Manaslu Circuit Trek is a treasured trekking route that offers pristine mountain views, unique culture and thrilling adventure. Since the area only opened to trekkers in 1991, the region has successfully preserved its distinctiveness and offers a great combination of exclusive culture, unmatched natural beauty and rich bio-diversity. The eighth tallest mountain in the world, Manaslu (8163), stands tall in the very center of the Nepalese Himalayas. The trek starts from Aarughat, a small village in Gorkha district, and follows the ancient salt-trading route with Tibet along the Budhi Gandaki River. The trek takes you to the off beaten tracks passing through colorful villages filled with prayer flags, Mani walls, splendor of pine, bamboo and rhododendron forests and monasteries along the dramatic landscape of the Manaslu Circuit. The trek gives a wonderful opportunity to get an insight into the local culture and lifestyle. The people of the Upper Budi Gandaki region are known as Nupri (the Western Mountains) who are direct descendants of Tibetan Immigrants and still retain the strong Tibetan culture. The trek may be an excellent opportunity to explore this exclusive local beliefs and lifestyle. Manaslu's unmatched natural magnificence and rich blend of Tibetan and Nepalese culture makes it a perfect trek for anyone searching for wilderness and 'authentic' village experiences. Manaslu Circuit trek is a famous alternative for Classic Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Parts of the Manaslu Circuit Trek take you over 2900 meters where It is common for trekkers to have adverse effects of altitude regardless of the fitness, age or gender. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is experienced while climbing the high altitude quickly without letting the body acclimatize. AMS is caused due to reduced air pressure and reduced oxygen level at high elevation. The best way to avoid AMS is to let the body adapt to the thin air of mountains by acclimatizing. Your safety and experience is our paramount concern. Our itinerary is specially planned to let you acclimatize properly. All our guides are experts in detecting any symptoms of altitude sickness and are well skilled with first aid medication.
Experience the majestic beauty of the Manaslu Massif in this exceptionally beautiful mountain trek with Himalayan Eco Treks and Travel- Nepal. We are experts in adventure holidays in Nepal and work very hard to make your holiday full of pleasant experiences. We will take care of every detail of the trek including any special permits and formalities required for the trek. So, you are left to simply relish the great adventure of this wonderful trek. As an advocate of responsible and sustainable tourism, Himalayan Eco Treks and Travel - Nepal is proud to support Shree Gauri Shankar Primary School, at Samagaon in this trek for the welfare of the school children of this region.
Day 01 :Arrival Kathmandu
Welcome to the beautiful Himalayan country Nepal. Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, we will be glad to greet you and assist you to the hotel. After you check in at the hotel, a pre-trek briefing will be given regarding the official formalities required for the trek. After the short pre trek briefing, we are free to explore the surrounding area of Thamel or to repose at your comfort in the hotel. In the evening, a welcome dinner will be served to you in a traditional Nepali Restaurant where you will be able to savor the authentic Nepali cuisine followed by a cultural program.
Day 02 : Half Day Cultural guided sightseeing in Kathmandu:
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, We will pick you up for the guided tour of various UNESCO listed cultural heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley. Traditional Newari Temples and Palaces in the Kathmandu valley flaunt the rich artistry and architecture of the state. The valley boasts a unique culture which is a perfect blend of Buddhism and Hinduism. We will be exploring the diverse culture of the valley by visiting the famous temples like Swoyambhunath Stupa (monkey temple), Boudhanath Stupa and Pasupatinath temple. You will have plenty time to visit and explore all these areas at your own pace. After the wonderful tour around the city, there will be a brief pre-trip discussion followed by trek preparation.
Day 03 :Drive Kathmandu to Arughat [600m/1968 ft]
We put off early today for Arughat. During the 5 hour drive into the western mountains, we enjoy the view of Nepalese landscape, villages, farms along with the mountain sceneries. We will be riding on a paved route from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi, but the drive from Dhanding Bensi to Arughat will be on a bumpy dirt road. Arughat is a major town which is divided into two parts by the Budhi Gandaki River flowing between them. We will spend our night at Arughat.
Day 04 :Arughat to Soti Khola [710m/2328 ft]: 5-6 hrs
Upon passing over the bridge over Budhi Gandaki, we embark on our trek from the western part of Arughat. On completion of the ACAP procedures, we follow the stone paved street of the bazaar. We pass through the hydroelectric power project, rice and millet fields and forests to Sante Bazzar. The trail to the Budhi Gandaki valley becomes steeper and more challenging as we cross a suspension bridge over Arikhet Khola to come across various shops in Arkhet. We enjoy vibrant views of the Ganesh and Shringi Himal as we walk through beautiful Gurung villages and cascading waterfalls before reaching Soti Khola to spend the night.
Day 05 :Soti Khola to Maccha Khola [900m/2952 ft]: 6-7 hrs
After crossing the bridge to the dense Sal forests, we climb onto the ridge along the Budi Gandaki River. On reaching Khursane, the rocky trail weaves its way upward and downward through several tropical waterfalls on the way. The track then follows terraced rice fields up to the Gurung Village of Labubesi. We further climb up the boulders, where the valley spreads out up to the Budhi Gandaki meandering among wide gravel bars. We descend to the extensive, sandy riverbed to continue on a winding mountain path overlooking the river. As the trail continues, we stop at Machi Khola for the night.
Day 06 :Maccha Khola to Jagat [1410m/ 4625 ft]: 6-7 hrs
The trail is undulating, crosses streams and rocky ravines and reaches Khorla Besi. After walking for a short while, we come across a small Hotspring in Tatopan. A suspension bridge leads us to the eastern bank where we climb on a wide well crafted staircase to Dobhan. Resuming on a steep rocky trail, we skirt landslips in challenging landscape to cross a suspension bridge over Yaru Khola. We climb numerous stairs to reach Thado Bharyang from where we cross to the west bank of Budhi Gandaki to climb towards our night's perch at the village of Jagat.
Day 07 :Jagat to Deng [1,804m/5917 ft]: 6-7 hrs
We begin our trek to Deng with an ascent over a rocky ridge to Salleri. We descend to Setibas and continue to Ghatta Khola where we cross a hanging bridge to reach the Gurung village of Philim. Passing along the millet fields to Ekle Bhatti from where the trail enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. As we keep walking the valley widens through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola. As we cross the Deng Khola, we arrive at a tiny village called Deng to spend the night.
Day 08 :Deng to Ghap [2165m/7102 ft]: 3-4 hrs
We walk from Deng to cross the Budhi Gandaki to climb to Rana. We head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley crossing various streams and rivers to reach the Sringi Valley. We traverse up and down in the forests and Mani Walls to spend overnight at Ghap. We can also make a side-trip to visit Tibetan Gompas at Prok.
Day 09 :Ghap to Lho [3180m/10,430 ft]: 7-8 hrs
The trail starts up through the forest densely vegetated with pine and birch to cross the river roaring down a narrow gorge . We continue on the narrow path through the forest to Namru with its check post, then continue through the forest path past small Tibetan villages towards Lihi. A Chorten with detailed paintings welcomes us to the Sho village with cluster of stone houses. With increasing altitude, the mountain views become more sensational. Manaslu, Manaslu North, Himalchuli, Saula Himal and Dwijen Himal rise either side of the trail as we move towards the village of Lho to spend the night.
Day 10 :Lho to Samagaon [3530m/11,578 ft]: 5-6 hrs
We start our trek with a steep descent crossing a rock-strewn torrent, the Thusang Khola. Walking through the shady fir forest, we climb to the Village of Shyala on a plateau. The village is surrounded by gigantic mountains offering us the splendid panorama of Himal Chuli, Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli), Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. As we move forward as we pass a large chorten into a little dip where two rows of houses makes the main part of the village of Samagoan. We spend our night at Samagoan which holds well known monastery called Sama.
Day 11 :Samagaon to Pungyen gompa – Samagaon
We spend our day at Samagoan for acclimatization. We can walk to Pung-gyen Gompa, a renowned monastery from where we can enjoy the great views of the glacier. We spend our day exploring and immersing oneself into the daily lifestyle of the village.
Day 12 :Sama to Samdo [3860m/12,660 ft]: 4-5 hrs
We start from Sama through the foot of the great Manaslu Glacier as the trail to Manaslu Base Camp branches off. We take the trail towards Larkya la and pass several Mani walls as the valley begins to widen. We enter a forest of birch, juniper and rhododendron, cross a wooden bridge and climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the rivers before reaching Samdo to spend the night.
Day 13 :Samdo to Dharamsala/Larkya B. C. [4460m/14, 628 ft]: 4-5 hrs
We start our walk by crossing the wooden bridge over the Budi Gandaki River. After crossing a couple of streams, the Larkya Glacier appears on the opposite bank. We steadily climb, skirting around the Sarka Khola towards the stone guest house called Dharmashalaat Larkya Phedi.
Day 14 :Dharamsala to Larkya la [5100m/16, 728 ft] – Bimthang [3720m/12, 201 ft]: 8-9 hrs
After a short ascent we reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glaciers from where we can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. We walk across the moraines of the glacier while making a gradual ascent to the pass where the outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the Annapurna II awaits us. Savoring the spectacular view from the pass, we continue our walk onto yak pastures towards Bimtang enjoying the evening mist.
Day 15 :Bimthang to Gho [2560m/8396 ft]: 4-5 hrs
We descend the valley of the Burdin Khola as we cross the high pasture. We cross the bridge over the Dudh Khola while entering a pristine forest of pine and rhododendron. We follow a trail through a narrow valley to the Karche as we pass the fields making a steep climb over the ridge to the river bank. After a short while we reach a tiny village of Gho to spend the night.
Day 16 :Gho to Dharapani [1920m/6297 ft]: 3-4 hrs
We start from Gho to Dharapani passing through the village of Tilije along the stone paved village. We cross the Dudh Khola walking along the river bank until we again pass over the wooden bridge to the northern side of the river. We pass a chorten shaped arch and Mani Wall to the village of Thonje and continue towards Dharapani where we will rest for a night.
Day 17 :Dharapani to Syange [1080m/3542 ft]: 6-7 hrs
We descend to the Marsyandi River and cross the suspension bridge to climb away from the river . We hike through a broad, flat valley to the village of Tal (1,675m), situated at the foot of a great waterfall. The trail continues as we recross the river once again at Chyamje and descends through forests of rhododendron and pine to finally reach Syange to spend the night .
Day 18 :Syange to Besisahar [760m]: 6-7 hrs
The trail gets much wider and easier as Lodges, inns and Tibetan houses become more common. We cross the Marsyangdi River as we walk towards the west side of the Syange. We walk through cultivated fields, passing Chhetri and Gurung villages en route before tackling a sheepish climb to Bahundanda. We descent towards the Marsyangdi River and follow the eastern flank of the river before ending our last day of the trek at Bhulbhule.
Day 19 :Drive Besi Sahar to Kathmandu / Bhaktapur by car 7-8 hrs
We take 7 to 8 hours long exciting drive to Kathmandu along the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. We enjoy the splendid views of green hills, mountains, farming terraces and villages as we drive back to Kathmandu. We relax and stroll around the city to spend our night at the comfortable hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 20 :Leisure in Bhaktapur / Farewell Dinner
This pleasant day is a perfect day to relax after an exhausting trek to the beautiful Manaslu region. You can spend the day shopping, strolling or even catching up to the places we missed earlier. We will pick you up in the evening for a farewell dinner.
Day 21 :Departure Kathmandu
We will pick you up from the hotel for the departure from the Tribhuvan international airport. Bid Goodbye to the beautiful Himalayan country as you cherish the wonderful memories of your adventure. We are always happy to welcome you back to Nepal for another amazing adventurous holiday.
21 Days/ USD 1850
18 Days/ US Dollar 1590
20 Days/US dollor 2950
5 DAYS/ US Dollar 325
10 Days/ US Dollor 830
12 Days/ US Dollar 1580
