Manaslu Circuit Trek
Trip Overview
Trip at-a- Glance
- Country: Nepal
- Trip grade: Moderate
- Destination: Nepal
- Activities: Nepal Trekking
- Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu and tea houses during the trek
- Meals: Breakfast in Kathmandu and 3 meals during the trek
- Maximum altitude: 5213m
- Group size: 1-12
- Best Season: Spring and autumn
Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the less trodden trekking trails, located in the western part of Nepal. Manaslu literally has the meaning of the “Spirit-Mountain or Ghost-Mountain”. It is believed that the strong and kindhearted deity dwells here secretly in its territory. Mt. Manaslu is the eighth highest peak of the world with a height of 8163m. This Manaslu Circuit Trek was opened for trekking only in 1992 A.D. Though it was opened, still, most of the areas are restricted to explore. The trekking to any mountains is delightful, but Manaslu Circuit Trekking being untouched and less explored regions, it is more daring and interesting to do trekking in Manaslu Circuit. Only a few trekkers dare to venture into this sublime region of Nepal. The trekkers can enjoy the amazing heart-pounding views of the Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Chuli, Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, Annapurna II, Larkya Himal, etc. passing through the meadows, small villages and the waterfalls.
Manaslu Circuit Trek is famous for the Larkya La pass (5420m) which is considered the best vintage point for the scenic views. This is also the ancient trading route for the salt, linking the Budhi Gandaki and the Marshyangdi valley. This trek is easily accessible from Capital city, Kathmandu. The starting point of the Manaslu circuit is Soti Khola and the ending point is Syange. The wilderness of the Manaslu circuit offers to explore and enjoy the natural and cultural diversities in the amazing geography of Manaslu. The experience in the tea houses, friendliness of the local people, the varieties of food items, the high altitude lakes, the unique floras and faunas, the Buddhist monasteries, chorten, mani walls, the challenging rocky – stony roads and the serene environment, is simply unusual. The better time to travel in Manaslu Circuit is usually during March-May (Spring) and September to December (Autumn).
Manaslu circuit Trek is considered a genuine adventure and the best holiday package in Nepal. No doubt, the incomparable natural beauty, the fascinating cultural heritage, the unique biological diversity and the heart-touching views of the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna ranges are the main attractions of Manaslu region. Since the level of Manaslu Circuit Trek is difficult, the trekker should be fit and has the physical endurance to walk about 7 – 8 hours every day. Cardiovascular fitness is the must as the Manaslu Circuit is located at the higher altitude. The remote and isolated Manaslu Circuit Trek is now becoming a well-established tourist spot but due to the earthquake of 2015, this Manaslu region was severely affected. Reconstructions work for the teahouses and lodges has been speeding up. Camping is not required for the accommodation but nowadays, camping is usually even done for the entertainment and different experience. Step On Himalaya helps you to enjoy this striking adventure in the Manaslu Circuit.
Itinerary
Day 1: Day 01: Arrival in Tribhuwan International Airport [1,300m/4,264 ft]
Day 2: Day 02: Sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu valley with Preparation of Trek
Day 3: Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu – Arughat – Soti Khola [710m/2328 ft] : 8 – 9 hours
Day 4: Day 04: Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola [900m/2952ft] : 6 – 7 hours
Day 5: Day 05: Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat [1410m/ 4625 ft]: 6 – 7 hours
Day 6: Day 06: Trek from Jagat - Deng [1,804m/5917 ft]: 6 – 7 hours
Day 7: Day 07: Trek from Deng - Namrung [2630m/8626ft]: 6 – 7 hours
Day 8: Day 08: Trek from Namrung – Samagaon [3530m/11,578 ft]: 6 – 7 hours
Day 9: Day 09: Trek from Samagaon - Pungyen gompa - Samagaon: 6 – 7 hours
Day 10: Day 10: Trek from Samagaon - Samdo [3860m/12,660 ft]: 4 – 5 hours
Day 11: Day 11: Trek from Samdo – Dharamshala/Larkya B. C. [4460m/14, 628 ft]: 4 – 5 hours
Day 12: Day 12: Trek from Dharamsala – Larkya la [5160m/16, 924 ft] – Bimthang [3720m/12, 201 ft]: 8 – 9 hours
Day 13: Day 13: Trek from Bimthang - Tilije [2300m/7544ft]: 5 – 6 hours
Day 14: Day 14: Trek from Tilije - Tal [1700m/5576 ft]: 5 – 6 hours(1700)
Day 15: Day 15: Trek from Tal - Syange [1080m/3542 ft]: 6 – 7 hours
Day 16: Day 16: Trek from Syange - Kathmandu: 8 – 9 hours
Day 17: Day 17: Final departure
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Tribhuwan International Airport [1,300m/4,264 ft]
The arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport will be welcomed by the representative from Step On Himalaya. You will be then transferred to the designated hotel and you can take rest for the day or stroll around after freshening up. We will have traditional Nepali food for dinner and briefing about the further program. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: n/a
Day 02: Sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu valley with Preparation of Trek
We start the Sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu valley after having breakfast. The tour will be guided by an experienced, English speaking guide. The tour will start at around 9 – 10 am and end around 5 pm. We will go the Swayambhunath Stupa, the Pashupatinath Temple of Lord Shiva, the Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, etc. These are the places which are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will do the preparation of the trek accordingly. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu – Arughat – Soti Khola [710m/2328 ft] : 8 – 9 hours
After an early breakfast, today we will head to Soti Khola. We will drive from Kathmandu to Dhading Besi then to Arughat and then to Soti Khola. The drive will take about 8 – 9 hours. Dhading Besi is the headquarter of Dhading. We will view the amazing villages, the river falls, rivers and the green mountains. Overnight in Soti Khola.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04: Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola [900m/2952ft] : 6 – 7 hours
Early morning breakfast is followed by a walk from Soti Khola heading towards Machha Khola. It will take about 6 – 7 hours to reach Machha Khola. We will cross a bridge then reach Khursane village. On the way, there is a beautiful forest of Sal trees. Following the trail of Budhi Gandaki river, we will continue our walk over the rocky paths, ups and downs, amazing waterfalls, etc. Then we will pass by Labubesi, a Gurung village. There is suspension bridge ahead and by crossing it, we will reach Machha Khola. Overnight in Machha Khola.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05: Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat [1410m/ 4625 ft]: 6 – 7 hours
From Machha Khola, we will walk until we reach Jagat. On the way, we will walk upstream to the beautiful Khorla Besi village. There is a hot spring at Tatopani. We will cross a suspension bridge and pass by the challenging rocky pathways with river falls and forests en route. We will then reach Dovan and can see the bubbling Budi Gandaki river flowing down on the steep series of rapids and cut through. There is another suspension bridge at Lauri. After crossing it, we will walk the stone paved roads to Thaaro Bharyang and finally arrive at Jagat. Overnight in Jagat.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06: Trek from Jagat - Deng [1,804m/5917 ft]: 6 – 7 hours
We will walk uphill and downhill, pass by the Fir, Pine and Rhododendron forests, villages where there are the thatched roof houses, fields of barley, buckwheat, cabbage, spinach and potatoes and river falls. We will cross a suspension bridge built over the Budi Gandaki river and enter Philim. Philim is a Gurung village. There are Buddhist monasteries, the chortens surrounded by colorful prayer flags, etc. After walking for some distance, we will reach Deng. Overnight in Deng.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07: Trek from Deng - Namrung [2630m/8626ft]: 6 – 7 hours
Today’s destination is Namrung which might take about 6 – 7 hours to reach from Deng. We will move up crossing Budhi Gandaki river and climb up to Rana. The surrounding is almost similar to the mountains. The beautiful sight of the Himalayas, fields at the bases and the rivers flowing from the Himalayas. We will reach Namrung, a Buddhist village. There is a water-turbine hydro-electricity powerhouse here. Overnight at Namrung.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 08: Trek from Namrung – Samagaon [3530m/11,578 ft]: 6 – 7 hours
Namrung village is the starting point of today’s walk. This is the good viewpoint for the sight of Siring and Ganesh Himal. We will walk through the dense forests and reach another village, Lihi. There are many chortens with colorful prayer flags and barley fields. On the way, we will pass via Sho village, Lho village, Shyala village and reach Sama village. Walking for about 6 – 7 hours, we will end the trek for today in Samagaon. Overnight at Samagaon.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 09: Trek from Samagaon - Pungyen gompa - Samagaon: 6 – 7 hours
Acclimatization plus rest day at Samagaon. We will meander in Samagoan and neighboring areas. This day will provide us the time to relax from the hectic walks and feel the amazing surrounding. We can view the stunning sights of Mt. Simnang Himal, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Nagdi chuli, Mt. Samdo (Pang phuchuli), etc. There is a Birendra Kunda nearby the Manaslu Base camp. Pungyen Gompa is an old Buddhist Gompa. Pungyen means bracelet describing two peaks. There is a story of this Gompa. It was destroyed after 1 year of the attempt to climb Manaslu by Japanese but it was unsuccessful. The gods were angered and hence, there were many hindrances on the attempt. Later in 1959, the Japanese became successful. We will pay the visit to Pungyen Gompa and return to Samagaon for overnight.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Trek from Samagaon - Samdo [3860m/12,660 ft]: 4 – 5 hours
We will today walk from Samagaon to Samdo which will take about 4 – 5 hours. We will walk down to the Budhi Gandaki river and follow the trail. Turning towards to the left, we will reach the Manaslu Base camp. Walking through the deserted path with the windy valley, we will reach Samdo. There is the amazing forest of Juniper and Birch and a huge white kani. Overnight in Samdo.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Trek from Samdo – Dharamshala/Larkya B. C. [4460m/14, 628 ft]: 4 – 5 hours
We will start our trek from Samdo after having breakfast. Crossing the wooden bridge built over the Budhi Gandaki river, we will hike up. On the way, we will witness the Larkya Glacier. We will wander in the valley of Salka river and then walk again to reach the amazing stone-built guest house known as “Dharamshala”. Here is a Larkya Bazaar where we can do shopping. Overnight in Dharamshala.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Trek from Dharamsala – Larkya la [5160m/16, 924 ft] – Bimthang [3720m/12, 201 ft]: 8 – 9 hours
Bimthang is the destination today. We will walk from Dharamshala after having breakfast. We will ascend the rocky road and feel the windy weather to reach Larkya La. We will eat packed lunch here enjoying the overwhelming views of Mt. Manaslu, Himlung Himal, Kang guru, Cheo Himal, Annapurna II. The low pastures and the icy lakes on the way will make us feel chilly, but the experience is awesome. After reaching Bimthang, we will rest here for the overnight.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Trek from Bimthang - Tilije [2300m/7544ft]: 5 – 6 hours
Being offered the attractive views of Mt. Manaslu, Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Lamjung Himal, we will now descend and cross the Sangure Kharka, a high pasture land. Then we will cross a bridge over Dudh Khola and then walk further passing through the forest of Rhododendron. There is the agricultural land at the valley at Karche situated at the height of 2785m. We will now follow the trail and reach the village of Gho crossing a sweeping arch to the bank of the river at 2580m. Since better tea houses are in Tilije, we will walk further and stay overnight at Tilije village.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Trek from Tilije - Tal [1700m/5576 ft]: 5 – 6 hours(1700)
On this day, we will start walking on the stone-paved road passing through the amazing villages. crossing the bridge over the Dudh Khola, we will hike up through the arch which is chorten-shaped, pass the mani walls with colorful prayer flags and then reach the small Thonje village. Here is a police checkpoint where our trekking permits might be checked. Enjoying the pretty waterfalls, we will come across Dharapani and enter the section of the Annapurna circuit. Walking further, we will reach Karte village and then to Tal village after crossing the bridge over the Marshyangdi river. Overnight in Tal village.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Trek from Tal - Syange [1080m/3542 ft]: 6 – 7 hours
We follow the trail to Chyamje village crossing the Marshyangdi Khola once again. The Marsyandi valley opens with its terrace fields and villages clung very high to the hillsides. The trail then descends through rhododendron and pine forests to Syange. Overnight in Syange.
Accommodation: Tea House/Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16: Trek from Syange - Kathmandu: 8 – 9 hours
From Syange, we will drive for about 8 – 9 hours to Kathmandu via the Besi Sahar. The drive will offer the amazing views of the gorgeous villages with stunning terrace farming and the Trishuli and Marshyangdi rivers. after reaching Kathmandu, we can spend the remaining time either resting in the hotel or strolling in the local markets. Farewell dinner. Last night in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Final departure
The Adventure trip to amazing Manaslu ends today. After having breakfast, the representative of Step On Himalaya will escort you to the Tribhuwan International Airport about 3 hours before the schedule of the flight. Wishing you a safe journey and hoping to serve you again, Step On Himalaya Eveready for you.
Accommodation: n/a
Meal: Breakfast
Cost Details
What is included?
- Transfer for Arrival and Departure at Tribhuwan International Airport
- Hotel Accommodations in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Tea houses Accommodation during the trekking
- 3 Standard meals during the trekking (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
- All necessary documentation, TIMS, trekking permits (ACAP, a special permit for Manaslu)
- All the Local and Government Taxes, Service charges
- All government licenses, Experienced guide and porter
- Salary, travel and medical insurance, food and accommodation of the staff
- Ground transportation via Local or Tourist bus from Kathmandu to Arughat to Kathmandu
What is not included?
- Entry Visa fee to Nepal
- Travel and Medical Insurance
- International Airfare from and to Kathmandu
- Personal expenses like the Internet, phone calls, beverages, extra porter, hot shower, bar bills, laundry, battery recharge, etc
- Lunch and Dinner during Kathmandu stay
- Tips for the staff
- Any other expenses that are not mentioned in “Services Included” section
- Emergency evacuation for mishaps or natural calamities or health issues
