Manaslu Round Trekking tends to be on everyone's bucket list who dreams of reaching the foothill of the world's eighth-tallest peak, Mount Manaslu (8143 meters), and also crossing over one of the challenging passes of Larkya La (5106 m), where a rich tapestry of Tibetan culture and varied topography accompany you in every stride!
However, many people set back, thinking that the Manaslu Trek demands ample time duration, and cost as well. That is why, to your rescue, we offer this Manaslu Circuit Trek 12 Days package, considering budget-friendly cost and a short-duration trip to one of the best off-beaten trails in Nepal. Explore the unexplored pristine highland with the less crowded trailhead, and highly towering, varied landscapes, that let you unveil the indigenous communities, diverse flora, fauna, and climatic zones.
Manaslu Trek 12 Days Overview:
This 12-day Manaslu Trek crosses Larkya La Pass at 5,106m, reaching Manaslu Base Camp and circling the world's 8th highest peak in one journey. Located at the heart of Gorkha District, this Around Manaslu Trek is also highly popularized by the name "Manaslu Circuit Trek." It stands out being one of the top remote, raw, and wild Himalayan adventures in Nepal, giving a front-row ticket to reach the Manaslu Base Camp and letting you immerse yourself in the panoramic views of Mt. Manaslu.
Although the gateway to the hidden terrain of the Manaslu region was just introduced way back in 1992 A.D, this region has a few number of footprints/visitors as special permits are required to enter this Manaslu Conservation Area, due to which it remains the same as the 90's era, where Himalayan flora and wildlife are still in their pristine condition. During your acclimatization day, at Sama gaon, you will also get to visit the famous wetland of Birendra Lake and the thrilling Manaslu Base Camp as well.
This Manaslu Round Trekking is a perfect adventure for those who are looking forward to exploring the less crowded trails, unlike other popular treks, which are filled with modern infrastructure amenities and many crowds, not letting you experience the ancient trekking style like old days.
As this Manaslu Trek 12 Days itinerary is a tea house trek, you get to experience how the Nubri, Sherpa, and Tsum people run their livelihood in such isolated places unbothered by the modern world. The route passes through some of the notable villages like Namrung, Jagat, Deng, Samdo, Sama gaun, Lho gaun, and many others, visiting many ancient monasteries, local settlements, and iconic viewpoints, showing the unhindered views of some of the legendary Himalayan peaks, such as Ganesh Himal, Boudha Himal, Himal Chuli, and Peak 29, along with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massif.
Even though this Manaslu Circuit Trek 12 Days might sound like a rapid itinerary, it is an expertly customized itinerary, with a gradual ascent of 400-500 meters per day, without going beyond 500 meters, which suits every pace of hikers, from beginners to family-friendly adventurers as well. The package is itself a comfort journey, ensuring safety and proper acclimatization, so your body gets used to the rising high elevation, following the safety guidelines for Manaslu Around Trekking beforehand, and the assistance of our professional trekking guides, highly contributing to a smooth Himalayan adventure.
Highlights of Manaslu Round Trekking
- Explore the off-beaten and most isolated area of the Himalayas
- Cross the challenging high altitude pass of the Larke La at 5160 meters
- Meander through the lovely green hills, opening up to highly towering landscapes with surrounding views of iconic mountains
- Reach the foothill of the world's 8th-highest peak- Mount Manaslu- 8143 feet
- Get a lively experience of the distinct ethnic communities of Rai, Magar, Gurung, Thakali, Tsum, and Nubri
- Pay a visit to the Pungyen Monastery and Ribung Monastery, surrounded by chortens, mani walls, prayer wheels, and prayer flags
- Witness the Birendra Lake sparkling brightly under the shadow of several Himalayan peaks
- Start the journey with a lowland of 870 meters, entering the forested woodland of the blooming rhododendrons and pines, and ascend to the alpine valleys, rugged terrains, wetlands, and the highly towering peaks, and glaciers above 5000 meters
Manaslu Circuit Trekking 12 Days route
Our 12 Days Manaslu Trek starts with a drive to Machha Khola via Aarughat and Soti Khola from Kathmandu, meandering through the forested area of blooming pines, oaks, and rhododendron forests. Entering here, we get to catch a glimpse of langur monkeys playing back and forth, Himalayan tahr, and even the elusive red panda. Not only that, but we also hear the chirping sounds of many wild birds, including the insight of Himalayan monal (Danfe)- the National bird of Nepal.
Continuing the journey, this Manaslu Around Trekking leads us to the ancient hamlets of locals as we traverse through many notable villages such as Jagat, Deng, Namrung, Samdo, Shyala, Phillim, Sama Gaon, Shyala, Lho village, Dharamsala, and ascends crossing over the Larkya La Pass- 5106 meters. In between, we'll also explore several monasteries, including the Ribung Gompa, which dates back 500 years old and Pungyen Monastery, following the Pungyen Glacier.
Reaching Birendra Lake, named after the former king of Nepal, will show us the captivating sparkling lakes surrounded by several snowcapped peaks, one of the famous Manaslu region side trips, while acclimatizing at Sama Gaon.
On the following three days, this trip leads you to the high altitude settlements of Samdo, Dharamsala, and finally reaches the highest elevation of this Manaslu 12 Days Trek, at Larkya La Pass (5160 meters), and takes a descent to Bhimtang on the same day. On the 11th day, we will take a downhill walk to Dharapani, and conclude our trek, on the very next day (12th day), after returning to either Pokhara or Kathmandu, with a local jeep ride from Dharapani.
Reasons that make the 12 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek a must-do adventure
Experience the authenticity of Tea House Trek in Nepal
Just imagine settling yourself for 12 days in the Manaslu region, where the freshness of the mountains comes in a flow of wind, the fragrance of cow “is known as a goddess here in Nepal soothes the air, and trying the local delicacies made by the humble locals themselves, and YES! Spending days and nights in the middle of the towering landscapes and Himalayan peaks. That’s what we get to experience through this 12-day Manaslu Trek.
As there’s almost 0 sign of luxury amenities throughout this trek, we’ll relish in the authentic tea house made out of wood, wood carvings, and huge stones, built by the Tibetans that seems like an architecture itself. The only accommodation available here is the home of diverse communities, where we get to interact with them and connect to their cultural roots even more. The glimpse of the lively experience of how Nubri, Tsum, and Sherpas run their lives just by an agricultural farm and engaging in animal husbandry, will truly fascinate us with unique insights while we stay at their homes.
Rich Tapestry of Culture in Every Stride
"Manaslu" is home to diverse communities, being highly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, as this region is bordered by China and Tibet. This Manaslu Circuit Trekking 12 Days route navigates through the ancient villages of Brahmin, Chettri, Rai, Gurung, and even Magar, which are blended in this area. These ethnicities are partially different from each other, showing the distinct ethnic groups, Brahmin and Chettri, who follow the Hindu culture.
While we go deeper into the Manaslu region, we get to immerse ourselves in the rich culture of Tsum, Sherpa, and Nubri communities, following the Tibetan culture, showing the pure, authentic way of livelihood that surely transports us to an ancient era.
Their simplicity is reflected in the way they do the thangka paintings, attires made by them with sheep and yak wools, wood carvings, and stitching prayer beads (used for prayers by Tibetans). These charming hamlets are surrounded by mani walls, chortens, Tibetan stones, ancient monasteries, and colorful Tibetan prayer flags, demonstrating the untamed beauty and culture of Manaslu.
Larkya La Pass: A Sense of Self-Reflection and Accomplishment
Reaching the highest point of Larkya La Pass, standing at an elevation of 5106 meters, isn’t a joke; to attain this peak, one must have willpower and a high level. Going through the hurdles, with all the sweats and hardships along the way, and ascending to the Larke La finally through the snowy terrains makes our 12 days of Manaslu Budget Trek worth every second.
What’s better than being surrounded by panoramic views of several mountains, including Mt. Manaslu? Nothing beats feeling a sense of achievement, right? Just like that, this Around Manaslu Trekking unlocks every fear and provides a profound connection with nature, conquering one of the most challenging passes.
Diverse Landscapes and Ecosystems
Journeying to the Manaslu means meandering through the Manaslu Conservation Area, right from the start. This Manaslu Circuit Trek begins by passing by the forested area of Himalayan flora and fauna, where the blooming rhododendrons, cascading waterfalls, water streams, and several rivers, including the Soti Khola, Dudh Koshi River, and Budhi Gandaki River, and long suspension bridges.
In the middle part of the region, the terrain widely opens up, showing the dry landscapes, huge rocks, and high cliffs on both sides, and traverses through the agricultural farms of locals, where we can see a glimpse of yaks grazing in the ground and Himalayan mules, making our trek to Manaslu filled with captivating insights. The trails slowly turn from green, lovely hills to varied landscapes to alpine meadows, showcasing to us the diverse topography throughout this adventurous journey, making our trekking experience filled with roller coaster rides.
Iconic Mountain Views
Without any snowy, frosty peaks, any expedition would be boring after all, who doesn't love to click pictures of the breathtaking views with the backdrop of white snowcapped peaks? You will be spellbound to know that throughout the Manaslu Round Trekking, we'll be rewarded with several mountains. At the starting point of this trip, we can get the views of Ganesh Himal (7424 m), Shringi Himal, and Kang Guru.
Gradually moving to the upper sections, we'll be welcomed by Cheo Himal, Himal Chuli, and Peak 29, with the Annapurna Range such as Annapurna II, Annapurna South, and Mt Annapurna (8091 meters) itself. While attaining the Manaslu Base camp, the unhindered panorama 360 degrees of Mount Manaslu - 8163 meters rewards us with alluring views thundering at the clear sky.
Does this 12-day Manaslu Trekking Itinerary suit beginners as well?
Yes, this Manaslu Circuit Trek 12 Days is carefully customized with the guidance of the professional expert teams, which has a gradual pace of hike, with slow ascent of 400 to 500 meters each, ensuring that your body gets used to the high altitude, before ascending higher. While the 12 days might sound a bit rapid version, it follows the standard trailhead and itinerary; the only difference is that this itinerary cuts off the extra 2 days of arrival and departure, other than that, just like any other standard package, proper acclimatization days are included in our package as well.
On the other hand, our experienced licensed trekking guide will assist you throughout the journey, who is medically equipped at the same time and carries the experience of more than 10 years within the restricted Manaslu area itself, ensuring the first-time hikers feel comfortable and ascend safely. This 12-day trek to the Manaslu circuit distance covers 147 kilometers in total, with 8 to 12 kilometers, which means 5 - 6 hours of walking distance per day, which can be doable by beginners as well; however, one must ensure to have a basic level of fitness to navigate through varied terrains, with multiple ascents and descents.
With prior preparations of being physically fit beforehand, and considering the essential packing list for the four-season variation, with a perfectly customized itinerary, this trek can surely be achieved by newbies as well.
Get to know more detailed guidelines on our recently updated blog: Manaslu Trekking preparation for beginners, which overview on how to be prepared as a first-time trekker, with tips, tricks, packing essentials, and suggestions for successful ascent.
12 Days Manaslu Circuit Trekking Cost for 2025 and 2026
The trek to the Manaslu circuit costs highly, depending on several factors, such as length and duration of the trip, starting point, services and logistics included, kind of transportation, and supporting crews. Meanwhile, our 12 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek cost starts from USD 739 and goes up to USD 999 per head, including all the necessities required for the trip, such as trekking permits, transportation cost, experienced licensed guide, standard meals, and accommodations.
Our standard cost is USD 999 per person. If you want a private, exclusive trip, however, the price ranges from USD 739 to USD 829 per head. If the number of hikers in your group exceeds 2 hikers, hence, the more trekkers that your group carries the price decreases accordingly. To know more, you can check a detailed overview of the pricing mentioned below:
| No. of hikers | Standard Price (USD) |
| 1-1 | 999 per head |
| 2-2 | 829 per head |
| 3-6 | 779 per head |
| 7-10 | 739 per head |
10% off-season exclusive discount on the 12 Days Manaslu Trek package for winter (January and February) 2025-2026
Starting from January to February during the off-season, we always offer a 10% discount on our Manaslu Circuit Trekking Tour package, this winter season, where you can enjoy the quiet, serene trailhead, with the best experienced licensed guide for safe and sound ascent, enjoying the accompaniment of the panoramic views of Mount Manaslu in each step. This offer is valid in off off-season of the winter season only, which lets you celebrate Christmas, New Year, alone or with your loved ones, at the thrilling pass of Larke La. Well, grab this once-in-a-lifetime offer, considering the worldwide holiday days, with the most budget-friendly package. If this itinerary and cost don't match your choice, then feel free to contact us anytime.
Why choose Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition as your Travel Partner?
There's a famous saying that goes by, "No one can show you the best places in the world, until and unless they've experienced them by themselves". Being in this field of making every traveler's dream come true by giving them the best price and customized itinerary, with their timeframe and preference, we can promise you with a hand on our hearts, that we believe in "SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY, and yes! TRANSPARENCY".
What do we do for your Safety?
Our trekking guides are highly experienced in serving hundreds of enthusiastic trekkers like you in every corner, especially on the high-altitude trek of Nepal, ensuring that you do not miss the important aspect of this 12-day Manaslu Circuit Trek. On top of that, they are medically equipped, so in case of emergency for minor injuries, they cure you immediately, which is also a rare case, as they lead you through the safest and easiest terrains.
How is this trek linked with Sustainability Practices?
Well, to keep it pretty simple, our working team includes the locals touching many remote areas like the Langtang region, the Annapurna region, and of course! other poorly developed places. We highly believe in promoting their engagement at our business, making their lives sustainable. We believe that, without locals, no one can ever feel the authenticity of remoteness, so our DHT Team is comprised of these hardworking people from many regions.
Not only that, we try to accommodate trekkers at the tea houses maintained by the locals themselves, helping them to have a basic economic sustainability, as this is the only way of living for them. If our small initiative can change the lives of even 1 person, why not? Because of them, we get to explore the warm hospitality, making our trek truly memorable. It's not us! But our team and locals make us who we are!
Transparency- NO HIDDEN COSTS
We focus on the motto of "HIGH TRANSPARENCY" to create mutual benefits between both of us. How do we do that? We never charge you extra by saying that taxes, service charges, or any other excuses, whatever you see, you get it. This 12-day Manaslu Trek package is also introduced to ensure that everyone can explore this region at an affordable price. We offer several other benefits as well to make the trip even more meaningful.
If you want to check out any other trails in remote places tailored by us, then you can also look over other Manaslu region packages as well. For more info, please email us at info@destinationhimalayatreks.com or call/WhatsApp us at +977 9851016814.
Additional Benefits of Booking this Trip with us!
- (Airport shuttle) Free airport pick up and drop off in a private transportation
- If you are staying for more days here in Kathmandu, then we can provide a 1-2 day stay at our own company, "Hotel Bihani", for free
- Luxury cultural program dinner in Kathmandu
- 5% extra special discount to the family group, but must be over 4
- Sleeping Bags, Jackets, Caps, Oximeters- to check oxygen levels in high altitudes, Water purification tablets- to purify the water, SIM Card (must give your passport for registration,) and Basic First Aid Kits
- Free excess luggage at our office (Destination Himalaya), ensuring the safety of your belongings
- Online Pre-Trip Booking and In-Person Booking after arrival
- Easy and safe payment system
