Manaslu circuit trek
5/5 based on 05 reviews
Trip Duration
14 Days
Group Sizes
10
Transportation
Private Transport
Destination
Nepal
Max. Altitude
5160m
Best Season
March-May ,Sept-Nov
Activities
Trek
Difficulty
Moderate
Meals
Inclusive
Start & End Point
Kathmandu
Accommodation
Hotel/lodge
Just picture yourself being on an exciting journey of ascending the eighth highest mountain of the world, trekking the snowy crest in the Himalayas, and watching that scenery that nothing could buy most people. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a trek that covers the areas of the trail that are not often read by many people in the Manaslu Region.
The origin of name Manaslu is from the Hindu Sanskrit language word Manas meaning ‘the mind or soul of the god’ like Holy Lake Mansarovar in Tibet part of Mount Kailash situated around the middle northwest part of Nepal inside remote and high altitude Gorkha district; where it was quite difficult for trekkers to trek during the time when the areas were restricted and closed to the outsiders but now those places are being more popular due to these isolated reasons.
Owned for tourists only in 1991, this area remains still, inviolated, and genuinely beautiful as nature intended. This will take you through one of the most auspicious and testing passes in Nepal – the Larkya La Pass. This pass is again a viewpoint where you get to experience fabulous scenes of snow-covered mountain ranges.
Following the trail of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, we will head to the Larke-la Pass, the highest point of this trek reaching a staggering 5160 meters above sea level. Once we reach the top of this pass, we will be able to view a stunning scene of the surrounding landscape. We will then descend towards the slopes of Manang, traveling through forests and following the Marsyangdi River.
During the trek while moving from one place to another, one is allowed to look at the natural scenery of the place and different other geographical features. It is also kind for you to take enriching glimpses of green lush forests, diverse biosphere, glaciers, etc. It also offers the diverse taste of the unfamiliar and historic way of the indigenous people of the area.
The Manaslu circuit trek is exceptional among all the other trekking grades available in the country in terms of the entire natural music, cultural aspect, and a chance to explore the natural wilderness that offers the greatest chance of experiencing this rather untouched area of this flawless trek which is a long, slim trail that loops around Manaslu’s miniature cliffs.
In fact, one of the lovable aspects of this trek is, that it is relatively much more unexplored than most top 10 peaks. According to the Nepal government’s published statistics, it revealed that only 417 visitors visited the peak in the year 2022. This source indicates that Manaslu is one of the most popular treks and climbing destinations in Nepal, the second most popular in fact, after Ama Dablam and before Everest.
But that doesn’t imply that the Manaslu region is as full of commercial elements as that of Everest. The peak and the path that will be followed for the trekking is still a virgin territory, which is not hampered by a lot of modernization and is backed up by nature.
To start our fabulous journey on Manaslu Trek, we will first head towards Machakhola after having breakfast in the morning. Traveling along the Prithivi Highway, sharing the sides with the Marysyangdi and Trishuli Rivers, and witnessing the greenery mountains, majestic hills, and colorful villages, we will finally reach Dhading Besi.
From here, the trail extends further to Arughat which may be slightly rugged as it traverses to the northwest path leading along the rocky path across the Budhi Gandaki River.
As we proceed along the route, first, the Soti Khola which is the beginning point of the trekking trails in the Manaslu area can be seen. After a total journey of 160 kilometers from the capital city of Nepal, we will then finally reach our today’s destination, Machakhola, crossing through several lively villages of Gurung and Magar.
Note: Once you arrive at the international airport in Kathmandu, you will have to work out your tourist visa procedure. The airport officials will guide you towards the immigration desk where you will have to fill out a tourist visa application form. You do not necessarily have to prepare for a Nepalese tourist visa beforehand, you can just enjoy the visa-on-arrival system Nepal offers.
If you want to, you can also apply for your tourist visa online before your arrival. Tourists often do this to avoid the long line in the immigration booth during the peak travel season. If you decide to fill in an online form, you will have to make sure that you print the bar code you will receive after filling in the form, and bring it along with you.
To successfully get your visa approved, you will need to provide a correctly filled application form, 2 passport-sized photos, proof of accommodation, and return tickets.
After spending a night at Machakhola, we will start our trek early in the morning where we will be walking to the police checkpoint. After our permits are validated by the officials at the checkpost, we will continue the trek towards the gorges and follow a river.
We will hike along the paths that the different trails create. It also covers a steep up inclined path. At the end of this path, you will reach Tatopani, a village famous for its natural hot springs. If you want to, you can go for a swim to help your muscles and your joints become less stiff.
We then will head towards Yuri Bagar, cross the Budi Gandaki River over hanging bridges, and make our way to Dovan. We will then step inside the Manaslu Conservation Area and ultimately reach Jagat, a lovely paved town. Today’s trek will last about 7 hours starting from the tea house we stayed in the previous night.
You can also get to see Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal unveiling their bonnets during your journey. We will spend the night at local tea houses and hotels where you will be able to be involved in the cultural shows organized by the local people.
On this day after crossing a gorge rocky ridge we will first come to the small village of Salleri and then to Sirdibas. We will then proceed to Ghatta Khola, which will be followed by a steep climb up to a Gurung village in Phillim, crossing a long suspension bridge on the route.
Continuing the trek from Phillim, we will reach a small resting place called Ekle Bhatti where we will have our lunch. From there, we will travel through grassy slopes and reach the Budhi Gandaki River once again. We will have to cross multiple bridges from there crossing the river time and again to reach our final destination.
The trail gets broad as we proceed and enter bamboo forests before arriving at the place called Deng Khola. The second part is to cross the river and get to the tiny Deng village which is the final destination of day 3. It is an 8-hour journey from Machakhola.
Today is one of the most critical points in Manaslu trekking that has cultural significance. We will start today’s trek by crossing the Budhi Gandaki River yet again and ultimately reach another bridge which will join us to a trail coming from Bhi. Then we will proceed west up the valley, going through dense forests, alpine vegetation, and attractive settlements housing Manaslu ethnic groups where major peaks will begin to appear in the distance.
However, we will take this other route through Prok. From this village, we can see Siringi Himal which is snowcapped. Today’s walk involves crossing Budi Gandaki several times and passing many gompas along the way. The path ultimately enters into a narrow gorge and follows upstream through dense forest.
We will keep trekking till the woodland thins out which is a beautiful part of the Manaslu Conservation Area where one can get so much satisfaction out of treks. It is this last steep climb that brings us to Namrung Village. To reach there from our early morning departure, it takes 7 hours.
On Day 5 of your adventure on the Manaslu Trek 12 Days Itinerary, we will say goodbye to Namrung after breakfast and make our way towards the stunning Lihi Village. On this day of the trek, we will go through a forest of rhododendron and oak. We will also get to cross a stream fed by the Lindanda Glacier leading towards Sho Village.
Trekking the route of the day, we can view Simnang Himal and Naike Peak all along with Mount Manaslu behind Kani Gompa. Finally, we will be led towards the Lho Village, following the spiritual path with praying wheels, main walls, and praying flags. Here we will spend the night and continue our thrilling adventure on the following day.
After leaving the Lho village, our trek descends down to a stream and goes along with it as it passes through the dense jungle that makes its way to Shyala Village. The vast opening overlooking the high Himalayan hills of ranges like Ngadi, Himnalchuli, and Manaslu are a few of the peaks that you can get to see from different parts of the village.
Here we will be proceeding parallel with a small water stream coming from Punggen Glacier, walking through the ridge to Samagaun. This intriguing settlement near the Manaslu Base Camp is expanded with vast pastures and farmland; you can also say that the vistas of the surrounding Himalayas are wider and clearer from here.
On this day, we will trek around the Samagaun, explore, and can also rest for the following trek. Here, you will get to witness the stunning view of Mt. Manaslu and also visit the historical Ribung Gompa. You can also get breathtaking views of the glaciers, flat terrain, and farmland. Moreover, views of river beds, plains, glaciers, and meadows, are also evident from this viewpoint.
You have the option of resting or trekking around the local areas to keep your feet stretched and it also helps you to adapt quicker in the changing altitudes. On this day, you will get to look at Birendra Lake, which lies around three kilometers from the Sama village. Additionally, you will also get a chance to enjoy the view of Manaslu Glacier, Birendra Lake, and a cave from Manaslu Base Camp, which is about 6 kilometers away from the village.
In the same way, there lies a Pungen Monastery, which is about 6-7 kilometers away from the village and offers a panoramic view of Mount Manaslu along with sites of thousands of mani stones with Buddhist scriptures and pictures.
On the eighth day of your journey of Manaslu Circuit Trek, we will descend to Budhi Gandaki River, and then proceed to the side-stream bridge. As we trek through a bunch of Mani walls (inscribed walls with Buddhist chants), the valley begins to turn plain.
The trail then takes us to a route that meets with the Budhi Gandaki River, banked by forests of juniper and birch trees. The surrounding peaks, along with Mt. Manaslu, come into view as we reach Samdo. The Samdo village has its own hydropower so it has an abundant supply of electricity.
The main religion in this region of Nepal is Tibetan Buddhism, which makes sense considering that it is a Tibetan refugee village. Today’s trek lasts for about 5-hour from Samagaun.
After having breakfast, we will descend downhill to the Budhi Gandaki River. As we cross through this river, and start our climb upwards, we will eventually reach Dharamsala through Larkya Bazaar and the valley of Salka Khola.
Dharamsala is a tiny village that only comes to life during the peak trekking season. This village does not have many tea houses but just enough to accommodate the yearly visitors comfortably.
On our journey, you will get to witness the majestic Larkya Glacier and also explore more about it as you can roam around it. It is a four-hour trek from Samdo to Dharamsala and will have to spend the night at the teahouses.
This day is the most challenging day of all. Starting the day off, the trail goes uphill from Larke Phedi. During the initial phase of today’s trek, we will get to enjoy the beautiful view of Larke Peak. It is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of this trek.
This is the highest point of the trek which is also the toughest part of the trek as we have to reach an altitude of over 5000 meters. During your trek, you will get to see Cho Danda and Larkya Peak.
After we reach the highest point of the trek and spend a little time admiring the vast Himalayan nature, we will begin our descent. We will get on a trail following the glacier and ultimately reach the village of Bhimthang. It will take us about 9 hours to reach our destination of the day.
Starting day 11, we will descend further into the trail crossing the Bhimtang Glacier. After we are done with the descent we will begin our climb up the moraine wall where we will be welcomed by an absolutely gorgeous alpine forest. This forest is primarily dominated by Rhododendron trees and pine trees.
To get to our next stop, Tilje, we will have to traverse a bridge. This village is popular among apple wine enthusiasts as they produce locally sourced wine. You can get a chance to taste some of those as well. We will ascend for around 45 minutes to reach Dharapani which is about a 7-hour walk away from Bimthang.
Today is your final day of the trip. Our staff will pick you up from the hotel to the international airport as per your flight time for your final departure.
The trek begins in the capital city of Nepal, the bustling valley of Kathmandu. Getting to Kathmandu is a scenic flight in itself, once you are flying over the valley, you will get to see a bunch of mountains in the distance. Following your visit to Kathmandu, we will travel to the starting point of the trek, the very next day.
The starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is Machakhola, a small village in the central northern part of Nepal. This village is where most of the trekker start their Manaslu Circuit Trek journey. From there, we will travel to yet another village, Jagat, which is also a part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Over the course of this journey, you will travel to many authentic Nepalese villages where you will stay overnight as well. Staying overnight in these scenic villages is an experience you will surely remember for years to come and might even be a conversation starter.
The government of Nepal has made it easier for tourists to visit Nepal. You can simply book a flight to Nepal without having to apply for your tourist visa beforehand, this is a system called visa-on-arrival. However, you must come prepared with the necessary documents to apply for the visa after arrival.
You should have:
● A valid passport (valid for a minimum of 6 months)
● 2 passport-sized photos
● Proof of accommodation
● Return tickets
● Visa fees receipt
After you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will have to visit the immigration booth within the airport. You will be given a visa application form after you request it. You must fill the form correctly without any incorrect information, and use your legal name and address.
After you are done with the visa application form you should go to the bank counter and pay for your visa fees as per your length of stay. Following that, you will be given a receipt which you should submit at the immigration booth along with your visa form.
Manaslu Circuit Trek is seen as a hard trek and is suitable for seasoned hikers who prefer a remote and less crowded hiking route in Nepal. The Manaslu Circuit Trekking, which takes you to the wild Himalayan lands, is definitely among Nepal’s most beautiful yet moderately difficult trek. These routes get rougher, the ground gets steeper as the altitude increases, and the passes get higher too.
The trek starts from a low altitude and takes you to a maximum alleviation of 5160 meters at Larkya La Pass, which is the highest point of the trek. Most of the time, trekkers will be sleeping above 1200 feet due to which there is a greater chance that they might suffer from altitude sickness.
The slopes are rocky, much of the terrain is uneven, and sometimes it can present some difficulty, particularly where there is loose soil or where the ground is covered with snow. It is also advised to trekkers to physically maintain their body and be cautious about altitude sickness.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is 10-12 days in total, and individuals will be expected to spend several hours a day trekking. The daily trekking hours can last up to 6 hours.
The climatic conditions vary as it depends on the season you choose to trek. However, autumn is considered the best time to trek as during these periods, it offers panoramic mountain views with comfortable temperatures ranging from 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit.
There is a high risk of people suffering from altitude sickness due to changes in weather conditions and high altitude. So one must be cautious and be well prepared for such sickness. In case of an accident, you will be immediately taken to the hospital in a helicopter, which will be provided to you, and you will be responsible for the expenses on your own.
Since we will be traveling to a max altitude of 5160 meters, there is a slightly increased chance of altitude sickness. But worry not, we will be taking the necessary precautions to avoid it, including acclimatizing and keeping ourselves hydrated.
Another great thing to do in order to avoid altitude sickness is to climb high and sleep low. Experienced trekkers often employ this technique. Basically, after you reach your destination for the day, you will have to climb a couple hundred meters more and get back to your accommodation.
Most altitude sickness attacks are during the night when you are relaxed and sleeping. Since you have climbed higher and slept at a lower altitude, your body will be more adaptable to the changes in air and environment.
For any trek in Nepal, you are legally required to have a couple of permits as per the laws of the said destination. For this trek, you need 3 different permits which you can get in Kathmandu. These are:
● Manaslu Restricted Permit
● Manaslu Conservation Area entry Permit (MCAP), and
● Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit (ACAP)
Our trek guide will help you get these permits, saving you the hassle.
We will provide you with the sleeping bags that you require at the base camps. This is also part of the Manaslu Circuit Trek package. Basic accommodation is available throughout the trek, usually in locally owned tea houses. In general, you have to share a single bedroom with one of the trekking members. Also, there are no luxurious hotels, and no attached bathrooms. So, if you prefer one, then let us know during your booking period.
Since every place we will stay at does not have modern facilities we will try our best to make your stay as comfortable as possible while also providing you with some extra facilities. We will book your stay in local tea houses as they directly support the struggling communities of the remote areas. This is the least we can do for those amazing Himalayan communities.
As we move up the altitude, we will notice that the food options get tighter. There are not many options for you to choose from, Moreover, most meals are included in the cost of your trip.
During your stay in the cities, we will not provide you with 3 meals per day, rather only breakfast, as per the standard practice. On a side note, we recommend not to have any meat during the trekking days. In these remote areas, there is no refrigeration, and the meats have to be transported on the back of a porter or cattle to reach your plate.
Days of unrefrigerated travel will obviously make the meat go bad. If you have this meat, you will definitely suffer from food poisoning. Of course, not every meat item provided by the eateries can be linked to food poisoning but in general, it is bad for you.
If you really want to have meat, you can ask the trek guide to source a locally and freshly prepared meat item. We can’t guarantee you will get to have freshly cooked meat but we will try our best to serve your craving.
Throughout your whole journey, you will get to explore and taste lots of different drinks, such as local alcohol made from buckwheat, and fruits. Water will be provided to you by us, but for other soft drinks and alcohol, you have to be responsible for your own. We would also like to advise you not to take much alcohol as it might be quite risky.
The transportation that Manaslu Circuit Trek requires will all be provided to you. This package includes picking up and dropping off at the international airport as well as driving from Kathmandu to Machakhola and vice versa.
If you are looking to spend more days in the Himalayan region of Nepal, you can add the Tsum Valley trek to the itinerary of this trek. These treks are close to one another and it will take an additional week to complete the Tsum Valley trek along with the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Alternatively, once we are done with the Manaslu Circuit Trek, you can also extend the journey by spending an extra day in your favorite villages or cities.
Manaslu is underdeveloped and is isolated from the modern world. So, therefore there is a lack of modern appliances and one may not be able to get internet facilities. However, you can buy an Ncell or Nepal telecom sim card and can get access to use data provided according to the services you choose.
The expenses that we will not be responsible for are tourist visa fees, extra luggage, tips for the crew members, international flights, medical expenses, and battery charges as well.
There are no age limits set for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. But we suggest kids below 13 should not travel to the high mountains.
Yes, a beginner can definitely join this trip. But they are not allowed to climb the mountain.
Yes, in case of any accidents and you were to be rescued, then the insurance provider would cover all the emergency expenses.
The government of Nepal has provided visa-on-arrival facilities for tourists in order to promote tourism, so just be here and you are good to go.
The maximum luggage weight for the Gokyo Lake trek is 8 kg. Anything above the maximum weight will not be covered by the Manaslu Circuit Trek package.
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the most beautiful treks in the world. The Annapurna Circuit is rather a popular destination, and you will most likely visit a lot of trekkers on the way. While the Manaslu Circuit Trek welcomes significantly fewer travelers.
1550 US$
Total Cost:
US$ 1950
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