18 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek

  • Duration 18
  • Destination Nepal
  • Trip Grade Challenging
  • Starts at
  • Ends at
  • Meals Full Board During Trek
  • Accommodation 3-star & Tea House
  • Max. Altitude 5,215 m /17,105.2 ft
  • Activity Sightseeing and Trekking
  • Group Type
  • Group Size 2-15(Customize your Trip on Request)
  • Best Season

18 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek Overview

Embark on an epic 18-day Manaslu Circuit Trekking adventure, offering a unique opportunity to explore one of Nepal’s most pristine and culturally rich regions. Since its opening in 1991, the Manaslu Circuit has captivated trekkers with its spectacular views along the Nepal-Tibet border, making it a truly unique and intact Nepal trekking experience. As a restricted hiking route, it promises an exclusive journey for organized groups seeking an authentic Himalayan exploration.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Overview: A Cultural & Natural Wonderland

The Manaslu region boasts a unique environment and rich biodiversity, making it a top trekking destination in Nepal. This majestic Himalayan landscape is renowned for its cultural diversity, breathtaking natural beauty, pristine glacial lakes, and fascinating flora and fauna. The Manaslu Circuit trail is notably less crowded than other popular routes, offering a more serene and intimate interaction with the local countryside life. Trekkers will experience basic, authentic services, dining in local teahouses and truly immersing themselves in the pure essence of rural Nepal.

Trip Highlights & Features:

  • Duration: 18 Days
  • Destination: Nepal (Manaslu Region)
  • Trip Grade: Challenging (Requires good physical fitness)
  • Max. Altitude: Conquer Larkya La Pass at 5,215 m (17,105.2 ft)
  • Activity: Cultural Sightseeing, Scenic Drives, and High-Altitude Trekking
  • Group Size: 2-15 participants (Private departures available)
  • Best Season: Autumn (Sept. to Nov.) and Spring (March to May)
  • Guided Kathmandu city tours exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Scenic drive to Soti Khola from Kathmandu, the trek’s starting point.
  • Explore the picturesque Budhi Gandaki River valley.
  • Immerse yourself in a fascinating Nepalese and Tibetan mixed culture.
  • Trek along the ancient trade routes near the borders of Nepal and Tibet.
  • Experience the exhilaration of crossing Larkya La Pass, a major highlight.

Accommodation & Dining: Comfort on Your Himalayan Journey

Your Manaslu Circuit trek package includes comfortable stays throughout your adventure. You’ll lodge in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu (3 nights), and experience authentic local hospitality in teahouses during the trek (14 nights). All accommodations are based on a twin-shared basis. A single supplement can be arranged upon request for an additional cost. While most lower elevation regions offer rooms with attached washrooms, facilities may vary at higher altitudes. Mountain Expedition Nepal (EMEN) prioritizes your comfort during this incredible Himalayan trekking experience.

For Meals, all meals are provided during the trekking days (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner). In Kathmandu, only breakfast is included, with special welcome and farewell dinners to enhance your trip. Our diverse menus offer delicious Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, and Continental dishes.

Can You Accomplish the Manaslu Circuit Trek? Fitness & Preparation

The Manaslu Circuit Trekking is classified as a Challenging trip, making it suitable for trekkers with good physical health who can comfortably walk at least 6-7 hours a day with a light backpack. No technical mountaineering skills are required. To best prepare, we strongly recommend a regular jogging and exercise regimen for at least a month prior to the trek. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, please inform Mountain Expedition Nepal for personalized advice.

Best Time to Travel to Manaslu Circuit

The ideal seasons for the Manaslu Circuit Trek are Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May). These periods offer stable weather, clear skies, and optimal conditions for high-altitude trekking and cultural immersion. If your travel plans fall outside these months, please contact us for customized trip arrangements.

Day to Day Itinerary
Expand all

Our airport representative will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu and s/he will be displaying EMEN signboard outside the airport terminal. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private tourist vehicle. Overnight at a hotel. No meals included.

After the breakfast, the sightseeing trip will start at 8:30 am in the morning. We provide a private vehicle and professional tour guide. We visit Boudhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. After Boudhnath Stupa we visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. We also visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is a collection of pagoda and shikhara – style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. The attraction of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the the Lion gate, the Golden gate, the Palace of fifty-five windows, art galleries, the Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla. The rest of your time in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel area near your hotel. Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast included.

After the morning breakfast we leave for Sotikhola, the starting point of our trek. From Kathmandu to Dhading Besi is a 3-hour comfortable drive after which will be a 5-hour bumpy and winding dirt road to Sotikhola. The total drive for the day will approximately be 8 hours. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Today we start walking to Machha Khola. The trail is full of ups and downs and goes through narrow and rocky terrain. We come across many beautiful waterfalls. Before reaching Machha Khola, we pass through Labubesi village which is a Gurung community. After walking for almost 6 hours, we arrive at our destination for the day which is Machha khola (River). Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

After crossing Machha River and Khrola besi, there is a hot spring called Tatopani. The trail follows a forest reaching Dovan, below which flows the massive Budi Gandaki. As the elevation increases, the rapids and the scenery undergoes a complete transformation. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

After ascending to a terraced hill of Saguleri and view of Sringi Himal (7,177 m) from Jagat, we continue towards Sirish Gaon. Gandaki valley narrows from herewith soaring precipitous walls.  The trail goes through a bamboo forest. We follow the trail upstream of Deng River and arrive at a tiny village called Deng. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Today the trek is quite longer and harder than previous days. We can see amazing fields of flowering mustard. After some hours of walking, we reach Ghap (2160m). After reaching Ghap we can hear the pleasant sound of waterfall and observe ancient writings and art in the stones. After 4 hours of walk we reach Namrung. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

After Namrung, we walk across the Hinan River originating from Linda Glacier and continue on to Sho. Naike Peak, Manaslu North (7,774 m) and Manaslu (8,150 m) are visible from here. After some hours of walking we reach Lho Gaon, a beautiful village with nice view of Mt. Manaslu. On the top of the hill, we can have a look around the Buddhist monastery Ribung Gompa. Our destination village is Samagaon and that’s where we will head to after that. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We stay today at Samagaon for acclimatization and take this time to explore around. We can either visit Pungyen Gompa and glacial Lake Birendra Tal (4-5 hours) or we can take a walk to Manaslu Base Camp and return back to Samagaon (7-8 hours). Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Today we climb a terraced hill on the opposite bank of Budhi Gandaki River and then towards a most remote permanent settlement – Samdo. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We will spend a day acclimatizing to the thinning of the air. It is recommended that your body acclimatizes to the high altitude and be adjusted for higher altitudes in the days to follow. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We walk to Dharmasala on the trail that is quite similar to the trail from Sama Gaun to Samdo. Dharmashala is also known as Larke Phedi. There is one small stone guest house here which gives the basic facility of fooding and the lodging will be in dormitory styled rooms. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We first climb towards Cho Chanda and then slowly head steeply uphill towards the snowed-up pass. From the top the panorama is magnificent: Himlung Himal (7,126 m), Cheo Himal (6,820 m), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6,981 m) and the Annapurna II (7,937 m). The descent is steep, through moraines, towards Bhimtang. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

The route gets easier. We start with a gentle climb through paddy fields towards the small Karcha La Pass and descend through fig trees and rhododendron forests to Tilje. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We start to pass through villages with denser population on our way to Tal. After a few hours of walking we reach Dharapani (1860m) where we can take lunch. From this point, we enter the Annapurna Circuit section. The trail goes through several streams and fields of wheat. We cross a suspension bridge over the Marshyangdi River and arrive at Tal. The beautiful village is situated on the bank of the river and there is a large waterfall you can enjoy watching. Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We hop onto a jeep to reach Kathmandu via Besisahar. The road is rough and bumpy up to Besisahar and smoother from then. Enjoying the sceneries of hills and rivers along the highway, we reach Kathmandu after 9 hours of drive. Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

You have the option to extend your trip to continue onto Chitwan jungle safari, rafting adventure, and mountain flight, mountain biking and other activities. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast and farewell dinner included.

The trip concludes – our airport representative will drop you at the Kathmandu international airport for your final flight departure from Nepal. Breakfast included.

Our team guides, porters and accompanying staff are locals with a broad knowledge about each and every location that we travel through.

Customize Trip
Cost Includes
  • Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast (3 nights).
  • Guesthouse accommodation during the trek in mostly twin-share and occasionally dormitory-style rooms (14 nights).
  • All standard meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
  • Local English-speaking trekking guide having licensed. An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (6 trekkers: 1 assistant guide)
  • The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek. Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all staff.
  • Restected area permit/Manaslu conservation area permit/Annapurna Conservation Area Permit & TIMS.
  • HAN T shirt, bag.
  • Official expenses.
  • Welcome dinner with cultural program as listed in the itinerary.
  • Day guided city tour
  • Farewell Dinner
  • Public bus ticket to and from the starting and ending points of the trek as applicable
  • Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
  • All government and local taxes
Cost Excludes
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. Except Welcome & Farewell Dinner
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory!), which covers emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation
  • International airfare and airport departure tax
  • Nepal entry visa – You can obtain the visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days can be obtained by paying USD 25 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days can be obtained by paying USD 40 and 100 respectively. Please bring 2 copies of passport size photos.)
  • Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks.
  • Personal trekking equipment (click on the Equipment tab).
  • Tips for trekking staff and driver (tipping is expected).
  • Any others expenses that are not mentioned in the ‘Price Includes’ section.
  • Any extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary plan
  • Cost arising out of landslides, road blockade, and rescue of any form, cancellation of flight or reasons beyond our control
  • World heritage entrance Fees.
Departure Dates
  • We have daily departures for this trip from March to May and from mid-September to mid-December. You can type in the number of passengers to book a reservation and select a date that is convenient for you. Due to group size, we never cancel a trip once you’ve made a reservation. If you would rather join the group, we will add more travelers on the selected date. You can let us know once you make a reservation or earlier.
Useful Info

Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip. If you have some query please directly call us at any time. Your happiness is our success. info@mountainexpeditionnepal.com

Write a Review
MEN Have Questions?
Talk to Expert

Kiran Bhattta

WhatsApp/Viber +977- 9851093613
You May Also LikeSimilar Itineraries
Tsum Valley Trek-18 Days
Tsum Valley Trek-18 Days
Difficulty: Adventurous 18 Days
Max. Height: 3,700 m (12,136 ft.)
18 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek
18 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek
Difficulty: Challenging 18 Days
Max. Height: 5,215 m /17,105.2 ft
16 Days Manaslu Trekking with Larke Pass
16 Days Manaslu Trekking with Larke Pass
Difficulty: Challenging 16 Days
Max. Height: 5160m

Associate and Certified

NG NMA NTB TAAN

We Accept

Brand 1

Recommended By

Tripadvisor Lonely Planet