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A loop around the world's eighth-highest mountain, crossing Larkya La at 5,106 m through remote, lightly trekked valleys with a strong Buddhist culture of Tibetan influence. From humid forest to alpine landscapes beneath Manaslu, the route spans every climate zone.
Thanks to its conservation status and regulated access, the Manaslu remains one of Nepal's wildest major trekking routes. Beyond Jagat, Tibetan influence is expressed with a purity and serenity that have become rare on the heavily travelled Annapurna or Everest trails.
Located at 3,691 m near the village of Samagaun, Birendra Tal is a striking turquoise glacial lake sitting at the foot of the Manaslu glacier. Often used as an essential acclimatization hike, the trail to its shores offers a front-row seat to the towering north face of Mt. Manaslu and the raw, shifting landscape of the high-altitude moraine.
At 5,106 m, Larkya La is the high point of the circuit and one of the most demanding passes on a tea-house trek in Nepal. The pre-dawn start, the long approach above the snowline, and the long descent to Bimthang make it a memorable high-altitude day.
TrekHub reference route
The first walking day follows the Budhi Gandaki through subtropical forest, terraced hillsides, and a sequence of suspension bridges above the gorge. The trail alternates between riverside sections and short climbs on rebuilt ledges above the water before reaching Machha Khola, a long-established overnight stop with several lodges.
A four-day branch from Jagat to Deng through the Tsum Valley, replacing the standard day-four Jagat-to-Deng stage of the main circuit with a culturally richer detour into a hidden Tibetan-Buddhist enclave above Chhokangparo. The valley's monasteries, mani walls, and near-total absence of motorised access make it one of the most culturally intact trekking areas in Nepal.
Gongabu Buspark, Kathmandu → Arughat (transfer to jeep for Machha Khola) · 12+ h total · NPR 800–1,500 per leg
Cheapest option; long, uncomfortable, and unreliable in monsoon.
BookingTickets sold at the counter the day before.
Gongabu Buspark, Kathmandu → Soti Khola or Machha Khola · 8–10 h · 1–2 morning departures during trekking season · USD 25–35 per seat
Cramped 4x4 with 8–10 passengers; rough unpaved road past Arughat.
BookingBook the day before via your trekking agency; tickets sold at the buspark counter on the morning of departure.
Kathmandu (any hotel pickup) → Soti Khola or Machha Khola · 7–9 h · USD 250–350 per vehicle (4–6 pax)
Door-to-door comfort; only practical option in heavy rain.
BookingArranged through the trekking agency. Confirm pickup time the day before.
The road past Arughat is only partly paved and is regularly affected by monsoon-related landslides. Allow a buffer day.
Besisahar → Kathmandu (Gongabu) or Pokhara · 5–7 h · Frequent daily departures · NPR 700–1,200
BookingTickets sold at the Besisahar bus station counter on the day.
Dharapani → Besisahar · 5–6 h · Morning departures, daily · NPR 1,500–2,500 per seat
Bumpy ride along the Marsyangdi gorge; book in advance during peak season.
Dharapani sits at the start of the Annapurna Circuit. Strong trekkers can continue directly toward Manang and Thorong La rather than descend by road.
Three national permits (Restricted Area / RAP, Manaslu Conservation / MCAP, and Annapurna Conservation / ACAP) are arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara through your agency before the trek, plus a small Chum-Nubri municipality fee collected on the trail. No TIMS card is required inside the restricted area.
Tea-houses offer private double rooms (shared dorms at some high-altitude stops), communal dining rooms, and basic shared bathrooms. Hot showers cost extra (~200–300 NPR). Meals are served all day; food quality and variety decrease notably above 3,500 m.
Family-run mountain lodges that string the route from Soti Khola to Bimthang. Private twin rooms below 3,000 m, shared dorms higher up. The communal dining room — usually the only heated space — is where the trek's social life happens.
ComfortBasic to moderate
Typical segmentsSoti Khola → Samagaon (private rooms) · Samdo → Dharmasala (dorms, basic shelter)
BookingNo online booking system. Your guide books a day ahead by phone in peak season; first-come first-served otherwise.
Wild camping is not a viable option on this trek. The Manaslu Restricted Area regulations require trekkers to overnight in registered tea-houses, and the trail itself offers very few suitable spots between settlements at altitude.