1
Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu
↑ 1,400 m
Meet your Green Pastures team for a permit and route briefing. We finalise the restricted-area paperwork, check gear, and answer questions over dinner in Thamel.
Manaslu Circuit
A quieter, wilder circuit around Manaslu (8,163 m) that crosses the Larkya La. It is a restricted area, so you need a special permit and a licensed guide.
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16 days5,160 m high pointChallenging
Route map
See the route on the terrain.
Tap a numbered stop to see its altitude, what it is like, and how far it is to the next one.
Route map
Manaslu Circuit
Loading route map
Loading the terrain, the route line, and the numbered stops.
About the route
Soti Khola to Larkya La
A longer, wilder route up the Budhi Gandaki valley and over the Larkya La. The last stop marked on the map is Larkya La, at 5,160 m.
Along the route
Stop 1 of 60%
- From Soti Khola
- 0 km
- Whole route
- ~77 km
Elevation profile
Larkya La · 5,160 m
- Start · Soti Khola
- 730 m
- Highest point
- ↑ 5,160 m
- Net climb
- 4,430 m
This section
Soti Khola to Jagat
- Est. distance
- 25 km
- Stop type
- Day stop
- 16 days
- Duration
- 5,160m
- Max altitude
- Mar-May · Oct-Nov
- Best seasons
- $2,790+
- Starting rate
Permits and access
- Permits
- Restricted Area Permit, MCAP, ACAP, Licensed guide required
- Access
- Private jeep approach and exit
- Stay style
- Kathmandu hotel, comfortable teahouses on the trail, permits arranged for you
Customize your trip
- jeep
- Private jeep to the start of the trek and back from the finish.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day by day on the trail.
A sample 16-day plan. Every departure is private, so we can slow it down, shorten it, or add days to fit your dates.
2
Day 2 · 8–9 hrs
Drive to Machha Khola
↑ 870 m
A long private-jeep day west along the Budhi Gandaki, past Arughat and Soti Khola into the mouth of the valley. The road is rough but scenic, with terraced hills, river crossings, and the first restricted-area checkpoints.
3
Day 3 · 6–7 hrs
Machha Khola to Jagat
↑ 1,340 m
The trail proper begins, following the river through hot-spring hamlets to Jagat, the official entry to the Manaslu Conservation Area. Permits are checked here, and from this point on you see far fewer trekkers.
4
Day 4 · 6–7 hrs
Jagat to Deng
↑ 1,860 m
A day of suspension bridges, waterfalls, and steep forested climbs in the Budhi Gandaki gorge. Tibetan-Buddhist influence grows stronger as you reach the small Nubri village of Deng.
5
Day 5 · 6–7 hrs
Deng to Namrung
↑ 2,630 m
The valley opens and mani walls, chortens, and prayer flags line the trail. A steady climb through Ghap brings you to Namrung, where classic Tibetan architecture takes over.
6
Day 6 · 4–5 hrs
Namrung to Lho
↑ 3,180 m
A shorter day. The first close views of Manaslu (8,163 m) appear, and Lho's Ribung Gompa sits against a wall of white peaks. It is one of the best places on the trip to watch the sunset.
7
Day 7 · 4 hrs
Lho to Samagaun
↑ 3,530 m
Through Shyala with mountains on every side, then a gentle walk to Samagaun (Sama Gaon), the cultural center of the Nubri valley and our acclimatisation base for two nights.
8
Day 8 · 4–6 hrs (optional)
Samagaun: acclimatisation day
↑ 3,530 m
A rest day with a hike to help you adjust to the altitude: either up toward Manaslu Base Camp (≈4,800 m) or the shorter walk to sacred Birendra Lake and Pungyen Gompa. You climb high and come back down to sleep.
9
Day 9 · 3–4 hrs
Samagaun to Samdo
↑ 3,860 m
A quiet, high walk to Samdo, the last permanent village before the pass. It is a Tibetan trading settlement backed by yak pastures and the Rui La border route.
10
Day 10 · 3–5 hrs (optional)
Samdo: acclimatisation day
↑ 3,860 m
A second day to adjust to the altitude. An optional hike toward the Tibet border at Rui La helps with acclimatisation and gives wide views of the Himalaya and the Tibetan plateau.
11
Day 11 · 3–4 hrs
Samdo to Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi)
↑ 4,460 m
A short but important stage to the stone huts of Dharamsala, the basic camp at the foot of the pass. Go to bed early, because the crossing starts before dawn.
12
Day 12 · 8–10 hrs
Larkya La to Bimtang
↑ 5,160 m → 3,590 m
The biggest day of the trek. You start before dawn for the long climb to Larkya La (5,160 m), with views from the top of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and the Annapurnas. A steep descent that is hard on the knees brings you to the meadows of Bimtang. Expect 8–10 hours in all.
13
Day 13 · 6–7 hrs
Bimtang to Dharapani
↑ 1,970 m
A long descent out of the high country through rhododendron forest, river flats, and villages, down into the Marsyangdi valley to join the Annapurna Circuit at Dharapani.
14
Day 14 · 8–9 hrs
Drive to Kathmandu
↑ 1,400 m
Private jeep from Dharapani to Besisahar, then onward by vehicle to Kathmandu. A celebratory dinner marks the end of the circuit.
15
Day 15
Kathmandu: spare day
↑ 1,400 m
A buffer day held in reserve for weather or trail delays. If all has gone to plan, it becomes a free day for heritage sightseeing, shopping, or a spa recovery.
16
Day 16
Departure
↑ 1,400 m
Private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight, with a Green Pastures send-off.
What's covered
Included & excluded at a glance.
Included
- Total of two nights' accommodation in Pokhara (before and after the trek) at the partner operator's guesthouse
- Guide
- Assistants, (maximum weight to carry is 12 kg for female assistant and 15 kg for male assistant).
- 3 meals per day, afternoon tea & snacks,
- Accommodation is typically arranged on a twin-share basis, though peak-season departures may occasionally require a triple or four-bed room.
- Manaslu Park entry, TIMS fees and Special permit,
Not included
- Mineral water
- Beverages- soft and hard
- Extra dessert
- Souvenirs
- Tipping to staff
- Any entry fee during cultural (monastery/temple heritage visit)
Based on a partner operator's listing, “Manaslu Trek”, last updated May 21, 2024.