Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary: Day-by-Day Guide 2026

This is the complete Manaslu circuit trek itinerary — every day from Kathmandu departure to Kathmandu return. Each stage includes honest trail notes, altitude figures, walking times, and practical detail that prepares you for what the day actually demands. Furthermore, every note in this guide comes from real experience on the route — not from a promotional summary.

The 14-day itinerary is the standard format for good reason. It gives the body enough time to acclimatise before the Larkya La Pass crossing, includes one full rest day at Samagaon, and keeps each walking day within a manageable range. Consequently, it delivers the highest pass-crossing success rate of any Manaslu itinerary length. Read this guide before you book — it will tell you exactly what the next 14 days look like.

What’s Inside This Guide

This guide covers the full 14-day circuit from start to finish. Furthermore, it includes practical notes, key warnings, and itinerary variations so you can plan accurately before booking.

Quick Overview Table — All 14 Days
Full Day-by-Day Guide — Days 1 to 14
Important Notes for This Itinerary
Itinerary Variations — Tsum Valley, 16 Days, Annapurna Connection
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Planning Guides

Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary — Quick Overview

Day	Route	Altitude	Distance	Hours
1	Kathmandu → Machha Khola	930m	Drive 170km	8–9 hrs
2	Machha Khola → Jagat	1,340m	22 km	6–7 hrs
3	Jagat → Deng	1,860m	20 km	6–7 hrs
4	Deng → Namrung	2,630m	18 km	6–7 hrs
5	Namrung → Lho → Samagaon	3,520m	19 km	6–7 hrs
6	Samagaon — Acclimatisation	3,520m	Side hike optional	Rest day
7	Samagaon → Samdo	3,860m	8 km	3–4 hrs
8	Samdo → Dharamsala	4,460m	9 km	4–5 hrs
9	Dharamsala → Larkya La → Bimthang	5,106m → 3,590m	14 km	8–10 hrs
10	Bimthang → Tilje	2,300m	16 km	6–7 hrs
11	Tilje → Dharapani	1,860m	8 km	4–5 hrs
12	Dharapani → Kathmandu	1,400m	Drive 180km	7–8 hrs
13	Buffer day in Kathmandu	1,400m	—	Free day
14	Departure from Kathmandu	1,400m	—	Airport transfer

Key facts about the 14-day itinerary

Total trekking distance: approximately 130–135 km on trail. Maximum altitude: 5,106m at Larkya La Pass. Trekking days: 10. Rest day: Day 6 at Samagaon. Pass crossing: Day 9.

Furthermore, two of the 14 days involve driving rather than walking — Day 1 from Kathmandu to Machha Khola and Day 12 from Dharapani back to Kathmandu. Consequently, the actual trail time covers 10 consecutive walking days plus one acclimatisation rest day at Samagaon. This structure is deliberate — it delivers the highest pass-crossing success rate of any Manaslu itinerary length.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary — Full Day-by-Day Guide

Each day below includes the overnight altitude, trekking distance, walking time, meals, and accommodation — followed by honest trail notes based on real guide experience on the route. Furthermore, every stage links naturally to the next, so reading the full sequence gives you the clearest picture of how the circuit builds from lowland gorge to high-alpine pass and back down.

Day 1 — Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola

Altitude: 930m | Drive: 8–9 hours | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Machha Khola

The Manaslu circuit trek itinerary begins not on a trail but on a road. You leave Kathmandu on the Prithvi Highway heading west, following the Trishuli River before turning north at Arughat into the Budhi Gandaki corridor. Furthermore, the road beyond Arughat gets progressively rougher — market towns give way to hillside villages and rice terraces step down to the riverbank.

By the time Machha Khola appears at 930m, the city feels genuinely far away. That distance is exactly the point. Consequently, use the evening well — check gear, confirm permits with your guide, and go to bed early. The first walking day is a long one.

Day 2 — Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat

Your first day on the trail sets the tone immediately. The route follows the Budhi Gandaki river upstream through riverside villages, sal forest sections, and rocky gorge passages. Suspension bridges cross and recross the river throughout the day. Furthermore, waterfalls line both walls of the gorge and mule trains share the path heading south.

The trail passes through Kholabesi, Tatopani, and Dobhan before a final climb to Jagat. Here, the first official checkpoint on the Manaslu restricted area circuit checks your permits. Consequently, keep your passport copy accessible at all times from this point forward. Road access stays behind you completely — the real circuit starts here.

Day 3 — Trek from Jagat to Deng

The Budhi Gandaki gorge tightens dramatically today. The trail pushes north through Salleri, Sirdibas, and Ghap — sections where the valley walls close in and the outside world genuinely disappears. Moreover, this is some of the finest gorge walking in all of Nepal, and it receives almost no recognition because most people write only about the upper circuit.

The trail crosses the river on suspension bridges, climbs over rock ledges, and passes beneath hanging waterfalls. Dense forest alternates with exposed cliff sections. As a result, Deng appears as a quiet, forested settlement at a bend in the valley — simple teahouses, good food, and an early night. Nevertheless, remember that the altitude gain tomorrow gets considerably more serious.

Day 4 — Trek from Deng to Namrung

Today brings the first serious altitude gain — 770 vertical metres over 18 km through Rana and Bihi toward Namrung. The subtropical gorge character begins to change above Bihi. Furthermore, the forest shifts from dense lowland species to pine, the air noticeably cools, and clear views of the surrounding ridgelines open above the treeline for the first time.

Siringi Himal and the flanks of the Ganesh Himal range become visible as the valley widens. Moreover, Namrung at 2,630m marks the transition point — below it, the lower gorge character; above it, the Tibetan-influenced mid-section that defines the heart of the circuit. As a result, rest properly here and drink more water than feels necessary. The altitude has begun.

Day 5 — Trek from Namrung to Samagaon via Lho

This is one of the finest days on the entire Manaslu circuit trek itinerary. Furthermore, the trail passes through the ancient Tibetan-influenced villages of Lihi and Sho — stone houses, mani walls, prayer flags — before reaching Lho, where the landscape changes completely. From Lho at 3,180m, the full south face of Mount Manaslu (8,163m) appears directly ahead for the first time. Most trekkers stop walking entirely and simply stare for several minutes. That is the right response.

Pungyen Monastery and the arrival at Samagaon

Above Lho, Pungyen Monastery sits on a ridge with direct Manaslu views. If you have energy after the climb, go up — the views from the monastery terrace are significantly better than from the trail below. Furthermore, the monastery is a genuinely active community, not a tourist attraction. Do not skip this visit.

The trail continues through Shyala to Samagaon at 3,520m — the cultural heart of the upper circuit. Arrive early, drink 3 litres of water minimum, and eat a full dinner. Moreover, tomorrow is the acclimatisation day — it matters far more than it appears.

Day 6 — Acclimatisation Day in Samagaon

Altitude: 3,520m | Rest Day | Side Hike: Up to 4,800m optional | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Samagaon

This rest day is not a gift — it is a requirement. Furthermore, it is the only built-in acclimatisation stop in the 14-day schedule. Do not shorten it and do not let anyone convince you to push on to Samdo early. The body simply cannot cross 5,106m safely without this preparation day.

Two acclimatisation hike options from Samagaon

Option 1 — Manaslu Base Camp (4,800m): A demanding 5–6 hour return hike through glacial moraine with close-range views of Manaslu’s icefalls. This is the best altitude preparation for the pass crossing. Consequently, it is the right choice for trekkers who want to maximise physical conditioning before Day 9.

Option 2 — Birendra Lake (3,750m): A shorter hike to a sacred glacial lake in a wide moraine bowl above Samagaon. The turquoise water and strong mountain views make this the right choice for trekkers who want acclimatisation without maximum effort. Both options are worthwhile — neither is wrong. Nevertheless, whichever you choose, return by early afternoon, eat a full dinner, and sleep early. The hardest days of the circuit begin tomorrow.

Day 7 — Trek from Samagaon to Samdo

A short day by distance — but an important one by altitude. The trail crosses open yak pastures and dry alpine terrain before reaching Samdo at 3,860m, the highest permanently inhabited village on the Manaslu Circuit. Furthermore, Samdo sits only a few kilometres from the Tibet border. The stone architecture, the dress of older residents, and the layout of the village all reflect a way of life shaped more by the Tibetan plateau than by lowland Nepal.

In the afternoon, your guide leads a short acclimatisation walk toward the Nepal-Tibet border ridge. The views across the Tibetan plateau from this ridge are extraordinary — dry, vast, and completely unlike anything in the valley below. Moreover, this walk provides valuable altitude conditioning before the pass crossing. Consequently, do not skip the afternoon hike even if rest feels more appealing.

Day 8 — Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala (Larkya La Base Camp)

Today the circuit enters its most serious commitment. The trail climbs through increasingly sparse terrain — fewer plants, more exposed rock, and visibly thinner air with every 100 metres gained. Dharamsala at 4,460m offers cold rooms, limited menus, and unreliable electricity. Nevertheless, none of that matters tonight. What matters is preparation for tomorrow morning.

Drink 4 litres of water throughout the day and evening. Furthermore, eat a full dinner even if altitude has reduced your appetite. Lay out your warmest gear, headlamp, and boots before sleeping — a 3am departure in the dark requires everything within immediate reach. Your guide confirms the exact departure time based on current weather conditions. Consequently, most groups leave between 3am and 4am. The pass does not wait for a comfortable hour.

Day 9 — Cross Larkya La Pass (5,106m) — Descend to Bimthang

This is the day the entire Manaslu circuit trek itinerary builds toward. You leave Dharamsala in the dark — frozen ground underfoot, stars overhead, the black ridgeline above. Glacial moraine and snowfield pass beneath your feet in near-silence. Groups spread along the slope and consequently the pace slows naturally with altitude. By the time the sky begins to pale in the east, the pass is close.

At the top — what you see from Larkya La

Larkya La at 5,106m is a wide, wind-scoured col with nothing between you and the horizon. Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and the long white wall of the Annapurna range appear in full as the light arrives. On a clear morning, the panorama from Larkya La is one of the finest views available to any non-technical trekker in the world. Furthermore, that is not promotional language — it is simply true.

The descent to Bimthang

The descent drops through loose scree, snowfield, and boulder field before the trail reaches Bimthang — a wide glacial meadow at 3,590m ringed by peaks on three sides. Most trekkers arrive physically depleted and deeply satisfied in equal measure. As a result, the hardest day of the circuit sits firmly behind you. Everything from here is downhill.

Day 10 — Trek from Bimthang to Tilje

A long descent day through one of the most dramatic ecological transitions on any Nepal trek. The route drops from open glacial terrain at Bimthang through rhododendron and pine forest to the green Marsyangdi valley near Tilje. In a single day, the environment transitions from high-alpine moraine to subtropical forest. As a result, trees reappear, birds return, and breathing becomes noticeably easier with every hundred metres of descent.

The 1,300 vertical metre descent over 16 km places real load on the knees — consequently, trekking poles are more valuable today than on any other day of the circuit. Nevertheless, the improving oxygen, the changing landscape, and the satisfaction of moving downhill after days of climbing make this one of the most enjoyable walking days on the route.

Day 11 — Trek from Tilje to Dharapani

The final trekking day. Following the Marsyangdi river downstream through Thonje and Kobang, the trail arrives at Dharapani — the exact point where the Manaslu Circuit meets the Annapurna Circuit route. It is a short, pleasant day with a clear path and a wide green valley. Furthermore, your legs carry less weight than at any point since Machha Khola.

Reaching Dharapani means the restricted area is officially behind you — the circuit around the eighth-highest peak on earth is complete. Consequently, use the evening to reflect on what 11 days of walking has covered: the gorge, the first view of Manaslu above Lho, Samagaon in the early morning, the 3am start, the pass, the descent through forest. It was all of it.

Day 12 — Drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu

Altitude: 1,400m | Drive: 7–8 hours | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Stay: Hotel, Kathmandu

The return drive follows the Marsyangdi river to Besisahar before joining the Prithvi Highway back east to Kathmandu. The road is considerably smoother than the Machha Khola route at the start — well-surfaced for most of the journey. Consequently, use the drive to rest properly. By the time the Kathmandu Valley appears, 12 consecutive days of road and trail are behind you. The evening in the city is entirely yours.

Day 13 — Rest and Buffer Day in Kathmandu

Altitude: 1,400m | Meals: Breakfast

This day serves as a practical buffer against weather delays or unplanned rest days on the trail. If the circuit ran on schedule, this is a free day — Thamel, Boudhanath Stupa, or simply a long slow morning. Furthermore, this day gives trekkers with tight onward flight connections an important safety margin. Therefore, do not skip the buffer if your international flight leaves the following evening.

Day 14 — Departure from Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast | Airport transfer included

Mountain Hike Nepal arranges airport transfer and handles remaining logistics. Use the hours before your flight for any final purchases or a quiet last meal in Thamel. The circuit took 14 days, covered approximately 130 km of trail, and completed a full loop around the eighth-highest peak on earth. Moreover, most trekkers leave Nepal already planning the next one.

Important Notes for This Itinerary

These three points consistently make the difference between a successful circuit and an early descent. Furthermore, they apply to every trekker on every departure date regardless of fitness or experience.

Why 14 days and not 12?

The 14-day format includes a proper acclimatisation day at Samagaon and keeps daily altitude gain within safe limits above 3,000m. Furthermore, it does not compress the gorge section — which shorter itineraries consistently do to the detriment of trekkers who arrive at altitude already fatigued. Consequently, the 14-day format has the highest pass-crossing success rate of any Manaslu itinerary length. Never book an operator offering 12 days unless you have prior high-altitude experience above 5,000m.

The Samagaon acclimatisation day is non-negotiable

This is the only built-in acclimatisation stop in the 14-day schedule. Removing it significantly increases AMS risk at Dharamsala and on the pass. Therefore, never book an itinerary that treats this day as optional, regardless of how the time saving is presented. Additionally, the side hike on this day — whether to Manaslu Base Camp or Birendra Lake — directly prepares your body for the altitude demands of Days 8 and 9.

No ATMs exist above Jagat

Withdraw all cash before departure in Kathmandu. Budget NPR 15,000–20,000 per person for trail extras across the full 14 days — hot showers, snacks, device charging, and tips. Furthermore, carry small denomination notes since teahouses above Namrung rarely have change for large bills.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary Variations

The standard 14-day Manaslu circuit trek itinerary suits most trekkers well. However, several meaningful variations exist based on time, fitness, and goals. Furthermore, all variations use the same permits and the same base route — the difference is simply how many days you spend on the trail and which sections you extend or add.

Add the Tsum Valley — 21 days total

The Tsum Valley branches northeast from the main circuit at Philim. The combined route runs 20–21 days and adds Mu Gompa, Rachen Gompa, and the most culturally preserved Himalayan valley in Nepal to the standard circuit. Furthermore, it uses the same RAP permit with only one additional Tsum Valley permit required. See our Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek page for the full combined itinerary and pricing.

16-day version with extra Samdo rest day

Adding a second rest day at Samdo (3,860m) before Dharamsala gives the body an additional acclimatisation step above 3,500m. Consequently, this version is recommended for trekkers who have experienced altitude sensitivity on previous high-altitude treks, or for anyone who arrives at Samagaon with notable symptoms on Day 5.

Connect onward to the Annapurna Circuit

The circuit ends at Dharapani — the same point where the Annapurna Circuit begins heading west. Trekkers with sufficient time can connect directly, adding Thorong La Pass and the Mustang descent. Furthermore, this combined route requires a separate ACAP permit for the Annapurna section. Contact us to discuss the logistics and pricing for the combined itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days does the Manaslu Circuit Trek take?

The standard Manaslu Circuit Trek takes 14 days from Kathmandu departure to Kathmandu return. This includes 10 actual trekking days, one full acclimatisation rest day at Samagaon, and two drive days to and from the trailhead. Furthermore, a 16-day version with an additional rest day at Samdo is available for trekkers who want more conservative altitude management before the Larkya La crossing. Itineraries shorter than 14 days exist but are not recommended — the compressed timeline significantly increases altitude sickness risk on the pass.

Where does the Manaslu Circuit Trek start and end?

The trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola at 930m — the trailhead at the southern entrance to the Budhi Gandaki gorge. The circuit ends at Dharapani at 1,860m, where the Manaslu trail meets the Annapurna Circuit route in the Marsyangdi valley. Furthermore, from Dharapani, a private jeep returns trekkers to Kathmandu via Besisahar in approximately 7–8 hours. Consequently, no domestic flight is required at any point on the standard Manaslu Circuit itinerary.

Can the Manaslu Circuit itinerary be customised?

Yes — Mountain Hike Nepal customises the standard itinerary to add acclimatisation days, adjust specific stages, or combine the circuit with the Tsum Valley or Annapurna Circuit. Furthermore, departure dates are fully flexible for private groups and solo trekkers under the updated 2026 permit rules that removed the two-person minimum. Contact us directly to discuss the right structure for your fitness level, available time, and trekking experience. Consequently, most private departures can be arranged within 7–10 days of your preferred start date.

What time do you cross Larkya La Pass?

Most groups depart Dharamsala between 3am and 4am on the Larkya La crossing day. The early start ensures full daylight for the long descent to Bimthang and avoids afternoon weather building on the exposed upper pass. Furthermore, the snow surface is firmer and more stable in the early morning hours than in the warmer afternoon when solar heating softens the upper snowfields. Your guide confirms the exact departure time the evening before based on current weather conditions and group pace assessment.

Is the Manaslu Circuit itinerary the same in all seasons?

The route and stage structure remain consistent across all seasons, but trail conditions change significantly depending on when you trek. In winter, the section above Samdo carries snow and the Larkya La crossing involves colder, firmer conditions that demand warm layers and an even earlier start. In spring, snow on the pass typically clears through March and April, making for a more comfortable crossing with better views. Consequently, daily start times and minor stage adjustments are managed by your guide based on current trail and weather conditions throughout the trek.

Each guide below covers a specific aspect of the Manaslu Circuit in full detail. Furthermore, reading them alongside this itinerary gives you the complete picture before booking.

How Hard Is the Trek? — Section-by-section difficulty breakdown to read alongside this itinerary.
Full Cost Guide 2026 — Every expense from package price to daily trail spending and tips.
Altitude Sickness Guide — What to expect above 3,500m and how to manage it at each stage.
Distance and Elevation Guide — Daily km figures, altitude per stage, total ascent and the Larkya La profile.
Best Time to Trek — How each season affects the itinerary, pass conditions, and daily experience.
Permits Guide — RAP, MCAP, and ACAP process and all checkpoint locations on the route.
What to Pack — Complete gear list matched to the 14-day circuit demands.

Read the Itinerary. Then Walk It.

The Manaslu circuit trek itinerary covers 14 days, one restricted area, and a mountain pass at 5,106m. Every stage in this guide reflects real trail conditions — not a promotional summary. Furthermore, each day builds on the one before it — read it in sequence to understand how the circuit develops from lowland gorge to high-alpine pass. Consequently, give yourself the full 14 days to do it right.

View the full Manaslu Circuit Trek package on Mountain Hike Nepal →

Questions about the itinerary, customising your dates, or what each stage actually feels like? Our team responds within 12 hours.

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Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary: Complete Day-by-Day Guide (2026)

What’s Inside This Guide