Manaslu Circuit

Trip overview.

The Manaslu Circuit is a 13-day guided trek from USD 960 per person, full board, right around Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163m, on an old salt-trading trail that is still a restricted area, so it stays far quieter than the Annapurna or Everest routes. The path follows the Budhi Gandaki up through Gurung and then Tibetan-Buddhist villages, past mani walls and monasteries, to the high country around Sama Gaun and Samdo below the Tibet border. I run it as a small group, from two people to a maximum of six. It suits fit walkers who can manage five to seven hours a day for about two weeks and want a quieter trail than Everest or Annapurna. It is not the trip for anyone who wants a lodge with a hot shower every night, or a short walk.

Permits & costs.

Manaslu Circuit requires the permits below. They are all mandatory, and I handle every one for you as part of your trip price.

These are the current published government fees. I confirm the exact permit cost when you book.

How much does the Manaslu Circuit trek cost?

The Manaslu Circuit trek costs from USD $960 per person for the full 13-day guided trip. That covers all four permits, your licensed guide, transport in and out of the mountains, teahouse rooms and daily meals on the trail. A porter is an extra $250, and the only other costs are your travel insurance, drinks and tips. I run every departure from two people, so the price holds even in a small group.

What permits do you need for the Manaslu Circuit?

You need four permits for the Manaslu Circuit: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (MRAP), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and the Chumnubri Rural Municipality permit. The restricted permit is the one that shapes the trip: it must be filed by a licensed agency, so you cannot arrange it yourself. Since 22 March 2026 there is no longer a two-person minimum, so solo trekkers can get it as well. I arrange all four before you leave Kathmandu, and their cost is already in your price.

The Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (MRAP)is issued by Nepal's Department of Immigration and can only be filed by a licensed trekking agency. Since 22 March 2026 there is no two-person minimum, so solo trekkers can get it too.

The full fee table is in the permits section above. For a line-by-line breakdown, see my full guide to Manaslu permit costs.

How hard is the Manaslu Circuit trek?

The Manaslu Circuit is hard: it is a 13-day walk that climbs to Larkya La at 5,106m, with several 6–7 hour days and one long pass-crossing day of 8–9 hours. You do not need any climbing skills, but you need to be fit enough to walk 6–7 hours a day for two weeks and to handle real altitude. I have crossed Larkya La more than 26 times since 2018, and the day always runs the same way: I get you moving in the dark so you are over the top and dropping before the afternoon wind picks up.

For the kit I actually recommend, see my Manaslu Circuit packing list.

When is the best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit?

The best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit is autumn, September to November, and spring, March to May. Autumn gives you the clearest mountain views and stable weather after the monsoon; spring brings warmer days and rhododendron in bloom lower down the valley. I avoid the monsoon, June to August, when the Budhi Gandaki trail is wet and leech-prone, and deep winter, when snow can close Larkya La for days.

How long is the Manaslu Circuit trek?

The Manaslu Circuit is a 13-day trek on my itinerary, starting and ending in Kathmandu. Some operators stretch it to 15 to 18 days by adding the Tsum Valley side trip; I keep it to a focused 13 days, with two nights around Sama Gaun and a high day trip to the Tibet border above Samdo before the pass. That time at altitude is the part I never cut, because skipping it is where most people get into trouble higher up.

Can you trek the Manaslu Circuit without a guide?

No, you cannot legally trek the Manaslu Circuit without a licensed guide. Manaslu is a restricted area: the permit must be filed by a registered agency and a licensed guide is mandatory. Since 22 March 2026 the old two-person minimum is gone, so you can trek solo as long as you have a guide, but guideless trekking is still illegal and checked at Philim. This rule comes from Nepal's Department of Immigration, not from agencies, and it is one reason the trail stays quieter than Annapurna or Everest.

Can you trek the Manaslu Circuit solo in 2026?

Yes. On 22 March 2026 Nepal's Department of Immigration removed the two-person minimum for Restricted Area Permits across all 15 restricted districts, including Manaslu and Tsum Valley. A solo trekker can now apply for the Manaslu permit individually at the standard per-person fee, with no second person and no ghost permit. What has not changed: a licensed guide is mandatory, the permit must be filed by a registered agency, and guideless trekking is illegal and checked at Philim. TIMS is not required for Manaslu. You can join a small-group departure from USD 960, or arrange a solo or private trek on request.

There is more detail in my guide to trekking Manaslu solo in 2026.

Manaslu Circuit or Annapurna Circuit: which should you choose?

Choose the Manaslu Circuit if you want a quieter, wilder trek and are happy trekking with a licensed guide; choose the Annapurna Circuit if you want more teahouse comfort, the option to trek independently, and simpler permits. Manaslu tops out at Larkya La (5,106m) and Annapurna at Thorong La (5,416m), so both are high, but Manaslu sees a fraction of the foot traffic. If you have already walked Annapurna and want the next step up in remoteness, Manaslu is the one I point people to.

Still deciding? Read my Annapurna Circuit trek itinerary and prices and compare the two side by side.