A rigorous 18-day circuit that encircles Mount Manaslu, offering remote high‑altitude passes, glacier‑fed lakes and traditional Gurung and Tibetan villages. This lodge-based trek requires permits and careful acclimatization but delivers dramatic mountain panoramas and cultural encounters.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step out before dawn on a narrow trail; the Budhi Gandaki river is a low, urgent voice below while jagged peaks of Manaslu catch the first light and push it back at you. Villages hang on steep terraces, prayer flags whisper across ridgelines, and the trail climbs from warm, bamboo-lined valleys to a wind-carved pass where snow sharpens every sound.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
17–18 days
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular fitness and trekking experience at moderate altitude; ability to carry a daypack and walk 5–8 hours daily.
Wildlife
History
The route follows old trans‑Himalayan trade and pilgrimage corridors linking Tibetan plateaus and Nepali valleys, reflected in gompas and mani walls in villages like Samdo.
Conservation
The Manaslu Conservation Area enforces restricted access to limit visitor impact—trekkers should use local guides, pack out waste and respect water sources.
Reserve your spot on the Manaslu Circuit Trekking today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Permit & Restricted Area
Secure Manaslu Restricted Area permits and TIMS in advance—required and checked at entry points.
Acclimatize Properly
Build in at least one acclimatization day (Samdo/Samagaun) and watch symptoms; descent is the cure for severe AMS.
Footwear & Poles
Sturdy, broken‑in boots and trekking poles reduce blisters and stress on knees during long descents and icy sections.
Water & Hydration
Carry a 2–3L system and a purification method—high altitude plus long days increases fluid needs.
Insulated down jacket
Warmth for nights above 3,500 m and sudden weather changes.
fall
Mountaineering or sturdy trekking boots
Support and insulation for moraines, scree and snow patches near the pass.
spring
Trekking poles
Reduces impact on knees during long descents and aids balance on river crossings.
Water purification (filter or tablets)
Safe drinking water is limited on the trail; purification reduces weight of carried bottled water.