Manaslu Circuit Trek – 13 Days

Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost Breakdown

What Affects the Cost?

The Manaslu circuit trek cost is higher than comparable Nepal treks for two specific reasons: the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) has a mandatory daily fee, and the trek legally requires a licensed guide (solo trekking is not permitted). Beyond permits and guide requirements, the cost structure follows standard expedition-style trekking economics.

Cost Component	Approximate Cost (USD)	Notes
Restricted Area Permit (RAP)	$100/week ($50 additional per week)	Mandatory, checked at multiple points
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)	$30 per person	One-time fee
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)	$30 per person	Required for Bimthang/Dharapani section
Licensed Guide (mandatory)	Included in package	Government certified
Porter service	Included in package	Up to 12kg per trekker
Teahouse accommodation (13 nights)	$8–25/night (included)	Varies by altitude
Meals on trek (all included)	$15–25/day (included)	Breakfast + dinner
Kathmandu hotel (1 night pre/post)	$35–80/night	Varies by hotel choice
Kathmandu–Soti Khola transport	Included	Private jeep
Return transport (Besisahar–Kathmandu)	Included	Private vehicle
Total Package Price (Solo Trekker)	$1,450–1,700 USD	Full service, all inclusive
Total Package Price (Group 2–4 pax)	$1,200–1,400 USD per person	Per-person rate
Total Package Price (Group 5–8 pax)	$1,050–1,250 USD per person	Per-person rate

Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variation. Contact us directly for current pricing and group discounts.

Not included in package: International flights, Nepal visa fee (USD $30–100 depending on duration), travel insurance (mandatory), personal trekking gear, tips for guides and porters, and any meals in Kathmandu.

Accommodation & Quality Standards on the Manaslu Circuit

Accommodation on the Manaslu circuit trek operates on a teahouse model, which in practice ranges from basic to comfortable depending on the altitude and the season. Below Namrung, teahouses are typically family-run guesthouses with private or shared rooms, western-style or squat toilets, and limited hot water. Above Namrung and through to Samagaon and Samdo,lodges have improved significantly over the past decade and now offer private rooms with attached bathrooms at the better establishments, solar charging, and reliable WiFi in Samagaon.
At Dharamsala (High Camp), accommodation is dormitory-style with shared facilities — this is standard across all trekking companies and reflects the extreme altitude and remote location rather than any failure of planning.
View Nepal Treks & Expedition pre-books specific teahouses on this route that we've evaluated over many seasons. Our selection criteria include: cleanliness, food quality, heating (crucial above 3,500m), and the reliability of the management. We do not book the cheapest option; we book the best available at each stage.
A note for trekkers arriving from the United States, Canada, Australia, or Western Europe: the accommodation will feel basic by Western standards. That is part of the experience. A heated dining room, a bowl of dal bhat, and a warm sleeping bag at 4,000 metres feel genuinely luxurious after a long day on the trail.

Unique Experiences That Set This Trek Apart

The Budhi Gandaki Gorge — There is no more dramatic approach valley in Nepal's restricted trekking areas. The sheer scale of the cliffs above the river is unlike anything on the Annapurna or Everest circuits.
Pungyen Gompa at Samagaon — Active monastery with 8th-century origins, morning prayers conducted by resident monks, and frescoes that have never been photographed for any commercial guide. You feel like a guest, not a tourist.
Manaslu Base Camp Hike — Optional but highly recommended acclimatization hike to 4,850 metres with up-close views of the Manaslu South Face that most Manaslu circuit trekkers never see.
Larkya La at Sunrise — If your timing and weather align, crossing the pass as the sun rises over the eastern peaks and floods the Annapurna range with gold light is one of those moments that permanently recalibrates what you consider beautiful.
Tibetan Border Culture — The villages of Samdo and Samagaon offer genuine cultural encounters with Tibetan Buddhist communities that have maintained their traditions without the tourism overlay that affects more accessible areas.
Off-Season Solitude — Even during peak trekking season, daily trekker numbers on the Manaslu circuit are a fraction of those on the Annapurna or Everest routes. In late October, you may go days on the upper circuit without seeing another Western trekker.

How This Package Compares to Competitors

Not all Manaslu circuit trek packages are the same. Here is a direct, factual comparison of what View Nepal Treks & Expedition offers versus industry-standard lower-tier offerings:

Feature	View Nepal Treks	Budget Operator	Mid-Tier Operator
Guide Experience	8+ years Manaslu-specific	General trekking guide	3–5 years general
Pre-booked teahouses	Yes, vetted lodges	First-come basis	Partial pre-booking
Acclimatisation days	2 mandatory	1 or none	1
Group size maximum	8 pax	12–16 pax	10 pax
Satellite communicator	Included	Not included	Optional add-on
24/7 emergency support	Yes	No	Business hours only
Microspikes/crampons	Provided	Not included	Optional rental
High-altitude medical training	Guide certified	Not standard	Varies
Permit handling	Complete service	DIY or assisted	Assisted
Private porter ratio	1:2 (one porter per 2 trekkers)	1:3 or 1:4	1:3

We are not the cheapest option for the Manaslu circuit trek. We are the most reliable. For trekkers coming from the UK, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, or Scandinavia who have two weeks of annual leave to spend on this trek, the difference between a well-managed crossing of Larkya La and a poorly managed one is not academic.

Who This Trek Is Perfect For

The Manaslu circuit trek over 13 days is best suited to trekkers who:
Have previous high-altitude experience, ideally above 4,000 metres. This does not mean you must have done Everest Base Camp, but you should have some reference point for how your body responds to altitude. Trekkers from Australia, New Zealand, or Europe who have completed the Tour du Mont Blanc or similar multi-day alpine routes are generally well-prepared physically, though altitude response is always individual.
Are comfortable with genuine remoteness. The Manaslu region has medical facilities that are limited by any standard. Between Samagaon and Bimthang, you are a helicopter evacuation away from hospital-level care. Our guides carry comprehensive first aid kits and oxygen, but trekkers need to be mentally prepared for that level of remoteness.
Have 13 consecutive days available. The 13-day Manaslu circuit trek itinerary we operate is built around mandatory acclimatisation stops. It cannot be meaningfully compressed to 12 days without compromising safety on Larkya La.
Are interested in cultural depth, not just summit views. If your primary motivation is checking a famous pass off a list, the Manaslu circuit will feel demanding for what you get. If your motivation includes the cultural landscape of the Tibetan border villages, the sheer variety of the trail ecosystem, and a sense of genuine adventure, this is one of the finest treks in Asia.
This trek is not recommended for complete trekking beginners, anyone with a current or recent cardiovascular condition not cleared by a physician, or anyone unwilling to follow their guide's acclimatisation recommendations.

Expert Trekking Tips for the Manaslu Circuit

Start your physical preparation 8–12 weeks out. The Larkya La crossing is a 7–9 hour day with glacier travel following 10 days of consecutive walking. Cardiovascular base matters. Stair training with a loaded pack, weekly long hikes, and leg strength training will all contribute meaningfully to your Manaslu trek preparation guide.
Don't underestimate the lower sections. Most first-time Manaslu trekkers are nervous about Larkya La and underestimate the physical toll of days 2–5. The Budhi Gandaki gorge is hot, humid, and demanding — particularly in pre-monsoon season. Hydration and pacing in the lower sections set up your acclimatisation profile for the upper circuit.
Take the acclimatisation days seriously. The two rest days built into this 13-day itinerary — at Samagaon and Samdo — are not optional extras. They are the mechanism by which your body produces additional red blood cells to cope with the reduced oxygen at 5,160 metres. Any operator who removes these days to save money is trading your safety for their margin.
Pack for maximum temperature variation. In autumn (October–November), you can experience 25°C at Soti Khola and -15°C at Dharamsala in the same trek. The Manaslu trek packing list needs to account for both.
Get comprehensive travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover. This is not optional on the Manaslu trek. Manaslu trek travel insurance should specifically cover high-altitude trekking above 5,000 metres and helicopter evacuation. Standard travel insurance policies often exclude altitude trekking above 4,000 metres — read the fine print before you leave home.
Drink before you're thirsty. At altitude, the thirst mechanism becomes less reliable. Our guides carry ORS sachets for emergencies, but the best altitude sickness prevention is consistent hydration throughout each trekking day.
Respect the mani walls. In Tibetan Buddhist communities, mani walls are always passed on the left. This is not a suggestion — it is a cultural obligation. Your guide will brief you before you enter the upper villages, but knowing this in advance helps.

Manaslu Trek Packing List

Category	Essential Items	Optional / Recommended
Layers	Moisture-wicking base layer (×2), mid-layer fleece, down jacket (800+ fill), windproof shell	Lightweight puffy jacket
Trekking	Trekking pants (×2), trekking shorts, gaiters	Softshell pants
Footwear	Broken-in trekking boots (ankle support), camp sandals, wool socks (×5)	Trail runners (lower sections)
Head/hands	Warm beanie, sun hat, balaclava, liner gloves, insulated gloves	Neoprene glove liners
Protection	Sunglasses (UV400), sunscreen SPF50, lip balm with SPF, headlamp + spare batteries	Glacier glasses
Trekking aids	Trekking poles (adjustable), microspikes (provided by guide)	Gaiters
Medical	Personal prescription medications, altitude sickness meds (Diamox – consult your doctor), blister kit	Pulse oximeter
Hydration	Water bottles (×2, 1L each), water purification tablets or filter	Insulated bottle
Pack	35–45L daypack, waterproof cover	Compression dry sacks
Documents	Passport, passport photos (×4), insurance policy with emergency number	Printed permit copies
Electronics	Portable battery bank (20,000mAh min), universal adapter, headlamp	Solar charger
Sleeping	Personal sleeping bag rated to -15°C	Silk liner

Safety, Permits, and Altitude Sickness on the Manaslu Trek

Permits Required

The Manaslu region requires three separate permits, and this is one of the most important administrative differences between this trek and treks inopen areas of Nepal:

Restricted Area Permit (RAP): The Manaslu circuit restricted area permit currently costs USD $100 for the first week and USD $50 for each subsequent week. This permit must be obtained in Kathmandu through a registered trekking agency — it cannot be obtained independently by individual trekkers. This is one of the key reasons solo trekking without a guide is not permitted. View Nepal Treks & Expedition handles the complete RAP application process as part of our package.
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP): A conservation area permit costing NPR 3,000 (approximately USD $23–30). Available in Kathmandu or at the park entry point.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Required for the final section of the trek from Bimthang to Dharapani, which falls within the ACAP boundary. Cost: NPR 3,000.

Is Solo Trekking Permitted?

The Manaslu restricted area rules are clear: independent trekking without a licensed guide is not permitted in the Manaslu restricted zone. This rule exists for both safety and conservation reasons. Trekkers occasionally ask about doing the Manaslu trek without a guide — the answer is that it is legally prohibited and that any operator offering "self-guided" Manaslu circuit packages is operating outside Nepal's trekking regulations.

Altitude Sickness on the Manaslu Trek

Manaslu altitude sickness risk is significant, primarily on and around Larkya La (5,160m). The main acclimatisation risk window is days 6–11 of the itinerary, as trekkers ascend from 3,530m (Samagaon) to 5,160m (Larkya La) over five days.
Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) to recognise: persistent headache, nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, fatigue beyond normal trekking tiredness, and disrupted sleep. Our guides conduct daily health checks using pulse oximeters. Any trekker showing symptoms of High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) — more serious conditions — will be evacuated immediately. We carry supplemental oxygen for this purpose.
Many trekkers from sea-level countries — including the majority of our clients from Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates — benefit from a prophylactic course of Acetazolamide (Diamox) during the upper section. This should be discussed with your doctor before departure and is not a substitute for a proper acclimatisation schedule.

Seasonal Comparison: Best Time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

Season	Months	Trail Conditions	Temperatures (High Camp)	Crowds	Recommendation
Spring	March–May	Good to very good	-5°C to -15°C at night	Moderate	Excellent. Rhododendrons in bloom; clear mornings
Pre-Monsoon	Late May–June	Increasing rain; trail muddy	-2°C to -12°C	Low	Feasible but increasingly difficult
Monsoon	July–August	Not recommended. Trail floods	Variable	Very low	We do not operate this route in monsoon
Post-Monsoon	September–October	Outstanding. Clear skies	-5°C to -20°C	Moderate–High	Best conditions of the year
Late Autumn	November	Good to cold	-10°C to -25°C	Low	Excellent for experienced trekkers; very cold
Winter	December–February	Snow-blocked pass	Extreme cold	Near zero	Not recommended without expedition experience

Our primary operating seasons are October–November and March–May. The October window in particular offers the clearest skies of the year, ideal conditions for the Larkya La crossing, and the most reliable weather windows in our 20+ years of experience on this route.

Difficulty Comparison: How Does Manaslu Rank Against Other Nepal Treks?

Trek	Max Altitude	Duration	Technical Difficulty	Cultural Access	Permit Complexity	Crowd Level
Manaslu Circuit	5,160m (Larkya La)	12–16 days	Moderate-Hard	Exceptional	High (RAP required)	Low
Everest Base Camp	5,364m	12–13 days	Moderate	Good	Low	Very High
Annapurna Circuit	5,416m (Thorong La)	12–20 days	Moderate	Good	Low	High
Langtang Valley	3,870m	7–10 days	Easy-Moderate	Moderate	Low	Moderate
Upper Mustang	3,840m	10–15 days	Moderate	Exceptional	Very High (restricted)	Very Low
Gokyo Lakes	5,357m	12–15 days	Moderate	Good	Low	Moderate-High

The Manaslu circuit sits at the intersection of serious altitude, genuine cultural depth, and meaningful remoteness. It is harder than Langtang but not as physically demanding as a technical mountaineering route. It is the most culturally immersive of the major Nepal circuits and — critically — it remains one of the few routes where you can walk for an entire day above 3,500 metres without being surrounded by other trekking groups.

Manaslu vs Everest Base Camp

This is the most common comparison we hear from prospective clients, particularly those from the United States, Canada, and Australia who've already completed Everest Base Camp. The Manaslu circuit trek is more physically demanding due to the Larkya La crossing and the multi-day nature of the circuit. EBC is higher (5,364m vs 5,160m) but the Manaslu circuit involves a genuine mountain pass crossing rather than a walk to a viewpoint. Cultural richness on the Manaslu circuit is significantly greater. Permit complexity is much higher for Manaslu. Crowd levels favour Manaslu dramatically.

Manaslu vs Annapurna Circuit

Both circuits are comparable in duration. The Annapurna Circuit is more accessible (no restricted area permit required) and has better trail infrastructure. The Manaslu circuit offers significantly more solitude and cultural authenticity. The Annapurna Circuit's Thorong La (5,416m) is marginally higher than Larkya La but sees 50–100 trekkers on a single day in peak season; Larkya La might see 5–20. If solitude is your priority, Manaslu wins without contest.

Trust & Authority Signals

View Nepal Treks & Expedition brings the following credentials and commitments to every Manaslu circuit departure:
Over 20 years of continuous operation in Nepal's trekking industry, with verifiable client testimonials from trekkers across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Singapore, and the UAE.
Registration with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and active membership in the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN).
Guides carrying government licensing, Wilderness First Responder certification, and multi-season Manaslu-specific experience.
Transparent pricing with no hidden charges — every cost component is itemised before you book.
Supplemental oxygen carried on all Manaslu circuit departures as standard equipment.
Satellite communicator coverage throughout the restricted area section.
Flexible rebooking policy for weather-related cancellations affecting Larkya La crossings.

Summary: manaslu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a 13-day restricted area trekking route in the Manaslu Conservation Area of Nepal. It follows the Budhi Gandaki River valley, circumnavigating Mount Manaslu (8,163m) and crossing Larkya La Pass at 5,160 metres — the highest point of the circuit. The trek requires a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), a Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Solo trekking without a licensed guide is prohibited under Nepali law. The Manaslu circuit trek cost ranges from approximately USD $1,050–$1,700 per person depending on group size and season, inclusive of all permits, guide and porter fees, accommodation, and meals on the trail. The best seasons are October–November and March–May. The trek is rated moderate-to-hard and requires previous trekking experience, ideally above 3,500 metres. Two mandatory acclimatisation days at Samagaon (3,530m) and Samdo (3,875m) are essential for safe crossing of Larkya La. The Manaslu circuit trek distance is approximately 177–200km.

Manaslu Circuit Trek: What to Expect on Each Section

The Lower Trail: Soti Khola to Deng (Days 2–4)

The lower section of the Manaslu circuit trek from Soti Khola to Deng is the section that most pre-departure research underestimates. Travellers from the United Kingdom, Germany, or Australia tend to focus their preparation anxiety entirely on Larkya La, and arrive at Soti Khola unprepared for the physical toll of three consecutive days at subtropical altitude in a river gorge.
The trail begins at roughly 730 metres above sea level. Even in October, midday temperatures in the gorge can reach 28–32°C. The humidity is significantly higher than anything you'll experience above Namrung. The trail surface in this section is rocky, often wet from spray and groundwater, and involves frequent significant elevation changes — drops down to river crossings followed by steep climbs back up the gorge wall.
The Budhi Gandaki gorge between Jagat and Deng is the most technically exposed section of the lower trail. There are sections where the trail has been carved directly into cliff faces, where the drop to the river below is several hundred metres, and where the width of the path narrows to the point that two people can't pass side by side. In rainy conditions or immediately after rain, these sections require careful footing and attentive movement.
None of this is meant to be alarming — experienced trekkers handle this section comfortably. But first-time Nepal trekkers, particularly those who have prepared specifically for altitude rather than trail difficulty, sometimes find the first three days unexpectedly challenging. Our guides set a pace appropriate to the conditions and to the fitness level of each group.

The Cultural Transition Zone: Deng to Namrung (Day 5)

climb out of the subtropical gorge environment and into a zone of mixed temperate forest. Pine and fir replace the subtropical vegetation. The air cools noticeably. And the cultural markers begin to change — prayer flags appear at trail junctions, chortens (Buddhist stupas) mark the ridgelines, and the architecture of the villages shifts toward the flat-roofed stone construction common across the Tibetan cultural zone.

Namrung sits at 2,630 metres and is the first village on the circuit with a clearly Tibetan cultural character. The gompa here is active and worth visiting. The views from Namrung in clear weather already reveal the northern peaks of the Manaslu massif, and for many trekkers this is the moment when the scale of what they're doing becomes genuinely apparent.

The High Zone: Samagaon to Samdo (Days 6–9)

The four days centred on Samagaon and Samdo represent the emotional and cultural heart of the Manaslu circuit. This is the section where everything comes together — the mountain views are extraordinary, the cultural immersion is at its deepest, and the altitude is high enough to create that specific quality of Himalayan light that photographers spend careers trying to describe.

Samagaon at 3,530 metres is large by the standards of this region. It has a functioning school, several tea shops, a basic health post, and lodges that would be considered comfortable by any teahouse trekking standard. The Pungyen Gompa, a 20-minute walk above the village, is a centuries-old monastery perched on a ridge with a direct line of sight to the south face of Manaslu. Morning prayers here — conducted by resident monks regardless of the tourist season — are one of the genuine privilege-of-place experiences that the Manaslu circuit offers that no more commercially developed trek can replicate.

The acclimatisation hike to Manaslu Base Camp from Samagaon deserves its own mention. The route climbs a lateral moraine of the Manaslu glacier to approximately 4,850 metres, and the close-range view of Manaslu's south face from base camp — a wall of ice and rock 3,000 metres high — is humbling in the truest sense. Most trekkers who do this day hike describe it as one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip. It is physically demanding (4–5 hours round trip with 1,300m of elevation gain) but the acclimatisation benefit is significant, and the views are unmatched.

Samdo at 3,875 metres feels like the edge of the world. The Tibetan border is a few kilometres to the north. Yak caravans still cross the high passes between Nepal and Tibet on trade routes that predate any map. The village has perhaps a dozen permanent families and a handful of teahouses that operate during trekking season. Sitting in Samdo on a clear afternoon, watching yaks move across the high pastures with Manaslu at your back, is about as far from the modern world as you can get in 10 days of travel from any international airport.

The Crossing Day: Dharamsala to Bimthang (Day 11)

The Larkya La crossing deserves a more thorough treatment than most trekking guides give it, because the reality of the day is significantly more complex than "cross the pass and descend."

Departure from Dharamsala is at 3:30–4:00am. This early start is not arbitrary — it exists because the pass is subject to afternoon weather that can deteriorate rapidly, and the crossing takes 4–5 hours each way. Any delay in the crossing means spending time on exposed glacier terrain as afternoon clouds and wind build. Your guide will be firm about departure time.

The first section above Dharamsala crosses moraine terrain in complete darkness. Headlamps are essential. The trail here is marked with cairns, but the cairns are not always easy to follow in the dark, and this is one of the sections where the value of an experienced Manaslu-specific guide is most apparent — they know this trail in the dark, in all weather, in all seasons.

As dawn breaks, you'll typically be in the middle of the glacier approach. The snow slope that leads to the pass itself can be icy in early morning — this is when microspikes or crampons (carried by your guide and distributed as needed) are used. The final approach to the col is steep enough to feel genuinely alpine, and the moment of stepping onto the pass itself — that sudden exposure to a vast panorama that was completely hidden 10 metres below — is one of those rare instances of geographic revelation that makes high-altitude trekking worth everything it costs.

The descent to Bimthang is long and hard on the knees. The trail drops 1,600 metres over several hours, initially on steep moraine and later through rhododendron forest. By the time you reach Bimthang in early afternoon, you will have been walking for 8–10 hours. The relief, satisfaction, and quiet sense of achievement that follows is something that trekkers from across our 20 years of guiding experience consistently describe as the defining emotional moment of the circuit.

Understanding Manaslu Trek Permits: A Complete Administrative Guide

The permit process for the Manaslu circuit trek is the most administratively complex of any standard trekking route in Nepal, and it is worth understanding in detail before you book — both so you know what you're paying for and so you understand why the RAP requirement effectively guarantees a minimum quality threshold for the operators running groups here.

The Restricted Area Permit (RAP): What It Is and Why It Exists

The Manaslu Restricted Area Permit was introduced as part of Nepal's broader framework for managing access to its most sensitive border regions. The Manaslu area shares a boundary with Tibet, and the RAP system exists partly for national security reasons and partly as a conservation measure to limit the number of trekkers accessing the high valley. The permit fee has historically been set at a level intended to reduce volume by price rather than by outright exclusion.

The RAP is issued by the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu and requires: a minimum group size of two trekkers (solo trekking permits are not issued), a registered trekking agency to apply on your behalf, and a licensed guide assigned to the group. The permit specifies your entry and exit dates and the route you will follow. It is checked at multiple points along the circuit — at Jagat, Samagaon, and Samdo — and discrepancies between the permit dates and your actual trail position are taken seriously by checkpoint staff.

View Nepal Treks & Expedition manages the complete RAP application as part of our package. We submit the required documentation, collect and submit your passport copies, and deliver the completed permits to you in Kathmandu before departure. You are not required to visit the Department of Immigration personally.

The MCAP and ACAP: What Trekkers Often Miss

The Manaslu Conservation Area Permit is required for entry into the conservation area and must be obtained before you reach Arughat/Soti Khola. It is available in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office and at a few agencies in Pokhara. The permit costs approximately NPR 3,000 (USD $23–30) and is valid for the duration of your trek within the conservation area.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit becomes relevant when you cross Larkya La and descend into Bimthang — which falls within the ACAP boundary. Many trekkers are surprised by this requirement since the Annapurna circuit is not the primary identity of the trek, but the Marsyangdi valley section from Bimthang to Dharapani is firmly within ACAP jurisdiction. ACAP permits cost NPR 3,000 and are available at checkpoint offices. Again, we handle this as part of our package.

Permit Checking System

There are eight permit checkpoints along the Manaslu circuit route. They are located at: Arughat (or Soti Khola entry), Jagat, Philim, Deng, Namrung, Samagaon, Samdo, and Bimthang. Each checkpoint photographs your permit, records your details, and signs you through. The system is thorough, and the Manaslu restricted area rules around permit compliance are enforced consistently. Any trekker attempting to pass a checkpoint without a valid RAP faces immediate return to Kathmandu and potential fines.

Start Planning Your Manaslu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu circuit is not for everyone, and we mean that as a genuine compliment to the trek. It asks something real of you — physical preparation, mental resilience, and a willingness to be genuinely uncomfortable for brief periods in exchange for experiences that most people will never have. We have been guiding people through this circuit for over 20 years. We have seen the transformation that happens at Larkya La at sunrise, when a person who has never been above 4,000 metres in their life stands at 5,160 metres and looks out over the Annapurna range and understands, for the first time, why people come to Nepal.
If you're ready to begin planning — whether you're coming from New York, London, Sydney, Zurich, Amsterdam, or Singapore — we are ready to make it happen.

Contact View Nepal Treks & Expedition today for a custom quotation on your Manaslu circuit trek.

 

 

Booking Your Manaslu Circuit Trek

Our booking process is designed to be simple and transparent for international clients:

Step 1 — Initial Enquiry: Contact us via our website enquiry form, WhatsApp, or email. We will respond within 24 hours with current availability and pricing for your travel dates.
Step 2 — Customisation: We confirm the exact itinerary, group size, start date, and any specific requirements (dietary, medical, pace preferences) and provide a formal quotation.
Step 3 — Deposit: A 20% non-refundable deposit confirms your booking and triggers our permit application process. Remaining balance is due 30 days before departure.
Step 4 — Pre-Trek Documentation: We send a complete pre-departure information pack covering packing lists, training recommendations, Kathmandu logistics, and emergency contacts.
Step 5 — Kathmandu Meeting: A pre-trek briefing with your lead guide on Day 0 covers the itinerary in detail, performs an equipment check, and addresses any final questions before departure.
Step 6 — The Trek: We handle everything from departure to return. You focus on the experience.