Manaslu Circuit Trek

15 Days

starting from $1300

$ 1100

5 / 5

based on 13 Reviews

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

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  • Well Crafted Itinerary
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Manaslu Circuit Trek: Highlight

  • Explore the ancient and beautiful Manaslu region in the central Himalayas
  • Cross the amazing Larkya-La pass at 5100m altitude
  • Remote, off-the-beaten-path trek that is less crowded
  • The extreme beauty of forests, rivers, valleys, and flora
  • Stunning views of some of the highest mountains in the world, Manaslu and Annapurna
  • Explore old trade routes nearby the Tibetan Border
  • Immerse yourself in the Tibetan-Nepalese culture and lifestyle

Manaslu Circuit Trek: Overview

This is a characteristic outing of the real Manaslu Circuit Trek with fabulous scenery from the beginning to its conclusion. A well-designed program for great acclimatization with one rest/acclimatization day before breaking through the Larkya La front…

The Manaslu circuit trek is one of the finest remote treks in Nepal. It is a relatively new trekking circuit and the most challenging outdoors across the Manaslu region where the trail remains peaceful and breathtaking mountain views can be seen all around. Most trekkers visiting Nepal are generally attracted to the profitable routes of either the Everest or the Annapurna region but the Manaslu circuit trek is in a league of its own in comparison…

Manaslu region has opened for trekkers since 1991. It takes backpackers near the Tibetan border, which is why this trek requires special trekking permits. This trek circles around the impressive Mt Manaslu at (8156m) which is the eighth highest peak in the world. The trek offers diverse wildlife and lush green vegetation in this area along with prehistoric culture and traditions experienced in this unique region.

Manaslu round trekking is a little bit difficult over the Larkya La pass from where the altitude rises from 5106m above sea level. Going down from the Larkya pass is easier. But you will be away from this because of our carefully trained crew and their experience of a decade. The Manaslu trek can also be done by camping or you can also bunk out in teahouse lodges which are the best way to explore local lifestyles and culture along the trails.

Summary of the Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary 

After your brief tour of Kathmandu, you will be driven the next day to the trailhead at Machha Khola. A bus or a private jeep can be arranged. Staying overnight at Machha Khola, the trekking officially begins as we move towards Jagat and onwards to the villages of 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 meals and staying overnight at basic teahouses. As we finish the trek at Dharapani, we get a drive back to Kathmandu via Besisahar

Best Trekking Season for Manaslu Circuit Trek:

Every season has its essence and ambiance. From the empty, snowy trails in winter to the, milder, greener days of autumn, we can have both pros and cons. Hence, the best seasons are autumn and spring to be in the Manaslu Circuit. Mainly, we have to be aware of the rainy and extremely cold seasons.

Either side of late May to mid-September the Monsoon season is a perfect time a lot. Late September-November and March-May are the major trekking months with good stable conditions, fair visibility, and tolerable temperature in mountain regions. It might get up to about -6°C to -10°C. At Manaslu Base Camp, there is a high probability of encountering with groups of climbers in late April or early May preparing for their attempts on Manaslu. During late Nov-Feb are extremely cold, around -15°C by day and much colder at night, clear skies can be seen and captured accordingly. In this season it is quieter. Trails and tea houses ease the exhilarating feeling of wild and unadulterated isolation to some extent. 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.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Map

15_Days_Manaslu_Circuit_trek_route_map

Itinerary

01 DAY

Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. (1400m)

Airport-in-Kathmandu-Nepal

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

02 DAY

Kathmandu sightseeing tour and trip preparation

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

03 DAY

Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (900m) - 8hrs drive

Arughat bridge

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

04 DAY

Trek to Jagat (1370m) - 6 hrs walk

Trek to Jagat from Machha Khola

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

05 DAY

Trek to Deng (2095m) - 8 hrs walk

Trek to Deng

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

06 DAY

Trek to Namrung (2630m) - 6 hrs walk

Deng village

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

07 DAY

Trek to Syala (3500m) - 6 hrs trek

Lho village

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

08 DAY

Trek to Samagaun (3530m) - 2 hrs walk

Samagau village

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

09 DAY

Acclimatization: Samagaun Exploration Day

Birendra Lake, Manaslu

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

10 DAY

Samagaun to Samdo (3850m) - 4 hrs walk

Trek to Samdo village

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

11 DAY

Trek to Dharmasala (4,460m) - 4 hrs walk

Trek to Dharamsala

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

12 DAY

Trek To Bhimtang (3,950m) via Larkya La (5,106m) - 8/9 hrs walk

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

13 DAY

Trek to Dharapani (1680m) - 7/8 hrs walk

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

14 DAY

Drive back to Kathmandu (1400m) - 11 hrs drive

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

15 DAY

Departure Day

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

Trip Includes

  • Airport pick-ups and drop-offs by private vehicle.
  • Nepalese cuisine welcomes dinner at a typical restaurant with a cultural show.
  • 3 nights of 3-star standard hotel accommodation in Kathmandu city inclusive breakfast.
  • 11 nights of twin sharing local lodges accommodation while on the trek.
  • 1 day Kathmandu sightseeing tour guided by a city tour guide with private transport.
  • Meals on full board while on the trek. (14 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches & 13 Dinners)
  • All the essential trekking permits and official paperwork for the trek. (Manaslu region is a restricted zone and it requires a special trekking permit from Nepal immigration.)
  • An experienced and government-certified trekking guide for the trek.
  • Supporting porters to carry your belongings during the trek. (1 porter for 2 guests)
  • All our trekking staff has accidental insurance, salary, meals, accommodations, and transport.
  • All the required long rage ground transports by local jeeps and buses.
  • Waterproof duffel bag and sleeping bag to use for the trek. (provided on request)
  • First aid medicine with an oximeter to check your pulse and oxygen level while on the trek.
  • Trip achievement certificate after the successful trip completion.
  • All government taxes and company service charges.

Trip Exclude

  • Nepal entry visa and international flights
  • Your travel insurance.
  • Your personal expenses such as hot shower, charging, use of WIFI while on the trek.
  • Entrance fees for Kathmandu sightseeing.
  • Tips to the guide and porters.

Book Your Own Date

Choose a Private Trip

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

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How difficult is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

For those without previous trekking experience and who are not physically fit, the Manaslu Circuit Trek will be difficult. If you have gone on a few longer treks already and have good stamina, you should not face too much difficulty on the trek. The trail has numerous ascents and descents and sometimes the climb is quite steep. You will need to walk through rocky, wild trails as well so proper knee strength is needed as well. Mental strength is also crucial to pushing yourself to complete the trek, although the scenery should help with developing that.

2. How many days does it take to complete this trek?

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a long trek and itineraries can range from 12 to 16 days. The total distance covered is around 177 kilometers on average. Acclimatization days are included in the trek and are crucial to avoid high altitudes making the trek slightly longer in duration.

 

3. Where is the starting and ending point of this trek?

According to our itinerary, the Manaslu Circuit Trek starts with a 9-hour drive to Machha Khola from Kathmandu. The walking begins from here. The Ending point is at Dharapani after crossing the Larkya La pass and we drive from here back to Kathmandu in around 9 hours. Therefore, our starting point is Machha Khola and the ending point of this trek is Dharapani.

 

4. Why this trek is speicial among the other treks of Nepal?

While many treks in Nepal are base camp treks which are one-way, circuit treks take you on a circuit around Mt. Manaslu. It is one of the most remote treks in Nepal giving a true taste of rural Nepal. The trek also takes you near the Tibetan border and villages where you get to see the Himalayan way of life. The circuit gives you sights of more than 10 peaks larger than 6500 meters and many among them over 7000m in altitude. The trek is comparatively less crowded than the more popular Annapurna Circuit trek making for a more relaxed experience. The experience of the religion and cultural background of the Tsum and Nubri people are also what make this one of the more special treks in Nepal.

 

5. When should I plan the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

As mentioned earlier, Spring and Autumn Seasons are the best to experience the true beauty of the Manaslu Circuit trek. Summer can bring with it showers and monsoon is an impossibility Early and late winter seasons during early December and Late February are also acceptable seasons for the trek. You might want to factor in the fact that during the major trekking seasons the trail is busier than normal also.

 

6. How to prepare for Manaslu circuit trek?

If you want to be physically ready for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, you should train for long periods of walking and focus on increasing your stamina (7-8 hours minimum per day). Strengthening your core and boosting your stamina, cardio exercises like cycling, running, and swimming are fantastic. To better prepare for your trip, you can also start going to the gym and developing a workout routine. Take long walks and hikes on a regular basis. You can start at least two months before the trek to get ready adequately.

 

7. Is Wifi and Mobile Network available on this trek?

Some larger villages have wifi on this trek. Samagaun and Samdo might have wifi at added cost, however, they may not be reliable to use. Only around 50% of the Manaslu trail has mobile network availability and Nepal Telecom Sims are much better on the trail than Ncell sims.

The major villages will have access to mobile networks.

 

 

8. Do I need insurance for this trek?

For the Manaslu Circuit Trek, having travel insurance is a must. Medical expenses and emergency air evacuation up to 6,000 meters in altitude should be covered by your travel insurance. There are only a handful of outposts of medical care and no major medical facilities.

Your travel insurance policy is your only source of immediate medical care should an accident occur during the trip. You can get insurance that covers other essentials like flight cancellations, luggage insurance, and others as a package as well.

 

 

9. Is the trip customizable?

Glorious Himalaya offers full customization for the trek and we will help you come up with a tailor-made itinerary that works for your budget, time and wishes as far as possible. You can write us at info@glorioushimalaya.com directly for the customization.

 

 

10. What kinds of accommodations are available on this trek?

Most of the accommodation on the trek is done in teahouses or basic lodges. Most rooms are small with at least double beds and most places only have common washrooms. You are recommended to carry a sleeping bag to ensure warmth and good sleep. If you don’t have sleeping bag, we will provide it for you. Camping can also be done.

 

 

11. Should I be worried about altitude sickness on this trek?

Acute Mountain Sickness is a possibility whenever you go above 3500m in altitude. Headaches, fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath are common symptoms and you may experience mild symptoms whenever you reach a higher altitude location. If symptoms appear and become more intense, you will need to be taken to a lower altitude and get acclimatized. You will have to be honest with your guide such that they help you identify the issue and take appropriate steps accordingly. Confusion is one of the more severe symptoms of mountain sickness. So while there is definitely a possibility of AMS, we have allocated acclimatization days to help prevent this and your guide will take note and will advise accordingly on this.

 

 

12. What permits do I need to go to Manaslu?

You will need 3 permits along with a TIMS card for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Most importantly, you also need a Restricted Area Permit of Manaslu Conservation Area Project Permit (special trekking permit), and an Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP). You will also need a Tourist Information Management System (TIMS) card.

 

 

13. Can the trek be done solo?

You can’t hike the Manaslu Circuit alone or without a hiring guide. The restricted area permit cannot be obtained through an independent guide. Two hikers, a guide, and a porter must comply with the regulations. Only a trekking agency officially recognized by the Nepali government can assist you in acquiring the required trekking permits for the Manaslu circuit trek.

 

 

 

14. Is supplemental oxygen required on the trek?

No, supplemental oxygen will not be required on the trek as we will only be reaching a maximum of 5200m altitude. And we crafted our Manaslu circuit trek itinerary with enough acclimatization days. Supplementary oxygen is required only for Manaslu expedition that goes up to 8000 meters above.

Our guide will have an oximeter to check the oxygen level in your body; if your oxygen level is low we will take you down certainly so that you can gain the oxygen. Since 2010, we are operating this trek for hundreds of trekkers and we haven’t experienced such things before.

 

 

15. What kind of foods available on this trek?

In the mountain regions, teahouses have a limited menu offering continental, Indian and Nepalese food including Dal Bhat, Noodles, Momos and others. There are teahouses that offer a wider variety of food like pizza, dumplings, pasta, muesli, porridge, bread, eggs, soups, pancakes, spaghetti and others. We recommend full hot meals to power your treks. Vegetarian food is recommended as meat is difficult to keep fresh in the mountains and they may not be the best prepared. While vegetables are organic that is grown at home.

 

 

16. What about drinking water on this trek?

Mineral bottled water can be found along the trek but a liter can cost upwards of NRs 200. Therefore, water purification tablets are recommended to use so that you can refill your water bottle from the tap or at the teahouses. Guides and other locals drink tap water without issue as water is relatively cleaner in the mountains. Remember to drink plenty of water while walking to prevent dehydration and altitude sickness symptoms.

 

 

17. What do I pack for the Manaslu Circuit Trip?

 

Your gear is very important on a trek. So having the right kind of quality gear is extremely necessary to make your trip comfortable and successful. Hence, invest in quality gear that will last for many more treks. The following list includes some of the important things you will need:

  1. Backpack
  2. Trekking Bag with Rain Cover
  3. Waterproof hiking Boots
  4. Sandals or easy flip-flops
  5. Trekking Poles
  6. Heal lamp
  7. Crampon
  8. Warm Woolen Socks
  9. Liner socks

Please visit our The Ultimate Nepal trekking gear pack list page for details information about it.

The Ultimate Nepal Trekking Packing List Essentials

 

Read More FAQs

Traveller’s Review


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.

erik P Nbg Yj4YI unsplash

Joseph S
Poland

Embarked on Manaslu Circuit trek organized by Glorious Himalaya Company was an exhilarating experience. The breathtaking landscapes and challenging trails provided an adrenaline rush for advanture enthusiasts. The knowledgeable guide Arbind ensured our safety and shared intriguing insights about the local culture. Despite the physically demanding journey, the sense of accomplishment at reaching the summit was truly unforgettable. Thank you team for the remarkable journey and would like to recommend Glorious Himalaya team for any kinds of adventure activities in Nepal.
Good luck guys.

erik 7zK053 IvUA unsplash

Tomasz M
Japan

15 Days starting from $1300

$ 1100

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