Located in western Nepal, Manaslu is arguably one of the most majestic mountains in the world. Our journey begins at 700m with a variety of terrain — great canyons and lush forests characterise the entry valleys before we climb through ancient villages and over the high mountain pass of the Larkya-La at 5,160m.
The region is impressively remote with small villages scattered throughout the mountain valleys. We encounter yak traders making their way back from neighbouring Tibet — just a handful of miles away. The local hospitality is as extraordinary as the landscapes themselves.
This is Pure Trails' most ambitious Himalayan adventure — 12 days of trail running carefully paced for acclimatisation, with a 3:1 runner-to-guide ratio and 2:1 runner-to-porter ratio ensuring you have everything you need every step of the way.
Four nights in a centrally located hotel in the heart of Kathmandu's Thamel district — well positioned for exploring the city's temples, markets and restaurants. Comfortable rooms with private bathroom, hot water and all modern facilities. The ideal base before and after the trail.
Tea houses are part of the fabric of rural Nepal — charming, cosy and serving up hot, tasty local food to keep you fuelled along the trail. Rooms are simple with twin beds, clean sheets and shared bathrooms (squat format at higher altitude). We always use the best tea houses in every village. Simple living, extraordinary surroundings — and exactly as it should be.
Chat directly with Charlie — no pressure, no sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about whether Manaslu is the right adventure for you.
Book Your Free Call →Daytime temperatures can be warm, particularly due to the strong, direct sunlight at altitude. Expect clear mornings with clouds developing in the afternoons — hot during the day but cooling quickly once the sun goes down.
At higher elevations, overnight temperatures can drop well below freezing. Once the sun disappears you should expect temperatures of 5°C and below, so layering is essential. We send out a thorough kit list in advance to make sure you have everything you need.
All travellers to Nepal must hold a valid passport with at least six months' validity beyond your expected departure date. An entry visa is required and can be obtained online in advance or on arrival at the airport in Kathmandu.
If obtaining your visa on arrival, bring the current fee in cash (US$30 for 15 days) plus passport-sized photographs, which are also required for your national park permits.
Kathmandu has a wide variety of restaurants — Italian, Indian, American and everything in between — with something to suit all tastes and dietary needs. On the trail, the national dish is Dhal Bhat, a wholesome thali-style meal of rice, lentils, fried vegetables and local chilli, served in generous portions.
Local menus in the mountains are more varied than you might expect, often featuring pasta, noodle soups and even pizza. For vegetarians, fresh vegetables are abundant and meat is rarely a default option. Gluten and lactose intolerances can be catered for — please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
The terrain varies hugely across the route. In the lower valleys you'll run wide, dusty trails through lush forest and canyons at around 700–1,000m, following the banks of glacial rivers on undulating paths. As you gain altitude the landscape shifts to boulder fields, dry plains and high passes, with enormous mountains rising all around.
The trail is clearly defined throughout, passing through one charming village after the next. Bear in mind this is Nepal — there is significant uphill travel involved, carefully staged to allow for proper acclimatisation as you go.
Our porters leave the teahouse around 05:00 each morning, carrying your soft luggage ahead to the next destination so you can set out with a light daypack. We depart after breakfast at around 08:00, when the weather is clearest and temperatures are at their most comfortable.
On average you'll be on your feet for 2–6 hours, covering 10–18km. We make regular stops for drinks and local facilities, with a scheduled sit-down lunch around midday. We typically arrive at our next teahouse between 14:00 and 15:00, giving time to relax, explore the village and receive an evening briefing over dinner. An early night by 20:00 keeps everyone well rested for the day ahead.
Altitude sickness needs to be taken seriously. AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) can develop when you are physically active at high elevation without adequate acclimatisation, and tolerance varies considerably from person to person — even very fit individuals can be affected if they ascend too quickly. Symptoms can occur as low as 2,400m, though serious effects are rare below 3,700m. At 5,000m, each breath contains only around 55% of the oxygen available at sea level.
We have designed this itinerary carefully to build in appropriate acclimatisation at every stage. All of our guides and local staff are trained to recognise early signs of altitude sickness, and you will receive a daily health check including pulse and oxygen saturation readings via oximeter. It is vital that you share any health concerns or symptoms with the team promptly — doing so protects both you and your fellow runners.