Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek - 23 days

Best Time

The best seasons to explore the Manaslu Annapurna Trek are Spring and Autumn, due to stable weather conditions, moderate humidity, clear views, and less precipitation. During this timeframe, the chances of rain and snowfall are typically low, which makes the terrain stay dry and stable, without hikers having to face slippery navigation. Both ideal span of the year offers distinct features, encompassing the overall journey, to be scenically captivating, easy to cross over the passes, and complete the trip in an estimated timeframe, due to no hassle of route blockage.

Spring (March - May)

Spring stands out as one of the ideal times, as the temperature only ranges from 5 to 12 degrees Celsius during the day and doesn't fall below -5 degrees Celsius at night in the upper section. It means you can simply hike along the trail without being fully drained out and enjoy the cosy night while settling in at the tea houses with no hassle. In mid-march, the rhododendrons bloom abundantly, and the pine forest with apple orchards adds life to the boring and green valleys, making the forested section captivating.

Autumn (September - November)

Autumn is another peak season to do the trek, as it comes right after the monsoon in Nepal, with zero chance of precipitation, especially at higher elevations, allowing you to cross the high passes with no hassle. Whereas, at the lower sections, you can get an insight into locals engaging in harvesting and planting crops in agricultural farms and yaks in the terraced fields, enriching the trip even more.

Apart from that, the main festival of the Himalayas, Dashain and Tihar, takes place here between October and Nov, where you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and celebrate such festivals with diverse ethnic groups in remote areas. If you are someone who loves to explore the thriving ethos of the isolated section of this iconic region, then you should opt for this expedition in the Autumn. 

Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty

The Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit Trekking are considered moderate to challenging trips, that involves diverse terrains, long distance coverage and strenuous uphill crossings to the high pass. However, this is a doable trek that can be undertaken by anyone with a basic fitness level, prior hiking experience and comprehensive planning and preparations. Compared to the Everest region trails like the 3 Passes, or EBC, it stands as an easy, smooth trekking route that does not include any technical walks or several vantage points, making it less challenging and less fatiguing as well.

Meanwhile, the trail is varied and constantly changing. For instance, you start in lush, dense forests, then move into rugged, remote sections and alpine valleys above 4,000 meters, with many steep, rocky ascents and descents. Because of this, some trekkers might find it mentally tough, due to the distinct surroundings, with isolated zones, and fewer people around. But, looking at the brighter side, what makes the Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit Trek, more on the safer side, is that it includes lower altitude overnight sleep and great acclimatisation days. 

Half of the first route, which the trail covers, is the Manaslu route, which includes 1 acclimatisation day at Samagaon, and the highest overnight sleep at the tea house, in Dharamsala (4470 m), and the next day, you will cover the Larkya La Pass (5106 m). Whereas, as you cover the second half, the Annapurna circuit trail, your body and mind become used to the increasing elevation and continuous hike along himalayan terrains, making Thorong La Pass (5416 m), more easier to cross over. You will have another rest day at Manang (3540 m), and an overnight tea house at Thorong Phedi (4540 m), before heading to the pass, and descending towards Muktinath (Mustang region).

Thus, it is a difficult adventure, but the well-planned itinerary and gradual pace hike, with proper preparations beforehand, make the trip moderate and doable for everyone.

Altitude Sickness

One of the most concerning parts is the risk of altitude sickness that is always circulating in mountain areas, no matter whether you are an experienced or novice hiker. Try to follow the preventive guidelines and make yourself fully secure to avoid the risk of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), try to maintain the pace, and hydrate the body with 3-4 litres and moisten the body to avoid dehydration and mouth dryness. 

Besides, please take note that a mere risk of altitude sickness is quite expected at higher elevations, such as mild headaches, feeling dizzy (vomiting-like condition), nausea, and even difficulty breathing in and out, like normal days. However, if there are any kind of severe symptoms of AMS, like insomnia (losing appetite or sleep), severe headaches, blood vomiting, losing control while walking, then inform the guide immediately, where the guide will monitor your health, and ensure everything is okay, before proceeding with the hike further.

Here are some of the preventive guideline measures to follow from the very beginning till the end:

1. Make yourself hydrated from the start, by drinking at least 3-4 litres of water per day, avoiding dehydration and mouth dryness, which makes you feel dizzy, and drained out, so make sure to consider hydrating your body.
2. If drinking high litres of water sounds too much, then substitute with hot ginger and garlic soups, or noodles, so that your body stays warm and hydrated throughout the trip.
3. Make sure to check your pulse rate through an oximeter, from the start, at every stopping point, and ensure that your body is doing well.
4. Do not rush your pace, just walk at your own pace, and ascend slowly and gradually, by 500-600 meters, not going beyond that, so that your body gets adapted to the rising elevation.
5. If you feel any sort of discomfort in your body, then make sure to inform the guide immediately, so that emergency procedures can be initiated soon after.

Is the Manaslu Annapurna Trek safe for female trekkers?

Yes, the combined Manaslu Annapurna Circuit trek is safe and doable for women, including solo hikers, with proper preparation, a licensed guide, and basic safety awareness. In 2026, over 90% of female trekkers successfully crossed Thorong La and Larkya La without major issues, making it one of Nepal’s most empowering high‑altitude treks for women.

Why is it safe and empowering for women in 2026?

• Proven Track Record: Solo female hikers regularly complete this combined trip, as per recent, 2025-2026, reports, it has clearly shown both routes are "very safe", "welcoming, warm, hospitable locals", and locals, frequent female trekkers encounter.
• Extra Security: Women's Police cells, Police, Tourism police, and APF (Armed Police Force) are assigned (deployed) in major trekking hubs, adding a sense of real pace and security.
• Guided Requirement: As both regions demand a regulation of mandatory trekking guides (licensed, trained, and medically certified), it directly gives you an extra support team and quick medical responders if any emergencies occur along the trail.
• Trail Fellowship: Along the route, you will meet many fellow trekkers (women as well) at the tea houses and major stopping points. Adding a sense of camaraderie is one of the most‑cited benefits by solo female hikers.
• No-gender-based crime or offence: Please take note that harassment and violent crimes are extremely rare (no records), the only major challenges that you'll come across are rapid weather changes, the probability of altitude sickness, and, if not followed, the safety guidelines, and fatigue.

Practical safety tips for female trekkers

• Throughout the journey, trail along with the guides, and do not be influenced, and walk with locals, and fellow trekkers, just follow the pace of the trekking guide.
• Carry a personal whistle, which helps as an alarm if any emergency occurs.
• Do not miss out on bringing hygenic items, and girls' essentials such as skincare, gut health extras, menstrual pads, tampons, etc., just in case.
• Set clear boundaries politely. If someone approaches you uncomfortably, then alert your guide, locals, or the tea house owner.
• Avoid walking in the evening/afternoon in the dark, and stay on the main trail. If you want to explore around in the evening, then walk with a guide.

If you are a female trekker, either solo or a beginner, this trip is safe, hassle-free, and transformational. With a proven 90%+ success rate in 2026, mandatory professional guides, a strong trail fellowship, and the warm hospitality of local communities, the trek offers women a uniquely empowering high‑altitude adventure. Just follow basic safety tips, stay with a guide, carry all the essentials required, respect cultural norms, and listen to your body.

Is the Manaslu Annapurna Trek suitable for beginners?

Yes, this 23-day adventure is doable for beginners, but you must train properly, follow a gradual acclimatisation plan, and trail along with the trekking guide, while maintaining your pace. 

Beginner’s training and preparation

• Engage in cardiovascular exercises, most importantly on the very first hand, so that you are able to walk 5-6 hours daily for 23 days, start the training before 3-4 months, watching YouTube videos, tips, and tricks. Even though there are no technical sections included, the passes still demand navigation via steep, rocky, rugged terrain with several up and downhill walks, testing endurance and balance.
• Gradual Ascent is Non-negotiable; do not walk rapidly, rushing the itinerary. Follow the 2 major rules: "climb high, and sleep low" strategy, and ensure that you follow the itinerary that has been set already, with essential rest and acclimatisation days.
• Never wear new boots or new shoes on the trail, which might cause you blisters that could worsen in low temperatures. Bring the regular shoes that you are used to.
• Even though a sleeping bag is not required, at peak seasonal time, still for first-time hikers, tea house blankets might not be sufficient, so try to rent or buy a -15 °C to -22°C rated bag (provided by us).
• Ask permission before photographing people/monasteries, and never walk clockwise around stupas (counter-clockwise is for the Bon religion).
• Sometimes, the weather can delay the pass crossings, so ensure to set 1-2 buffer (extra days), and be mentally prepared for such conditions.

Accommodations

While you are on the route, you will be accommodated at a basic tea house. They are simple, well-sanitised, and properly maintained as the lodges are run by the mountain locals themselves. Even though they are quite on the elementary side, all the required facilities are available, such as wifi, charging sockets, a hot shower, and laundry with an additional fee.

The rooms have different variations, and you will find twin-sharing, group-sharing, and even private rooms can be arranged, with comfortable bed sheets, blanket, pillow cover and mattress. At lower altitudes, you can find single rooms with attached bathrooms, whereas at upper sections there are only shared rooms with shared bathrooms (eastern style). Make sure to bring toiletry items, such as toilet paper, soap, shampoo, and hand sanitiser for hygenic purpose, as the bathrooms are on the sharing basis, with running water. 

Foods

In every tea house, you will find a distinct variety of meals, from Western to asian to local cuisines, which are served at the communal dining area. You can choose your own menu, and soon after you order, it gets prepared freshly, as you request. If you are a vegetarian, a pure vegan or seek non-vegeterian options, the menu has many options, catering for your dietary plans. Here are some of the menu item options you can expect during the trek.

Breakfast

• Tibetan bread, served with jam, honey or curry, with any sort of eggs
• Chapati (Roti) with vegetable curry
• Porridge varieties (oats, corn, museli, granola, chocos)
• Pancakes, simple plain, or with apple, banana, and Nutella toppings
• Simple breakfast, with jam, peanut butter or chocolate (any sides) and egg variations
• Tea (Milk, Black), Green Tea, Coffee, Tibetan tea, Green Tea, Hot Lemon Water, Ginger water, hot chocolate
• Ginger Garlic Soup (best for altitude)

Lunch and Dinner

• Popular (Dal Bhat - Rice, Lentil soup, veg or non-veg curry, spinach, pickle), can be refilled
• Any sort of noodle items (Ramen, Spaghetti, basic simple pasta, Thukpa - veg and non-veg)
• Fried Rice (Veg, Buff, or Chicken)
• Pizza and Burgers
• Momo (dumplings - veg,non-veg), spring rolls
• Pizza (local style with cheese and chicken)
• Any sort of soup (veg, non-veg, chicken)

Beverages

• Tea/Coffee
• Energy drinks (Red Bull and X-Treme)
• Soda drinks - Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, and canned juice 
• Bottled water

Note: The standard meals - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included in the package, but not the beverages, you need to pay extra, as it is excluded from the cost.

Trekking Guide and Porter

For this unforgettable and thrilling himalayan odyssey, to the Manasu Annapurna Trek, our package includes an experienced licensed trekking guide, trained and licensed by NMA (Nepal Mountaineering Association), and TAAN (Trekkers Association Agency of Nepal). To trek along this region, you must hire a guide, via a local travel agency, even though the restricted rules of trekking along with at least 1 partner are no longer compulsory, at the Manaslu restricted route, allowing a solo private hike, still, hiring a guide remains mandatory, for safe navigation purposes.

Our guides are highly experienced, having years of experience, and are medically trained and equipped, know how to handle emergency cases, and assist you in each step throughout. They will also give you a comprehensive cultural insight into the Tibetans' lifestyles, highlighting every corner, and help you pass the passes smoothly and hassle-free.

While hiring a guide is compulsory, for the porter, it is all about your personal choice, whereas our package also does not include one, giving you full accountability of personal choices, and minimising the budget as well. If you have no prior high altitude experiences or have a heavily loaded backpack, then we highly recommend hiring a porter to carry the loads, which 1 porter can be shared between 2 trekkers, with a weight limit of 22 kgs.

You can get a one-day bagpack with you, to stuff in your personal belongings, or quick essentials, such as phones, a bottle, power banks, snacks, and a jacket. In the meantime, the porter will take care of your duffel bag (upto 22 kgs). If you choose to hire 1 porter, then the cost is approximately $24 per day, covering all the expenses, like meals, lodges, transportation, insurance, gears, excluding tips, everything will be covered, just like the guide.

Transportation Facilities

Our itinerary includes all the transportation accessibility required for the trip, including the comfort flight transportation to Pokhara from Jomsom, which shows the breathtaking view of the almighty Himalayan peaks. Along with that, the 4WD jeep is also included, from Muktinath to Jomsom, after crossing the high mountain pass of Thorong La.

Meanwhile, from Kathmandu to Aarughat, a local bus will be provided to you for 7-8 hours of road driving, and from Ararughat, a comfortable 4WD jeep on a sharing jeep will take you to the starting point of the trek - Maccha Khola. To reach Kathmandu from Pokhara, you will be seated on a luxury tourist bus, in a single seater, for approximately 7 hours of road drive via Trishuli River and the Prithvi Highway, showing the distinct transformation of the landscapes, terraced fields, lush valley, mountains, along with several roaring riverside by the side.

As every transportation cost is included in our package, you do not have to bear any extra cost; meanwhile, if you want to opt for a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, to avoid the road pathway, then we can arrange the flight cost for you; however, an extra cost for the flight fare is required.

Travel Insurance

The Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek goes through remote, rugged terrain with limited accessibility. Hence, travel insurance is mandatory for this trek, and there are certain things to take care of. Well, while making your insurance policy, make sure that it includes theft, lost baggage, trip cancellation, delays, and most importantly, helicopter evacuation, that too with the higher elevations above 3500 meters.

If you are not thinking about getting one, then please remember that this trek crosses high passes above 5000 meters, each of Thorung La Pass and Larke Pass, where the risks are always there. Having no coverage of insurance coverage makes the trip a nightmare if such uncertainty occurs along the trekking route. Having a good one ensures a hassle-free journey with a free mind, and the evacuation (rescue) via helicopter (aircraft) can be arranged immediately.

Required Permits

To get access to the restricted areas of both treks combined, there are certain rules implemented by the government of Nepal for tracking the well-being of trekkers within the isolated area. As the Manaslu Trail is also included, which tends to be the most protected area, the highland. Whereas, for the Annapurna Circuit, only 2 permits of the ACAP and TIMS Card are required. In total, there are 3 permits required to do this combined trip.

Firstly, the required permits must be applied for through the registered local trekking agency.

Secondly, you must hire a licensed and experienced guide to hike with and a travel partner, excluding the guide and porter, which simply means a minimum of two hikers are required, and last but not least, these special permits must be obtained before the trip starts. 

• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (Special Restricted Area Permit cost): The cost of the MCAP depends on the seasonal trek you are opting for. For instance, if you are hiking during the peak season, Spring and Autumn, the permit price is USD 100/-, i.e, NPR 13400, per person. After 7 days within the restricted area, you must pay an additional USD 15 per person for the additional days.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP cost): As both the Manaslu and Annapurna treks fall under the Annapurna region, this permit is required. It costs around USD 26 and NPR 3200/- per person for foreigners, whereas for the SAARC nationals, the price is slightly lower, costing around USD 8 to NPR 1100. 

Travel Tips

1. While making your packing list, it is highly suggested to pack less and more intelligently, as the trail has many ascending sections, which might be too much of a hassle with a load. Just carry essentials such as warm clothes, dry-fit t-shirts and pants, crampons (compulsory), hiking boots, and others such as sun cream 40+ SPF, sunglasses (heat-protected), caps, and two trekking sticks. If possible, also make sure to carry slippers, socks (at least 7 pairs), and a water bottle. 
2. Carry quick snacks such as granola bars, small bar chocolates, museli, protein bars, that are easy to munch on. Also, include dry ginger and garlic if you aren't allergic, as it helps in keeping you warm and avoiding the risk of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).
3. At upper trails in both the Manaslu circuit and Annapurna circuit, the electric sockets aren't attached in the room, so you must head to the dining area just to charge your phone, waiting in line. Thus, carry at least 2 power banks to quickly charge the phone. The charging cost costs around USD 2-3 in some areas after crossing 3500 meters, as the electricity is generated by solar panels only.
4. Estimate the daily expenses and do the money exchange in Kathmandu via ATM in Nepali rupees. If you even have dollars, then you are good to go, but it might not be accepted at higher sections. You might require cash for laundry services, hot water shower, bottled water, buying sovuniers and gears, for which credit facilities aren't available, try to carry cash.
5. Even though every tea house has accessibility, you must bring some cash, like USD 2-3 per day, just for internet usage on the upper trail of both Annapurna and Manaslu. Buy an NTC SIM Card while in Kathmandu, and purchase the $1 (NPR 130) that works fine on the route to make a call back home.
6. Our package covers all the essentials and requirements; however, it doesn't include tips for the guide and porter. Please tip the trekking guide and porter, considering their hardships, as it costs like a fine dining restaurant; your small initiative becomes a great help to them, so it would be highly appreciated if you tip a guide.

Destination Himalaya Guide & Support Team

For this iconic combined adventure, throughout the himalayan odyssey, you'll be assisted by our experienced supporting crews and team members, who will guide you and take care of everything, to make this trip hassle-free, safe, and more meaningful, with cultural insights. Below is a glimpse of the attributes of the team leaders and the guide for the tour:

Here are the major attributes that the trip leaders have:

• Assisted more than 1000+ trekkers along the himalayan trail with 10+ years of experience
• Medically trained and equipped with a comprehensive Basic First Aid Kit, they handle any emergency cases along the route
• Affiliated with NMA (Nepal Mountaineering Association) and TAAN (Trekkers Association Agency of Nepal), and a certified trekking licensed guide by the Nepal Government
• English Speaking Fluency, with other languages as well
• Link with locals of the region, facilitates interactions, and provides insights into the ethnic group communities
• Problem-Solving Skills at a higher elevation and in emergency cases
• Comprehensively overviews the insights into cultures, mountains, and historical sites, enhancing the trip highlights

Booking Procedure

Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition has been a registered and operating trekking agency for 15 years and is also a member of TAAN (Trekking Agency Association of Nepal) and Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), hence your booking is totally safe with us. For the booking confirmation, you just have to pay 10% of the total cost, and the remaining amount can be paid after you arrive in Kathmandu, aka Nepal, where the trip starts.

The payment options are either Bank Transfer, Web Transfer, Cash, Credit Card, and many others. To know more, contact us anytime by emailing info(a)destinationhimalayatreks.com or just call or WhatsApp us at +977 9851016814; we are available 24/7 online. After the booking is made, send us your original passport and passport-sized photo so we can arrange the logistics soon after the booking is confirmed with us.

Last Minute Booking

For the last-minute booking for this trip, you have to make 100% of the total payment. If you are starting the trip after a week or 10 days, you do not need to make the full payment because we trust you. However, what happens is that during peak seasons, the logistics become very limited due to a high number of visitors and bookings, so we must arrange everything, the best logistics for your comfort, rapidly, which is why full payment is crucial. After the payment is made, we will notify you via WhatsApp or email confirming the successful booking of the trip. Furthermore, if you have any questions or queries, feel free to contact us anytime