Manaslu Circuit Trek

Manaslu Circuit Trek

Manaslu Trekking

Manaslu Circuit Trek

Manaslu Circuit Trek is a remote and less-crowded destination compared to popular trekking areas like the Annapurna or Everest regions, making it an ideal choice for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of busy tourist trails. This trek offers trekkers the opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas and the diversity of Nepalese culture while passing through beautiful alpine forests, traditional villages, and high-altitude passes. Additionally, it provides a glimpse into the lives of the local Gurung community, who have lived in the region for generations. 

Along the way, trekkers can visit ancient monasteries and pilgrimage sites, including the Serang Gompa, Pungyen Gompa, and Samdo Monastery, which is one of the most sacred sites in the area. Trekkers can also explore the Tsum Valley, a remote and untouched region in Nepal, rich in cultural and spiritual significance. The trek offers a unique blend of cultural and natural beauty, as you pass through traditional villages inhabited by people of both Hindu and Tibetan-Buddhist descent.

It is essential to note that the Manaslu Circuit Trek requires a special trekking permit from the Nepal government under the Department of Immigration, as the area is considered a protected conservation zone. To complete the trek, you need a licensed trekking guide through Nepal Government registered Trekking Company and a proper itinerary. Moreover, it is important to take proper precautions to minimize the impact of tourism on the environment and local communities.

In conclusion, Manaslu Circuit Trek is an unforgettable adventure that offers a unique blend of cultural, natural, and adventurous experiences. With its stunning views of the Himalayas, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage, this trek is a must-visit for any trekker seeking a challenging and rewarding experience.

Highlight Overviews of Manaslu Circuit Trek


  • Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the best trekking routes in Nepal, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas, a unique cultural experience, and a diverse landscape.
  • Visit the historical site of Gorkha, the birthplace of the founder of modern Nepal, King Prithvi Narayan Shah.
  • Follow the first part of the trail along the Budhi Gandaki, a deep and long river gorge with many suspension bridge crossings.
  • Experience the diverse scenery of Nepal, from the subtropical jungle at lower elevations to the high, cold, and challenging crossing of the Larkya La above 5,106m/17,000 feet.
  • Encounter the Gurung community in the lower part of Manaslu and the Tibetan culture in the upper part.
  • Trek through the longest and most gradual Larkya La pass in the world, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and unique cultural experiences along the way.
  • The trek takes you through lush green forests, rustic villages, high mountain passes, and glacial lakes, providing an adventure of a lifetime.
  • Manaslu Circuit Trek is less crowded than other popular routes in Nepal, providing a more secluded and peaceful experience, and allowing you to connect with nature and yourself.
  • Manaslu region is also known for its wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard and the trek offers opportunities to spot rare and exotic animals.

Trip Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by a representative from Manaslu Tours who will transfer you to your hotel. To start your journey on a high note, we will be hosted for a welcome dinner in the evening, featuring authentic Nepalese cuisine and a warm welcome drink.

Day 02: Full day City Tour in Kathmandu Valley

  • SWOYAMBHUNATH, also known as the monkey temple, is climbed by a long set of steps and has great views of Kathmandu.
  • BOUDHANATH STUPA has many traditional Gompas hung with strings of multi-colored prayer flags; it attracts many Sherpas and Tibetans for the circumambulations of the stupa (koras)
  • PASHUPATINATH is a Hindu temple with burning Ghats on the banks of the Bagmati River.
  • KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE, which is one of the old capitals of the Kathmandu valley, has a blend of Hindu and Buddhist temples

Day 03: By Private Transportation: Kathmandu - Gorkha (1,135m/140km)

After a nutritious breakfast, set off on a 5-hour drive to Gorkha Bazar. During the journey, marvel at the picturesque landscapes, cross over sparkling streams and follow the winding banks of the Darundi Khola. In the evening, embark on an excursion to the historic Gorkha Durbar, located on a hilltop. From this vantage point, take in panoramic mountain views and bask in the warm glow of a breathtaking sunset.

Day 04: By Jeep: Gorkha - Barpak (1,945m)

After having a big breakfast this morning, embark on a trek to Barpak. Drive along the Darundi Khola and Ranglung Khola to reach the village. The drive from Ranglung Khola to Barpak is steep, but the destination is worth it. Barpak is a stunning village located on a green ridge with stunning views of the misty valley below. In the evening, you may have the opportunity to experience a cultural show organized by the villagers, with proceeds going towards improving the village. The towering Bouddha Himal, a high snow-capped peak, provides a beautiful backdrop for sunrise and sunset photos.

Day 05: Barpak - Laprak (2,100m)

Start the day early with a scenic climb up the narrow ridge, with Bouddha Himal providing a magnificent backdrop to the sprawling Barpak. After an hour or so of trekking, take a small stone trail to the right of the main path. After three hours of climbing, reach Momche Dada (2,950m), a pass that separates Laprak and Barpak. The summit offers breathtaking panoramic mountain views, including Bouddha Himal, Sringi Himal, Ganesh Himal, and the Langtang range, as well as herds of sheep grazing on the grassy hillsides. During the spring season, the surrounding rhododendrons bloom brilliantly in various hues of pink and red, making for great photos with the snow-capped peaks in the background. Another hour or two of steep descent leads to another large Gurung village, Laprak. Spend the afternoon exploring the village, including taking a walk down the hill and viewing the houses with their symbolic mud-brick wall murals.

Day 06: Laprak - Khorla Benshi (975m)

We traverse Laprak's maze of village paths and reach the Jyabru Khola. After crossing a suspension bridge, we ascend steeply and passing terraced fields of pink sorghum. The narrow trail, often obscured, winds around hillsides and leads us to a small chorten below the village of Singla. From here, the hike becomes easier and we are treated to views of the Kutang and Sringi Himal to the north. Our path continues through more terraced fields and papaya trees, through the Gurung village of Khorla, before winding down to Khorlebeshi on the Budhi Gandaki River. Take caution on the rocky steps before the long suspension bridge to Khorlabeshi. Be mindful of local women weaving straw mats in the village. In the evening, we may receive a visit from the village's cultural ambassadors and experience another performance.

Day 07: Khorlabenshi - Jagat (1,370m)

Today, we have a five-hour trek ahead of us. We'll start by walking along the river, surrounded by tobacco and buckwheat fields, and admiring rocks smoothed by the river's flow. Our journey will involve climbing stone steps to reach the hot springs in the terraced village of Tatopani. Here, we can take some time to soak our weary bodies in the hot water and even go for a swim in the nearby icy river. After drying off on the lovely riverside beach, we'll embark on a gentle hike through the woods with a spectacular waterfall. We'll cross an old wooden suspension bridge and continue through a short section of forest path to reach Dovan. Above Dovan, the Budhi Gandaki River presents steep rapids. Our trail will take us high above the river and down through calmer waters. We'll cross the river on a long, new suspension bridge and then climb stone steps to reach our camp below Jagat, the Manaslu Conservation National Park entrance. Before heading to camp, take a moment to wander around the beautiful, paved village of Jagat and admire the pride of the villagers who have recorded their contributions to the paving projects.

Day 08: Jagat - Deng (1,865m)

After descending a series of stone steps from Jagat to the river, we climb up terraced hillsides to the hamlet of Saguleri where we can admire the stunning view of the 7,187 meter high Sringi Himal. We traverse through the picturesque village of Sirdibas and cross the river again on a long suspension bridge at Ghata Khola. The path splits with the right branch leading to the Ganesh Himal. We continue upstream, making a steep climb to reach Philim. We cross the river at a narrow section on a new suspension bridge, and then gradually ascend a wide hillside through an open forest, crossing the river twice more on poorly maintained bridges in the next two hours. The first bridge is at the intersection to the remote Tsum valley leading to Tibet. After trekking through dense woods for over an hour, we pass the chilly campsite of Pewa on the river, and after another hour, we leave the gorge and climb briefly to the village of Deng. Deng is the starting point of the lower Nubri region, Kutang, where the people are ethnically Tibetan but speak a different dialect from the pure Tibetans of upper Nubri. We have views of the Lumbo Himal, Lapuchen, and Dwijen Himals. It's worth visiting the upper floor of a local house for a glass of "chang" (Tibetan beer) and a chat by the hearth.

Day 09: Deng - Ghap (2,165m)

We switchback steeply to the small and impoverished village of Lana, where the women often have their looms set up. After trekking through beautiful pine woods and crossing a small bridge, we reach Bihi Phedi with its good shop and views of the Kutang Himal. We start to see "mani stones" (prayer inscriptions on rocks) which indicate that we are entering one of the small Tibetan communities that dot the high Himalayas. We have three to four hours of trekking ahead of us, crossing the Bhudi Gandaki River twice and smaller tributary streams twice. We will remain mostly high, with many ascents and descents as we move through the gorge, enjoying the spectacular views along the way. Finally, we reach Ghap and set up camp for the night at the house of some friendly villagers.

Day 10: Ghap - Lho (3,180m)

Today's trek is a magnificent adventure. We depart from Ghap and ascend for an hour through a dense, cool forest, crossing the Bhudi Gandaki River via a wooden bridge and climbing smooth stone steps until we reach Namrung, located at an altitude of 2540 meters. As we continue to climb, we enter alpine terrain and are rewarded with sweeping mountain views. Namrung village marks the beginning of Nubri, an area inhabited by Tibetans who speak a western Tibetan dialect. A few hours later, we arrive at Lihi, a village located at 2840 meters above sea level, which houses an ancient gompa and is surrounded by fields of barley guarded by "bear watches". Our trek continues at a gentle pace and we soon cross a large stream flowing from the Lidanda Glaciers to reach the picturesque Tibetan village of Sho, located at 3000 meters, where we stop for lunch. After an hour, we reach Lho, where we are greeted with stunning views of Manaslu.

Day 11: Lho - Samagaon (3,525m)

As we walk through the upper reaches of Lho, with the majestic peaks of Manaslu in the distance, we come across the new gompa and then ascend through a light forest next to a small river to reach the idyllic Tibetan settlement of Shayla, where the villagers are often working in the fields. A few more hours of trekking through classic alpine scenery takes us past Tibetan grazing settlements, with the trail to Pung Gyan Gompa branching off to the left. We eventually reach Sama Gaon, passing through checkered fields of barley and potato. The people of Sama Gaon are descendants of Tibetans who settled here over 500 years ago. The Tibetan villages in this region of Manaslu are characterized by their distinctive entrance gates (manes) and they maintain active trade with their Tibetan co-religionists over several nearby high passes. On a clear weather day, you may see village women weaving wool from Tibet into gowns, which are then traded back to Tibet. Spend the afternoon exploring the old gompa settlement above the town and wandering the streets of the intriguing Samagaon village.

Day 12: Acclimatization day

Hike to Birendra lake and Manaslu Base Camp (2-3 hours walking)

Day 13: Samagaon - Samdo (3,800m)

Another day of breathtaking mountain views awaits as we embark on a leisurely three-hour trek to Samdo, passing through the rugged birch forests of the Himalayas. On the way, we come across the long mani walls at Kermo Kharka and eventually spot the entrance chorten of Samdo perched high on a bluff. After descending to the Bhudi Gandaki and crossing a small bridge, we face another brief ascent to reach the "kane" entrance of Samdo. In the last village, we have the opportunity to visit a small home gompa located in a house, where several reincarnated lamas are performing a puja. At this high altitude, the evenings can be chilly, so we recommend stopping by the tea-house next door to our campsite for a cup of warming salt-butter tea to combat the cold.

Day 14: Samdo - Dharamshala (4,460m)

We set out from Samdo and follow the old trade route toward Tibet. After crossing a bridge, we ascend through the remnants of Larkya Bazaar, a once-thriving trade market. As we climb for three hours past glaciers, the panoramic views become increasingly stunning. Our destination is the campsite at Dharamsala, the high camp for the Larkya La pass. Here, we take a lunch break and savor the breathtaking vistas. The altitude and cold can be intense, so we suggest taking it easy in the afternoon and staying warm. We will have an early dinner to prepare for our journey over the Larkya pass tomorrow.

Day 15: Cross Larkya La Pass (5,106m). Trek to Bhimtang (3,590m)

After ascending from Dharamshala, we arrive at the ablation valley on the north side of the Larkya Glacier. Here, we can see Cho Danda and Larkya-La. We traverse the glacier's moraines, often through snow, with a gradual climb that becomes steeper towards the pass. The journey to the summit should take around four hours. The view from the top is breathtaking, with a panoramic view of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru, and the massive Annapurna II. Both sides of the pass offer equally stunning views. After hanging Tibetan prayer flags, we embark on a steep and sometimes slippery descent to a trail along the glacier's moraines. We'll take a lunch break on smooth rocks below the pass before continuing our descent, which will take another three hours to reach our campsite. The rocky descent eventually leads us to Bhimtang, making the journey well worth it.

Day 16: Bhimtang - Gowa (2,515m)

The hardest part of the journey is over. We leave the Bhimtang valley, cross the river and descend through the pine and Rhododendron forests. One of the most beautiful transitions on the track.

Day 17: Gowa - Tal (1,700m)

Today marks the conclusion of our trek. After a 1.5-hour journey, we arrived at Tilije, a large settlement inhabited by the Gurung people, who are renowned for their bravery and serve in select units of the British and Indian armies. Despite their military background, the Gurung are peaceful and grow delicious apples. Then, we descended for another 1.5 hours along the Dudh Khola river until it converged with the Marsyangdi river in Dharapani. After a 2-hour journey, we reached the charming village of Tal, where we will spend the night.

Day 18: By Jeep: Tal - Kathmandu

Today, we will embark on a scenic jeep ride from Tal to Kathmandu, covering a distance of approximately 214 kilometers. The journey will take us through some of the most rugged and remote terrains of Nepal, offering a unique perspective of the country's diverse landscapes and cultures. We will travel through the picturesque valleys, winding roads, and mountain passes, taking in breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks and pristine rivers. We will make a few stops along the way to stretch our legs and take photos of the awe-inspiring vistas. On arrival in Kathmandu, we will have some time to relax and explore the vibrant city on our own, or perhaps engage in some souvenir shopping or other activities. You can look forward to an exciting and adventurous day, filled with unforgettable moments and memories that will last a lifetime.

Day 19: Free day in Kathmandu for self shopping an other activities

Today, we have a free day to explore the vibrant city of Kathmandu on our own. You may want to spend the day indulging in some souvenir shopping, wandering around the colorful streets and bazaars, or enjoying the local cuisine. You could also visit some of the popular tourist attractions in the city, such as the Bhaktapur, or Patan which showcase Nepal's rich cultural and historical heritage. Alternatively, you could engage in other activities like hiking, biking, or adventure sports, or simply relax and rejuvenate in one of the city’s many spas and wellness centers. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to soak up the unique sights, sounds, and flavors of this wonderful city.

Day 20: Transfer to Kathmandu International airport for departure

Today, we will transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for our departure. After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we will gather our belongings and make our way to the airport. We will ensure that we reach the airport well in time to complete all the necessary formalities and board our flight. Before we bid adieu to this enchanting country, take one last look at the breathtaking views of the Himalayas and take a moment to appreciate the warm hospitality and kindness of the Nepalese people. This marks the end of our tour, and we hope you had a memorable and enjoyable time in Nepal.

Cost & Dates

Manaslu Circuit Trek cost on the website applies to 6-12 people groups. However, private trips for groups of two or more can be organized upon request. A group booking of 12 or more people can avail of a maximum discount with one free trip. Clients' travel date preferences can be accommodated, but the trek cost depends on factors such as group size, duration, accommodation type, and additional activities or services.

  • Group Size: The cost of the trip will depend on the size of the group.
  • Hotel Accommodation Category and Client's Budget: The cost may also vary based on the accommodation category and budget preference of the client.
  • Itinerary Modification: Our trekking itinerary can be modified according to your time and requirements, and the cost will be adjusted accordingly.
  • Additional Services: If you require additional services, the cost will be adjusted accordingly based on mutual understanding.
  • Trekking Staff: The cost is also affected by the number of Trekking Guides, Assistant Guides, and extra porters required for the trip.
Trip Dates Trip Cost Status Inquiry
3 Oct - 22 Oct 2023 USD 1,700.00 Available Inquiry
27 Oct - 20 Nov 2023 USD 1,700.00 Available Inquiry
9 Nov - 28 Nov 2023 USD 1,700.00 Available Inquiry

Cost Includes:

  • Airport pick up and drop services in private transportation before and after the trek.
  • Hotel Accommodation: 4 Nights in Kathmandu at a twin sharing room on BB plan.
  • City Cultural Tour in Kathmandu with City Tour Guide and all the entrance and monument fees.
  • Transportation :Kathmandu - Barpak and Tal - Kathmandu with Guide.
  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner during Manaslu Circuit Trek.
  • Best available lodges and guesthouses at a twin-sharing room for accommodation during the trek.
  • Trekking Staffs : Experienced English-speaking, Assistant Guide for a group of over 6 people and Porters (2:1) including their daily allowance, meal, and accommodation.
  • Accidental and medical insurance for Nepalese team.
  • Trekking Permit : Special permit of Manaslu, Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP), and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Entry Permit fee.
  • All government applicable taxes
  • Travel agency service charge.

Trip FAQ

Q: What is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
A: The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a trek in Nepal that takes you around the eighth-highest mountain in the world, Mt. Manaslu. The trek provides stunning views of snow-capped mountains, an opportunity to interact with different ethnic groups and their cultures and traditions.

 

Q: How long is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
A: The Manaslu Circuit Trek is typically completed in 14-18 days, depending on the itinerary and acclimatization schedule.

 

Q: What is the best time to go on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
A: The best time to go on the Manaslu Circuit Trek is in the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is dry, and the skies are clear.

 

Q: What is the difficulty level of the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
A: The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a moderate to challenging trek that requires a good level of fitness and endurance. It involves crossing high mountain passes and trekking through rugged and remote terrain.

 

Q: Is a permit required for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
A: Yes, a permit is required for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The trek falls under the restricted area, and a special permit is required, which can only be obtained through a registered trekking agency.

 

Q: What kind of accommodation is available on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
A: The accommodation on the Manaslu Circuit Trek ranges from basic teahouses to more comfortable lodges. The lodges provide basic facilities such as a bed, a blanket, and a pillow. The teahouses provide communal dining areas and shared bathrooms.

 

Q: What are the highlights of the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
A: The highlights of the Manaslu Circuit Trek include stunning views of snow-capped mountains, an opportunity to interact with different ethnic groups and their cultures and traditions, crossing the Larkya La Pass, and a rare combination of historical, archaeological, religious, and cultural aspects of different ethnic communities.

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