Manaslu Circuit Trek - 16 Days

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Manaslu Circuit Trek
Larke La Pass
Manaslu Circuit Trek
Mountain View
Trip Details
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Trip Style: Trekking and sightseeing
  • Transport: Public & Private vehicles
  • Food: Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel & Teahouse
  • Group Size: 02 - 12 Persons
  • Max Elevation: 5,215m/17,1059.5ft
  • Start at: Kathmandu
  • End at: Kathmandu
  • Best Season: Mar - May & Sept - Nov

Highlights

  • Trek through epic, changing scenery
  • Glimpse traditional Tibetan homes and livelihoods
  • Set sight on Manaslu (8163m), the 8th highest peak above sea level
  • Bag Manaslu Basecamp (4800m)
  • Cross the bone-chilling Larkya La (5160m)
  • Become very physically fit

About Manaslu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is an epic long-distance walk into a little-visited world of ethnic minorities, big mountain scenery, and world-class trails. This is a walk for those who delight in the wonders of undeveloped Himalayan scenery and long, rewarding days of walking in a Nepal of yesteryear.

From the humid subtropics of Arughat (530m) to the icy winds of the Larkya La (5160m), you will traverse the Manaslu Conservation Area, a restricted area home to 11 different types of forests housing more than 100 species of birds and 33 mammals. You will gaze upon Manaslu (8163m), Earth’s 8th highest mountain above sea level, walk through golden millet fields, and build legs of steel.

Our walk begins in MacchaKhola, following an exciting dirt-road journey that dropped us 1000 meters lower than Kathmandu. As we proceed up the western flanks of the valley, we are quickly introduced to the raging Budhi Gandaki, the aqua-colored glacially-fed river that originates in higher altitudes of the Manaslu region and that accompanies us for much of our walk.

As we continue, we encounter some of the most stunning scenery in Nepal: from deeply cut valleys and a broad, sweeping Budhi Gandaki to golden, swaying millet fields on terraced mountainsides and valley plateaus, from old, traditional homes to incredible old-school trails that offer us an enticing taste of how Nepal was before the 21st century.

In the higher alpine, we discover ancient Tibetan trade centers and Gompas, muse over yaks munching on the hillsides, and challenge ourselves to take one more step. From Sama (3500m) we bag Manaslu Base Camp (4800m) and take in the stunning Birendra Tal. From Dharmasala (4460m), we enjoy a northern view of Manaslu and its northern massif. As we close the circuit, in Bimthang (3700m) we catch staggering amphitheater-esque views of the surrounding peaks, including Manaslu from the west!

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a challenging, rewarding, and off-the-beaten-path long-distance walk calling adventurers out there looking for a different experience.

Itinerary

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Arrival in Kathmandu International airport where our representative will be waiting to welcome you at the arrival gate. For your convenience, our representative will be holding your or your company’s name card. You will then be transferred to your hotel where you can rest and freshen up before we meet at the reception area to discuss trip details and any other information as required.

  • Accommodation: Overnight at comfortable hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1400m

The Manaslu Circuit Trek takes us through a restricted area that requires multiple permits and securing these permits must be done in Kathmandu with your original passport. While we arrange the permits, you explore Kathmandu’s many wonderful restaurants and sights.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable hotel.
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1400m

Today marks the departure for the trek, commencing with a drive from Kathmandu city en route to MachhaKhola and you have the option to travel by local bus or Jeep, depending on your preference. If you choose the Jeep, there will be an additional cost. The journey involves traversing the Kathmandu valley toward Dhading Besi, navigating through areas where road construction might pose challenges. Heading northwest, the route leads to Arughat, situated across the Budhi Gandaki River.

From Arughat, the path advances to Sotikhola, with sections of gravel-lined roads. Progressing through Gurung and Magar villages, the trek proceeds to Soti Khola, culminating in the final leg toward MachhaKhola. The scenic journey offers captivating vistas of the Shringri Himal along the way.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: MachhaKhola
  • Altitude: 900m

We enjoy breakfast and hit the trail, and not long after wander into Khorlabesi, where we can enjoy some coffee from coffee trees grown right here in the village. We press on as the valley narrows, passing through a small settlement Dovan, and continue on to climb to the settlement of Yaruphant, where we will gain some of the most dramatic views of the Budhi Gandaki, and traverse a new walkway hugging the cliffs above the river. We cross one last suspension bridge and spy the handsome check- post village of Jagat, our final destination for the day. Overnight in tea house. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: Jagat
  • Altitude: 1,340m

We finish a warm breakfast, and depart Jagat, crossing a lengthy suspension bridge and descending to near river level on an exposed trail. We soon pass Saleri where you can glimpse a traditional very local tea house, and then climb for grand views up the valley toward Siridibas and Philim. We lose all the altitude we gained, climb, and then descend again, before arriving at what is claimed to be the longest suspension bridge in Nepal. We cross and ascend a steep path to Deng our final destination for the day.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: Deng
  • Altitude: 2,095m

We devour breakfast and begin our walk by ascending a trail just outside of the village. We climb, taking in the wild grasses and narrow gorge of the Budhi Gandaki below. We pass more waterfalls before ascending again to Ekle Bhatti, and then steeply descend all the way to a short suspension bridge crossing the Budhi Gandaki, coming ever closer to Manaslu. After a long final push, we pass through a village archway and spy Deng across the tributary river. A final bridge crossing, and we pull into Namrung, our final destination for the day.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: Namrung
  • Altitude: 2,630m

We enjoy breakfast and checkout early, soon after crossing a bridge and climbing to BihiPhedi. We proceed to arrive at a section destroyed by a landslide and cross carefully. Pressing on, we pass through Ghap, crossing a bridge and continue on up valley into forests of blue pine, oak, and rhododendron that remain with us. We cross the river two more times before arriving at a relentless uphill climb only to descend into Lho, our final destination for the day. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: Lho
  • Altitude: 3,157m

We wake to Namrung’s beautiful, lush landscape, enjoy breakfast and begin walking. We pass Lihi and then Sho, a village with very old traditional houses and villagers still adorned in their traditional clothes. If Manaslu’s signature summit cloud is not present, as we approach Lho we have full views of Manaslu’s twin peaks, framed by the colorful fields of millet surrounding this large village. We climb through Lho and carry on through beautiful oak forests, past Shyala, and leisurely stroll into Samagaon, an ancient Tibetan trading post and home to a centuries-old Gompa. Samagaon is our final destination for the day.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: Samagaon
  • Altitude: 3,530m

Can you believe we have gained 3000m since departing Arughat? Today therefore is a “rest” day, a full day for our bodies to adjust to the higher elevation before we proceed to the next stage of the trek. While “rest” means we will not trek to our next stage today, it certainly does not mean we cannot explore the surrounding delights. Following an early morning breakfast, we can hike to Manaslu Base Camp (4800m), enjoying expansive views of the valley, Birendra Lake, and NgadiChuli (7871m), Himalchuli (7893m), and much of the MansiriHimal. We can also take a more leisurely walk to Birendra Tal.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: Samagaon
  • Altitude: 3,530m

We enjoy a warm breakfast, and set out on an easy day’s walk, first passing the remnants of the moraine of the east Manaslu glacier. We continue on a largely flat trail set in the valley, always accompanying the now much smaller Budhi Gandaki. Shortly, we cross a bridge for a short, steep ascent to a chorten that marks our arrival in Samdo. Samdo sits at the confluence of valleys, and strong winds from the Tibetan Plateau. We can do afternoon hikes if we have the energy. Samdo is our final destination for the day.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: Samdo
  • Altitude: 3,690m

After a hot breakfast, we saddle our packs and hit the trail for high camp. We cross the river to arrive at the spot of the Larkya Bazaar—an ancient trading spot, and continue west. After about 1hr, we can gain a northern view of Manaslu and the north massif. Superb! As we walk on, we can see in the distance the small high camp of Dharmasala. We continue along the ridge to arrive in the bustling high camp, our final destination for the day. Afternoon hikes are an option. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: Dharmasala
  • Altitude: 4,450m

Today we wake long before the sunrise, for an early breakfast, and begin walking no later than 4:30am. We walk west, at the base the Larkya glacier’s moraine, passing a beautiful high-altitude lake, and ascending a steep trail. We emerge on top of the moraine where we follow a meandering, challenging path, passing more shallow lakes. Pushing on, we arrive at the base of the high pass for one final, slow-going ascent to arrive at Larkya La. We enjoy the views of our successful effort and begin a long descent. As we pull into the meadow home to Bimthang, we savor some of the most spectacular views of the entire trek! Bimthang is our final destination for the day.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: Bhimtang
  • Altitude: 3,490m

We enjoy a wonderful breakfast with magnificent views, and begin walking. We descend to cross a bridge over the fledgling DudhKhola to enter a forest of cedar, blue pine, oak, birch, and rhododendron, said to be more than 1000 years old! We pass through meadows and the villages of Kharche, Gho, and Tilije, a bustling trade village, and Thonje before crossing a suspension bridge and passing an ancient Mani wall that marks our arrival in Dharapani, a village at the juncture of the Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit, and our final destination for the day.

Overnight in tea house. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: Tilje
  • Altitude: 2,300m

Early morning after breakfast from Dharapani we take Jeep or bus to Beishar. which takes 4-5 hours. We spend our last night of the trek at Besishar.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable lodge.
  • Place: Besisahar
  • Altitude: 760m

We savor our final breakfast on the trail and then grab transport back to Kathmandu, or Pokhara per your preference. Overnight in hotel. 

  • Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
  • Accommodation: Overnight in comfortable hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1400m

Final Departure – Today our incredible trip together comes to a close, and we send you off at the international Airport.

    Cost Details

    • Airport pickup up & drop by private vehicle.
    • 3 night’s accommodation in kathmandu with breakfast  
    • Public bus transport from Kathmandu to Machhakhola, and bus back to Kathmandu from Besishar.
    • Shared Jeep from Dharapani to Besishar.
    • All standard meals like Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner, during the trek with a cup of tea or coffee during breakfast time.
    • Twin-sharing tea house accommodation during the trek
    • Gov-licensed, experienced, helpful, and friendly guide and porters (1 porter per 2 people), and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and accident insurance
    • Manaslu Special trekking permits as well as Manaslu conservation area project (MCAP) and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permits fee
    • Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Fee
    • First-aid medical kit
    • Government taxes & office service charge
    • International airfare to and from Kathmandu
    • Nepal entry visa fee
    • Your travel and medical insurance (recommended)
    • Personal expenses (Phone call, internet, laundry, bar bills, snacks, battery recharge, bottled or boiled water, hot showers etc.)
    • Tips for trekking staff (tipping is expected)

    Useful Information

    This itinerary isa scheduled trip reflecting an itinerary that has been very popular among many of our previous guests. The itinerary can be easily customized to accommodate your own preferred schedule and interests.

    We are also happy to organize combination packages to explore various regions and attractions throughout the country if you have an interest to explore Nepal further. Popular destinations and activities include: the well-known Chitwan National Park and its jungle safaris, guided tours through the medieval kingdoms of ancient Nepal, trips to Lumbini (the birthplace of Lord Buddha), scenic mountain flights, world-class white-water rafting, and much more.

    Reach out to discuss your thoughts and we will work with you to make it happen.

    Client Reviews