No Tourist Trail. No Men Leading. Just Manaslu.
15 daysChallenging
Adventure15 days on a restricted trail most tourists never see — only 3,000 permits issued per year. The Manaslu Circuit rivals the Annapurna Circuit in beauty but with a fraction of the traffic. Your SASANE guide knows every teahouse family on this route personally, because SASANE builds relationships through years of consistent presence, not one-off transactions. She completed the same rigorous 6-month training as all SASANE guides. Remote, raw, and real — led by a woman who earned her place here.
15 days on a restricted trail most tourists never see — only 3,000 permits issued per year. The Manaslu Circuit rivals the Annapurna Circuit in beauty but with a fraction of the traffic. Your SASANE guide knows every teahouse family on this route personally, because SASANE builds relationships through years of consistent presence, not one-off transactions. She completed the same rigorous 6-month training as all SASANE guides. Remote, raw, and real — led by a woman who earned her place here.
What to Expect
Remote wilderness
The Manaslu region sees a fraction of the visitors of Everest or Annapurna — only 3,000 permits issued annually. Expect pristine trails empty of other trekkers, wildlife sightings (Himalayan thar, snow leopard tracks), and the deep silence of true wilderness.
Larkya La pass (5,160m)
The trek's defining moment — a snow-draped saddle with views of Himlung, Cheo Himal, and the Manaslu massif itself. The crossing takes 7-8 hours and demands solid fitness, but your guide's pacing and altitude management make it achievable for any prepared trekker.
Tibetan Buddhist culture
The upper Manaslu valleys are ethnically Tibetan — visit ancient gompas, spin prayer wheels taller than you, and share butter tea with monks who live at 3,500m year-round. The Nubri and Tsum valleys preserve a way of life that has disappeared from much of Tibet itself.
SASANE-trained guide
Your SASANE guide completed the standard 6-month programme plus additional high-altitude expedition training. She knows every teahouse family on this route personally — because SASANE builds relationships through years of consistent presence, not one-off bookings.
The Restricted Trail — Access Earned, Not Given
Manaslu is restricted to protect its fragile communities. Your guide knows every teahouse owner by name because SASANE has built relationships over years — not weeks. The revenue from restricted-area permits supports both local livelihoods and the next cohort of survivor guides. . We received the UNWTO Award for Excellence and Innovation from the United Nations World Tourism Organization for innovative approach to empower women through tourism. Read more in our blog
200+
Certified women guides
Restricted
Access requiring special permits
10+ yrs
Running as a social enterprise
4.8/5
TripAdvisor rating
“We explored places what mostly just the locals know. Everything is so natural and the locals welcomed us with huge warm.”
Travel With Purpose
Looking for something tailor-made? We'd love to create your impactful travel experience filled with lot of fun. Just drop us an email or call us and we will take care of the rest.