About this trip
The Manaslu Circuit takes you round one of the less-visited corners of the Himalaya, along the Budhi Gandaki valley and over a high pass close to the Tibetan border. There are no crowds here compared to the Everest or Annapurna trails, and the region only opened to tourism relatively recently.
Walking from Soti Khola to Dharapani, you follow rivers and forest trails past the ancient settlement at Lho, with constant views of Manaslu itself (8163m) and neighbouring giants like Himal Chuli and Ngadi Chuli. The culture along the way is a mix of Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist, most visible in the villages near the pass.
Sherpa Expedition & Trekking handle the permits, guiding, accommodation and meals throughout, so the practical side of trekking in a restricted region is taken care of.
What you'll do
- Trek the Budhi Gandaki valley from Soti Khola to Dharapani
- Cross the Larkya La Pass at 5106m near the Tibetan border
- Pass the Pungen Glacier and the old Tibetan settlement at Lho
- Visit Gorkha, ancient seat of the Shah Dynasty
- See Manaslu, Himal Chuli and Ngadi Chuli up close
- Walk through rhododendron forest, especially colourful in spring
- A high-altitude trek with one demanding pass crossing at over 5000m, so previous trekking fitness matters
- Restricted-area permits and guided logistics are arranged for you as part of the trip
- A side trip to the Tsum Valley can be added on for those wanting to go further off the main route
We started tracking this trip on 22 Jul — the chart appears once a few days of real history build up. Every point is a price we recorded ourselves.
Your free day in Kathmandu
Landing early, staying on, or filling free time? The best-rated day experiences in Kathmandu — you book on Viator (we may earn a commission).
Worth it if you want remote mountains with genuinely skilled local guides. Think twice if you need comfort or dislike long transfer days.
- Guides like Dawa and Raju are exceptional: attentive to pace, safety, comfort and genuinely knowledgeable about the terrain.
- Company handles permits seamlessly, including sensitive Tibet-border documentation, and arranges quality kit (sleeping bags, down jackets, duffle bags).
- Transfers from Kathmandu are long; reviewers strongly recommend paying extra for private jeep rather than shared transport.
- Facilities are basic and trek is physically hard, especially in snow; timing matters significantly for safety and experience.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Kathmandu · 24 Jul – 25 Jul
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