The Manaslu Circuit Trek can be said the best trek in Nepal. While trekking you will be around the Manaslu Conservation Area and a magnificent view of the 8th highest mountain in the world.
Manaslu Circuit Trek can be an exceptional if you’ve already done Annapurna Circuit Trek. It is a 14 days trek that starts from Soti Khola and ends at Besi Sahar. But we can extend to 22 days with an additional side trek to the Tsum valley.
Manaslu Circuit Trek is far less crowded than Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit. The trek is wild and remote with culturally enrich, yet you can get tea houses at every stage so trekkers don’t need to carry tents and food on this trail.
The trail goes through the lowlands with their rice and millet terraces along deep and long river gorges of the Budi Gandaki with suspensions bridge and amazing waterfalls. In yearly monsoon, minor bridges washed away so trekkers use semi-submerged rocks.
You will follow the way North slowly to the snowcapped Larkya La Pass next to the Tibetan border. The problem here is altitude but you will ignore with the amazing views of Manaslu. At 5,167 meters/16,952 feet, you can see Larkya La pass covering with snow and Ice. While descending, Micro crampons are often used. It’s better to start trek at 3am early in the morning to pass the highest point before the winds come, usually around mid-morning.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu [1,348m] Transfer to the hotel
Arrive Kathmandu today and check into your accommodation. Explore the bustling city and various cafes and bars during the day time. Buy all the stuff for the trekking.
Day 2: Kathmandu to Maccha Khola (930 m / 3,051 ft -7 hrs) Drive
Manaslu Circuit Trek begins from Kathmandu. So, you can take a direct bus early in the morning from Gongabu Bus Park, Kathmandu to Maccha Khola with the guide or you can take jeep directly.
You will see the best landscape views from your window seat although the road is dusty and bumpy. Overnight at teahouses.
Day 3: Maccha Khola to Jagat (340 m /4,396 ft – 6 hrs)
The day will start walking across the curve road on the bank of the Budi Gandaki River. Though the trail goes through forest you will be witness many monkeys and langurs.
You will enter to the lower Khorlabeshi the Gurung villages after the forest. In the village, you will notice the shepherds in a typical dress called Bakkhu.
Further you will reach to Tatopani ‘hot water’, where you can take hot showers as well as relax by soaking body. After that you cross a new suspension bridge over the Budi Gandaki River to reach Doban.
You will enter to the Jagat following the river and crossing the long bridge where you have to verify your trekking permits at the check post. From this day, you will be in the restricted region.
Day 4: Jagat to Deng (1,804 m / 5,918 ft – 6 hrs)
Today you will hike to Salleri and descend to Sirdibas. You can see gumbas and Buddhist prayer flags. You will stop in a check point at Phillim. You will continue along the western bank of the river and through the rhododendron forests, Himalayan pine, and the overhanging rocks on the towering peaks.
After crossing the Siyar Khola Bridge you will see the junction that separates the trail to the Tsum valley on the right. The trail ascends through the bamboo forest to reach Deng.
Day 5: Deng to Namrung (2,630 m / 8,628 ft – 6 hrs)
Crossing a suspension bridge, you climb to Rana and Bihi Phedi. In this route, you able to see some Monkeys and Langoor visiting villages looking for a free feed.
Through several landslide zones you will proceeds to Ghap. You must be extra careful as you walk and must be attentive to your guide’s instructions for your own physical safety. After the landslide zone, you will walk about 1 hr on the uneven trail to Namrung.
This village has some of the best teashops, restaurant, and rest houses. Even you can see a modern restaurant, hotel with Cappuccinos and WiFi.
Day 6: Namrung to Lho (2,957 m / 9,701 ft – 4 hrs)
You will start the day watching the lifestyles of the Nubri people. You will attract with several mani walls, lush terraces, and houses through Banjam before Lihi and to Sho.
You will see the local people with traditional Tibetan dress. As further, you will notice some fine paintings in the Kani (gate arches) that you pass before Sho. Walking across the rocky hillside routes, you will finally reach Lho and able to see gorgeous view of Manaslu (8163m) and Manaslu North (7157m).
From here there is the chances of getting altitude sickness so you must walk slowly and give attention in body signs.
Day 7: Lho to Sama Gaun (3.530 m / 11,581 ft – 4 hrs)
The day starts with the picturesque view of Mt. Manaslu and the easy trail to Shyala. From Shyla, you will walk for almost an hour to reach Sama Gaun passing through pine and rhododendron forest.
Sama Gaun is the Hamlet of the Nubri people, which holds a large gompa, many shops, health post, a heliport, telephone/wifi access, etc. The attraction point of this village is mountain, the yak pastures and typical settlements
Day 8: Acclimatization Day (Sama Gaun – 4,400m / 14,435 ft – 7 hrs)
Today is acclimatization day to adjust your body with the altitude. So, you will hike to Pungyen Gompa east of the Nubri Valley to prevent altitude sickness with a pack lunch.
Once you reached to hilltop, you will get amazing views of Manaslu and even see many Himalayan Thars and Yaks grazing.
Also, you can hike to Manaslu Base Camp north of Sama Gong by following the Birendra Tal and turn left onto the base camp track according to your health and time.
While climbing the steady trails you need to hydrate your body and walk slowly because of the breathing problem with the altitude. Slowly, you will proceed to the North of Manaslu glacier to basecamp at 4,400m / 14,435, then back to Sama Gaun.
Or, if you need a rest or finding the altitude difficult you can just hike to Birendra Tal, a short walk from Sama Gong.
Day 9: Sama Gaun to Samdo (3,865 m / 12,680 ft – 3 hrs)
Today is short day trek so you need to walk slowly as you are in a high altitude, you will be captured by yak pastures with long Mani walls, and different birds.
Before the White Kani village you will cross the wooden bridge of Budi Gandaki which is a neighbouring village to Samdo, a very scenic village dedicated to yak herding.
Day 10: Acclimatization Day (5,000 m / 16,404 ft – 8 hrs)
Today you will hike to the Tibetan border from where you can see parts of Tibet and Nepal. Also, you can see the Yak caravan passing the border luckily.
You can get an excellent view of Samdo Glacier towards the South. In season, you can have a witness of Blue Sheep, Marmots and Picas here.
Day 11: Samdo to Dharmasala (4,460 m / 14,632 ft – 4 hrs)
As we are hiking in high altitude, you must be careful with your body signs. Enjoying the views of the Himalayas, you will slowly across the rugged terrains of the Manaslu region before the Dharmasala.
Day 12: Dharmasala to Bimthang through Larkya Pass (3,590 m / 11,778 ft – 10 hrs)
Today is the long and challenging day of Manaslu Circuit trek to the trail’s highest point to Larkya La Pass (5,160m / 16,929 ft). So, you have to wake up at 3 am, have breakfast and leave early as possible. The walk could be quite tough with the full of snow and bad weather.
The stunning views of Himlung (7,126m/ 23,379 ft) near Tibet, Kang Guru (6,981m /22,903 ft) and Annapurna II (7,937m / 26,040 ft) in the Annapurna Range make your pass impressive.
You will descend 3 hours to today’s Destination Bimthang from the pass. You will get view of huge icefalls, Glacier and mountains from all directions.
Day 13: Bimthang to Dharapani (1,970 m / 6.463 ft -7 hrs)
Today is the final day of the Manaslu region. While going downhill, you will walk through the dense forests full of flora and fauna, mostly rhododendron bushes.
Following the Dudh Khola, you will walk to Karche and have lunch. After an hour, you will be in Gurung Goa. The trail is more agricultural as you pass by field and forest of Rhododendron and oaks until Tilije. You will continue towards Dharapani.
Day 14: Dharapani to Kathmandu (1,300 m / 4,265 ft -10 hrs) Drive
From today you will finish your Trek. You will directly take a jeep from Dharapani to Kathmandu. After the 8 to 9 hours drive from Beshi Sahar, you will stay in Kathmandu.