Manaslu Circuit Trek Only opened to a maximum of 400 trekkers in 1992, this trek still has the feel of a pioneering expedition. If you want to know what trekking the 1980s was like, the Manaslu circuit trek is a visual feast from start to finish, but you better be fit.
Slowly, you wind North to the snowbound Larkya La Pass next to the Tibetan border. The altitude here is a problem but almost forgotten with the jaw-dropping views of Manaslu. At 5167 meters Larkya La pass is usually snow-covered and icy. Micro crampons are often used on the descent. Trekking to the pass requires a 3 am start to make the highest point before the winds come, usually around mid-morning.
From the pass looking back the way you have come gives a clear view but by far the most amazing view comes after you have left the pass and walk along a corridor to the west.
A great glacial cirque bursts into view. A stupendous wall created by Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, Nemjung, Gyaji Kang and Kang Guru, casts down a stream of glaciers, while Annapurna II rises ahead. This view alone makes the trek worthwhile. Magical Nepal can arrange your all-inclusive 15 days trek. The trek can be done on a teahouse basis unless you want to go off route where camping is the only option.
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Trip Overview – Why Choose the Manaslu Circuit Trek Nepal?
- Jaw dropping natural beauty of the forests, rivers, and flora in the Manaslu region
- Friendly people, rich culture of the region which includes both Nepalese & Tibetan ethnic groups
- Larky La Pass (5167 meters), the highest point on the trek
- Stunning view of some of the highest peaks in the world- Manaslu, Hemlung Himal, Annapurna II
- Abundant wildlife including Tahr, Agali, Pika, Himalayan Marmots, if lucky Snow Leopard
- Reach: Larkey La (5160 m / 16751 ft), one of the most beautiful mountains passes of Nepal that joins Annapurna and Manaslu region
- Walk: Following marked and maintained newly established route of Manaslu Circuit Trek inside the Manaslu Conservation Area passing lush vegetation and distinct wildlife,
- People: ethnic Gurung, Magar and Tamang, Bhutias and Sherpa settlements, rickety suspension bridges, pristine waterfalls, beautiful rivers, religious monuments, natural wonders and cultural heritages
- Explore: Alike Tibetan culture, tradition and lifestyle, exotic Himalayan wildlife vegetation, Tibetan Buddhist dominated monasteries, chortens, stupas, alleys, long mane walls, natural caves, pristine lakes and high mountain settlements
- Have: Picturesque sceneries of Mt. Manaslu, Kang Guru (6981 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Cheo Himal (6820 m), Himlung Himal (7126 m), Nemjung (7140 m), and Gyaji Kang (7074 m) with a flourishing Himalayan ecosystem that contains of lush woodlands blended with diverse terrains
- Get: The mesmerizing views of giant Manaslu and its neighboring peaks, gorgeous sunrise over Himalayas from different places
- Immerse: At the natural setting of Manaslu Conservation Area, in the rural ethnic settlements of Manaslu region which are far from this so-called modernization
- Doable side-trips: Annapurna Circuit Trek, Tsum Valley Trek, Pokhara Sightseeing, Chitwan Jungle Safari, Chandragiri Cable Car Ride, Nar Phu Valley Trek
Guideline Itinerary for Manaslu Circuit Trek
Day 1: Arrived at Intel airport
Day 2: Half day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. Preparation day.
Day 3: Kathmandu to Soti Khola
Day 4: Soti Khola to Maccha Khola
Day 5: Maccha Khola to Jagat
Day 6: Jagat to Pewa
Day 7: Pewa to Namrung
Day 8: Namrung to Lho
Day 9: Lho to Sama Gaun
Day 10: Acclimatization Day
Day 11: Sama Gaun to Samdo
Day 12: Acclimatization Day
Day 13: Samdo to Dharmasala
Day 14: Dharmasala to Bimthang via Larkya Pass
Day 15: Bimthang to Dharapani
Day 16: Dharapani to Kathmandu
Day 17: Free day at Kathmandu
Day 18: Final Departure toward your homeland
Manaslu Circuit Trek Map
Price Includes:-
- All meals during Manaslu Circuit Trek. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Accommodation during trek at local lodge.
- Airport pick up and drop
- English speaking government-licensed Sherpa trekking guide & assistant guide (4 trekkers=1 assistant guide)
- Porter Service (2 Trekker =1 porter)
- Staff cost including their (Salary, transportation, equipment, food and accommodation)
- Manaslu special permit fee
- Annapurna conservation project fee
- 3 nights’ accommodation at 3, 4- -star hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing with breakfast.
- All guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and entry fees.
- Airport transfers and escort.
- Insurance for all trekking staffs
- All ground transportation on comfortable private vehicle
- All government and local taxes
Manaslu Circuit Trek cost Price Excludes:-
- International airfares
- International Airport Departure Tax
- Trekking Equipment
- Major meals, Lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu
- Any type of personal expenses, such as alcoholic beverages and drinks, phone and laundry.
- Tips & Gratuities to porters and guides
Is Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficult?
Manaslu Circuit trek is considered a moderately difficult trek. The distance of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is more or less 177km which is completed within 17 days, keeping an acclimatization day. However, Trekkers need to walk 10-15 km each day to complete this journey, creating some difficulties.
Altitude sickness may become a threat as this trek begins from Sotikhola (710m) to Larky La Pass (5213m) above sea level. Next, walking in the rough terrains passing the mountain vistas, may be challenging for some excursionists.
When is the best time for Manaslu Circuit Trek ?
September to November (Autumn) is Nepal´s peak and best time for trekking.
March to May (Spring) is the second-best season for trekking.
December to February (Winter) the sky is clear but it can get very cold and there is a risk of passes being closed due to snow fall.
Detailed Manaslu circuit trek itinerary
Day 1: Arrived at Intl’ Airport transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Half day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. Preparation day.
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola
Drive Your trek to Manaslu Circuit begins from Kathmandu. To start, you can take a direct bus at 6 am and 8 am, from Gongabu Bus Park, Kathmandu to Arughat. Or, you can take the bus to Dhading or to Malekhu on the Prithvi Highway and take the local bus or jeep thereafter.
Although the road will be quite dusty and bumpy, you will catch the best landscape views from your window seat. En route, you can stop at many rest stops for short breaks and meals. Overnight at one of the teahouses in Soti Khola.
Day 4: Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola
The next morning, you will enjoy the warm breakfast at the teahouse at Soti Khola while enjoying the scenic landscape. Then, you will start your trek of the day. Unlike other trekking trails, the road from Soti Khola to Machha Khola is quite rocky and narrow. With such experiences, you will reach Machha Khola to find many teahouses for a comfortable night’s stay.
Day 5: Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat
The following day, you will start walking across the twisting road on the bank of Budi Gandaki river. As you enter the forest trail, you will witness many monkeys and langurs.
After the forest, you will walk to the Gurung villages, like lower Khorlabeshi. In the village, you will notice the shepherds clad in a typical smoke-browned cape called Bokkhu.
On walking further, you will reach Tatopani ‘hot water’ where you can take warm showers and relax your soaring body. After hot water relaxation, you will cross a new suspension bridge over Bhudi Gandaki river to reach Doban.
Following the waves, you will find the river flattening at Yaru from where you cross a long cantilever bridge to reach Jagat, a neatly flagstone Gurung village. On entering the village, you will have to verify your trekking permits at the check post there. From this day, you will be walking in the restricted region.
Day 6: Trek from Jagat to Pewa
The next day, you will walk to Salleri and descend to Sirdibas. The village welcomes you with several gompas and Buddhist prayer flags. You can also try the local alcohol in many stopovers on the route before you reach Phillim. At Phillim, you will have your permits checked, and then you will continue along the western bank of the river.
The trail is beautiful with unique sculptures over the boulders on the river bank formed due to river water. Leaving the riverbank, you proceed through forests of rhododendron, Himalayan pine and the overhanging rocks on the towering peaks. These highlights beautify the trail. In the evening, you can gather around the fireplace and share your experiences with the fellow trekkers and locals before you go to bed.
Day 7: Trek from Pewa to Namrung
After the sun rises up, you will have your breakfast and start the trek of the day. Before you ascend the winding trails, you will walk across the bamboo forest to reach Deng. Moving further, you will cross a suspension bridge to climb to Rana and Bihi Phedi. On the trail, you can see White Faced monkeys visiting villages on the lookout for a free feed.After the landslide zone, you will follow the trail up to Namrung.
After about 1hr on the uneven trail, you will climb a zigzag from the river to the neat village of Namrung (2660m). The place has some of the best teashops, a restaurant, and rest houses on the trek. A local businessman worked for over a decade in Hong Kong then returned to Namrung and built a restaurant and hotel that is modern.
Day 8: Trek from Namrung to Lho
Witnessing the lifestyles of the Nubri people, you will start the day. Exploring their Tibet-influenced typical lifestyle you will walk past several mani walls, lush terraces, and houses through Banjam to enter the fir, rhododendron, and oak forest before climbing to Lihi then to Sho. From the place, you can catch the stunning views of Manaslu (8163m) and Manaslu North (7157m). On this day, you will gain a quite high altitude, so you must walk slowly and check your body signs.
Day 9: Trek from Lho to Sama Gaun
The next morning, you will start with a day trip because of the altitude reasons. On walking, the picturesque view of Mt. Manaslu accompanies you. You will walk across the easy trail to Shyala on passing through pine and rhododendron gully with moss and gin-clear stream. From Shyala, you will walk for almost an hour to reach Sama Gaun.
Sama Gaun is the principal village of the Nubri people which holds a large gompa, many shops, a health post,
Day 10: Acclimatization Day (Day Trip to Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Gompa)
This is the day of acclimatization at Sama Gaon to prevent altitude-related illness. And, as an acclimatization hike, you will walk to Pungyen Gompa on the east of the Nubri Valley. On this acclimatization hike, you can bring your lunch and take it at the rest stops for energy. Like other days, you will walk across the roaring river which keeps you engaged for around 2 hours on the trail.
hike to Manaslu Base Camp which is in the north of Sama Gong. You can follow the trail past Birendra Tal and turn left onto the base camp track.
You will climb the steady trails; however, the altitude may cause breathing difficulty. So, you need to maintain body hydration and walk slowly. Proceeding slowly, you will walk to the north of Manaslu glacier to basecamp at 4400m then return.
Day 11: Trek from Sama Gaun to Samdo
On this new day, you will reach to the newer destination Samdo. But, as you are in high altitude, you need to walk slowly so, this is a short-day trek. You will notice extended yak pastures up a broad valley with long mani walls, with a variety of birds.
From there, you will leave the tree line and climb to a ridge across the wooden bridge of Buri Gandaki before you reach white Kani. It is a neighboring village to Samdo, a very picturesque village dedicated to yak herding.
you can explore the nearby villages or you can hike to Samdo Peak. The Larkya La trail is on the left above the valley. You can also see the main track for Tibet over the Larjyang La forming slopes on the Larkya La trail.
Day 12: Acclimatization Day (Day Trip to Tibet Border)
Once at the border, if you look towards the south of Samdo Glacier you will get excellent photos with a huge serac near the top of the glacier. You can also frame Blue Sheep, Pica’s, and Marmots in season.
Day 13: Trek from Samdo to Dharmasala
This is another adventurous day in the high altitude. So, you must watch your body signs properly. Enjoying the scenic views of the chain of Himalayas you will walk slowly across the rugged terrains of the trek before you reach Dharmasala.
Day 14: Trek from Dharmasala to Bimthang via Larkya Pass
This is a special day as you will walk to the highest point of the trail. You will walk to Larkya La Pass (5160m) on this day. In bad weather and in the snow, the walk could be quite challenging yet, it is doable. You will cross the pass before afternoon so you need to wake up early and leave the teahouse quite early. This is the challenging part of the trek but if you walk steadily, you can walk to the pass successfully.
The stunning views you will witness once you stand at the pass make the trip more enlightened. You will catch views of Himlung (7126m) near Tibet and Kang Guru (6981m) and Annapurna II (7937m) in the Annapurna Range
Day 15: Trek from Bimthang to Dharapani
This is the final day you will be walking on the trails of the Manaslu region. On climbing downhill, you will walk through the lush forests full of flora and fauna including rhododendron bushes.
The valley becomes more agricultural and lusher as you pass fields and corpses of oak and rhododendron, staying on the north (true right) bank until Tilije. From there, you will continue your stroll towards Dharapani.
Day 16: Trek from Dharapani to Kathmandu
You will take a jeep from Dharapani to Beshi Sahar. From there, you will take a ride back to Kathmandu. After the 6 to 7 hours drive from Beshi Sahar, you will get to rest in one of the sophisticated hotels in Kathmandu.
Day 17: Free and shopping at Kathmandu
Day 18: Departure to your next destination
Equipment Check List
Permits needed for Manaslu Circuit Trek
Note:- for issuing permit for Manaslu Circuit trek have to be minimum 2 person in the group and government licenses holder Guide.
