Manaslu Circuit Trek - 16 Days

The ideal seasons for the Manaslu Circuit Trek are Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May). During these peak months, the weather is stable, the mountain views are crystal clear, and daily sunshine lasts between 5 to 7 hours, keeping temperatures pleasant for trekking even at higher elevations.

Trekking around Mount Manaslu is a peaceful and authentic wilderness journey far removed from the heavily crowded highways of commercial tourism.

• Morning Routine: Your day begins around 6:00 to 6:30 AM with a warm cup of tea or coffee in the teahouse dining room, followed by a hearty breakfast. After handing your official Holy Mountain Treks duffel bag to your porter, you will set off on the trail between 7:00 and 8:00 AM. (Note: On the day of the Larkya La Pass crossing, you will start early around 3:00 to 3:30 AM to reach the pass before mid-day winds kick in).
• Mid-Day Lunch Stop: After 3 to 4 hours of morning walking, you will stop at a trailside teahouse for a freshly cooked lunch and a rest.
• Afternoon Walk & Arrival: You will trek for another 2 to 3 hours to reach your evening destination. Upon checking into your teahouse room, take time to freshen up, enjoy a hot drink, and explore the surrounding village, local monasteries, and mani walls.
• Evening & Dinner: Dinner is served around 6:30 to 7:00 PM in the cozy, stove-heated dining hall. Afterward, your lead guide will review your briefing and itinerary for the next day. The rest of the evening is spent relaxing around the fireplace, chatting with fellow trekkers, playing cards, or reading before a good night’s rest.

Most local lodges along the Manaslu trail offer Wi-Fi access for a nominal fee (typically NPR 200–300 / $2–$3 USD per night), though internet speeds become slower as you gain altitude.

• Cellular Coverage: Mobile connectivity is available along many parts of the trail. The two main telecommunication providers in Nepal are Nepal Telecom (NTC/Namaste) and Ncell. NTC generally offers better coverage in higher mountain regions like Sama Gaun and Samdo.
• How to Get a SIM Card: SIM cards can easily be purchased in Kathmandu or along the highway for around NPR 100 ($1 USD). You will need a copy of your passport and one passport photo. Purchasing a local mobile data package is an easy way to stay connected on your phone during the trek.

Our signature 17-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek package spans 17 days, including arrival, departure, sightseeing, and mountain trekking:

• In Kathmandu (3 Nights Total): Stay at Kathmandu Sunny Hotel (or a similar standard hotel) in twin-sharing rooms with daily breakfast included.
• On the Trail (13 Nights Total): Stay in local teahouses/lodges run by hospitable mountain families. Accommodation is on a twin-sharing basis. While rooms are basic in high elevations, Holy Mountain Treks selects the cleanest and best-managed teahouses available, arranging rooms with attached private bathrooms wherever available in lower villages.

Proper nutrition and hydration are essential when trekking up to 5,160 meters. Teahouses along the trail offer fresh, hearty meals packed with carbohydrates and protein to keep your energy high.

• Breakfast Options: Warm porridge (oat, tsampa, or muesli), eggs (boiled, scrambled, omelet, or fried), pancakes, Tibetan bread, chapati, toast with jam/butter/honey, or hot noodles.
• Lunch & Dinner Options:
  • Dal Bhat: The national staple of Nepal—a nutritious, refillable platter of steamed rice, lentil soup (dal), seasonal vegetable curry (tarkari), and local pickle. It is the ultimate trekking fuel!
  • International & Local Dishes: Vegetable fried rice, chow mein, thukpa (noodle soup), vegetable momos (dumplings), pasta, spaghetti, vegetable spring rolls, macaroni, and warm soups (garlic, tomato, mushroom, and vegetable).
• Dietary Advice: We strongly advise sticking to a vegetarian diet above Soti Bazaar. Meat items carried into high-altitude villages are often transported on foot or by mule and may not be fresh. Avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and heavy dairy products above 3,000 meters is also recommended for smooth acclimatization.

Dehydration significantly increases the risk of Altitude Sickness (AMS). Trekkers should drink 3 to 4 liters of fluid daily.

• Water Sources & Purification: Boiled water can be purchased at teahouses for a small fee, or you can refill a reusable water bottle/hydration bladder from clean local taps using water purification tablets, a SteriPEN, or a portable filtration system.
• Hot Drinks: Enjoying hot beverages like ginger-lemon-honey tea, green tea, hot lemon, and garlic soup (a proven local remedy for altitude adaptation) is highly encouraged throughout the day. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcoholic drinks while gaining elevation.

Most teahouses along the trail have electricity powered by local hydroelectricity or solar panels:

• Charging Devices: You can charge your mobile phones, camera batteries, and power banks in the teahouse dining hall or rooms.
• Charging Fees: Lower villages may offer free charging, but as you climb higher (especially past Namrung), teahouses charge a small fee per device or per hour (typically NPR 200–500). Carrying a reliable high-capacity power bank (10,000 to 20,000 mAh) is strongly recommended.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is categorized as a Moderate to Challenging high-altitude trek. Spanning a total walking distance of approximately 177 km (110 miles) over 17 days, trekkers average 10 to 15 kilometers (5 to 7 hours of walking) each day along varied Himalayan terrain.

Key Factors Determining Trek Difficulty:

Altitude Gain & Acclimatization:

• The trek starts at a subtropical elevation of 700 meters in Soti Khola and ascends steadily to the summit of Larkya La Pass at 5,160 meters (16,751 ft). To minimize the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), our 17-day itinerary features built-in acclimatization days and gradual elevation gains at Sama Gaun (3,530m).
• Terrain & Trail Conditions:
• The route takes you over diverse terrain—ranging from stone-paved village staircases and forest paths in lower valleys to rocky glacial moraines, scree slopes, and potential snow patches near the pass crossing.
• Physical Fitness Requirements:
• While technical climbing skills or previous mountaineering experience are not required, a solid level of physical fitness and stamina is essential. Regular cardiovascular training—such as jogging, cycling, swimming, stair-climbing, or weekend hikes with a weighted daypack—started 8 to 12 weeks prior to your trip will prepare your legs and lungs for the trail.

Tips for a Successful Journey:

• Pacing ("Bistari, Bistari"): Follow your guide's lead and maintain a slow, steady walking pace.
• Hydration: Drink at least 3 to 4 liters of fluids daily to aid altitude adaptation.
• Guide Support: Our experienced Holy Mountain Treks guides carry daily health-monitoring equipment (pulse oximeters) and first-aid kits to ensure your safety and comfort every step of the way.

While trekking Manaslu and any other destinations safety, security is the foremost concern. There might be possible dangers that may occur during the trekking in the Manaslu such as landslides, altitude sickness, and occasional thefts or extortion, Covid-19, and so forth. Most of the contingencies are properly handled by trekking staff, but sometimes it is out of their capacities.

However, Holy Mountain Treks does its best to make your travel safe, secured, and a journey of a lifetime. It has taken precautions in the following things to make our guests’ travel as safe as possible.

1. All our guides are government license holders and are well trained with Intensive First Aid.
2. Trekking leaders, guides, entrepreneurs, porters, and other crews have years of trekking experience who will assist you in case there is any kind of uneasiness, discomfort and make you happy and satisfied.
3. We provide high-quality masks, gloves, and sanitizers for everyday use throughout the Manaslu trip.
4. Our professional trekking experts will encourage and motivate everyday perks.
5. Leaders will recheck your accommodation and food for hygienic purposes every day.

Getting to and from the remote Manaslu region requires a combination of private airport services and scenic overland trail transportation. Holy Mountain Treks arranges all transfers according to your itinerary to ensure a smooth and safe trip from arrival to departure.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a moderately challenging yet deeply rewarding off-the-beaten-path Himalayan expedition. On average, trekkers walk between 5 to 7 hours per day in lower valley regions and 3 to 5 hours a day at higher elevations, where the terrain becomes steeper and oxygen levels decrease.

Conquering Larkya La Pass (5,160 m / 16,751 ft) requires physical preparation, endurance, and mental determination. While previous high-altitude hiking experience is helpful, beginners with strong physical fitness, stamina, and positive mental determination can successfully complete this trek. Simply put: the fitter you are, the more comfortable and enjoyable your experience will be on the trail.

Recommended Training Routine:

We advise starting a regular fitness regimen at least 4 to 8 weeks prior to your trek:

• Cardiovascular Exercises: Engaging in swimming, cycling, stair-climbing, jogging, or brisk morning walks 3 to 4 times a week to build lung capacity.

• Leg Strength & Endurance: Squats, lunges, and weekend practice hikes carrying a light daypack (5–7 kg) to condition your leg muscles for steep ascents and long downhill descents.

Medical & Health Advisory:

Due to prolonged walking above 3,000 meters and cold mountain weather, this trek is not recommended for individuals with severe underlying medical conditions, such as advanced heart or respiratory diseases. We encourage all trekkers to consult their personal physician before undertaking high-altitude Himalayan treks.

Because the Manaslu Circuit Trek involves high-altitude trekking up to 5,160 meters (16,751 ft) at Larkya La Pass, comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all trekkers joining this expedition. Remote Himalayan trails carry inherent risks, including Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), unpredictable mountain weather changes, and potential trail injuries.

Mandatory Insurance Coverage Requirements:

Your insurance policy must explicitly cover:

1. High-Altitude Emergency Medical Expenses: Coverage up to at least 6,000 meters (20,000 ft) above sea level.

2. Emergency Helicopter Rescue & Evacuation: Unrestricted coverage for emergency air ambulance / helicopter evacuation in remote mountain areas.

3. Trip Cancellation & Interruption: Coverage for unexpected delays, medical cancellations, or lost/stolen baggage.

All tourists except Indian citizens must get a visa to enter Nepal. Visas are available in both ways; on arrival and before their arrival (in their nation). On arrival, visas can be obtained at the office of the Department of Immigration at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Travelers wishing to skip a queue at the airport can obtain visas from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions stationed in their own countries.

For an on-arrival visa, trekkers must fill a form provided by the Department of Immigration Nepal. You should have a passport having at least six months validity, a passport-sized photo, and some cash. They will charge US$ 30 for 15 days, US$ 50 for 30 days, and US$ 125 for 90 days to issue a visa. The visa fee must be paid in cash before obtaining a visa. However, SAARC citizens (expect Afghans) and Chinese people get a free visa for Nepal.

Residents of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria, and the Refugees with travel documents are requested to acquire visas before they arrive from their nearby Diplomatic missions (Embassies/consulates) of Nepal Government.

Manaslu region is kept as a restricted area of Nepal as some of its areas share borders between Tibet and Nepal. Since the Manaslu region is also one of the restricted areas declared by the government, it is impossible to trek without a guide.

You must hire at least one authorized person from a local trekking agency in Nepal, either a licensed professional guide or a porter guide. There must be at least two people in one group (not including the guide and porter). Along with that, you must file your special permit through an authorized trekking agency.

Tipping is a well-established culture in Nepal’s trekking and tourism industry, and guides, porters, drivers, and other support staff generally expect a tip at the end of the trip as recognition of good service.

Your trekking guide and porters spend many days with you in the mountains and play a key role in making your journey safe, comfortable, enjoyable, and successful. They assist you throughout the trek, look after your wellbeing, manage day-to-day arrangements, and support you through the challenges of travelling in the Himalayas.

Tips are normally given at the end of the trek, often during the farewell dinner or on the final day. The amount is ultimately a personal decision and may vary depending on the length and difficulty of the trip, the quality of service, your overall experience, and your appreciation of the team’s work.

Tipping is not considered part of their regular wages; rather, it is an important way of showing appreciation and thanking the team for their effort, dedication, and good service.

Holy Mountain Treks is a government-registered and licensed trekking company in Nepal. We work with experienced, professional, and licensed trekking guides, and we take the security of your booking and payment information seriously.

For the advance payment, we require 20% of the total trip cost at the time of booking. The remaining balance can be paid upon your arrival in Nepal.

For the advance payment, you can conveniently pay online by credit card through the secure payment link on our website, which is processed by Himalayan Bank Limited. Your payment information is handled securely by the bank.

Alternatively, you may make the advance payment by international bank transfer, or you can use services such as Wise or Revolut.

After confirming your booking, you can send the necessary documents, such as your passport copy, passport-size photograph, travel insurance details, and international arrival/departure flight information, by email at a later stage.

With several secure and convenient payment options available, you can book your Manaslu Circuit Trek with Holy Mountain Treks with confidence.

Holy Mountain Treks accepts last minutes booking for those who are not able to book in advance. For Manaslu Circuit Trek, booking before at least 48 hours is taken. We have to arrange your permits, guide, porters, and other crews for you. We do our best to operate a trek at any time; however, we will not be responsible for any delays due to changes beyond our control, such as the weather, availability of lodging.

Adventurous can extend their journey to Tsum Valley Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Nar Phu Valley Trek, Pokhara City Tour, Chitwan National Park Safari, Paragliding, Canoeing, Bungee Jumping, Nagarkot Sunrise Tour, etc. along with their Manaslu Circuit Trek.

We would highly appreciate it if you give feedback on the Manaslu Circuit Trek during the farewell dinner held by Holy Mountain Treks. Your feedback helps us to improve our weaknesses and continue the strength aspects.

Holy Mountain Treks customizes the itinerary according to our valued guests’ time and interests. Although there are some fixed departure dates from Kathmandu, we can customize the itinerary according to your schedules. This itinerary depends on whether you choose to trek Tsum Valley or not, take a vehicle from Dharapani or Syange, prefer sightseeing in Kathmandu or not, and so on.

Sometimes, the itinerary mentioned above can be rescheduled due to unexpected circumstances such a heavy snowfall, rainfall, terrible weather conditions, availability of lodges, and other natural hazards. In such cases, a new itinerary will be set in the best interest of the entire group members, making it suitable for everyone.