Manaslu Circuit Group Join Trek

15 Days | Fixed Departure 2026/2027 | Peace Nepal Treks

The Manaslu Circuit Group Join Trek takes you on a 15-day journey around Mt. Manaslu (8,163m), the eighth highest mountain in the world. Trekking with a fixed-departure group is the most popular and cost-effective way to complete this restricted-area trek — you share your guide, porter, and permit logistics with fellow trekkers from around the world while Peace Nepal Treks handles every permit, teahouse booking, and safety arrangement along the way.

Unlike the increasingly crowded Everest and Annapurna trails, the Manaslu Circuit still feels remote and authentic. You'll walk through Gurung and Tibetan-influenced villages, cross the dramatic Larkya La Pass (5,160m), and take in glacier views that rival any trek in Nepal — all while keeping costs down by joining Peace Nepal Treks' scheduled group departures.

Quick Facts

Why Join a Group for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

Manaslu is a restricted trekking area, which means independent trekking is not permitted — every trekker must go through a registered agency with a licensed guide, and the Restricted Area Permit legally requires a minimum of two trekkers in a group. This makes the Manaslu Circuit Group Join Trek the natural choice for:

• Solo travelers who want to meet the permit requirement without paying for a private "ghost" trekker
• Budget-conscious trekkers who want to split the cost of a guide, porter, and jeep transport across the group
• Safety on the remote, high-altitude Larkya La Pass crossing, where trekking with others matters
• Social travelers who want to share the experience with like-minded adventurers on a fixed departure date

Peace Nepal Treks runs scheduled Manaslu Circuit fixed departure dates through the spring and autumn seasons, so you can book a confirmed spot without needing to first find your own trekking partner.

Manaslu Circuit Group Join Trek Itinerary (15 Days)

This is our standard fixed-departure itinerary. Exact overnight stops may shift slightly depending on trail and weather conditions — your guide will always prioritize safe acclimatization over the printed schedule.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m) Airport pickup, transfer to hotel, evening welcome briefing and trek orientation with your Peace Nepal Treks guide.

Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (869m) — 7–8 hrs Scenic drive along the Trishuli and Budhi Gandaki rivers through Nepal's mid-hills.

Day 03: Trek to Jagat (1,340m) — 6–7 hrs Cross suspension bridges and walk terraced fields; permit check-in at the Jagat checkpost (MCAP/RAP verification).

Day 04: Trek to Deng (1,860m) — 6–7 hrs Enter the restricted Manaslu region proper; first mani walls and Buddhist chortens appear along the trail.

Day 05: Trek to Namrung (2,630m) — 5–6 hrs Climb through pine and rhododendron forest into higher-altitude Tibetan-influenced villages.

Day 06: Trek to Lho (3,180m) — 3–4 hrs Short, acclimatization-friendly day. Visit Ribung Gompa for your first close views of Manaslu itself.

Day 07: Trek to Samagaon (3,530m) — 4–5 hrs Arrive in the largest village on the route, set beneath Manaslu's north face.

Day 08: Acclimatization Day in Samagaon Rest day with an optional side hike to Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Gompa to aid altitude adjustment.

Day 09: Trek to Samdo (3,860m) — 3–4 hrs A short walk to the last village before the Tibetan border, used as final acclimatization before the pass.

Day 10: Trek to Dharamsala / Larkya Phedi (4,460m) — 3–4 hrs Short but steep climb to the last camp before the high pass; early night for an early start.

Day 11: Cross Larkya La Pass (5,160m) to Bimthang (3,720m) — 8–9 hrs The toughest and most rewarding day of the trek — a pre-dawn start over Manaslu's highest point, with panoramic Himalayan views before descending to Bimthang.

Day 12: Trek to Dharapani (1,860m) — 6–7 hrs Descend through forest back into the Marsyangdi valley, rejoining the lower Annapurna Circuit trail.

Day 13: Drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu — 7–8 hrs Scenic drive back to Kathmandu; free evening to relax or explore Thamel.

Day 14: Contingency / Free Day in Kathmandu Buffer day for flight delays or weather-related trail changes; optional Kathmandu sightseeing tour (Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath).

Day 15: Final Departure Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight.

Optional extension: add 4–5 days to combine this trek with the Tsum Valley for a longer, deeper cultural immersion.

Manaslu Circuit Group Join Trek Cost

Final price depends on group size, season, and departure date — larger fixed-departure groups reduce the per-person cost.

What's included:

• All ground transport (Kathmandu–Machha Khola–Dharapani–Kathmandu)
• 3 meals a day during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Teahouse/guesthouse accommodation throughout the trek
• Licensed, English-speaking trekking guide and porter (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
• All permits: Restricted Area Permit (RAP), MCAP, ACAP
• First-aid kit and emergency oxymeter carried by your guide
• Kathmandu airport pickup and drop-off

What's excluded:

• Nepal entry visa fee
• International flights
• Kathmandu hotel (unless specified in your package)
• Personal travel insurance (mandatory — must include high-altitude rescue cover)
• Tips for guide and porter
• Personal expenses (Wi-Fi, hot showers, battery charging, bottled water/snacks on trail)

Manaslu Restricted Area Permits

Because the Manaslu Circuit passes through a restricted border region, three permits are legally required and are arranged for you by Peace Nepal Treks as part of your group-join package:

Permits can only be issued to trekkers travelling with a registered agency and a licensed guide — independent trekking on this route is not permitted by Nepal's Department of Immigration.

Fixed Departure Dates 2026/2027

Don't see a date that fits? Contact Peace Nepal Treks — we can also open a new fixed departure once 2 or more trekkers confirm a preferred date.

Best Time to Trek the Manaslu Circuit

• Autumn (September–November): Peak season — clear skies, stable weather, and the best mountain visibility. Larkya La Pass conditions are most predictable in this window.
• Spring (March–May): Second-best season — warmer temperatures, blooming rhododendron forests, slightly more variable weather near the pass.
• Winter (December–February): Possible for experienced trekkers but Larkya La Pass may be snow-blocked; fewer group departures run in this window.
• Monsoon (June–August): Not recommended — heavy rainfall, leeches on lower sections, and poor visibility at altitude.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty

The Manaslu Circuit is graded strenuous. Trekkers should be prepared for:

• 5–7 hours of daily walking on variable terrain (river trails, forest, high alpine)
• A single demanding high-altitude pass crossing (Larkya La, 5,160m) on Day 11
• Cold nights above 3,500m and basic teahouse facilities in the higher villages
• No technical climbing skills required — but good baseline fitness and prior trekking experience are strongly recommended

Peace Nepal Treks builds in a dedicated acclimatization day at Samagaon and keeps daily altitude gain within safe limits to reduce altitude-sickness risk.

Essential Packing List (Summary)

• Waterproof, broken-in trekking boots + camp shoes
• 4-season sleeping bag (rated to at least -15°C for the pass crossing)
• Down jacket and insulated layers (available to rent in Kathmandu)
• Trekking poles (essential for the Larkya La descent)
• Water purification tablets or filter
• Personal first-aid kit and any personal medication
• Headlamp with spare batteries (for the pre-dawn pass crossing)
• Valid travel insurance document with high-altitude rescue coverage

A full, printable packing list is provided at your pre-trek briefing in Kathmandu.

Why Choose Peace Nepal Treks for Your Manaslu Circuit Group Join Trek

• Locally owned and operated — our guides live and trek in these regions year-round
• Genuine fixed departures — we don't cancel or merge groups last-minute for lower headcounts
• Full permit handling — RAP, MCAP, and ACAP arranged before you land in Kathmandu
• Safety-first acclimatization — itineraries built around a rest day at Samagaon, not a rushed schedule
• Transparent pricing — no hidden costs beyond what's listed in your exclusions

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Manaslu Circuit Group Join Trek cost? A 15-day Manaslu Circuit Group Join Trek with Peace Nepal Treks starts from USD 1,050 per person, including permits, guide, porter, teahouse accommodation, and meals on the trail.

How many days does the Manaslu Circuit Trek take? Most group-join itineraries run 14–16 days including arrival and departure days in Kathmandu, with 11–12 actual trekking days on the trail.

Do I need a guide for the Manaslu Circuit Trek? Yes. Manaslu is a restricted area, and Nepal's government requires all trekkers to travel with a licensed guide from a registered trekking agency — independent trekking is not permitted.

Can I join the Manaslu Circuit Trek as a solo traveler? Yes. Because the Restricted Area Permit requires a minimum of two trekkers, solo travelers commonly join a scheduled group departure like the ones run by Peace Nepal Treks, rather than paying for a private trek.

What is the best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit? September to November (autumn) and March to May (spring) offer the most stable weather and best visibility for crossing Larkya La Pass.

How difficult is the Manaslu Circuit compared to Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit? Manaslu is comparable in difficulty to the Annapurna Circuit, with one demanding high-pass crossing (Larkya La, 5,160m). It's generally considered slightly more remote and less crowded than both Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit.

Can I extend the Manaslu Circuit Trek with Tsum Valley? Yes — Peace Nepal Treks offers a combined Manaslu Circuit + Tsum Valley extension (19–20 days total) for trekkers who want a longer, deeper cultural experience in the restricted Tsum Valley region.

Book Your Manaslu Circuit Group Join Trek

Ready to join the next fixed departure? Contact Peace Nepal Treks today to confirm your spot on the Manaslu Circuit Group Join Trek, check current availability, or ask about customizing your itinerary with the Tsum Valley extension.