Best Season for this Circuit Trek
The best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). During these periods, the weather is stable, daytime temperatures are mild, and the skies stay clear, offering excellent visibility of Mount Manaslu and the surrounding peaks. Trails remain dry and safe, making the trek more enjoyable. You can also experience blooming rhododendrons in spring or cultural festivals in autumn.
Key Reasons:
- Stable Weather: Clear skies with minimal rainfall, ideal for trekking and photography.
- Mild Temperatures: Daytime temperatures range from 10–20°C (50–68°F) at lower altitudes and stay cooler but manageable at higher elevations.
- Excellent Visibility: Mountains and landscapes remain crisp and clear, perfect for panoramic views.
- Cultural & Natural Highlights: Spring brings colourful blooms, while autumn offers festivals and vibrant scenery.
How difficult is it to trek the Manaslu Circuit Trek
The difficulty of the Manaslu Circuit Trek varies from day to day. The first and second days are easier, starting with drives from Kathmandu (1,400m / 4,593ft) to Machhakhola (930m / 3,051ft) and a half-day walk to Jagat (1,340 m / 4,396 ft).
As you move from Jagat to Deng (1,860 m / 6,102 ft) and then Namrung (2,630 m / 8,628 ft), the trails grow steeper and more rugged, requiring moderate effort as your body adjusts to higher altitudes.
From Lho (3,180 m / 10,433 ft) to Sama Gaun (3,520 m / 11,548 ft) and Samdo (3,875 m / 12,717 ft), trekking intensity increases, and the risk of mild altitude sickness begins to appear.
Rest and acclimatisation days in Sama Gaun help your body adjust, preparing you for the toughest challenge ahead: Larkya La Pass (5,160 m / 16,929 ft). Crossing the pass involves steep climbs and a long descent, making it the most strenuous day of the trek.
After the pass, the trek gradually becomes easier. Descending from Bhimthang (3,720 m / 12,205 ft) to Tilche (2,300 m / 7,546 ft) and finally to Dharapani (1,860 m / 6,102 ft) is less physically demanding, though downhill walking can be hard on the knees.
Overall, the trek combines moderate and hard days, and proper pacing and acclimatisation are very important for a safe journey. For those looking for an even greater challenge, this trek serves as the perfect high-altitude preparation for a full Manaslu Expedition, where climbers push beyond the base camp to the 8,163 m summit.
About Trek Difficulty:
- Early days involve gentle climbs and short walks to adjust to the altitude.
- Moderate difficulty begins above 1,800 m / 5,905 ft, with steeper trails and forested paths.
- High-altitude trekking above 3,500 m / 11,483 ft increases the risk of altitude sickness
- Crossing Larkya La Pass (5,160 m / 16,929 ft) is the trek’s most challenging day.
- Descents after the pass are easier physically but may strain your knees during downhill walking.
Accommodations Facility on the Manaslu Trail
Along the Manaslu Circuit, you’ll stay in local teahouses that provide basic but cosy rooms to rest after a long day of trekking. Most rooms have shared bathrooms, wooden beds, and warm blankets, offering comfort and warmth rather than luxury. Learn more about what to expect on a Manaslu teahouse.
Meals usually consist of traditional Nepali dishes like dal bhat, soups, and noodles, served in shared dining areas. Hot showers and hot water are generally available for a small fee, while cold water is typically free. Staying in these teahouses also gives you a chance to experience the local lifestyle on the Manaslu Circuit.
Permits Required for Manaslu Trekking
According to the Nepal government, you need these three types of permits to trek the Manaslu Circuit.
Note: The good news is that all costs and processes are included in the Ammonite Manaslu circuit trek packages.
Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
Purpose: Required to enter the restricted area from Jagat and Dharapani
Cost:
- USD 100 per person for the first 7 days (September - November)
- USD 75 per person for the first 7 days (December - August)
- USD 15 per person for each additional day after the first 7 days (any season)
Where to Process: A registered trekking agency or Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu
Important Notes:
- Required for all trekkers
- The application must be done in advance
- You cannot apply as a solo trekker - must have at least 2 other trekkers, plus a licensed guide.
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
- Purpose of Permit: Your payment for the MCAP will assist with your financial commitment to the environment, as money goes toward environmental conservation for that area of Manaslu.
- Cost of Permit: NPR 3,000 per person (USD 23 - 25)
- Where to Obtain Permit: The MCAP can be obtained at the Nepal Tourism Board office or through a trekking agency.
- Coverage of Permit: The entire Manaslu area, including Tsum Valley.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Purpose of Permit: Required as we will be passing through a small part of the Annapurna Conservation Area.
- Cost of Permit.: NPR 3,000 per person (USD 23 - 25)
- Where to Obtain: The ACAP can be obtained at the Nepal Tourism Board office or a trekking agency.
- Coverage of Permit: Only the Annapurna region is part of the trek after you cross the Larkya La Pass.
Chumnubri Rural Municipality
- Purpose of Permit: They use this money to keep the trails safe, clean up trash, build water supplies and shelters, train locals and improve the services for visitors and locals.
- Cost of Permit: NPR 1000 per person for foreign visitors, and Nepali visitors pay NPR 200
- Where to Obtain: Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.
- Coverage of Permit: Covers parts of the Gorkha District, and the municipality office is in Sirdibas.
Meals Facility Manaslu Trail
The Manaslu Circuit Trek offers a well-rounded and healthy dining experience that combines local flavour with the nutritional requirements of trekkers. Although choices may be less extensive than those offered in larger cities, meals provide the sustenance necessary for the demanding trip.
Throughout your trek, you will dine on breakfasts, lunches and dinners tailored to provide fuel and nourishment. And during your short hikes around the Manaslu, you will be provided with the packed meals. Meal plans highlight an abundance of fresh vegetables and proper hydration necessary to keep healthy at high altitudes.
Electricity
Electricity is available along the Manaslu Circuit Trek, though not at all places. Expect varying reliability the higher you trek, with solar energy substituted on some of the higher parts of this trek.
There are no electrical facilities at Dharmasala’s teahouse lodges, and trekkers will have to pay for charging their batteries and other electronic devices, hot showers, and heating systems with stoves (if required).
The going rate for charging electronic devices is from Rs. 300 – Rs. 700 per hour, depending on the location/ altitude of the teahouse lodge. Do not expect consistent electricity or rely solely upon it during your Manaslu trek either.
Money Exchange | USD, Pound to NPR
Dollar and Pound rates fluctuate daily. Kathmandu has a number of money exchange centres, especially in Thamel, providing you with multiple options.
Airport exchanges might have a little higher rate, but travelers can convert easily. But for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, trekkers need to carry Nepali rupees as most of the teahouses and hotels accept only Nepali currency. Keep in mind and prepare enough cash earlier to buy items en route to avoid any problems and ensure good transactions in remote mountains.
Communication on Manaslu Circuit Trek
Communication facilities in the Manaslu Circuit Trek are of a good standard. The teahouse provides telephone service for calling purposes to your near and dears, but you have to pay a few more pennies. Mobile cellular works through a network provided by NTC in most places, with Wi-Fi internet available at several points.
As the elevation increases, the mobile network connection and Wi-Fi reliability decrease, but you can still contact your family and friends on social media.
It is recommended that you buy a Nepali SIM card in Kathmandu itself, for which you require two passport-size photos and a passport copy beforehand, as it might be difficult once you trek to a higher and remote region.
Preparation for Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Physical Fitness Training: You should acclimatize your body for altitude trekking through a period of dedicated cardio (exercise hiking, jogging, or cycling), strength fitness, and endurance fitness for at least 6–8 weeks prior to the trek.
- Altitude Acclimatization Planning: If possible, undertake both shorter and higher altitude hiking prior to your trek, to get your breathing and body acclimatized, and help reduce your chances of altitude sickness.
- Obtain Required Permits: You will need to apply for a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), a Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). You absolutely must have a registered guide accompanying you.
- Pack Appropriate Trekking Equipment: A layer system of clothing, a warm sleeping bag, a down jacket, trekking boots, trekking poles, a headlamp, gloves, sunglasses, and a good backpack should suffice in preparation for your upcoming trip.
- Hire a Registered Porter: A porter will help lessen the burden of your heavier pack, but also ease the process of your trek.
- Trip Insurance with High-Altitude Coverage: Travel insurance should cover trekking over 5,000 meters and cover emergency evacuation (i.e., helicopter rescue).
- Mentally Prepare: The trek is remote and physically challenging; get your head around the fact that you are about to experience basic amenities, long days of walking, and variable weather conditions.
- Practice Packing Light: Aim for your bag to weigh less than 9-10 kg. Just the essentials: the more you carry, the more you will fatigue yourself and your energy systems.
Read the Full guide on Preparation For The Manaslu Circuit Trek
Trekking group or solo
Whether you are traveling alone or in a group, the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek is available as a private and group adventure. If you are able to go with your group, there are great group discounts with greater discounts with larger groups. These group discounts don't apply when Ammonite Adventure organizes the group.
We can accommodate groups of any size, and we will assign an assistant guide to any group with 12 or more trekkers. We will provide each pair of trekkers with a porter, and trekkers will be limited to 9 kg of luggage.
Extra personal expenses on trekking
Most of the costs related to everything during the Short Manaslu Circuit trek package are covered. While we cover most of the costs, there are certain costs that we don’t. For example, meals and accommodation in Kathmandu are entirely up to our clients. You can find any kind of hotel/lodge, luxury and budget, in Kathmandu, and clients can book online.
All of our clients should bring some personal spending money for accommodation and food costs in Kathmandu, visa process, purchase of travel insurance policy, snacks and hot (tea/coffee) and cold drinks, tips for the crew members, souvenirs, etc. We recommend bringing cash (major currencies), as the currency can only be exchanged in Kathmandu or in Nepal for Nepali Rupees. The trekking regions will only accept Nepali currency.
Booking and Payment Process
Ammonite Adventure is a registered trekking agency bonded by the Nepal Government, members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN), and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), so you are in good hands in booking with us. To secure the trek, you will put down a 10% advance by bank transfer, Western Union, or even online.
You can pay the balance payment in Nepal with cash, credit card, or transfer. Once you have made the booking, you will need to email them a copy of your passport, which can include dependent children, photos, travel insurance, and flight details in a week.
Last-minute booking
We do accept last-minute bookings for the Short Manaslu Circuit. You must pay for the trip in full 24 hours before the start of the trek. Although we try to run treks at any time, last-minute bookings will face challenges in confirmed flights and weather.
Trip extension
If you would like to stay on for a few more days after the trek, we have the chance to organize trips. You can opt for many activities like Kathmandu or jungle safaris, or other activities like paragliding, rafting, or canoeing.
Feedback
After the Short Manaslu Circuit trek, there will be a farewell dinner in Kathmandu organized by Ammonite Adventure. A printed certificate will be given to you, and you will have the chance to give feedback on the trek.
