Where is the starting point of Manaslu Circuit trek?

From instagramp to tiktoks, almost all Social Media Posts related to Nepal Travel are flooded by the videos of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Lots of people from across the globe are engaging heavily in the topic related to this region. No wonder, the number of trekkers in the trail has increased significantly. Therefore, people are searching for authentic blog about the trip. Today’s blog tries to answer the most common and the first question a travel asks about the trek. Where is the starting point of Manaslu Circuit Trek? Let’s find out the answer of this question.

What is Manaslu Circuit Trek?

At first, let’s know about the Manaslu Circuit Trek. It is one of the commercial trekking routes of Nepal that traverses through the Manaslu Conservation Area and the Annapurna Conservation Area. The trail is inside the restricted region of Nepal that requires special restricted area permit for trekkers to trek and you are also not allowed to do solo trekking or unguided trekking.

You must buy the trek package from the registered trekking company and travel with the help of licensed guide in a group of at least two trekkers. Alongside the likes of the Everest Base Camp Trek, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and the Langtang Valley Trek, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is also slowly becoming the cornerstone of Nepalese Trekking industry.

How long is the Manaslu Circuit Trek Distance?

Besides the road distance of approximately 352 kilometers, trekkers have to trek total distance of about 153.8 kilometers. Every day, trekkers must cover about 9 to 12 kilometers in an average depending upon the route they take as there are many routes in the Manaslu Circuit Trek route. Moreover, the Manaslu Circuit Trek distance depends upon the trailhead that you have taken. So, where is the starting point of Manaslu Circuit Trek? This question is valid to determine the actual trekking distance.

Why Manaslu is getting popular nowadays?

The main reasons behind the popularity of the Manaslu Circuit Trek are its diversity in terms of landscape, vegetation, and people. Trekkers claim that they can see the different landscape in every corner of the ridges every day. Furthermore, the trail is full of spiritual feeling and it is still raw which is less spoiled by the modern tourism activities. Century’s old monasteries, ancient villages, and the home of the world’s 8^th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu (8163 m) are definitely the factors that make the region popular. In addition, the trekking trail offers something for everyone from beginners to experienced trekkers.

Highlights of Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal

Here is the list of the highlights of the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal.

• Mountain vista of more than a dozen mountains including Mt. Manaslu (World’s 8^th tallest)
• Manaslu Base Camp and Birendra Lake
• Ancient Monasteries & Milarepa Caves
• Larke La Pass and High Mountain Passes
• Diverse Landscapes (Valleys, Rivers, Waterfalls, Lakes, & Arid Desert Plateaus)
• Multi – Ethnic Villages including traditional Nubri Villages
• Diverse Vegetation and Wildlife

Where is the starting point of Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Now, let’s come to finding answer of today’s blog question. Where is the starting point of Manaslu Circuit Trek? Please note down that the Manaslu Circuit Trek was opened for all to trek in 1992. During the times in between 1992 to 2015, the road access to the trail head of the Manaslu Circuit Trek was in poor condition. Therefore, trekkers had to start the trek from the Gorkha Bazaar itself or from Benighat. Some trekkers used to start the trek from Dhadingbeshi. You can’t actually name the exact starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek before 2015 earthquake.

The epicenter of the devastating earthquake of 2015 is the Barpak Village of the Manaslu Region. After the earthquake, the road construction in the area rapidly increased and the improvement of the road became the high priority to facilitate the relief works. Moreover, the Larke La Pass Highway connecting Nepal with Tibet materialized and the road network increased. So, the trek starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is shifting every 4 to 5 years according to the pace of the road construction along the trail.

These five places are famously used as the starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Aarughat Bazaar

The marketplace located on the banks of the Budi Gandaki River is in both the districts of Dhading and Gorkha separated by the river. The small town is the lifeline of many remote villages of both the districts for many years. Therefore, the road reached this town first. For many years, this small town became the starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek before moving further up to Aarkhet Bazaar.

Aarkhet Bazaar

The small settlement again on the banks of the Budi Gandaki River served as the trek starting point for very short period of time due to unavailability of quality tea houses and lodges fit for trekkers. Moreover, the road track opened quickly up to Soti Khola which made this place less used by trekkers as trailhead.

Soti Khola

From 2017 to 2021, Soti Khola remained the trailhead of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Still now, some trekkers prefer to start the trek from this small village turned town.

Machha Khola

After 2021, the condition of the road also improved up to Machha Khola (Still Off road and bumpy ride – safe route). Therefore, it is the current starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The road distance between Kathmandu and Maccha Khola is about 157 kilometers which takes about 6 to 8 hours.

Jagat

As the road condition is improving, it is possible to drive directly to Jagat from Kathmandu and make this as the trailhead. Nowadays, some trekkers with lesser number of days in their itinerary prefer to start the trek from Jagat.

Can I start Manaslu Circuit Trek from Besisahar and cross Larke La Pass from Bimthang to Dharmasala?

This blogger has never heard of anyone who trekked from Bimthang to Dharmasala crossing the Larke La Pass except by few locals. The high altitude terrain and the high risk of altitude sickness without proper acclimatization days make this route extremely risky. We strongly advise you against trekking from Besisahar and cross Larke La Pass (5106 m) from Bimthang to Dharmasala. However, you can cross the Larke La Pass from Dharmasala and join the Annapurna Circuit Trek route via Bimthang.

So, the starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal is Machha Khola for now but you can also start the trek from Jagat after driving for about 6 to 8 hours from Kathmandu.