The Manaslu Circuit Trek map tells you something no itinerary table can — the actual shape of the journey. Where does it start? Which direction does the route run? Where does the Budhi Gandaki gorge end and the high alpine circuit begin? And where does the trail reconnect with the road network at the end?
Understanding the map before you walk makes every day more meaningful. You know which valley you are entering. Furthermore, you understand why the route runs the direction it does. Furthermore, on a restricted area route with no road above Jagat, knowing your geography is also a safety matter. This guide walks you through the complete Manaslu Circuit route — every section, every landmark, every permit checkpoint, and the logic that shapes the 14-day journey.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Route at a Glance
- Direction and Logic of the Circuit
- The Four Route Sections
- Key Landmarks and Permit Checkpoints
- Mountain Peaks Visible on the Route
- How to Read the Route Before You Go
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Manaslu Circuit Trek Map — Route at a Glance
Start: Machha Khola (930m) — drive from Kathmandu, approx. 8–9 hours
Finish: Dharapani (1,860m) — drive to Kathmandu via Besisahar, 7–8 hours
Direction: Counterclockwise — north up the Budhi Gandaki, west over Larkya La, south down the Marsyangdi
Total trekking distance: approx. 130–145 km
Maximum altitude: 5,106m at Larkya La Pass
River systems: Budhi Gandaki (ascent) → Marsyangdi (descent)
Permit checkpoints: Jagat, Lokpa, Namrung, Samagaon, Samdo
Conservation areas: Manaslu Conservation Area → Annapurna Conservation Area (post-pass)
Understanding the Manaslu Circuit Trek Map — Direction and Logic
The Manaslu Circuit Trek map follows a counterclockwise loop around Mount Manaslu (8,163m). The route starts south of the mountain. It moves north along the eastern flank through the Budhi Gandaki gorge. It then crosses west over Larkya La Pass above the northern face. Finally, it descends south along the Marsyangdi valley to finish west of the starting point.
This direction is not arbitrary. There are three clear geographic reasons the route runs counterclockwise.
Why the route runs south to north on the east side
The Budhi Gandaki gorge climbs gradually from 930m to 3,520m over four trekking days. This slow gain is essential for acclimatisation. Furthermore, the gorge trail is narrow in sections and runs against a strong gradient. Going north to south would mean descending steep, exposed cliff paths — significantly more dangerous than ascending them. Consequently, the south-to-north direction on the Budhi Gandaki is both safer and more logical.
Why Larkya La is crossed west, not east
Larkya La Pass sits between the Manaslu massif to the south and Kutang Himal to the north. The eastern approach from Dharamsala climbs 646m over 8 km — demanding but manageable with proper acclimatisation. However, the western descent drops 870m in a steeper, more technically challenging profile. Consequently, ascending the gentler eastern side and descending west is the standard direction every guide recommends.
Why the circuit ends at Dharapani
The Marsyangdi valley descent does not return to the Budhi Gandaki. The two river valleys meet far south of the route. As a result, the circuit finishes at Dharapani in the Marsyangdi valley — connecting directly with the Annapurna Circuit route. A jeep then returns to Kathmandu via Besisahar. This open-ended finish is actually an advantage. It means the route ends at a well-served road junction rather than requiring a backtrack through the gorge.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Map — Four Route Sections
The complete circuit divides naturally into four geographic sections. Understanding each section helps you read the itinerary accurately and know what terrain to expect each day.
Section 1 — The Budhi Gandaki Gorge (Days 2–4): Machha Khola to Namrung
Altitude range: 930m → 2,630m | River: Budhi Gandaki northward | Checkpoint: Jagat
This is the gateway section — the long, narrow gorge that channels the trail north from subtropical lowlands toward the Himalayan high country. On the map, it appears as a thin winding corridor running almost due north. The gorge walls rise steeply on both sides. Additionally, there is no road, no vehicle access, and no alternative route once you pass Jagat.
Furthermore, the gorge is one of the least commercially developed sections of any major Nepal trek. The villages of Salleri, Deng, Bihi, and Rana are genuine Gurung communities — not trekking service towns. Moreover, this character is exactly what draws trekkers from around the world to the Manaslu Circuit. Consequently, this section gives the circuit much of the authentic off-the-beaten-track character that trekkers from around the world seek out.
The Jagat checkpoint at 1,340m is where your restricted area permit is first checked. Your guide handles the interaction. Additionally, Jagat is the last point with reliable mobile connectivity. Consequently, download offline maps before you leave Kathmandu.
Section 2 — The Cultural Mid-Section (Days 5–6): Namrung to Samagaon
Altitude range: 2,630m → 3,520m | River: Upper Budhi Gandaki tributaries | Checkpoints: Namrung, Samagaon
Above Namrung, the gorge opens dramatically. As a result, the valley widens and the Tibetan plateau influence begins shaping the landscape. This section contains the most culturally significant villages on the entire circuit — Lho, Shyala, and Samagaon — all deeply Tibetan Buddhist in character.
From Lho at 3,180m, the map perspective shifts entirely. Consequently, the trail opens onto a wide valley floor. Mount Manaslu’s full south face dominates the skyline to the northwest. This is the first point where the mountain you are circling becomes properly visible. Moreover, Pungyen Monastery sits on a ridge above Lho with arguably the finest Manaslu viewpoint available to any non-technical trekker.
Samagaon at 3,520m is the largest settlement on the upper circuit. It sits in a wide glacial moraine bowl directly below Manaslu’s south glacier. The acclimatisation day here offers two side trip options — Manaslu Base Camp at 4,800m to the northwest, and Birendra Lake at 3,750m to the northeast.
Section 3 — The High Circuit (Days 7–9): Samdo to Larkya La and Bimthang
Altitude range: 3,860m → 5,106m → 3,590m | Checkpoint: Samdo
This is the most dramatic section of the entire route. The trail swings northwest above Manaslu’s north face. It approaches the Tibetan border at Samdo. Furthermore, it turns southwest, climbs to Dharamsala at 4,460m, and crosses Larkya La Pass at 5,106m before dropping into the Bimthang valley.
Samdo at 3,860m sits remarkably close to the Nepal-Tibet border. In fact, the ridge above the village forms the international boundary. Furthermore, the afternoon acclimatisation walk toward that border ridge provides a high plateau view into Tibet — an entirely unique perspective available nowhere else on a standard Nepal trekking route.
Dharamsala and the pass approach
Dharamsala at 4,460m is the highest overnight stop on the circuit. On the map, it appears as a small cluster of teahouses on the moraine directly below the Larkya La approach — exposed and windswept. The pass itself is the geographic pivot of the circuit. It is the watershed divide between the Budhi Gandaki drainage to the east and the Marsyangdi system to the west. Crossing it moves you completely from one side of the mountain to the other.
Bimthang at 3,590m — the first overnight after the pass — sits in a wide, flat glacial meadow. Manaslu, Manaslu North, and Himlung Himal surround it on three sides. It is one of the most dramatically positioned overnight stops on any Nepal trekking route.
Section 4 — The Marsyangdi Descent (Days 10–11): Bimthang to Dharapani
Altitude range: 3,590m → 1,860m | River: Marsyangdi southward | Junction: Annapurna Circuit at Dharapani
The descent section follows the Marsyangdi river downstream from Bimthang through rhododendron and pine forest to the warm valley near Dharapani. On the map, this runs almost due south — a clean drop from 3,590m to 1,860m over two days. In a single stretch, therefore, the environment transitions from high-alpine moraine to subtropical forest.
Furthermore, this section bridges two of Nepal’s greatest trekking routes. Dharapani is the exact junction where the Manaslu Circuit trail meets the Annapurna Circuit. Trekkers finishing Manaslu arrive at the same point that Annapurna Circuit trekkers pass on their way toward Chame and Manang. Consequently, trekkers with enough time can continue directly onto the Annapurna Circuit without returning to Kathmandu.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Map — Key Landmarks and Permit Checkpoints
Every trekker on the Manaslu Circuit Trek map passes through the same permit checkpoints. Your guide handles each one. Nevertheless, knowing where they fall geographically helps you understand the route structure.
| Checkpoint | Altitude | Day | What Is Checked | Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jagat | 1,340m | Day 2 | RAP + MCAP entry | Gorge — restricted area entry |
| Lokpa / Philim | 1,570m | Day 3 | Secondary check | Gorge — Tsum Valley junction |
| Namrung | 2,630m | Day 4 | RAP re-check | Gorge–upper circuit transition |
| Samagaon | 3,520m | Day 5 | RAP + MCAP check | Cultural mid-section |
| Samdo | 3,860m | Day 7 | Final upper circuit check | High circuit — near Tibet border |
| Dharapani | 1,860m | Day 11 | ACAP entry (post-pass) | Annapurna Conservation Area |
Jagat and the Tsum Valley junction
The Jagat checkpoint is the most important entry point on the entire map. No trekker can proceed without a valid RAP from here. Furthermore, Lokpa and Philim — the Day 3 checkpoint area — is where the Tsum Valley route branches northeast off the main circuit. Trekkers combining both routes leave the main trail at this junction and rejoin it further north. See our Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek for full combined route details.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Map — Key Mountain Peaks Visible on the Route
The peaks visible from different sections of the map are one of the circuit’s greatest assets. Knowing which peaks appear at which stage helps you know what to look for and when.
| Peak | Height | Best Viewpoint | First Visible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Manaslu | 8,163m | Lho, Pungyen Monastery, Samagaon | Above Namrung — Day 4 |
| Manaslu North | 7,157m | Samdo, Bimthang | Samdo — Day 7 |
| Himlung Himal | 7,126m | Larkya La Pass | Pass crossing — Day 9 |
| Cheo Himal | 6,820m | Larkya La Pass | Pass crossing — Day 9 |
| Kang Guru | 6,981m | Larkya La Pass | Pass crossing — Day 9 |
| Himal Chuli | 7,893m | Upper gorge, Namrung area | Namrung — Day 4 |
| Annapurna II | 7,937m | Larkya La, Bimthang | Pass crossing — Day 9 |
| Ganesh Himal | 7,422m | Upper gorge sections | Above Deng — Day 3 |
The two visual highlights on the map
Day 9 — the pass crossing — delivers the most comprehensive panorama on the circuit. Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and the full Annapurna range appear simultaneously. Furthermore, the view of Manaslu from Lho and Samagaon — the south face at close range — is one of the finest single-peak perspectives available to any trekker in Nepal. Consequently, Days 5 and 9 are the two days most trekkers nominate as the visual highlights of the entire circuit.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Map — How to Read the Route Before You Go
Most trekkers arrive with a solid understanding of the itinerary days but a weak sense of how they connect geographically. The Manaslu circuit trek map clarifies several things that confuse first-time readers of the day-by-day schedule.
Why Day 1 is a drive and not a walk
The section between Kathmandu and Machha Khola follows a road corridor through the Budhi Gandaki foothills. Walking this section adds two days without meaningful trekking value. Moreover, the road has replaced much of the original trail. Consequently, driving directly to Machha Khola is the correct starting point for the 2026 circuit. All serious operators use it.
Why Day 6 stays in Samagaon
On the map, Samagaon sits at exactly 3,520m — the right altitude for an acclimatisation day before the high circuit above 4,000m. Furthermore, it is the last significant village before the route enters remote terrain at Samdo and Dharamsala. Stopping here for a full day is, therefore, the geographically correct decision before committing to the upper circuit. Moreover, it is the only built-in acclimatisation stop in the entire 14-day schedule.
Why the pass cannot be reversed
The Larkya La has two very different approach profiles. The eastern ascent from Dharamsala is 646m over 8 km — gradual and manageable. However, the western face is considerably steeper. Attempting the pass from Bimthang — west to east — therefore means ascending the harder side after a long descent day. Consequently, the counterclockwise direction is not just conventional. It is the genuinely safer approach to the circuit’s defining crossing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Manaslu Circuit follows a counterclockwise direction around Mount Manaslu — north up the Budhi Gandaki gorge, west over Larkya La Pass, then south down the Marsyangdi valley to Dharapani. Furthermore, this direction is standard because it crosses Larkya La from east to west — the gentler ascent side. Attempting the circuit in reverse means ascending the steeper western face, which is significantly harder. Consequently, all guides and operators run the counterclockwise route without exception.
The trek starts at Machha Khola (930m), reached by 8–9 hour drive from Kathmandu through Gorkha district. It finishes at Dharapani (1,860m) in the Marsyangdi valley — the junction point with the Annapurna Circuit. Furthermore, this makes direct onward trekking possible for those with extra time. Furthermore, because the route follows two different river systems, the start and finish points sit in separate valleys approximately 40 km apart by road. Consequently, a return drive via Besisahar connects Dharapani to Kathmandu in approximately 7–8 hours.
Route extensions and permit checkpoints
Yes — two natural extensions exist. The Tsum Valley branches northeast from Lokpa and Philim on Day 3, adding approximately 7–8 days with one additional permit. Furthermore, the route finishes at Dharapani where the Annapurna Circuit begins — making a direct onward connection possible for trekkers with a separate ACAP permit. Consequently, the Manaslu Circuit map forms the foundation for some of the longest and most complete trekking itineraries available anywhere in Nepal.
There are five main checkpoints — Jagat, Lokpa or Philim, Namrung, Samagaon, and Samdo — plus the ACAP entry checkpoint at Dharapani after the pass. Furthermore, your guide handles every checkpoint interaction on your behalf. This is one of the key reasons a licensed guide is legally required on this restricted area route. Consequently, you simply carry your passport and permits — your guide manages all documentation at every stop.
Larkya La Pass (5,106m) sits on the northern side of the Manaslu massif. It forms the watershed divide between the Budhi Gandaki drainage to the east and the Marsyangdi system to the west. On the map, it sits directly north of Manaslu’s summit and west of Samdo village, with Dharamsala (4,460m) on the approach and Bimthang (3,590m) on the descent. Furthermore, crossing the pass moves you from the Manaslu Conservation Area into the Annapurna Conservation Area. Consequently, your ACAP permit becomes active from the pass onward to Dharapani.
Related Planning Guides
- Full 14-Day Itinerary — Every stage with trail notes — read alongside this map guide.
- Distance and Elevation Guide — Daily km, altitude gain, and full elevation profile from trailhead to pass.
- How Hard Is the Trek? — Section-by-section difficulty matched to the four route sections in this guide.
- Permits Guide 2026 — RAP, MCAP, and ACAP — where to get them and what each checkpoint requires.
- Best Time to Trek — How season affects trail conditions across the four route sections.
- Full Cost Guide 2026 — Complete budget breakdown including permits and transport for the full route.
- Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek — The combined route with the Tsum Valley extension added.
Understand the Map. Walk the Route.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek map is a counterclockwise loop around one of the world’s great mountains. It goes up the Budhi Gandaki gorge, across Larkya La Pass, and finally down the Marsyangdi valley to Dharapani. Every section has its own character, its own demands, and its own rewards. Furthermore, understanding the geography before you arrive makes every day on the trail richer. Understanding the geography before you arrive makes every day on the trail richer — you know where you are, what is coming, and why the route is designed the way it is.
View the full Manaslu Circuit Trek package on Mountain Hike Nepal →
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