhokangparo | 3361m |
Day 09 | Gumba Lungdang to Lokpa | 2240m |
Day 10 | Lokpa to Ghap | 2160m |
Day 11 | Ghap to Lho | 3180m |
Day 12 | Lho to Samagaon | 3580m |
Day 13 | Day trip to Manaslu Base Camp | 4400m |
Day 14 | Samagaon to Samdo | 3875m |
Day 15 | Climb Samdo Ri or take a day trip to Tibet border | 3875m |
Day 16 | Samdo to Dharamsala | 4460m |
Day 17 | Dharamsala to Bimtang (via Larke Pass 5160m) | 3590m |
Day 18 | Bimtang to Dharapani | 1963m |
Day 19 | Dharapani - Kathmandu (by jeep) | 1400m |
Boutique-style camping trek

While most trekkers stay in teahouses, some choose to camp. The advantages of camping include more flexibility to select camping spots that are further away from the villages where most trekkers congregate, and higher quality and more varied food, since your crew will be carrying in supplies. Kimkim local specialist Kim Bannister runs an annual boutique Manaslu camping trek in her unique "Kamzang style". While pricier than the standard Manaslu teahouse trek, this option is great for trekkers seeking a "higher touch" experience. More info and dates & pricing can be found here.
Group departures and Private Treks
Kimkim local specialists are running small group fixed departures in 2018. The treks include guide, porter, lodging, transport and permits, but exclude food. Our partners also run private treks just for you and your travel partners that can be customized to your exact needs.
Upcoming Departures
Date | Duration | Availability | Cost per person | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 8, 2018 | 15 days | Available | $995 USD | Inquire | |
May 22, 2018 | 15 days | Available | $995 USD | Inquire | |
Jun 5, 2018 | 15 days | Filling up | $995 USD | Inquire | |
Jun 19, 2018 | 15 days | Available | $995 USD | Inquire | |
Oct 8, 2018 | 15 days | Available | $995 USD | Inquire | |
Oct 15, 2018 | 15 days | Available | $995 USD | Inquire | |
Oct 22, 2018 | 15 days | Available | $995 USD | Inquire | |
Oct 29, 2018 | 15 days | Available | $995 USD | Inquire | |
Nov 5, 2018 | 15 days | Available | $995 USD | Inquire | |
Nov 12, 2018 | 15 days | Available | $995 USD | Inquire | |
Mar 11, 2019 | 15 days | Available | $1,075 USD | Inquire |