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Manaslu Circuit Trek

Manaslu Circuit Trek

  • (9 Reviews)

Trip Introduction

Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the fastest growing trekking routes around Manaslu Conservation Area,  Manaslu Circuit Trek offers all the elements that other trekking region offers in Nepal. Suspension bridges, greenery hills, beautiful rivers, culture, and tradition of people inhabitants from the sub-tropical regions to high Himalayan regions, diverse flora and fauna, protected wildlife, high mountain passes, dramatic landscapes, Buddhist monasteries and many more.

After building tea houses at the overnight destination in Manaslu Region, trekking to Manaslu became more popular among backpackers. Even though, it is less crowded and virgin destination for trekkers. It can be also considered as the peaceful, filled with naturally fresh air, and culturally riches alternative trekking route for Annapurna Circuit Trek since most of the walking trail of the regions have been replaced by a motorable road.

Magnificent view of the eight highest rocky peaks in the globe, Mount Manaslu (8,163 m) is the jewel of Manaslu Circuit Trek. Similarly, Ganesh Himal, Himalchuli etc are other white mountains above 7000 meters covered in this hiking. 2000 species of plants, 33 mammals, 110 birds, 3 reptiles and 11 butterflies, 11 types of the forest has been found in this region.

Your journey to this wonderful trekking route “Manaslu Circuit Trek” begins from Gorkha District at Sotikhola (crossing Arughat), 7 to 8 hours driving distance from Kathmandu. Walking through the side of the gorge of Budi Gandaki River, you will be crossing several small villages like Maccha Khola, Jagat, Deng, Namrung finally reaching Samagaon, the residence of several Nuns and Monks. Lots of holy Buddhist Monasteries are founded here.

After proper acclimatization and walking 6/7 hours per day, on the eleventh day of this trek, the challenging high pass, Larkya La Pass (5,160 m) will be crossed and the trail descends down to Bhimtang Village, Dharapani, Jagat and exiting the trek from Bhulbhule. You will be driving back to Kathmandu. The exit point of this trek is the entry route for Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Manaslu Circuit Trekking route is the restricted trail of Nepal. To enter in this area special permit is required to collect first. Without the permission, entering here is strictly prohibited.



  • Departure from
  • Arrival On

Day 1

After arriving in Kathmandu, Our representative will pick us up from the airport and take us to our hotel. In the afternoon, take a rest or visit our office briefing about the trip.

Day 2

Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu which are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. We visit the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temples, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’; ‘Swayambhunath’ and Boudhanath, which is also one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, we get our equipment checked by our Trekking leader, get introduced to fellow participants, and discuss our trip.

Day 3

We set off early today for Sotikhola. During the drive, we enjoy views of the Nepalese countryside along with the mountain sceneries. We will be driving on a paved road from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi, the district headquarter of Dhading (1050m)but the drive from Dhanding Bensi to Arughat will be on a rough road.  Upon reaching Arughat, a major town in the region we drive further towards Sotikhola. Overnight in Soti Khola.

Day 4

At the crossing of the bridge, we trek through the beautiful Sal forests, then climb onto a ridge above huge rapids on the Budhi Gandaki. We then reach Khursane upon which the rocky trail weaves its way up and down, past two tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff. It eventually makes its way down and past a few rice terraces, then up and around to the Gurung village of Labubesi. We further climb behind a rocky outcrop, where the valley opens up and the Budhi Gandaki meanders among wide gravel bars. Dropping to the sandy river bed, we walk along with rounded stones before climbing over a side ridge. We head down again to the river and cross another suspension bridge to reach Machha Khola village. Overnight in Machha Khola.

Day 5

The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola and reaching Khorlabesi. After a few more ascends and descends we come across a small Hotspring in Tatopani. From the hot spring, we climb over another ridge, then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. At this juncture, we climb on a wide, well-crafted staircase, then across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan. Upon crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Crossing the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat. Overnight in Jagat.

Day 6

We begin today’s trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri and then descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. We further continue walking upstream to a long suspension bridge in Philim, a large Gurung village. The trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays on a fairly level trail as it crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti. The route now enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. At this point, we descend to the grassy land slopes, cross the Budhi Gandaki, then trek along the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank and then back again. As we continue through the trail the valley widens and we pass through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola.  Upon crossing the Khola, we reach the tiny village of Deng. Overnight in Deng.

Day 7

After a brief walk beyond Deng, we cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb to Rana at 1910m. From the bridge, we climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley. The trail also passes through forests and mani where we turn towards a corner that contours to Ghap. Even though there is another route, we take the route through Prok village. Prok village has a viewpoint for a beautiful sight of Siringi Himal. We further cross the Budi Gandaki several times today and come across several gompas en route. The trail follows the river upstream through a dense forest. After crossing the river at an impressive spot where it thunders down a narrow gorge, the forest becomes less dense and the trail is fine again. The pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb, we reach Namrung. Overnight in Namrung.

Day 8

Namrung village is a good viewpoint for Siring and Ganesh Himal and from the village, one can also see Mt. Himal Chuli in the south. We climb steadily and pass through forests and reach Lihi, a fine village with many chortens and barley terraces. The trail drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal with Ganesh Himal always close by. We further pass through Sho, Lho and Shyala villages before reaching Sama Village. We enjoy extraordinary views of Mt. Manaslu from Lho village and also explore the famous Ribung Gompa. In Shyala village we will be surrounded by high mountains like Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead, and other snow summits to the right, and at the far end stands Ganesh Himal. Today’s journey ends in Samagaon where we spend the night.

Day 9

We spend the day at Samagaon both for rest and acclimatization. Today, we get acquainted with the rich Sherpa culture. We enjoy the sight of thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures and the Sherpa women clad in traditional clothes and ornaments. On a little hill near the Sama village is an old Gompa (Pungyen Gompa), a monastery with great views of the glacier. It is named after Manaslu, Pungyen means bracelet, a good description of the two peaks. It was destroyed a year after the first unsuccessful Japanese attempt to climb Manaslu. The locals believed that the climb angered the gods, and when the Japanese came back a year later they met with a lot of resistance that they had to give up their attempt. They were finally successful in 1959. Overnight in Samagaon.

Day 10

Today, we descend to the Budhi Gandaki River, that has turned north and follows it to a bridge over a side stream. The trail to the left leads to the Manaslu Base camp. The Larkya la Trail passes several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river passing the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. We drop off the shelf, cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge and climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. From a stone arch, we can view a large white Kani. Finally passing through the Kani we find Samdo. Overnight in Samdo.

Day 11

This is another day set aside for proper acclimatization. There are two options for us today. The option that we highly recommend is a hike, up to the valley directly at the back of the Samdo village. This hike will take us to one of the trade passes to Tibet for excellent views of Mt. Manaslu along with other Himalayan ranges including Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye Peak, Cheo and possibly Kang Guru behind the pass.  En route to these viewpoints, we pass many seasonal herding settlements called doksas and sight some beautiful mountain birds like the Lophophorus (the national bird of Nepal), Lammergeyer and Himalayan Griffin soaring high above us. Another option for today could be a trip to the Gya La (‘large pass’) to the north of Samdo, a more frequently used trading route to Tibet. But, this is a rather longer hike (whole day) and hence could be a little tiring. Overnight in Samdo.

Day 12

Even today, we continue our walk down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over Budi Gandaki and begin walking upward. Upon crossing two streams and witnessing the Larkya Glacier we go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again to the stone guest house (4450 m), which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmshala, also known as Larke Phedi. The short walk today also leaves plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon. Overnight in Dharmashala.

Day 13

After a short climb, we reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glaciers from where we can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Finally, we walk across moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent which becomes steeper only in the last section of the pass. From the pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. It is a longer day than usual to Bimtang, but to walk into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in with Mt. Manaslu looming close by is an overwhelming experience. Overnight in Bimthang.

Day 14

From a ridge at Bimthang, we can enjoy great views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal. We descend further and cross a high pasture (Sangure Kharka) followed by a bridge over Dudh Khola. We walk through rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land of the valley at Karche, 2785 meters. We pass across fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank at 2580m. A short distance beyond is the village of Gho. Due to yesterday’s tiredness, we might take an overnight rest at Gho but better lodges are available at Tilije, so Himalayan Glacier recommends we stay at Tilije. Overnight in Tilije Village.

Day 15

We climb over a small ridge and enjoy the stone paved trail as it passes through a beautiful village. We then cross the bridge over Dudh Khola and climb up through a chorten-shaped arch, pass a mani wall and reach the Thonje village. At the village, we go through a police checkpoint and continue to Dharapani. We have entered the Annapurna circuit section from Dharapani. Further down, we come across Karte village and after quite a bit of walking we cross a bridge over Marshyangdi Khola. We also come across some mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, situated at the foot of a large waterfall. Overnight in Tal.

Day 16

We follow the trail to Chyamje village crossing the Marshyangdi Khola once again. The Marsyandi valley opens with its terraced fields and villages clung very high to the hillsides. The trail then descends through rhododendron and pine forests to Syange. Overnight in Syange.

Day 17

The drive from Syange to Kathmandu via Besi Sahar offers one an opportunity to enjoy both hill and mountain landscapes. The drive is often along the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. We also drive by some beautiful villages with farming terraces on both sides of the road. In Kathmandu, we will be escorted to our hotel. The day in Kathmandu can either be spent in leisure or perhaps we catch up with some last minute shopping. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 18

Our adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! East Wind Vacation Planners Pvt.Ltd.’s representative will escort us to the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.


Route Map

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Altitude Map

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What's Included

  • Airport pickups and drops by private vehicle.
  • 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast.
  • Teahouse accommodation during the trek.
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek.
  • Welcome and farewell dinners.
  • All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
  • Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle
  • Entrance fees for sightseeing/monument visits as per the itinerary
  • An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide).
  • Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter).
  • Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food and accommodation.
  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits.
  • Medical kit (carried by your trek leader).
  • All government and local taxes.

What's Not Included

  • Nepalese visa fee, International flight ticket.
  • Excess baggage charge.
  • Private transportation except what is mentioned in the What Is Included section.
  • Travel and rescue insurance.
  • Personal expenses like phone calls, laundry, bar bills, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.
  • Tips for guide, porter and driver.

Equipment List

What to bring ?
General


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Manaslu Circuit Trek

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