Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit Trek are both of Nepal's most well-known trekking routes with distinct experiences. The choice between the Manaslu circuit or Annapurna Circuit trek will be based on what kind of trekker you are and what kind of experience you are seeking for. Manaslu trek vs Annapurna Circuit Trek is often about remoteness, altitude, cultural experience, cost, and trail traffic.
Manaslu Circuit is more remote and less densely trekked compared to Annapurna Circuit, while Annapurna has more improved infrastructure and variety of hiking. Both treks go over high mountain passes - Larke La in Manaslu and Thorong La in Annapurna but differ in difficulty, beauty of scenery and unique trekking experience. You will also need a different permit, you need a guide to trek the Manaslu region, which is a restricted area,whereas Annapurna offers flexibility and is more beginner friendly.
It is important to understand the differences between Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit in relation to route, accessibility, accommodation, costs and trekking logistics before you make your decision. In comparing the treks, you can plan better,and select the trek most aligned with your own interests, experience and travel goals.
This blog will provide you with everything you need to make an informed decision when deciding between the Manaslu Circuit and the Annapurna Circuit - details about the trails, permit prices and season information, both the treks are best option of the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal.
Trail to Tilicho Lake with Tilicho Peak in the background
What are the Key Differences Between Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Features
Manaslu Circuit
Annapurna Circuit
Region
Gorkha and Manaslu Conservation Area
Annapurna Conservation Area
Trek Duration
10–18 days
7-20 days
Difficulty Level
Challenging
Moderate to Challenging
Maximum Elevation
Larkya La Pass (5,160 m)
Thorong La Pass (5,416 m)
Required Permits
Manaslu RAP, MCAP, ACAP
ACAP, TIMS
Crowd and Popularity
Less crowded, more remote
Very popular, more developed
Accommodation type
Teahouses (fewer and more basic)
Teahouses (more and better developed)
Cultural Experience
Tibetan-influenced Buddhist culture
Mix of Gurung, Thakali, and Tibetan cultures
Road Access
Limited road development
Roads have shortened the traditional trek in many places
Trek Start Point
Soti Khola / Machha Khola
Besisahar / Bhulbhule
Trek End Point
Dharapani or Besi Sahar
Jomsom, Muktinath, or Nayapul (depending on route)
Cost
Slightly more expensive due to restricted permit and remoteness
Comparatively cheaper and more accessible
Scenery
Rugged, remote valleys, glaciers, close mountain views
Varied—lush forests, high alpine terrain, villages, rivers
Trek Overview
Manaslu Circuit Trek
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a remote and beautiful trek that goes around Mount Manaslu (8,162 m), the world's eighth-tallest mountain. Located in the western Nepal, the trek takes you through restricted areas near the Tibetan border, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural diversity.
Trekkers start the trek from Soti Khola or Machha Khola and gradually ascend through forested areas, river gorges, and traditional villages of Gurung and Tibetan-influenced groups. The hike continues to climb until it reaches its highest point, Larke La Pass, which is 5,160 meters above sea level. Crossing this pass offers excellent vistas of snow-capped peaks like Manaslu, Himalchuli, and Ganesh Himal.
It usually takes 10-18 days to fully complete the Manaslu Circuit Trek. It provides fewer tourists compared to crowded trails like Annapurna or Everest, and is therefore ideal for those trekkers who prefer solitude and the true Himalayan experience.
Terraced fields with fall colors and snowy peaks in Manalsu Circuit Trek
Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is popular and among the most varied trekking routes in Nepal. It circles the Annapurna massif and passes through a variety of different landscapes, ranging from tropical rain forest to high-altitude deserts. The trek provides spectacular views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machapuchare peaks.
The trek usually starts at Besi Sahar and follows the valley of Marsyangdi River. While trekking, you traverse through scenic Gurung, Thakali, and other ethnic groups' villages. These villages have rich cultural heritage, colorful festivals, and hospitality.
The trek goes up step by step until you reach the summit, Thorong La Pass, which is 5,416 meters. Getting through the pass is physically demanding but rewards you with beautiful mountain scenery and a sense of accomplishment.
Annapurna Circuit already has an established system of trails and has many tea houses where food and lodging are available. It attracts trekking tourists from all over the world, so the trail remains active throughout the year. Nevertheless, despite its fame, the trail retains an admixture of nature and culture.
The trek lasts for approximately 7 to 20 days, depending on your itinerary. It is suitable for beginners as well as seasoned trekkers seeking a traditional Himalayan experience with varying scenery and cultural depth.
Comparing Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit in Route and Distance
Manaslu Circuit Trek Route and Distance
The Trek involves approximately 177 km, starting from Soti Khola and leading as a loop around Mount Manaslu. The trek can take anywhere from 12 to 16 days to complete. Along the trek, you will experience many forests, traditional villages, and ascend to the high Larke La Pass at 5,160 meters.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Route and Distance
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is approximately 160 to 230 km (depending on where you officially start, as well as route variations). It typically takes what's considered to be 15 to 20 days to complete. The route involves trekking alongside the Marsyangdi River and takes you through diverse landscapes and settings from lush valleys to high alpine in thin air. You will encounter the challenging Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters.
Which is the Best for You?
If you’re looking for a remote, less-traveled path with raw mountain scenery and cultural depth, the Manaslu Circuit trek is the right pick. But if you prefer a more established trail with diverse landscapes, easier access, and more comfort, the Annapurna Circuit trek is a great choice.
Altitude: Which Trek Is Harder – Manaslu or Annapurna Circuit?
Manaslu Circuit Altitude
Beginning at about 700 meters, the Manaslu Circuit ascends to the highest point at the Larkya La Pass, which is 5160 meters (16,930 feet) above sea level. Therefore, this trek steadily climbs over remote terrain,making the Manaslu Circuit difficulty higher and will require acclimatization.
Annapurna Circuit Altitude
Thorong La Pass, at 5,416 meters (17,769 feet), is the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit, which starts at around 800 meters. The rise in elevation is significant, and the pass is among the highest trekking altitudes in Nepal.
Which is the Best for You?
So both treks reach similar high-altitude challenges; however, the Annapurna Circuit still reaches at a slightly higher altitude than the Manaslu Circuit.
Food and Accommodation: Manaslu vs Annapurna Circuit
Manaslu Circuit
Manaslu Circuit accommodation is much more basic, especially as you head higher and into the remoter regions. Most teahouses are family-run operations, so the facilities are limited (shared bathrooms, basic rooms, etc.). The food availability is much less varied, and traditional Nepalese meals (Dal Bhat) are the norm, rather than Western options.
Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit has a wider range of accommodation options that includes both very basic teahouses, and more comfortable lodges with attached bathrooms in some areas. With regard to food variety there is a much wider range that allows for meal types of Nepali, Tibetan, and Western meals. The Annapurna Circuit also contains the better developed areas that accommodate and support tourism. The major positive is that in terms of both food and accommodation on the Annapurna Circuit has better options than Manaslu.
Remote village on Manaslu Circuit with stone houses and mountain views
Which is the Best for You?
Ultimately, the Annapurna Circuit has better food variety and structures for comfort as a result of its well-developed tourism infrastructure. The Manaslu Circuit will have the best authentic experience that is off the beaten path, plus the trade off of it being less developed. Whether you are one that would prefer comfort or that of a more authentic off the beaten track experience is up to you.
Permit and Trekking Costs: Manaslu Circuit vs Annapurna Circuit
Manaslu Circuit
The permits required for the Manaslu Circuit are Restricted Area Permit (USD 100 for the first seven days during the peak season) along with the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (USD 30) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (USD 30). You must have a licensed guide too; so your total permitting and guide fee can be anywhere from USD 180-250, depending on how many clients your guide takes.
When you include accommodation, meals, transport, and guide provisions, your total cost for Manaslu Circuit Trek will run from USD 900-1,400.
Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit requires only two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (USD 30) and a TIMS card (USD 20). The permitting fee costs roughly USD 50 total.
Manaslu is costlier due to restrictions and guide required. Annapurna is flexible and easy on the pocket. Contact us customized costs based on your group and preference.
Accessibility and Transportation: Which Trek Is Easier to Reach?
Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit is more accessible. You can travel from Kathmandu or Pokhara to reach the starting points of the trek (Besisahar or Bhulbhule) in six to eight hours by public bus or jeep. The roads are much better and there are many more regular services for access to this route.
Manaslu Circuit
The Manaslu Circuit takes about eight to ten hours of bus travel to get to the beginning of the circuit. Usually you will start at Soti Khola or Machha Khola. Because the road is much more rugged, depending on the season the travel conditions may be more difficult than the Annapurna Circuit. There are fewer travel choices, often requiring the use of a private vehicle.
Which is the Best for You?
If you want to experience the ease and comfort of travel, then the Annapurna trek is the better option. The Manaslu trek does require more effort to reach, but you will get a more remote trekking experience and more untouched area.
Wildlife and Natural Scenery: Manaslu vs Annapurna Region
Manaslu Region
The Manaslu region is located in the Manaslu Conservation Area, which contains a variety of ecosystems, including subtropical forests and alpine meadows. While trekking in the Manaslu area, trekkers may encounter wildlife including Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, pikas, and langurs. While they are rarely seen, the area is also home to snow leopards and red pandas.
The trail traverses plentiful pine, oak, and rhododendron forests and follows river valleys and rivers fed by glaciers. As trekkers gain altitude as they trek the trail, the view begins to open up to barren high mountains featuring panoramic views of Manaslu, Himalchuli, and nearby peaks.
Annapurna Region
The largest protected region in Nepal, the Annapurna Conservation region, contains the Annapurna Circuit. This region includes a full breadth of biodiversity, including species like musk deer, Himalayan monal, and langurs. There are forests that run the gambit from lowland tropical vegetation to temperate forests to alpine zones.
Trekkers may be able to take in views of multiple peaks including Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, and Machapuchare. The trek also includes views of high mountain passes, river gorges and arid landscapes of Mustang.
Trekkers with backpacks walking by clear mountain lake with snowy peaks on Manaslu Circuit
Which is the Best for You?
Both treks pass through extensive conservation areas with diverse ecosystems and mountain landscapes. The Manaslu trek feels more remote and less developed, while the Annapurna trek passes varied landscapes over a broader area. Manaslu is arguably stronger for more raw, less traveled terrain and potentially seeing wildlife. For a wider variety of scenery, easier access to the higher altitude zones, and less bureaucratic challenges, Annapurna is more appealing.
Crowds and Trekking Experience: Manaslu Trek or Annapurna Circuit
Manaslu Trek
Throughout the year, there is significantly less foot traffic on the Manaslu Trek. The trek is in a restricted area, which requires the use of a guide, limiting the ability to travel independently. The trek goes through remote villages and areas that are a bit less developed, which adds to a more isolated, peaceful trek experience. Most of the trek is quiet, which can be rare and refreshing, even during peak trekking season.
Annapurna Circuit
In Nepal, one of the most well-liked trekking routes is the Annapurna Circuit. The trek attracts a large number of trekkers during the spring and autumn seasons. Parts of the trek are still quiet, but the main trail can be crowded along some sections of the trek, especially near popular villages like Manang, and all the sections leading up to and on the Thorong La Pass. As a larger trek with a more social and interactive experience, trekkers will have more opportunities to meet other trekkers from all around the world.
Which is the Best for You?
The Manaslu trip is a more peaceful and immersive experience if you're looking for more seclusion and a remote setting when walking. If you like interacting and meeting other trekkers along your route, or need a more social atmosphere and more amenities and services, the Annapurna trek is a more suitable option.
Manaslu Circuit vs Annapurna Circuit: Which is Best For You?
Why Choose the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Choose the Annapurna Circuit because it has the best transportation, accommodations, and flexibility in the route you can take. The gradual elevation allows for easy altitude adjustment, which is ideal if it is your first time trekking. The Annapurna Circuit has the most developed infrastructure and basic services like clinics, shops, and regular rest stops. It also has very diverse geography and cultural regions, which gives you a broad brush of what trekking in Nepal is like.
Why Choose the Manaslu Trek?
Choose the Manaslu Circuit if you want a much quieter and potentially less crowded trek with a more remote-feeling experience. You will come through traditional villages with a strong Tibetan influence and feel much more isolated in the comings and goings of the trek. There is more physical effort involved in completing this trek and you will likely have longer days of trekking to fully immerse yourself in the experience, which works well if you have prior trekking experience and a good level of fitness. It feels more like trekking in a natural environment than the Annapurna with fewer commercial interventions along the way.
Manaslu Circuit vs Annapurna Circuit: Which is Better for Beginners?
Annapurna Circuit is more beginner-friendly, with established trails, easy access to food and accommodation, and flexible itineraries. By contrast, the Manaslu trek is more remote, requiring a guide for the entirety of the trek, involves longer days walking with fewer facilities and so a trekker would ideally have some experience before attempting this trek. If you are new to trekking at high altitudes, Annapurna presents a far more controlled and supportive environment.
Red-roof lodge with snowy peaks on Manaslu Circuit
FAQs
Do I need a guide to do the Annapurna or Manaslu Circuit?
Yes, both the Annapurna Circuit and the Manaslu Circuit require a licensed trekking guide based on new trekking rules in Nepal. This rule is a safety issue for trekkers, providing better support while trekking, and improving the management of trekking routes. Independent trekking without a guide is now allowed in both areas.
Which trek is best for altitude acclimatization?
The Annapurna Circuit offers better opportunities for acclimating to altitude. The Annapurna trek climbs gradually, compared to the Manaslu Circuit, and has more flexible itinerary ideas that allow trekkers to acclimatize more slowly to higher altitudes. The Manaslu Circuit in some sections ascends more quickly and, if not planned correctly, the chance of altitude problems can be slightly increased.
Is it possible to combine both Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Yes, it is possible to combine the treks into one trek. It requires proper planning, additional permits, and more days of trekking. The route usually conjoins via Dharapani, which is the end of the Manaslu trek and the beginning of the Annapurna trail. A guide is required when trekking in both areas.
What kind of gear do I need for each trek?
For both treks you should have good hiking boots, layered clothes for all temperatures, a waterproof down jacket, a rain jacket and/or pants, sleeping bag, trekking poles, and basic first-aid supplies. Because of the remote nature of the Manaslu Circuit there are a couple extra items to carry, such as power banks and backup snacks. There is more frequent resupply along the Annapurna trek.
Are solo female travelers safe on these treks?
Both treks are generally safe for solo female trekkers, particularly if you are trekking with a licensed guide. The Annapurna Circuit is popular with trail traffic making it feel like there are more trekkers around. The Manaslu Circuit is less travelled, however, so a guide or trekking in a group would be recommended.
How physically fit do I need to do the Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit Trek?
You will need a good level of fitness for both Annapurna and Manaslu treks. You will be walking between 5 and 8 hours daily with elevation gain. The Manaslu trek is tougher because its new environment is longer and more remote, while the Annapurna trek offers more rest days and shorter sections, making it less strenuous for first time trekkers who are well prepared.
Tilicho Lake with clear blue water in Annapurna Circuit Trek
Conclusion
Whether you choose the Manaslu Circuit or the Annapurna Circuit will really depend on what kind of trekking experience you want to have. If you want the easy, well-supported trek with many facilities while taking in varied landscapes, and the opportunity to socialize with fellow trekkers in a busy trail environment, then the Annapurna Circuit is an easy choice. The trail can be very busy, but as it's easier to get to, has more amenities like guest houses and food, and is suitable for beginners and experienced trekkers alike.
If you're looking for a trek that is more quiet, remote, with less foot traffic and offers more of a true Himalayan feel, then the Manaslu Circuit is a great choice. The views of the mountains and cultural experiences will be just as scenic as the Annapurna Circuit, but this trek is much more challenging due to remoteness and requires trekker's to be better prepared and to have guided assistance during your trek.
If you want an even bigger adventure, you can always extend your Manaslu trek to include Tsum Valley, or, as another option, connect it with the Annapurna Circuit for a longer journey. Other treks to consider in beautiful Nepal are the Langtang Valley Trek and Upper Mustang Trek, where both have their respective scenery and culture too. Contact us at Himalayan Recreation if you want more guidance on which trek to choose. Our experts will help you right away!
