Trekking Guide

Your Manaslu Circuit Trek is led by an experienced, government-licensed English-speaking guide who knows the route, local culture and challenges of high-altitude trekking. Your guide manages daily arrangements, monitors weather and trail conditions, and helps the group follow a safe and comfortable pace.

The guide also coordinates with local lodges and support staff and provides advice on acclimatization. Please follow your guide’s instructions throughout the trek, particularly when crossing Larkya La Pass.

Trekking Team and Porter Service

Alpinist Club provides an experienced local trekking team to support you throughout the journey.

• Trekking guide: Leads the trek, manages daily logistics and monitors the group’s safety.
• Assistant guide: May be provided for larger groups when additional support is needed.
• Porter service: One porter is normally shared between two trekkers, with a maximum personal luggage allowance of 15 kg per trekker.

Our trekking staff receive appropriate equipment, meals, accommodation, insurance and fair wages. You will carry a daypack with your drinking water, extra clothing, snacks and personal essentials.

 Accommodation in Kathmandu

Accommodation in Kathmandu is arranged in a comfortable hotel, generally on a twin-sharing basis with breakfast included. The hotel is selected according to availability and the confirmed package.

Private rooms may be available at an additional cost, subject to availability. Please check your booking confirmation for the exact number of hotel nights and accommodation arrangements.

 Accommodation During the Trek

During the trek, you will stay in locally operated teahouses or mountain lodges along the Manaslu Circuit route. Rooms are generally simple and furnished with beds, mattresses, pillows and blankets. Bathrooms are commonly shared.

Facilities become more basic at higher elevations, particularly at Dharamsala, the overnight stop before crossing Larkya La Pass. Hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging facilities and other services may be available for an additional fee, depending on the lodge.

Meals and Drinking Water

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included during the trekking portion of the trip, according to the confirmed package. Meals are served at local teahouses and usually include a choice of traditional Nepali and other simple trekking dishes.

Typical meals include:

• Breakfast: Eggs, porridge, toast, Tibetan bread, pancakes, tea or coffee.
• Lunch: Dal bhat, noodles, fried rice, soup, potatoes or similar dishes.
• Dinner: Dal bhat, pasta, noodles, rice, potatoes or soup.

Vegetarian meals are widely available, although food choices become more limited at higher elevations. Please inform us in advance about dietary requirements.

Boiled or treated drinking water can be obtained along the route. Bring a reusable water bottle and suitable purification tablets or a filter. Bottled drinks and other beverages outside the included meal plan are generally at your own expense.

Physical Fitness and Trek Difficulty

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a challenging high-altitude trekking adventure suitable for people with good physical fitness and the determination to complete several consecutive days of walking.

Most trekking days involve approximately 4–8 hours of walking. Crossing Larkya La Pass at 5,160 m is the most demanding day and may take 8–10 hours, depending on weather, trail conditions and individual pace.

Previous trekking experience is helpful but not essential for well-prepared participants. We recommend regular walking, hiking, stair climbing, cycling or other endurance activities before your trip.

 Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness

The itinerary includes an acclimatization day in Samagaon to help your body adjust to the increasing altitude before continuing toward Samdo and Dharamsala.

Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness. Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness, unusual tiredness and difficulty sleeping.

To reduce the risk, walk at a steady pace, drink sufficient water, eat regularly and tell your guide immediately if you feel unwell. Never ignore worsening symptoms or continue ascending when it is unsafe. Your guide may recommend rest, a change of plan or descent if necessary.

Safety and Travel Insurance

Your safety is a priority throughout the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Your guide monitors the group’s condition, weather forecasts and trail conditions, especially before the Larkya La Pass crossing.

Mountain weather can change quickly, and snow or poor visibility may affect the route. The itinerary may need to be adjusted if conditions become unsafe.

Travel insurance is mandatory. Your policy must cover high-altitude trekking to at least 5,160 m, emergency medical treatment, helicopter evacuation and repatriation. Confirm these benefits directly with your insurer before travelling.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits

The Manaslu region is a restricted trekking area, so the required permits and arrangements must be completed before entering the route.

Depending on the confirmed itinerary and current regulations, the permits include:

• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP).
• Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP).
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).

Additional local permits may be required under current regulations. Alpinist Club will confirm the applicable requirements and arrange the permits included in your package.

Please carry your passport and follow your guide’s instructions at permit checkpoints.

 Best Time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

The best seasons for the Manaslu Circuit Trek are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November).

• Spring: Pleasant trekking conditions, blooming rhododendrons at lower elevations and increasingly clear mountain views.
• Autumn: Generally stable weather, clear skies and excellent mountain visibility after the monsoon.
• Winter: Colder temperatures and possible heavy snow around Larkya La Pass can make the trek more difficult.
• Monsoon: Rain, slippery trails, landslides and cloud cover may affect lower sections and road transportation.

Conditions vary each year, so your departure dates and pass-crossing plans should account for current weather and trail conditions.

Booking and Required Documents

To arrange your Manaslu Circuit Trek, please provide the following documents and information:

• A clear copy of your passport.
• A recent passport-sized photograph.
• Travel insurance details.
• International flight information.
• Your preferred travel dates and group size.

A 25% advance payment is required to confirm the booking under the current package terms. The remaining balance is payable according to the payment arrangements confirmed by Alpinist Club.

Please contact us before making payment to confirm the latest price, included services, permit arrangements and departure availability.

Private and Group Departures

Alpinist Club offers private departures and selected group departures for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Private trips can be arranged around your preferred dates, subject to permit requirements and lodge availability.

The Manaslu restricted-area regulations generally require at least two trekkers for the applicable permit arrangements. Solo travellers can contact us to discuss joining another trekker or an existing group.

We can also discuss itinerary adjustments, additional acclimatization days or extensions to other destinations in Nepal.

 Responsible Trekking

The Manaslu region is home to traditional Himalayan communities, important Buddhist cultural sites and a fragile mountain environment. We encourage every trekker to travel responsibly.

• Carry reusable water bottles and minimize single-use plastics.
• Dispose of waste properly and leave no rubbish on the trail.
• Respect monasteries, prayer wheels, mani walls and local customs.
• Ask permission before photographing local people.
• Support local teahouses and community businesses.
• Follow conservation rules and your guide’s advice.

Responsible trekking helps protect the region’s natural beauty and supports the communities that make this journey possible.

Customize Your Manaslu Circuit Trek

Every trekker has different interests, fitness levels and travel schedules. Alpinist Club can discuss private departures, additional acclimatization days and suitable itinerary adjustments based on your needs.

You can also extend your Nepal visit with cultural sightseeing in Kathmandu, time in Pokhara or a visit to Chitwan, subject to your available time and travel arrangements.

Contact Alpinist Club to discuss your preferred dates, ask questions about the trek and plan your Manaslu Circuit adventure with an experienced local team