-
16 days, 15 nights (arrival to departure)
-
10 days on the trail (9 walking days and 1 acclimatization day), plus 2 driving days
-
At Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m / 16,752 feet
-
Gorkha and Manang districts, Gandaki Province, west-central Nepal
-
RAP, MCAP, ACAP
-
September to November and March to May
-
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trek. Breakfast at the Kathmandu hotel.
-
Local jeep or bus from Kathmandu to Machha Khola and from Dharapani back to Kathmandu. Private airport transfers.
-
1 - 12
Manaslu Yoga Trek Highlights
- Walk the full Manaslu Circuit around the world's eighth-highest mountain with short yoga sessions on most trail days
- Practise morning yoga facing Manaslu in villages such as Namrung, Lho and Sama Gaun
- Cross Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m with views of Himlung, Cheo Himal and Kang Guru
- Tour Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath before the trek
- Rest day at Sama Gaun with a hike to Birendra Tal or Pungyen Gompa
- Stay in Tibetan Buddhist villages with gompas, chortens and mani walls
Want to know more about this trek?
Chat with us — real trekking experts, not bots.
Online nowOverview
The Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek is a 16-day guided teahouse trek around Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m) with short yoga sessions on most trail days. You walk the same route as our classic Manaslu Circuit Trek, from Machha Khola up the Budhi Gandaki valley and over Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m, then down to Dharapani.
A typical trail day starts with a gentle session before breakfast, often with the Himalaya in front of you. On easier days there is time for a second session in the afternoon or evening. Sessions stay short and practical, about an hour or less, so they help your legs and breathing instead of tiring you out.
The trip also gives you a guided sightseeing day in Kathmandu, a rest and acclimatization day in Sama Gaun, and a free day in Kathmandu at the end. From Sama Gaun you can hike toward Manaslu Base Camp or visit Pungyen Gompa.
Upper Manaslu is a restricted area, so you need special permits and a licensed guide. We arrange all of it. See our Manaslu permit guide for the rules. If you want a slower, meditation-focused trip in Tsum Valley, look at our Tsum Valley Yoga and Meditation Retreat.
This trek pairs the full Manaslu Circuit with short daily yoga. You get 10 days on the trail, a rest day at Sama Gaun, and a sightseeing day and a free day in Kathmandu. We handle permits, a licensed guide, lodges, meals on the trek and transport.
What Is the Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek?
The Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek is a 16-day guided teahouse trek around Mt. Manaslu in Nepal with short daily yoga sessions. It crosses Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m and is moderate to challenging. It suits fit hikers, from yoga beginners to regular practitioners, and is best done March to May or September to November.
Why Choose the Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek
- Yoga with a view. Morning sessions in villages such as Namrung, Lho and Sama Gaun face Manaslu and its neighbouring peaks.
- Short, useful sessions. About an hour or less, built to loosen your legs and steady your breathing for the day ahead.
- The full circuit. You walk every stage from Machha Khola to Dharapani and cross Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m.
- Room to recover. A rest day at Sama Gaun and a free day in Kathmandu at the end.
- Meals on the trek included. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the teahouses, so you do not carry much cash for food.
- Culture on the way. Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath on Day 2, then Tibetan Buddhist villages, gompas and mani walls from Namrung onward.
Yoga Trek vs Budget Manaslu Trek
| Feature | Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek | Manaslu Budget Trek |
|---|---|---|
| Total length | 16 days | 14 days |
| Trail route | Machha Khola to Dharapani over Larkya La | Same route |
| Daily yoga | Yes, on most trail days | No |
| Kathmandu sightseeing | Guided tour on Day 2, free day on Day 15 | Not included |
| Meals on the trek | Breakfast, lunch and dinner included | Pay as you go |
| Porter | Included (1 porter for 2 trekkers) | Optional, extra cost |
Want the same route without yoga? See the Manaslu Budget Trek or the Manaslu Short Trek.
Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek Itinerary: 16 Days at a Glance
| Day | Route | Overnight altitude | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu, welcome and trek briefing | 1,340 m | Airport transfer |
| 2 | Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath tour, trek preparation | 1,340 m | Half-day tour |
| 3 | Drive to Machha Khola via Arughat and Soti Khola (about 160 km) | 930 m | About 8 hours |
| 4 | Machha Khola to Jagat via Tatopani hot spring | 1,345 m | 6 to 7 hours |
| 5 | Jagat to Pewa via Philim and Deng | 1,625 m | About 6 hours |
| 6 | Pewa to Namrung via Bihi | 2,630 m | About 6 hours |
| 7 | Namrung to Lho | 3,185 m | 5 hours |
| 8 | Lho to Sama Gaun | 3,530 m | 5 to 6 hours |
| 9 | Acclimatization day at Sama Gaun (Birendra Tal, Pungyen Gompa or Manaslu Base Camp hike) | 3,530 m | Rest or hike |
| 10 | Sama Gaun to Samdo | 3,875 m | 5 hours |
| 11 | Samdo to Dharmasala (Larke Phedi) | 4,460 m | 4 to 5 hours |
| 12 | Cross Larkya La (5,106 m) to Bhimthang | 3,590 m | About 8 hours |
| 13 | Bhimthang to Dharapani via Gho and Tilje | 1,963 m | About 7 hours |
| 14 | Drive to Kathmandu via Besisahar (about 212 km) | 1,340 m | 10 to 12 hours |
| 15 | Free day in Kathmandu | 1,340 m | Free |
| 16 | International departure | – | Airport transfer |
Altitude and Acclimatization on the Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek
You sleep above 3,000 m for six nights: Lho, Sama Gaun (two nights), Samdo, Dharmasala and Bhimthang. The rest day at Sama Gaun on Day 9 is your main acclimatization stop. Hike high, then sleep low again.
Gentle yoga and slow breathing can help you relax at altitude, but they do not replace a steady climb. Keep sessions light above Sama Gaun. Skip strong inversions and breath-holding exercises, and stop if you feel dizzy.
Watch for these signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): headache, nausea, dizziness, poor sleep and loss of appetite. Mild symptoms often ease with rest and water. Worsening symptoms mean going down. Your guide checks on you each evening and changes the plan if needed.
How Difficult Is the Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek?
It is moderate to challenging. You need no climbing skills and no yoga experience, but you do need stamina. Walking days run from about 4 to 8 hours.
- Hardest day: Day 12, from Dharmasala over Larkya La to Bhimthang. You start before dawn and walk about 8 hours.
- Yoga level: sessions suit beginners. Regular practitioners can go deeper at lower villages, and anyone can sit out a session.
- Best preparation: two to three months of long hikes with a daypack, stair climbing and regular stretching or yoga at home. Break in your boots before you fly.
- Talk to your doctor first if you have a heart, lung, joint or blood pressure condition, or any condition that high altitude can make worse.
Want to know more about this trek?
Chat with us — real trekking experts, not bots.
Online nowManaslu Circuit Yoga Trek Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu
Kathmandu 1,340 m / 4,396 ft- Accommodation: Hotel
On first arrival in Kathmandu at Nepal International Airport received by our staff and guide, with warm Nepali traditional welcome. After, getting organized and then a short transfer to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu city.
At the hotel check into your lovely rooms with refreshing rest after a jet-leg. Then join in with other members of the group, for the trek briefing at meeting halls or garden.
Our guide and leader will provide you with useful information regarding the trek and yoga exercise. Including standard of lodge, foods and so on, if in doubt, can ask questions, after briefing enjoy the dinner in a typical Nepalese Restaurant.
Day 2 : Trekking Preparation day & Sightseeing in Kathmandu Durbar
Kathmandu 1,340 m / 4,396 ft- Accommodation: Hotel
Square, Swyambhunath Stupa.
Moring after a hearty breakfast, as per the time informed by our guide and staff our tour guide will meet. A short drive and walk in the heart of Kathmandu city, where the famous old Durbar Square located. An ancient palace and courtyard of earlier kings from Malla to former Shah Period. Interesting areas adorned with temples and old palace, as well with resident of famous Living Goddess the Kumari. Includes a temple of Kasthamandap, where Kathmandu name derived from, meaning a temple built from the wood of a single tree.
The temples and monuments of Durbar Square, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After an interesting tour, a short drive leads west of the city to another famous landmark of Nepal. The Swyambhunath Stupa of Buddhist monuments, located on a hillock, one can enjoy views of Kathmandu city and the valley.
The Stupa one of the oldest in Nepal and probably in the world of more than 2,600 years of history. After an impressive morning tour back to hotel, rest of the day preparation for Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek.
Day 3 : Drive to Machha Khola
Machha Khola 930 m / 3,051 ft 7–8 hrs- 7–8 hours drive
- Accommodation: Lodge / Guesthouse
Approx. 160 kilometres or 105 miles distance drives from Kathmandu.
Early morning departures for wonderful adventure Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek, taking a private car, comfortable tourist standard bus, or coach.
As size of a group, a long drive takes you beyond Kathmandu valley towards the Gorkha district. Located Nepal Mid-West around Gandaki Zone, a country of low and mid-hills, heavily cultivated farm areas. The drive follows Nepal’s main busy highway for some hours and then diverts heading north to Arughat town.
Arughat town is situated on low farm areas close to the raging Buri Gandaki River. As the drive follows the dirt rough road to Soti-Khola, and towards Machha Khola. A moderate size farm village with a number of simple and basic lodges for an overnight stop. The name Machha Khola means a Fishing stream. As time permits if not tired from the long drive, can enjoy short yoga exercise before dinner.
Day 4 : Trek to Jagat.
Jagat 1,345 m / 4,413 ft 6 hrsDay 5 : Trek to Pewa
Pewa 1,625 m / 5,331 ft 6 hrs- 6 hours walk
- Accommodation: Lodge / Guesthouse
Day 6 : Trek to Namrung
Namrung 2,630 m / 8,629 ft 4 hrsDay 7 : Trek to Lo-Gaon
Lo-Gaon 3,185 m / 10,449 ft 5 hrsDay 8 : Trek to Sama Gaon
Sama Gaon 3,530 m / 11,581 ft 6 hrsDay 9 : Acclimatization day at Sama Gaon
Sama Gaon 3,530 m / 11,581 ftDay 10 : Trek to Samdo
Samdo 3,875 m / 12,713 ft 5 hrsDay 11 : Trek to Dharmasala / Larke Phedi
Dharmasala / Larke Phedi 4,460 m / 14,633 ft 4 hrsDay 12 : Trek to Bhimthang via Larke- La Pass
Bhimthang 3,590 m / 11,778 ft High point 5,106 m 8 hrsDay 13 : Trek to Dharapani
Dharapani 1,963 m / 6,440 ft 7 hrsDay 14 : Drive to Kathmandu via Bhesishar
Kathmandu 1,340 m / 4,396 ft 8 hrs- 8 hours drive by shared jeep or bus
- Accommodation: Hotel
Day 15 : At Kathmandu for individual activities
Kathmandu 1,340 m / 4,396 ft- Accommodation: Hotel
Day 16 : International Departure Homeward Bound
1,340 m / 4,396 ftWant to know more about this trek?
Chat with us — real trekking experts, not bots.
Online now1,340 m4,396 ftDay 2 Trekking Preparation day & Sightseeing in Kathmandu Durbar
1,340 m4,396 ftDay 3 Drive to Machha Khola
930 m3,051 ftDay 4 Trek to Jagat.
1,345 m4,413 ftDay 5 Trek to Pewa
1,625 m5,331 ftDay 6 Trek to Namrung
2,630 m8,629 ftDay 7 Trek to Lo-Gaon
3,185 m10,449 ftDay 8 Trek to Sama Gaon
3,530 m11,581 ftDay 9 Acclimatization day at Sama Gaon
3,530 m11,581 ftDay 10 Trek to Samdo
3,875 m12,713 ftDay 11 Trek to Dharmasala / Larke Phedi
4,460 m14,633 ftDay 12 Trek to Bhimthang via Larke- La Pass
5,106 m16,752 ft5,106 m16,752 ftDay 13 Trek to Dharapani
1,963 m6,440 ftDay 14 Drive to Kathmandu via Bhesishar
1,340 m4,396 ftDay 15 At Kathmandu for individual activities
1,340 m4,396 ftDay 16 International Departure Homeward Bound
1,340 m4,396 ft13579111315
High 17°C63°F · Low 6°C43°FJanFeb Machha Khola
High 19°C66°F · Low 8°C46°FFebMar Machha Khola
High 23°C73°F · Low 11°C52°FMarApr Machha Khola
High 26°C79°F · Low 14°C57°FAprMay Machha Khola
High 27°C81°F · Low 18°C64°FMayJun Machha Khola
High 28°C82°F · Low 22°C72°FJunJul Machha Khola
High 27°C81°F · Low 23°C73°FJulAug Machha Khola
High 27°C81°F · Low 23°C73°FAugSep Machha Khola
High 27°C81°F · Low 21°C70°FSepOct Machha Khola
High 25°C77°F · Low 17°C63°FOctNov Machha Khola
High 22°C72°F · Low 12°C54°FNovDec Machha Khola
High 18°C64°F · Low 8°C46°FDec
High -1°C30°F · Low -10°C14°FJanFeb Samagaon
High 1°C34°F · Low -9°C16°FFebMar Samagaon
High 3°C37°F · Low -5°C23°FMarApr Samagaon
High 6°C43°F · Low -1°C30°FAprMay Samagaon
High 8°C46°F · Low 3°C37°FMayJun Samagaon
High 13°C55°F · Low 7°C45°FJunJul Samagaon
High 15°C59°F · Low 10°C50°FJulAug Samagaon
High 15°C59°F · Low 10°C50°FAugSep Samagaon
High 13°C55°F · Low 8°C46°FSepOct Samagaon
High 8°C46°F · Low 2°C36°FOctNov Samagaon
High 5°C41°F · Low -3°C27°FNovDec Samagaon
High 3°C37°F · Low -8°C18°FDec
Average temperatures (approx.), 2015 to 2024. Source: Open-Meteo, adjusted to each village's altitude.
The Cost Includes
- Airport pickup and drop-off in a private vehicle
- 3-star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Local jeep or bus from Kathmandu to Machha Khola and from Dharapani back to Kathmandu
- Teahouse accommodation on the trek
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trek
- Licensed, experienced English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter for 2 trekkers)
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Trekking map and group medical kit
- All government and local taxes
The Cost Excludes
- Nepal visa fee
- International flights to and from Kathmandu
- Travel insurance with helicopter rescue cover
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Personal expenses such as laundry, internet, phone calls, drinks and snacks
- Tips for your guide and porter
- Extra costs from events outside our control, such as flight delays, landslides or bad weather
Want to know more about this trek?
Chat with us — real trekking experts, not bots.
Online nowYoga and Culture on the Manaslu Circuit
How the yoga works: Most trail days start with a short session before breakfast, before you pack your bag. When the walk is short, there is often a second, gentle session in the afternoon or evening. Each session is about an hour or less and is led by our yoga instructor.
- Morning: gentle stretches, joint warm-ups and breathing to wake the body for the trail.
- Afternoon or evening: slower stretching to ease tired legs and help you rest.
- No session: Day 12 over Larkya La and Day 14 on the drive back to Kathmandu.
- Optional always: you can join, take it easy or sit out any session.
People and faith: The lower valley is home to Gurung, Magar, Brahmin, Chhetri and Newar communities, with Hindu and Buddhist traditions side by side up to around Jagat and Philim. Higher up, the villages are Tibetan Buddhist. From Namrung onward most villages have a gompa, mani walls and prayer wheels.
The salt-trade route: The valley was part of the old trade route between Nepal and Tibet. Dharmasala, at the foot of Larkya La, was once known as Larke Bazaar, a market where traders from Tibet, Gorkha and Manang met.
Etiquette: Walk clockwise around chortens and mani walls, ask before you photograph people, and dress modestly when you visit a gompa.
Best Time for the Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek
| Season | Months | What to expect | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn | September to November | Clear skies, cold mornings, short days | Best overall |
| Spring | March to May | Rhododendrons in bloom, longer days, afternoon cloud, cheaper permit rate | Very good |
| Winter | December to February | Very cold, few trekkers, many lodges closed, pass can close | Not recommended for this trip |
| Monsoon | June to August | Heavy rain, landslide risk, roads can close | Not recommended |
- Autumn: sunny days are normal, but it gets dark early. Mornings and evenings are cold, so morning yoga often moves indoors or waits for the sun. Lodges near Dharmasala fill up, so book early.
- Spring: longer days help on the pass. Expect cold mornings, afternoon cloud and wind, and some rain lower down by late May.
- Winter: most high lodges close and heavy snow can shut Larkya La.
- Monsoon: jeeps and buses to Machha Khola and from Dharapani may be cancelled when roads wash out.
Read more: Best Time for Manaslu Trek: A Season-by-Season Guide
Required Permits for the Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek
Manaslu is a restricted area. You cannot walk it without permits and a licensed guide. The RAP, MCAP and ACAP are included in this trip, and we apply for them. You only send your passport copy, visa details, passport-size photos and insurance information.
| Permit | Where it applies | Fee for foreign trekkers |
|---|---|---|
| Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) | From Jagat, where permits are checked, through the upper valley | September to November: USD 100 for the first 7 days, then USD 15 per extra day. December to August: USD 75 for the first 7 days, then USD 10 per extra day. |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) | The protected Manaslu area | NPR 3,000 |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | The final section after the pass, because the trek ends at Dharapani | NPR 3,000 |
| Chumnubri Rural Municipality fee | The Chumnubri section of the trail | NPR 1,000 |
Rules to know:
- A licensed guide is required for every trekker.
- Only a registered trekking agency can apply for the restricted area permit. You cannot apply yourself.
- Solo travellers can now apply alone. The old two-trekker rule was removed on 22 March 2026. The guide and agency rules did not change.
- Fees are set by the government and can change. We confirm the current figures before you travel.
Last checked: October 2026. Read our full Manaslu trekking permit guide.
Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek Packing List
| Head and hands | Sun hat, warm fleece hat or beanie, UV sunglasses, liner gloves and warm waterproof gloves |
|---|---|
| Upper body | Quick-dry T-shirts, thermal base layer, fleece jacket, waterproof shell jacket, down jacket |
| Lower body | Trekking pants, thermal base layer pants, waterproof shell pants |
| Yoga | Thin, light travel mat or mat towel, soft stretchy layers you can move in, warm socks for cold floors |
| Feet | Broken-in waterproof boots, liner and wool socks, camp shoes or sandals, microspikes for icy sections |
| Gear | Four-season sleeping bag, headlamp, trekking poles, daypack of 25 to 35 L, water bottles plus a filter or purification tablets, power bank |
| Documents and money | Passport with visa, insurance with helicopter evacuation cover, passport-size photos for permits, Nepali rupees for drinks, showers, charging and tips |
For a full list, see what to carry for the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Accommodation & Food
Lodges (teahouses): Rooms are simple and clean. Most are twin share with shared bathrooms. Hot showers cost extra in most villages.
Yoga space: Sessions take place on lodge terraces, in courtyards or in the dining room when it is cold. Space is simple, so expect an outdoor or shared spot rather than a studio.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trek are included. You pay for extra drinks and snacks. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu are not included.
Menus: Small villages serve mostly dal bhat, noodles, eggs, potatoes and Tibetan bread. Bigger stops such as Jagat, Namrung, Sama Gaun and Dharapani add more choice. Vegetarian food is easy to find.
Drinking water: Lodges sell boiled or filtered water, and bottled water gets expensive higher up. Bring a filter or purification tablets and refill from taps.
Power and Wi-Fi: Charging and Wi-Fi cost a small fee and signal drops in the high valleys.
Above Samdo: Lodges around Dharmasala (Larke Phedi) are basic and fill up in peak season. Bring a sleeping bag liner in every season.
Kathmandu: You stay in a 3-star hotel with breakfast before and after the trek.
Safety & Guide Information
Guides: Your trekking guide is licensed and government registered, trained in altitude awareness and basic medical response, and knows the trail, the lodges and the villages. English-speaking guides are standard.
Yoga sessions: Our yoga instructor leads the sessions and adapts them to the day. Tell us about any injury or health condition before the trek so poses can be changed for you.
Emergencies: If someone has serious AMS, an injury or an illness, we organize a descent to a safe altitude. If needed, we arrange a helicopter evacuation to Kathmandu. Evacuation costs are your responsibility, so travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover is essential. Make sure it covers you up to at least 5,200 m.
Porters: One porter is included for every two trekkers.
Communication: Mobile coverage exists along much of the route but is unreliable in deep valleys and bad weather.
Seasons to avoid: Heavy monsoon rain from June to August brings landslides and road closures in the lower Budhi Gandaki valley. Snow can close Larkya La from late November, so we advise against crossing it after mid-November.
- Yoga Every DayYoga sessions are built into the trekking days, not squeezed in as an extra.
- Practice Below the PeaksStretch and breathe with Manaslu and its snow ranges as your backdrop.
- A Gentler PaceThe 16-day plan gives your body time to adjust, and yoga helps you recover after each walk.
- Licensed Local GuidesA licensed trekking guide handles route, pace and safety so you can stay present.
- Permits Handled for YouWe arrange your Manaslu restricted area permit and conservation area permits.
- 24/7 SupportOur team stays on call for your whole trip, including emergency evacuation coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Sessions are short and suit beginners. Regular practitioners can go deeper on easier days, and you can take it easy or sit out any session.
The trip runs 16 days from arrival in Kathmandu to departure. You spend 10 days on the trail, including a rest day at Sama Gaun, 2 days driving, a sightseeing day in Kathmandu and a free day at the end.
Most trail days start with a short session before breakfast. On shorter walking days there is often a second, gentle session in the afternoon or evening. There is no session on the Larkya La day or the drive back to Kathmandu.
About an hour or less. Sessions are kept short and practical so they prepare you for the walk instead of tiring you out.
We suggest a thin, light travel mat or a mat towel that packs easily. Ask us when you book if you would rather not carry one.
It is moderate to challenging. There is no technical climbing, but walking days run from about 4 to 8 hours, you sleep above 3,000 m for six nights, and the Larkya La Pass crossing at 5,106 m is a long day.
Gentle yoga and slow breathing can help you relax and sleep, but they do not prevent altitude sickness. A slow climb, the rest day at Sama Gaun and plenty of water matter most. Keep sessions light above 3,500 m.
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trek are included. In Kathmandu breakfast is included at your hotel, and lunch and dinner are not.
You need a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, a Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. A small local fee for Chumnubri Rural Municipality may also apply. We handle the paperwork for you.
Yes. Since 22 March 2026 you can apply for the Manaslu restricted area permit as one person. You still need a registered agency and a licensed guide, and we arrange both.
The highest point is Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m (16,752 ft). The highest place you sleep is Dharmasala, also called Larke Phedi, at 4,460 m.
The best times are September to November and March to May. Autumn gives the clearest mountain views. Spring brings rhododendron blooms, longer days and a cheaper permit rate.
Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek Map
Overall Trip Rating:
-
Verified Purchase




























