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AI-Curated Day-by-Day Plan

Manaslu Circuit Trek

Around the world's eighth-highest peak

Best season: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov·Kathmandu → Soti Khola (drive) → Dharapani → Besisahar → Kathmandu (drive)

Days
14
Total
167 km
Max Altitude
4,460 m
Total Ascent
3,760 m

Choose your route

2 presets · or build your own below

Classic Circuit · at a glance

Recommended

A restricted-permit ring around the world's eighth-highest peak — Tibetan Buddhist culture in upper Nubri, the dramatic Larkya La crossing, and a quiet, traditional alternative to the more crowded Annapurna and Everest circuits.

Best for

Two clear weeks · prefers cultural depth over crowds · already done EBC/ABC

What you'll see
Tibetan Buddhist culture in upper NubriSamagaon and the Sama GompaLarkya La (5,106 m) high pass crossingQuieter than Annapurna or Everest circuits
Permits
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) · MCAP · ACAP (after Dharapani)
Group
Minimum 2 trekkers + licensed guide (RAP requirement)
Stay
Tea-house lodges, simpler than Annapurna; dorm at Dharmasala
Walking time
~87 h total
Start · Kathmandu → Soti Khola (drive)End · Dharapani → Besisahar → Kathmandu (drive)Challenging

Route waypoints

14 stops · hover days to highlight
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Day-by-day plan · Classic Circuit

1
Drive

KathmanduSoti Khola

End altitude
700 m
8 h

Long drive via Dhading Besi and Arughat to Soti Khola — paved up to Dhading, rough river-track after.

Landmarks today
Dhading BesiArughatSoti Khola lodges

Tip · Pack motion-sickness tablets — the river road is rough.

2
Trek

Soti KholaMachha Khola

End altitude
870 m
14 km6 h+170 m

Sub-tropical Budhi Gandaki gorge — millet terraces, waterfalls and the first suspension bridges.

Landmarks today
LapubesiKhorlabeshiTatopani hot springsMachha Khola
3
Trek

Machha KholaJagat

End altitude
1,340 m
22 km7 h+470 m

Cross the Tharo Khola, climb past Doban and Jagat's slate-roofed houses where the RAP is officially registered.

Landmarks today
Tharo Khola bridgeDobanYaru BagarJagat permit checkpost
4
Trek

JagatDeng

End altitude
1,860 m
19 km7 h+520 m

Enter Manaslu Conservation Area at Philim. Steep climb to Sirdibas, then a long contour with mani walls into Deng.

Landmarks today
Philim MCAP gateSirdibasFirst mani wallsDeng village
5
Trek

DengNamrung

End altitude
2,630 m
19 km7 h+770 m

Ghap and the entry to upper Nubri — dense pine and the first Manaslu peep.

Landmarks today
GhapBihi PhediFirst Manaslu glimpseNamrung checkpost
6
Trek

NamrungLho

End altitude
3,180 m
11 km4 h+550 m

Through Lihi and Sho with full Manaslu views opening — Lho's Ribung Gompa is a dramatic stop on a moraine bench.

Landmarks today
LihiShoRibung Gompa LhoManaslu south face
7
Trek

LhoSamagaon

End altitude
3,530 m
8 km4 h+350 m

Short, scenic day past Shyala village's panoramic basin into Samagaon, the Nubri cultural heart.

Landmarks today
Shyala panoramic basinPungyen viewSama GompaBirendra Tal
8
AcclimatizeAcclimatization Day

SamagaonSamagaon (acclimatization)

End altitude
3,850 m
12 km6 h

Side-trip to Pungyen Gompa or Manaslu Base Camp viewpoint. Sleep low at Samagaon.

Landmarks today
Pungyen GompaManaslu Base Camp viewpointBirendra Tal lake walk
9
Trek

SamagaonSamdo

End altitude
3,870 m
8 km4 h+340 m

Cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge, climb past Kermo Kharka to Samdo — last permanent settlement before the pass.

Landmarks today
Kermo KharkaLarkya bazaarSamdo Tibetan refugee village
10
AcclimatizeAcclimatization Day

SamdoSamdo (acclimatization)

End altitude
4,400 m
6 km4 h

Hike to Samdo Peak shoulder or the Tibet-border pass viewpoint for full acclimatization.

Landmarks today
Samdo Peak shoulderTibet border viewYak grazing meadows
11
Trek

SamdoDharmasala

End altitude
4,460 m
7 km4 h+590 m

Short day to Dharmasala (Larkya Phedi) — stone-walled shelter cluster at the base of the pass.

Landmarks today
Larkya Bazaar ruinsDharmasala basic lodgeLarkya glacier moraine

Tip · Lodges are basic — bring sleeping bag rated to −10 °C.

12
Trek

DharmasalaBimthang

End altitude
3,720 m
16 km9 h-740 m

Pre-dawn climb up loose moraine to Larkya La (5,106 m) at sunrise, then a long descent past four glacial lakes into Bimthang meadow.

Landmarks today
Larkya La (5,106 m)Larkya glacier traverseFour high lakesBimthang

Tip · Start by 4 AM — afternoon clouds and wind on the pass are dangerous.

13
Trek

BimthangDharapani

End altitude
1,860 m
25 km8 h-1860 m

Long descent through Karche, Goa and the Dudh Khola valley — pine and rhododendron belt back to the Annapurna Circuit.

Landmarks today
KarcheGoa ForestTiljeDharapani Annapurna Circuit junction
14
Drive

DharapaniKathmandu

End altitude
1,400 m
9 h

Jeep to Besisahar (4 h), then bus or shared SUV to Kathmandu via Pokhara highway.

Landmarks today
Besisahar transferDumre junctionPrithvi highwayKathmandu

Ready to lace up?

Save this trek to your dream list and tick villages off as you walk them.

Plan based on standard tea-house schedules · always carry buffer days for weather and AMS