Machhakhola

Machhakhola is a riverside village in Nepal's Gorkha District, sitting at roughly 869–890 meters on the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River. It's the first overnight stop on the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Tsum Valley Trek, reached by a 7–10 hour jeep or bus ride from Kathmandu (about 150–160 km). It has basic teahouses, no ATMs, and a weak mobile signal.

If you're short on time, that paragraph is the whole story. Everything below fills in the details.

Where Is Machhakhola, Exactly?

Machhakhola is in the northern part of Gorkha District. This village is located in Nepal's mid-hills, roughly where the flat lowlands give way to the folds of the Himalaya. The name itself is practical rather than poetic; "Machha Khola" simply means "Fish River" in Nepali. There is a nod to the streams that were once filled with fish before joining the Budhi Gandaki nearby.

The village occupies the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki River, which runs straight off the southern flanks of Manaslu (8,163 m). Because it sits at under 900 meters, Machhakhola has a warm, subtropical microclimate. This feels closer to the Kathmandu Valley than to the glaciated country trekkers will reach 2 weeks later at Larke Pass (5,106 m). Terraced paddy and millet fields, banana trees, and dense forest cover the surrounding hillsides. The landscape has more in common with the Annapurna foothills than with the high Himalaya most people picture when they hear “Manaslu.”

Administratively, Machhakhola falls under the same district where Nepal's unifying king, Prithvi Narayan Shah, was born. It also lies within the buffer of the Manaslu Conservation Area. It is the home of snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan tahr, and more than 2,000 recorded plant species.

Quick Facts Table

Why Machhakhola Matters on the Manaslu Circuit

Everyone who's heading toward the Manaslu Circuit or Tsum Valley passes through Machhakhola because it's the starting point where the rough jeep road ends. They are building the roads further ahead, but most of the people like to stop here for proper acclimatization. Practically speaking, that makes it 3 things at once: the last place to buy forgotten supplies, the first night most itineraries are built around, and the psychological start line of the trek.

Compared with the crowded trailheads of Everest or Annapurna, Machhakhola is quite a village. You will see a collection of a few teahouses, a suspension bridge, and the constant roar of the Budhi Gandaki. The Manaslu Circuit remains one of Nepal's least crowded classic treks, largely because it's a restricted area with a mandatory guide rule. Machhakhola is where that quieter, more authentic version of the Himalaya begins.

How to Reach Machhakhola from Kathmandu?

There is no airport or flight option to Machhakhola. The only way in is by road, followed by a trail. Three main options exist, and the right one depends on your budget, group size, and tolerance for a bumpy ride.

Transport Options Compared

Local buses depart from Gongabu Bus Park (also called the New Bus Park or Machhapokhari) in Balaju. The local bus usually departs between 6:00 and 6:30 AM. It's the cheapest way in, but seats fill fast in October–November and March–April. So booking a day or two ahead is worth it during peak season.

A shared jeep is the middle-ground choice most trekkers end up taking. You or your guide can look for other travelers leaving on the same date to share a jeep and split costs. The main challenge is finding like-minded travel partners for the same departure day.

A private jeep is the fastest and most comfortable option, especially valuable in winter when an unheated public bus makes for a miserable pre-dawn departure. Splitting the cost across a group of four or more usually brings the per-person price close to a shared jeep anyway.

A practical tip that applies to all three: ask for a seat on the right-hand side of the vehicle. Once the road climbs alongside the Budhi Gandaki past Arughat, that's the side with the river views.

A little note: The night bus to Machhakhola is another option; it departs between 6:30 and 7 PM. The bus will depart from Balaju's Gongabu Bus Park.

What is the cost of a jeep trip from Kathmandu to Machha Khola?

The cost of a jeep from Kathmandu to Machha Khola typically ranges from USD 30 to USD 40 per person, depending on the group size. Hiring a private 4WD jeep costs around USD 190 per vehicle and accommodates 6–7 passengers, making it a cost-effective option for groups. The journey covers approximately 160–170 km and takes 9–10 hours.

The jeep follows the Prithvi Highway before continuing on rough mountain roads through Arughat and Soti Khola to Machha Khola. Most trekkers choose a jeep because it is the fastest and most convenient way to reach the starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. 

How are the road conditions to Machhakhola?

The drive to Machhakhola splits cleanly into 2 halves, and knowing this in advance changes the whole experience from "unpleasant surprise" to “expected adventure.”

Kathmandu to Arughat (roughly 5-8 hours): smooth, paved highway. Rolling hills, terraced countryside, and a fairly comfortable ride. It is a good stretch to nap or take in the scenery.

Arughat to Machhakhola (roughly 3–4 hours): The pavement ends, and the real off-road stretch begins. You will pass through a dusty, rough-paved track hugging cliff edges above the Budhi Gandaki Gorge. It's slow going, and during the monsoon (June–August), this section is prone to landslides and washouts that can turn an 8-hour trip into a delay. Outside monsoon season, it's rough but entirely manageable, and it's honestly part of the appeal.

Best Time to Travel to Machhakhola

Autumn and spring are, unsurprisingly, when the vast majority of Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley trekkers make this journey. Book transport and teahouse space ahead if you're traveling in either window.

Permits: What You Need Before You Reach Machhakhola

Because Machhakhola sits at the edge of a government-restricted trekking area, your paperwork needs to be sorted in Kathmandu before you leave. It cannot be arranged in the village itself.

• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required from Jagat onward. Roughly USD 100 for the first 7 days in September–November (peak season), plus USD 15 per extra day. Around USD 75 for the first 7 days in the December–August off-season, plus USD 10 per extra day. This permit can only be issued through a registered Nepali trekking agency.
• Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) is a fixed fee (around NPR 3,000, roughly USD 22), funding conservation work across the region.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is needed after the pass from Dharapani village.

Important 2026 update: Nepal's Department of Immigration removed the old rule requiring a minimum of two foreign trekkers to obtain a Manaslu RAP. Solo travelers can now apply at the standard per-person rate. The one rule that hasn't changed: a licensed guide from a registered trekking agency is still mandatory for the entire restricted-area section.

Where to Stay and Eat in Machhakhola

Accommodation here is simple by design; this is a working trail village, not a resort. Expect:

• Teahouses with twin rooms, wooden beds, and warm blankets. Bathrooms are shared, mostly squat-style, with hot showers available in some lodges for an extra fee.
• Meals built around dal bhat (rice, lentils, vegetables), fried noodles, Tibetan bread, and basic soups. Meals are hearty, simple, and exactly what you'll want after a long travel day.
• Electricity from local hydropower or solar, sometimes with a small charging fee for phones and cameras.
• Genuinely good connectivity around the trail, except for a few teahouses like Machhakhola, Dharmashala, and Bhimthang. You have to pay extra if you want to get access to Wi-Fi in teahouses
• No ATMs. Withdraw all the Nepali rupees you'll need in Kathmandu before departure; small denominations make teahouse transactions easier.

Things to Do in Machhakhola

Most itineraries treat Machhakhola as a one-night stop, but there's genuinely enough here to justify slowing down for half a day if your schedule allows.

Walk the Budhi Gandaki riverbank. The river is the reason the village exists; locals fish and wash clothes along its banks. The water carries a steady roar you'll hear from your teahouse room at night.

Cross the suspension bridge. The bridge at the edge of the village is more symbolic than scenic. It's the literal handover point from jeep road to foot trail and the moment most trekkers describe as when "the trek really begins.”

Soak at hot springs. After 40-45 min, natural hot springs bubble up beside the trail. This is the favorite stop for those looking to loosen up sore legs before the harder days ahead toward Jagat and beyond.

Where Machhakhola Fits in a Manaslu Circuit Itinerary

Machhakhola is typically the Day 1 overnight stop after driving in from Kathmandu or occasionally Day 2 if the itinerary builds in an overnight at Soti Khola first. From Machhakhola, the trail continues along the Budhi Gandaki through Jagat. It is the checkpoint where your Restricted Area Permit is first inspected and onward toward Deng, Namrung, and further.

For the full day-by-day breakdown, altitudes, and what to expect on each stage of the trek, see our Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary or explore our Tsum Valley Trek if you're combining both regions into one longer journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Machhakhola

Where is Machhakhola located?

Machhakhola is a village in Gorkha District, Nepal, on the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River. This village is located between Soti Khola and Jagat.

How do I get to Machhakhola from Kathmandu?

By road only with a local bus (11–12 hours) and with a private jeep (6–7 hours). There is no flight or helicopter service for regular travel.

What is the altitude of Machhakhola?

Machhakhola sits at approximately 869–890 meters above sea level. This makes the village a low-altitude, warm-climate starting point for the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley treks.

Is Machhakhola the official starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Machhakhola is the first major overnight stop for most itineraries, though the trail technically begins a little earlier at Soti Khola or further ahead to Jagat.

Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit solo starting from Machhakhola?

Yes. Since 22 March 2026, Nepal's Department of Immigration allows solo trekkers to obtain the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit individually. A licensed guide from a registered agency is still required. Unsupported, fully independent trekking is still not allowed in this restricted area.

Are there ATMs or Wi-Fi in Machhakhola?

No ATMs. Mobile signal is weak but present near the village center, and a few teahouses offer paid, unreliable Wi-Fi. Carry enough Nepali rupees from Kathmandu.

How is the road from Kathmandu to Machhakhola?

The first half (Kathmandu to Arughat) is a normal paved highway. The second half (Arughat to Machhakhola) is unpaved, narrow, and runs along cliff edges in places. The road is manageable outside monsoon season, but best driven by experienced local drivers.