The Manaslu Region circles Mount Manaslu (8,163m), the world’s eighth-highest peak — a restricted area with Tibetan Buddhist villages, the Budhi Gandaki gorge, and routes that range from the classic 14-day circuit to a 21-day extension into Tsum Valley. Daily visitor numbers are limited here, so this is the quieter alternative if you’ve already done Everest or Annapurna, or want a first Himalayan trek without the crowds.
Trails pass through family-run teahouses and villages that keep a strong Tibetan Buddhist character, especially in the upper valley around Samagaon and Samdo, close to the Tibet border. Some days you won’t meet another foreign trekker. Larkya La (5,106m) — the pass that crosses from the Manaslu side into the Annapurna side — is one of the best single trekking days in the Himalayas.
Manaslu Region treks run 14 to 21 days, starting and ending in Kathmandu, with no domestic flight needed. Because this is a restricted area, every trip below is privately guided with a minimum group size of two, and we handle the restricted-area permit, MCAP, and ACAP paperwork from arrival to departure.
A note on current conditions: a new flash flood hit the Budhi Gandaki on 11 October 2026 and destroyed several bridges on the approach to Manaslu and Tsum. We’re treating both the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek as suspended for new departures until the Manaslu Conservation Area Project or the Gorkha District Administration Office confirms the route is safe again. See our Manaslu Circuit flood update for full details, or our Nepal travel update for every region’s current status.
Not sure which route fits? Manaslu Region treks generally fall into two categories, based on time and how much of the restricted area you want to see.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek (14 days) is the region’s main route: up the Budhi Gandaki to Samagaon, over Larkya La at 5,106m, and down into the Annapurna side near Dharapani. It covers the full range of the region — gorge, glacier views, and high pass — in the shortest time the restricted-area permit allows.
The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek (21 days) adds a side trip into Tsum, a separate restricted valley with its own monasteries and a slower pace of village life, before continuing onto the standard circuit and Larkya La. It’s the route to pick if you have the time and want to see more than the main circuit covers.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is the standard route and covers the full region in 14 days. The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek adds the Tsum side valley and runs 21 days — pick it if you have more time and want a quieter valley beyond the main circuit.
Hard, non-technical. The trek is 14 days, crosses Larkya La at 5,106m, and involves sustained high-altitude walking with real acclimatisation needs, but no technical climbing.
Three permits: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (USD 100 for the first 7 days in autumn, USD 75 in other seasons, plus a per-day fee after that), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP, NPR 3,000), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP, NPR 3,000), since the standard circuit exits through the Annapurna side near Dharapani. Mountain Hike Nepal arranges all three for every trek.
Yes. Manaslu is a restricted area, so a licensed guide is mandatory and solo trekking is not permitted. The restricted-area permit itself also requires a minimum group size of two trekkers. Mountain Hike Nepal includes a licensed guide as standard on every departure.
Larkya La sits at 5,106m and is the highest point on the Manaslu Circuit Trek, usually crossed around day 9 or 10 of the standard itinerary.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most reliable seasons, with autumn generally offering the clearest views of Manaslu itself. The restricted-area permit costs more in autumn than in other seasons.
Helpful guides to plan your Manaslu Region trek:
Get a personalized itinerary, best price, and direct support from our team in Kathmandu, based in Nepal since 2018. WhatsApp Now
