Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit Trek is a long-distance Himalayan journey that links two remarkable mountain landscapes in Nepal. The adventure begins in the remote Manaslu region, follows the Budhi Gandaki Valley toward the high Himalayas, crosses the dramatic Larkya La Pass, and then continues from Dharapani into the classic Annapurna Circuit.

Rather than treating Manaslu and Annapurna as two unrelated trekking holidays, this itinerary follows the natural geographical connection between them. You experience the quieter villages and Tibetan-influenced culture of the Manaslu region first, then continue through the Marsyangdi Valley toward Manang and the high Thorong La Pass.

The result is a demanding Himalayan trek with two major high passes, changing landscapes, traditional mountain communities, Buddhist heritage, alpine valleys and spectacular views of the world’s highest mountains.

For travellers who want to spend more time walking rather than visiting Nepal’s mountains in short sections, this Manaslu Annapurna Circuit Trek provides a remarkably varied journey from the lower hills to the high Himalayan passes and down again into the Kali Gandaki region.

Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit Trek at a Glance

The exact starting point, road conditions, accommodation and transport arrangements can change with local conditions, so the final itinerary should be confirmed before departure.

What Makes This Trek Different?

The interesting part of this journey is not simply the number of days.

It is the change in the Himalayan world around you.

At the beginning, the trail passes through warmer valleys, farmland, forests and river gorges. As you move deeper into Manaslu, the valley becomes narrower and the villages increasingly reflect Tibetan Buddhist culture.

Then comes the high mountain section.

You cross Larkya La and descend toward Bimthang and Dharapani. Instead of ending the trek there, this itinerary continues into the Annapurna region.

The scenery changes once again.

The Marsyangdi Valley leads toward Chame, Pisang and Manang before the trail climbs toward Thorong La. After crossing the pass, the landscape opens toward Muktinath and the dry Himalayan valleys of Mustang.

In one journey, you therefore encounter:

• River valleys
• Terraced farmland
• Subtropical forests
• Pine and rhododendron forests
• Tibetan-influenced villages
• Buddhist monasteries
• Glacial landscapes
• High-altitude valleys
• Two major Himalayan passes
• Sacred Muktinath
• The Kali Gandaki region

That geographical progression is one of the defining features of the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit Trek Highlights

Major Mountain Experiences

• Trek around the spectacular Manaslu massif
• See Mount Manaslu (8,163m) and surrounding Himalayan peaks
• Cross Larkya La Pass
• Cross the famous Thorong La Pass
• Explore the high-altitude Manang region
• Visit Muktinath after the Thorong La crossing
• Experience the transition from the Manaslu landscape into Annapurna

Cultural Experiences

• Walk through traditional Himalayan villages
• Experience Gurung and Tibetan-influenced mountain culture
• See Buddhist prayer flags, mani walls and monasteries
• Visit traditional settlements in the upper Manaslu valley
• Experience the distinctive culture of Manang and Mustang
• Visit the important pilgrimage area of Muktinath

Nature and Landscape

• Budhi Gandaki River valley
• Dense mountain forests
• Waterfalls and suspension bridges
• Alpine meadows
• Glacial mountain scenery
• High Himalayan passes
• Marsyangdi Valley
• Dry Himalayan landscapes around Muktinath

The Journey in Three Acts

One useful way to understand this trek is to divide it into three different Himalayan experiences.

Act One: Entering the Manaslu Wilderness

The first section follows the Budhi Gandaki Valley.

The landscape changes gradually rather than suddenly. Green hills and cultivated land give way to steep valley walls, forests and increasingly dramatic mountain scenery.

As you approach the upper Manaslu region, Tibetan Buddhist influences become increasingly visible.

Act Two: Larkya La and the High Manaslu

The trail eventually reaches Sama Gaon, Samdo and the high settlement area below Larkya La.

This is where altitude becomes a major consideration.

The Larkya La crossing is one of the key challenges of the entire journey. Weather, snow and trail conditions can affect the difficulty of the crossing.

After the pass, the trail descends toward Bimthang and eventually Dharapani.

Act Three: From Dharapani into Annapurna

Dharapani is the important transition point.

Instead of ending the Manaslu journey there, this itinerary continues along the Marsyangdi Valley toward Chame, Pisang and Manang.

After acclimatization around Manang, the trail climbs toward Thorong Phedi and eventually crosses Thorong La.

The descent to Muktinath marks another dramatic change in landscape.

Outline Itinerary – 20 Days

This is the outline version for the website package page. A detailed day-by-day itinerary can be developed separately.

• Day 1 – Drive from Kathmandu to the Manaslu Trek Starting Place Machhekhola
• Day 2 – Trek from Machhe Khola to Jagat
• Day 3 – Jagat to Deng
• Day 4 – Deng to Namrung
• Day 5 – Namrung to Lho
• Day 6 – Lho to Sama Gaon
• Day 7 – Acclimatization in Sama Gaon
• Day 8 – Sama Gaon to Samdo
• Day 9 – Samdo to Dharamshala / Larkya Phedi
• Day 10 – Cross Larkya La Pass and Descend to Bimthang
• Day 11 – Bimthang to Dharapani
• Day 12 – Dharapani to Chame by Drive
• Day 13 – Chame to Pisang
• Day 14 – Pisang to Manang
• Day 15 – Acclimatization in Manang
• Day 16 – Manang to Yak Kharka
• Day 17 – Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi
• Day 18 – Cross Thorong La and Descend to Muktinath
• Day 19 – Muktinath to Pokhara
• Day 20 – Pokhara to Kathmandu

Important: The exact transport sections and overnight locations can be adjusted because road construction, weather, landslides and local trail conditions can affect the route.

Detailed Route Flow

For travellers who want to understand the trek before booking, the route can be viewed like this:

Kathmandu → Manaslu region → Budhi Gandaki Valley → Jagat → Deng → Namrung → Lho → Sama Gaon → Samdo → Dharamshala → Larkya La → Bimthang → Dharapani → Chame → Pisang → Manang → Thorong Phedi → Thorong La → Muktinath → Pokhara → Kathmandu

This route makes the Manaslu section the foundation of the trip and then naturally continues into the Annapurna Circuit.

Where Does the Manaslu Trek Meet the Annapurna Circuit?

The important connection is Dharapani.

After crossing Larkya La and descending through Bimthang, the Manaslu route reaches Dharapani. From here, the journey continues along the Annapurna Circuit toward Chame and Manang.

This geographical connection is the reason the two circuits can be combined into one continuous trek without returning to Kathmandu between them. Current route references also identify Dharapani as the natural junction between the two trekking areas.

Larkya La Pass – The Manaslu High Point

Larkya La is the major mountain pass on the Manaslu Circuit.

The pass is generally described as being around 5,100 metres above sea level, although published route information gives slightly different figures depending on mapping and measurement conventions.

The crossing involves:

• Early morning departure
• Gradual ascent
• Cold and potentially windy conditions
• High-altitude terrain
• Possible snow and ice depending on season
• Long descent after reaching the pass

The pass day can be physically demanding because trekkers gain considerable altitude and then descend for several hours.

Weather conditions should always be assessed locally before attempting the crossing.

Thorong La Pass – The Highest Point of the Journey

Thorong La is the highest point of this combined itinerary at approximately 5,416 metres.

The crossing begins from the high-altitude area around Thorong Phedi.

The usual pattern is:

Thorong Phedi → Thorong La → long descent → Muktinath

The pass is high enough that altitude, cold, wind and weather can significantly affect the experience.

A slow pace and proper acclimatization are important.

How Difficult Is the Manaslu Annapurna Circuit Trek?

This is a challenging high-altitude trek.

The difficulty comes from the combination of several factors rather than one particular trail.

The main challenges include:

• Two high passes above 5,000m
• Long trekking days
• Significant elevation gain and loss
• Remote sections of the Manaslu region
• Basic accommodation at some high-altitude locations
• Cold conditions at higher elevations
• Potential snow around the passes
• Changing mountain weather
• Long descents after both major passes

Who is this trek suitable for?

The trek is better suited to travellers who are:

• Physically active
• Comfortable walking for several hours a day
• Prepared for high altitude
• Comfortable with simple mountain accommodation
• Patient with changing weather and road conditions
• Willing to walk at a controlled pace

Previous trekking experience is helpful, particularly experience at altitude, but suitability ultimately depends on individual fitness, preparation, acclimatization and medical circumstances.

Altitude and Acclimatization

Altitude is one of the most important subjects on this trek.

The route does not simply go uphill every day. It includes periods of ascent, descent and acclimatization.

Important acclimatization points include:

Sama Gaon

This is a key acclimatization location before moving toward Samdo and Larkya Phedi.

A short hike can help with gradual acclimatization.

Manang

Manang provides another important acclimatization opportunity before the route climbs toward Thorong La.

High-altitude warning signs

Trekkers should immediately tell their guide if they experience symptoms such as:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Unusual tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping
• Shortness of breath

More serious symptoms require immediate action, including descent and medical assistance where appropriate.

A trekking itinerary should never be treated as more important than a person’s health.

Manaslu Trek Permits and Regulations

The Manaslu section includes a restricted area, so foreign trekkers must comply with Nepal’s restricted-area trekking regulations.

The Department of Immigration states that trekking permits for designated restricted areas are issued through registered trekking agencies.

The current Department of Immigration fee page lists the Gorkha Manaslu restricted-area permit as:

• September–November: USD 100 per person per week
• December–August: USD 75 per person per week
• Additional charges apply after the first week according to the applicable seasonal rate.

Other applicable conservation-area permits are separate from the restricted-area permit.

Because Nepal can revise trekking regulations and fees, Manaslu Hike should verify the applicable permit requirements and rates for the traveller’s exact departure date before issuing the final quotation.