The Manaslu Circuit is one of Nepal's most spectacular and least crowded trekking routes — and among experienced trekkers, it is increasingly considered the finest circuit walk in the Himalayas. Circling the world's eighth-highest mountain (Manaslu, 8,163m) through remote valleys, high alpine terrain, and Tibetan Buddhist culture that has survived largely unchanged for centuries, the Manaslu Circuit offers everything that made the Annapurna Circuit legendary in the 1980s, before infrastructure and crowds transformed it.
For Australian trekkers who have done the Annapurna or EBC routes and want something more remote, more culturally immersive, and more demanding, the Manaslu Circuit is the logical next step.
Language matters here more than almost anywhere else in Nepal. The Manaslu region is not a tourist highway. Tea house owners may have limited English outside the main centres. Villages along the route speak Nepali as a lingua franca, but the primary languages of many communities are Tibeto-Burman languages — Nubri and Tsum in the north, Gurung in the south — where Nepali itself is a second language. Your effort with Nepali will be received as meaningful, not merely charming.
This guide covers the practical Nepali (and a few local phrases) you need for every stage of the Manaslu Circuit, from Gorkha to Dharapani.
What Makes Manaslu Different
Before the language guide, a word on what distinguishes the Manaslu Circuit from other Nepal trekking routes — because the context shapes how and why language matters here.
It is a restricted area. The Manaslu Conservation Area requires a restricted area permit (currently USD $100 for the first week, USD $15 per day thereafter) plus the standard MCAP permit and TIMS card. This permit must be arranged through a registered Nepali trekking agency — independent trekking without a guide is not permitted. The guide requirement is not merely bureaucratic; the terrain genuinely benefits from local expertise.
It is genuinely remote above Sama Gaun. Between Lho and Dharmasala (the high camp before Larkya La pass), you are in terrain where helicopter evacuation can take hours and medical facilities are minimal. Communication skills are safety-relevant, not merely culturally enriching.
The culture is distinct. The high valleys of the Manaslu region — particularly around Tsum Valley and the villages of Lho, Sama Gaun, and Samdo — are Tibetan Buddhist communities with deep roots in Tibetan culture, art, and religion. Tibetan greetings and respectful behaviour around monasteries matter as much as Nepali language skills.
The tea houses are simpler. Unlike the Annapurna and EBC routes, the Manaslu tea houses are family-run operations with limited menus and basic facilities. Communicating your needs clearly and patiently is more important here than in the more developed trekking corridors.
Permits and Starting Point: Gorkha and Arughat
Most Manaslu Circuit trekkers begin with a drive from Kathmandu to Gorkha (approximately 4 hours) or directly to Soti Khola or Machha Khola, the standard trek start points. Arughat is the last major town with ATMs and supplies.
Gorkha jaane bus kati baje chhadchha? — GOR-kha JAA-ne BUS KA-ti BA-je CHHAD-chha? — What time does the bus to Gorkha leave?
Arughat maa ATM chha? — a-RU-ghat maa ATM chha? — Is there an ATM in Arughat?
Permit check post kahaa chha? — PER-mit CHECK POST ka-HAA chha? — Where is the permit check post?
Permit diinus — PER-mit di-NUS — Here is my permit. (When presenting at check posts — you will do this multiple times on the route)
Paisa saatnu chha — PAI-sa SAAT-nu chha — I need to change money. (Do this in Arughat or Gorkha — exchange is very limited beyond this point)
Stage 1: Lower Valleys — Soti Khola to Jagat (Days 1–3)
The lower Manaslu Circuit follows the Budhi Gandaki River through subtropical forest, suspension bridges, and small farm villages. This section has more local traffic — farmers, schoolchildren, and porters carrying goods to remote villages — and the most opportunity for casual conversation.
On the Trail
Namaste! — Always, with pressed palms.
Kaha jaadai hunuhunchha? — ka-HAA JAA-dai HU-nu-HUN-chha? — Where are you going?
Manaslu Circuit gardaichhu — ma-NAS-lu CIR-cuit GAR-dai-chhu — I am doing the Manaslu Circuit.
Jagat kati ghanta? — JA-gat KA-ti GHAN-ta? — How many hours to Jagat?
Bato thik chha? — BA-to THEEK chha? — Is the path correct?
Pani parla? — PA-ni PAR-la? — Will it rain?
Crossing Suspension Bridges
The lower Budhi Gandaki gorge involves numerous suspension bridges — some new, some memorably bouncy. On narrow bridges shared with porters carrying heavy loads:
Ma auchhu, roknuhunchha? — ma AU-chhu, ROK-nu-HUN-chha? — I'm coming, will you wait?
Pahile jaanus — PA-hi-le JAA-nus — Please go first.
Dhanyabad — Thank you.
Tea House Basics
At this stage of the route, tea house owners in larger villages (Jagat, Salleri, Deng) often speak functional English. In smaller hamlets, Nepali is needed.
Ek kamara chha? — Do you have a room?
Khaana ke chha? — KHA-na ke chha? — What food do you have?
Dal bhat diinus — One dal bhat please.
Tatoo paani kati baje painchha? — When is hot water available?
Generator chha? — GEN-er-A-tor chha? — Is there a generator? (Charging devices requires electricity — usually limited to a few hours per evening at generator-powered lodges)
Stage 2: The Middle Gorge — Jagat to Lho (Days 4–7)
Above Jagat, the landscape changes dramatically. The gorge narrows, the trail becomes more demanding, and the villages become smaller and more remote. This is where language skills matter most for daily logistics.
Deng maa raatbas chha? — DENG maa RAAT-bas chha? — Is there accommodation in Deng?
Pewa maa khaana painchha? — PE-wa maa KHA-na PAI-nchha? — Can we get food in Pewa?
Mero guide sanga kura garnus — ME-ro GUIDE SAN-ga KU-ra GAR-nus — Please speak with my guide. (When communication is complex — your guide handles difficult logistics)
At the Tsum Valley Junction
Near Lokpa/Chhokangparo, a trail branches north into the Tsum Valley — a sacred Buddhist valley that requires an additional permit. If you are adding Tsum Valley to your itinerary:
Tsum Valley jaane bato kahaa chha? — TSUM VAL-ley JAA-ne BA-to ka-HAA chha? — Where is the path to Tsum Valley?
Tsum Valley ko permit chaahiyo — I need the Tsum Valley permit.
Milarepa temple kahaa chha? — MI-la-re-pa TEM-ple ka-HAA chha? — Where is the Milarepa cave temple? (A sacred cave where the Tibetan saint Milarepa meditated — a highlight of the Tsum Valley)
Stage 3: High Valleys — Lho, Sama Gaun, Samdo (Days 7–10)
Above Lho, the valley opens into a dramatic Tibetan plateau landscape — mani walls, prayer flags, yak pastures, and views of Manaslu's north face that stop you in your tracks. The villages here — Lho (3,180m), Sama Gaun (3,530m), and Samdo (3,875m) — are Tibetan Buddhist communities where Tibetan culture is as present as Nepali.
Tibetan Greetings in the High Valleys
In the communities above Lho, the Sherpa/Tibetan greeting "Tashi Delek" is often more appropriate than "Namaste" and will be received with particular warmth.
Tashi Delek — TA-shi DE-lek — A Tibetan Buddhist blessing-greeting. Use this with the local Nubri community and in and around monasteries.
Kalay Phe? — KA-lay PHE? — How are you? (Tibetan, used informally in Nubri communities)
Around Monasteries
The gompas (monasteries) of Lho, Sama Gaun, and Pungen are active religious institutions. Respectful behaviour:
Gompa bhitra jaanna milchha? — GOM-pa BHIT-ra JAA-na MIL-chha? — May I enter the monastery?
Photo liinna milchha? — PHO-to LIN-na MIL-chha? — May I take photos?
Lama ji ko darshan painchha? — LA-ma JI ko DAR-shan PAI-nchha? — May I have an audience with the lama?
Walk clockwise around all stupas and mani walls. Remove shoes before entering any monastery or temple. Speak quietly inside religious spaces.
Acclimatisation at Sama Gaun
Sama Gaun is the main acclimatisation stop before Larkya La. Most trekkers spend two nights here, with a day hike toward the Manaslu Base Camp (4,480m) for acclimatisation.
Aaj Sama maa baschhu — AAJ SA-ma maa BAS-chhu — I'll stay in Sama today.
Base camp jaane bato kahaa chha? — BASE CAMP JAA-ne BA-to ka-HAA chha? — Where is the path to Base Camp?
Tauko dukheko chha — I have a headache. (AMS watch — the altitude increase is significant here)
Bistaarai bistaarai — Slowly, slowly.
Stage 4: Larkya La Pass (5,106m) — Day 11
Crossing Larkya La is the physical and emotional climax of the circuit. It is a long day — typically 8–10 hours from Dharmasala (the high camp at 4,460m) to Bimtang on the other side. Most trekkers leave by 4–5am.
Pre-Dawn Departure
Bihaana char baje uthnuparcha — bi-HAA-na CHAAR BA-je UTH-nu-PAR-chha — We need to wake at 4am.
Chiya ra biscuit chaahiyo bihaanai — CHI-ya RA BIS-kit chaa-HI-yo bi-HAA-nai — I need tea and biscuits early morning.
Headlamp tayaar chha — HEAD-lamp ta-YAAR chha — My headlamp is ready.
Hiudmai chalna sakchhu? — HIU-dai-maa CHAL-na SAK-chhu? — Can I walk in the snow?
On the Pass
La puginyo! — LA PUG-i-nyo! — We've reached the pass!
Yahan samiit chha! — ya-HAN sa-MIIT chha! — This is the summit!
Photo khichus — PHO-to KHICH-us — Take a photo.
Hamro saatha photo linus — HAM-ro SAA-tha PHO-to LI-nus — Take a photo of us together.
Larkya La baata Manaslu dekhinchha! — LAR-kya LA BAA-ta ma-NAS-lu dekh-IN-chha! — You can see Manaslu from Larkya La!
If Conditions Are Difficult
Hiu dherai chha — HIU DHE-rai chha — There is a lot of snow.
Haat chiso bhayo — HAAT CHI-so BHA-yo — My hands are cold.
Bistaarai hidau — bis-TAA-rai HI-dau — Let's walk slowly.
Kati tadha chha descent? — KA-ti TA-dha chha de-SCENT? — How far is the descent?
Stage 5: Descent — Bimtang to Dharapani (Days 11–14)
The descent from Larkya La through Bimtang (3,720m) and down to Dharapani is a gradual return to lower altitude, warmer temperatures, and the world of daal bhat and WiFi. Many trekkers feel a mixture of triumph and mild disappointment as the circuit concludes.
Dharapani kati ghanta? — dhar-a-PA-ni KA-ti GHAN-ta? — How many hours to Dharapani?
Chame maa lodge chha? — CHA-me maa LODGE chha? — Is there a lodge in Chame?
Besisahar jaane jeep kati baje chhadchha? — BES-i-sa-har JAA-ne JEEP KA-ti BA-je CHHAD-chha? — When does the jeep to Besisahar leave?
Farewell to Your Team
Tapaaī nabhayeko bhaye ke garthiyo — ta-PAA-ee na-BHAE-ko BHAE ke GAR-thi-yo — What would I have done without you?
Tapaaī ekdam ramro guide / porter hunu huncha — You are an excellent guide / porter.
Bahut bahut dhanyabad — ba-HUT ba-HUT dhan-ya-BAAD — Thank you so very much.
Yo tapaaīko laagi — YO ta-PAA-ee-ko LAA-gi — This is for you. (When giving tip)
Pheri bhetaula, saathi — PHE-ri bhe-TAU-la, SAA-thi — Until we meet again, my friend.
Essential Manaslu Circuit Vocabulary
| English | Nepali | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Manaslu | Manaslu | ma-NAS-lu |
| Circuit trek | Parikrama | pa-ri-KRA-ma |
| Pass | La / Bhanjyang | LA |
| High camp | Uchchaa shivir | UCH-chaa SHI-vir |
| Snow | Hiu | HIU |
| Ice | Baraf | ba-RAF |
| Glacier | Himnad | HIM-nad |
| Yak | Yak / Chauri | YAK |
| Nak (female yak) | Nak | NAK |
| Dzo (yak-cow hybrid) | Jopkyo | JOP-kyo |
| Mani wall | Mani paat | MA-ni PAAT |
| Prayer flag | Lungdar | LUNG-dar |
| Monastery | Gompa / Gumba | GOM-pa |
| Lama (Buddhist monk) | Lama | LA-ma |
| Restricted area permit | Pratibandhit kshetra anumati | — (your guide handles this) |
| Emergency | Aapatkalin | aa-PAT-kaa-lin |
| Helicopter | Helicopter | HE-li-COP-ter |
Prepare Before You Go
The Manaslu Circuit requires more preparation than the standard Nepal treks — in fitness, gear, and language. Two weeks of BolNepali's trekking vocabulary module before you leave Australia gives you the language foundation for this remarkable route.
Start free at bolnepali.com.
BolNepali prepares Australian trekkers for the Manaslu Circuit, Everest Base Camp, Annapurna, and all of Nepal's great mountain routes with structured Nepali language learning and region-specific guides.