Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of those classic treks where you can experience the grandeur of spectacular Himalayan ranges and alluring natural beauty amidst remoteness. The route is much less frequented than the Annapurna circuit trek. But it is certainly as beautiful as you pass through a wide variety of landscapes, skirting in turn the rivers of the valley bottoms, and walk through the forests or close to the glaciers. You will be surrounded by 7000 and 8000 peaks, especially when over the Larkya pass at 4990 m. This crossing of the different Himalayan floors is also a real journey of discovery of some Nepalese ethnic families since you will cross villages inhabited by Gurung, Tibetans, or Tibetan Manangis.
High above the hills of Gorkha, the white peaks of Manaslu – the 8th highest mountain in the world (8,163m), hang like walls of ice in the sky while the Budhi Gandaki flows 7,000m below.
Manaslu Circuit Trek is a demanding adventure. The trek requires difficult walks between glaciers and moraines, and sometimes strenuous climbing on stone steps. But is equally rewarding with magnificent views of snow-capped peaks. You will have brilliant views of Himlung (7126m), Cheo Himal (6812m), Larkye Peak (6249m), Annapurna II (7937m) and Manaslu (8156m). You will begin early every day and walk for almost 5-7 hours on average for a total of 170 km. But the higher stages are shorter, except for the crossing of the Larkya La. Nevertheless, we’ve designed the daily stages in such a way that anyone with a normal basic condition, a healthy body and good preparation can complete this trip.
If you enjoy unspoiled landscapes and culture and want to experience the Himalayas, our 17-day The Manaslu Circuit Trek is fulfilling in all respects. The best season for this trek is from March to May in spring and from September to November in autumn.
Trip Highlights
- The diversity of the landscapes of Manaslu, a massif less frequented than that of the Annapurnas.
- Wonderful cultural experiences with the Tibetan and mountain people
- Pung Gyen Monastery and its superb panorama
- Buddhist monasteries, architecture, and tradition
- Wonderful photographic opportunities
Trip Grade - Moderate to Challenging
Fixed Departures
Departure | Return | Price (Inc. Tax) | Dept Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
9 Aug 2024 | 9 Aug 2024 | $2160 USD | Available | Book Now |
5 Oct 2024 | 21 Oct 2024 | $2160 USD | Available | Book Now |
1 Nov 2024 | 17 Nov 2024 | $2160 USD | Available | Book Now |
8 Mar 2025 | 24 Mar 2025 | $2160 USD | Available | Book Now |
2 Apr 2025 | 18 Apr 2025 | $2160 USD | Available | Book Now |
3 May 2025 | 19 May 2025 | $2160 USD | Available | Book Now |
9 Aug 2025 | 9 Aug 2025 | $2160 USD | Available | Book Now |
5 Oct 2025 | 21 Oct 2025 | $2160 USD | Available | Book Now |
Trip Summary
- Day 1 :Arrive in Kathmandu & transfer to Hotel
- Day 2 :Kathmandu Sightseeing & Special trekking permit preparations
- Day 3 :Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (930m; 9-10 hrs)
- Day 4 :Trek To Jagat (1410m; 6-7 hrs)
- Day 5 :Trek to Deng (1800m; 6 hrs)
- Day 6 :Trek to Namrung (2,560 m; 7 hrs)
- Day 7 :Trek to Shyala (3500m; 6 hrs)
- Day 8 :Trek to Samagaon (3560m) via an excursion to Pungyen Gumba (4039m); around 6.5 hrs
- Day 9 :Rest day at Samagaon | Acclimatization hike to Birendra Tal (4,800m; 6-7 hrs)
- Day 10 :Trek to Samdo (3800m; 4-5 hrs)
- Day 11 :Trek to Dharamsala, a.k.a. Larkya Phedi (4460m; 4-5 hrs)
- Day 12 :Trek to Bimthang (3700 m) via the Larkya La Pass (5213 m); 8- 9 hrs
- Day 13 :Trek to Goa (2300m; 6-7 hrs)
- Day 14 :Trek to Taal (1700m; 5-6 hrs)
- Day 15 :Drive to Kathmandu via Beshishar (173km; 9-10 hrs)
- Day 16 :Full day at leisure
- Day 17 :Transfer to Airport for your onward destination
Notes
Above itinerary may be altered at any point by group leader or guide in consideration of weather conditions or client's fitness/ability - your safety is our primary concern.
We've increased the cost of the Manaslu Circuit Trek by almost 15% to provide better accommodation facilities for our staff in Bimthang (overnight stop just before pass).
With the new price, an additional porter with staff tent, sleeping bag, and mattress will accompany your group.
Daily Movements
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu & transfer to Hotel
Upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan international airport, you will be welcomed by a Keep Walking Nepal representative and transferred to your hotel. This day is simply an arrival day and there will be no organized activities. So, you will have some free time to relax or walk around for local sights.
A pre-departure meeting will be held early evening and evening dinner with keep walking Nepal family.
Overnight at Hotel Tibet
Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing & Special trekking permit preparations
As the Manaslu region is in a restricted area, you require a special permit to do trekking in this region. Nepal immigration department issues permit only for a group of minimum 2 people. Please note that only a government registered trekking company is authorized to apply a special permit for the Manaslu region. In the early office hour Keep Walking will apply for a special permit and same day collect the permit along with Manaslu Conservation Area permit in the afternoon.
In the meantime, you will visit Pashupatinath temple & Boudhanath Stupa. Both are UNESCO world heritage sites and offer cultural insights into the ways of Nepalese people.
We also recommend to get your gear in order. If you are missing anything, you can visit Thamel for knockoffs to genuine sports gear suppliers.
Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (930m; 9-10 hrs)
You will set off early today for Soti Khola (710m), the hot, enclosed, deep valley heading north upstream along the Budhi Gandaki River. During the drive, you can enjoy views of the Nepalese countryside along with the distant Himalayan peak of Ganesh Himal. We will drive on a paved road from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi, district headquarter of Dhading (1050m) up to Soti Khola.
From Soti Khola onwards, you will drive on dirt road for about 2 hours to Macha Khola.
Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)
Day 4: Trek To Jagat (1410m; 6-7 hrs)
You will depart Macchakhola to take a gently uphill path along the Budhi Gandaki towards the village of Khorla Besi after which the trail is quite exposed and challenging at places.
After a short section of forest path and hot spring, you will reach the single tea-house at Doban.
Above Doban, the Budi Gandaki descends on an impressive series of rapids while the trail passes through a narrow valley punctuated by magnificent waterfalls. After crossing a last suspension bridge at Lauri, the path on the mountainside reaches the large town of Jagat, where the valley widens.
Jagat marks the entrance to the Manaslu National Park. You can also admire a magnificent stone chorten which marks the beginning of the Tibetan influence.
Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)
Day 5: Trek to Deng (1800m; 6 hrs)
Following the Budhi Gandaki river you will hike for about 2 hours to the village of Philim with views of the Shringi Himal, a 7175 meter high summit in the north, close to the border with Tibet.
From Philim upwards, the Budhi Gandaki valley becomes even narrower. A short descent later, you will cross the river at its narrowest point over a wooden bridge, so that you will arrive again on the right bank. After a steep climb of almost half an hour after, the trail becomes flatter and continues high above the river. Below you, the Shar Khola and the Budhi Gandaki swirls in the depths and the valley opens up to a beautiful view.
The undulating trail leads to a track which is nothing more than a trench carved in the rock wall paved with stones.
After a passage over branches, tied with bamboo shoots, you would have left the trickiest path behind. Although there are still ten difficult meters to climb and descend, the landscape is much more lovely. Bamboo grows on both sides and here and there you can see rhododendron trees. You will continue further on to Deng through alternating deciduous forest with rhododendron, pine, bamboo bushes, birds, butterflies and sometimes Langur monkeys. Deng is the first real Tibetan village and has a chorten with beautiful inscriptions on it.
Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)
Day 6: Trek to Namrung (2,560 m; 7 hrs)
During the first leg of today’s journey, you will follow a winding path to the river bed; the steep and rocky walls seem as if it were carved by the river.
After the umpteenth suspension bridge you will follow the left bank and climb steeply to the town of Lana and climb slowly to the village of Unbae. The entrance of Unbae is marked by beautifully painted stone gate.
After lunch and you will descend back towards the river. Suddenly, in the middle of the forest, the Budhi Gandaki appears to have cut through a huge rock. The gap is crossed via a wooden bridge. It is worthwhile to look down and see the wild swirling water. Half an hour later the river is crossed again. After this a fairly long climb begins on a fairly steep trail, through the bamboo and rhododendron forest to Namrung, a beautiful village with a Buddhist monastery and a permit check point.
Overnight at guesthouse in Namrung (B,L,D)
Day 7: Trek to Shyala (3500m; 6 hrs)
From Namrung, you will descend down to a river crossing following the trail through a mixed forest to the entrance gates at the village of Li. Every village in this area has houses built of stone and has its own Gompa with beautiful wall paintings inside.
Further on you will cross the Hinan Khola and climb further to the stone gate of Sho. Within 10 minutes you will arrive to beautiful views of the Naike Peak, Manaslu North and finally the Manaslu itself. The trail continues uphill in the middle of houses and farmland to the village of Lo, where you can see the Ganesh Himal at the end of the valley.
After lunch you will descend to the river bed, and follow the trail to the plateau of the high mountain pastures of Shyala. Shyala is a fairly new village populated by Tibetan refugees who still come to Samdo along the former trade route via the Lajyung Bhanjyang and the Sanam Khola valley.
Overnight at a local lodge at Shyala (B,L,D)
Day 8: Trek to Samagaon (3560m) via an excursion to Pungyen Gumba (4039m); around 6.5 hrs
The day’s hike will be tiring but equally rewarding.
You will start your hike through sparse forests and past waterfalls. 45minutes on the main route to Samagaon, you branch off left towards a small side valley and arrive at Pungyen Monastery with a great view. The monastery was rebuilt after it was destroyed by an avalanche in 1954 after the unsuccessful first Manaslu ascent. In the direction of Samagaon, the valley opens up more and more and you have a view of our destination for the day very early on.
Overnight at a local lodge at Samagaon (B,L,D)
Day 9: Rest day at Samagaon | Acclimatization hike to Birendra Tal (4,800m; 6-7 hrs)
It’s another day of incredible mountain views past craggy woods of Himalayan Birch.
The day starts with an easy walk to the Budhi Gandaki river from whence you will follow the river in a northwesterly direction. Just before Kermo Kharka, you will leave the main trail and follow a upper route to Manaslu Base Camp.
After the first 45 min, the trail ascends steeply for about 3.5 km till you reach the moraine of the Manaslu glacier. The path then gently ascends to a cairn marking Manaslu Base Camp.
After spending sometime, you will backtrack to just beyond the start of the ascent and take a detour back to Samagaon via the turquoise Birendra Lake.
Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)
Day 10: Trek to Samdo (3800m; 4-5 hrs)
It’s another day of incredible mountain views past craggy woods of Himalayan Birch.
You will follow the same path you followed yesterday and, instead of taking the upper route, keep following the Budhi Gandaki river . En route, you will pass the long Mani walls at Kermo Kharka, after which you can spot the entrance of Chorten of Samdo high on a bluff. The height is noticeable; especially at the last part which rises sharply for a rigorous ascend. You will then descend back to the Budi Gandaki and cross a small bridge before another short climb to the ‘Kane’ entrance of Samdo.
Samdo, the highest elevated human hamlet in the Nupri valley, was found in the 1950s by Tibetans from the other side of the border who fled the Chinese annexation of Tibet. After some lunch, if you are up for it, you ascend another 200m to enjoy the view or just rest for the day. The Rui la pass is still used as a trade route with Tibet and it is common to come across yak caravans.
Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)
Day 11: Trek to Dharamsala, a.k.a. Larkya Phedi (4460m; 4-5 hrs)
From Samdo, the trail takes you on the old trade route towards Tibet. After crossing a bridge, you will then climb through the ruins of Larkya bazaar, one of the trade markets that flourished years back. As you ascend above the tree-line, the trail becomes progressively rugged, and it becomes harder to take steps as your lungs scramble in the oxygen-poor atmosphere. Fortunately, there isn’t any rush.
Dharmsala is about 3 hours ascent away. The trail is difficult as you have to hike through the moraine walls created by the Larkya glacier, but memorable as you trek with awe-inspiring panoramas as company.
At 4450 meters, Dharamsala is a temporary settlement, and is the highest overnight camp during this trek, probably also the coldest, and also the shortest, because you start very early the next day. The accommodation is spartan, but the food is great. Thus: early meal and early in the sleeping bag.
Overnight at a local lodge or tent (B,L,D)
Day 12: Trek to Bimthang (3700 m) via the Larkya La Pass (5213 m); 8- 9 hrs
Today is the “top day”, the literal highlight of the trip.
You will start early in the dark with your headlamps on. In clear weather, the sunrise view is just out-of-this-world; massive peaks seem to catch fire in the first rays of the sun and everything is lit up slowly. A magnificent spectacle!
The run-up to the pass is gradual. You will initially follow the moraine next to the Larkya glacier, and continue on top of the glacier for about three hours through unprecedented rugged landscape; moraines, massive massifs, glaciers, white tops that contrast sharply with the blue sky and the glacial little frosts. The pass does not really stand out as a sharp transition, but the prayer flags will adhere that you’ve reached the highest point on the trek. And now you descend!
The descent to Bimthang is quite steep as you navigate on the high moraine ridge of the Salpudanda Glacier. From the grassy moraine of Dangboche Kharka, the trail becomes easier. Hiking along the moraine shore you will arrive at a large meadow with some houses to Bimthang village.
Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)
Day 13: Trek to Goa (2300m; 6-7 hrs)
After a hearty breakfast with a superb view of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal at Bimthang, you will gradually descend the valley of the Burdin Khola as you cross the high pasture at Sangure Kharka followed by a bridge crossing over Dudh Khola.
The trail then passes through a rhododendron forest and is followed by a narrow valley until you reach the highest cultivated land of the valley at Karche (2785 m). After crossing the fields you will arrive at a steep climb over a ridge. Over the ridge, the trail carries over in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank at 2580 m. A short distance beyond is the village of Goa.
Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)
Day 14: Trek to Taal (1700m; 5-6 hrs)
You will continue on a flat level trail for about 1 hour to Tilije and descend further along the stone paved trails to cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Khola.
You will then ascend into the Annapurna Coservation Area to Dharapani (1.5 hrs) and cross the Marshyandi river to Taal.
Overnight at a local lodge (B,L,D)
Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu via Beshishar (173km; 9-10 hrs)
You will drive on the dirt-road to Besisahar. This section of the road is frequented by trekkers heading up to Tilicho Lake Trek or the classic Annapurna Circuit Trek.
After lunch, you will drive on the Tribhuwan highway along the Trishuli river. The rest of the day will be at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)
Day 16: Full day at leisure
You can enjoy a full day at leisure to indulge in spas, restaurants or visit the monuments in and around Kathmandu.
At evening, we have a farewell dinner to celebrate your Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)
Day 17: Transfer to Airport for your onward destination
A representative from Keep Walking will pick-up at your hotel for the departure transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport as per your flight departure time.
Drive to International Airport (B)
Cost - US $ 2160 (joining Kathmandu)
(Single Supplement: additional US $ )
Cost Includes:
- All airport pick ups and drops
- Half day Kathmandu sightseeing with tour guide
- 4 night hotel in Tibet Kathmandu on BB
- All local transportation as per as itinerary
- Food and accommodation during the trek
- All permits & entrance fees as per program (unless mentioned otherwise)
- Sleeping Bag, Down jacket and Kit bag
- Guide and porter
- Staff insurance
Cost Excludes:
- Any meals other than breakfast in Kathmandu
- International airfares
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Medical and travel insurance
- Camera battery charge
- Emergency rescue by helicopter
- Other items of a personal nature
- Any kind of alcoholic drinks, hot shower, cold drinks, laundry, phone call, and internet
- Trips to trekking crew
Trip Map
TRIP FACTS
-
Duration
17 Days -
Best Season
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov -
Max-Altitude
5,213 mm -
Difficulty Level
Moderate to Challenging -
Group Size
10 persons -
Accomodation
Tea House