Manaslu Circuit Trek

Print This Page
Duration 16 Days
Fitness Level Demanding & Challenging
Max Elevation 5167 m / 16752 ft
Meals All meals during trek
Accomodation Basic Mountain Lodges and Tea Houses
Best month Spring (March- May) / Autumn (September- December)
Price USD 1300

Trip Introduction

One of the remote trekking areas that provide thrilling mountain treks and adventures around the globe is the Manaslu region. Travelers will be charmed as they pass stunning Buddhist landmarks and nearby communities while on their trek. This thrilling trip will be an adventure of a lifetime thanks to the stunning mountain peaks, frozen lakes, glaciers, and high mountain passes! The eighth-highest mountain and Manasalu Conservation Area are circled by the circuit in an anticlockwise direction. The greatest alternative trek to the Anapurna Circuit Trek is thought to be the Manasalu Circuit Trek. The entire trail is located within the Manaslu region's conservation area, which has so far preserved the native fauna and environment. You will see the natural beauty unspoiled or barely impacted by contemporary elements. The native tribes have learned to live in harmony with nature and all of its elements.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01:       Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola | Drive: 7-8 Hrs | Altitude: (730m / 2896ft)
Day 02: Trek from Soti Khola to Macha Khola  | Trek: 5-6 Hrs  | Altitude: 930 m / 3051 ft
Day 03: Trek from Macha Khola to Doban  | Trek: 4-5 Hrs | Altitude: (1,070m / 3510ft)
Day 04: Trek from Doban to Philim | Trek: 5-6 Hrs | Altitude: (1,570m / 5,150ft)
Day 05: Trek from Philim to Deng | Trek: 5-6 Hrs | Altitude: (1,860m / 6,102ft)
Day 06: Trek from Deng to Ghap | Trek: 5-6 Hrs | Altitude: (2,250m / 7382ft)
Day 07: Trek from Ghap to Namrung | Trek: 4-5 Hrs | Altitude: (2,660m / 8,727ft)
Day 08: Trek from Namrung to Lho | Trek: 4-5 Hrs | Altitude: 2957 m / 9701 ft
Day 09: Trek from Lho to Samagaun | Trek: 5-6 Hrs | Altitude: 3530 m / 11581 ft
Day 10:  Acclimatization 
Day 11: Trek from Samagaun to Samdo | Trek: 4-5 Hrs | Altitude: 3865 m / 12680 ft
Day 12: Trek from Samdo to Dharmasala | Trek; 4-5 Hrs | Altitude: 4460 m / 14632 ft
Day 13: Trek from Dharmasala to Bhimthang via Larkay Pass | Trek: 7-8 Hrs | Altitude: (5,160m /16,929ft)
Day 14: Trek back from Bhimthang to Dharapani | Trek: 7-8 Hrs
Day 15: Drive from Dharapani to Besisahar and back to Kathmandu | Drive: 9-11 Hrs
Day 16: Departure Day

 

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola | Drive: 7-8 Hrs | Altitude: (730m / 2896ft)

From Kathmandu, your tour of the Manaslu Circuit begins. Starting between 6 and 8 am, a direct bus runs from Kathmandu's Gongabu Bus Park to Arughat. Alternatively, you can go by bus along the Prithvi Highway to Dhading or Malekhu, then transfer to a local bus or jeep. The best views of the scenery will be from your window seat, despite the fact that the road will be somewhat bumpy and dusty. For quick rest and meals, there are a lot of rest areas along the route. Spend the night at a Soti Khola teahouse.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 02: Trek from Soti Khola to Macha Khola  | Trek: 5-6 Hrs  | Altitude: 930 m / 3051 ft

The first day on the trails will be today. After getting ready for a long day of hiking, we leave Soti Khola and travel to Maccha Khola. The trail itself is beautiful, with waterfalls spanning both sides of it. Due to the path's abrupt ascents and descents, caution is advised. We'll also be trekking alongside enormous cliff faces, through Sal forests, and occasionally we might come across mules on the trail. Our route will pass through the village of Khursani, the Lububesi Gurung community, and ultimately Machha Khola.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 03: Trek from Macha Khola to Doban  | Trek: 4-5 Hrs | Altitude: (1,070m / 3510ft)

You can tell from the subtropical flora lining the route that we haven't climbed very high. But expect to experience some ups and downs. You will cross the Tharo Khola and Machha Khola, two significant rivers. We continue on our path that travels through forests until arriving at Doban after crossing Machha Khola on a suspension bridge and entering Tatopani. Doban, which in Nepal means "the confluence of two rivers," is located where the Shari Khola and Sarpu Khola meet.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 04: Trek from Doban to Philim | Trek: 5-6 Hrs | Altitude: (1,570m / 5,150ft)

We set out on our trek to reach Philim by the end of the day after eating breakfast at Doban. Starting with a steep ascent to Louri, the walk continues to Thado Bharyang, which is below Jagat. After that, we cross a river to get to Jagat, a settlement built in the Tibetan style, then another river to go to Philim, another Gurung village.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 05: Trek from Philim to Deng | Trek: 5-6 Hrs | Altitude: (1,860m / 6,102ft)

We proceed northward on our journey until we arrive at Ekle Bhatti through terraced millet fields. Our route steepens, cutting through jagged canyons and over the Budhi Gandaki River. We continue along the Budhi Gandaki's banks before passing through a bamboo forest and arriving at the Deng Khola river. We then cross this river to get to Deng, where we are going.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 06: Trek from Deng to Ghap | Trek: 5-6 Hrs | Altitude: (2,250m / 7382ft)

After a filling breakfast, we continue traveling with the goal of reaching Ghap. The path begins with a little descent and then quickly ascends to Rana Bridge. It passes through Bihi Phedi and Bihi. To go to Bihi Phedi, we travel farther through a pine forest and cross a bridge. As soon as you cross the bridge, Mani walls and other images of various gods and goddesses will greet you, letting you know that you have arrived in a Buddhist area. Before arriving in Ghap, you must cross another suspension bridge.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 07: Trek from Ghap to Namrung | Trek: 4-5 Hrs | Altitude: (2,660m / 8,727ft)

Our next stop after Ghap will be Namrung. The journey leads us via difficult ascents, suspension bridges, and stone stairs to Namrung while passing deep fir, rhododendron, oak, and bamboo forest. Large barley fields can be seen all around Namrung.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 08: Trek from Namrung to Lho | Trek: 4-5 Hrs | Altitude: 2957 m / 9701 ft

One may take in some stunning views of mountains including Singri Himal, Ganesh Himal, and Mt. Hiunchuli, among others, from Namrung, a lovely viewpoint. The mountains in the distance provide us with breathtaking vistas as we eat breakfast. We move in the direction of Lho while admiring the beauty of these mountains. Then, via a dense forest, we ascend a steep trail till we reach Lihi. You'll notice a difference in vegetation that becomes more alpine as you proceed past Namrung. Even Buddhism's position as the dominant religion is intensifying. The area before Namrung is largely populated by people of Tibetan descent. Beautiful chortens and barley fields can be found in Lihi. Spend the evening in a guesthouse in the village of Lho.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 09: Trek from Lho to Samagaun | Trek: 5-6 Hrs | Altitude: 3530 m / 11581 ft

Due to the high altitude, you will begin the following morning with a brief journey. You are accompanied by a beautiful view of Mt. Manaslu while you stroll. After traveling through a pine and rhododendron valley with moss and a gin-clear creek, you will cross the simple trail to Shyala. To go to Sama Gaun from Shyala, you must walk for approximately an hour. The main village of the Nubri people is Sama Gaun, which has a sizable gompa, numerous stores, a health post, a heliport, and telephone and wifi connectivity, among other amenities.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Diner

Day 10: Acclimatization Day

The weather is lovely today in Samagaon. We don't carry on with our trek today. We remain in Samagaon and tour the neighborhood. We are staying in Samagaon today to acclimatize to the growing elevation since we are already at heights and traveling to a location with a higher elevation. The Manaslu base camp, Pungyen Gompa, and Birendra Tal are our two alternatives for the day. Any of these places are reachable by trek today. We make our way back to Samagaon in the evening to spend the night. Spend the evening at a guesthouse in Sama Gaon.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 11: Trek from Samagaun to Samdo | Trek: 4-5 Hrs | Altitude: 3865 m / 12680 ft

Your journey starts with a descent along the base camp trail to Budhi Gandaki. The trail then descends to a wooden bridge after passing past juniper woods. After crossing the bridge, you must climb steeply to reach a ridge. Then, as we traverse through desolate landscapes, we'll enjoy magnificent vistas of snow-capped mountains including Samdo Peak, Dharamsala, Manaslu, Siachen Glacier, etc. The next stop on these amazing paths is Samdo, where you will spend the night.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 12: Trek from Samdo to Dharmasala | Trek; 4-5 Hrs | Altitude: 4460 m / 14632 ft

Our day today begins with a lovely breakfast. After that, we continue on the path to a wooden bridge that spans the Budhi Gandaki River. We proceed to climb up towards Dharamshala after spanning the bridge. We catch a stunning glimpse of the Larkya glacier en route. When we get to Dharamshala, we eat lunch and then stroll to Larkya Phedi to get ready for the trek ahead. Spend the evening at a Dharamshala guesthouse.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 13: Trek from Dharmasala to Bhimthang via Larkay Pass | Trek: 7-8 Hrs | Altitude: (5,160m /16,929ft)

You will hike to the trail's highest point on this special day. On this day, you'll walk to Larkya La Pass (5160m). The walk could be quite difficult in severe weather and in the snow, but it is achievable. You need to get up early and leave the teahouse rather early because you will cross the pass before midday. This is the most difficult section of the hike, but if you move slowly, you can reach the pass. You will spend your special time at the pass before making the approximately three-hour walk to Bimthang, where you will spend the night.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 14: Trek back from Bhimthang to Dharapani | Trek: 7-8 Hrs

You will be using the trails in the Manaslu area for the last time today. You will return across the Dudh Khola and proceed to Karche for lunch. In the hour that follows, you will observe numerous indications of a glacier flood, including bank erosion and tree trunks broken. The track will also get rather hard. After Samdo, the trail descends to Gurung Goa, the first actual village. Staying on the north (true right) bank till Tilije, the valley becomes more agricultural and lush as you pass through fields and copses of oak and rhododendron. You will then continue walking in the direction of Dharapani.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 15: Drive from Dharapani to Besisahar and back to Kathmandu | Drive: 9-11 Hrs

In Dharapani, the Manaslu Circuit Trek program concludes as you travel through the beautiful countryside to Kathmandu. A direct route from Dharapani to Besishar may require a four-hour journey. From Besishar onward, the road is paved. After a hearty breakfast, we will thank our porter and guides before boarding a private Jeep to go to Kathmandu. We will follow the trail and travel to Kathmandu via the Prithvi highway.
Meal: Breakfast

Day 16: Departure Day

Today, take a flight from Kathmandu to your own country or continue your journey to some other parts of the world. Three hours before your scheduled departure, we will drop you off at the airport. We really enjoyed having you here with us. Thank you and safe travels back home.
Meal: Breakfast

Trip Includes

  • One trained and licensed local Manaslu Trek guide
  • All relevant surface transfer to and from trekking
  • Manaslu Circuit Trekking Permit/Conservation Fees
  • Taxes and documentation charges.
  • Fee of guide and porters and their insurances.

Trip Excludes

  • International flight airfare
  • Nepal entry visa fees at Tribhuvan International Airport (paid in cash)
  • Excess baggage charges (limit is 9 kg per trekker)
  • our personal expenses.
  • All the alcoholic and non alcoholic hot and cold drinks.
  • Sightseeing/Monument entrance fees($30 USD per person)
  • Laundry, telephone and personal trekking equipment.
  • Hot shower and battery charging on the tea houses.
  • Tips for the guide, porter and driver (Tipping is expected).

Source:www.alphaadventuretreks.com