The Manaslu Circuit is now a full teahouse trek, with family-run lodges in every village from the Budhi Gandaki valley to the Larkya La pass. Lodges are simpler than on the Annapurna Circuit, and the busiest stops fill up in peak season, so we book ahead for our groups. In the side valley of Tsum, lodges and monastery guesthouses offer basic but memorable stays.
Quick answer: you stay in teahouses at Machha Khola, Jagat, Deng, Namrung, Lho, Samagaon and Samdo, then the very basic lodges at Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi) before crossing the pass to Bimthang. The Manaslu and Tsum areas are restricted; permits and a licensed guide are required.
Along the Manaslu Circuit
| Section | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Machha Khola to Jagat | Low-altitude village lodges in the gorge of the Budhi Gandaki |
| Deng, Namrung, Lho | Comfortable lodges; Namrung and Lho have some of the best on the route |
| Samagaon (about 3,530 m) and Samdo | Good lodges and acclimatisation days, with Manaslu towering above |
| Dharamsala (about 4,460 m) | Very basic lodge rooms and tents; crowded in peak season |
| Bimthang | Welcome lodges after the Larkya La, with views of Manaslu's west face |
Tsum Valley
The Tsum Valley, a sacred Buddhist valley near the Tibetan border, has simple lodges and homestays in villages such as Chumling, Chhokangparo and Nile, and basic guesthouses at monasteries such as Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa. Food is simple and rooms are cold, but the culture and hospitality are unforgettable. See our Tsum Valley guide.
What to expect
- Twin rooms, often with shared bathrooms; bring a warm sleeping bag.
- Hot showers and charging at most stops, for a fee.
- Dal bhat is the staple; menus are shorter than in the Annapurnas.
- Restricted area permits for Manaslu and Tsum, plus the conservation area permits; we arrange them.
Read our Manaslu Circuit guide and see our Manaslu and Tsum Valley trek.