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16 Days
Up to 7 days
10 people
English
The Manaslu circuit leads to a stunning view of the eighth-highest mountain in the world and circles the Manaslu Conservation Area. If you have already visited the Annapurna Circuit, this trek might be the fantastic substitute. The Manaslu Circuit Trek begins from Kathmandu, drives to Machha Khola and finishes at Besi Sahar; with an extra side hike to Tsum Valley, it can be extended to more days. It is one of the most elegant of the 8000-metre giants, bordered to the west by Annapurna and to the east by Ganesh Himal.
The route passes through the majestic gorges of the Budi Gandaki, with their turquoise waters and breathtaking waterfalls, after leaving the steamy lowlands with their rice and millet terraces. In terms of height and length, the suspension bridges on the Manaslu trek are unparalleled, and the annual monsoon frequently washes away smaller bridges, forcing hikers to rely on semi-submerged rocks. Even though it was only made accessible to 400 hikers in 1992, this trek still feels like a trailblazing undertaking.
The Manaslu circuit trek is a visual feast from beginning to end, but you’ll need to be in good physical condition if you want to experience what trekking was like in the 1980s. You wind your way slowly north to the snow-capped Larkya La Pass, which is located next to the Tibetan border. The breathtaking views of Manaslu almost make up for the altitude issue. Larkya La Pass, which is 5,167 meters (16,952 feet) high, is typically covered in snow and frozen. On the descent, micro crampons are frequently utilised. To reach the peak before the winds arrive, which is typically in the middle of the morning, trekking to the pass must begin at 4 am.
A clear view can be seen from the pass when you look back the way you came, but the most breathtaking view is unquestionably obtained after leaving the pass and walking west along a corridor. A massive glacial cirque suddenly appears. Annapurna II rises ahead as a stream of glaciers is thrown down by a magnificent wall formed by Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, Nemjung, Gyaji Kang, and Kang GuruThe hike is worth it just for this view.
Staying at the locally operated homestays and teahouses, one can witness the bliss of authenticity here. The monasteries, chortens, and monuments of the Manaslu Conservation Area make this trek an ideal substitute for the Annapurna Circuit. The Larkya La Pass (5106 m) is a fantastic feat, with the views of snow-capped peaks touching the horizon.
Your adventure begin after landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. One of the representatives from Himalayan Sanctuary Adventure will be waiting to receive you at the airport terminal gate holding your name. Then you will head towards the hotel in Thamel. After some rest, we will introduce you to our staff and guides for the Manaslu Trek. Overnight at Kathmandu.
Today, you will explore some of UNESCO world heritage sites in Kathmandu. Sightseeing includes the Swyambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square and many other places. It will be a mesmerising moment here in Kathmandu to witness the beauty of nature and different cultures with different temples, architecture, and monuments. End of the day, you will be well prepared for the Manaslu trip with the required stuff needed during the trip. Overnight at Hotel
It will take about seven hours to reach Arughat from Kathmandu. Our journey will begin early in the morning after breakfast. You’ll drive along the highway to Arughat and then to Machhakhola through beautiful paddy fields and warm villages following the Budhi Gandaki River and climb over and down Kyoropani to the Budhi Gandaki junction and Soti Khola to Machhakhola. Although the path is rough, you will witness the stunning scenery of the countryside view that will be more engaging. Driving Distance – 160 km / 99.4 miles Overnight at a Teahouse/lodge
We resume our journey from Machha Khola, following Tharo Khola through the narrow path and finally to Khorla Besi. After a few times will reach the most popular hot spring, Tatopani. We can relieve our stress and tiredness by taking a hot bath in Tatopani. Then we will cross the suspension bridge of the Budhi Gandaki River to reach Thado Bharayag. Walking along the river, we will reach Jagat village. Trek Distance – 18.18 km/11.29 miles Overnight at a lodge/teahouse
Resuming our trek, initially, we climbed a rocky cliff towards Siribas and continued toward Ghatte Khola. Crossing the suspension bridge, we’ll reach Philim village, the settlement of the Gurung community. You will have lunch and continue your journey from grassy slopes and some cliffs to cross over Budi Gandaki to reach a small village called Deng. We will rest for the day here. Trekking Distance – 21.28 km / 13.22 miles Overnight at a Teahouse/lodge
We begin our trip by crossing over the Budhi Gandaki Bridge to climb a bit far to join the trail from Bheri. Headed through the forest, green valley, and houses of ethnic groups of the Manaslu region. The trail was then processed to Ghap through several landscapes. You should follow the instructions of your guide and be extra concerned about the path. We finally reach up to Namrung Village. After a wonderful sunset from the village, we will rest for the day. Trekking Distance: 17.55 km / 10.90 miles Overnight at a teahouse/lodge.
After breakfast in the morning around 7 at our teahouse in Namrung, we start hiking, which is framed by stunning mountain views. As we travel toward Shyala, we will have the majesty of these mountains. To get to Lihi (2,920m), we then hike a strenuous trail through a jungle. As you pass through Namrung, the vegetation will start to change and become more alpine. Tibetans make up a large portion of the population in the region before Namrung. Barley-filled fields and captivating chortens can be seen in Lihi. You can see the Lho settlement and Mount Manaslu (8,163m) on the way, and you can have lunch before heading to Shyala. While on Sayla we will witness the views of Nadi Chuli, Manaslu, Himalchuli, Manaslu, Nike Peak, Siring Himal, and more. Trekking Distance: 14.67 km/9.11 miles. Overnight at a teahouse/lodge.
After breakfast we will pack our lunch, as there is no place to have lunch along the way. We start our trip from Shyala to Pungen Gompa; it takes us nearly 2-3 hours to get there. which is nearly 400 years old and famous for its stunning mountain view. Continue our trek; we'll reach Samagaun in the afternoon for lunch. Trekking Distance: 4.73 km/2.93 miles Overnight at a lodge/Teahouse
Today you will explore the Samagaun Village; you are about to know the traditional and cultural monasteries as well as the geographical cultivation such as potatoes and barley that flourish. Most people prefer to wear woollen clothes made up of sheep’s wool and are involved in the manufacture of blankets and rugs for trade. Monasteries have impressive designs and carvings which reflect the history of Tibetan settlers. There exist 8 different monasteries, and among them, Pemba Chholing Gompa is the largest. You can witness the wonderful view of Manaslu, as well as the beautiful lake that lies beneath a cluster of monasteries. After trekking for 5-6 hours, we will arrive at Manaslu Base Camp. Trekking Distance: 11.22 km / 6.83 miles Overnight at a lodge/Teahouse
Resuming today’s trek, we descend towards Budi Gandaki. The journey is relatively easy, and it lies above the self, above the Gandaki River. You will get to see the stone arch and Plaine Grannyland before you enter the village. It's an attractive place; get to see yaks and goats around the fields and the stunning view of Samdo Peak (6335 m). In about 4-5 hours, we will be in Samdo village. Trekking Distance: 8.2 km/5 miles Overnight at a Teahouse/lodge
We start our day trek by crossing over the Budi Gandaki River; after some ascending hike, you will be seeing a glimpse of the Larkya Glacier. Visiting around the valley and a way upward again to reach the dharmashala. Distance: 6.66 km/4.13 miles Overnight at a lodge/teahouse
After breakfast we will head toward Larkya Glacier in the northern direction, offering a clear view of Larkya Peak and Cho Danda. From here we start the trek to reach Larkya La Pass, which is the highest point of our whole trek. The climb is challenging, and in some steep sections, you should follow the instructions of the guide properly. One can have a panoramic view from the pass. After some time here, we’ll start our long descent to Bimthang. Rest for the day after reaching Bimthang village. Trek Distance – 16.85 km / 10.46 miles Overnight at a lodge/teahouse.
The trek must have been difficult yesterday, but you can rest easy knowing that it won’t be too taxing today. In order to reach Karche, a farmed area close to the top of the Budhi Gandaki Valley, you must first descend to the Budhi Gandaki River and cross it to enter the Rhododendron forest. To get to Gho, Trek Distance –14 km/8.694 miles Overnight at a lodge/teahouse.
Today, we follow Dhud Khola to Tilje. We will catch a Jeep from Tilje to Besisahar. As the last walking day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, you will have plenty of scenery to enjoy throughout the trail. Trek Distance – 4 km, 45Km Drive overnight at a teahouse/lodge.
We will catch a local bus from Besisahar to Kathmandu or Pokhara as per your requirement. After the successful trek, we will transfer you to your hotel. Share some stories and feedback as well for the team. Driving Distance – 175 km. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
On your last day in Nepal, head out for a brief souvenir shopping session near the hotel in Thamel Market. We will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to TIA before the departure. The Manaslu circuit will remain with you forever alongside the lifelong memories and experiences from the trek with Himalayan Sanctuary Adventure.
No, you can’t trek the Manaslu Circuit Trek independently or alone. According to the Nepal government, a required special permit. You can’t trek alone due to safety, and it is in the restricted region.
There are several reasons behind this. The Nepal government, especially the Nepal Tourism Board and other concerned governing bodies, jointly aim to protect Tibetan-influenced culture, maintain the safety of remote regions and secure the border with Tibet. Preserve this place for making it attractive to trekkers from all around the world. Another reason is to ensure security for trekkers while passing open border points – Larkya La Pass, Rui La Pass, and Tsum Valley, which shares the border with Tibet. Hence, Manaslu Treks is termed a 'restricted region' in Nepal.
The daily distance is manageable, but you should also be able to walk 6 – 7 hours a day. The hardest day is crossing Larkey La Pass (5106 m). You have to start around 3:30am so that you can avoid storms at Larkya La. Because you have to pass the Larkya La before noon. Similarly, at some point like Larkya La Pass (5160 m), there is a step down which makes it a little harder to pass if it is an icy path. In that case, you can use crampons on boots to pass the icy path to reach Bimthang. Larkya La Pass is the highest point as well as the longest day in the Manaslu Circuit Trek. If you complete this day, then another path is quite easy to trek down around the Annapurna Region.
Yes, you can join with other trekkers for a special trekking permit. But earlier it should be a minimum of 2 people to get a special permit for this trek, but the government recently changed their plan to give a special permit even for a single person, so you require no other people to join for this trek.
You will be travelling from Kathmandu to Solti Khola from where your trek to Manaslu begins. But after Arughat the road is not blacktopped; it is bumpy, narrow off-road till Soti Khola. It’s quite a long off-road journey of about 8 – 10 hours. You have two options to get Soti Khola’s start point. The first option is to take a four-wheel-drive private jeep, which can accommodate 7 people. Another option is to take a morning local bus from New Buspark, Kathmandu, which leaves at around 6:30am. Expect some crowds, local gossip, too many stops, and opportunities to make new local friends as well as an adventure while travelling on the local bus.
Yes, the Manaslu area is a restricted zone so you need special permits, which can be obtained only through a registered trekking Company , Licensed Guide and travel insurance to overcome unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather (snow, storms, landslides, and other natural disasters), acute mountain sickness (AMS), food poisoning, and physical accidents.
We have listed the trekking clothing and equipment you need for the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Packing List
Upper Body – Head / Ears / Eyes: Sun hat, Wool or synthetic hat that covers the ears, Sunglasses with UV protection, Headlamp, neck warmer. Hands: Liner gloves, Heavier shell gloves Core Body: T-shirts (2), Lightweight expedition thermal tops, Fleece jacket or pullover, Water/windproof shell jacket (Preferably breathable fabric), Synthetic sports bras (for women) Lower Body – Legs: Lightweight expedition thermal bottoms, Nylon hiking shorts, Soft shell and hard shell trekking pants,Water/windproof trousers, Casual pants Feet: Liner socks, Heavyweight socks, Waterproof hiking/trekking boots, Light shoes/sneakers, Gaiters (For monsoon and winter)
Other Essentials:
Passport and extra passport photos (2 copies)
Airline tickets (Please make a copy and leave one at our office in KTM just in case you need to change the date of yours)
Durable wallet/pouch for travel documents, money & passport
Water bottle/bladder Water purification Iodine tablets
Toiletries (Include toilet paper, wet wipes, liquid hand sanitizer, a towel, and soap)
Medicines and First Aid Kit: Excedrin (for altitude-related headaches) Ibuprofen (for general aches and pains) Imodium or Pepto-Bismol capsules (for upset stomach or diarrhea) Diamox (commonly prescribed as Acetazolamide) 125 or 250 mg tablets for altitude sickness Anti-infection ointments, Band-aids Lip balm (At least SPF 20) Sunscreen (SPF 40)
The above personal items give you a general idea of what you need to bring for the trek.
The personal items are of individual interest and choice.
The most important fact that one should keep in mind is that one should have enough clothes to tackle the cold weather in the Himalayas
Around Manaslu Trek, there are new as well as old teahouses that were built after the earthquake. So, don’t expect to get luxurious accommodations. You will get a room with basic facilities and share a bathroom with a hot shower facility (private expenses). Nowadays, you can also get connected to wifi from teahouses (private expenses). Talking about the food types, you can find the fresh local meal which will be made after your order. Expect to get some healthy foods as well as organic vegetables such as Nepali Dhal Bhat, MoMo, Macaroni, Noodles, Pizza, and others. Don’t forget to take caution before drinking water. You can refill the safe drinking water (private expenses) from every teahouse situated around the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
The best seasons for the Manaslu Circuit Trek are spring and autumn: February, March, April and from the last week of August through September, October and till mid-November. The low season is the monsoon (May, June and July) due to rain and hazed weather. In December and January to late February, there is a probable chance of having heavy snow, and the lodge will be closed mainly in Laryka Phedi (Dharmasala) and Bhimthang.
If you get sick while trekking, you can ask the guide for normal precautions. If that doesn’t help, try to go to a lower altitude for treating altitude sickness. And, if the situation gets worse, such as some sort of physical accident, then our guide will help you to evacuate from trekking.
Yes, you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A tourist visa with multiple entries for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, a tourist visa with multiple entries for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.
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