Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary

Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary is a captivating journey through the majestic landscapes surrounding the eighth-highest peak in the world, Mount Manaslu (8,163 meters). This trek offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and challenging adventure, making it a favorite among seasoned trekkers seeking a less crowded route compared to the more popular trails in Nepal.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a remote and stunning trek that encircles Mount Manaslu, passing through diverse terrain ranging from lush subtropical forests to high alpine meadows. This trail is less traveled compared to the Annapurna and Everest regions, providing a more secluded and pristine trekking experience. The trek typically starts in Soti Khola and concludes in Besi Sahar, offering spectacular views of the Manaslu range, the Annapurna range, and the Ganesh Himal.

The trek usually spans between 12 to 14 days, depending on the pace of the trekker and the specific itinerary chosen. This allows for proper acclimatization and exploration of the region’s unique cultural and natural attractions.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek difficulty is considered moderately to highly challenging. Trekkers must be in good physical condition and prepared for long days of walking, high altitudes, and varying weather conditions. Prior trekking experience is beneficial but not mandatory for determined and well-prepared individuals.

Trip Highlights

• Stunning Mountain Views: Breathtaking vistas of Mount Manaslu, Himalchuli, Ngadi Chuli, and other towering peaks.
• Cultural Richness: The trek passes through traditional villages inhabited by Tibetan and Gurung communities, providing an opportunity to experience their unique cultures and traditions.
• Larkya La Pass: Crossing the Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters) is a highlight of the trek, offering panoramic views and a sense of accomplishment.
• Biodiversity: The Manaslu region is home to diverse flora and fauna, including the Manaslu Conservation Area, which boasts over 110 species of birds and various endangered animals like snow leopards and red pandas.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Best Time

The best seasons for the Manaslu Circuit Trek are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These periods offer stable weather conditions, clear skies, and optimal trekking conditions.

Trekkers require several permits for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, including the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). It is mandatory to trek with a registered guide and at least two trekkers due to the restricted area regulations.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a rewarding adventure for those seeking to explore one of Nepal’s less-traveled regions, offering an unparalleled combination of natural beauty, cultural encounters, and challenging trails.

Details Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

We meet at the Tribhuvan International Airport after reaching Kathmandu Valley. After meeting at the airport, we will drive towards the hotel, and after reaching, the hotel, we will check out the hotel and take some rest. You will be invited to visit our offices for a briefing about your program. We will be served excellent Nepalese cuisine which will introduce you to the country’s authentic food culture and explore all around the Thamel Bazaar and we will spend overnight in the Kathmandu valley.

Day 02: From Kathmandu Drive to Maccha Khola (900m) 7-8 hours

Early Morning from Kathmandu drive to Arughat via Machhakhola takes around 7-8 hours. from the hotel to Balaju’s new bus park take a taxi and catch the Local Express bus. but if you take a private jeep. that takes you from the hotel to Machhakhola directly.

From this small interesting farm village, the walk leads on the nice trail following upstream of Buri Gandaki Rivers through many farm fields. Walking in the farm fields, we will reach Nuali Khola where we will have our lunch and take some rest and slowly move towards the Maccha Khola where we will go to spend a peaceful night for one night.

Day 03: Trekking to Jagat (1410m) 6 – 7 hrs

Upon spending the wonderful night in the Maccha Khola we will start our trekking towards Jagat after having a hot breakfast with the wonderful scenery of the village. On this day of trekking, we will have an opportunity to take a bath in the natural hot spring which is called Tatopani in the Nepalese common language. Not only that we will have a wonderful view of the world’s 8^th highest mountain Mt Manaslu.

From the hot spring, we will climb over another ridge, and then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. We will have an opportunity to see the wonderful natural scenery with white sandy areas along the riverside. The scenery undergoes a drastic transformation as the elevations increase until we reach Jagat. After 6 to 7 hours of walking from Maccha Khola, we will reach Jagat. After reaching Jagat, we will check out the hotel, explore all around the village, and back to the hotel and have our dinner we will spend the overnight in this village.

Day 04: Trekking to Deng (1,804m) 6 – 7 hrs

We will leave Jagat for Deng after having a hot breakfast. The trail goes through a bamboo forest and we will follow the trail upstream of Deng River and arrive at any tiny villages along this route. The trail has some minor ups and downs. You can also try the local alcohol at many stopovers on the route before you reach Phillim. At the Phillim, we will have our lunch, and then after we will take some rest and slowly walk towards Deng. A large village with scattered farmhouses, from Phillim trek towards farm terrace of golden fields.

We will cross many suspension bridges, the lush forest of rhododendrons, small villages, and monasteries before reaching Deng. After reaching Deng, we will check out the hotel and take some rest in the evening time, we will explore all around the village and will explore the beauty of the village and capture the beauty of the village in our camera. After exploring the village, we will back to the hotel have our dinner, and spend the overnight in this beautiful village.

Day 05: Trekking to Namrung (2630m) 6 – 7 hrs

We will slowly walk towards Namrung after having a hot breakfast in Deng. The trail passes through the forests and Mani where we turn towards a corner that contours to Ghap. At the time of this day trekking, we will be able to see the wonderful scenery, beautiful landscapes, and small cities and villages on the route. The trail has some minor ups and downs. You can also try the local alcohol in many stopovers on the route before you reach Ghap where we will have our lunch in Ghap after having lunch, we will take some rest then we will slowly walk towards Namrung.

After 6 to 7 hours of walking from Deng, we will reach Namrung. In this village, we will have an opportunity to see the wonderful views of the mountain and the beautiful natural scenery of the village which makes your mood fresh and happy. We will explore all around the village and spend some time in the peaceful environment of this wonderful village and we will back to the hotel and have our dinner and spend overnight in this beautiful place.

Day 06: Trekking to Samagaon (3530m) 6-7 hours

After Namrung, we will slowly move towards Samagaon after spending a wonderful night in Namrung village. The altitude gains with a much cooler temperature and from here the tree line fades for a few short juniper bushes and willow trees. We will enjoy the wonderful views of the world’s 8^th highest mountain Mt Manaslu with outstanding scenery. During the time trekking, we will have an opportunity to explore the lush forest of rhododendrons, pine, and oak.

Not only that while walking on this day trekking, we will also get an opportunity to know about the lifestyle of the people the local inhabitant of this route. It takes almost 6 to 7 hours to reach Samagaon from Namrung. On the way from Namrung to Samagaon, we will have to cross many suspension bridges, small villages, and landscapes. After reaching Samagaon, we will check out the hotel explore all around the village, and spend one night in this beautiful village.

Day 07: Rest Day in Samagaon

Today we will not start our trekking just because this day is for the rest day. Another day also we will spend on the Samagaon. After having a hot breakfast, we will explore all around the village and we will capture all the views of this village on our handset or camera. We will have our lunch in the local hotel and again we will explore all around the village. After exploring all around the village, we will back to the hotel and take some rest until dinner is not ready. We will enjoy our dinner and spend one more night in the Samagaon.

Day 08: Trekking to Samdo (3860m) 4 – 5 hours

The trek descends to the Budhi Gandaki River which has turned north and follows it to a bridge over a side stream. We cross pastures and gradually ascend to the valley below with fantastic views of the mountain. During the time of this day trekking, we will have an opportunity to see the wonderful views of the mountain, beautiful landscapes, and the small villages on the trail. Not only that, we will have a chance to enter the lush forest of rhododendrons, pine, and oak. We will have an opportunity to learn about the culture, traditions, and lifestyle of the people who are living on this route for many years to years. This day trek will be very short in the Manaslu circuit trek. After 4 to 5 hours of trekking, we will reach Samdo where we will spend a peaceful night.

Day 09: Trekking to Dharamsala (4460m) 4 – 5 hours

From Samdo, we will slowly start our trekking toward Dharamsala. This is the 10^th-day walking trekking in the Manaslu circuit trek where we walk from Samdo to Dharamsala. There is no one small stone guest house here. Before reaching the Dharamsala, we will pass through the lush forest of rhododendron. On the way, we will have an opportunity to see the wonderful views of the mountain, especially Mt Manaslu. Not only the views of the mountain, but we will also have an opportunity to see the beautiful landscapes and small villages. On this day of trekking, we will not have to walk very much after a few hours of walking we will reach our destinations where we will spend our night.

Day 10: Trekking to Bimthang (3720m) 8 – 9 hours

In the early morning after having a hot breakfast we will slowly start our trekking towards Bimthang. We will start our trekking too early in the morning, just because today, we have to walk a long distance. The trail becomes rocky as it goes along a moraine and reaches a beautiful lake that reflects the surrounding snowy mountains. From here, we will have a wonderful view of the mountains including Mt Manaslu which is the eighth-highest mountain all in the world.

Not only Mt Manaslu, but we will also have an opportunity to see the views of the other mountain which includes, Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and many other mountains on this route. After 8 to 9 hours of walking from the Dharamsala, we will reach Bimthang. We will check out the hotel and explore all around the village in Bimthang. After exploring all around the village, we will back to the hotel and take some rest until having dinner and spend one night in this village.

Day 11: Trekking to Goh (2500m) 5 – 6 hours

After having a hot breakfast in Bimthang, we will slowly start our trekking towards Goh after spending a wonderful night in the Bimthang. On this day walking and trekking, we will have an opportunity to see the wonderful views of the mountain, and beautiful landscapes, and explore all around the small villages. We will have an opportunity to learn about the lifestyle of the people who are the local inhabitants of this route. Before reaching Tilije, we will cross many suspension bridges and small streams. After 5 to 6 hours of walking from Bimthang, we will reach Goh where we will go to spend a peaceful night.

Day 12: Trekking to Dharapani (1875m) 5 hours

From Goh, we will slowly move towards Tal. You trek over a descended path along the Dudh Khola. During the time of this day trekking, we will have an opportunity to see the wonderful views of the mountain, beautiful landscapes, and the small villages on the trail. Not only that, but we will also have a chance to enter the lush forest of the rhododendron, pine, and oak. We will have an opportunity to learn about the culture, traditions, and lifestyle of the people who are living on this route for many years to years.

We will have our lunch on the way then after we will slowly be walking towards Tal. After 5 to 6 hours of walking from the Goh, we will reach Dharapani. After reaching in Dharapani, we will check out the hotel and take some rest until the dinner is ready, and spend one night in Dharpani.

Day 13: Drive back to Kathmandu 9-10 hours

Early in the morning after having breakfast, we will drive towards Kathmandu Valley. We will take a private jeep from Dharapani to drive towards Kathmandu Valley. We will take the same route that we take to start our trekking. Eventually, this will be the last day of trekking this route. We will have our lunch on the way and slowly drive towards the Kathmandu Valley. After a 9 to 10-hour drive from Dharapani, we will reach Kathmandu Valley. After reaching Kathmandu Valley, first of all, we will check out the hotel and take some rest. In the nighttime, we will have our farewell dinner with the cultural dance and song and spend one night in this beautiful village. If we will reach Kathmandu Valley early then we will explore all around the Thamel Bazaar and we have our shopping.

Day 14: Final departure

Our staff will meet you early in the morning to drop you at the Kathmandu International Airport for your final departure from Nepal. We will drop you at the international airport hoping that you will have a wonderful day in Nepal and also hope that you will come and give us one more chance to serve you.