Side by side
| Manaslu Circuit Trek | Annapurna Circuit Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 16 | 16 |
| Highest point | 5,106 m | 5,416 m |
| Difficulty | Challenging | Challenging |
| Total distance | 177 km | 210 km |
| Best months | March to April and October to November | March to April and October to November |
| Typical cost | $1,400 to $2,800 | $900 to $2,200 |
| Starts from | Soti Khola (700 m) or Machha Khola | Besisahar or Chame (for road-shortened version) |
| Permits | 3 | 2 |
Choose the Manaslu Circuit Trek if
The Manaslu Circuit is a 14 to 18 day restricted-area trek in the Gorkha District of western Nepal, circumnavigating Manaslu (8,163 m), the world's eighth highest mountain. The route crosses the Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m and offers a rawer, less-crowded alternative to the Annapurna Circuit with comparable cultural depth and mountain scale.
The route is long and the Larkya La crossing demands proper acclimatisation. The trail is well-worn but involves some exposed rocky sections and glacier moraines near the pass. A restricted area permit and mandatory guide are required.
Choose the Annapurna Circuit Trek if
The Annapurna Circuit is Nepal's most diverse trek, taking 14 to 21 days to circumnavigate the entire Annapurna massif. It climbs from subtropical river valleys through pine forests and across the highest trekking pass in Nepal, the Thorong La at 5,416 m, before descending into the arid Mustang rain shadow. The circuit is partly motorable, so most trekkers now begin at Chame or Dharapani to preserve the best sections.
The altitude and duration are the main challenges. The walking itself is rarely technical, but Thorong La at 5,416 m is the highest trekking pass in the world that is regularly crossed and demands thorough acclimatisation at Manang.
