Where is Manaslu mountain located? In the heart of Nepal, closer to Tibet than to any city. Mount Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain on Earth, yet it hides behind its own ridges and you cannot see it from a highway. Here is exactly where it sits, what surrounds it and how you actually get there.
Where Is Manaslu Mountain Located?
Mount Manaslu is in west-central Nepal, in Gorkha District of Gandaki Province. It rises to 8,163 m in the Mansiri Himal range of the Himalayas, about 64 km east of Annapurna and roughly 120 km northwest of Kathmandu in a straight line. Its coordinates are 28.55°N, 84.56°E.
Manaslu Location at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Country | Nepal |
| Province | Gandaki Province |
| District | Gorkha |
| Mountain range | Mansiri Himal, Nepal Himalaya |
| Coordinates | 28°32′58″N, 84°33′43″E |
| Height | 8,163 m (26,781 ft), 8th highest in the world |
| Prominence | 3,092 m |
| Nearest village | Samagaon (Sama Gaun), 3,530 m |
| Base camp | About 4,800 m |
| Protected area | Manaslu Conservation Area, 1,663 km², set up in 1998 |
Manaslu on the Map: What Surrounds It
The Mansiri Himal Range
Manaslu is the highest peak of the Mansiri Himal. Two more giants stand right next to it on the south side: Himalchuli (7,893 m) and Ngadi Chuli (7,871 m). From the trail you often see all three walling in the valley.
Rivers and Valleys on Each Side
Two deep river valleys frame the mountain. The Budhi Gandaki gorge runs along the east side, with the Ganesh Himal beyond it. The Marsyangdi valley lies to the west, on the Annapurna side. North of the peak, the Larkya La Pass (5,106 m) links the two valleys. That pass is the high point of the Manaslu Circuit.
Distances to Key Places
| From Manaslu to | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | About 120 km (straight line) | 7 to 9 hours by road to the Machha Khola trailhead |
| Pokhara | About 70 km (straight line) | No direct road into the Manaslu valley |
| Annapurna I | About 64 km east of Annapurna | Separated by the Marsyangdi valley |
| Samagaon | A day hike to base camp | The closest village to the mountain |
| Tibet border | A few km north of Samdo | Samdo is the last village before the border |
Which District Is Manaslu In?
Manaslu lies in Gorkha District, in Gandaki Province. Its northern valleys, Nubri and Tsum, form the restricted Manaslu Conservation Area. Life here feels Tibetan, with mani walls, gompas and yak herders. The lower valley is home to Gurung villages. Samagaon is the main village under the mountain.
How to Get to Manaslu
There is no airport or road to the mountain itself. You reach it on foot, after a long drive from Kathmandu.
- Fly into Kathmandu. All Manaslu trips start here, where your permits are arranged.
- Drive to Machha Khola. The road leaves the main highway, turns north to Arughat and follows the Budhi Gandaki on dirt road. Plan on 7 to 9 hours.
- Trek up the Budhi Gandaki valley. You pass Jagat, where the restricted area starts, then Namrung and Lho, the first big view of Manaslu’s north face.
- Reach Samagaon. After about a week on foot you reach 3,530 m, right under the mountain. Base camp is a day hike from here.
Manaslu is a restricted area. You need a Restricted Area Permit, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and a licensed guide. See our Manaslu permit guide for the full list.
Ways to Experience Mount Manaslu
| Trip | Best for | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| Manaslu Circuit Trek | Trekkers who want the full loop | Budhi Gandaki valley, Samagaon, Larkya La Pass, Annapurna side |
| Manaslu Base Camp Trek | Getting to the foot of the mountain | Base camp hike at about 4,800 m plus the Larkya La |
| Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek | Culture and quiet trails | The hidden Tsum Valley toward Tibet |
| Mt. Manaslu Expedition | Experienced mountaineers | The summit at 8,163 m |
Thinking about the climb? Read our guide from Manaslu Base Camp to the summit, with every camp altitude.
What Is Special About Manaslu’s Location?
- Hidden from the road: You only see the mountain once you are deep in the valley. Lho and Samagaon give the best trail views.
- An old trade route: The Budhi Gandaki trail was a salt trading route between Nepal and Tibet.
- Big range of climates: You walk from about 900 m in warm farmland to above 5,000 m in a single trek.
- Wildlife: The conservation area holds 33 mammal species, including the snow leopard and musk deer, and over 110 bird species.
Best Time to Visit Manaslu
Go in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). These months bring stable weather and clear mountain views. Monsoon brings rain and landslides on the lower trail, and winter can close the Larkya La. Read our best time for the Manaslu trek for a month-by-month guide.
Where Is Manaslu Located: FAQs
Where is Manaslu mountain located?
Mount Manaslu is in Gorkha District, Gandaki Province, in west-central Nepal. It sits in the Mansiri Himal range, about 64 km east of Annapurna and roughly 120 km northwest of Kathmandu in a straight line.
Which district is Manaslu in?
Manaslu is in Gorkha District of Gandaki Province, Nepal. Its northern valleys form the Manaslu Conservation Area.
Which mountain range is Manaslu part of?
Manaslu is the highest peak of the Mansiri Himal, a sub-range of the Nepal Himalaya. Its neighbours include Himalchuli and Ngadi Chuli.
What are the coordinates of Mount Manaslu?
The summit of Manaslu is at about 28.55°N, 84.56°E.
How far is Manaslu from Kathmandu?
Manaslu is roughly 120 km northwest of Kathmandu in a straight line. By road you drive 7 to 9 hours to the Machha Khola trailhead, then trek about a week to Samagaon under the mountain.
Is Manaslu in Nepal or Tibet?
Manaslu is fully in Nepal. The Tibet border lies a few kilometres north of Samdo, the last village on the Manaslu Circuit.
How high is Mount Manaslu?
Mount Manaslu is 8,163 m (26,781 ft) high. It is the eighth-highest mountain in the world.
Plan Your Trip to Manaslu
The best way to understand where Manaslu is, is to walk there. Start with the Manaslu Circuit Trek, add base camp with the Manaslu Base Camp Trek, or head for Tibet’s edge on the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek.
