Manaslu Circuit Trek – closer to Himalaya
There used to be a time when trekking in the Manaslu region was only reserved for the travelers who could camp out in the wilderness, who dared face the elements of nature in their raw form. Since Manaslu Circuit Trek was open for trekking relatively late, the off-beaten path surely deterred the travelers who preferred some level of comfort and attracted those who wanted nothing less than being as close to nature as possible.
Thankfully, in the present-day, a lot of tea houses are open throughout the route and it gives options for travelers of all shades, whether they prefer the relative comfort of tea houses or camping out in the wilderness during Manaslu Circuit Trek.
That being said, the Manaslu Circuit Trek route still retains the ancient vibe when it comes to its cultural traditions and the pristine eco-system only helps on adding a layer of untouched, unconquered feel to it. It is almost as if, one is traveling back in time, encountering the ways of life that have been preserved to be seen, touched, and experienced.
Manaslu Circuit Trek package will offer a combination of both diverse cultural experiences as well as, diversity in the natural eco-system. A complete package in its own regard, one will get to enjoy the panorama of Mt.Manaslu along with other surrounding peaks like Annapurna II, Sringi Himal, Himlung, Cheo Peak, Gyagi Kung, etc. This classic trek begins from Arughat (695m/2280ft) and passes through the bamboo forests and Gurung villages, following the ancient salt trading route along the Budhi Gandaki river.
The green vegetation on the way complement the Mani stone-wall carvings as the hike progresses, like rhododendron, pine, and cedar trees provide an excellent contrast to the majestic mountain range. Apart from that, various rare species of flora and fauna will add an extra dimension to an already unique experience.
The bamboo forests on the way serenading the distant vistas and picturesque mountains, colorful prayer flags dancing along with the wind, ancient monasteries that embody the essence of Tibetan Buddhism and the indigenous villages carrying the soul of Gurung, Magar, Tamang, and Limbu culture is an experience that will be etched in your heart forever. Though strenuous, Manaslu Circuit Trek will prove to be one of the most rewarding experiences for those who venture in this direction.
Tsum Valley Trek takes you to one of the most remote Himalayan valleys which lie on the backdrop of Ganesh Himal. This trek follows the same trail of Manaslu Circuit Trek until the 4th day and switches its way to another beautiful landscape towards Tsum valley. It is as popular as Manaslu Circuit Trek due to its unique settlements. Both Manaslu and Tsum valley trek can be combined trek in 24 days’ time.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Package Itinerary
| Day | Description | Overnight | Altitude |
| Day 1 | Welcome to Kathmandu! | Kathmandu | 1400m |
| Day 2 | Explore Kathmandu | Kathmandu | — |
| Day 3 | Drive from Kathmandu to Sotikhola via Arughat | Sotikhola | 815m |
| Day 4 | Trek from Sotikhola to Maccha Khola | Maccha Khola | 1370m |
| Day 5 | Trek from Maccha Khola to Jagat | Jagat | |
| Day 6 | Trek from Jagat to Philim | Philim | 1570m |
| Day 7 | Trek from Philim to Deng | Deng | 1865m |
| Day 8 | Trek from Deng to Ghap Ghap | Ghapghap | 2165m |
| Day 9 | Trek from Ghap to Lho | Lho | 3180m |
| Day 10 | Trek from Lho to Sama Gaon | Samagaun | 3525m |
| Day 11 | Acclimatization Day in Sama Gaon | ———— | ——- |
| Day 12 | Trek from Sama Gaon to Samdo | Samdo | 3850m |
| Day 13 | Acclimatization Day in Samdo | Samdo | 3850m |
| Day 14 | Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala | Dharamsala | 4460m |
| Day 15 | Trek from Dharamsala to Bimtang via Larkya La (5135m) | Bimtang | 3590m |
| Day 16 | Trek from Bimtang to Dharapani | Dharapani | 1860m |
| Day 17 | Drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu | Kathmandu | 1400m |
| Day 18 | Depart to onward destination |
Itinerary
After landing at the Tribhuwan International Airport, we will be greeted by a representative of Trek Venture Nepal, who will drop us off at our hotel. We then check-in at the hotel, freshen up and take a rest. In the evening, a welcome dinner will be hosted by Trek Venture Nepal. Overnight in Kathmandu.
We tour Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa and Bouddhanath stupa which are all world heritage sites. The Durbar Square reveals the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath temple is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple and Baudhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world.
Our guide will meet you at hotel. We will leave Kathmandu after breakfast. Our driver (Guru ji) for the day will accelerate our trip ahead towards Soti Khola. The drive pass through local communities, river, suspension bridge, green terrace and hills. The road are sometimes bumpy and muddy and eventually we will have a sight of Annapurna south, Ganesh himal, Langthang himal. We will arrive at hotel in time for dinner.
Transport: Private 4x4 jeep
Driving time: 8-10 hours (88 miles / 141.3 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Today is the first day for the trek you have been looking forward to. Our guide for the trek not only lead the trail but he will also share his knowledge, entertain the team and take care of you.
Trek to Machha Khola will take 5-6 hours. The day trip for the day will be short and easy. Check in at hotel. Leisure time for rest of the afternoon.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 13.7 miles (22 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
The following day, you will start walking across the twisting road on the bank of Buri 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.
After more ascending and descending, you'll arrive at a small hot spring in Tatopani—a good place to take a break!
Crossing the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, you'll climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat. This is the gateway to Mannaslu conservation area and all your permit are stamped after verification. Overnight in hotel.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 13.7 miles (22 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
As we leave Jagat we cross a ridge which lead us to village of Salleri after which we descend to Sirdibas. We then cross to the other side of Buri Gandaki river using the the large suspension bridge and later ascend sharply to Philim. After crossing the river, the trail then enters an amazing part of the gorge, surrounded by orchids on the top. After that, a steep climb to the west side of the valley will lead us through bamboo forests to Deng village. Overnight at Tea house in Deng.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 12.3 miles (19.9 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
The trek will take us across a Buddhist influenced region, with a few minor ups and downs, mainly through the forests. We’ll then reach Ghap through a complex Kani with well-conserved paintings and an elegant mani wall. The trail then proceeds through several landslide zones. At this point, you must be extra careful as you walk. Plus, you must be attentive to your guide’s instruction to maintain physical safety. After the landslide zone, you will follow the trail up to Namrung.After about 1 hour 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 with vintage view of Singhi Himal.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 12.1 miles (19.5 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
We will begin our trek after breakfast. you'll first climb steadily and pass through forests to reach Lihi, a fine village with many stupas and barley terraces. The trail then drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal with Ganesh Himal always close by.
The people are locally reknown as Nubri people, meaning people of the north. You will Explore and experience typical lifestyle, foods as you trek along this area.The Stone carving mani walls, lush terraces and houses are unique sight to withness. We pass through large fir, rhododendron and oak forest. We will witness the best view of himalya as we reach our destination at Lho village. In the afternoon, we will hike to see the Monastery of Lho village. We will get to greet the young monks and exchange smiles.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 10.9 miles (17.7 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
The sun kiss atop Manaslu can be witness early morning from Lho. Depends on weather for sure. We will pass Lho village slowly after our breakfast. . On walking, the picturesque view of Mt. Manaslu accompanies you. You will walk across the easy trail to Shyapla on passing through pine and rhododendron gully with moss and gin-clear stream. From Shyapla, you will walk for almost an hour to reach Sama Gaon. The stupa , yak pastures and typical dense settlements of Sama Gong is of wander. We will check our permits and check in to our rest house for the night.
Sama Gaon is the principal village of the Nubri people which holds a large gompa, many shops, a health post, heliport and telephone/wifi access, etc. Today is an acclimatization day, so sleep in and relax. Enjoy a refreshing breakfast and then spend the day at Samagaon getting some rest.
For those who want to explore, there's an optional day hike that explore to a little hill near the Sama village, you'll find an old gompa—Pungyen Gompa—a monastery with great views of the glacier. Manaslu base camp can be hike in a day with pack lunch, if you feel like.The base camp is 4400 meter in elevation.
After breakfast in Samagaon, you'll descend to the Budhi Gandaki River and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. You'll pass several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. The mountain views along this route are amazing and get you close to the Tibetan border.
This is an easy trek on a shelf above the river that passes juniper and birch forests in Kermo Kharka. Drop down and cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge, and then climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. You'll come to a stone archway and continue walking until you find the village of Samdo.
Trekking time: 4 hours
Trekking distance: 10.1 miles (16.4 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
We will take the advantage of this day by gaining more elevation as possible. We will detour to Tibetan and Nepal border. The hike today will be 6/7 hours and we will carry day bag pack and lunch with us. From the border, you can also see parts of Tibet and Nepal. If lucky, you can also witness the Yak caravan passing the border.The trails are smooth at first and it get steeper once we cross the river and take right corner towards 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.
Our guide will brief the feasible wake up time for the pass. We will have our breakfast and head north toward Larke pass with gradual ascend. While we climb on, we may get to see first touch of sun in peak like
Cho Danda and Larkya Peak closely. You'll walk across moraines of the glacier, making steady ascent, which becomes steeper in the last section of the pass. From here, there are outstanding views of different mountains like Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and the massive Annapurna II. You'll finish with a rewarding walk into misty low pastures in beautiful Bhimtang in the early evening with Mount Manaslu looming in the distance.
Trekking time: 7-9 hours
Trekking distance: 15.3 miles (24.7 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
After breakfast in Bimthang, head out to a nearby ridge where you can enjoy great views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal. Keep descending on the trail and cross a high pasture followed by a bridge over the Dudh Khola River.
From here, walk through a rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until you reach the highest cultivated land of the valley at Karche. Pass through lush fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank. A short distance beyond is the village of Gho where some trekkers choose to stay the night, but you'll continue walking until you get to Tilije.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
After breakfast in Tilije, you'll continue your descent starting with a climb over a small ridge where you can enjoy the stone paved trail. Then, cross the bridge over the Dudh Khola River and climb up through a stupa-shaped arch and past a mani wall before you reach the village of Thonje. Here, you'll go through a police checkpoint and continue to Dharapani. At this point, you have now exited the Manaslu Conservation Area and entered the Annapurna Conservation Area of the trek.
Further down, cross a bridge over the Marshyangdi Khola River. There will be some mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, situated at the foot of a large waterfall. This is a more commercialized area with lots of teahouses and trekkers.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: 7 miles (11.3 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
We drive to Kathmandu from Tal. The road are all not paved until we reach Besisahar. Then we are on the highway to Kathmandu. While you are seated in your jeep/bus, you have a opportunity to enjoy both hill and mountain landscapes often coming into direct view with the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. We will stop for lunch on the highway to Kathmandu and eventually check in at hotel at Kathmandu by evening.
Overnight in hotel.
Our guide will drive you to Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA). Airport check-in and flight to onward destination. We end our services here.
This itinerary is only a guideline, and is occasionally subject to change to suit local conditions, particularly on this trek where lot of time is spent above 4000m.
