| Group size: | Min 2 pax | Max-Altitude: | 5153 m/ 17005 ft. |
| Destination: | Nepal | ||
| Arrival on: | Kathmandu | Departure from: | Kathmandu |
| Meals: | All meals during trek | ||
| Accommodation: | Hotels/Mountain Lodges | ||
| Fitness level: | Moderate | ||
Manaslu Circuit is an ideal trek that holds the blend of wonderful cultural heritage, unparalleled Himalayan vistas, pure Himalayan ecosystem and great walking experience following the ancient salt trading route of the Tiber along the Budi Gandaki river. This trek is an awesome entry to the hidden valley bordering Nepal with Tibet. The trails get opened to tourist only since 1992. From then onward, it has become the best alternative trekking to Annapurna Circuit Trek. The trek begins with a drive to Arughat and chases the traverses uphill beside the rushing Budi Gandaki River. The walk through uneven gorges sliced between Himachuli Peak 7890m, the Manaslu Circuit Trek most of the times covers wilderness walk.
Adventurous trek, which has been partly affected by quake despite lying in the district that epicenter the devastating quake, Manaslu Circuit Trek also highlights the beautiful cultural blend of different ethnic tribes. The landscape dominated by wonderful Budi Gandaki River Valley, the views of majestic Manaslu (eighth highest peak in the world), Mt. Himachuli and Mt Ganesh among others are other major highlights of the trek. Moreover, the latter half of the trek caters the challenge of crossing Larkya La Pass 5153m. The culture of Nuri, which manifests little Tibet in the mountains below Mt. Manaslu is a great cultural encounter during the trek. After crossing the wide Larkya pass, it finally enters Annapurna Conservation Area Project and treads along the trails of famous Round Annapurna Trek before it ends at Besisahar.
Day 01: Private Jeep Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola via Arughat
Altitude: 700-m/2296 ft. 6/7 hour’s drive. Meal: LD
Day 02: Trek from Soti Khola to Machhakhola
Altitude: 870 m/2952 ft. Trek: 5/6 hrs. Meal: BLD
Day 03: Trek from Machhakhola Gaon to Jagat
Altitude: 2340 m/7676 ft. Trek: 6/7 hrs. Meal: BLD
Day 04: Trek to Deng
Altitude: 1870m/6170 ft. Trek: 6-7 hrs. Meal: BLD
Day 05: Trek to Namrung
Altitude: 2,630m/8626ft. Trek: 6-7 hrs. Meal: BLD
Day 06: Trek to Lho
Altitude: 3150m/10395 ft. Trek: 6/ hrs. Meal: BLD
Day 07: Trek to Shyala
Altitude: 3500m Trek: 3-4 hrs. Meal: BLD
Day 08: Trek to Sama Gaon | Rest day at Sama Gaon
Altitude: 3500m/11550 ft. Trek: 1 hr. Meal: BLD
Day 09: Trek to Samdo
Altitude: 3,690m/12,106 ft. Trek: 4/5 hrs. Meal: BLD
Day 10: Trek to Larkya Phedi
Altitude: 4,470m/14,665ft. Trek: 4/5 hrs. Meal: BLD
Day 11: Trek to Bimtang crossing Larkya La Pass
Altitude: Larkya La Pass: 5153 m/ 17005 ft. Bimtang: 3,720m/12,204ft. Trek: 8/9 hrs. Meal: BLD
Day 12: Trek to Dharapani
Altitude: 1,860m/6,102ft. Trek: 6/7 hrs. Meal: BLD
Day 13: Sharing Jeep drive from Dharapani to Besisahar and private drive back to Kathmandu in a car
Altitude: 60 m/2,493ft) and drive back to Kathmandu in private vehicles. End of the trip. Meal: B
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola via Arughat (Altitude: 700-m/2296 ft. 6/7 hour’s drive. Meal: BLD)
Wake up early morning and get ready after having breakfast at the hotel, also re-check your luggage. You will be driving towards the western part of the valley following a blacktopped Prithvi Highway. Crossing the Trishuli River, you will drive towards Dhading besi from where you will have a bumpy drive of around 3 hours to Arughat. On the way, you can view the beautiful landscape, countryside lifestyle, terraced fields, rivers, and waterfalls. Arughat is a small town mostly settled by the Newar ethnic group.
Resting for a while at Arughat, starts a journey towards Soti Khola. Crossing a bridge across the Budhi Gandaki River, you will pass small villages settled by Gurung and Magar ethnic groups, beautiful field of millet and Paddy and landscape along the Sotikhola. Spend overnight at the local lodge.
Day 02: Trek from Soti Khola to Machhakhola (Altitude: 870 m/2952 ft. Trek: 6/7 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Begins trek on few ups/down rocky trail after crossing a suspension bridge passing beautiful Sal forest. Viewing tropical waterfalls and passing terraces, you will walk up to the village of Lapubesi settled by traditional Gurung. Resting for a while, you will start walking uphill along the bank of the Budhi Gandaki River till Khanibesi. Here, you can click North-east view of Ganesh Himal and a beautiful waterfall and then starts descending towards the village at Macchakhola. You can take a relaxing dip in a hot spring and explore the surrounding. Spend overnight at the local lodge.
Day 03: Trek from Machhakhola Gaon to Jagat (Altitude: 2340 m/7676 ft. Trek: 6/7 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Today, you will start walking in a narrow trail following the Budhi Gandaki River. Just walking in a zigzag trail and crossing a suspension bridge will take you to the Khorlabesi that offers a fantastic view of Ganesh Himal. Now onwards, you will walk in an ascending and descending trail, crosses several suspension bridges, passes landslides, rock falls, and small hamlets; even walk in stone steps along with rocky trail en-route to Jagat. On reaching Jagat, see the fabulous view of Sringi Himal; mani walls and Chirtens representing the Himalayan culture. Spend overnight at the local lodge.
Day 04: Trek to Deng (Altitude: 1870m/6170 ft. Trek: 6-7 hrs. Meal: BLD)
After sliding down a long chain of stone steps to the river, you will climb on a terraced hill to Saguleri. See the impressive view of Singri Himal, 7187m from Saguleri. At Saguleri, the path splits. You will continue with the left-hand branch heading upstream, through a gorge section with towering walls. Thrice you cross the river in next couple of hours to avoid difficult valley sides and then slide up over a further steep spur to reach the village of Deng. Spend overnight at Deng local lodge/camping.
Day 05: Trek to Ghap (Altitude: 2,160m/7,086ft. Trek: 4-5 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Today, you will cross the village of Lamastic Buddhism, see the some Mani walls/ Chortens and flattering flags while entering the elevated Buddhist Community. Since today’s trek is relatively short you reach the village of Ghap in about four hours, which straddles the river. Officially, you have entered the Tibetan Region as you feel a perceptible change in the climate and culture. Spend overnight at Ghap local lodge/camping.
Day 06: Trek to Lho (Altitude: 3150m/10395 ft. Trek: 6/ hrs. Meal: BLD)
The clear sighs of gaining the elevation are visible as you move into alpine territory where the mountain views are more than terrific. Myriads of mani stone walls and crossings of the Buri Gandaki thrice en-route will bring to Namrung. At Namrung, you need to issue trekking permits and MCAP permit. Beyond Namrung, the valley opens out and there are extensive pastures. Then, a gradual up climb followed by crossing a bridge over a large stream flowing down from the Lidanda Glaciers, you reach the Tibetan village of Sho, 3000m. Beyond Sho, you get first incredible views of the Manaslu North and then of Manaslu Main. A further trek will bring you to Lho, a large village at 3150 metres where there is a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens and Manis. Looking back, Ganesh I is visible. Spend overnight at Lho local lodge/camping.
Day 07: Trek to Sama Gaon (Altitude: 3500m/11550 ft. Trek: 3-4 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Beyond Lho, chase the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. Continuing along the main trail, you will reach Sama Gaon 3500m after a while trek. You can visit Sama Gompa which is just 20 minutes’ walk from Sama. Spend overnight at Sama local lodge/camping.
Day 08: Rest day at Sama Gaon (Altitude: 3500m/11550 ft. Trek: 3-4 hrs. Meal: BLD)
It is wise to rest during trek for proper acclimatization before gaining the height. Spend your time at Sama Village enjoying the culture, lifestyle, and people following Lamaism. You can either hike to a ridge to view the stunning mountain including Nadi CHuli, Manaslu, Larke, and Naike... Or, you can also go to visit the Pung Gyen Gompa, capture the fabulous view of Puggen Glacier. Your walk on rest will let you familiarize with height. Retrace Back to Sama Goan for an overnight stay.
Day 09: Trek to Samdo (Altitude: 3,690m/12,106 ft. Trek: 6/7 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Today, you will trek to the Manaslu Base Camp that is incredibly a great trip. You will walk up for around 5 hours to base camp. Explore the surrounding and continue walking for your final destination towards Samdo. Todays’ trail will be a bit longer enjoying the sunlight on the mountains and glaciers. The best part of the trek is the incredible turquoise view of Birendra Lake. Spend some time in the base camp, then trek to Samdo. From now, you will enter the forest filled with birch, juniper, rhododendron, moss and Lichen. The trail will take you towards the Kyonggma Kharka that manifests small huts made with stones and a long Mani walls. Crossing a bridge over Budhi Gandaki River, you will enter the village of Samdo. It is a very close village to Tibet settled by the Tibetan Refugee community, have Taka Choeling Gompa, big Mani wall and close to Sonam Glacier as well as a viewpoint of Naike and Pangboche Peaks. Spend overnight at Local lodge/camping.
Day 10: Trek to Larkya Phedi (Altitude: 4,470m/14,665ft. Trek: 6/7 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Today, you will gain a significant height. Beyond Samdo 3780m, you will trek along Larke Khola to Dharmashala (Stone Hut) 4460 along the steep trail above the river. At a point on today’s trek, you will be mesmerized with the incredible view of Larke Kunda. Keeping on gaining the height, you will arrive at Larkya Phedi 5105 crossing Larkya-la Pass 5153m. The trail passes through the Mani walls and Stone Huts while walking towards Larke Phedi. Larke Phedi is also called as Dharmasala or Rest House, is a seasonal village that provides rooms and tents for the trekkers. On reaching, you can hike the hills for acclimatization and retrace back to Phedi for an overnight stay at Resthouse/camping.
Day 11: Trek to Bimtang crossing Larkya La Pass (Altitude: Larkya La Pass: 5153 m/ 17005 ft. Bimtang: 3,720m/12,204ft. Trek: 8/9 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Today will be the most exciting day crossing a Larkya-la Pass gaining an ultimate altitude of this trek. Just starts walking in the early morning, you will pass the moraine route of the Larkya Glacier, cross frozen lakes and follow the steep up will takes you to Larkya-La. You will see the flattering colorful flags in a place, make your day a wonderful time catching the magnificent view of the snowcapped peaks including Annapurna II, Kangguru, Himlung, Larkey and many more. Continue walking following the guide in a steep descend on a high moraine ridge of Salpudanda glacier. Now onwards, the trail will be grassy moraine rock fall of Dangboche Kharka. Walking for a while will take you to the beautiful Bimthang Village. From here, you can view the fantastic scene of the peaks like the Lamjung, Manaslu, Phungi, Himlung and Cheo Himal. Spend overnight at Local lodge/ Camping at Bimthang.
Day 12: Trek to Dharapani (Altitude: 1,860m/6,102ft. Trek: 5/6 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Begins the trail to the Hampuk, a rock shelter cave, and crossing a bridge, you will continue walking down through the forest of Rhododendron and Pine, passing several villages and cultivated land, explore the Gho Village settled by the Gurung community as well as the Kilpu waterfall. You will reach at Tilje, where you can rest for a while. Explore traditional Gurung Village. From now, you will continue walking towards Dharapani after crossing a bridge over the Dudh River. Explore the village and spend time enjoying the surrounding. Spend overnight at Local Lodge.
Day 13: Trek to Syange and Jeep/Public Bus drive to Besisahar (Altitude: 60 m/2,493ft) & Private car drive back to Kathmandu. End of the trip.
From Today, your trek will officially enter the Annapurna Conservation Area Project and Marshyangdi Valley. Show the TIMS and ACAP at Check Post while leaving Dharapani. Dharapani is a knot of Annapurna and Manaslu Trail as well as a junction of Dudh Khola and Marshyandgi River. Begins walking in a downhill trail passing Tal Village, you will continue a steep stone trail and cross a suspension bridge over Marshyangdi River, you will reach at Chamje. From here, a steep descend towards the Syange village and crossing a bridge will take you to the bus stop. Driving for hours down in a snaky road will take you to Besisahar. Resting for a while, you will be escorted towards Kathmandu following Highway blacktopped road.
During the trip weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors that are beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered, if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.
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Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes, however, if we are in excellent health with average physical fitness, have a positive attitude, self-confidence and strong determination, we can accomplish the trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance our strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. It is important that we consult with our doctor before we decide and set up for the Short Manaslu Trek. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases should inform Treks Planner Nepal before booking the trek.
Trekking in the Himalayan region goes through unexpected complication like natural and health challenges resulting changes in the itinerary for your own security reason, If such incident happens during the trek our professional Guide, Porters and leader take you to final point safely for evacuation so, please be friendly with your guide for more achievements and protections. Flights in the Himalayan region often get canceled even in the best season due to bad weather so we request our travelers to carry luggage for extra days.
Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip but if you want, we can still customize the itinerary according to your wish and preferable time for visit. Feel free to write to us or you can even give us a call if you would like to discuss any aspect regarding the trip.
During the trip weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors that are beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered, if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.