Manaslu Circuit Trek

Trip Facts

Duration:
17 days
Trekking Region:
Manaslu Region: Pristine Trek
Max. altitude:
5150m
Grading:
Easy to Moderate
Best Time:
March-May/ Sep- December
Group size:
2 minimum
Accomodation:
Tea house and lodge
Meals:
Lunch, Breakfast and Dinner and snacks
Trasportation:
Private vehicles and Mules or Porters

Trip Highlights

  • The trek is wild and remote, yet there are teahouses at everyday stages, so trekkers don’t need to bring tents and food, making it more accessible and affordable than similar treks.
    Diverse landscapes range from subtropical forests to the high Himalayan passes.
  • Visit two big villages of Gorkha (Barpak & Laprak) which was the epicenter of the earthquake in 2015
  • Discover the timeless culture and lifestyle of the Manaslu region, the Buddhist monastery at Lho, and Sama Gaon village.
  • Experience the exemplary cantilever bridge.
  • Enjoy the stunning mountain sights as this trek offers glimpses of Mt. Manaslu, Himalchuli, Ngadi Chuli, Ganesh Himal, and Larke Himal.
  • Crossing over Larkya La Pass (5,135m), the highest elevation point on the trek.
  • Pass on the way of the Classique trek of the Annapurna Circuit trek. 
  • Discover rare and abundant wildlife (Thar, Agali, Pika, Himalayan Marmots, if lucky Snow Leopard). Manaslu is home to 33 different species of mammals, 110 species of birds, and 211 species of butterflies.

Trip Overview

The Manaslu Circuit trek is a challenging and remote trekking route located in the Manaslu Conservation Area in Nepal. It encircles the world's eighth-highest peak, Mount Manaslu (8,163 meters), offering stunning views of the Himalayas and diverse landscapes.

Highlights of the trek include crossing the Larkya La Pass, which is the highest point of the trek at 5,106 meters, exploring traditional Tibetan villages, encountering diverse flora and fauna, and experiencing the rich cultural heritage of the region.

The trek typically takes around 14 to 18 days to complete, depending on the itinerary and acclimatization stops. Permits are required to trek in the Manaslu Conservation Area, and it's recommended to go with a licensed guide or trekking agency due to the remote and challenging nature of the route.

Detail Itinerary

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you will sort out your visa and immigration and our representative will be there to collect your baggage and drop you to the hotel. After checking in you will have time depending on your arrival then you can decide to do a little bit of sightseeing or rest in your room.   

Departure by bus/jeep to up to Barpak, depending upon the number of groups. Around 4 hours of the road is better and the second part of the road may be in poor condition after heavy rainfall. We pass by Mugling Bazar (the center city of Nepal) which separates the road of the south of Nepal and Pokhara. After 20 minutes from Mugling Bazar, we leave the road to Pokhara and turn towards the Gorkha Bazar (the old capital of Nepal). We can see lots of villages, cultivation of rice, and mountains like Boudha Himal, Himal Chuli, and Ngadi Chuli. If we arrive at the time at Barpak village. We visited the village which is very clean and big. We can see the people of Gurung and Ghale in their traditional dress.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Private vehicle, between 7h to 8h of road

We start to climb bypassing the school, and big football ground, and visit a small Buddha park, from where we can see the view of Barpak village. And then the day begins to climb a steep of stones to reach Mamche Danda, where we can take a tea break. We pass by Pushu Danda located at 2800m which is the highest point of the day. On a clear day, superb view of Buddha Himal, Ganesh Himal, and Shiringi Himal. We lunch at the new smart new village of Laprak which was built after the earthquake. We then descend to the Gurung old village of Laprak where we spend the night.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Between 5h and 6h
Accommodation: in the lodge
Height difference: +800m/-600m

After passing Sigla Village our destination will be the right bank of the Budhi Gandaki River and the gateway to the Manaslu circuit trek.  From Laprak we go down to join the Maccha Khola river which we cross by a suspension bridge. We then go up to the village of Singla (2300m). Wonderful view of Ganesh Himal ranges from Singla village. From there, a long descent with many steps through rice fields and millet fields allows us to reach Khola village and after 1 hour and 30 minutes of descent, we arrive at korla Bensi at our camp.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Between 6h and 7h
Accommodation: in the lodge
Height difference: +500m/-1700m

We walk on the gorge of Budhi Gandaki River a river that we follow its source. We pass naturally hot spring source (Tatopani). The path changes banks and, after a slightly steep climb, We lunch at Yaru Phant before lunch, we pass by through big landslides. And then we reach the very beautiful and clean village of Jagat (1330m) covered its streets by stones. From Jagat, we enter the restriction zone of Manaslu Conservation Area. We continue up to Salleri (1345m), a small, silent, and clean village of stone houses, surrounded by cultivated fields.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Between 6h and 6h30
Accommodation: in the lodge
Height difference: +970m/-480m

We go forward to join the chief village of this area Philim, where there is a checkpoint for the permits, police control with a big school, and some lodges. We cross one of the long suspension bridges. We walk on the balcony way with a big waterfall. We start to see the change in vegetation. There are several hamlets and immense Himalayan pine forests. The Georges are narrow and lunch at Nyak Phedi just after the separating way of Tsyum valley and Manaslu circuit trek. There is one border to go to Tibet. Tsyum Valley is newly opened to the valley to do the trek with Tibetan culture. The one famous way to do business with Himalayan salt and wool was by exchanging rice from the down area. We change banks several times to follow the course of the Budhi Gandaki which slopes towards the west. We arrive at Deng (1875m), the first village where the Tibetan Buddhist influence is present.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Between 6h and 6h30
Accommodation: in the lodge
Height difference: +1150m/-600m

The morning walk after breakfast is very pleasant. We see the Shringi Himal (718m). We cross the bridge and steep climb and we start to see some Tibetan villages follow one another with their “manis” (engraved stone walls) and prayer wheels, signs of cultural change. After lunching at Ghap (2200m) we cross the humid forest with big and tall trees of pines, where we can see some monkeys and wild animals. We climb Steep before reaching Namrung (2615m), There are apple farms. a beautiful typical Tibetan village with its stove built in the middle of the main street and women work to make tissues for the souvenir for tourists. The people do business with Tibet.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Between 6h30 and 7h of walk
Accommodation: in the lodge
Height difference:+1350m/-620m

This day allows us to see the 8th highest mountain in the world. We cross some villages. These villages do cultivation. We can cross some Buddhist monuments like Monastery, Stupas, and Manis with prayer wheels. The people practice Buddhism by their hearts. We start to climb towards Lhi gaon, and just after passing Syo gaon, we start to see Naike Peak (6211m), Manaslu North (7157m), and Manaslu (8163m). We lunch at Lho village (3110m), where we can see a big stupa. We cross Lho gaon which is a beautiful dry stone village surrounded by barley fields, with a view of the monastery built on its heights. We then reach Sama Gompa, where we do one day of rest for acclimatization. The most important village in the valley is located on a vast grassy plateau. There are old and new villages in Sama Gaun.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Between 6h and 6h30
Accommodation: in the lodge
Height difference: +1350m/-975m

Day off after lunch break. (Acclimatization Day)
The most beautiful day of the trek for the view. We climb up to 4000m altitude for acclimatization. We go up on the Pungen glacier path to see the glacier. After reaching 4000m altitude, we can see the part of Manaslu with different big mountains in 360 degrees. Return to camp by the same route and free time after the lunch break to visit the villages, rest, and do the laundry service.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Walking hours: 4 hours
Accommodation: in the lodge
Height difference + 500 m/-500 m

We go up Lake Birendra and then go down the valley due north on a gentle slope. After following an immense mani more than 150m long, a short but steep climb takes us to the traditional village of Samdo (3860m), the last one before Tibet. Walk through its streets, where we can come across a few women on their loom. Possible stop at the village monastery.

For the ''courageous'', the possibility of going up in the afternoon to the north of the village where goats generally graze (elevation difference +100m/-100m): a breathtaking view of Himal Chuli (7893m) to the south.


Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Between 3h and 3h30 of walk
Accommodation: in the lodge
Height difference:+530m/-240m

Easy to walk and cross the river which comes from the Tibet border and start to climb up by passing Manies. We take a rest at the separation of two ways to go to Tibet and Dharmsala where we sleep. We climb up gradually. There are 2/3 steep parts to arrive at camp. We do lunch camp in the same place and after lunch break, we climb around 100m for acclimation.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Between 3h and 3h30 of walk
Accommodation:in the lodge
Height difference:+650m/-60m

We go forward to join the chief village of this area Philim, where there is a checkpoint for the permits, police control with a big school, and some lodges. We cross one of the long suspension bridges. We walk on the balcony way with a big waterfall. We start to see the change in vegetation. There are several hamlets and immense Himalayan pine forests. The Georges are narrow and lunch at Nyak Phedi just after the separating way of Tsyum valley and Manaslu circuit trek. There is one border to go to Tibet. Tsyum Valley is newly opened to the valley to do the trek with Tibetan culture. The one famous way to do business with Himalayan salt and wool was by exchanging rice from the down area. We change banks several times to follow the course of the Budhi Gandaki which slopes towards the west. We arrive at Deng (1875m), the first village where the Tibetan Buddhist influence is present.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Between 6h and 6h30
Accommodation: in the lodge
Height difference: +1150m/-600m

Almost 360-degree view of the mountains from Bimtang with Ponkar glacier. We start to descend by passing rhododendrons (in flower in spring) and pine forests with super views of Manaslu, Ngadi Himal, Himal Chuli, and the north face of Phungi Himal. This day is one of the most beautiful and pleasant days for the hike. We go back down to the plain, following the river to the village of Tilije (2245m) with high stone walls, a sort of ''border'' mixing Hinduism and Buddhism. Tilije is Gurung village. Possible to walk more than 1 hour to arrive at Dharapani (1900m), (the center point to join the Annapurna Classique trek).

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

between 6 am and 6:30 am
Accommodation: in the lodge
Height difference:+340m/-1700 m

We walk to Dharapani where we join the Marsyangdi valley and therefore the “classic” Annapurna tour. We then join Ngadi then Bhulbule or Bensishar via the jeep track.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

between 1h to 1h30 of walk
Accommodation: in the lodge
Height difference:+150m/-380m

Private vehicle, between 4h and 4h30

We take the private bus which takes us around 8 hours to arrive in Kathmandu.

Breakfast and lunch are included.

Accommodation; in a hotel
Private vehicle, between 7h30 and 8h

This day is normally our emergency day if we have some weather problem then we can use this day but if we don't then we can use this for sightseeing and rest in Kathmandu. 

In Kathmandu, we can visit UNESCO World Heritage sites with experienced tour guides and test some authentic Nepali cuisine. 

Cost Includes

  • Accommodation in the local lodge (dinner, breakfast and lunch)
  • 3 nights in Kathmandu) with breakfast.
  • All transportation, including airport pickup and drop-off.
  • Trekking permit in the national park (Specious permit - 100 dollars, Manaslu conservation N.P, Annapurna Conservation N.P)
  • One expert trek leader, assistants guides (1 assis. for 4 guests), Porters (1 porter for 2 customers)
  • First aid medical kit (Your guide will carry the medical kit but we also advise you to bring it for your use)
  • All government and local taxes.
  • Nepalese team insurance
  • Welcome dinner & Farewell dinner

Cost Excludes

  • Nepal entry visa at immigration at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) (approximately 50 USD) per person per month.
  • Trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, down jackets, trekking poles, etc.
  • Shower, Wi-Fi, cell phone pill charging and device
  • Unexpected costs due to health, flight cancellation, weather conditions, etc.
  • All kinds of drinks and snacks.
  • Tips for the guide and porter after the trek.
  • insurance (it's mandatory if you need it for rescue or evacuations) 
  • International flight

FAQs

Northern Nepal
It is the eighth-highest mountain in the world. Mt. Manaslu lies on the border between Gorkha and Manang districts in northern Nepal, 64 km east of Annapurna. The Manaslu region encompasses the subtropical foothills of the Himalayas to the arid Trans-Himalayan high pastures bordering Tibet.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is classified as challenging. It involves daily walks of 6-8 hours on rugged terrain, including steep ascents and descents. The trail reaches altitudes as high as 5,160 meters (16,930 feet) at the Larkya La Pass, requiring trekkers to be in good physical condition and to acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness.

 

The Manaslu Circuit Trek typically takes 14-18 days to complete, depending on the itinerary and pace. This duration includes time for acclimatization, exploration of side trips, and travel to and from the trailhead. The trek covers approximately 177 kilometers (110 miles) in total distance.

 

Manaslu is popular among trekkers for its remote and off-the-beaten-path experience, offering a less crowded alternative to the more famous treks in Nepal. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is renowned for its diverse landscapes, ranging from lush subtropical forests to high-altitude mountain passes, and its rich cultural experiences in traditional Tibetan villages. The trek also provides stunning views of Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest mountain at 8,163 meters (26,781 feet).

 

Climbing Manaslu is considered one of the more challenging 8,000-meter peaks. The ascent is technically demanding, involving steep ice and snow slopes, crevasses, and the risk of avalanches. Climbers must be well-experienced in high-altitude mountaineering, possess muscular physical endurance, and be prepared for extreme conditions above 7,000 meters (22,965 feet). Despite these challenges, Manaslu is often seen as a more achievable goal than other 8,000-meter peaks like Everest or K2.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is generally safe for well-prepared trekkers. Key safety considerations include proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness, trekking with a guide (which is mandatory), and being aware of weather conditions, especially when crossing the Larkya La Pass. The region is less developed than other trekking areas, so having a good guide and being well-prepared for remote trekking conditions is crucial.

Gallery

manaslu 5
view of manaslu region
manaslu 3
manaslu 5
manaslu 6

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