A turquoise glacial lake at Manang below the snow wall of the Annapurna range
Guided trek in Nepal

Manang Valley

Reach Manang at 3,540 m with us by road, not a week of trekking. Monasteries, lakes and stone villages in 5 to 7 days, with a licensed guide.

Duration5-7 days
Max Altitude3,540m
DifficultyEasy
Distance545 km
Group SizeMax 6
Best SeasonSpring & Autumn
1 / 8
01 / Route overview

The high Himalaya, without the week-long trek

Most people reach Manang days into the Annapurna Circuit, on foot. We drive the Marsyangdi gorge instead, and we stop overnight in Tal rather than rushing to Manang in a day, so we reach the high valley with energy to enjoy it. Five, six or seven days.

Updated 17 September 2026Route reviewed with Indra Bahadur Baram, Love Himalaya Journey guide.
Sleeping altitude3,540 m in Manang
WalkingShort, optional valley walks
StyleBy road, 5 to 7 days

Trip highlights

  • Drive the Marsyangdi gorge, with our first night low in Tal
  • Visit the centuries-old Braga monastery and wander the stone lanes of Manang
  • Ride to Khangsar at 3,734 m, where the jeep road ends, then sleep back in Manang
  • Walk to Gangapurna Lake, or stay in with tea and a mountain view
  • Break the drive home in Bandipur, a hilltop Newari town (The Journey and The Transformation)
  • Hike to Ice Lake at about 4,600 m with your guide (The Transformation)
What to know before you book
01
Who it suits

Couples, slower travellers and anyone who wants big mountain scenery without days of hiking. Our valley walks are short and optional. Only the seven-day option includes a demanding hike, to Ice Lake.

02
Altitude, handled honestly

Driving up does not remove altitude risk. A vehicle climbs faster than a body adjusts, so we go up in stages: a night in Tal at 1,700 m, then Braga, then an easy day before going higher. Your guide checks your oxygen levels, there is an aid post in Manang village, and there is always a road back down.

03
The road, described plainly

Expect five to seven hours on the highway to Besisahar, then seven to ten hours of rough mountain road, which we split across two days. The road is beautiful, and for hours at a time it is uncomfortable. We would rather you know that now.

04
Best seasons

We go in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). We advise against the monsoon, June to August, when landslides can close the access road, and winter snow can close the road above Chame.

02 / Day by day

Your journey

Follow the trail from start to finish. Every day reveals a new part of the route.

Every option follows the same road to Manang, and safety is identical across all tiers. The Trail comes back straight from Manang. The Journey adds a night in Bandipur. The Transformation adds Bandipur and a guided Ice Lake hike. Transport, rooms and meals change with each tier.

Day 01
Tal village beneath a waterfall on the wooded Marsyangdi valley wall
easyStandard teahouseBreakfastLunchDinner

Kathmandu to Tal: into the Marsyangdi gorge

Distance
180 km
Sleep
1,700 m

The Marsyangdi gorge, from terraced hills to sheer rock walls

We leave Kathmandu after breakfast and head west to Besisahar. It is five to seven hours on the highway before the mountain road begins. On The Trail and The Journey we ride a tourist bus to Besisahar and change to a jeep there; The Transformation travels in its own 4WD the whole way. Above Besisahar the road narrows and follows the Marsyangdi River north, and terraced hillsides give way to steep gorge walls. Tal is the first village inside Manang district, set beneath a waterfall on the valley floor. Tonight we sleep in Tal, at about 1,700 m. Starting low helps our bodies adjust before tomorrow's climb. If you still have energy, we can take a short walk around the village.

SafetyOur first night low in Tal, at about 1,700 m, to ease into altitude
Day 02
Prayer flags across the painted entrance to Braga monastery
easyStandard teahouseBreakfastLunchDinner

Tal to Braga: up into the high valley

Distance
55 km
Sleep
3,450 m

Pine forest, juniper and open high country in a single day

Today we climb into the high valley. We continue up the gorge through Timang and Chame; past Dhukur Pokhari, the huge curved rock face of Paungda Danda rises above the road, pine forest thins to juniper, and Annapurna II and IV come into view as the valley opens. It is a long, rough drive with a big gain in altitude, from about 1,700 m to 3,450 m, and it takes most of the day. We stop for tea, photos and a stretch, and your guide checks your oxygen levels along the way. We keep the evening quiet: tomorrow is an easy day.

ContextYour first close views of Annapurna II and Annapurna IV
SafetyOxygen-level checks at Chame and again at Braga
Day 03
Snow-covered mountains above the rocky slopes of the Manang valley
easyStandard teahouseBreakfastLunchDinner

Braga and Manang: monastery, village and rest

Distance
10 km
Walking
2 hrs
Sleep
3,540 m

Braga monastery on its rock shelf above the village

An easy day, on purpose, so our bodies can catch up with the altitude. If you feel good, we walk up to the centuries-old Braga monastery, then spend time in Manang among its stone houses, small shops and bakeries, looking straight across the valley at Gangapurna and Annapurna III. We keep the walks short and rest often. Ask your guide whether the Himalayan Rescue Association aid post is holding an altitude talk while we are there.

SafetyThe altitude talk at the HRA aid post in Manang, when it runs
AltitudeA full, easy day at 3,500 m before going any higher
Day 04
Not on The TrailA rocky stream beneath snow-covered peaks in the Manang valley
challengingStandard teahouseBreakfastLunchDinner

Ice Lake: the trip's one demanding hike

Distance
4 km
Walking
6 hrs
Sleep
3,540 m
High
4,600 m

Ice Lake at about 4,600 m, the highest point of the trip

On The Transformation, today is our guided hike to Ice Lake, at around 4,600 m. It is the hardest day of the trip: a long, steady climb and an equally long descent, and before we set out your guide checks the conditions and how you are feeling. From the lake, the Annapurna range fills the far side of the valley. Then we walk back down to sleep in Manang. Ice Lake is not part of The Trail or The Journey. If you want to add it, ask before booking so we can confirm availability and the extra cost.

SafetyAbove 3,500 m: follow the altitude protocol.
SleepMore than 1,000 m of climbing, then back down to sleep in Manang
RouteThe Chulu peaks and the Annapurna range from the lake basin
Day 05
A traveller sitting beside a turquoise lake with snow-covered mountains beyond
easyStandard teahouseBreakfastLunchDinner

Khangsar by jeep, then an easy afternoon in Manang

Distance
60 km
Walking
3 hrs
Sleep
3,540 m
High
3,734 m

Khangsar at 3,734 m, where the jeep road ends, with no walking needed

Today we drive to Khangsar, at around 3,734 m, where the jeep road ends and the Tilicho trek begins on foot. No walking is needed, and we come back to Manang to sleep; going a little higher, then sleeping lower, gives our bodies more time to adjust. The afternoon is unhurried. We can walk to Gangapurna Lake if the weather and your energy allow, or stay in the village with tea and the mountains. Tilicho Lake is a separate multi-day trek and is not part of this trip.

SafetyAbove 3,500 m: follow the altitude protocol.
SleepGo high, sleep low: back in Manang for the night
RouteA walk to Gangapurna Lake, if you want one
Day 06
The Trail returns direct from ManangA horse grazing below eroded cliffs and pine forest in the Manang valley
easyBreakfastLunchDinner

Manang to Bandipur: mountains to the old bazaar

Distance
240 km
Sleep
1,030 m
High
2,670 m

The traffic-free Newari bazaar street in Bandipur

Today we follow the valley road back down to Besisahar and on to Bandipur. It is a long day on the road, with stops along the way, and every hour takes us lower and warmer. Bandipur is a hilltop Newari town at about 1,030 m, with a traffic-free bazaar street and traditional houses. We walk it in the evening, then sleep far lower than the nights before. The Trail does not stop here. It comes back straight from Manang on its final day.

AltitudeThe Himalayan skyline from the ridge on a clear evening
SafetyA warm night at a lower altitude after the high valley
Day 07
Direct from ManangA broad snow-covered mountain above village rooftops in the Manang valley
easyBreakfastLunchDinner

Bandipur to Kathmandu or Pokhara

The Trail does not stop at Bandipur, so today is one long drive from Manang to Kathmandu or Pokhara rather than a short morning run. Expect a full day on the road.
Sleep
1,400 m

Kathmandu or Pokhara, your choice at booking, same price

After breakfast we drive out: about two hours to Pokhara or four to Kathmandu. You choose when you book; the price is the same, and we drop you at your hotel. Guests carrying on to Chitwan or flying out of Pokhara usually take the shorter run. Anyone with an international flight goes back to Kathmandu. Road and traffic set the travel time. If you have a flight, tell us before booking so we leave early enough. On The Trail, today is a full day's drive straight from Manang.

SleepHotel drop-off at either end
03 / Trip essentials

What's included and excluded

Know exactly what your trek price covers before you commit.

Price Includes

  • ACAP permit
  • Your arrival night in Kathmandu, with dinner
  • Road transport, shared or private by tier
  • Twin-share guesthouses, upgraded rooms from The Journey
  • Breakfast and dinner, plus lunch from The Journey
  • Licensed English-speaking guide
  • Altitude monitoring, first-aid kit and emergency support
  • Hot showers and device charging

Price Excludes

  • Travel insurance
  • International flights
  • Nepal visa
  • Extra nights and meals in Kathmandu
  • Single supplement
  • Helicopter return, on request
  • TIMS card
  • Personal expenses, drinks, and tips
04 / Price & discounts
Live Pricing

Build your trek

Pick a tier, set your group size, and choose a preferred departure. The number you see here is the number we receive.

Same safety floor across all three. What changes is lodging, pace, privacy, and how much planning we absorb for you.
Group rates

The more who trek, the less each person pays

Choose a group band to update your live quote below.

Swipe to compare group rates

Per-person prices for The Trail
Group sizePrice per personYou save per personSelect group size
$495Standard rate
$445$50 (10% off)
$415$80 (16% off)

Prices are in USD, per person. Your total updates automatically for 2 trekkers.

What's in The Trail

4 included · 2 not included

  • Shared group departureUp to six travellers per jeep above Besisahar.
  • Selected standard guesthousesChosen for location and rest quality; attached bathrooms where the valley allows, shared otherwise.
  • The same safety plan as every tierLicensed guide, pulse oximeter checks at altitude, and the same evacuation plan used on every tier.
  • Hot showers and device chargingIncluded; at basic guesthouses these may be shared facilities.
  • Private jeep for your coupleStarts on The Journey.
  • LunchLunch is on your own on The Trail; included from The Journey.
05 / Before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

It is one of the gentlest ways to reach the high Himalaya. A vehicle covers the route, there is no pass to cross, and our valley walks are optional. It suits couples, slower travellers and anyone who wants big mountain scenery and village life without days of hiking. The one demanding day is the guided Ice Lake hike, to about 4,600 m, and it is only on The Transformation. Altitude still matters on every tier: Manang is at 3,540 m, even when we arrive by road.

Yes to both. Since April 2023, a licensed guide is required for foreign travellers in the Annapurna region, and every LHJ departure includes one. You also need an ACAP permit (the Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit), which we arrange and include. A TIMS card is officially required by the Nepal Tourism Board but is currently not enforced at Annapurna trailheads. We treat it as optional and will arrange it on request. The standard Manang valley does not need any restricted-area permit.

We sleep at about 3,540 m in Manang. That is real altitude, and a headache, shortness of breath or broken sleep in the first nights is common. Arriving by road does not make it easier: a study at the Manang aid post found that 54% of its altitude-illness patients had arrived by vehicle (Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2017). So we climb in stages, with a night in Tal at 1,700 m and an easy day after reaching Braga, and your guide checks your oxygen levels along the way. If they drop too far or symptoms get worse, we go down, and here that is simple: there is an aid post in Manang village, a health post at Chame and a road out. Travel insurance covering high-altitude travel and helicopter evacuation is mandatory. LHJ does not sell insurance, and we check your cover before departure.

Ice Lake is a guided hike to about 4,600 m, included on The Transformation. It is a steep climb followed by a long descent, with a packed lunch and a return to Manang to sleep. Your guide checks the conditions and how you are feeling before we set out, and we turn back if symptoms get worse. It is not part of The Trail or The Journey; if you want to add it, ask before booking so we can confirm availability and the extra cost.

The route to Manang and the safety standard are the same on every tier, and every tier includes a night in Kathmandu with dinner and a licensed guide. The Trail takes five days: tourist bus and shared jeep, standard guesthouses, breakfast and dinner, and a direct return from Manang. The Journey takes six: your own jeep above Besisahar, upgraded rooms where available, full board and a night in Bandipur. The Transformation takes seven, for a couple or two couples: private 4WD from Kathmandu, a guided Ice Lake hike and Bandipur.

Expect simple, twin-share mountain guesthouses in Tal, Braga and Manang: the rooms are basic and the walls are thin. The Journey and The Transformation use upgraded rooms where available, but attached bathrooms are not certain at every stop. Hot showers and device charging are included on every tier, though facilities may be shared. Food is mostly Nepali and Tibetan, and Wi-Fi is slow and sometimes absent. The Journey and The Transformation also include a night in Bandipur.

We recommend spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Manang itself sits in the Annapurna rain shadow, but the access road from Dumre to Besisahar and on to Chame is prone to landslides in the monsoon, with closures that have lasted from days to months, so we do not recommend June to August. If you book a monsoon-season departure, we will tell you the risk plainly, and we will reroute or reschedule at no penalty if the road is impassable. In deep winter, snow can close the road above Chame, so winter trips depend on the weather and are confirmed case by case.

The main extras are travel insurance (roughly USD 50 to 150 per person, paid to your insurer; it is mandatory and we do not sell it), your Nepal visa (USD 30 to 50 on arrival), international flights, and your hotel and meals in Kathmandu. Drinks beyond included meals, snacks, laundry and tips for your guide and driver are also on you. On The Journey and The Transformation, solo travellers who want a private room pay a single supplement of USD 180. The optional helicopter return on The Transformation is quoted separately, at around USD 700 to 800 per seat, and confirmed nearer the date, weather permitting.

Quote$9902 trekkers