Good to Know·Manaslu Circuit Trek·13 Night | 14 Days

Why fitness matters on this route

The Manaslu Circuit is a remote, high-altitude trek, and it is physically demanding. Sleeping elevations climb from 900 m at Machha Khola to 4,460 m at the Dharamsala before the Larkya La is crossed. Trekking above 3,000 m (10,000 ft) is harder on the body than walking at low elevation, because the same effort takes more out of you in thinner air. The route is not the most gruelling high-altitude trek, but it asks for solid fitness and mental readiness, and it can be especially tough for people new to trekking.

How the walking days are shaped

Times below are approximate and are for walking only.

• Days 4 to 7: approx. 6–7 hours a day, climbing from Jagat to Samagaon.
• Day 8: a rest and acclimatisation day at Samagaon, with a hike to Pungyen Gompa.
• Days 9 and 10: shorter days of approx. 4–5 hours into Samdo and the Dharamsala.
• Day 11: the Larkya La, approx. 8–9 hours, the longest day on foot.
• Day 12: approx. 5–6 hours, mostly descending to Tilije.

Days 3 and 13 are long road journeys, approx. 9–10 and 11–12 hours of driving, which are tiring in their own way.

Preparing beforehand

THG suggests regular walking or jogging, building up over about three months before departure, so that you can walk for hours at a time over many days in remote, high-altitude conditions. Beyond fitness, the route asks for willpower and a willingness to cope with simple, sometimes harsh conditions. Consult your doctor about vaccinations and any other medical requirements for the trip, and especially if you have a known heart, lung or blood condition.

What to expect from the trail

The terrain varies from rocky paths to uneven trails, with suspension bridges and stone stairways along the lower valley. Cold temperatures and low air pressure make the Larkya La section especially tough. With steady pacing, careful preparation and a gradual approach, most trekkers can enjoy the route.

What is not included

Medical and evacuation expenses are the guest’s responsibility, so your own insurance matters. See the insurance topic below, and the altitude topic for how the itinerary handles acclimatisation.

March–May and September–November

The two main seasons

Spring (March to May) brings mild temperatures and flowers along the trail. Autumn (September to November) brings crisp air and clear skies. In both, trails are generally dry, which makes for more comfortable walking.

Winter and the monsoon

Winter (December to February) can be extremely cold, with heavy snowfall. Summer (June to August) is the monsoon, when rain makes trekking more challenging. For these reasons THG’s operating seasons are spring and autumn.

Crowds in October

October is a peak month. Teahouses along the route fill quickly, so booking early matters. Ask us about dates.

Conditions on the Larkya La

The pass is the coldest and most exposed part of the route, with low air pressure as well as low temperatures. Most trekkers leave the Dharamsala between 3:00 and 4:00 am so they cross before the stronger afternoon winds, which also leaves a buffer if progress is slow or the weather changes.

Keeping electronics working

Batteries drain quickly in sub-zero temperatures at high villages such as Samdo and the Dharamsala. Keep your phone, camera and power bank inside your sleeping bag overnight.

What we cannot promise

No season guarantees weather, views or trail conditions. The itinerary is the plan; weather and conditions can change a day, and your guide will adjust it.

The two main seasons

Spring (March to May) brings mild temperatures and flowers along the trail. Autumn (September to November) brings crisp air and clear skies. In both, trails are generally dry, which makes for more comfortable walking.

Winter and the monsoon

Winter (December to February) can be extremely cold, with heavy snowfall. Summer (June to August) is the monsoon, when rain makes trekking more challenging. For these reasons THG’s operating seasons are spring and autumn.

Crowds in October

October is a peak month. Teahouses along the route fill quickly, so booking early matters. Ask us about dates.

Conditions on the Larkya La

The pass is the coldest and most exposed part of the route, with low air pressure as well as low temperatures. Most trekkers leave the Dharamsala between 3:00 and 4:00 am so they cross before the stronger afternoon winds, which also leaves a buffer if progress is slow or the weather changes.

Keeping electronics working

Batteries drain quickly in sub-zero temperatures at high villages such as Samdo and the Dharamsala. Keep your phone, camera and power bank inside your sleeping bag overnight.

What we cannot promise

No season guarantees weather, views or trail conditions. The itinerary is the plan; weather and conditions can change a day, and your guide will adjust it.

The drive to Machha Khola (Day 3)

You leave Kathmandu early and drive 160 km (99 mi) in approx. 9–10 hours. The road is paved as far as Dhading Besi (1,050 m), the district headquarters of Dhading. From Dhading Besi to Arughat it becomes rough, and after Arughat you continue along the Budhi Gandaki to Machha Khola. Expect a long, tiring day on the road before the trek begins.

The drive back (Day 13)

On Day 13 you drive from Tilije to Kathmandu via Besi Sahar, approx. 11–12 hours, often alongside the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. It is a long day, but it passes terraced villages and mixed hill and mountain scenery.

Flights and airport transfers

There is no domestic flight on this itinerary. International flights are not included. A THG representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport on arrival and escorts you there for departure, with private transfers in both directions.

Permits and documents

All required permits are included in the trip price. The route passes through the Manaslu Conservation Area. We do not print permit fees or rules on this page; permit requirements can change, so we confirm them against official sources when you book.

Visa

The Nepal visa fee is not included. Check the current entry requirements before you travel.

When the road or the weather changes the plan

Weather and road conditions can change a day. Your guide will adjust the plan, but we cannot promise timings on road days.