Manaslu Circuit Trekking

• Arrival In Kathmandu

On arrival, get received by our staff and guide and transfer to your respective hotels in the hub of Kathmandu. After checking into your lovely rooms, get refreshed from jet-leg. Then join in with other members of the Manaslu circuit trekking.

Our guide/leader will brief us with information about the hotels-including detail of trekking regarding the local lodge, walks, views, history, and culture.  Simultaneously, with a few important do’s and don’ts while you are with us, have enjoyable times.

The evening includes a nice dinner(including Nepal traditional foods) in a pleasant Nepalese restaurant with local cultural programs. Remember, the next day morning, we will have a Kathmandu tour.

• Prepare and Optional Sightseeing

A free day is arranged to get closer to Kathmandu life. In the morning, an optional sightseeing tour takes you to places of great interest. So, explore Kathmandu's world heritage sites for a few hours and back to the hotel.

Afternoon at leisure and free time, do individual activities. And then prepare to pack for the next early morning drive to  Nepal Mid-West.

• Machhakhola Altitude: 930m
• Overnight: Machhakhola

The morning starts with a scenic and interesting drive beyond Kathmandu Valley towards a winding road. They drive past many farm villages and towns within warm areas following the Trisuli River to reach around Dhading district.

As the drive continues heading uphill and down within warmer areas to reach Arughat within the Gorkha area. From here, the rough dirt road follows the Budi-Gandaki River upstream to the overnight stop at Machhakhola. And, it’s where our walk towards higher Manaslu Valley begins.

This interesting place Machhakhola. Driving past smaller villages, it leads us toward the steep valley within a thick forest,. And then reach a wide valley opposite a large tributary stream that runs into the Budi-Gandaki River.

As our Drive descends to a wide, sandy riverbed, we get nice views of the cultivated terrace of Lapbesi upper village. Then, it follows a trail that meanders below a steep, craggy valley side.

Then drive progresses leading to a climb towards Machhakhola for an overnight stop. It’s a village with a many tea shops and a small lodge where Maccha Khola means a Fish Stream.

• Altitude : 1410m
• Overnight: Jagat

From here onward we will begin our trek, you will encounter many interesting farm villages and neatly cultivated fields as vegetation changes slowly due to altitude and climate in Manaslu circuit trekking. Next, our morning walk leads to cross over a stream from which Machha Khola's name comes. And then walk upstream towards Khola-Bensi village with Tatopani, a place with a natural ‘hot spring.’

Similarly, the walk continues, and the valley becomes narrower and steeper. Then our trail switches to the left bank of the river. And then cross a suspension bridge, after a short walk, entering a patch of forest. And then reach Doban, located on the high shelf of the Budigandaki River.

Our long day walk continues across a broad field towards the stream and over a suspension bridge. Then, leads to a climb on high trails to descend into an open valley of Yara Khola.

And then, our journey continues for another hour to reach Jagat for an overnight stop. Jagat is a nice farm village with a mix of tribes of Magar, Chettries, some Newar, Brahman, and Manaslu Bhotia (Tibetan-looking tribes).

• Altitude: 1860m
• Overnight: Deng

Next day, downhill from Jagat on stone steps to reach a river. The path climbs to a terraced hillside at Saguleri; from here, one gets superb views of Sringi Himal, above 7,187 m high. Then, the walk continued with ups and down the trail as our route reached a bridge over Budi-Gandaki.

After crossing a bridge, our trail winds up to reach Philim village for a short break. So, observe this nice farm village with rich cultivated fields and terraces.

With a refreshing stop at Philim, a walk from here leads higher past scattered farm villages. Climb through terraces of golden fields of wheat and barley in the Manaslu circuit trek. Then reach a rocky ridge top covered with a bamboo forest area towards Eklai Bhatti, which means a lonely Inn. At present a few more shops have come up.

After a rest, walk towards the higher Manaslu area, where our route diverts toward North West to reach Dyang. Stop at Dyang for an overnight stay, a small, nice village of Tibetan culture.

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• Altitude: 2660m
• Overnight: Namrung

The morning walk leads to entering into sheer cliff walls within dramatic sections of the walk. Then Manaslu circuit trek route continues passing the farm village. We see houses and terrains completely change into Tibetan culture from Dyang onward.

From here walk leads to Bihi, a small village with people of more Tibetan origin and with strong Buddhist culture.

Villagers of the area grow buckwheat, wheat, barley, and potatoes as staple crops. Since trekking gain popular around the area, spinach, carrots, and cabbages are also grown.

After the Bihi walk continues for another two hours to a steep-sided and scenic valley, we will encounter Mani prayer stone walls as the walk leads to Ghap, a village with a stop for a possible lunch break.

As the walk altitude gains, enter into alpine and coniferous woodland wherePath the path meanders steeply up as the valley opens with extensive pastures. And then cross a large stream flowing from the glacier of Lidana.

On the walk, enjoy grand views of Manaslu with its native name Ku, tang (Manaslu) Himal range. Also, Pang Phuchin is 6,335m, and Saula Himal is 6,235m, with many unnamed peaks above 6000m.

Walk from here with a gradual uphill as the altitude gains slowly. Thus, pass the farm village to reach Namrung for an overnight stop; the village is also called Sho Namru.

• Altitude: 3180m
• Overnight: Lho Gaon

With overnight at Namrung, a walk leads to spread out farm fields within Yak country around the high Manaslu valley. The locals here are engaged in farming. Then move to a high and scenic valley to Lho Gaon, a nice village, for an overnight stop.

This is one of the most attractive villages around the Manaslu region. At Lho Gaon, enjoy close views of the towering Manaslu North Face. Also, visit its monastery with numerous corten and Mani walls with views of Ganesh Himal towards the east.

• Altitude: 3530m
• Overnight: Samagaon

Now onward, walking is much easier, but depending upon altitude route leads to a slow and gradual climb. During this time, you will encounter endless mountain views with Peak 29 ahead. After a couple of hour climb, reach a patch of forest and then at Shala village. Also, enjoy excellent views of Phungi, Manaslu, and Himal Chuli.

Walk for a few hours, where the day completes reaching Samagaon village, with a superb view of Mt. Manaslu.

Samagaon is one of the largest villages within the high Manaslu Valley. Where natives are mostly farmers cultivating buckwheat and barley, the main crops in this high and harsh terrain. But together potatoes and some high and cold vegetables are also grown. Villagers around the high Manaslu valley descended from South West Tibet way back more than 400 years of history. Thus, the customs and culture of ancient Buddhist heritage are similar to its original Tibetan predecessor.

The local villagers are still active in trade and bartering across the border with Tibet. It takes a few days to reach the frontier of Nepal and Tibet.

• Acclimatization and explore

Today have a free day to support acclimatization before heading towards the high Larke-La pass. So, explore around Sama-Gaon with houses adorned with a similar style of Tibet with grand views of peaks. One can visit this village's old Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism.

Knowing more about the Manaslu circuit trekking cost, difficulty, and itinerary will help you to plan this trekking better.

• Altitude: 3690m
• Overnight: Samdo

After a marvelous time and rest day in Samagaon, a walk leads to four hours or more to reach the last village within Gorkha and Manaslu region at Samdo. So, the morning walk begins with a slow climb as elevation slowly gains within the dry country. Walk slowly with a short break and enjoy surrounding beautiful views of peaks and dramatic landscapes.

Then reach Samdo village with a short climb to a small flat plateau. This last village incorporates more than fifty houses sheltering two hundred villagers around this high, harsh, dry country.

• Altitude: 4460m
• Overnight: Larke Phedi

On leaving the final village of scenic Manaslu Valley, the walk continues to the end of the Manaslu area. Thus eye on incredible views of snow-capped peaks, including Mt. Manaslu, which is the world’s 8^th highest at 8,163 m.

As the walk continues, cross a few icy streams to reach Larke Phedi, where phedi means the bottom of the pass, also called Dharmasala (travelers' rest house/shade). In the old days, it was also known as Larkey Bazaar because trade and bartering used to take place between merchant traders and locals of Gorkha-Manaslu-Manang people and Tibetans in this remote, isolated spot.

At Larke Phedi, with free time in the afternoon, go for short walks and prepare for the next morning's long climb. Today’s day ended with an overnight stay at Larke Phedi.

• Larkya La Altitude: 5106m
• Bimthang Altitude: 3720m
• Overnight: Bimthang

An early morning walk leads uphill past a few huts of Dharmashala. Walking over a moraine of rocks and boulders in snow conditions can be arduous, to find the right path.

However, the walk follows our lead guide past the ablation of north Larke glacier, facing views of Cho Danda and Larke Peak. As the walk continues, the gradual climb gets steeper to reach the top of Larkya La, adorned with thousands of colorful Buddhist prayer flags.

From the top eye on the excellent panorama of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II include a series of Manaslu peaks.

Now, a long descent takes to a valley called Larcia, with another walk on moraine ridge to Tambuche at 3,900m. Then a short walk leads to Bimthang for an overnight stop after a long, tough day walk.

Bhimthang is a lovely place on a wide green valley with several lodges adorned with prayer Mani walls. Green tall trees of rhododendron pines and oaks surround the area.

• Altitude: 2300m
• Overnight: Tilche

The rest of the journey is much easier downhill, but long walks with short climbs take on route to Gho and Tilche villages. In the morning, catch views of peaks and walk into thick alpine woodland around the Manaslu circuit.

Next, head into beautiful forested areas to reach a small clearing amid woodland at Gho. Gho is a small cattle and yaks herders' summer pasture and temporary settlement area. Due to trekkers passing this route, few lodges have been built to cater to the needs of travelers.

After Gho, take a few hours of walking to a Tilche village beside the raging Marsyangdi River for an overnight stop.

• Altitude: 1080m
• Overnight: Syange

Today will be the adventure's last walk, leading towards much descent following the Marsyangdi River to Tal and Chamje villages. And then reach another Jagat village in the Lamjung area.

From here, a steep descent takes you to the river valley at Syange village for a final overnight stop before heading back to Kathmandu or other destinations.

• Final day

After enjoying a marvelous time and experience on  Manaslu Circuit Trekking and over the high Larke-La pass, it‘s time to return. Morning board in a vehicle for an exciting and interesting overland journey to reach back at Kathmandu for the last moment within amazing Nepal, the land of the best Himalayas.