Manaslu Circuit Trek is an isolated trekking trail in Nepal. It wades into real virgin territory where only a few dare to venture. Nature’s beauty can have the worst price in some unpredictable tragic circumstances. But this fact doesn’t deter the bold and the brave who thirst for the wild. Manaslu, known as “The Spirit Mountain” is believed as the sacred mountain. Native from the Manaslu region believe that the deity dwells in the Manaslu Mountain. Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the best trekking regions in Nepal.
Manaslu Circuit Trek is a tea-house trek in Nepal that provides snow-capped mountains with high glacier lakes and explores the incredible wildlife and flora. You will pass via Gurungs and Indo-Tibetan settlements on the mountain’s rocky path. You have the chance to explore the distinct Himalayan culture, lakes, and mountain inhabitants. This is what you can find in the Manaslu Larkya Pass hike.
Also known as Kuntangchuli, Mt. Manaslu (8,163m) is the 8th highest mountain in the world. It doesn’t matter if you prefer to walk from the teahouse or prefer camping on the trek, Manaslu trekking is right for all. The Manaslu circuit hike extremely challenging wilderness hike that can reach 5,300m with the Larkya-La Pass. The trek will be 16 days based on your physical and psychological desire of hiking. This hike does require an exclusive hiking permit as well as admission tickets that are valid for Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit.
Manaslu Circuit Trek is believed by trek experts to be among the best treks in Nepal. Despite its increasing popularity, it is still a relatively restricted area trek. Manaslu Circuit is still rural and less crowded than other trekking routes in Nepal.
Public buses depart from Kathmandu to Arughat-Soti Khhola every morning from 6-7 am. If your trip falls between September 30th in the first week of October may be difficult to secure an open seat on a bus in case you need to make a last-minute booking. Other than during this season, there are plenty of bus seats accessible. If you’d prefer the most pleasant journey to the starting point for your trek, then we could set up a private jeep which will be more efficient and comfortable.
Spring and Autumn’s seasons are the best time for hiking to the Manaslu. At this time the mountain view is stunning with plenty of beautiful flowers and picturesque villages along the Manaslu trek route. Manaslu Circuit trek during monsoon and winter is not recommended.
Welcome To Kathmandu Nepal!
As you arrive, Asian Heritage Treks & Travel representative will welcome you at the Airport with your nameplate. Then, you will immediately be transferred to the hotel. On the way to Hotel, you will pass by the Open cremation Place (Pashupatinath temple), Royal Palace Museum i.e. Narayanhity and Garden Of Dream before you reach Thamel. Your hotel will be in downtown of Touristic Hub. Our representative will facilitate you and discuss your travel itinerary. There will be enough time to stroll through the street of Thamel.
Accommodation: Overnight in Hotel Yatri Suites & Spa
After Breakfast, our tour guide will pick you up along with the driver and a vehicle. Firstly you will visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO world heritage site where you can observe the typical wood-carved temples and buildings reflecting the ancient Kathmandu city. Afterward, we will head towards Swyambhunath- the monkey temple where you can observe the panoramic view of Kathmandu city.
Then after, you will visit the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the biggest pilgrimage sites for the Hindu religion people in south-east Asia. You will explore the surroundings and observe the ritual body cremating ceremony process of the Hindu people. We can also visit another pilgrimage site nearby the Pashupatinath Temple i.e. Guweyswori Temple. Lastly, we will visit Boudhanath Stupa, another UNESCO world heritage site. The Stupa was built in 600 A.D. and is the only one of kind of Stupa which reflects Buddhism in the world. We shall explore the surroundings of Boudhanath Stupa. After completing our sightseeing, you can get back to the hotel and enjoy some rest.
Accommodation: Overnight in Hotel Yatri Suites & Spa or Similar.
Today, our guide will receive you and then drive you to Patan for sightseeing. In Patan, you will be visiting other heritage like Krishna Temple and Patan Durbar Square. Later on, we visit the Patan Museum, where you can learn more about the history of Patan and the kings. We also visit the Golden Temple and Banglamukhi Temple, a major attraction for both Hindu and Buddhist people.
Then after we will be visiting Bhaktapur where you will be amazed by the architecture. Observe the old wood-carved buildings all around Bhaktapur. Explore the surroundings and visit the Nyatapola Temple, the biggest temple in Nepal. Here, you can also take the pottery-making class using traditional methods. You will visit Pottery Square. You will be taught to design and adorn your pot with beautiful patterns and inscriptions.
Accommodation: Overnight in Yatri Suites and Spa or similar
Today, you will drive towards SotiKhola. The road passes through the Dhading Besi and then through the place called Arughat. From Arughat, we will head towards SotiKhola. Driving through this countryside will give you a pleasant experience with a rough road.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in available local lodge
The trail will take you across the bridge and then you will be walking through the dense Sal forest. After crossing the Budi Gandaki River, you will reach a place called Khursane. As you leave Khursane behind, the trail weaves up and down throughout your path. You will be passing through two subtropical waterfalls before you reach Labubesi, a Gurung village. From Labubesi, you will cross another suspension bridge and reach Machha Khola village.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in available local lodge
Your trail will be a bit difficult as it is mostly upward and narrow. After some decent walk, you will reach Tharo Khola and then to KhorlaBesi. You will walk across the hot spring. After a gradual walk, you will cross the suspension bridge over the BudhiGandaki. Followed by a climb to the beautifully crafted staircase, you will reach Dobhan. Upon crossing a suspension bridge over the YaruKhola, you will climb the stone stairs. Then it’s a descent towards Tharo Bharyang. Later on, you will cross the west bank of Budhi Gandaki and finally, you will reach Jagat.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in available local lodge
You will begin today’s trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri and then descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to GhattaKhola. You further continue upstream to a long suspension bridge in Philip. The trail turns north and stays on a fairly leveled as it crosses millet fields to EkleBhatti. The route now enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. At this point, you descend to the grassy land slopes by crossing the BudhiGandaki. Then trek along the west bank for a while until the valley widens. Here, you will pass through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola. Upon crossing the Khola, you will finally reach the tiny village of Deng.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in available local lodge
After a brief walk beyond Deng, you will cross the Budhi Gandaki and ascend to Rana village. From the bridge, you climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley. The trail passes through forests and mani where you will turn towards a corner that contours to Ghap. Even though there is another route, you will take the route through Prok Village. Prok village has a viewpoint for a beautiful sight of Siringi Himal.
You further cross the Budi Gandaki and come across a few gompas on the route. The trail follows the river upstream through a dense forest. After crossing the river at an impressive spot, it thunders down a narrow gorge and the forest becomes less dense. The pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb, you reach Namrung.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in available local lodge
Namrung village is a good viewpoint for Siring and Ganesh Himal. From the village, one can also see Mt. HimalChuli in the south. After some sightseeing, you will climb steadily to reach Lihi, a fine village. The village has many Chortens and barley terraces. The trail drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal and Ganesh Himal.
You will further pass through Sho, Lho, Shyala villages, and Sama villages. Enjoy extraordinary views of Mt. Manaslu from Lho village and also explore the famous Ribung Gompa. In Shyala village, you can see high mountains like HimalChuli and Peak 29 (NgadiChuli) to the left. Manaslu and large glaciers are visible straight ahead. Other snow summits can also be seen to the right, and at the far end stands Ganesh Himal. Today’s journey ends in Samagaon where you spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in available local lodge
Today, you will rest at Samagaon both for some acclimatization. You will get acquainted with the rich Sherpa culture. You enjoy the sight of thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures. Sherpa women are clad in traditional clothes and ornaments. On a little hill near the Sama village is an old Gompa (PungyenGompa), a monastery with great views of the glacier.
It is named after Manaslu, Pungyen means bracelet, a good description of the two peaks. It was destroyed a year after the first unsuccessful Japanese attempt at climbing Manaslu. The locals believed that the climb angered the gods. They were finally successful in 1959.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in available local lodge
Descending to the BudhiGandaki River, cross a bridge over a side stream and take the left path. This path leads to the Manaslu Base camp. The Larkya la Trail passes several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river passing the juniper and birch forests of KermoKharka. Cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge and climb the steep trail ahead. From a stone arch, you can view a large white Kani. Finally passing through the Kani, you can crash at Samdo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in available local lodge
Today is another tough walk for you. You will continue your walk down the edge and cross the wooden bridge over Budi Gandaki. Upon crossing two streams and witnessing the Larkya Glacier, you go around the valley of the SalkaKhola. Then, you can climb up to the stone guest house (4450 m). It’s not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmshala, also known as Larke Phedi. Today’s short walk leaves you with plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in available local lodge
After a short climb, you will reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glaciers. You can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Finally, walk across the moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent. It becomes steeper only in the last section of the pass. From the Pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and Annapurna II. It is a long day to Bimtang, but walking these low pastures with Mt. Manaslu looming close by is an overwhelming experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in available local lodge
Today is a strenuous day. We descend to cross a high pasture (SangureKharka) followed by a bridge over Dudh Khola. Pass through the Rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley. Finally, you will each the highest cultivated land of the valley at Karcher, 2785 meters. Cross the fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. After a short walk, we reach the village of Gho followed by Dharapani.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in available local lodge
After breakfast, you will drive back to Kathmandu via Besisahar. The route along the side of the Trishuli River on Prithvi Highway is fun. As the road is located high above the rivers on gentle slopes with vegetation, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery. Rice fields, terraced farms, and flowing rivers, are also visible. Vegetation, green hills, and small villages finally take you to Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Yatri Suites and Spa or similar
Your trip will come to an end today. First, you will be advised and assisted with your onward travel arrangements. Then, we shall transfer you to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport. You will reach the airport 3 hours before your flight schedule.
Meals: Breakfast
Have a safe journey onward.
