On foot (3 days) 3 days · ≈ 15–17 h walking
Day 1: Samagaun (3,530 m) to Samdo (3,875 m), about 3 hours and 8 km through yak pastures. Day 2: Samdo to Dharamsala (4,460 m), 3.5 to 4 hours and 7 km past the Larkya Bazaar ruins. Day 3: leave at 4 am, cross Larkya La (5,106 m) and descend to Bimthang (3,590 m), 8 to 10 hours and 15 to 16 km. This is the standard Manaslu Circuit pattern.
On foot (4 days) 4 days · with a Samdo rest day
Adds a second night in Samdo with an acclimatisation hike up the side valley towards the Tibet border, to around 4,500 to 4,800 m. It is the safer choice for older trekkers, anyone who felt altitude symptoms in Samagaun and those who want a weather buffer before the pass. Our 16-day Manaslu itinerary uses this pattern.
Helicopter ≈ 15–20 min
A private charter can fly from Samagaun to Bimthang in good morning weather, but it is rarely used except for rescues or special itineraries, because it skips the pass that most trekkers come for. Helicopters carry fewer passengers at this altitude. If you need to avoid the pass, flying from Samagaun to Kathmandu is a more common choice.
Stops on the way
- Samdo, last permanent village
- Larkya Bazaar ruins
- Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi) high camp
- Larkya La prayer flags
- Bimthang Glacier moraine
Do not rush the Samagaun to Bimthang section: the short stages to Samdo and Dharamsala are what make the 5,106 m crossing safe.
Questions travellers ask
How many days from Samagaun to Bimthang?
Three days on the standard itinerary: Samagaun to Samdo, Samdo to Dharamsala, and Dharamsala over Larkya La to Bimthang. Adding a rest day in Samdo makes it four. Trying to do it in two days means gaining too much height too fast and is not recommended.
What is the hardest part between Samagaun and Bimthang?
The final day, from Dharamsala over Larkya La to Bimthang: 8 to 10 hours, about 650 m up to 5,106 m and roughly 1,500 m down, often with snow on the steep western descent. The first two days are short and easy by comparison.
Are there lodges between Samagaun and Bimthang?
Yes, in Samdo and at Dharamsala. Samdo has a few simple stone teahouses; Dharamsala has basic lodges and tents with limited beds that fill in October. There is nothing on the pass itself. Some lodges close from late November to March.
Can I walk from Samagaun to Bimthang in winter?
Larkya La is often closed by snow from December to March, and lodges at Samdo and Dharamsala may shut. Crossing in winter is possible only in settled weather with an experienced guide and extra gear. Check current status before you travel and have a fallback plan.
