Manaslu Circuit Trek

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At a Glance

Destination
Nepal
Durations
15 days
Trip Difficulty
Strenuous
Activities
Trekking
Accommodation
Hotel/Guesthouse
Meals
Inclusive
Mx.altitude
5106m.
Group Size
Min. 2 Pax
Best Time
March - May & Sept - Nov

Trip Overview

Do off-beaten paths and silent terrains excite you? If it does, you need to check out the Manaslu Circuit Trek! The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a wonder; it’s adventurous and will delight you!

The Manaslu Region is a region filled with wonders. Firstly, the most interesting feature is the Manaslu Conservation Area. The area is home to several endangered animals, along with a vast majority of flora. Undoubtedly, this region is a perfect destination for nature lovers and those who love exploring the wild.

Additionally, the trekking route unfolds the amazing landscapes that cover most of the region. Throughout the way, you’ll be mesmerized by lush forests, alpine meadows, lakes, and high mountain passes. The notable natural features are the Budhi Gandaki River, Larkya La Pass and the views of the stunning peaks of Mt Manaslu, Himlung Himal, Ganesh Himal, and also Annapurna II. The trek also takes you to the base camp of Mt Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world.

Highlights of Manaslu Circuit Trek

Explore the beautiful valley of Kathmandu and visit the UNESCO world heritage sites- Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
The trek takes you through various landscapes, from lush green forests to rugged mountain terrain, with glaciers, rivers, and waterfalls.
Walk through suspension bridges to cross the Budhi Gandaki River.
Admire the wilderness of the Manaslu Conservation Area.
Step in the area, home to 2,000 species of plants, 201 types of birds, and 11 types of butterflies. Also, you can look at musk deer, blue sheep, Himalayan serow, golden eagle, snow partridge, and many others.
The trek offers breathtaking views of Mt. Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world, and other surrounding peaks such as Himlung Himal, Ganesh Himal, and Annapurna II.
Pass through many small traditional villages inhabited by people from different ethnic groups, such as the Gurungs, Tibetans, and Tamangs. You can experience their unique cultures, lifestyles, and traditions.
Remote and off-the-beaten-path: Unlike other popular treks in Nepal, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is relatively less crowded and offers a more authentic and adventurous experience.

Route Overview

Let’s look at the route of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

The trip begins upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. He’ll hold a Nepal Hiking Team display board and escort you to the hotel.

Then, we’ll take you on a sightseeing trip the other day. You’ll be taken to Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Swayambhunath Stupa. After that, we start the journey with a drive from Kathmandu to Jagat.

The trek then starts from Maccha Khola to Jagat, Deng, Namrung, Lho Gaun, and then Samagaon. Throughout the trail, you’ll get to see small mani walls and chortens, which are engraved with Buddhist prayers and decorated with prayer flags.

Then, there is an acclimatization day at Samagaun. At Samagaun, we’ll take a short hike to Manaslu Base Camp, which is situated at 4750m. After acclimatizing, we’ll continue making our way to Samdo. Then, we halt at Samdo and then head to Dharmasala. Crossing Larkya La Pass, we’ll now reach Bhimtang and stay there for the night.

After resting for the night, we’ll make our way towards Goa, and then trek to Tilike. From Tilije, we’ll take a drive to Kathmandu marking the end of the trek.

When is the best time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Before booking the trek, let’s discuss the best time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

The most favorable time for the trek is on any dates in March-May and September- November. The hikers will enjoy the trek to the fullest in these mentioned months. But why? Because these months lie in Spring and Autumn, considered the best seasons for trekking.

The monsoon and winter seasons are not advised for trekking in the Manaslu region. The weather conditions will not be favorable with heavy rainfall and snowfall. This leads to high chances or risks of injuries.

Hence, we advise you to choose only the best time for the trek.

Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek difficult?

Yes, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is graded as a challenging trek. The walking distance, terrains, and altitude level all contribute to the difficulty level of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

On average, you’ll walk for approximately 6-7 hours daily through roughed terrains mixed with steep uphill and downhill. These paths are rocky and rugged and can be difficult to cross.

The second factor is the altitude level. The maximum altitude level is 5,106m. There is a greater risk of altitude sickness at this level. For this reason, we have prepared the itinerary with enough acclimatization days to help your body acclimatize to the altitude.

Here is how you can train yourself-

Join the gym for strength training.
Includes HIIT training.
Involve cardio in your daily routine like walking, running, and jogging.

Moreover, our trekking guides are highly trained and well-experienced to make sure your trek goes smoothly.

Alternate Treks

Do you want to look for more alternative treks in the Manaslu region? If you do, we have some recommendations for you

Firstly, we have the Manaslu Circuit Trek, which consists of a 14-day trek. It follows the same route as the 15-day Manaslu Circuit Trek package with only one exception. The 14-day package does not include a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. Besides that, these packages follow the same route.

Secondly, if you are looking for a package with longer trekking days, then you can check out the Tsum Valley with Manaslu Trek, which lasts for 20 days. Likewise, this package also stands out as there is more touch to the Buddhist culture and also trek to Tsum Valley in the route which you’ll traverse on this journey.

Overall, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is an unforgettable adventure that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure. If you are interested in this trek, do send us an inquiry and book the trip now!

Itinerary

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Day 01:
Arrival At Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
Day 02:
Trek Preparation/Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour
This day is completely set for the tour of the UNESCO sites of Kathmandu.

These sites are Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath Stupa. You’ll be roaming around with a guide who will explain Nepal’s culture and traditions in a simplified manner.

You will spend your whole day in this sightseeing and later will be dropped off at the hotel again.

Overnight at the Hotel, breakfast included.
Day 03:
Drive to Machha Khola (900m/2952ft): Distance: 160 Km, Duration: 9 Hours
Your guide will arrive at your hotel at around 8 AM this morning to pick you up. You'll be heading to Machha Khola, and the first leg of the journey will take approximately five hours. You'll travel along a smooth and paved road, and in that time, you'll reach Tari Bensi, which is about 115 km away.

As you travel away from Tari Besi, the road becomes increasingly uneven and rugged until you reach Machha Khola.

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 04:
Machha Khola To Jagat (1340m/4395ft); Walking Distance: 22 Km, Duration: 7-8 Hours
After breakfast, you'll embark on a hike from Machha Khola that will take you through a mix of uphill and downhill terrain until you reach the village of Khorlabesi. Once you pass through Khorlabesi, you'll arrive at the popular and busy Tatopani, which is home to numerous teahouses. Continuing on, you'll follow a forested ridge for a brief period before crossing a suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River; then, Dovan, we may stop for lunch here. This portion of the journey will take you through a dense jungle, and you may encounter mules along the way.

As you ascend, you will observe a significant transformation in the scenery.

Overnight stay at the guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 05:
Jagat To Deng (2095m/6871ft); Walking Distance: 20 Km, Duration: 8-9 Hours
On this day, you’ll come across several villages. Firstly, you will climb a valley and reach Sirdibas village. Here, you can enjoy the peak of the Shringi Himal ranges. The next village you’ll reach is Philim. Look out for the terraced fields here. Continue walking to Chisapani, where we usually stop for lunch.

Most of the villagers belong to Tibetan local villagers whose main occupations are agriculture and animal husbandry, such as barley and maize as crops and oats and nuts as fruits.

Later, you’ll trek through the village of Pewa and continue through the valley, passing a small campsite before finally reaching today’s destination, a small town: Deng.

Overnight stay at the guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 06:
Deng To Namrung (2900m/9512ft); Walking Distance: 19.5 Km, Duration: 7-8 Hours
You’ll start an early hike from Deng, crossing the river and ascending the hill. As the trail continues, you’ll see mani stones in the small villages along the path.

Each stone with a Buddhist mantra, indicating that you’re entering a Tibetan culture-influenced region. The villages we pass by today are Rana Gaun, Bihi Phedi, Ghap, Ghapsya, etc. Enjoy the typical villages and lifestyle.

The trail continues along the dense forests with sounds of insects and mules. After some hours, you’ll reach Namrung.

Overnight stay at the guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 07:
Namrung to Lho Gaun (3180m/10430ft); Walking Distance: 10.5 Km, Duration: 4-5 Hours
The hike today will bless you with the magnificent sight of the mountains, including Himalchuli, Shring Range, Mt. Manaslu, etc. We trek via Lihi and Sho Gaun.

Finally, a long stone Mani wall will mark your presence in the village of Lo Gaun. Today we make a lunch camp as a short hike. Afternoon you may hike to Ribung Gompa.

Overnight stay at the guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 08:
Lho Gaun to Samagaon (3520m/11550ft); Walking Distance: 8.1 Km, Duration: 4-5 Hours
Day 09:
Acclimatization Day At Samagaun
Today you will spend the day acclimatization at Samagaun. If you like to hike a whole day for acclimatization, you will head for the Manaslu Base Camp (4800m). This round trip can be completed in about 7-8 hours. If you opt for the half-day walk, you can go to the glacier across the valley or Birendra Tal. You will get back to Samagaun for the night.

Overnight stay at the guesthouses.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 10:
Trek to Samdo (3875m/12710ft); Walking Distance: 8.00 Km, Duration: 4-5 Hours
Day 11:
Samdo To Dharmasala (4460m/14630ft); Walking Distance: 11.5 Km, Duration: 4-5 Hours
Once you finish breakfast in Samdo, you'll encounter a Tibetan market called Larke Bazaar that operates during certain seasons.

Then, you'll descend to the Budi Gandaki River and cross a wooden bridge, followed by a walk up that includes crossing two streams while enjoying the stunning scenery of the Larkya Glacier. You'll then go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up once more until you reach Dharamsala, which is also known as Larke Phedi. Tomorrow, you will be getting ready for the big and strenuous day: A climb to the Larke – La pass.

Overnight stay at the guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 12:
Dharmasala to Bhimtang (3590m/11750ft) Via Larkya La Pass (5,106m/16750ft); Walking Distance: 24.5 Km, Duration: 8-9 Hours
Today is going to be a long day. Leaving Dharmasala, you will gradually climb towards Cho Chanda and further up to the Larkya La Pass.

The sight of Himlung Himal (7126 meters), Cheo Himal (6820 meters), Gyagi Kung, Kang Koru (6981 meters), and Annapurna II (7937 meters) are remarkable from the pass. Walking along the steppe, you will reach Bhimtang for the night.

Overnight stay at the guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 13:
Bhimtang to Goa (2515m/8250 Ft); Walking Distance: 19 Km, Duration: 6-7 Hours
After a good sleep, you’ll rise to the amazing sunrise views of Manaslu, Cheo Himal, and Lamjung Himal.

You’ll start today’s hike by descending through vast pastures to the riverbed of the Dudh Khola. Cross the river on a wooden bridge; the trail soon begins to climb alongside terraced paddies before reaching Kharche.

This mountain pass is perhaps not quite as spectacular as Larkya La, but it affords excellent views of the path you’ll soon be taking. You can see the Marsyangdi River winding through a forested valley far below.

Overnight at a guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner today are included.
Day 14:
Trek to Tilije (2300m) 1.5 Hours Walk and Drive to Kathmandu. Distance 215 Km, Duration: 10 Hours
Day 15:
Tour Ends/Departure

If the above itinerary does not meet your needs, we can design individualized travel plans based on your preference and specification.

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Cost Includes

All ground transportation by private vehicle including airport transfers
Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
Kathmandu city tours including all entry fees, tour guide, and private vehicle
Full board meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek
One highly experienced, helpful, and friendly guide, porter (1 porter for 2 people), and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and accidental insurance for all staff
Manaslu trekking special permit fee (Manaslu region is in a restricted zone, we need a special permit to visit this area)
TIMS Fee- Trekkers' Information Management System (Please bring 2 passport size photos for permit)
Annapurna and Manaslu conservation fees
First aid medical kit with the provision of an Oximeter to monitor oxygen level and heartbeat
Government taxes and office service charge

Cost Excludes

Meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the itinerary'
Travel Insurance
International airfare
Nepal entry visa.
Drinks coke, Fanta, juice, water, etc.
snacks and other personal expenses
Hot shower during the trek
Personal trekking equipment
Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers

Cost and Date

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Travellers‘ reviews

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Audience rating summary

5.003 ratings

Incredible adventure on the Manaslu Circuit
Posted on Nov 22 | Trip Advisor Review

We completed the 15-day Manaslu Circuit trek with Nepal Hiking Team in late November 2022.

The scenery of the Manaslu region is stunning and far more beautiful than we had imagined. The weather was excellent! It did get cold but we had blue sky every day and no rain. There were three of us in our group and we only bumped into a few people along the trail. It was incredibly serene and this was a big reason we chose the Manaslu Circuit over Annapurna. We started our trek with a long drive to Machha Khola (which avoided some road sections if we had started in Soti Khola) and finished in Dharapani. In total, we did ten days of actual trekking which was really enjoyable.

Our guide was Ram and porters Namaraj, Sabin and Samir. They were all very professional, capable and polite. They made sure we had a good experience. It’s not the sort of trek where you are provided with lots of information about Nepal along the way, but Ram was always happy to answer questions and share information when we asked. Prior to departing on the trek Ganga had organised a day tour around Kathmandu where we learned about Nepalese culture and it’s well worth doing.

We were impressed by the communication and organisation of NHT during the booking process and our actual trip. Ganga was extremely helpful in answering all our questions and also assisted us to tailor our itinerary as we wanted to travel to Bandipur and Chitwan after the trek. We were collected from the airport we met Ganga and our guide the day before the trek which was nice. He even organised our transport back to Kathmandu airport a good two weeks after we finished the trek which we hadn’t expected but really appreciated.

We were happy with the accomodation before the trek (Woodapple Hotel) and we chose to stay there where we returned to Kathmandu. On the trek you stay in tea houses. The quality of tea houses on the trek varied but for the most part were very nice. We enjoyed most of the food, it’s best to eat the vegetarian Nepalese/ local options rather than western choices - they are delicious, especially the Dahl baht and momos. Our favourite tea houses were in Namrung, Lho and Samdo (the hot shower at Samdo for 500 baht was money well spent) and our least favourite were Samagaun (a shame as you spend two nights there) and Dharamasla. You won’t get much cell/wifi coverage (which is quite nice) but you can buy a warmish shower at most tea houses for between 250 and 500 rupee. We brought our own warm sleeping bags and pillows which we appreciated as the cleanliness of extra blankets and pillows in tea houses was often lacking (Nepal Hiking Team can also supply a sleeping bag and down jacket but we chose to bring our own).

Overall we loved our experience. We would be happy to book with Nepal Hiking Team again and 100% recommend the Manaslu Circuit as an incredible adventure.

Tips: I’d suggest bringing your own food (eg that you can add hot water to) for the tea house at Dharamasla as it was extremely basic and you don’t want to risk food poisoning the night before the Pass. Biodegradable wet wipes, toilet paper, a life straw, water sanitation tablets and plenty of hand sanitiser are also suggested! Drink lots of water to help with acclimatisation.
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J
- Excellent
Ms. Jules
AU | 19th Dec 2022
Manaslu Circuit Trek with Nepal Hiking Team
We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Nepal Hiking Team. They were very professional and helpful from the first email enquiry sent to them. Every question we had was answered promptly and courteously.

We missed our connecting flight from Kuala Lumpur through to Kathmandu, and were delayed by a full day. Ganga and his team rescheduled our trip without any problem to us at all. They were amazing. Every time we ended a trek we were met by Ganga, regardless of the time of day.

The guide we had for our Kathmandu tour, was extremely knowledgeable and informative and there were certainly a lot of interesting things to see and do in Kathmandu.

We then proceeded on our Manaslu Circuit Trek with our guide Bim and our 3 porters. I can't recommend Nepal Hiking Team highly enough. The guides and porters were informative, helpful, observant, and fun as well. The trek was definitely an experience of a lifetime; I would highly recommend it. The Larkya La Pass was at times strenuous, but Bim and our porters made sure that we were safe, had no altitude sickness and we were able to complete this challenging feat.

After our Manaslu Circuit trek, we spent a day traveling back to Kathmandu and then headed off to our Everest Panorama Trek. Once again, Bim our guide accompanied us, we certainly could not have negotiated our way through the ticketing and confusion of Kathmandu airport and upon our arrival we were greeted by our new porters. Our trek in the Everest region was wonderful, although more touristy than Manaslu.

The efforts of our guide and porters were definitely appreciated, they certainly helped in every way that they could, even helping us sterilize water through a mechanical filter. They were very flexible with our accommodation and every request however small was accommodated with a smile. Our guide was an experienced trekker, had a really great sense of humor, and an in depth knowledge of the areas that we were trekking in.

Nepal Hiking Team come with my very highest recommendation.
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M
- Excellent
Mr. Meredith Thurstans
AU | 20th Apr 2020
Unforgettable Manaslu Trekking thanks to NHT
My wife and I cannot thank enough the team and members of Nepal Hiking Team for one of the best treks and fun times we had! From the first contact till the last farewell at the airport, everything was just so comfortable and amazing. The manager of the agency- Mr. Ganga, was precise and fast with the services, and great at solving any problems on the spot. He was always in contact with us throughout the trip, and made everything so easy by sharing lots of ideas. But the most praise that the agency deserves is on the aspect when my wife got sick during trekking. Mr. Ganga and our guide- Gokarna, acted fast and showed proper care and attention. They arranged a helicopter pick up, which arrived fast, and when my wife and I arrived in Kathmandu- Mr. Ganga was there waiting with the ambulance to take her to the hospital. It is my belief that only once you get sick and need help, that is the time you learn weather or not you are with a good travel agency or not, and surely we had the very best!

Furthermore, the whole Manaslu Trek (beside my wife getting sick), was just as fantastic and lovely- thanks to our trusted guide Gokarna and the porters that we had. Gokarna was extremely helpful and made sure that we were comfortable all along the way at all times. Our porters were also simply the best- always smiling and cheery and happy to be there with us. Gokarna as well as the guide were really the ones who added a touch of homeliness to the trip, and made us feel like we made the right choice going with Nepal Hiking Team. It was a great and unforgettable trip that I would definitely recommend and go with again myself in the future. The attentiveness and the care that we were shown and the services we received were nothing short of the best!

Nepal Hiking Team is a company that really shows their care and concern for the customers in the services that they provide and the treatment of the customers like family rather than just paying tenants. My experience with them was a heartfelt experience and both me and my wife are thankful to everyone at the company for making us really enjoy our stay and for giving us the help when my wife got sick. All in all, Nepal Hiking Team is the #1 Travel Agency in Nepal
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M
- Excellent
Mr. Martin Van Lonkhuijzen
NL | 11th May 2018

Manaslu Circuit Trek - Itinerary

Day01 Arrival At Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu

You’ll arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, on this day. Our representatives from Nepal Hiking Team will welcome and assist you at the hotel.

Upon reaching the hotel, you can either rest or roam around the city. Your guide will brief you about the activities of the next day.

Day02 Trek Preparation/Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour

This day is completely set for the tour of the UNESCO sites of Kathmandu.

These sites are Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath Stupa. You’ll be roaming around with a guide who will explain Nepal’s culture and traditions in a simplified manner.

You will spend your whole day in this sightseeing and later will be dropped off at the hotel again.

Overnight at the Hotel, breakfast included.

Day03 Drive to Machha Khola (900m/2952ft): Distance: 160 Km, Duration: 9 Hours

Your guide will arrive at your hotel at around 8 AM this morning to pick you up. You'll be heading to Machha Khola, and the first leg of the journey will take approximately five hours. You'll travel along a smooth and paved road, and in that time, you'll reach Tari Bensi, which is about 115 km away.

As you travel away from Tari Besi, the road becomes increasingly uneven and rugged until you reach Machha Khola.

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse.