Gandaki, Western Nepal
The Manaslu Circuit goes around the eighth-highest mountain in the world (8,163 metres) through the Manaslu Conservation Area. It is a restricted-area trek, so you need a special permit and must travel with a licensed guide, which keeps numbers low. The route follows the Budhi Gandaki river into high, Tibetan-influenced villages such as Samagaun and Samdo, then crosses the Larkya La pass at about 5,106 metres. Trekkers get a remote, quieter alternative to the busiest Annapurna routes, with tea houses along the way. The best seasons are March to May and September to November.
