Manaslu Region

The Manaslu region is in northern Gorkha district, in central Nepal. It borders Tibet to the north, the Annapurna Conservation Area (Manang) to the west and the Ganesh Himal range to the east. The Budhi Gandaki valley runs through its middle from south to north.

The Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA) is a 1,663 km² protected area that covers most of the region. It was declared in 1998 to protect the land, wildlife and culture around Manaslu. Visitors pay an entry fee (MCAP), and the money goes into conservation and local projects.

The Manaslu region was designated a restricted area partly for geopolitical and border-security reasons. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Tibetan Khampa resistance fighters used remote areas of northern Nepal as a base for their armed struggle against Chinese rule in Tibet. To address China's security concerns, maintain good relations with China, and control cross-border activities, Nepal restricted access to several northern border regions. These restrictions remained even after Nepal disarmed the Khampa fighters in 1974.

The restrictions also help protect the region's fragile mountain environment, traditional Tibetan-influenced culture, and remote communities from uncontrolled tourism. Manaslu was opened to organised trekking in 1991, but access remains regulated through special permits, licensed guides, and registered trekking agencies.

You need a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit and the MCAP, plus ACAP if you exit through Manang. Tsum Valley needs its own restricted permit.

Only a Nepalese person can visit the Manaslu region alone. Foreign trekkers can go as one person, but not without a guide. Since 22 March 2026 a single traveller can get the restricted area permit, so you no longer need a second person. The permit must still come through a registered agency, and a licensed guide must walk with you.

Three main groups live in the region. Gurung and Magar villages fill the lower, warmer valley. Above about Namrung live the Nubri people, and in Tsum Valley the Tsumba, both Tibetan-speaking Buddhists with stone houses, gompas and long mani walls.

The MCA has 33 recorded mammal species, more than 110 bird species and around 2,000 plant species. Snow leopard, musk deer and Himalayan tahr live in the higher valleys. You are far more likely to see blue sheep, tahr and birds than a snow leopard, which is rarely seen.

You see a full Himalayan cross-section in one valley. The walk passes rice terraces, deep gorges, forest, yak pastures and glaciers below Manaslu (8,163 m), Himal Chuli and Ngadi Chuli. Cultural sites include Pungyen Gompa near Samagaon, Mu Gompa, Rachen Gompa and Milarepa's Cave in Tsum.

There are three main treks. The Manaslu Circuit (13 days) loops around the mountain over Larkya La (5,106 m). The Tsum Valley trek (11 days) stays below about 3,700 m and focuses on culture. The two combine in about 18 days.

Tsum Valley is a side valley in the north-east of the Manaslu region, along the Shiar Khola river toward Tibet. It is one of the most traditional Tibetan Buddhist areas in Nepal, with old monasteries and nunneries. It needs a separate restricted area permit and has only small lodges and homestays.

The region is reached by road only, as it has no airport. A jeep or bus covers about 157 km from Kathmandu to Machha Khola via Arughat in 8 to 10 hours. After the October 2026 flood, vehicles stop at Khorlabesi and you walk on to Jagat.

October and November are the best months, with clear skies and dry trails. Clouds and rainfall generally remains in September. March to May is the second choice, with warmer days and rhododendrons in the lower forest. The June to August monsoon brings landslides in the gorge, and winter snow can close Larkya La. However, early December still has clear views, with far less crowd.

Facilities are basic and get simpler as you climb. Teahouses serve dal bhat and simple meals, Samagaon has the most lodges, and Tsum has small lodges and homestays. Arughat has the last ATM, and mobile signal and Wi-Fi are patchy higher up.

Manaslu is quieter, more remote and more controlled. It has no airport and needs a restricted area permit and a guide, while Everest starts with a flight to Lukla and Annapurna has more roads and larger lodges. In return, Manaslu's villages see far fewer visitors.