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Best Season: April, May, September, October (best in terms of view), November
Manaslu circuit is the most beautiful but less travelled trek in Nepal compared to the likes of Everest Basecamp (EBC) and Annapurna circuit (ABC). Manaslu trekking is a real treat that blends adventure, beautiful landscapes, culture, tradition, lifestyle, and wildlife. This trek shares its border with the Gorkha and Manang districts of western Nepal. It offers you to witness the world’s eighth highest mighty Mt. Manaslu (8163 m) – The killer Mountain.
This journey takes you through beautiful villages, ancient valleys and monasteries, placid lakes and the Himalayan pass (The Larke pass). A close encounter with spectacular nature, the Himalayan lifestyle, and your moment with the Himalayan air will soar in your heart. As you would climb up to 5100m (17000ft), you would be amazed by the view of panoramic mountains. The best season to challenge this trek is spring (March-May) and summer(June – August). You can also trek in Autumn(September – November) for the best view and clear sky.
Major Highlights of Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Your ultimate adventure starts with your landing in Kathmandu valley surrounded by beautiful green hills and alluring Mountain views. After finishing up with customs at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be welcomed to the land of the Himalayas by our representative. You will enjoy a drive through crowded and narrow roads from the airport to your hotel. After freshening up yourself, you can explore a touristic place called Thamel. You would enjoy many choices of restaurants and meals providing both local and western foods.
Kathmandu is also known as a city of temples. Decorated with historic temples, Stupas, Durbar square, and beautiful historic monuments listed in World Heritage sites, this city has a lot to offer. Kathmandu is a unique and artistic city that shows the life of ancient people, their culture, art, sculpture, lifestyle and many more. Kathmandu offers different vibes starting in the morning to night. Full of diversity, Kathmandu city offers mouthwatering local cuisines and street foods from different parts of Nepal. People speak 125 official languages. You can imagine the types of cuisine they offer.
The journey to the Manaslu circuit begins with a drive to Soti Khola in the morning. After breakfast, you will take a jeep ride from Kathmandu to Soti Khola via Prithivi Highway. A curvy road alongside the Trisuli river, beautiful hills, fertile land, and isolated villages will take you to the west side of Nepal. Once you reach Malekhu, you will be away from the main highway and travel on an unpaved road to Arughat. After day-long 8-9 hours of drive from Kathmandu, you will reach Soti Khola for a dinner.
Driving time: 8-9hours
Accommodation: Guesthouse
After having breakfast, your trek starts by crossing the Soti Khola bridge leading into a dense forest. Hiking a few ups and downs through the green forest, rivers, and beautiful streams you will begin this trek towards Machha Khola. On this day you will trek through winding roads through the small Gurung and Shale settlements of this region. In these lovely settlements, you can enjoy local milk, yogurt, and locally grown vegetables with dal bhaat. After you pass Nyali Khola, you will take many ascends and Descends on this day. On the way, you will see many local people with their mules carrying supplies to the villages. After a few hours, you will reach Machha Khola crossing the last suspension bridge for Today. You'll then reach Khursane on a rocky trail, past two tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff. You'll eventually descend past a few rice paddies, then continue up and around to the picturesque Gurung village of Labubesi.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 8 miles (14 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
On this day, you will start the trek by walking across the winding trail on the bank of Budi Gandaki. After climbing up gradually, you will reach a small village called Khorla Besi followed by a natural hot spring called Tatopani. After a nice little refreshment here, you will move towards Doban through a forest trail crossing a suspension bridge. Crossing the West Bank of the Budi Gandaki, you will climb up crossing the cantilever bridge in Yarubagar. Before entering Jagat, you must verify your trekking permit for Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA). You are entering a restricted zone from this day.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 13.7 miles (22 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
On this day, you will walk through amazing landscapes, small villages, and dense forests. The path is uphill at first and levels down to a flat road. After you cross a very long suspension bridge over the Budi Gandaki River, you will ascend to enter beautiful Philim village. This village mostly follows Buddhism and they are from Gurung communities. This peaceful village has many monasteries. The colourful flags everywhere will give you a different level of peace in your mind. Walking through Ekle Bhatti followed by a narrow bamboo forest, beautiful waterfall and amazing landscape view you will reach your final destination for today. Tonight, you will spend your quality time in Deng.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 12.3 miles (19.9 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Early in the morning after breakfast, you will prepare for an important day of your trek. Today you will walk through a culturally important part of this trek. You will encounter the true ethnicity of this place, as you will see many ethnic people, pilgrimage, monasteries and ancient valleys. You will climb uphill to reach Rana. From Rana, you will continue to climb uphill ascending towards Ghap village. From there, you will enjoy a beautiful view of Singri Himal. You will trek along with beautiful forests and ancient gompas to reach the village of Namrung.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 12.1 miles (19.5 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Leaving behind Namrung, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Singri, Ganesh, and Himalchuli mountains. Today you are going to witness amazing views along the way including the first close sight of mighty Manaslu. Passing a beautiful settlement (Lho), you can witness many stupas, barley farms, and snowcapped mountains. You can also explore the famous Ribbing Gompa as well. The breathtaking view of Manaslu from Shyala village will leave you in awe. Today you will stay in Same Gaun. Tomorrow is your acclimatization day, so sleep in and relax.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 10.9 miles (17.7 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Today you can relax and explore the surrounding areas. Get to know Sherpa culture, and enjoy watching encrypted stones in the Buddhist language. This village has many beautiful things to offer including the spectacular view of Mt. Manaslu, Birendra Lake, and Pungyen Gompa. You can also hike up to Manaslu Base camp from Samagaon but you need to plan a whole day for it. As you are already at a high elevation, we would suggest you relax that day and get acclimatized for tomorrow as we climb higher. After a very refreshing day, we will stay in a guest house at Sama Gaun.
Trekking time: 4-5 Hours
Early in the morning, you will climb uphill along a deserted path and follow it to a bridge over a sidestream. As you follow the trail, you will reach very close to the Tibetan border. The valley will slowly widen up as you go towards Samdo. The beautiful landscape, panoramic mountain view and river will energize you to move forward. You will cross a wooden bridge and climb a steep path to reach Samdo. Today, your stay will be here.
Trekking time: 4 hours
Trekking distance: 10.1 miles (16.4 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Today is another day of your acclimatization. You can have a day trip to the Tibetan border. You can enjoy a view of some parts of Tibet and some parts of Nepal from there. If you are lucky enough, you see more wildlife like blue sheep, Marmots, and Picas in a season. On your south, you will see a Samdo glacier as well.
Trekking time: 4-5 Hours
Accommodation: Teahouse
After leaving Samdo, you will walk through Larke Bazaar. You will then cross a wooden bridge and start trekking upward slowly. Remember, today you are at a high altitude, so take it easy and walk slowly taking breaks. While you climb up to Dharmsala, you will see an amazing view of Larkey Glacier. A short trek today will lead you to Dharmsala. Upon arrival, you will have your Lunch and rest to get ready for a long and demanding day tomorrow.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Trekking distance: 7.2 miles (11.7 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Today, you will start early as it is going to be tough and prolonged for the entire circuit. Today is the most awaited day of your trek as you are crossing Larkey pass (5135 m), which is the highest point of this trek. A path is not a hard climb yet challenging. You will walk for many hours until you reach Larkey pass. A wise effort, in the end, will pay you off. A magnificent view of Annapurna ll, Himlung Him, Hang Guru Mountain, and many more will make you feel that you have accomplished something that will make you proud. After Larkya La pass, the path becomes sharp and steep. However, it is beautiful and rewarding with the view from the top. After demanding 3 hours of a vertical path, you will reach Bhimthang.
Trekking time: 7-9 hours
Trekking distance: 15.3 miles (24.7 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Today, you will descend along the rhododendron forest. The trail then descends to the pastures and continues toward the bridge over the Dudh Koshi river. After crossing the bridge, we will walk through the beautiful rhododendron forest and farming. After a quick climb, you will reach a village called Gho. Passing a Gho village, you will continue your trek to Dharapani through a village called Tilije.
Trekking time: 7-8 Hours
Trekking distance: 14.2miles (23 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Today, you will take a jeep from Dharapani to Besisahar which will take around 4-5 hrs. From there, you can get a tourist bus to Kathmandu via the Prithivi highway. It will take around 6-7 hours depending on road traffic. You can rest in one of the fine hotels in Kathmandu.
Duration: 9-10 hours
Travel distance: 234 Km (145.4 miles)
Accommodation: Hotel
Note: This trek itinerary is just a guideline. You can always change the trek according to your requirement. If you have your own time frame and other alternatives, you can directly talk to us.
Insurance
Trekking in the Himalayas is not always fun. Manaslu Circuit Trek is a remote area of Nepal. Our government has designed many protocols to make sure on safety of our tourists but sometimes it is really hard to prevent risk. Due to few transportation options in Nepal, the only fastest way to rescue anyone from the mountain is a Helicopter which could be very expensive. Therefore, we would like you to get insured through a trustworthy insurance company just to be safe. Make sure you are insured with helicopter rescue, medical injuries and any other emergency issues. We would highly recommend you carry a copy of your insurance and send one to us just in case of any emergencies.
Permit Requirements:
TIMS Trekkers Permit.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
Manaslu Region Area Permit
Gears needed:
Bring all these essential gear with you about the checklist. If you want to buy it in Kathmandu, there are multiple places here as well. Ask us if you want a better place to buy or rent gear.
Physical fitness: Trekking to Manaslu Region is a physically demanding activity, and it requires a good level of physical fitness. One should engage in regular cardiovascular and strength-building exercises for at least a few months before embarking on the trek. Exercises such as hiking, running, cycling, and strength training will help prepare the body for the rigors of trekking.
Adequate acclimatization: Acclimatization is the process of adapting to high altitudes. As you trek higher, the air becomes thinner, and the body needs time to adjust. Adequate acclimatization is essential to prevent altitude sickness, a potentially fatal condition. It is recommended to spend a few days at lower altitudes to allow the body to acclimatize before climbing higher.
A knowledgeable guide: Trekking to Manaslu Region is a challenging activity, and having a knowledgeable guide is essential for success. A guide will help navigate the route, provide information about the local culture, and assist in case of any emergencies. It is important to choose a guide who is experienced and knowledgeable about the trek.
Proper nutrition and hydration: Proper nutrition and hydration are crucial for maintaining energy levels and preventing altitude sickness. It is recommended to consume a high carbohydrate and protein-rich diet to provide the necessary fuel for the body. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. It is recommended to carry a water purification system or tablets to ensure access to clean water.
Mental preparation: Trekking to Manaslu Region is a mentally challenging activity. It requires patience, perseverance, and mental toughness. It is important to be mentally prepared for challenges and to have a positive attitude. It is also important to be aware of the risks and to take appropriate precautions.
Basic first aid knowledge: Basic first aid knowledge is essential for trekking to Manaslu Region. It is important to know how to treat common injuries and illnesses, such as blisters, altitude sickness, and hypothermia. It is recommended to carry a basic first aid kit with essential items such as bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers.
Respect for the environment and local culture: Trekking to a very unique region of Manaslu Region is an opportunity to experience the local culture and environment. It is important to show respect for the local culture and customs and to minimize the impact on the environment.
