Manaslu Circuit Trek 2026: Permits, Cost & Complete Route Guide

Manaslu — "Mountain of the Spirit" in Sanskrit — is the world's eighth-highest peak at 8,163 metres, and the circuit wrapping its base stayed closed to foreign trekkers until 1992. Three decades on, it remains the benchmark by which serious trekkers measure themselves against Nepal's quieter, harder trails. This is the 2026 guide our guides actually use: permits, the new solo rule, route, the Larkya La pass, and honest costs.

Quick answer

You still need a licensed guide — by law, enforced at checkpoints. Manaslu is a restricted area; no exceptions, even for solo trekkers.
The two-person minimum is gone — on 22 March 2026 Nepal's Department of Immigration removed the old "minimum two foreigners" rule. Solo trekkers can now obtain a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit individually (a guide is still mandatory).
Three permits: Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for the exit valley — roughly USD $130–$240 depending on season and days.
Guided, all-inclusive packages run about $1,800–$2,800 for a 13–16 day circuit.
Fewer than 5,000 trekkers a year share 180+ km of trail. If Annapurna is Nepal's great trek, Manaslu is its serious one.

Max altitude5,160 m (Larkya La)

Duration13–18 days

PermitsRAP + MCAP + ACAP

GuideMandatory by law

Why Choose Manaslu Over Annapurna?

The numbers tell the story plainly. The Annapurna Circuit receives more than 180,000 trekkers per year. The Manaslu Circuit receives fewer than 5,000. That is not a rounding error — it is a different category of experience. The Budi Gandaki River gorge that defines the lower route has never been widened for tourist infrastructure. The villages of Samagaon and Samdo sit in a valley so high and remote that the ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture there has remained largely undiluted by the twenty-first century. Larkya La, the 5,160-metre pass that is the circuit's crowning challenge, is crossed in the dark before dawn by headlamp — which is part of what makes it unforgettable. For the wider regional picture, see our Manaslu region guide.

Permits Required in 2026

Manaslu's restricted-area status means you cannot walk this route without paperwork — and a licensed guide. There is no exception to this rule. The permit stack:

Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) — September–November (peak): USD $100 per person for the first 7 days, then USD $15 per person per day. December–August: USD $75 for the first 7 days, then USD $10 per day. A standard 13-day circuit spends roughly 7–8 days inside the restricted zone, so budget about $100–$115 (low season) to $130–$145 (peak).
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) — USD $30 per person, flat, regardless of duration.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) — NPR 3,000 (about USD $23). You enter the Annapurna conservation area when the circuit descends past Dharapani into the Marsyangdi valley, so this is required on the exit.
Licensed guide — mandatory by law and checked at the Jagat and Sama checkpoints.

2026 rule change

On 22 March 2026, Nepal's Department of Immigration removed the long-standing rule requiring a minimum of two foreign trekkers before a Manaslu RAP could be issued. Solo trekkers can now apply individually. The catch that has not changed: a licensed guide remains legally mandatory and is verified at checkpoints — "solo" here means you no longer need a second paying trekker, not that you can walk alone. See the Department of Immigration for the official restricted-area framework.

TIMS note

Older guides list a TIMS card for Manaslu. In practice, when you hold a restricted-area permit you do not separately need a TIMS card for the restricted section — the RAP supersedes it. We handle whichever paperwork the current checkpoints require, so you never get turned back at Jagat.

Permits are issued in Kathmandu through a registered trekking agency — you cannot obtain them at the trailhead or apply for the RAP as an unguided individual. Budget 1–2 days in Kathmandu for processing before your trek begins. For how Nepal's permit system works across regions, see our permits hub; first-time visitors should also read the Nepal visa guide.

Route Overview

The Manaslu Circuit typically takes 13 to 18 days depending on pace and acclimatisation. The classic route runs:

Lower gorge

Soti Khola (730 m) → Machha Khola → Jagat → Deng → Namrung. Lush and warm — rhododendron, bamboo, suspension bridges over the Budi Gandaki.

High valley

Lho → Samagaon (3,530 m) → Samdo (3,875 m). First views of Manaslu's south face; mandatory acclimatisation days and side hikes toward the Tibetan border.

The pass

Dharamsala / Larkya Phedi (4,460 m) → Larkya La (5,160 m). Pre-dawn start, the crux of the entire trek.

Descent

Bimthang → Tilje → Dharapani, dropping into the Marsyangdi valley where the trail joins the Annapurna Circuit.

Many trekkers extend the itinerary to include the Tsum Valley — a hidden Himalayan sanctuary to the northeast, equally restricted, equally magnificent. Ask us about combined Manaslu–Tsum Valley itineraries.

The Larkya La Pass

Larkya La at 5,160 metres is the highest point of the circuit and its defining moment. What to expect and prepare for:

Departure time: 2:00–3:00 am from Dharamsala. Starting late is a mistake most people make only once.
Duration: 6–8 hours from Dharamsala to Bimthang, including the pass crossing.
Conditions: sub-zero even in October, often −10°C to −15°C at the pass in pre-dawn hours; wind can be severe.
What to prepare: down jacket rated to −20°C minimum; warm gloves and balaclava; headlamp with fresh batteries; trekking poles (icy ground); high-energy snacks, as Dharamsala lodges serve very limited food.

Acclimatise — do not rush

Do not shorten the days at Samagaon and Samdo. The pass crossing is not technically difficult, but altitude sickness at 5,000+ metres in pre-dawn cold is dangerous. Know the warning signs before you go — read our altitude sickness prevention and treatment guide. Our guides have crossed Larkya La over 50 times collectively and know which slopes hold ice in October and where the wind drops.

Cost Breakdown

Manaslu is not the budget trek of Nepal. It is worth every dollar, but plan accordingly.

Item	Cost (2026)	Notes
Permits (RAP + MCAP + ACAP)	$130–$240	Season- and duration-dependent
Licensed guide	$25–$35/day	Mandatory; included in our packages
Porter	$18–$22/day	Strongly recommended above Samagaon
Accommodation	$8–$15/night	Basic above Samagaon
Food	$20–$30/day	Prices climb with altitude
Transport	$80–$120 each way	Private jeep Kathmandu–Soti Khola
Guided, all-inclusive	$1,800–$2,800	13–16 day circuit

This costs more than the Annapurna Circuit. The restricted-area permits, mandatory guide, and logistically complex jeep access are the main drivers. Compare it against what you get: fewer than 5,000 trekkers a year sharing 180+ km of trail.

Getting There

The trailhead at Soti Khola is 175 km northwest of Kathmandu — theoretically close, practically a significant journey. The road after Arughat deteriorates into rough jeep track; expect 9–10 hours from Kathmandu to Soti Khola in a 4WD. This is not a gentle start. We strongly recommend arriving in Soti Khola the afternoon before your first walking day, not on the morning of it. Our packages include private jeep transfers both ways.

Teahouses & What to Bring

Sleeping bag: bring your own rated to −15°C minimum. Do not assume lodge blankets at Dharamsala will be enough.
Solar charger or power bank: electricity is solar-generated above Samagaon and unreliable; charging may not be available.
Cash: no ATMs after Arughat. Carry enough Nepali rupees for the whole trek (food, tips, extras).
Connectivity: Ncell signal exists at Samagaon; expect none elsewhere above the lower gorge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit solo in 2026?

You can now apply for the Restricted Area Permit individually — the two-person minimum was removed on 22 March 2026. But you cannot walk it alone: a licensed guide is mandatory by law and checked at the Jagat and Sama checkpoints. "Solo" means you no longer need a second paying trekker, not that you can go unguided.

How much do Manaslu permits cost in 2026?

Expect roughly USD $130–$240 in total. The RAP is $100 for the first 7 days (Sep–Nov) or $75 (Dec–Aug), plus a per-day fee after a week; MCAP is a flat $30; and ACAP for the exit valley is about $23 (NPR 3,000). Our guided packages include all of them.

Do I still need a TIMS card?

No — when you hold a restricted-area permit, you do not separately need a TIMS card for the Manaslu restricted section. We sort the exact current paperwork so you are never turned back at a checkpoint.

How hard is the Larkya La pass?

It is high (5,160 m) and cold rather than technical. With proper acclimatisation at Samagaon and Samdo, a pre-dawn start, and the right gear, fit trekkers cross it safely. The real risk is altitude, not difficulty.

When is the best time to trek Manaslu?

October–November (clearest skies, busiest) and March–April (rhododendron, slightly fewer people). Winter buries Larkya La in snow and the monsoon makes the lower gorge slippery. See our best time to trek Nepal 2026 guide.

How many days do I need?

13 days is the standard circuit. Add 2–4 days for the Tsum Valley extension or extra acclimatisation. Rushing the high valley to save days is the most common cause of altitude problems.

Plan your 2026 Manaslu Circuit with NMA-certified guides

We have guided this valley since 2004. Our 14-day package includes all restricted-area permits (RAP, MCAP, ACAP), a licensed NMA guide, private jeep transfers both ways, teahouse accommodation, and Kathmandu nights. Permits need advance processing — the earlier you reach out, the smoother your departure.

View the 14-day Manaslu Circuit →

Prefer to weigh your options first? Browse our full trek collection or read the wider Manaslu region guide before you commit.

Featured image: MITESHSTHA via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Calculate your exact permit cost

Use our free Nepal permit cost calculator for the 2026 total in NPR and USD, or read the full Manaslu permit guide.