Manaslu Circuit Trek Map

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a two-week-long adventure in Nepal’s Himalayas that goes around the eighth-highest mountain peak in the world, Mount Manaslu. Opened to trekkers in 1992, the route is less crowded than the other well-known Everest and Annapurna treks. Still, the Manaslu trek is gaining popularity yearly for its raw beauty, peaceful trails, and personal experience with the Himalayas.

The journey to the Manaslu Circuit is a moderate-to-strenuous trek that starts with a drive to Machhakhola and ends in Besisahar, taking in the exciting Larkya La Pass (5,106 m) also called Larke Bhanjyang . Although the trek doesn’t involve any technical climbing skills, it does require a good fitness level, and having previous trekking experience is helpful. This is because the trek takes you through varied terrain, long trekking days, challenging passes, and continuous elevation gain.

The trek to the Manaslu Circuit is stunning because it takes place within Manaslu Conservation Area, a protected mountain region with 11 distinct forest types ranging from lowland sal and pine forests to high alpine meadows and glaciers. Likewise, the protected area is home to 33 species of mammals and shelters over 110 bird species and 2000 species of flowering plants. Besides, it’s home to about 9,000 residents, primarily of Gurung, Tamang, Tsumba, and Nubri-Tibetan ethnic groups. Thus, the trek lets you experience Buddhist culture and its traditions throughout the adventure.

One unique aspect of the Manaslu treks is that it borders Tibet. Therefore, trekking in this region requires a restricted area permit, along with the MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Permit), ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit), and Chumnubri Rural Municipality Entry Permit. Also, trekking in the region requires you to be accompanied by a licensed guide through a registered trekking agency.

The best trekking time for the Manaslu Circuit is March-May (spring) and September-November (autumn), when skies are clear, and Larkya La is most reliably open and safe to cross. The major highlights of the trek involve walking along the Budhi Gandaki River gorge while enjoying views of Mount Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Himlung Himal, and Annapurna II. Manaslu Circuit trek is a 14-day moderate trek starting with a drive to Machha Khola, highlighting Larkya La Pass (5,106 m) at just $746.

The Manaslu Circuit with Serang Gompa Trek is a 15-day journey through the restricted trails of the Gorkha District and stands as a quieter alternative to Nepal’s commercial Himalayan routes. The route encircles Mount Manaslu (8,163 M), the world’s eighth-highest peak, and passes through a wide range of landscapes. At lower elevations, dense subtropical forests and waterfalls line the Budhi Gandaki River, while alpine terrain and glacial moraines dominate the approach to Larkya La Pass (5,160 M). The trail crosses Gurung and Tibetan-origin villages where architecture, customs, and daily life reflect long-preserved Himalayan traditions.

This itinerary gains its distinct character through its spiritual extension into Kyimolung Beyul, known as the “Hidden Valley of Happiness,” with a visit to the sacred Serang Gompa at 3,100 M. Blessed by Guru Rinpoche, the 500-year-old monastery remains an active center of Tibetan Buddhist practice in the Nubri region. The journey includes an overnight stay at the monastery, where trekkers observe rituals, practice meditation, and experience monastic life. This extension adds cultural depth and spiritual meaning to a demanding high-altitude trek.