The Manaslu Circuit trekking route is about 177 km long, and its highest point is Larkya La at 5,106m. On our 13-day itinerary, you walk from Machha Khola (930m) to Dharapani (1,860m). Along the way, you climb at least 4,170m and descend about 3,250m.
That 177 km figure covers the full classic route, so the part you walk on our itinerary is a little shorter. Below, we set out the elevation day by day and explain why distance figures vary so much. We also show what the numbers mean on the trail.
What’s Inside This Guide
- The key numbers
- Total distance
- Elevation day by day
- Larkya La up close
- Why distance alone misleads
- Compared with other treks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Manaslu Circuit Distance and Elevation: The Key Numbers
| Measure | Figure | Source or basis |
|---|---|---|
| Classic route length | About 177 km | Wikipedia, Manaslu article |
| Highest point | 5,106m, Larkya La | Wikipedia |
| Start of walking | Machha Khola, 930m | Our itinerary |
| End of walking | Dharapani, 1,860m | Wikipedia (Dharapani) |
| Highest night | Dharamsala, 4,460m | Our itinerary |
| Climbing, at least | About 4,170m | Sum of daily gains between overnight stops |
| Descending, at least | About 3,250m | Sum of daily losses between overnight stops |
The climbing and descent totals add up the height differences between where you sleep each night, plus the pass. The real trail rises and falls more than that, so treat them as minimums.
Total Distance on the Manaslu Circuit
Wikipedia gives the popular Manaslu trekking route as about 177 km. That figure describes the classic circuit around the massif and over the pass toward Annapurna. Today, roads reach further into both ends of the valley than they once did.
Our itinerary uses those roads. You drive to Machha Khola on Day 1 and drive out from Dharapani on Day 13. As a result, the part you walk is shorter than 177 km.
Why we don’t give a daily kilometre count
Published daily distances for this trek don’t agree with each other, and none of them come from a source we can check. So, rather than print numbers we can’t stand behind, we give walking times. On mountain trails, hours are a better guide to effort anyway.
Manaslu Circuit Elevation Day by Day
| Day | Route | Overnight altitude | Height change | Walking time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu → Machha Khola | 930m | Drive | 8–9 hrs drive |
| 2 | Machha Khola → Jagat | 1,340m | +410m | 6–7 hrs |
| 3 | Jagat → Deng | 1,860m | +520m | 6–7 hrs |
| 4 | Deng → Namrung | 2,630m | +770m | 6–7 hrs |
| 5 | Namrung → Lho | 3,180m | +550m | 5–6 hrs |
| 6 | Lho → Samagaon | 3,530m | +350m | 4–5 hrs |
| 7 | Rest day, Samagaon | 3,530m | Hike up to about 4,800m and back | 4–6 hrs, optional |
| 8 | Samagaon → Samdo | 3,860m | +330m | 3–4 hrs |
| 9 | Samdo → Dharamsala | 4,460m | +600m | 4–5 hrs |
| 10 | Over Larkya La (5,106m) → Bimthang | 3,590m | +646m, then −1,516m | 8–10 hrs |
| 11 | Bimthang → Tilje | 2,300m | −1,290m | 6–7 hrs |
| 12 | Tilje → Dharapani | 1,860m | −440m | 4–5 hrs |
| 13 | Dharapani → Kathmandu | 1,400m | Drive | 7–8 hrs drive |
Most of these altitudes match across several trekking sources. Bimthang is the exception: sources give anywhere from 3,590m to 3,720m. We use 3,590m, so the descent from the pass may be slightly less than shown.
What the profile shows
- Days 2–4 do the heavy climbing. You gain about 1,700m through the gorge, on long, warm days.
- Days 5–9 climb slowly. Above 3,000m, each night is only 330–600m higher than the last, with a rest day at Samagaon.
- Day 10 is the extreme day. You climb to the pass and lose over 1,500m in the same day.
- Days 11–12 are almost all downhill. Your knees work harder than your lungs.
Larkya La Up Close
From Dharamsala at 4,460m, the trail climbs about 646m to Larkya La. The climb is gradual but long, mostly on moraine beside the glacier, and you start it in the dark. Above 5,000m, you move slowly no matter how fit you are.
From the top, you drop more than 1,500m to Bimthang. The first part of the descent is steep and loose, so take it slowly and use poles. Together, the climb and the descent make Day 10 an 8–10 hour day.
Why Distance Alone Misleads on the Manaslu Circuit
A short day can be harder than a long one. Day 9, from Samdo to Dharamsala, takes only four or five hours, but you gain 600m and sleep at 4,460m. Meanwhile, the long gorge days feel easier because the air is thick and warm.
Above about 3,500m, every step costs more effort, because each breath carries less oxygen. That is why we plan this trek around walking time and sleeping altitude, not kilometres. Our altitude sickness guide explains what happens to your body up there.
Manaslu Distance and Elevation Compared With Other Treks
| Trek | Highest point | Days on our itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| Manaslu Circuit | 5,106m (Larkya La) | 13 |
| Annapurna Circuit | 5,416m (Thorong La) | 15 |
| Everest Base Camp | 5,644m (Kala Patthar) | 12 |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 4,130m | 10 |
Manaslu’s high point is lower than both the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp. Even so, it spends only one night above 4,000m, at Dharamsala, before the pass. That makes the jump to Larkya La steeper than the numbers alone suggest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because they measure different things. Some quote the full classic route of about 177 km. Others count only the part walked after a jeep ride, and many daily figures are estimates copied between sites. Walking time is a more reliable guide.
More uphill. You finish at Dharapani, nearly 1,000m higher than you start at Machha Khola, so the climbing outweighs the descent. Most of the descent, though, comes in just two days after the pass.
Just one, at Dharamsala (4,460m), the night before the pass. Samdo, the night before that, sits at 3,860m. This is why the rest day at Samagaon matters so much.
No. The drives to Machha Khola and back from Dharapani are on roads, so they aren’t part of the trekking distance. Together, they take most of Day 1 and Day 13.
Related Planning Guides
- Manaslu Circuit Trek Map — the route and villages on the ground
- The 13-Day Manaslu Itinerary — what each day looks like
- How Hard Is the Manaslu Circuit? — the hardest days explained
- Altitude Sickness on the Manaslu Circuit — staying safe above 3,500m
- Best Time for the Manaslu Circuit — when Larkya La is most reliable
- What the Manaslu Circuit Costs — the full budget
Walk the Route With Us
Our 13-day Manaslu Circuit package costs $1,099 to $1,699 per person. It spreads the climb so you sleep only one night above 4,000m before Larkya La. See the full Manaslu Circuit Trek package → You can also message us on WhatsApp with any route questions.