The standard Manaslu Circuit takes 14 days. But the standard route rushes. A 17-day extended itinerary gives you an extra acclimatization day at Samagaon, a rest buffer at Samdo, unhurried exploration of the Tibetan-influenced villages along the Budhi Gandaki, and the option of adding the Tsum Valley — a hidden Himalayan valley so remote and culturally intact that many consider it the greatest detour in Nepalese trekking.
This guide is for trekkers who want the full Manaslu experience: not just the Larkya La pass crossing, but the culture, the time, and the altitude preparation to do it properly.
17 trekking days + 2 travel days
5,160m (Larkya La Pass)
~177km
3 (Samagaon x2, Samdo)
Hard (Larkya La is demanding)
October-November, March-May
MCAP + Restricted Area Permit + TIMS
Yes (mandatory — restricted area)
$30-50 per day on trail
~5,000 (vs ~100,000 on EBC)
Why 17 Days? The Case for Extra Time
The 14-day Manaslu Circuit is achievable, but barely. It requires back-to-back long days with minimal rest. The 17-day version adds:
Extra acclimatization at Samagaon (Day 8-9): Two nights instead of one at 3,530m before pushing to Samdo (3,860m) and Dharamsala (4,460m). This single addition dramatically improves Larkya La success rates.
A buffer day at Samdo (Day 10): Samdo sits at the foot of the pass approach. An extra day here allows the body to adapt to 3,860m before the final push to Dharamsala.
Unhurried lower valley: The lower Budhi Gandaki is one of the most culturally rich trekking corridors in Nepal. An extra day in Namrung or Deng to explore the Tibetan gompas is worth every rupee.
Altitude Profile
| Day | Destination | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu | 1,400m | Preparation |
| 2 | Drive to Soti Khola | 730m | 8-10 hour drive |
| 3 | Machha Khola | 930m | First full trek day |
| 4 | Jagat | 1,410m | Restricted area entry |
| 5 | Deng | 1,860m | Tibetan influence begins |
| 6 | Namrung | 2,660m | Forest and mountain views |
| 7 | Samagaon | 3,530m | First Manaslu views |
| 8 | REST DAY — Samagaon | 3,530m | Acclimatization hike |
| 9 | Samdo | 3,860m | High pasture village |
| 10 | REST DAY — Samdo | 3,860m | Acclimatization buffer |
| 11 | Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi) | 4,460m | Pass base camp |
| 12 | LARKYA LA (5,160m) — Bimthang | 3,720m | Big day |
| 13 | Dharapani | 1,860m | Long descent |
| 14 | Besisahar drive | 760m | Road access |
| 15 | Drive to Kathmandu | 1,400m | Return |
| 16 | Rest / Sightseeing | 1,400m | Buffer day |
| 17 | Departure | 1,400m | International flight |
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)
Airport pickup, hotel transfer, and trek briefing. Collect permits or confirm they are arranged. Evening cultural dinner optional.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu, $15-40 Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Drive to Soti Khola (730m)
The long drive from Kathmandu through Arughat Bazaar to the Manaslu Conservation Area entry at Soti Khola. This 8-10 hour drive follows increasingly rural roads as the Himalayan foothills close in. Register at the conservation area checkpoint.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Soti Khola Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Manaslu Restricted Area Permits
The Manaslu Circuit requires a Restricted Area Permit ($100 per week in autumn, $75 in spring) in addition to the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP, $30). Both must be arranged through a licensed trekking agency — independent trekking is not permitted. You must also have a minimum group of 2 trekkers, or pay a solo surcharge.
Day 3: Soti Khola to Machha Khola (930m)
The first trekking day follows the Budhi Gandaki River through subtropical forest. The trail crosses suspension bridges, passes small waterfalls, and winds through terraced fields. This lower section is warm and humid — pace yourself.
Trek distance: 15km | Trek time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse in Machha Khola Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Machha Khola to Jagat (1,410m)
The trail continues along the Budhi Gandaki, crossing the river multiple times on suspension bridges. The gorge narrows in places to dramatic corridors of rock. Jagat is a significant checkpoint where permits are verified.
Trek distance: 14km | Trek time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse in Jagat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Jagat to Deng (1,860m)
The character of the valley changes today. Tibetan mani walls appear beside the trail, prayer flags flutter from every ridge, and the architecture shifts from Gurung and Magar styles to the flat-roofed stone buildings of Tibetan Buddhist culture. Deng marks the cultural transition into the high-altitude world you came to see.
Trek distance: 12km | Trek time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse in Deng Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Pro Tip
Take time in Deng to walk through the village and observe the Tibetan Buddhist architecture. The gompa at the edge of the village is often open in the evenings — a quiet, atmospheric space far from any tourist circuit.
Day 6: Deng to Namrung (2,660m)
A significant altitude gain today as the trail climbs out of the lower gorge into the upper valley. Manaslu (8,163m) makes its first tentative appearance above the ridgeline. Namrung has several good teahouses and a monastery worth visiting.
Trek distance: 12km | Trek time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse in Namrung Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Namrung to Samagaon (3,530m)
The big altitude jump. The trail passes through Lho village (2,960m), where Manaslu appears in full glory above the rooftops — one of the circuit's definitive viewpoints. Continue to Samagaon (also called Sama), the largest village in the upper Manaslu valley, with full Manaslu views and the ancient Ribung Gompa monastery.
Trek distance: 13km | Trek time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse in Samagaon Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude Jump Warning
The climb from Namrung to Samagaon covers 870m of altitude gain. This is well within safe daily limits, but monitor symptoms on arrival. Headache, nausea, and fatigue are common at 3,530m after a sustained climb. Rest, hydrate, and eat well. This is why the 17-day itinerary allows two nights here rather than the rushed 14-day version's single night.
Day 8: REST DAY — Samagaon (3,530m)
Your most important day for acclimatization. The Manaslu Base Camp viewpoint hike (4,200m round trip, 4-5 hours) is the standard acclimatization objective — steeply above Samagaon with increasingly impressive glacier views. Alternatively, explore Ribung Gompa, the village, and the surrounding pastures at a gentle pace.
Recommended activity: Manaslu Base Camp viewpoint hike (4,200m) — return by 2PM
Evening: Attend any gompa ceremonies if timing aligns. Ask your guide.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Samagaon Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Samagaon to Samdo (3,860m)
A relatively short day with modest altitude gain. The trail crosses high pastures used by yak herders and enters the wide valley leading to Samdo. This small village near the Tibetan border was historically a trading post between Nepal and Tibet. The landscape here feels unmistakably Tibetan.
Trek distance: 8km | Trek time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse in Samdo Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: REST DAY — Samdo (3,860m)
The second strategic acclimatization day. At 3,860m, Samdo is an ideal staging altitude before Dharamsala (4,460m) and the pass (5,160m). Hike toward the Tibetan border (permits don't extend to Tibet, but the landscape alone justifies the walk). Explore the village's ancient trading infrastructure. Rest well.
Optional hike: Toward Larkya La for 2-3 hours to assess trail conditions, then return.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Samdo Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Samdo to Dharamsala / Larkya Phedi (4,460m)
A steady climb through high-altitude desert to the final teahouse before the pass. Dharamsala (meaning "resting place" in Tibetan) is a cluster of basic lodges — expensive for what you get, but essential. This is where everyone sleeps before the big day.
Trek distance: 9km | Trek time: 4-5 hours
Evening preparation:
- Pack your daypack: warm layers, headlamp, snacks, 1.5L water minimum
- Eat a large, carbohydrate-rich dinner
- Sleep by 7:30 PM
- Set alarm for 3:30-4:00 AM
Accommodation: Basic teahouse at Dharamsala Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Larkya La Preparation Is Non-Negotiable
The Larkya La crossing at 5,160m is the hardest day on the Manaslu Circuit. Unlike Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit (which sees thousands of crossings per season), Larkya La is more remote, less trafficked, and more exposed to weather. The 17-day itinerary's two extra acclimatization days are specifically designed to maximize your pass success rate. Do not shortcut this preparation.
Day 12: Larkya La (5,160m) — Dharamsala to Bimthang (3,720m)
The defining day of the circuit.
3:30-4:00 AM — Wake up. Temperature at Dharamsala is typically -15°C to -20°C in autumn. Layer everything.
4:00-5:00 AM — Depart. The trail begins with a long traverse across glacial moraine before the main ascent. The route is marked with cairns; follow your guide.
7:00-9:00 AM — The Pass (5,160m). Prayer flags mark the top. The view encompasses Manaslu (8,163m) directly to the north, Annapurna II to the south, and the vast Himalayan panorama in every direction. Pause, but don't linger — altitude and wind intensify quickly.
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM — Descent to Bimthang (3,720m). The descent is steep, over loose rock and snow patches. Trekking poles are essential. The trail eventually drops into a beautiful glaciated valley with a frozen lake before reaching Bimthang's small cluster of teahouses.
Trek time: 9-11 hours total
Accommodation: Teahouse in Bimthang Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Bimthang to Dharapani (1,860m)
A long but triumphant day. The trail descends rapidly from alpine meadows through rhododendron forest to the Marsyangdi Valley, joining the Annapurna Circuit at Dharapani. The ecological transition — from glacial desert to subtropical forest in a single day — is one of Nepal's most dramatic trekking experiences.
Trek distance: 22km | Trek time: 7-8 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse in Dharapani Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Dharapani to Besisahar (Drive)
Join the Annapurna Circuit road. Taxis and jeeps run from Dharapani to Besisahar (1-2 hours), where comfortable buses connect to Kathmandu.
Drive time: 1-2 hours Dharapani to Besisahar, then arrange onward transport
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Besisahar or continue driving Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu (1,400m)
The full drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu takes 6-7 hours on the Prithvi Highway. Arrive in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16: Rest Day / Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Recovery day. Optional Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath stupa, or Thamel shopping. Post-trek massage and debrief with your agency.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu Meals: Breakfast
Day 17: Departure
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. The Manaslu Circuit is complete.
Meals: Breakfast
Optional: Tsum Valley Extension (+4-7 Days)
Nepal's Secret Valley
The Tsum Valley is the most culturally isolated valley in Nepal — a hidden Himalayan sanctuary accessible only from the Manaslu Circuit, requiring a separate restricted area permit ($35/week). The valley contains some of Nepal's oldest Buddhist monasteries, a Tibetan-speaking population, and landscapes unchanged for centuries.
Access point: From Lokpa (near Jagat), a trail branches northwest into the Tsum Valley.
Tsum Valley key stages:
- Lokpa to Chhokangparo (2-3 days up valley)
- Mu Gompa monastery (3,700m) — main cultural highlight
- Return to Lokpa and rejoin Manaslu Circuit
Best combined itinerary: Tsum Valley detour on Days 5-9, then full Manaslu Circuit — total 21-23 days.
Tsum Valley Permits
The Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit costs $35 per week and must be arranged through a licensed agency along with your Manaslu Circuit permits. Access to the valley requires the same guide requirements as the Manaslu Circuit.
Accommodation on the Extended Circuit
| Section | Altitude | Quality | Room Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soti Khola-Jagat | 730-1,410m | Basic | $3-5/night |
| Deng-Namrung | 1,860-2,660m | Basic-Good | $4-6/night |
| Samagaon-Samdo | 3,530-3,860m | Basic | $4-8/night |
| Dharamsala | 4,460m | Very Basic | $5-10/night |
| Bimthang-Dharapani | 1,860-3,720m | Basic | $3-5/night |
Important: Accommodation above Samagaon is very basic by any standard. Expect shared bathrooms, cold temperatures in rooms, and limited electricity. The experience, not the facilities, is the point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose 17 days over the standard 14?
The extra 3 days are entirely invested in acclimatization and cultural immersion — not wasted. The result is a dramatically higher Larkya La success rate, more time to explore the remarkable Tibetan villages, and a calmer, more meaningful experience of one of Nepal's most rewarding treks.
Can fit trekkers do the 14-day version?
Yes, but it requires back-to-back hard days with minimal rest. Those with previous high-altitude experience (above 4,000m) and excellent fitness can complete the 14-day circuit safely. First-timers at altitude should always choose 17 days or more.
When is Larkya La closed?
The pass can be closed by heavy snowfall from December through February and during post-monsoon snowstorms in October-November. Peak season (October-November) generally offers the best conditions, but always confirm with your guide. The pass can also close temporarily after fresh snow even in prime season.
Is the Manaslu Circuit harder than Annapurna Circuit?
Comparable in total challenge, different in character. Thorong La (5,416m, Annapurna) is slightly higher but sees thousands of crossings per season with well-maintained facilities. Larkya La (5,160m, Manaslu) is more remote, less trafficked, and less well-equipped. The Manaslu Circuit's remoteness means rescue is slower and more expensive if needed.