Mount Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain on Earth. These facts about Mount Manaslu cover what most guides skip. You get the exact Manaslu height, who first climbed it, how dangerous it really is, and where trekkers can see it without a rope or an ice axe. We guide treks around this mountain, so we also flag the numbers that conflict online.
Last updated: October 2026
How Tall Is Mount Manaslu?
Mount Manaslu stands 8,163 meters (26,781 feet) tall. That makes it the eighth-highest mountain on Earth. It rises in the Mansiri Himal of Gorkha District, west-central Nepal, about 64 km east of Annapurna. Its name comes from the Sanskrit manasa, meaning mountain of the spirit.
Mount Manaslu Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 8,163 m (26,781 ft) |
| World rank | 8th highest mountain |
| Range | Mansiri Himal, Nepal Himalayas |
| Location | Gorkha District, west-central Nepal |
| Other name | Kutang |
| Name meaning | Mountain of the spirit (Sanskrit, manasa) |
| Prominence | 3,092 m (10,144 ft) |
| First ascent | May 9, 1956, by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu (Japanese expedition) |
| First winter ascent | January 12, 1984, by Maciej Berbeka and Ryszard Gajewski |
| Highest point on the trek | Larkya La, 5,106 m (16,752 ft) |
| Protected area | Manaslu Conservation Area, 1,663 sq km, declared December 1998 |
Where Is Mount Manaslu Located?
Manaslu sits in west-central Nepal. It is the highest peak in Gorkha District and lies about 64 km (40 miles) east of Annapurna. Want the full map view and travel routes? See our guide on where Manaslu mountain is located.
Neighboring Peaks
| Peak | Height (m) | Height (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Himalchuli | 7,893 | 25,896 |
| Ngadi Chuli | 7,871 | 25,823 |
| Shringi | 7,187 | 23,579 |
| Langpo | 6,668 | 21,877 |
| Saula | 6,235 | 20,456 |
Who First Climbed Manaslu? A Short Timeline
Japanese climbers made the first ascent on May 9, 1956. Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu reached the top. Japan has felt a close tie to the mountain ever since, much like Britain with Everest.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1950 | H. W. Tilman and Major J. O. M. Roberts see the mountain from Larkya La and spot a possible route |
| 1953 | A Japanese team tries the northeast side. Three climbers reach 7,750 m before turning back |
| 1956 | Imanishi and Norbu make the first ascent |
| 1972 | Reinhold Messner, with an Austrian expedition, climbs the southwest face for the first time |
| 1974 | A Japanese women’s team summits. They become the first women to climb a peak above 8,000 m |
| 1984 | Polish climbers make the first winter ascent |
| 2023 | Alex Txikon and six Sherpa climbers make a winter ascent in January |
Is Manaslu a “Killer Mountain”? The Real Risk
Sort of, but the label needs context. Avalanches are the main danger. Weather turns fast. A long, sharp ridge separates the false summit from the true one.
Numbers vary by source and year. One often-cited tally from 2008 lists 297 ascents and 53 deaths. That ranked Manaslu as the fourth most dangerous 8,000 m peak, behind Annapurna, Nanga Parbat and K2. A 2012 tally lists 672 ascents and 67 deaths. Some sites claim a 60 percent death rate. The tallies above do not support that.
Two avalanches show the risk. One hit the high camps in September 2012. Another struck the route near Camp IV in September 2022 and injured 13 climbers.
Climbing Manaslu: Route, Season and Permits
The easiest route is a snow and ice climb on the northeast face. The south face is reported to be the hardest. Climbers use spring (before the monsoon) and autumn. Spring is usually the calmer season for weather, snow and avalanches.
Is it the “easiest” 8,000 m peak? Some guides say yes, because the normal route has little technical rock. We would not use that word. Avalanche risk is real, altitude is brutal, and a full expedition takes about six weeks. Only experienced high-altitude climbers should try it.
Climbing needs a peak permit arranged through a registered Nepali agency. Royalty fees change, so confirm current rates with Nepal’s Department of Tourism before you plan. Trekking permits are a different set of rules. See our Manaslu trekking permit guide.
Wildlife and Nature Around Manaslu
The mountain sits inside the Manaslu Conservation Area, which covers 1,663 square kilometers. Local monasteries enforced a hunting ban for generations, and wildlife recovered. Snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan tahr, blue sheep and musk deer all live here.
| Recorded in the area | Count |
|---|---|
| Mammal species | 33 |
| Bird species | 110 |
| Butterfly species | 11 |
| Reptile species | 3 |
| Forest types | 19 |
| Plant species (estimate) | 1,500 to 2,000 |
The land climbs from warm subtropical foothills to frozen high pastures at the Tibetan border. Rhododendron and Himalayan blue pine fill the middle forests. The people here are mainly Nubri and Tsum communities with Tibetan Buddhist roots. Expect mani walls, monasteries and chortens along the trail.
How to See Mount Manaslu Without Climbing It
Most people never climb Manaslu. They walk around it. The circuit follows the Budhi Gandaki river, an old salt-trading route. Along the way you can see ten peaks above 6,500 m. The trail crosses Larkya La at 5,106 m, its highest point.
The trek opened to foreign visitors in the early 1990s, so the villages still feel remote. Teahouses now replace the camping that was once required. For the best views of the peak, look for Samdo village, Samagaun and Bhimtang. Read our Larkya La guide before pass day, and check the best time for the Manaslu trek when you plan dates.
High altitude affects everyone. Learn the warning signs in our guide to altitude sickness symptoms.
Manaslu vs Everest at a Glance
| Fact | Manaslu | Everest |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 8,163 m | 8,849 m |
| World rank | 8th | 1st |
| First ascent | 1956 | 1953 |
Want the full comparison of trails, crowds and costs? Read Manaslu vs Everest.
Mount Manaslu FAQs
How high is Mount Manaslu?
Mount Manaslu is 8,163 meters (26,781 feet) high. It is the eighth-highest mountain in the world. Some older sources list 8,156 meters, but 8,163 meters is the figure most sources use today.
Where is Mount Manaslu located?
Mount Manaslu is in the Mansiri Himal in Gorkha District, west-central Nepal. It lies about 64 km (40 miles) east of Annapurna.
What does the name Manaslu mean?
Manaslu comes from the Sanskrit word manasa, which means intellect or soul. The name is usually translated as mountain of the spirit. In Tibetan the mountain is also called Kutang.
Who first climbed Manaslu?
Toshio Imanishi of Japan and Gyalzen Norbu, a Sherpa, made the first ascent on May 9, 1956, as part of a Japanese expedition. The first winter ascent came on January 12, 1984.
Why is Manaslu called the killer mountain?
Avalanches, sudden storms and a long corniced ridge near the summit make Manaslu risky. Reported death counts vary by source and year, so check the Himalayan Database for current figures.
Is Manaslu the easiest 8,000 meter peak to climb?
Some guides say it is one of the more approachable 8,000 meter peaks because the normal route is a snow and ice climb with little technical rock. It is still a serious expedition with high avalanche risk, and only experienced mountaineers should attempt it.
Do I need a permit to trek or climb Manaslu?
Yes. Trekking in the Manaslu region needs special permits and a licensed guide. Climbing the mountain needs a separate peak permit arranged through a registered agency. Fees change, so confirm current rates before you plan.
See Manaslu Up Close With Us
You do not need to summit to stand in the shadow of the eighth-highest mountain on Earth. Pick the trek that fits your time:
- Manaslu Short Trek (11 days) for a tighter schedule
- Manaslu Circuit Trek (14 days) for the full loop over Larkya La
- Manaslu Base Camp Trek (16 days) for a closer look at the mountain
Planning the costs and route? Start with our Manaslu Circuit Trek cost and itinerary guide or see the distance from Manaslu Base Camp to the summit.
Tell us your dates and group size, and our team will plan your Manaslu trek with you.
