Manaslu Circuit Trek from Pokhara

Day	Acitivity
Day 1	Drive from Pokhara to Macha Khola (870M)
Day 2	Trek from Macha khola to Jagat (1300M)
Day 3	Trek from Jagat to Nyak (2320M)
Day 4	Trek from Nyak to Namrung (2660M)
Day 5	Trek from Namrung to Shyala (3520M)
Day 6	Trek from Shyala to Samagaun (3800M)
Day 7	Trek from Samagaun to Samdo (3875M)
Day 8	Trek from Samdo to Dharamsahala (4460M)
Day 9	Trek from Dharamshala to Bhimtang via Larkya La Pass (5106M)
Day 10	Trek from Bhimtang to Dharapani (1960M)
Day 11	Drive from from Dharapani to Pokhara (822M)

Overview And Highlights

The Manaslu Circuit trek from Pokhara is the trekking itinerary designed for trekkers who are already in Pokhara and thinking of doing the Manaslu Circuit which is a circuit trek as the name says we will do the complete round of the Manaslu peaks by crossing one of the highest passes which is Larkya la pass situated at an altitude of 5106 meter which is around 16,752 Ft above the ground or sea level. The Manaslu Circuit trek takes you to a variety of landscapes and territories. Unlike other treks, you will trek to the ancient stone house villages, and monasteries along the awesome views of the Majestic Manaslu peak situated at an altitude of 8,163 meters above sea level, which is also the 8th highest mountain peak in Nepal.

Manaslu region is a sacred place for the Buddhists as it is believed ato a hidden valley which is located in Tsum Valley in the region itself. Buddhist monks and followers visit this place and meditate along the backdrop of the Himalayas. Manaslu is home to a variety of flora and fauna. You will see different kinds of birds, animals, and forests. The region looks beautiful and peaceful as your trek starts from the dense forests of pine and rhododendrons. You will be passing through the water streams that come from the melted glaciers of the Manaslu peaks. Along the trail, you will witness the rivers and water streams. You will pass through charming villages like Namrung, Deng, Samagaun, and Samdo which are known for their pristine beauty and untouched and unexplored places.

Starting from Macha Khola to Larkya la pass and ending in Dharapani every place you visit is worthy and new destions itself. People from all over the world come to trek here although it is not known by many. When people come to trek in Nepal they think of Everest and Annapurna base camp only but there are other unexplored places like Manaslu which gives the same vibe and views of the mountains. Starting from Pokhara and ending in Dharapani everything is worthy and smooth transitions between the hustling and bustling city to the remote wilderness of nature. You will be starting your trek from Macha Khola and trekking via many beautiful small settlements through the trials.

Highlights of Manaslu Circuit Trek from Pokhara

Witness the spectacular views of the Manaslu and its surrounding peaks standing at an elevation of 8163 meters.
Cross through one of the highest passes in the Nepal and world known as the Larkya la pass
Witness the less explored trekking trials of Nepal
Pass through the remote villages
Passing through the mani walls and monasteries
Cross through the diverse landscapes of subtropical to tropical forests
Pass through the Manaslu Conservation Area which is one of the largest protective areas in Nepal
Visit the Pungyen Gompa and Birendra Lake
Pass via old wooden and newly swinging bridges
Explore the authentic local foods along the trek

Why trek the Manaslu Circuit trek from Pokhara?

Trekking the Manaslu circuit from Pokhara is a unique trekking experience in Nepal in the place of the Tibetan villages and the peaceful environment. Pokhara Valley is far from the Manaslu region as it's 70km from Pokhara making it easy access for the trekkers who are staying in Pokhara. But the starting point is around 170km away as you will start from Arughat of Dhading Besi which is the last destination before reaching Kathmandu. If you are starting from Pokhara then along the Manaslu circuit trek you can combine other treks like the Annapurna base camp trek, and the Annapurna circuit trek as well. After reaching the Dharapani you can trek to the Annapurna circuit crossing the Thorong la pass. If you start your trek from Pokhara then the costs are also on the lower side compared to starting from Kathmandu valley. You will drive to Jagat or Macah Khola and start the trek through the different local and ancient villages that are the heart of the Manaslu. You will explore different kinds of foods and cuisines during the trek. The local people who live alongside the trails are welcoming in nature and trekkers feel safe and secure while trekking. You can explore the local festivals and rituals of the local people. You can witness the local lifestyle of the mountain people. Trekking through the region allows you to witness the raw beauty of nature from greenery to the alpine meadows and the high-altitude deserts.

How to Get to the Manaslu Circuit Trek Starting Point from Pokhara?

Reaching the Manaslu circuit trek starting point from Pokhara offers different ways. Let's discuss each in detail:

Reaching by Public Vehicle

The first method to reach the starting point of the Manaslu circuit trek is by taking a public bus from Pokhara Prithvi Chowk. The bus usually departs from the bus park after 20/20 mins. As you will not get the direct bus from Pokhara to Jagat or Macha Khola you will need to take a bus from Pokhara to Arughat in Dhading which is along the Main highway. After reaching Arughat you will need to take another bus from Arughat to Macha Khola or Jagat according to your preference and you can start your trek. The cost from Pokhara to Arughat is around Nprs. 1000 by public bus. The cost from Arughat to Jagat or Macha Khola is around Nprs. 400. The time taken from Pokhara to Arughat is 6 hours and from Arughat to Jagat is around 4 hours via the rough roads of the region.

Reaching by Renting a private vehicle

Another way to reach the Manaslu circuit trek starting point from Pokhara is to rent a private vehicle like a Scorpio or Jeep. The road conditions from Pokhara to Arughat are well paved but from Arughat to Jagat and Macha Khola are roads and bumpy roads making it difficult to travel. When renting a vehicle opt for the 4WD vehicle or the SUVS which will be comfortable and spacious for you to travel. The time taken from Pokhara to Arughat is around 4 hours and Arughat to Jagat or Macha Khola is around 2 hours. The cost is usually 150 USD to 180 USD from Pokhara per vehicle with driver and petrol. In Nepal, there is no service for self-driving in renting vehicles. You can divide the costs if you have a group or you can ask the renting companies to keep you in the group who are trekking in Manaslu base camp or Tsum valley of the region. As all the trekking starting is the same.

Permits required for Manaslu Circuit Trek

Three permits are required for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The permits are the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit also known as ACAP, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit which is known as the MCAP, and the Restricted Area Permit which is known as the RAP. You will not require a TIMS Card which is Trekkers information Management System if you are getting RAP. All these permits are important to show when asked. Let's discuss in detail these permits in:

Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (MCAP)

The first and foremost permit required for the Manaslu Circuit Trek is Restricted Area Permit which is known as RAP. As you will be starting your trek from Pokhara you can get the permits In the Torusim Board office of Pokhara which is on the lake side. You can simply visit the office fill out the forms and get the permit. The permit costs vary according to the seasons you are trekking. If you are trekking in peak seasons like Autumn and Spring then the cost is 100 USD first week and then 15 USD per person per day. But if you are trekking in the off-season like August to December then the cost is 75 USD first week and 10 USD each day.

Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)

Another permit required for the Manaslu circuit trek is the Manaslu Conservation Area permit( MCAP) which is required to enter the Manaslu Conservation Area of Nepal. You can get this permit also in the lakeside. The cost of the permits is 21 USD which is Npr. 3000 for foreigners and Npr 1000 for the SAARC nationals. However the dollar prices changes but the NPR. 3000 is fixed so please check the dollar amount according to the time you are taking permits.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

Another permit required for the Manaslu Circuit Trek is the Annapurna Conservation Area permit (ACAP) which is required when entering the Annapurna region of Nepal. As the Annapurna and Manaslu region, some trekking places overlap each other. You will get this permit from the Tourism Board office in Nepal on the lakeside itself. The cost is Npr.3000 per person for foreign nationals. And NPR. 1000 per person for SAARC nationals. You can get all these permits physically in the tourism board office or you can apply for the permit by yourself as well at: https://epermit.ntnc.org.np/

Documents required to obtain the MCAP, RAP, AND ACAP permits

Documents required to obtain the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (MRAP), and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) are:

Valid passport of 6 months date
Valid Nepal visa
2 Passport size photos
Itinerary and trekking details
Travel Insurance (optional)

Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost from Pokhara

Manaslu Circuit Trek costs from Pokhara depend upon the permits, transportation, accommodations, food and drinks, guides and porters, travel insurance, and gear rentals. Let's discuss each in detail:

Permits

As we discussed above the permits costs are 100 USD for 1 week and 15 USD each day in the peak seasons so according to that the permit costs for 12 days will be 175 USD + Npr. 6000 as the 3000 NPRs is fixed and the dollar amount always fluctuates. If you are trekking in off seasons then the cost of 12 days will be 125 USD + Nprs. 6000.

Transportation

If you are using a public vehicle from Pokhara to Arughat and to Jagat and Macha Khola then it's around Nprs. 1000 which is around 7.2 USD at present time. But if you are taking a private vehicle then the costs will be of Nprs. 20,000 to 25,000 which is 180 USD. Per vehicle for return also you will need to pay around the same amount so the costs is Nprs. 50,000 for transportation which is 360 USD.

Foods and Drinks

The costs of food and drinks vary according to the place. The lower altitude has lower prices and the higher altitude shaves the higher prices because they need to take the logistics by porter or donkeys making everything costly. So if you eat foods for Nprs. 1000 for lunch, Nprs. 1000 for brunch and Nprs. 1000 for the Dinner then the cost will be NPRS. 3000 per day. The drinks are expensive during the trek so please avoid them. You can fill the regular water from the taps and purify it using the purifying tablets to avoid costly packaged water bottles during the trek.

Accommodations

The accommodation costs depend upon the place you are staying and the services you are taking while stay. The regular cost for tea houses is around Nprs. 1000 but if you take wifi services, hot shower services, and electricity charge services then it can fluctuate up to Nprs. 2000 depending upon the tea houses.

Guides and Porter

As you know the Manaslu Circuit trek lies in the Mansu Conservation Area due to which there is no facility for trekking alone you will need to hire a guide. The non-English-speaking guide will cost you around Nprs. 30 USD in peak seasons and 20 USD in off seasons. Per day. The porter is also recommended if you have heavy loads during the trek if not then the porter is optional. However, the porter also charges USD 30 per 20kg weight per day.

Travel Insurance

Another cost is travel insurance. It is suggested to bring travel insurance from your home country In order to avoid any kinds delays during the emergency evacuations. Make sure to take the coverage of high altitude vacations you will be taking to the maximum altitude of 5136m height. The travel insurance is around 100 USD.

Gear rentals

Another cost required for trekking is gear rentals As you will be renting the gear according to the seasons the prices may falctuate. However, you can take 1 USD to 10 USD per item if taken from the Pokhara. You can also buy some items which you require and rent some. Hwoever some basic equipments like sleepings bags, trekking poles are given by the company.

The total costs are around 1000 USD to 2000 USD depending upon all the factors which we have discussed above. If you are trekking alone with a guide then the costs may be higher but if you are trekking with travel agencies and joining groups then costs may be a little lower on the side.

Best time to visit Manaslu Circuit Trek

The best time to visit the Manaslu circuit trek is during the months of spring and autumn which are March to May and September to November. During this time the skies are clear and it gives the unobstructed views of the Mountain peaks. During this time the landscapes are also clean and green giving the trekkers a peaceful environment. You can also trek in the month of winter if you want to witness the snow wonderland of the Manaslu Circuit trek. You can trek in the monsoon if you like the rain and the environment during that time. You can read in detail the best time to visit the Manaslu circuit trek according to the month. Please check below;

Each month has something unique and the environment and weather conditions are different.

Packing list for the Manaslu circuit trek from Pokhara

The packing list for the Manaslu circuit trek depends upon the seasons you are choosing to trek. Like if you are trekking in peak seasons you might need fewer packing lists but if you are trekking in the off seasons then you will pack according. Sometimes lists are are same and and sometimes are different according to the seasons. You can read our packing list for Manaslu Circuit trek blogs in detail. However, in addition to this carry the required documents and permits. You will also need to pack cash as there is no facility for swiping at an ATM. You can pack the gear like Base layers: quick-dry shirts, thermal tops, trekking pants, thermal bottoms,

Insulation layers: fleece jacket, down jacket,

Outer shell layers: waterproof jacket, waterproof trekking pants,

Food

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Tea House

Elevation

5106

Day 10

Trek from Bhimtang to Dharapani

We will trek to Dharapani, the beautiful starting point of the Annapurna circuit trek. We will decide which trek is easy and we can do the trek easily. We will be having lunch on the way and on arrival we will relax and interact with fellow travelers who are doing the Annapurna region trek. We will enjoy the local authentic lunch and dinner here and we will relax.

Food

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Tea House

Elevation

1960

Day 11

Drive from from Dharapani to Pokhara

Early in the morning, we will have breakfast and start our drive to Pokhara. Pokhara is a starting point from where we picked you up. We will drop you to your hotel and as a sweet gesture, we invite you for a farewell dinner in the evening with our Adventure Vision Treks Owner My. Jiban Thapaliya if he is available if not in case our one representative will be hosting the dinner and will be pleased to offer you other trek in Nepal. You can trek to other regions as well like the Annapurna base camp trek from Pokhara, or you can visit Muktinath temple or you can do any other tours or adventure activities with us like Paragliding, Rafting, Bunjee Jump.

Food

Breakfast and Dinner

Elevation

822

What Is Included ?

Hotel Pickup and Drop
All required permits like MCAP, RAP, and ACAP
Fluent English Speaking guide
Sleeping Bags
Trekking Poles
3 times meals during the trek
Twin-based sharing accommodations during the trek
First aid and Safety kit
Porter with a 25 kg limit per person
All applicable local and governmental taxes

What's Not Included?

International flights
Stay in Pokhara
Gears required during the trek except for Trekking poles and Sleeping bags
Snacks, beverages, and bottled water.
Hot showers, battery charging, WiFi (available at some teahouses for an extra fee).
Souvenirs, donations, or additional activities
Travel and high-altitude insurance (compulsory)
Helicopter evacuation or medical treatment if required
Tips for guide and porter (recommended but not mandatory)

Manaslu Circuit Trek from Pokhara - 11 Days Map

Route map of Manaslu Circuit Trek from Pokhara - 11 Days

Manaslu Circuit Trek from Pokhara - 11 Days Altitude Chart

FAQs

To reach Manaslu from Pokhara you can take a public bus from the Prithvi Chowk to Arughat and take another vehicle to reach the Manaslu. If you want a hassle free journey you can rent a private vehicle from Pokhara to Manaslu.

Manaslu circuit trek usually takes 10 to 15 days depending upon your acclimatization and side trips that you will be having during the trek.

Manaslu Circuit trek difficulty is from moderate to hard as you will be crossing the Larkya la pass at an altitude of the 5106 meter which is hard and difficult.

Manaslu Circuit Trek is the most scenic trek in Nepal as it offers the beautiful 360 views of the Manaslu peak and it also offers the awesome experience of trekking from lush green dense forests to the beautiful monasteries and mani wallas.

No, It is not safe to trek alone in Manaslu as it’s a conservation Area and there might be attack of wild animals In any place. Always trek in Manaslu with a guide.

No, a begineer cannot climb Manaslu as it’s the 8th highest peak with an altitude of 8163 meter and as you reach above 8000 meter then you will have difficulty to breathe and summit. You will need prior experience of summit before climbing the Manaslu.

Annapurna circuit trek and Manaslu circuit trek both offers the beautiful trekking experience in the Manaslu and Annapurna region. The preference depends upon your choice.

Yes, you will need a guide for Manaslu Cirucit trek as it’s a conservation area you will not be allowed to enter the conservation area without a licensed guide.

You can prepare for the Manaslu criucit terk by trekking in the other regions first like Langtang valley, you can have the hiking experience, you can do the walking and cycling exerices. After that pack your bags lighty and smartly. You can check our blog how to prepare for high altitude treks.

The Manaslu circuit trek package costs depends upon your guide and porter, transportation, foods and accommodations and permits. Its usually between 1000 USD to 1500 USD.

During the Manaslu Circuit Trek, trekkers are served a mix of traditional Nepali, Tibetan, and basic Western meals, mostly at teahouses along the route. The staple dish is Dal Bhat Tarkari, a hearty combination of rice, lentil soup, and vegetable curry, often with pickles and sometimes meat like chicken or goat—refills are usually free, making it perfect for energy recovery. As the trail ascends into culturally Tibetan regions like Sama Gaun and Samdo, local specialties become more common, including Thukpa (noodle soup), Tingmo (steamed bread), Tsampa (roasted barley flour), Rheldok (a spicy mashed potato dish), and yak cheese or butter tea, which are high in calories and ideal for high-altitude nutrition. While the food is generally simple and nourishing, many teahouses also offer basic Western dishes like pancakes, fried rice, and pasta to add variety during the trek.

When packing for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, it's essential to bring warm and layered clothing due to varying temperatures and altitudes, including a down jacket, thermal layers, waterproof and windproof jacket, and fleece. Sturdy, waterproof trekking boots are crucial for comfort and protection, along with trekking poles for stability. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunblock, and a hat to protect against the sun, especially at higher altitudes. Pack a sleeping bag suitable for cold temperatures, water purification tablets or a filter, and personal hygiene items like wet wipes and hand sanitizer. A first aid kit, headlamp, and camera are also recommended, as well as snacks for extra energy. For the trek’s higher altitudes, consider carrying altitude sickness medication and a power bank for charging devices. It’s also wise to pack a lightweight daypack for shorter hikes and to carry essential items like a water bottle, maps, and passport if required.

Yes, Manaslu circuit trek is hard if you are first time trekker and thinking of doing the trek in Manaslu circuit. However its hard but not impossible so you can always do the trek if you are physically fit.

Yes, the Manaslu circuit trek is safe as the trek is well developed and you will have the accommodations placed throughout the trek making it easier for the trekkers.

Yes, Manaslu Cirucit Trek is worth it for those seeking a more remote and authentic trekking experience, offering stunning views of the Himalayas and a rich cultural immersion in Tibetan-influenced villages. It’s less crowded than other popular treks like Annapurna or Everest, providing a serene and rewarding adventure for those looking to explore Nepal’s untouched beauty.