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15 Days
starting from $1100
$ 950
Grade:
Difficult
Group Size:
Min 2 people
Transport:
Local Bus and Jeep
Altitude:
5,106m
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Starts At:
Kathmandu
Ends At:
Kathmandu
Accommodation:
Hotel and local lodges
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is constantly called one of the best treks in Nepal by seasoned trekkers and explorers. The trail goes through the Manaslu Conservation Area amidst numerous remote villages. The view of Manaslu, the eighth mountain in the world is glorious from the trail with views of Annapurna and Ganesh Himal as well.
The Manaslu region lies in the central Himalayas, slightly north-west of the capital of Kathmandu. The 14-day trek requires no flights to get to the starting point. This makes the trek smoother and less probabilistic compared to treks in the Everest region. Starting at Machha Khola, the circuit takes you from the lowlands in the Himalayas to the high mountains and gorges above the Budi Gandaki.
The trail opened in 1991 and takes you to the Tibet Border as well. The region of Manaslu is influenced heavily by Tibetan culture and this lets you immerse yourself in their way of life. Tibetan Buddhism is the major religion followed by the people in the Manaslu region and this can be seen clearly on the trail.
Circling around Mt. Manaslu, you will pass through one of the high mountain passes in Nepal, the Larkya La at an altitude of 5106m. This is the more difficult part of the trek as you will need to start extremely early on the day and walk for 8-10 hours. Physical fitness is a must. However, the view from the pass is amazing, a thing of the dreams. As you descend the pass, mountains like Cheo Himal, Himlung, Nemjung, Gyaji Kang and Kanguru take over the view.
So, join this amazing circuit trek by Glorious Himalaya in the Manaslu region filled with amazing scenery, culture and hospitality as you sleep in teahouses in remote villages along the trek.
After your brief tour of Kathmandu, you will be driven the next day to the trailhead at Soti Khola. A bus or a private jeep can be arranged. Staying overnight at Soti Khola, the trekking officially begins as we move towards Maccha Khola and onwards to the villages of Jagat, Deng, Namrung, Dharmasala, Bimthang via Larke La pass and others along the way.
We will spend an additional day at Samagaun for acclimatization purposes exploring the nearby scenery. Exploring the region near the Tibetan Border, we get to Dharmasala nearby where is the Larkya Bazaar, an old trade town. From Samagaun, we trek all the way to Bhimthang, crossing the Larkya La pass. This would be the most challenging part of the trek. During the whole trek, we will be having lunch and staying overnight at basic teahouses. As we finish the trek at Dharapani, we get a drive back to Kathmandu via Besisahar.
The Manaslu Circuit Trekking is a remarkable journey through the pristine landscapes of Nepal. A trip to the Manaslu journey captivates adventurers with its unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. What sets this trek apart is its remote and less-traveled route in Nepal.
The route offers a quieter and more authentic experience compared to the crowded trails of the Everest and Annapurna regions. The trail winds through lush forests, terraced fields, and quaint Himalayan villages. Trekkers can immerse themselves in the warm hospitality of the local communities.
The highlight of the trek is the breathtaking views of Mount Manaslu. It is the world’s eighth-highest peak, which stands as a towering sentinel throughout the journey. Along the way, trekkers encounter diverse flora and fauna, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.
The challenging high-altitude passes, such as the Larkya La Pass, add an element of adventure to the trek. The Manaslu Trekking offers an unspoiled and culturally enriching Himalayan experience. This journey could be special for those seeking both natural beauty and an authentic cultural immersion in Nepal’s majestic mountains.
Nepal has countless ethnic communities with their own culture and traditions. Some places of this beautiful country are placed as restricted areas. The main reason behind keeping these places as restricted regions is to protect the ancient culture of these places. The government of Nepal has purposefully kept these places under the protection to reduce the impact of mass tourism. Places like Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Nar Phu Valley, etc. are restricted trekking regions of Nepal. These places are home of indigenous people of Nepal with their own ancient culture and traditions.
The booking procedure for a trekking trip to restricted regions of Nepal is slightly different from regular trekking trips. You must obtain Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) permit, Conservation Area Permit, and special immigration permit. However, regular trekking trip doesn’t require special immigration permit.
Solo trekking is not allowed in Manaslu region. In fact, solo trekking is strictly prohibited in all restricted trekking regions of Nepal. Moreover, you are required to hire a licensed guide as a mandatory clause to get permit of Manaslu Circuit Trek. One single trekker is also not allowed. At least two trekkers with a trekking guide are compulsory in Manaslu region of Nepal. If you are planning to do Manaslu Circuit Trek, please get one more fellow trekker to trek with you on this magnificent tranquil rural trekking trail.
Yes, it is possible to add Tsum Valley Trek itinerary in the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary. It is possible to reach Tsum Valley from Manaslu Round Trek route by adding additional 4 days. The journey of Tsum will add value to this great Himalayan trekking trail. Explore the mythical and ancient nunnery and monasteries of Tsum Valley. Moreover, the Tsum is a spiritual place where you can let go all your drabness of monotonous city life. Be close to nature and immerse into the great ancient culture.
You can reach the Manaslu Base Camp (4800 m) in a day’s hike from Samagaon village. The trail is rugged but it endows splendid moments to knit a momentous Himalayan scenery filled travel tale. Trekkers don’t spend overnight in the Manaslu Base Camp. In addition, it is the place to reach during acclimatization day of Manaslu Circuit Trek. Acclimatization is utmost necessity for this trek as trekkers have to reach beyond five thousands meter height. Normally the places above 2500 m from sea level are considered as risk zone for altitude sickness.
It is a very tricky question. In terms of terrain and remoteness, Manaslu Circuit Trek is harder. However, Everest Base Camp Trek is a commercial trekking route. In addition, the Everest Base Camp Trek route was opened many years before than Manaslu Trek route. In terms of acclimatization, Manaslu Trek is safer than Everest Trek. Long itinerary and gradual ascent make it easier for trekkers to navigate safely without the risk of altitude sickness during Manaslu Trek. Interestingly, Everest Base Camp Trek has a lot fewer days in comparison to Manaslu Trek. Therefore, the chance of altitude sickness is more in Everest region than in Manaslu region.
This Manaslu Circuit Trek Nepal is best experienced in the months of March through May or September through November. If you’re planning a trip, these two seasons are the best time to do it because the weather is more predictable and agreeable. In April, the entire mountain region of Manaslu will be awash in a riot of color because that is when most flowers bloom.
The trails around Manaslu become extremely popular during the autumn months. By far, October is the most interesting and exciting month of the autumn. The two biggest festivals in Nepal, Dashain and Tihar, are currently being celebrated by their entire populations.
In October, many people flock to the Manaslu region trek to experience its natural beauty and unique culture. As a result, the region’s trails and hotels will be flooded with hikers and backpackers. As much of the trail closes for maintenance and unpleasant weather during the winter and monsoon, these seasons are not ideal for going on a trek. In addition, visit our trekking season information section for further details.
Check out our itinerary for Manaslu Circuit Trek below or just send us an email and we’ll tailor-make an itinerary based on your requirements.
You arrive in Kathmandu and our representative will be on standby with our office vehicle to transfer you to your hotel. A pre-trek briefing will be scheduled to discuss the trekking program and coordinate any last-minute arrangements.
You can refresh yourself, go for a walk down the street to get familiar with your surroundings before preparing for a tasty dinner of local Nepalese cuisine which you will truly enjoy accompanied by a cultural dance performed by the local belles. Your first overnight in the city of temples, probably the most in the world.
Meals included: Welcome dinner
Today we explore Kathmandu on an organized sightseeing tour. This will include a visit to the Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world. We also visit Pashupatinath, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River and home to the most famous Hindu temple in the country. Here we will see Hindu holy men (sadhus) and pilgrims performing ritual bathing, and occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the ghats.
The cremation site here is used by the royal family and also for the simple man living next door. Your early afternoon will be free to relax in the hotel garden or visit Thamel for some curious shopping. You will be supplied with your trek departure information in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast
Our trip to Machha Khola takes off in the early morning after breakfast. We take a local bus from Machhapokhari’s New Bus Park early morning around at 7:00 am. There is also an option of a private jeep from Kathmandu to Machha Khola for your comfortable drive. A 4WD jeep, which is designed specifically for an off-road drive, is what you choose if you prefer to use a private jeep for your Manaslu Circuit.
Driving along the Prithivi Highway following the Trisuli River, we get to enjoy the aspects of the countryside with the scenery of the gorgeous landscapes.
From Kathmandu to Hanuman Danda, there is a smooth, pitched road. It takes about 4 hours to reach Hanuman Danda and further 3–4 hours to Machha Khola. However, occasionally there is heavy traffic on the route, so the actual travel time may be longer.
Although it will be a quite bumpy and dusty road. After about an 8 hrs of the long drive from Kathmandu, we finally reach Machha Khola via Soti Khola around 3-4 pm. You can also freshen up by taking a bath in the river. We stop overnight at one of the local teahouses in Machha Khola.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We cross over Machha Khola and head upstream to the tiny village of Khorla Bensi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The whole valley here becomes steeper to the limits till the route to cross then switches to the left bank by a suspension bridge. The trekking trail is quite exposed and challenging in some places. After a short section of forest trail, we reach a single teahouse at Doban.
Above Doban village, the Budi Gandaki descends with some notable flowing of rapids. Beyond this hard steep section, the River is much more placid, meandering across a wide gravel bank, and from Lauri, we will cross the river by crossing a suspension bridge, and then climb on a high trail to the fields of Jagat.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The next 8 hours walk is to reach up to Deng. The trail goes ascending through a terraced hill of Salleri village where you can get enchanting views of Sringi Himal (7,177m). We can rest a while to enjoy the views of beautiful mountains. Continuing the journey, the trail goes through Sirish Gaon and narrow Gandaki valleys and some tall walls. Overnight at Deng at the local lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After having a hot breakfast, we will set off for Namrung which is about a 6 hours walk. The trek starts following Deng River and the trail next goes through a newly built rock tunnel. The influences of Tibetan culture start to appear as you can see Mani stones and Chortens around it. Overnight at the local lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we are heading to Syala. Travelers often set their camp in Samagaun from Namrung but we stay in Syala. The views seen from Syala village are far more attractive than from Samagaun.
Today is the day that -we are going to climb almost 1000m elevations, hence we advise our trekkers for an easy and slow walk as we are gaining the high altitude within a short period.
Leaving Namrung, the trail leads us through barley fields, ethnic settlements and the picturesque village of Banham, Lihi, Sho, and Lho. Lihi and Sho are the traditional Tibetan villages in the Manaslu region.
Lho, is one of the largest villages decorated with lots of Buddhist prayers flags with a beautiful monastery and mani walls. In addition, the sight of gorgeous Simnang Himal (6251m), Ganesh Himal I, Manaslu, Kutang Himal, Phungi, Peak 29 and Himalchuli add some pleasant flavor to our today’s tough hike.
After long day haul ups and down walks, we reached Syala, a beautiful village surrounded by snowcapped mountains. Stay overnight at a local lodge in Syala.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We wake up, be fresh, have breakfast and walk up to Samagaun. Another 2 hours trek and the journey goes through a wooden bridge over Budi Gandaki River. Going forward the trail passes some houses and cultivated fields. We follow the right section of the Riverbank, with views of Peak 29 ahead. As we continue on the main trekking trail, we reach the first section of Sama Gaon, 3500m.
The trail also provides you the view of peaks like Naike peak, Manaslu north (7,774m) and Manaslu (8,150m) which will lessen your exhaustion. Overnight at the local lodge. We reach Sama Gompa, 20 minutes beyond the village called Samdo, near the Tibetan border.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Surrounded by mountains in a peaceful forest hideaway, we take an acclimatization day here and explore around and relax. Maybe you can catch up on that book you love so much or even do some washing, if not this then just contemplate on your lovely surroundings.
If you are interested you can hike up to Manaslu base camp which is about 7-8 hours or hike to Birendra Taal (4 hours hike), a turquoise lake at the foot of the Manaslu glacier. Overnight at Sama Gaon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The thundering Budi Gandaki trickles to a stream as we walk ahead to its upper course which seems to never end; hereabouts we are surrounded by spectacular mountains from all around.
Manaslu is particularly impressive after crossing over to the east bank of the River; we reach the last permanent settlement in the valley, which is called Samdo. The Village has well-established Tibetan refugee inhabitants. Overnight at Samdo.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After Samdo, we cross the stream, which runs down from the Gya La (Pass), way to Tibet. We come to the ruins of an abandoned village, known as Larkya Bazaar. Perhaps, this village must have been a trading point with Tibet lying over the Gya La at some time in the past. The local market seems to have dried up leading to the migration of the settlement near the Larkya Glacier; Climbing further, we arrive Dharmasala at 4460m, the teahouses have been built for travelers before they cross over the Larkya La. Overnight at a local Teahouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is a little adventurous and longer trek than before as we have to walk for about 9 hours passing an altitude of 5,106 meters. Our journey starts after we have our breakfast. The trail ascends towards Cho Chanda and then slowly goes steep up to the Larkya La pass which requires lots of strength and stamina.
After we reach the top, we can have a magnificent view of the snowy peaks of Himlung Himal (7,126m), Cheo Himal (6,820m), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6,981m), and the Annapurna II (7,937m) standing in front of us. After this, we descend to Bhimtang walking over steep paths. Overnight at the local lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Conquering heights and lengths, the trail today goes easy and normal. The trail to Dharapani drops further, through meadows, pine, and rhododendron forest until reaching Hampuk.
Moving forward, we Follow the course of Dudh Koshi River, and then the trail further drops down to Tilche and Thoche. Crossing the Marshyandi River, we reach the village of Dharapani. Overnight at the local lodges.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is an approximately 9 hour’s scenic drive to Kathmandu. In the first part, we take 4 hours off-road jeep drive to Besishar from Dharapani and then a further 5 hours bus drive to Kathmandu. We lunch out A la carte at a good roadside restaurant. After so long, we will drive back to Kathmandu by bus goes through Marshyangdi and Trishuli River.
You can observe the people and their lifestyles staying beside the highway. After we reach Kathmandu, you will be taken to your hotel. You can freshen up and enjoy an evening walk around Thamel.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Our office support staff will be on standby with a vehicle to take you to the airport for your connecting flight home. On the other hand, if you prefer to stay longer you can go for short tours such as game drives, some go-wild safaris at National parks, or maybe some white water rafting, there are mountain biking thrills or you can even get bolder & cross the border for some fantastic overland tours to Tibet.
Meals included: Breakfast
If our above-designed itinerary does not meet your expectation, we’ll craft an itinerary based on your requirements. Just tell us your holiday plan.
If you’d prefer to share this with your own group of friends, we’ve got good news, it’s also available as a Private Adventure!, Our Private Adventure specialists are on hand to give you a quote or talk through some different options. Feel free to give them a call on +9779843760242 or Email us at info@glorioushimalaya.com
We recently did manaslu circuit trek with this agency and they were very professional and trustworthy.
We visited naturally beautifull country Nepal from 12-28 may 2023. It was our fourth Nepal visit. Before this trek,we did EBC, ABC and Kanchenjungha trek.
Our 15 days Manaslu circuit journey was truly blessed and full of advanture. Due to the popurlity of this trail, flow of tourists was increasing. However, the trails were not as busy as like Everest and Annupurna base camp route.
We succifully completed our Manaslu journey with the support of our guide Buddhi and porter Naven.
Thank you team for your generous support during our Nepal visit. We will visit Nepal again.
Joseph S
Poland
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I recently had the pleasure of embarking on the Manaslu Circuit Trek organized by Glorious Himalaya, and I must say that the experience exceeded all my expectations. From start to finish, the entire journey was seamless, enjoyable, and truly unforgettable.
First and foremost, the pre-trip communication with Glorious Himalaya was excellent. Their team was prompt, informative, and always willing to address any queries or concerns I had. This level of professionalism instilled confidence in me right from the beginning.
Upon arriving in Kathmandu, I was warmly welcomed by the Glorious Himalaya team. The pre-trek briefing was thorough, providing me with all the necessary information about the trek, the route, and the cultural nuances of the region. The attention to detail was impressive, ensuring that I felt well-prepared and comfortable before setting out on the adventure.
The trek itself was nothing short of spectacular. The Manaslu Circuit offers breathtaking landscapes, diverse terrain, and a unique cultural experience. Our guide Prakash, provided by Glorious Himalaya, was not only knowledgeable about the trail but also passionate about sharing insights into the local culture, history, and natural surroundings. The entire trek was paced well, allowing for acclimatization and maximizing enjoyment.
Accommodations along the route were carefully selected, providing a mix of cozy tea houses and lodges that offered a genuine taste of Nepali hospitality. The meals provided were not only delicious but also catered to various dietary preferences, ensuring that everyone in the group was well-fed and energized for the trek ahead.
One aspect that stood out was the emphasis on safety. Glorious Himalaya took all necessary precautions to ensure the well-being of the trekkers. The support staff was well-trained, and there was a clear emergency plan in place, giving me peace of mind throughout the journey.
In conclusion, I can wholeheartedly recommend Glorious Himalaya for organizing the Manaslu Circuit Trek or any other trekking adventure in the region. Their commitment to customer satisfaction, attention to detail, and passion for providing an authentic Himalayan experience truly set them apart. My Manaslu Circuit Trek with Glorious Himalaya was a life-changing experience, and I am grateful for the memories created and the friendships forged along the way. Thank you, Glorious Himalaya, for making this journey truly glorious!
Visited Date: October 2023
Ivan
Australia