"Hike in the isolated Manaslu region and enjoy nature to its fullest for nine days on our 14-day Manaslu circuit trek. Explore the bustle of Kathmandu and rejuvenate your soul in the mountains. Enjoy a perfect amalgamation of adventure and cultural experience."
Why the Manaslu Circuit is different from every other trek in Nepal
Ten thousand trekkers walk the Manaslu Circuit each year. Everest Base Camp sees four times that number every season. This difference is not a marketing point — it is the reason the Manaslu trail still feels like what Nepal's mountains used to feel like before trekking became an industry.
The villages in the upper circuit — Samagaon, Samdo, Lho — are not organised around your visit. The people who live there are farmers, herders, and monks whose daily life continues with or without trekkers passing through. The Tibetan-Nepali cultural crossover that centuries of trade route history created in these communities is entirely intact. The monasteries are ancient and active. The yaks plough the fields as they always have.
Solo trekkers can now do this circuit. As of March 22, 2026, Nepal's Department of Immigration removed the two-person permit requirement for restricted area treks. One person, one permit, one licensed guide — that is now all that is required.
What has not changed is the trail itself. The Larkya La Pass at 5,106 metres is the high point of the circuit and the most demanding single day of walking in our entire Nepal portfolio. You cross it starting at 3 am. You descend 1,400 metres to Bhimthang. It is hard, and it is worth every step.
If you have done Everest Base Camp and want to understand what Nepal's mountains feel like off the main tourist circuit, this is the trek you are looking for.
Manaslu Circuit Trek: Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Manaslu Circuit trek is the season of Spring(March to May) and Autumn(September to December).
The clear skies, Stable weather, warm days, and somehow chilly nights of spring make up for most of the time during this journey. Making you experience both the heat and the cold. The landscapes are filled with lush green forests and blooming rhododendrons painted in various colours.
The Crystal clear skies, stunning views of mountains, and delightful temperatures with warm days and mild nights will be the attraction in Autumn. Trails void of snow and landscaped, painted in vibrant autumn colours, make the adventure easier and more memorable.
Still, the best time to visit is what you wish for. If you are up for the challenge, you can visit at the time of monsoon or summer as well.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits
For this hike, you’ll pass by the Annapurna Conservation Area and the Manaslu Conservation Area. As such, you will need to have the requirements for the permits.
Permits
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit: This permit gives you access to the Annapurna Conservation Area, this area is a protected place for various flora and fauna.
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit: This permit gives you access to the Manaslu Conservation Area. This place is a sanctuary created to protect the thriving, diverse plant and animal communities.
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit: Visiting Manaslu, a protected area, requires a special permit called MRAP. You can get yours in Kathmandu with a registered trekking agency, i.e Himalayan Scenery Trek, but remember, the price depends on your choice of the season.
- Permit Fees During Autumn (September - November): $100 per person, with an extra $15 per day price if you choose to stay beyond 7 days.
- Permit Fees During Winter (December - August): $75 grants access for the first week, followed by a $10 fee daily for extending your stay.
Check more details about the Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits
Manaslu Circuit Trek: Is it right for me?
If you are physically and mentally ready, then no doubt that the Manaslu Circuit Trek is right for you. This is the kind of trip that will make you want to do this again and again. So, this isn’t a question you should dwell on.
On this trip, you will go up to an altitude of 5,106 meters in the Larke Pass. However, this altitude is not so hard and is technically difficult to reach. With simple and gradual walks for 10 days, you can complete this trip. There have been fewer records of altitude sickness in this region, too. This is because even if you go above 5,000 meters here, the terrain is not so difficult.
But make sure that you stay hydrated and ready for an adventure in the Western Himalayas of Nepal. The Manaslu Giant will keep staring at you the whole time of the trip, which is always a blessing for you.
Also, keep in mind that this is a less-explored hiking expedition in Nepal at reasonable expenses, so it can be the right fit for budget travellers.
What makes trekking Manaslu with HST different
Our guides are briefed on every client before the trek begins. They know your pace, your dietary preferences, and what you told our team when you booked. They carry that information silently and act on it without being asked.
On the acclimatisation day in Samagaon, most operators arrange a hike to Manaslu Base Camp or Birendra Lake and call it done. We go further. We use rest days to connect you properly with the places you are walking through — a visit to Ribung Gompa or Pungyen Gompa with context, not just a walk-through. An introduction to the monastery community when the timing is right.
The flexibility of the Manaslu itinerary is something we treat as a feature, not a logistical inconvenience. Days can be extended, pace can be adjusted, and rest days added. The mountain is not going anywhere, and neither are we.
