A complete 2026/27 guide to the 19-day Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit combined trek: itinerary, permits, cost comparison, best season, and who should attempt this two-pass Himalayan route.
Quick Answer
The Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit combined trek connects two of Nepal's finest mountain routes in one continuous 19-day journey. The Manaslu Circuit runs clockwise around the eighth-highest mountain in the world, crossing Larkya La Pass at 5,106m. The Annapurna Circuit circumnavigates the Annapurna massif, crossing Thorong La at 5,416m. At Dharapani in the Marshyangdi Valley, the two routes share a natural geographic junction point – where one ends, the other begins, without backtracking or additional transport.
Most trekkers do these routes on separate trips to Nepal, years apart. The 19-day combined itinerary does both in one continuous journey. The case for combining them is geographic logic: the Manaslu Circuit terminates at Dharapani, and the Annapurna Circuit ascent begins from the same valley. No other combination of major Nepal circuits shares this kind of clean connection point.
This is not a beginner route. Two high passes above 5,000m, a restricted area section, and 19 consecutive trekking days with no full rest days after Samdo make it appropriate for experienced trekkers with prior high-altitude experience on at least one of the two circuits.
| Day | Section | Max Altitude | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu – drive to Soti Khola | 700m | Drive day |
| 2 | Soti Khola to Machhakhola | 900m | 5 to 6 hours |
| 3 | Machhakhola to Jagat | 1,340m | 5 to 6 hours |
| 4 | Jagat to Deng | 1,860m | 5 to 6 hours |
| 5 | Deng to Namrung | 2,630m | 5 to 6 hours |
| 6 | Namrung to Samagaon (via Lho) | 3,530m | 5 to 6 hours |
| 7 | Samagaon acclimatisation – Manaslu Base Camp hike | 4,400m | 3 to 4 hours |
| 8 | Samagaon to Samdo | 3,875m | 3 to 4 hours |
| 9 | Samdo to Dharmasala (Larkya La Base Camp) | 4,460m | 3 to 4 hours |
| 10 | Cross Larkya La Pass – descend to Bimthang | 3,590m (pass: 5,106m) | 7 to 9 hours |
| 11 | Bimthang to Dharapani | 1,860m | 5 to 6 hours |
| 12 | Dharapani to Chame (Annapurna Circuit begins) | 2,740m | 5 to 6 hours |
| 13 | Chame to Upper Pisang | 3,115m | 5 to 6 hours |
| 14 | Upper Pisang to Manang (via upper route) | 3,540m | 6 to 7 hours |
| 15 | Manang acclimatisation – Gangapurna Lake hike | 3,700m | 3 to 4 hours |
| 16 | Manang to Thorong Phedi | 4,525m | 4 to 5 hours |
| 17 | Cross Thorong La – descend to Muktinath | 3,800m (pass: 5,416m) | 8 to 9 hours |
| 18 | Muktinath to Jomsom – fly or drive to Pokhara | 915m | Drive/flight day |
| 19 | Pokhara to Kathmandu | 1,400m | Drive or flight |
Crossing Larkya La Pass (5,106m) on Day 10, the high point of the Manaslu section.
The route divides into three natural phases. Days 1 to 11 cover the Manaslu Circuit from the subtropical Budi Gandaki Valley to the Larkya La crossing and descent. Days 12 to 17 cover the Annapurna Circuit from Dharapani to Thorong La. Days 18 to 19 are exit logistics. The transition at Dharapani on Day 11 is seamless – the same Marshyangdi Valley, the same style of trail, and a noticeable shift from the quiet restricted area corridor into the busier Annapurna route.
Three national permits plus one small local fee are required for the combined 19-day itinerary. This is the most complex permit setup of any standard Nepal trekking route and the area where most self-planning trekkers run into problems. All of these are arranged by Trekking Guide Team Adventure before your departure, except the local Chumnubri fee, which is paid on-site at Jagat.
| Permit | Area Covered | Fee 2026/27 | Arranged By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) | Full Manaslu Conservation Area – approach trail and upper valley | NPR 3,390 per person (~USD 25) | Trekking Guide Team Adventure – included in package |
| Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) | Restricted area corridor from Jagat to Dharapani | USD 100 per person per week (Sep to Nov) · USD 75 per week (Dec to Aug) | Registered agency only – cannot be self-applied. Included in package. |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | Full Annapurna Conservation Area – Dharapani to Jomsom section | NPR 3,390 per person (~USD 25) | Trekking Guide Team Adventure – included in package |
| Chumnubri Rural Municipality Permit | Local municipality entry fee, checked at Jagat | NPR 1,000 per person (~USD 8) | Collected on-site at the Chumnubri Rural Municipality Office in Jagat – included in package. |
Mandatory licensed guide on the Manaslu section: All foreign trekkers in the Manaslu restricted area must be accompanied by a licensed guide from a TAAN-registered agency. This is a legal requirement enforced at checkpoints from Jagat onwards. A self-arranged informal guide does not satisfy this requirement.
Two-trekker minimum for the restricted area permit: The Manaslu restricted area permit is issued to a minimum of two foreign trekkers. Solo trekkers must either join an existing group departure or pay the equivalent of two permits to trek independently with their guide. Trekking Guide Team Adventure group departures resolve this – your permit is issued alongside other trekkers already booked on the same departure.
For a full breakdown of all Nepal trekking permit fees by route, see our Nepal Trekking Permits guide.
The combined 19-day trek is appropriate for a specific kind of trekker. Two passes above 5,000m in the same trip, a restricted area with more remote infrastructure on the Manaslu side, and 19 consecutive days with only two acclimatisation rest days means this route demands more than either circuit does individually.
The financial case for combining both circuits in one trip is straightforward. Two separate Nepal journeys require two sets of everything: two international flights, two visa applications, two Kathmandu hotel stays at the start and end of each trip, two sets of permits, and two full guide and porter engagements.
| Cost Item | Combined 19-Day Trip | Two Separate Trips |
|---|---|---|
| International flights | 1 return (e.g. USD 750 from UK) | 2 returns (e.g. USD 1,500 from UK) |
| Nepal visa | USD 50 once | USD 100 total (twice) |
| Trek package | From USD 1,600 (19 days, all permits) | From USD 2,400 total (12D Manaslu + 16D AC) |
| Kathmandu hotel stays | 2 nights total | 4 to 6 nights total |
| Permits (all three) | ~USD 250 total (included in package) | ~USD 250 total (across both trips) |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED (from UK) | USD 2,700 to 3,200 | USD 4,200 to 5,000 |
Most Western trekkers save USD 1,000 to 2,000 by combining both circuits in one trip rather than returning to Nepal twice. Time saving is equally significant – two Nepal trips require two sets of annual leave, two rounds of jet lag recovery, and two periods of pre-trip preparation.
For departure dates and booking details, see our Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit Trek package.
Thorong La Pass (5,416m) on Day 17, the highest point of the entire combined route.
Post-monsoon autumn is the optimal window for the combined route. Both Larkya La (5,106m) and Thorong La (5,416m) are reliably dry and snow-free in October and early November. Mountain visibility on both circuits is at its annual peak. The Manaslu restricted area permit is at its higher seasonal rate (USD 100/week) during this window, but the trail and weather conditions justify it.
Spring is the second best option. Rhododendron forests bloom on the lower approach from Soti Khola and on the Annapurna section below Manang. Larkya La is open and reliable from mid-March. Thorong La in spring is generally stable, though May sees afternoon cloud building. Both passes require careful weather monitoring in May.
December and January carry significant risk of both passes closing due to snow accumulation. The Manaslu restricted area permit shifts to the lower USD 75/week rate in December – the cost saving does not compensate for the route risk. The monsoon (June to September) makes the lower Budi Gandaki approach section dangerous and both passes unpredictable. Avoid both windows for this itinerary.
What is the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit combined trek?
A 19-day itinerary that connects the Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit at their natural geographic junction at Dharapani. The Manaslu section (Days 1 to 11) crosses Larkya La at 5,106m. The Annapurna section (Days 12 to 17) crosses Thorong La at 5,416m. No additional transport or backtracking between the two circuits.
What permits do I need for the combined trek?
Three permits: the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP, NPR 3,390), the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP, USD 100 per week Sep-Nov), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP, NPR 3,390). All three are included in the Trekking Guide Team Adventure 19-day package and arranged before departure. See our Nepal Trekking Permits guide for full details on every route.
Can I do the combined trek as a solo trekker?
Yes, but the Manaslu restricted area permit requires a minimum of two foreign trekkers. Solo trekkers must join a group departure or pay the two-person permit rate. Trekking Guide Team Adventure group departures resolve this – solo trekkers join existing group bookings. Contact the team to check current departure availability.
Is the combined trek harder than doing each circuit separately?
Yes, meaningfully harder – not because any individual day is harder, but because you cross two passes above 5,000m in the same trip with only two rest days between them, on accumulated fatigue from 19 consecutive trekking days. Both circuits individually are strenuous. Combined, the cumulative demand is substantially higher.
What is the maximum altitude on the combined trek?
5,416m at Thorong La Pass on the Annapurna Circuit section, crossed on Day 17. The Larkya La on the Manaslu section reaches 5,106m on Day 10. Both are trekking passes, not technical climbs – no ropes or mountaineering equipment required.
How much does the combined trek cost compared to two separate trips?
The combined 19-day package costs from USD 1,600 per person with Trekking Guide Team Adventure. Two separate trips – Manaslu Circuit 12 days plus Annapurna Circuit 16 days on different Nepal visits – typically costs USD 1,500 to 2,000 more in total when international flights and Kathmandu expenses are included.
What is the best time to do the combined trek in 2026/27?
October to early November. Both Larkya La and Thorong La are reliably open and dry, visibility is excellent on both circuits, and the post-monsoon trail conditions are at their best. March and April are the second best window. Avoid monsoon season (June to September) and winter (December to February) for this itinerary.
Where does the Manaslu Circuit end and the Annapurna Circuit begin?
At Dharapani in the Marshyangdi Valley. The Manaslu Circuit descends from Bimthang to Dharapani on Day 11. The Annapurna Circuit then continues northeast from Dharapani up the same valley toward Chame, Manang, and Thorong La. The junction is seamless – no vehicle transfer, no backtracking, the same trail direction.
