Jeep ≈ 9–10 h
Shared and private jeeps leave Besisahar in the morning and follow the Marsyangdi through Jagat, Tal and Dharapani to Chame, then on to Pisang and Manang. The road is narrow, unpaved for long stretches and exposed in places. Climbing 2,760 m in a single day is a big altitude jump, so anyone driving straight to Manang should rest there for at least two nights before going higher. Monsoon landslides close the road regularly.
Jeep to Chame + walk 6–7 h drive + 2–3 days' walk
Our circuit itineraries drive the lower, road-heavy section to Chame at 2,670 m in 6–7 hours, then walk. Day one goes past the apple orchards of Bhratang and the curved rock face of Paungda Danda to Upper Pisang at 3,310 m. Day two follows the high trail through Ghyaru and Ngawal at 3,660 m, with Annapurna II and IV across the valley. Day three is a short walk via Braga to Manang.
Walk the whole way 6–8 days
Purists can walk from Besisahar on the New Annapurna Trekking Trail sections, which keep to the opposite bank of the river from the road where possible, through Bhulbhule, Bahundanda, Chamje and Tal. It adds 3–4 days through subtropical villages, waterfalls and rice terraces, and gives the most gradual acclimatisation, but expect dust and jeep traffic on the stretches where trail and road share the same line.
Stops on the way
- Bhulbhule
- Jagat
- Tal
- Dharapani
- Chame
- Bhratang
- Upper Pisang
- Ngawal
- Braga
If you drive, take the morning jeep from Besisahar and book a front seat, because the views are better and motion sickness is worse in the back.
Questions travellers ask
Can you drive from Besisahar to Manang?
Yes. A jeep road now reaches Manang, and shared jeeps run in the trekking seasons, taking about 9–10 hours. The road is rough and often blocked by landslides between June and September, so check current status before you travel. Driving straight to 3,519 m from 760 m carries a real risk of altitude sickness, so plan two nights in Manang before going higher.
How much is a jeep from Besisahar to Manang?
Shared jeep seats have run at roughly NPR 3,500–4,500 per person for the full journey in recent seasons, and a private jeep for the whole route roughly NPR 30,000–40,000. Fares are set locally and rise with fuel prices, so treat these as rough guides and check current status before you travel. Our circuit packages include private transport to Chame.
How many days to walk from Besisahar to Manang?
Walking the whole way takes 6–8 days, depending on your pace and how much you use the side trails away from the road. A common modern compromise is to drive to Chame in 6–7 hours and walk 3 days via Upper Pisang and Ngawal to Manang. That keeps the high, scenic section on foot and still gives good acclimatisation.
Is the upper or lower Pisang route better to Manang?
The upper route via Ghyaru and Ngawal is better for views and acclimatisation. It climbs to about 3,670 m, so you sleep a little higher before Manang, and it looks straight across at Annapurna II, III and IV. The lower route via Humde is shorter and flatter, and runs close to the road and airstrip. We use the upper route on every circuit itinerary.
