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Manaslu Circuit Trek

Explore the Manaslu Circuit: A rich blend of natural beauty, local culture, and rugged terrain

Manaslu Circuit Trek

Trip Overview:

Location

Nepal

Region

Manaslu

Max-Elevation

5,160 m

Duration

16 days

Accommodation

Hotel/Lodge

Best Seasons

Spring and Autumn

Group

Min. 2 Pax

Difficulty

Strenuous

Start Point

Kathmandu

End Point

Kathmandu

Permit

Specail permit Required

Food

Three Meals/Day

Introduction to Manaslu Circuit Trek

Manaslu Circuit Trek is an amazing and adventurous trek in Nepal Himalayas. The main objective of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is to cross the Larkya (Larke) La Pass, which is located at an altitude of 5,160 meters.

It is not difficult to cross this high pass, and it does not require technical experience, but it is one of the longest trekking passes in Nepal Himalayas. The Manaslu Circuit was opened in 1991 for trekking purposes but is becoming increasingly popular, with thousands of trekkers making the trek every year.

The Manaslu Circuit is a beautiful trekking route that allows you to go around Manaslu. Manaslu (8,163 m) is the eighth-highest mountain in the world. The Manaslu Circuit is in a restricted (controlled) area and requires a special permit to trek, a minimum of two people are required to obtain the permit.

The route of Manaslu Circuit Trek feels like a piece of heaven you have never seen before. Its geography, culture, natural beauty, wildlife, birds, and poor rural settlements delight the mind. Not only that, you will also trek through rough terrain and off the beaten path. At each stage of your trek, you will experience different looks of mountains and different cultural diversity.

Manaslu Circuit Trekking offers a unique opportunity to experience the relatively "untouched" region of Nepal. It is also connected to the border between Nepal and Tibet (China). A diverse range of ecosystems and ethnic cultures, and a trail physically closer to Tibet than any other trekking in Nepal. People in the Manaslu region travel to Tibet to buy essentials such as rice, clothing and Tibetan beer, which are cheaper than in the Nepalese market.

The trek always offers amazing views of Mount Manaslu and other Himalayan peaks in the background. The trek follows an altitude of 570 to 5160 meters. Manaslu, known as the "Three Peaks". The trek leads through a wide steep valley to the opposite world of Sama, over the Larkya La Pass and down to the Marshyangdi River.

As this is a long trip, you should be in good physical condition and allow extra days for rest during the trek. Sama Gaun before you cross the pass is ideal for: You can enjoy a hike to a glacial lake and the Pugen Glacier. There is an alternative hike to Manaslu base camp (4500 m) with spectacular views of Manaslu, glaciers and lakes.

Manaslu Circuit trek starts from Soti Khola or Machha Khola. Most of the road from Kathmandu between Soti Khola and Machha Khola is off-road, so it would be nice to use a four-wheeler jeep. The trek ends at Bhulbhule or Besi Sahar. If you have limited time, it is also possible to drive off-road from Dharapani to Besi Sahar in a single day except in monsoon. Traveling from Bhulbhule or Besi Sahar to Kathmandu by public bus would be fine.

Highlights of the Manaslu Circuit Trek

Itinerary

After landing at the Tribhuwan International Airport, we will be greeted by a representative of Alpine Adventure Club who will drop us off at our hotel. We then check-in at the hotel, freshen up and if time permitted visit our office to pay the rest of bill, collect the information and signup the trip agreement or not enough time office authorize person come to your hotel to collect the payment. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, tour guide will take to you for full day sightseeing in historical monuments sightseeing places including Pashupatinath temple (The biggest Hindu temple), Boudhanath (the biggest Buddhist stupa), Swayambhunath known as monkey temple and Kathmandu Durbar square then drive back to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

If you prefer to take private transportation to Machha Khola, the guide will arrive at your hotel around 8 am to pick you up, but if you plan to go by public bus, he will come earlier. You drive towards Machha Khola, and the first stage will take about five hours. The road is smooth and paved, and after about 125 km you will reach Arughat. The further you get from Arughat, the more uneven and rugged the road becomes until you reach Machha Khola. Overnight at Teahouse/Lodge

Today you will cross a stream named Machha Khola. The trail is full of ups and downs. After crossing the Tharokhola stream you will head upstream to the tiny village of Khorlabesi. After few more ascends and descends you will come across a small hot spring in Tatopani. The route now switches to the left bank of the river through a suspension bridge. Climbing on a wide, well-crafted staircase you will finally reach tea house at Doban after crossing a short section of forest. After crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, you will climb again over a ridge, trek along the river and ascend towards the beautiful village of Jagat. Overnight at teahouse/lodge.

After breakfast in the village of Jagat, you'll make your way through various landscapes and dense sub-tropical forests, as well as small rivers and rustic villages to get to your final destination. Begin the trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues to the Ghatta Khola river. You'll continue walking upstream to a long suspension bridge in Philim, a large Gurung village. From here, the trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays on a fairly level trail as it crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti. The route now enters a steep, uninhabited gorge where you'll descend to the grassy slopes, and then cross the Budhi Gandaki river. Trek along the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank before you return to the west side again. The trail widens through the valley and you'll pass through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola river. Upon crossing, you'll reach the tiny village of Deng. Overnight at Teahouse/Lodge.

Today you will trek to Namrung from Deng. Descend about 40 minute, cross the Budi Gandaki river to reach Rana (1910m). Climb about an hour up and down to reach Bhi, head west to the Budi Gandaki valley beyond the village by crossing the Serang Khola. The trail passes through the impressive mani stone through forest where you will turn towards a corner that contours to Ghap. It will take approximately two and half hours to reach Ghap from Bhi. You can see the Tibetan influence at Ghap village. There is another route as well. You can take that route through Prok village. Prok has a viewpoint for a beautiful sight of Siringi Himal. The trail follows the river upstream through a dense forest. Trekking will be pleasantly cool as you start to gain the height and enter the alpine forest of pines and juniper. Cross the river again and climb some steep staircases up to the village of Namrung. Overnight at Teahouse/Lodge.

Today you will trek from Namrung after exploring Sringi and Ganesh Himal as well as Mt.Himal Chuli in the south. There are extensive barley field and pastures as you trek through the village. Climbing quite steeply, you will reach the picturesque village of Lihi (2920m). It is a fine village with many chortens and barley terraces. You will cross a large stream flowing down the Lidanda Glacier and pass through the Tibetan village of Sho. Just about the village you will get a splendid view of Manaslu north and Manaslu itself ahead. Further pass through Lho and Shyala village before reaching Samagaun village. Lho is a large village with a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens, mani walls and a very ornate white stupa. You will enjoy extraordinary views of Mt.Manaslu from Lho village and also explore the famous Ribung Gompa. In the Shyala village you will be surrounded by high mountains like Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Nagi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and glaciers straight ahead and other snow clad summits to the right. And at the far end stands Ganesh Himal. Overnight at Teahouse/Lodge.

We stay today at Sama Gaon for acclimatization and take this time to explore around and interact with the locals. Here, you will be able to learn about traditional practices such as yak herding and spinning the wool. In the course of exploring, we can either visit Pungyen Gompa and glacial Lake Birendra Tal (4–5 hours) or we can take a walk to Manaslu Base Camp and return to Samagaon (7-8 hours). Overnight at Teahouse/Lodge.

Today offer incredible mountain views, past craggy woods of Himalayan Birch, during the walk up to Samdo, an easy three hours away. En route we pass the long mani walls at Kermo Kharka, after which we spot the entrance chorten of Samdo high on a bluff. We descend back to the Bhudi Gandaki and cross a small bridge before another short climb to the "kane" entrance of Samdo. There is a small home gompa in a house mid-village which we can visit during our last village, a puja being held by several of the reincarnated lamas living in the Samdo. Overnight at Teahouse/Lodge.

Today we follow the old trade route towards Tibet, cross a bridge, and climb through the ruins of Larkya bazaar, one of the trade markets that flourished years back. After about three hours of climbing past glaciers, with increasingly awe-inspiring panoramas, we come to the campsite at Dharamsala, the high camp for the Larkya La pass, where we have lunch and gaze out at the views. You'll really feel the altitude and the cold here, so enjoy a more leisurely afternoon and keep warm. We'll have an early dinner in preparation to cross the Larkya La Pass (5160m) tomorrow. Overnight at Teahouse/Lodge.

After a short climb above the Dharamsala , we reach the ablation valley on the North side of the Larkya Glaciers where we have views of Cho Danda and then of Larkya-La. We continue across the moraines of the glacier, often through the snow, making a gradual ascent which becomes steeper only in the last section to the pass, which should take us about four hours to crest. The views from the top of the pass are wonderful; a mountain panorama of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II, equally stunning from both sides. After hanging our Tibetan prayer flags, get ready for a steep, often slippery drop to a trail following the glacial moraine. We'll lunch below the pass on smooth rocks before continuing the descent, still three hours to go to our campsite. A boulder-strewn descent brings us, finally, to Bhimtang. Overnight at Teahouse/Lodge.

Following the demanding day before, today's trek is comparatively easier as you go downhill through verdant forests of rhododendrons and pines. The path provides a refreshing shift in scenery, showcasing cascading waterfalls, terraced fields, and delightful villages along the route. As you get nearer to Goa, the landscape opens up to display stunning views of Manaslu and Annapurna II. The serene ambiance of Goa, tucked within a lovely valley, creates the ideal backdrop to unwind and contemplate the journey thus far. Overnight at Teahouse/Lodge.

The concluding day of trekking starts with a short and enjoyable walk to Dharapani. Dharapani is a village that signifies the completion of the Manaslu Circuit and the initiation of the Annapurna Circuit trail. The trail meanders through forests and traditional villages, providing a glimpse into local life. Overnight at Teahouse/Lodge.

Today, we will embark on a scenic drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu in a private tourist vehicle. The journey will take approximately 10 to 12 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.The road winds through hills and boasts stunning views, We will begin by traveling on an adventurous dirt road for about 3 to 4 hours from Dharapani to Besisahar. From there, we’ll continue on a paved concrete road to Kathmandu, ensuring a smooth, relaxing, and more comfortable ride. Overnight at Hotel.

Today, you have leisure day for relax or shopping in Kathmandu so you can do your own activities by yourself or consult with company to arrange extra activities. Overnight at Hotel

We will drop you at the airport by our private vehicle according to your airport time. It is recommended to reach the airport at least three hours prior to departure.

Not Satisfied with the above itinerary? We also offer flexible, tailor-made trips according to your preferences and specification.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews:
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Herta & Hermann (Austria)

Unforgettable Manaslu Trek – Smooth, Scenic, and Well-Organized

We highly recommend Alpine Adventure Club Treks & Expedition for the Manaslu Circuit Trek and other treks in Nepal. Binod Thapa and his team were professional, friendly, and ensured a smooth, enjoyable experience. Our guide and porter were knowledgeable and arranged excellent accommodations. Booking online was easy, with fast responses...

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