The Manaslu Circuit Trek covers approximately 175 km (109 miles) of trekking distance, excluding the road journeys at the beginning and end of the itinerary. You will be trekking for about 2 weeks, with two driving days.
The actual Manaslu Circuit distance varies depending on the route, route measurement, side hikes, trailhead and endpoint, and the itinerary you take. These factors can either shorten or extend your Manaslu Circuit Trek total distance.
Let’s discuss in detail the Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary with Himalayan Masters. This guide breaks down the Manaslu Circuit Trek distance day by day, covering how distance affects the difficulty of the trek and how to access it.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Distance Facts
- Driving Distance: Kathmandu to Machha Khola (approx. 164 km/102 miles) and Tilije to Kathmandu (226 km/140 miles)
- Total Trekking Distance: 175 km (109 miles)
- Daily Walking Distance: Approx. 5-20 km (3-12 miles), depending on route and day
- Trek Duration: 12-20 days, depending on itinerary
- Highest Point: 5,106 meters (16,752 ft) at Larkya La Pass
- Longest Walking Distance: 22 km (13.6 miles)
- Hardest Section: Dharmasala to Bimthang via Larkya La Pass
- Optional Side Trips: Manaslu Base Camp, Birendra Lake, Pungyen Gompa, and Tibet Border
- Road Sections: Kathmandu to Jagat and Tilije to Kathmandu
Manaslu on the Map of Nepal
Mount Manaslu, the world’s 8th highest mountain, stands at 8,163 meters (26,781 ft). It lies in the Mansiri Himal range of north-central Nepal, close to the border of the Gorkha and Manang districts. This region is known for its remote settlements, diverse landscapes, and rich Himalayan culture.
The mountain lies within the Manaslu Conservation Area, protecting its forests, wildlife, traditional villages, and high-altitude ecosystems. The area extends from the lower Budhi Gandaki Valley to the high mountain landscapes surrounding Manaslu, making it one of the most diverse and important trekking regions.
The mountain offers several trekking options, including the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Tsum Valley Trek, and Serang Monastery Trek.
How Many Kilometers Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The Manaslu Circuit Trek total distance is approximately 565 km (351 miles), including both trekking and driving distance.
The actual walking distance from Machha Khola to Tilije is approximately 175 km (109 miles), and the rest is driving.
Kathmandu to Machha Khola distance is approximately 164 km (102 miles), depending on the route taken. If you travel via the Lower Manaslu region (via Barpak, Gorkha), the route is even longer. Machha Khola can be reached by private or shared jeep, or public vehicle too.
Furthermore, after completing the trek at Tilije, you will be driving back to Besisahar on a private or shared jeep. The drive route from Tilije to Besisahar is approximately 56 km (35 miles). Then, from Besisahar, you can take a private jeep or public vehicle to Kathmandu, which covers approximately 170 km (106 miles).
Note:
All these routes and distances are as per Himalayan Masters’ 13-day Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary. Total distance and route options can vary depending on several factors.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Distance and Time as per Itinerary
The standard Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary covers around 175 km (109 miles) over 11 walking days. Along the way, the trail winds through the depths of remote villages and forests of various trees, and passes high mountains surrounded by the beauty of the magnificent peaks of the Himalayas.
1st day: Drive distance and time from Kathmandu to Machha Khola
First, we drive from Kathmandu and then head towards Arughat via Dhading Besi. Arughat Bazaar (570 m/1,870 ft) is 125 km (78 miles) from Kathmandu. From here, we head to Soti Khola, which is only 18 km (11 miles) away. Then, with around a 21 km (13 miles) drive, we can reach Machha Khola.
This is a total drive of 164 km, taking 7-8 hours.
2nd day: Trek distance and time from Machha Khola to Jagat
The distance from Machha Khola to Jagat is around 20 km (12.4 miles), with some very demanding uphill and downhill walks on the trail following Budhi Gandaki River. It takes about 6 to 7 hours to get to Jagat.
In between, you also stop at Tatopani or Thulo Dhunga for lunch.
3rd day: Trek distance and time from Jagat to Deng
From Jagat, we enter the Manaslu Conservation Area. After getting the permit for the conservation area in Jagat, you walk 22 km (13.7 miles) to reach Deng/Dyang. With a stop at beautiful Ghatta Khola and Deng Khola, this is about 7-8 hours of walking.
The route passes through several riverside settlements and crosses sections of forest and suspension bridges along the way.
4th day: Trek distance and time from Deng to Namrung
This is another long day as we walk from Deng to Namrung, about 19 kilometers (12 miles). It takes 6 to 7 hours to reach Namrung. The path involves steep climbing on the zigzag ridges.
5th day: Trek distance and time from Namrung to Shyala Village
Now, the 5th day is relatively calm and relaxing as we get to Shyala in about 6 hours. It is about 19 km (12 miles) of walking along the Budhi Gandaki River and the sub-tropical forest.
You can see several traditional villages and stunning mountain views as the elevation rises.
6th day: Trek distance and time from Shyala to Samagaon
It’s an exciting day of walking from Shyala village to Samagaon, about 16.5 km (10.25 miles). If you want to extend your trip, you can enjoy a calm walk in Shyala village. Today, you will be trekking via Pungyen monastery and beautiful chortens on the path to Samagaon.
As you move higher, the landscape becomes more alpine, with views of Manaslu and other surrounding peaks.
7th day: Rest day at Samagaon
It is essential that we give our bodies rest and acclimatize to the increased elevation. So, day 7 of the Circuit Trek is a rest day.
Today, you can spend the day exploring Samagaun or take an optional acclimatization hike to Manaslu Base Camp, about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Samagaun.
8th day: Trek distance and time from Samagaun to Samdo
It is the shortest walking day in terms of distance, but the increasing altitude makes it important to maintain a steady pace.
On the 8th day of our Manaslu Circuit Trek, you’ll need to walk 5.1 km (3.2 miles) to Samdo, where you can cross Birendra Lake along the route. The walk over several suspension bridges and a forest junction takes about 2-3 hours.
9th day: Hiking distance and time from Samdo to the Tibetan Border
Day 9 of this trek is exciting. Today, you will be hiking to the Tibetan Border, a round trip that takes around 8-9 hours. A round trip is around 19.5 km (12 miles) long.
Although it is an optional side trip in the Manalu Circuit Trek, its distance is included in the approximate total 175 km Manaslu Circuit Trek distance.
10th day: Trek distance and time from Samdo to Dharmasala
Today, you need to walk 6.1 km (3.8 miles) from Samdo to Dharmasala, and it takes about 4 hours of walking.
The trail gradually climbs through the high-altitude alpine landscape toward the base of Larkya La Pass. Dharmasala is a preparatory teahouse settlement for the following day’s pass crossing.
11th day: Trek distance and time from Dharmasala to Bimthang via Larkya Phedi
From Dharmasala, the distance to Bimthang via Larkya Phedi, crossing Larkya La Pass, is about 16 km (10 miles). This journey takes about 8 hours and is one of the longest and most demanding days of the trek.
Today, you’ll have to wake early, start a steep ascent to the pass, and descend toward Bimthang.
12th day: Trek distance and time from Bimthang to Tilije and Drive From Tilije to Besisahar
From Bimthang to Tilije, it is about 20 km (12.4 miles). Although the distance is long, the trail is mostly downhill and level, thus making it easy to walk. This is about a 5-6 hour walk to the famous Gurung village of Tilije.
From Tilije, you’ll drive to Besisahar, which is about 56 km (35 miles).
13th day: Drive distance and time from Besisahar to Kathmandu
The drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu is only 170 km (105.6 miles), i.e., 6 hours, along the bank of the Trishuli River and through terrace farms.
Which is the Longest Day on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The longest walking day on the Manaslu Circuit Trek is Jagat to Deng. It is around 22 km long, which is about a 7-8-hour trek.
Other long trek routes are Deng to Namrung (19 km), Samdo to Tibetan Border (19.5 km), and Bimthang to Tilije (20 km).
| Route | Distance | Time | Trail Condition |
| Jagat → Deng | 22 km/13.7 miles | 7-8 hours | Long day with frequent uphill and downhill sections |
| Bimthang → Tilije | 20 km/12.4 miles | 5-6 hours | Mostly downhill through forests and mountain villages |
| Samdo → Tibetan Border | 19.5 km/12.1 miles | 8-9 hours | Optional high-altitude hike with steep sections and rugged alpine terrain |
| Deng → Namrung | 19 km/12 miles | 6-7 hours | Gradual ascent with some steep climbs through the valley |
Although the route between Jagat and Deng is the longest, it is not necessarily the hardest. For those not accustomed to long-distance walking, distance is directly proportional to difficulty.
The section between Dharmasala and Bimthang is shorter, around 16 km, but the altitude and steep ascent to Larkya La Pass make it one of the hardest days on the Manaslu Circuit Trek route.
Similarly, shorter days around Samagaun and Samdo can feel strenuous due to their high-altitude alpine trekking.
What is the Hardest Day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The hardest day on the Manaslu Circuit Trek is Dharmasala to Bimthang via Larkya La Pass. This day covers about 16 km. But the real challenge is not the distance; it is altitude.
You start ar 4,460 meters (14,633 ft) at Dharmasala, and climb up to 5,106 meters (16,752 ft) at Larkya La Pass, gaining 870 meters (2,854 ft). The risk of altitude sickness is significant around this section.
The descent is just as tough. After the pass, you descend steeply towards Bimthang (3,590 m/11,778 ft) on a loose scree and rocky trail. This puts a lot of pressure on your knees.
Unpredictable weather puts another layer of risk.
This combination of altitude, tough route, and weather makes Dharmasala to Bimthang, on the 11th day of the standard Manaslu Circuit Trek offered by Himalayan Masters, rather than the distance itself.
Why is a Shorter Day Sometimes Harder Than a Longer Day?
Distance doesn’t always equal difficulty. Altitude and terrain equally matter.
Usually, descent is easier than the ascent. Bimthang to Tilije is around 20 km long but is mostly downhill, which can be covered in about 5-6 hours. In comparison, Samagaun to Samdo is only a 5.1 km steep uphill route and takes around 2-3 hours.
Although the Samagaun to Samdo section is shorter, trekkers often describe it as more challenging than the Bimthang to Tiliji section or any other low-altitude day of trekking. This is due to thinner air, which makes the climb more strenuous.
This is why trekkers should consider distance together with altitude, elevation gain, and terrain when determining the difficulty.
Why Does Manaslu Circuit Trek Total Distance Vary?
Let’s make one thing clear. The total distance of the Manaslu Circuit Trek that you see on the internet is not universal. It can change from website to website. It is due to different trailheads, changes in exit point, road construction and road extensions, GPS records and map measurement, optional side trips, and itinerary customization.
Trailhead changes
Previously, Soti Khola used to be the starting point for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. However, there has been a lot of road construction and extension has been going on. At present, many itineraries start at Machha Khola. Some even use Jagat as their trailhead.
Road extensions along the Budhi Gandaki Valley continue, pushing the trailhead further in. With each new road section constructed, it cuts a few kilometers of walking, but adds driving distance instead.
Exit point changes
Our standard itinerary ends at Tilije and then drives back to Kathmandu via Besisahar. Or, you can further trek up to Dharapani and then take a private or shared jeep to Besisahar.
The chosen exit point therefore changes the total walking distance.
Road construction
Landslides often damage road sections between Kathmandu and Machha Khola and Tilije and Kathmandu, especially during monsoon. This makes travel inconvenient and often requires detours or longer walks.
As a result, the practical distance can change from one season or itinerary to another.
GPS vs. Map Measurement
Different GPS devices, mapping platforms, and route maps read distances differently.
A GPS device tracks the actual path taken, switchbacks, and elevation changes, while a map calculates straight distance.
This is one reason why two sources can report slightly different distances for the same section.
Optional Side Trips
If you skip acclimatization side hikes such as Manaslu Base Camp, Birendra Lake, Pungyen Gompa, and Tibet Border, it shortens your walking distance. But we do not recommend doing so, as rest/acclimatization hikes are essential for acclimatizing to increased elevation.
Itinerary Variations
Alternative approaches through Gorkha, Barpak, and other parts of the Manaslu region also have different route lengths.
Depending on the route taken, you can customize the trek from 12 to 20 days. Shorter itineraries require longer walking distances, while longer itineraries can be customized to include additional acclimatization days, side trips, or even shorter walking distances.
Therefore, the total distance depends not only on the Manaslu Circuit itself but also on how the itinerary is designed.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Optional Side Trips Distance
There are several side trips that you can add to your Manaslu Circuit Trek. Most are optional but essential acclimatization hikes.
These hikes add extra kilometers to your Manaslu Circuit Trek distance, some of which are included in the standard 175 km circuit distance.
Samagaon to Manaslu Base Camp Distance
Manaslu Base Camp is one of the most popular and the most challenging side treks in the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Starting from Samagaun (3,530 m/11,581 ft), the Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m/15,748 ft) Hike is approximately 13.2 km (8.2 miles, round-trip) and takes 7-8 hours. The elevation gain is roughly 1,270 meters (4,167 ft).
Due to the quick elevation gain, it is a demanding day hike option.
Note:
As it is already included in our standard itinerary, its distance is also included in the standard 175 km trip distance.
Samdo to Tibetan Border Distance (Rui La Pass)
Side hike to Tibetan Border from Samdo is another popular acclimatization option. It is about 19.5 km (12 miles) and takes 8 to 9 hours; this distance is already included in the Manaslu Circuit total distance.
Starting at 3,875 meters (12,713 ft) in Samdo, the hike gains an additional elevation of approximately 1,123 meters (3,684 ft), reaching 4,998 meters (16,398 ft) at Lajyang Bhanjyang (Rui La Pass).
It is a long and demanding high-altitude hike and is optional.
Samdo Peak
Samdo Peak (5,177 m/16,985 ft) is a short alternative hike from Samdo Village. The round trip is approximately 5-6 km (3.1-3.7 miles) and takes around 4-5 hours. For those who want to skip the side hike to the Tibetan Border, you can choose this option, reducing your total
Manaslu Circuit distance by about 14 km (8.7 miles).
Note:
It’s a separate peak, requiring a separate climbing expedition permit.
Pungyen Gompa
Pungyen Gompa is another popular acclimatization and cultural side trip that lies on the trek day from Shyala to Samagaon.
A short detour along the route, the round trip to Pungyen Gompa is approximately 8-9 km (5-5.5 miles) and is included in the total standard Manaslu trek distance.
Trail climbing through open alpine terrain towards the historic monastery; it is generally considered a moderate hike.
Birendra Lake
Starting from Samagaun, Birendra Lake is a short acclimatization hike located at 3,644 meters (11,955 ft). It’s approximately 3 km (1.9 miles) round trip from Samagaun, about a 1.5 to 3 hours hike. You can do this hike on acclimatization day, or cross the lake on the way from Samagaun to Samdo.
Serang Gompa
Adding Serang Gompa to your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary extends your trek by 3-4 days, not just a few kilometers.
The route branches from the main trail around Bihi/Bihi Phedi, then climbs to Serang Gompa (3,100 m/ 10,170 ft). Later, the route reconnects with the main Manaslu Circuit route near Ghap.
Serang Gompa is roughly 10 km (10 miles) from Bihi, and 14 km (8.7 miles) from Serang Gompa to Ghap.
Other Less Popular Off-the-Beaten-Path Side Trips in Manaslu Circuit
Beyond these popular acclimatization hikes, the Manaslu region offers several lesser-known side trips.
One great option is a hike to Kaal Tal (Death Lake). It is a remote side trip from Prok village, adding an additional day or arrangements. The round trip takes 3-5 hours and requires a local guide.
Himalchuli Base Camp is an off-the-beaten-path hike that requires a separate route and additional trekking days.
A side hike from Bimthang to Ponkar Lake is a short hike located near Bimthang Village, or on the way to the Larkya La Pass crossing day. It usually takes about 4-5 hours round trip from Bimthang. However, trekkers usually do this after crossing Larkya La.
How Many Hours Do You Walk Each Day?
On the Manaslu Circuit Trek, trekkers usually walk for 2 to over 8 hours, depending on the distance, terrain, altitude gain, and itinerary.
Some days are short and relaxed, while some involve long climbs and descents.
| Type of Day | Approx. Walking Time | Example Route | Typical Character |
| Short Days | 2-4 hours | Samagaon → Samdo | Shorter, gradual walking through high-altitude terrain |
| Normal Days | 5-7 hours | Namrung → Shyala Bimthang → Tilije |
Regular trekking with a mix of uphill, downhill, and level sections |
| Long Days | 7-8+ hours | Jagat → Deng Dharmasala → Larkya La → Bimthang |
Longer or more demanding route with significant climbing or descending on high-altitude terrain |
Walking time depends on your fitness level, weather, group size and pace, and breaks taken more than just distance. A short high-altitude climb can take just as long as a longer walk on an easier lower-elevation or descending trail.
Tips to reduce the difficulty due to Manaslu Trek distance
Here are a few tips to tackle the difficulties due to the Manaslu Trek distance:
- The road network has now extended beyond Machha Khola to Jagat. If possible, you can drive this section so that you don’t have to trek as much.
- The Himalayan Masters’ Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary is designed in such a way that even when you stroll and rest, you will reach your destination by evening. Don’t rush. Take your time to walk.
- If you feel like covering the distance is impossible, you might change the itinerary and stay in the available teahouses midway.
- You can customize your longer walking days and split them into two shorter days. Although it increases the total number of days in your itinerary, it reduces the average walking day. Talk to your guide if you need this option.
- Start training at least 2 to 2 months before the trek. Hiking or stair climbing helps build stamina for long walking days.
- Use trekking poles on steep sections, on the descent from Larkya La to Bimthang.
- Don’t skip the rest days. They are essential for acclimatizing to increasing elevation and for preparing your body for the high-altitude days ahead.
