Manaslu Trek Guide: Routes, Cost, Permits & Itinerary
Planning the Manaslu Circuit Trek requires understanding four core elements: the route itself, what permits you need, how much to budget, and how to structure your days. This guide addresses each topic directly so you can plan with confidence.
Route Overview
The Manaslu Circuit circumnavigates Mt. Manaslu (8,163m), the world's 8th highest peak, in a roughly 177km loop through the Gorkha District of Gandaki Province. The route is linear from start to finish — you begin at Soti Khola and end at Dharapani, with no need to backtrack.
The Full Route Broken Down
Lower Section (Days 1–5): River Gorge and Forest Soti Khola (890m) → Machha Khola (930m) → Jagat (1,340m) → Deng (1,804m)
The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River through dramatic gorges, suspension bridges, and sub-tropical forests. This section has the most elevation gain spread across multiple days.
Middle Section (Days 6–9): High Alpine Villages Deng → Namrung (2,630m) → Lho (3,180m) → Samagaon (3,530m)
The character of the trek changes here. Villages become more Tibetan in culture. Views of Manaslu's north face appear from Lho and dominate the approach to Samagaon.
Upper Section (Days 10–14): High Altitude and the Pass Samagaon → Samdo (3,860m) → Dharamsala/Larke La BC (4,460m) → Larke Pass (5,160m) → Bimtang (3,590m)
This is the physical and psychological heart of the trek. The pass crossing is a multi-hour high-altitude effort, typically started before dawn.
Final Section (Days 15–17): Descent to Dharapani Bimtang → Tilche → Dharapani (1,860m)
A gradual, satisfying descent back to lower elevations and road access.
Permits: What You Need and What It Costs
| Permit | Fee | When to Get It | |--------|-----|---------------| | RAP (Restricted Area Permit) | $100/person (Sep–Nov) / $75 (other months) | Before leaving Kathmandu | | MCAP | NPR 3,000 (~$22) | Kathmandu or entry checkpoint | | TIMS Card | NPR 2,000 (~$15) | Kathmandu | | ACAP | NPR 3,000 (~$22) | Dharapani checkpoint |
Total permit cost: Approximately $150–$165 per person in peak season.
A licensed guide is mandatory by law. You cannot obtain the RAP without one, and checkpoints along the route will turn you back without proper documentation.
Cost Breakdown
Budget Trekker ($800–$1,200 total)
- Teahouse accommodation: NPR 300–500/night
- Meals: NPR 500–800/day
- Guide: $25/day (split between 2 trekkers = effective $12.50/person/day)
- No porter (carry your own pack)
Mid-Range Trekker ($1,500–$2,000 total)
- Comfortable teahouses with attached bath where available
- Guide: $30/day
- Porter: $22/day (strongly recommended — frees you to enjoy the trek)
- Occasional extra meals and snacks
Fully Guided Package ($3,000+)
- Arranged by a Kathmandu agency
- All permits, accommodation, guide, porter, meals, and transfers included
- Best for first-time trekkers or those with limited time to plan
Additional Costs to Budget For
- Kathmandu to Soti Khola (private jeep): $80–$120
- Return transport from Dharapani to Kathmandu: $15–$25 (bus) or $80–$100 (private jeep)
- Emergency helicopter evacuation insurance: strongly recommended
Day-by-Day Itinerary (17 Days)
| Day | Route | Elevation | Hours | |-----|-------|-----------|-------| | 1 | Kathmandu → Soti Khola (drive) | 890m | — | | 2 | Soti Khola → Machha Khola | 930m | 5–6 hrs | | 3 | Machha Khola → Jagat | 1,340m | 6–7 hrs | | 4 | Jagat → Deng | 1,804m | 6–7 hrs | | 5 | Deng → Namrung | 2,630m | 6–7 hrs | | 6 | Namrung → Lho | 3,180m | 4–5 hrs | | 7 | Lho → Samagaon | 3,530m | 4–5 hrs | | 8 | Samagaon — Acclimatization | 3,530m | Rest day | | 9 | Samagaon → Samdo | 3,860m | 3–4 hrs | | 10 | Samdo — Acclimatization or rest | 3,860m | Rest day | | 11 | Samdo → Dharamsala | 4,460m | 3–4 hrs | | 12 | Dharamsala → Larke Pass → Bimtang | 5,160m / 3,590m | 7–9 hrs | | 13 | Bimtang → Tilche | 2,300m | 5–6 hrs | | 14 | Tilche → Dharapani | 1,860m | 4–5 hrs | | 15 | Dharapani → Besisahar → Kathmandu (drive) | — | 6–8 hrs |
Optional: split days 13–14 with an extra night in Bimtang or Gho.
Choosing Your Season
| Season | Months | Conditions | Crowd Level | |--------|--------|------------|-------------| | Spring | March–May | Good visibility, warmer, rhododendrons in bloom | Moderate | | Monsoon | June–Aug | Heavy rain, landslide risk, leeches | Very low | | Autumn | Sep–Nov | Best visibility, stable weather, cold nights | Higher | | Winter | Dec–Feb | Snow on pass, extreme cold | Very low |
For the Larke Pass crossing, October and early November offer the most reliable conditions. March and April are the best spring months.
With a solid understanding of the route, permits, costs, and itinerary, you can approach the Manaslu Circuit with the preparation it deserves.