The Manaslu Circuit is a loop around Mount Manaslu (8,163m) in Gorkha district, west-central Nepal. It follows the Budhi Gandaki river north to Samdo, near the Tibetan border. Then it crosses Larkya La (5,106m) and drops down the Dudh Khola to Dharapani in Manang.
This guide walks you through the route on the map, section by section. It shows where the restricted area begins, where Tsum Valley branches off, and how the trail links to the Annapurna Circuit.
What’s Inside This Guide
- The route at a glance
- The map, section by section
- Restricted and conservation areas
- Where Tsum Valley branches off
- Road access at each end
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
The Manaslu Circuit Route at a Glance
Kathmandu → Machha Khola → Jagat → Deng → Namrung → Lho → Samagaon → Samdo → Dharamsala → Larkya La (5,106m) → Bimthang → Tilje → Dharapani → Kathmandu
| Feature | Where it is |
|---|---|
| Mount Manaslu (8,163m) | Centre of the loop; the trail circles its north side |
| Budhi Gandaki river | The trail follows it north from Machha Khola to Samdo |
| Larkya La (5,106m) | North of Manaslu; the high point and the watershed |
| Dudh Khola | The valley you descend from Bimthang to Tilje |
| Marsyangdi river | Joins at Dharapani, where the trek meets the Annapurna Circuit |
| Districts | Gorkha for most of the trek; Manang after the pass |
The Manaslu Circuit Map, Section by Section
The gorge: Machha Khola to Deng
The first three walking days head north up a narrow gorge carved by the Budhi Gandaki. The trail crosses the river again and again on suspension bridges, passing Tatopani, Dobhan and Jagat. Above Jagat, it climbs past Philim, where the valley splits and the side trail to Tsum Valley heads east.
The Nubri valley: Namrung to Samagaon
Beyond Deng, the valley turns west and slowly opens out. This is Nubri, a region of Tibetan Buddhist villages such as Namrung, Lho and Samagaon. From Lho onward, Manaslu fills the skyline.
The high valley: Samdo and Dharamsala
From Samagaon, the trail heads north to Samdo, the highest village in the valley, close to the Tibetan border. It then turns west into a side valley toward Dharamsala, the last shelter below the pass.
Over the pass: Larkya La to Dharapani
Larkya La sits on the ridge that separates the Budhi Gandaki from the Marsyangdi side. After the pass, the trail drops west to the meadow at Bimthang, then follows the Dudh Khola down through forest to Tilje. Finally, it joins the Marsyangdi valley at Dharapani.
Restricted and Conservation Areas on the Map
The route crosses two kinds of protected zone. Knowing where they start explains why you need each permit.
| Zone | Where it starts and ends | Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Manaslu restricted area | From Jagat up to Larkya La | Restricted area permit |
| Manaslu Conservation Area | Around Philim up to the pass | MCAP |
| Annapurna Conservation Area | From the pass down to Dharapani | ACAP |
The Manaslu Conservation Area covers 1,663 sq km, according to Nepal’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Our Manaslu permits guide explains what each permit costs.
Where Tsum Valley Branches Off
Tsum Valley sits east of the main circuit, in the north of Gorkha district. The side trail leaves the Budhi Gandaki above Philim and climbs through Lokpa into the valley. If you add Tsum, you walk in and out the same way, then rejoin the circuit. Our Tsum Valley trek guide covers the side valley in detail.
Road Access at Each End of the Map
Roads now reach both ends of the trek. In the south, the road from Arughat runs up the Budhi Gandaki to Machha Khola, where our walking starts. In the west, a jeep road runs down the Marsyangdi valley from Dharapani to Besisahar.
As a result, the classic route of about 177 km is now shorter on foot than it once was. Landslides can close either road after heavy rain, so road access is worth checking before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The main trail appears on common trekking maps and offline map apps, and it is easy to follow in good weather. Since a licensed guide walks with every trekker in the restricted area, though, you won’t need to navigate yourself.
Almost everyone walks it anticlockwise, from Machha Khola north to Samdo, then west over Larkya La. This direction gains height gradually before the pass. Walking it the other way would mean a much steeper climb to Larkya La.
No. Samdo sits close to the Tibetan border, but the trail stays in Nepal the whole way. Trekkers are not allowed to cross the border on this route.
At Dharapani, in Manang district, where the Dudh Khola joins the Marsyangdi. From there, the Annapurna Circuit continues north toward Manang and Thorong La.
Related Planning Guides
- Manaslu Circuit Distance and Elevation — the height profile, day by day
- The 13-Day Manaslu Itinerary — where you sleep each night
- Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits — the permits for each zone on the map
- Tsum Valley Trek Guide — the side valley east of the circuit
- How Hard Is the Manaslu Circuit? — the toughest sections
- Teahouses on the Manaslu Circuit — what each overnight stop is like
Walk the Map With Us
Our 13-day Manaslu Circuit package follows this exact route, from Machha Khola to Dharapani, for $1,099 to $1,699 per person. See the full Manaslu Circuit Trek package → You can also message us on WhatsApp with route questions.
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