Manaslu Circuit Trek 16 Days — Self-Launched
16 days · Nepal
Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd. charges £1,265
No-markup version: ~£335 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the classic 16-day Manaslu Circuit trek, one of Nepal's most beautiful restricted-area routes: the Budi Gandaki gorge, Tibetan-influenced villages, and the 5,100m Larkya-La Pass. You arrange the restricted-area permit (via an agency or by joining a permit-sharing group in Kathmandu), buy TIMS/ACAP/MCAP permits directly, ride local buses and shared jeeps, stay in teahouses along the trail, and hike independently or hire a local guide/porter directly. This is a serious high-altitude trek — you should be fit, acclimatised and comfortable navigating; a hired guide is still required for the restricted-area permit to be issued, so factor in a local guide if you go solo. Costs are rough backpacker estimates in GBP and exclude international flights and insurance.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport and take a prepaid taxi to Thamel (~NPR 800-1,000, £5-6) rather than an operator pickup. Check into a Thamel guesthouse, get a Nepali SIM (Ncell or NTC, ~£3-5 for data), and use the afternoon to sort trek logistics: compare permit agents, confirm whether you'll join a permit-sharing group, and buy/adjust gear. Eat dal bhat and momos in Thamel.
🚌Prepaid airport taxi (~£5)
🛏Thamel guesthouse (private room with hot water)
- →Prepaid airport taxi to Thamel
- →Buy Nepali SIM card
- →Shop for permits and gear quotes in Thamel
Kathmandu — Permits & Sightseeing
Kathmandu
Morning: arrange your Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (issued only through a licensed Nepali agency; typical agent fee plus government fee ~£60-90 depending on season), MCAP and ACAP permits (~£35 combined) and TIMS if needed. Afternoon: walk or take a cheap local bus/taxi to Swayambhunath (monkey temple) and Boudhanath stupa — entry ~NPR 300-400 each. Skip the paid guided tour and use a free walking map or audio guide.
🚌Local bus/taxi (NPR 50-400 per hop)
🛏Thamel guesthouse
- →Arrange Manaslu restricted-area permit via local agency
- →Buy MCAP/ACAP permits
- →Visit Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupa
- →Evening gear check and packing
Kathmandu to Soti Khola
Soti Khola
Take an early local bus from Kathmandu's Gongabu (New Bus Park) toward Arughat and Soti Khola (~8-9 hours, ~NPR 800-1,000, £5-6). Alternatively, a shared jeep from Machha Khola side is faster but pricier. The road winds through Dhading Besi and the Budi Gandaki valley. Settle into a teahouse in Soti Khola and eat dinner there — the trek proper starts tomorrow.
🚌Local bus (~£6)
🛏Teahouse in Soti Khola
- →Local bus Kathmandu to Soti Khola
- →Teahouse dinner and early night
Soti Khola to Machha Khola
Machha Khola
Start trekking with an easy-ish 6-7 hour day along the Budi Gandaki. The trail hugs the gorge, crosses the Nauli Khola suspension bridge, and passes through Lapubesi. Teahouses are signposted and you can walk at your own pace. Pay for rooms and meals as you go — most teahouses offset cheap or free rooms with food purchases.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Machha Khola
- →Trek Soti Khola to Machha Khola (~14km)
- →Cross Nauli Khola suspension bridge
Machha Khola to Jagat
Jagat
Trek ~6-7 hours to Jagat, detouring to the Tatopani hot spring for a soak (small entry fee). You cross several suspension bridges over the Budi Gandaki and officially enter the Manaslu Conservation Area at Jagat — have your permits ready for the checkpoint.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Jagat
- →Trek to Jagat (~15km)
- →Soak in Tatopani hot spring
- →Manaslu Conservation Area checkpoint
Jagat to Deng
Deng
A shorter, steeper day (~5-6 hours) through Salleri, Philim and Ekle Bhatti. The gorge narrows and the scenery gets more dramatic. Fill up water at safe refill points or use purification tablets to save money on bottled water.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Deng
- →Trek Jagat to Deng (~12km)
- →Pass through Philim and Ekle Bhatti
Deng to Namrung
Namrung
Climb into fir and rhododendron forest along the Tom Khola tributary to Namrung (~5-6 hours). Namrung is the gateway to the Tibetan-influenced upper valley — expect monasteries and mani walls from here on. Keep your pace slow; altitude is starting to climb.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Namrung
- →Trek Deng to Namrung (~10km)
- →Forest and mani wall walking
Namrung to Lho Gaun
Lho Gaun
A rewarding day (~5 hours) with your first big views of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Sringi. Lho Gaun sits at ~3,180m with a famous morning view of Manaslu from the teahouse rooftops. Start hydrating and monitoring for altitude symptoms.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Lho Gaun
- →Trek Namrung to Lho Gaun (~8km)
- →Manaslu and Ganesh Himal viewpoints
Lho Gaun to Samagaun
Samagaun
A gentle half-day (~3-4 hours) through Tibetan-style villages, passing gompas (Ribung Gompa is worth a detour) to Samagaun at ~3,530m. In the afternoon wander the village streets and visit the local monastery — no guide required.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Samagaun
- →Trek Lho Gaun to Samagaun (~6km)
- →Visit Ribung and Samagaun gompas
- →Explore Samagaun village
Acclimatisation Day at Samagaun
Samagaun
Stay put and climb high. Options: hike to Pugyen Gompa (~4,070m, 3-4 hours round trip), walk to Birendra Tal lake (~3,450m), or push to Manaslu Base Camp (~4,900m) if you're feeling strong — do one, not all. Milarepa's Cave is a short side trip. Rest, drink water, sleep low.
🚌On foot
🛏Same teahouse in Samagaun
- →Hike to Pugyen Gompa
- →Optional hike to Manaslu Base Camp or Birendra Tal
- →Visit Milarepa's Cave
Samagaun to Samdo
Samdo
A short 3-4 hour day climbing to Samdo (~3,860m), passing the Kani gateway. After lunch, an optional acclimatisation walk up toward the Fukang Glacier moraine or the ridge above the village gives huge Manaslu views. Keep the afternoon easy if you're feeling the altitude.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Samdo
- →Trek Samagaun to Samdo (~5km)
- →Optional acclimatisation walk above Samdo
Samdo to Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi)
Dharamsala
Short but steep climb (~4 hours) to Dharamsala at ~4,460m, passing the Syacha Glacier. Dharamsala is basic — cramped dorms, cold, limited food — so bring snacks and a warm layer. Get an early night ready for the pass.
🚌On foot
🛏Basic teahouse/dorm at Dharamsala
- →Trek Samdo to Dharamsala (~6km)
- →Prepare for Larkya-La crossing
Dharamsala to Bhimthang via Larkya-La Pass (5,100m)
Bhimthang
The big day: an alpine start (before dawn) for the ~8-9 hour crossing of Larkya-La (5,106m) with views of Larkya Glacier, Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. The descent to Bhimthang (~3,720m) is long and hard on the knees. If you're trekking without a guide, this is the day to be extra conservative on weather, timing and group-up with other trekkers.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Bhimthang
- →Cross Larkya-La Pass (5,106m)
- →Descend to Bhimthang
Bhimthang to Dharapani
Dharapani
A long but rewarding descent (~6-7 hours) past Karcher La, through fig and rhododendron forest and paddy fields, via Tilje to Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit trail. Dharapani has more teahouse choice and ATMs are limited — budget cash.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse/guesthouse in Dharapani
- →Trek Bhimthang to Dharapani (~18km)
- →Pass Karcher La and Tilje
Dharapani to Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Take a shared jeep from Dharapani to Besisahar (~3-4 hours, ~NPR 800-1,200), then a local or tourist bus from Besisahar to Kathmandu (~5-6 hours, ~NPR 700-1,000). Arrive back in Thamel in the evening and treat yourself to a proper meal.
🚌Shared jeep + local bus (~£12)
🛏Thamel guesthouse
- →Shared jeep Dharapani to Besisahar
- →Local bus Besisahar to Kathmandu
Departure from Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Pack up, grab breakfast in Thamel and take a prepaid taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport. Leave buffer time — Kathmandu traffic is unpredictable.
🚌Prepaid airport taxi (~£5)
🛏N/A
- →Prepaid taxi to airport
- →Departure
Self-launched vs. Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd.
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd. | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£335 | £1,265 |
| Duration | 16 days | 16 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £930 per person (74%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd.-style trips? Check them out here.~£335
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Manaslu Circuit Trek 16 Days — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £335 per person for 16 days in Nepal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd.?+
Yes — Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd. charges around £1,265 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £335 — a saving of roughly £930 (74%) per person.
How long is the Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 16 days, covering 16 day-by-day stops through Nepal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Nepal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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