Manaslu Circuit Trek

Today marks the start of our 12-day journey. We will have an early breakfast before setting out on a beautiful drive toward Machha Khola. Our route follows the Prithvi Highway that winds along the Marsyangdi and Trishuli Rivers.

Along the drive, we will witness lush valleys, rolling hills, and distant mountain peaks. After a few hours, we will reach Dhading Besi. From here, the road starts to get a bit rough. We move onto rocky trails along the northwest route opposite the Budhi Gandaki River.

As we continue, we will pass through Soti Khola, a popular starting point for treks in the Manaslu region. Then, after crossing through several Gurung and Magar villages, we get our first glimpses of local culture and life in the hills. We will finally reach Machha Khola by late afternoon, where we will settle in for the first night of the Manaslu Circuit Trek journey.

We will begin our day by going to the police checkpoint in Machha Khola to have our permits checked. After that, we will follow the trail along a deep river gorge, hiking up and down rugged paths with some steep climbs. Soon, we will reach Tatopani. We can relax here and take a dip for relaxation.

After a short rest, we will continue toward Yuri Bagar, which has beautiful views of Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal. Along the way, we will pass a suspension bridge and go through villages where Gurung and Magar communities live. Here, we can watch locals go about their daily lives on small farms and in simple teahouses along the river.

As we move on, we will come to the 158-meter cantilever bridge in Yaru Bagar, which happens to be Nepal’s first cantilever bridge. This will take us about 20 minutes to cross. After crossing, we will keep hiking until we reach Jagat, a Tibetan village. It is a stone-paved town and the entry checkpoint for the Manaslu Conservation Area.

On day 3, we will start early from Jagat. It begins with a climb up a rocky ridge to Salleri. From there, we will go downhill into the village of Sirdibas, which has beautiful views of the river and hills around us. As we walk toward Ghatta Khola, the path becomes a bit wider, leading us to Philim.

Here, we will cross a long suspension bridge and continue through maize fields until we reach Ekle Bhatti. In the afternoon, we will enter a steep, quiet canyon, moving down grassy slopes and crossing the Budhi Gandaki River several times on suspension bridges.

Then the valley opens, and we will pass through calm bamboo forests, following the trail to the Deng Khola River. In this section, we can see and hear birds and occasional monkeys on the slopes. Soon after, we cross the river to reach the small village of Deng, where we will stay the night in a local teahouse, ending a full day of adventure.

After breakfast in Deng, we will start one of the most culturally rich parts of our trek. We will cross the Budhi Gandaki River and climb up to a series of bridges, connecting with the route toward Bihi. Turning west, we will ascend through green forests, alpine plants, and villages, with tall peaks starting to appear in the distance.

In Prok village, we will have breathtaking views of the snow-covered Shringi Himal. Our lunch stop will be Ghap. Moving past Ghap, we will continue our journey to reach Namrung. Throughout the day, we will see stunning mountain views and cross ancient gompas and long mani walls built along the trail.

At one point, we will cross a suspension bridge with a view of the Budhi Gandaki beneath. We will finally reach Namrung after a steady climb up a stone stairway, about 8 hours of hiking.

On Day 5, we will leave Namrung and begin our journey to Samagaun, enjoying stunning mountain views as the valley unfolds before us. The path climbs higher, with the lush forests of the lower valley giving way to the more barren, rocky landscape of the Himalayas.

As we approach Lho, we will be greeted by breathtaking views of Manaslu, with the peaceful Rebung Gompa monastery nestled close to the mountain. In the gompa, we can see monks, prayer flags, and traditional stone houses that reflect the strong Tibetan culture of the valley. After exploring it for a while, we continue our trek toward Shyala and have lunch.

After lunch, we will cross the drainage slopes of the Pungen Glacier and eventually arrive at the flat terrain of Samagaun. It is a charming village with lovely courtyards and pastures on both sides. During the Manaslu climbing season, Samagaun is a busy hub as it is the closest settlement to the Manaslu Base Camp. We will see caravans of yaks and porters moving through here.

Day 6 in Samagaun is dedicated to acclimatization. It allows our bodies to acclimate to increasing altitude, so we can safely move to higher elevations over the coming days. We can enjoy stunning views of Mt. Manaslu and explore the famous Ribung Gompa. We will also see panoramic sights of glaciers, farmland, and the village’s flat terrain.

There are a few options for day hikes near Samagaun. We can visit Birendra Taal, a beautiful glacial lake located 3 km from the village at 3,450m. If you’re feeling up for a longer hike, you can visit the Manaslu Base Camp, which lies 3 km further away from Birendra Taal. The base camp offers views of the Manaslu Glacier and the icefall.

For more mountain views, we can also visit the Pungen Monastery, 6-7 km from the village. Here, we will encounter panoramic views of the peaks and thousands of mani stones engraved. These are all “climb high, sleep low” side trips, designed to help your body adapt and reduce the risk of altitude sickness before you cross the high Larkya La Pass. As a simple alternative, we can also explore the village and observe the traditional lifestyle of local families.

Today’s trek will be challenging as we follow a northern path along the upper Budhi Gandaki River. The trail gradually ascends, and we will pass the confluence of the Larkya River and the river from the Samdo Glacier.

As we walk through the Kermo Kharka forests, the path becomes steeper and more rugged. We will cross several wooden bridges, and the climb can be tough. However, the scenery is beautiful and that makes it worthwhile. Our lunch stop will be at a scenic point along the trail, where we can rest before continuing the steep ascent toward Samdo.

After lunch, we will continue the climb. As we approach the village, we will spot a large white Kani marking our destination. The final part of the day’s trek will be a bit strenuous as we reach Samdo, a remote high-altitude settlement close to the Tibetan border. Here, we can meet and talk with local people who still rely on yak herding and seasonal trade.

Our hike from Samdo to Dharamshala is a shorter but scenic journey. We will follow the path as it passes the Athahra Saya and Larkya rivers, gradually ascending. Along the way, we will pass Taka Choeling Gumba, from where we get beautiful views of Naike and Pangboche Peaks.

The trail passes through Mani walls, stone houses, and a bridge toward Larkya Bazaar, a small settlement with some lodging options. We then continue to Dharamshala (also known as Larkya Phedi), the highest point before the Larkya Pass.

You can witness lichened stones, grazing pastures, and beautiful trees from this village. Also, the Syancha Glacier is visible at this point, making the journey rewarding before you ascend to Larkhya La Pass. This day is shorter, giving you extra time to rest, hydrate, and mentally prepare for tomorrow’s long, demanding pass day.

Day 9 is the most challenging part of the trek. We will start early, before sunrise, on the north side of the Larkya Glacier. As we trek, we will enjoy views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Our goal is to reach the Larkya La Pass, one of the highest passes at 5,213 meters.

Once at the top, we can enjoy panoramic views of the majestic Himalayas, like Mt. Annapurna II, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and Himlung Himal. After taking in the views, we will cross the pass. Then, we will descend steeply along the high moraine ridge of the Salpudanda Glacier.

From here, we will make our way down to the grassy moraine of Dangboche Kharka. The trail becomes easier as we continue our descent. After about six hours, we will pass through a large meadow and a Mani Wall, finally reaching the beautiful village of Bhimtang. This day is long and tough, but it is also one of the most rewarding days of the entire Manaslu Circuit.

Today, we will begin with a steady descent from Bhimtang. We will pass through lush forests and beautiful meadows, where we get wonderful early-morning views looking back to Manaslu and the surrounding peaks. The trail will wind through small villages and terraces, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Along the way, we will cross several rivers and pass through Mani walls. After a few hours, we will reach the village of Tilche, where we will settle in for the night. Tilche is a charming village offering a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere, with traditional houses, stone-paved lanes, and terraced fields that mark our return to the middle hills.

On Day 11, we will enjoy a scenic jeep ride from Tilche Village to Besisahar. After breakfast, we will board the jeep for a 4-5 hour drive that offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, including Annapurna II and Manaslu.

We will pass through various villages, such as Chamje and Bhulbhule. The drive follows the Marshyangdi River, offering stunning views of waterfalls, terraced fields, and lush forests. After some time, we will see more traffic and roadside teahouses as we rejoin the busier Annapurna Circuit corridor. Near Besisahar, we will be greeted by views of the Annapurna Range and the surrounding valley.

Today is the last day of our 12-day journey. We will begin our day early with a scenic drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu. The drive will take approximately 6-7 hours, following the Prithvi Highway. Along the route, we will pass through towns like Dumre and Kurintar, where we can see local life in full swing. The journey offers picturesque views of the river and valleys as we make our way back to Kathmandu.

Once we arrive in Kathmandu, we will check into our hotel and have some time to relax after our long journey. Spend the free evening exploring the city or enjoying a farewell dinner to celebrate the completion of your Manaslu Circuit trek.