Manaslu Circuit Trek

Manaslu Circuit Trek is looped around the Manaslu Conservation Area and gives trekkers a taste of the trails under the mighty Manaslu range. Couple this trek with a trek to the base camp of the 8th highest peak in the world, the Manaslu Himal (8163m), and you get a true taste of adventure trekking in the Himalayas. The first-hand experience of Tibetan cultural heritage along the Tibetan plateau is another experience worth gaining. The trekking community is not aware of this gem, which is why you can get a handful of experiences worth lasting a lifetime.

Perks of Manaslu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu Circuit Trek adventure starts with your arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal. The following day it takes you to Soti Khola, a serene and peaceful village along the banks of River BIudhi Gandaki,  which is at an altitude of 700m above sea level. You will see rice paddies, terraced fields, water buffaloes, and low-rise huts along the incredible mountain route as you walk north. The Gurung villages are perched on high terraced hilltops covered in Rhododendron while en route to Kuang or lower Nubri. Here you will get a chance to meet ethnic Tibetan residents that speak their ancient dialect and live a life that spans Tibet and Nepal.

While trekking to the Manaslu Circuit Trek, higher in the upper NUbri, you witness pure Tibetan culture and traditions as the journey is carried on yak caravans. See high-rise mountain panoramas on the route to Manaslu, which are indeed the highlight of your trek from Sama Gaun and Rui La, a traditional trade route to Tibet at the Nepal-Tibet border along the Samdo village. The valley above Samdo is near the Tibet border, which is also an epic valley alongside snow-covered Manaslu Larke Pass to Bimtang and Manang region in the Annapurna circuit.

Manaslu Trek is ideal for fit people who have already acclimatized in the Himalayan or Alps region with prior trekking experience.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Highlights & Video

• Trekking through the breathtaking villages around Manaslu, marveling at the views of 7000+ peaks around the world’s seventh highest mountain
• Crossing the Larkya La for a detailed panoramic view of the surrounding peaks
• First-hand experience of the cultural and geographical diversities of the remote Buddhist villages alongside the Tibetan border
• Travel to the northern side of the Manaslu and visit the Manaslu Base Camp used by world-class summit expeditors
• The trek is top-rated but 10x less crowded as compared to Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp
• Manaslu Circuit Trek offers trekkers are wonderful opportunity to explore the flora and fauna of the region besides giving a taste of not just the local culture but also meeting local people on the way
• The trek is easily accessible without the need for stressful domestic flight schedules
• The first part of the trail is along the Buri Gandaki, which is a long, deep river gorge with many suspension bridges
• The trek gives you a chance to explore the lower altitude subtropical jungle to the Larkya pass, which is above 5100m above sea level

Details Itinerary of Manaslu Circuit Trek

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu 1,327 m and transfer to hotel.

On reaching Kathmandu international airport via various respective airlines, our Nepal Base Camp Treks guide or staff will receive you with warm welcome and then a short drive to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu city.

After checking in your hotel rooms and getting refreshed join at the hotel lobby for group briefing and orientation program where our guide informs you regarding hotels, Kathmandu, Nepali culture, Around Manaslu & Larkya- la Trekking with welcome dinner in a pleasant authentic Nepalese restaurant with culture program.

Day 02: Drive to Machha khola 930 m – 08 hrs via  Arughat & Soti Khola Camp 730 m

Around Manaslu & Larkya- la trekking begins with an exciting drive towards Nepal’s Mid West around Gorkha and Dhading region as the ride leads towards high hills of with views of fabulous Ganesh II at 7,118 m and Ganesh IV 7,104 m and rolling green hills, passing through many farm villages and towns to reach at Arughat village and then taking another vehicle for short drive to Soti Khola following the raging Buri Gandaki River to reach our first overnight stop at Soti-Khola a small farm village.

Day 03: Trek to Jagat 1,410 m – 06-08 hrs.

From Macha Khola our morning journey leads along the Buri Gandaki river upstream reaching another small village at Khorla Beshi and then walking on the gradual winding path reaching a place called Tato pani with natural hot spring water near the forested area, after a break here walk leads past Dovan and Yaruphant villages, following the Buri Gandaki River and then crossing a short suspension bridge to Jagat village for overnight stop, a reasonable size village with shops and small guest house and lodge.

Day 04: Trek to Deng 1,800 m (06-07 hrs)

After a nice overnight stop at Jagat village, morning walk leads to follow the river, then passing number of small farm villages to Sidibas Bazaar, a nice small village with few shops and stores, from this village walk leads to a short climb and descend, then the walk comes to a small suspension bridge at place called Nagjet, after the bridge reaching another nice farm village of Philim, this village with a primary school supported by people of Japan (as Manaslu was first climbed by Japanese so this area is very much liked by the Japanese), from Philim walk leads into golden fields and terrace of wheat’s and barley, then up the rocky ridge and through bamboo forests with a climb for an hour to reach the overnight stop at Dyang village.

Day 06: Trek to Ghap 2,160 m – 04 hrs.

From here onwards you can observe the culture similar to Tibetan, as the walk reaches higher ground. On leaving Dyang a gentle downhill along the riverbank crossing the raging river to reach at Bihi Bazaar a small settlement with shops and tea stalls, after this village onwards close to Tibetan frontier leading to a nice walk of few hours reaching overnight stop at Ghap village here onwards Tibetan Buddhism culture all the way to Larkya la and towards Dharapani village.

Day 06: Trek to Lo 3,180 m – 06 hrs

Morning a pleasant walk to Budhi Gandaki River, crossing this river leads through number of scattered small farm huts and villages with cultivated terraced fields of millets, wheat’s or barley ( rice grows in the warmer area below 2,000 meters) then passing Numrung village with awesome North Face views of Mt. Manaslu and other snow capped peaks, after an enjoyable walk with the beautiful scenery passing several small villages like Banjham and Lhi and to a small village of Sho, from here trekking for few hours through a small settlement of Shrip and completing the day’s walk at Lo Bazaar for overnight stop.

Day 07: Trek to Samagaon 3,530 m – 06 hrs.

Lho village offers stunning sunrise over magnificent Mt. Manaslu, enjoying views of surrounding landscapes and mountains. Today walk leads to one of the largest village of upper Manaslu area in Samagaon, walk leads through forest of rhododendron, juniper, firs and pines trees, and then leaving the tree lines after few hours of walk heading uphill, altitude gains with dramatic change in vegetation and landscapes as well. The path leads over previous debris of Phungen Glacier for couple of hours, then reaching our overnight stop at Sama village with time for short walk and visit around this interesting highland village.

Day 08: Rest day in Samagaon for acclimatization.

A necessary rest day for acclimatization before heading towards Larkya-la and higher terrain, rest day helps to acclimatize and one can use this day to explore the nice village with Tibetan culture and traditions.

Day 09: Trek to Dharmasala / Larkya phedi 4,460m – 03-04 hrs.

After a wonderful time at Samagaon with fantastic views of high snow capped peaks and Mt. Manaslu, morning walk leads to exposed valley with few rhododendron and juniper bushes, as the tree lines disappears around this higher area. Slowly walk heads over Manaslu Glacier with view of Birendra Lake known as Samagaon Lake on route to Samdo which is much closer to Tibetan border from this area. On route coming across traders from Tibet and yaks carrying Chinese and Tibetan goods, walk continues following the stream and then crossing to reach at Samdo village for lunch stop.Today a short walk to the base of Larkya la pass, morning walk follows glacier fed icy river and then crossing a stream coming from Gya La, from this spot there’s a trail on the right side leading to Tibet border. From here our route diverts towards Larkya Bazaar also known as Dharmasala meaning guest house in Nepali.

(In early days before 1960’s a flourishing trade used to take place between Nepal and Tibet till China invaded Tibet, and that is why this place still called as Larkya Bazaar.

After Larkya bazaar, few hours of gentle walk reaching at Dharamsala for overnight stop right at the bottom of Larkya la pass, afternoon free for rest and short walk with magnificent surrounding scenery.

Day 10: Cross Larkya la 5,106 m and descend to Bhimthang 3,720m -08 hrs.

Today a tough long day, starting earlier with a climb over the high ridge then reaching four frozen ponds, and then climbing higher at the top of Larkya La Pass which is above 5,200 m / 17,060 ft, at the top enjoy views of Mt. Manaslu, Larkya peak, Himlung Himal all the way towards Ganesh Himal towards eastern horizon. Some time high altitude and much snow on the pass can create little obstacles while traversing these glacier moraines. After a memorable moment walk leads on the long downhill path to reach at Bhimtang for overnight stop. A beautiful green valley with grassy meadow surrounded by coniferous pine and rhododendron tree lines.After long hard walk of previous day, walk is easier from here onward on the gradual and downhill path through enchanting and pristine forest of rhododendron, oaks and pines trees, after a pleasant walk with view of surrounding landscapes and rolling hills finally reaching a small temporary settlement at Gho for overnight stop.

Day 11: Trek to Dharapani 1,860 m – 07-08 hrs.

From here onwards on the gradual trail to Dharapani and beyond morning walk leads through densely forested area with summer pasture, this wonderful walk reaches a nice village of Tiliche, just by the bank of Marsyangdi river below the village of Dharapani. From here a steep climb for an hour crossing bridge over raging Marsyangdi River to reach in Dharapani village for overnight stop, where the Annapurna Circuit trail joins.

Day 12:  Drive back to Kathmandu – 09-10 hrs.

Catching morning views of snow clad peaks, overland drive leads to a long winding downhill through interesting towns and villages, heading to warmer area and back into rural farm country and villages to reach around farm country of Lamjung district at Besisar town.

After Lamjung area our drive concludes at Kathmandu, then transfer to your hotels around Thamel area, with free afternoon for individual activities.

Day 13: Rest /explore sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Temples.

Visit,Bhaktapur City Squares and Patan Royal Palace Square,Swambhunath Temples and Boudha Stupa

Day 14: Final International departure homeward bound.

Last day in amazing Nepal with wonderful and enjoyable time around Manaslu Circuit Trek Trekking, our staff will transfer you to Kathmandu international airport for your final flight back homeward bound or to respective countries.

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