Manaslu Circuit Trek – 16 Days Around the Eighth Highest Mountain

Your Manaslu adventure begins with your arrival in Kathmandu. Our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the vibrant Thamel district. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the colorful streets and markets. In the evening, we'll have a welcome dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant, where you'll be briefed about the trek while enjoying traditional cuisine and cultural performances.

After breakfast, we begin our journey to the Manaslu region with a long but scenic drive to Soti Khola. The route follows the Prithvi Highway beside the Trishuli River before turning onto mountain roads that offer spectacular views of terraced fields, rural villages, and distant Himalayan peaks. We'll pass through Dhading Besi and Arughat, with several stops along the way for photos and refreshments. After approximately 8-9 hours of driving, we reach Soti Khola, a small settlement on the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River, where our trek will begin tomorrow.

Our trek begins as we follow the trail that climbs gradually through lush forests alongside the Budhi Gandaki River. We pass through several small villages, crossing suspension bridges and enjoying views of waterfalls cascading down steep hillsides. The trail alternates between forested areas and rocky sections near the riverbank. After approximately 6 hours of trekking, we reach Machha Khola (Fish Stream), named for the river that joins the Budhi Gandaki at this point. We'll spend the night here in a local tea house, experiencing our first night on the trail.

Today's trek continues along the Budhi Gandaki River, crossing several streams and climbing through varied terrain. We'll pass hot springs at Tatopani, where you can soothe your muscles in the natural thermal waters if time permits. The trail then climbs over a ridge before descending to the village of Dobhan. After crossing another suspension bridge, we reach Tharo Bhanjyang and then climb again to reach Jagat, a picturesque stone-paved village that marks the entrance to the Manaslu Conservation Area. Here, we'll complete permit formalities before settling into our tea house for the night.

From Jagat, we continue our ascent through the gorge of the Budhi Gandaki. The trail climbs to Salleri with views of Sringi Himal, then descends to Sirdibas, a traditional Gurung village. After crossing the river again, we pass through the village of Philim, known for its beautiful terraced fields and traditional architecture. Beyond Philim, the valley widens as we enter a stunning pine forest. The trail then crosses to the west bank of the river and climbs gradually to the small settlement of Deng, which marks our first entry into the region of distinctly Tibetan culture.

Today we enter the upper Manaslu region as our trail crosses back to the east bank of the river and climbs into alpine territory. The Buddhist influence becomes more evident as we pass mani walls (stone structures inscribed with Buddhist prayers) and chortens. We trek through the villages of Bihi Phedi and Ghap, where we'll begin to see the distinctive architecture of Tibet-influenced villages with houses featuring wooden porches and flat roofs. The trail then leads through a beautiful forest of fir, rhododendron, and oak before climbing steeply to reach Namrung, a charming village that offers our first views of Manaslu and other peaks.

As we climb higher into the Manaslu region, the landscape becomes increasingly spectacular. From Namrung, we ascend through forests to the village of Lihi with its imposing chorten and stunning views of Mount Manaslu. We continue through the villages of Sho and Lho, where you'll find an ancient monastery with panoramic views of Manaslu and other peaks. The trail then leads through juniper and birch forests before opening up to the expansive Samagaon valley. Samagaon (Sama) is a large traditional Tibetan village with houses scattered across the valley floor beneath the majestic Manaslu. We'll spend the night here, soaking in the stunning mountain views.

Today is a scheduled rest day in Samagaon, crucial for proper acclimatization before we tackle the higher altitudes ahead. There are several options for short hikes that help with the acclimatization process while offering spectacular views. The most popular excursion is to Birendra Tal, a glacial lake at the base of Manaslu, or a hike to Pungyen Monastery with breathtaking views of Manaslu's north face. Alternatively, you can explore Samagaon village, visit the local monastery, and interact with friendly locals to learn about their traditional lifestyle. Whatever you choose, the rest day will help prepare your body for the challenging days ahead.

After our rest day, we continue our journey with a relatively short but important acclimatization trek to Samdo. The trail crosses a wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River, then follows the river's northern bank through pastures and scattered juniper trees. We'll enjoy magnificent views of Manaslu and other peaks as we gain altitude gradually. After about 4 hours of trekking, we reach Samdo, the last permanent settlement before the Larkya La Pass. This remote village, inhabited by Tibetan refugees, is just 15km from the Tibetan border. The afternoon can be spent exploring the village or taking a short hike up the ridge behind Samdo for even more spectacular mountain views.

Today's short but steep trek takes us to Dharamsala (also known as Larkya Phedi), the base camp for the Larkya La Pass. We begin by crossing a wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River for the last time, then climb gradually on a trail that traverses the hillside. We'll pass the ruins of an abandoned village called Larkya Bazaar, once a flourishing trading point with Tibet. The trail continues to climb steadily into increasingly barren terrain with stunning views of Larkya Peak. After about 3-4 hours, we reach Dharamsala, a basic settlement with limited facilities that serves as the last stop before the challenging pass crossing. We'll rest early in preparation for the demanding trek over Larkya La the following day.

Today is the highlight of our trek as we cross the challenging Larkya La Pass. We'll start very early in the morning (around 4 AM) to ensure we cross the pass before afternoon winds pick up. The initial climb is gradual but steady across the moraine of the glacier, with increasingly spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. The final ascent to the pass is steep and can be snow-covered depending on the season. At the top (5,160m), prayer flags mark the highest point, and the panoramic views are simply breathtaking—Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and the massive Annapurna II dominate the horizon. The descent from the pass is steep on a trail that can be snow-covered and slippery. After navigating this challenging section, the trail becomes easier as we descend to the beautiful valley of Bimthang, surrounded by spectacular mountains.

After the challenging previous day, we begin our descent with magnificent views of Manaslu from its rarely seen western face. We start by crossing the high pasture of Bimthang, then descend through a rhododendron forest to a crossing of the Dudh Khola. The trail continues through forests of pine and rhododendron, passing the remains of temporary settlements used by Tibetan traders. As we descend to lower altitudes, the landscape becomes greener and more lush. After crossing a bridge over the Dudh Khola, we climb briefly to reach the village of Tilije, which is a mix of Tibetan and Gurung cultures. Here, we'll undergo a permit check as we have now entered the Annapurna Conservation Area.

Today marks our final day of trekking as we join the popular Annapurna Circuit Trail. From Tilije, we descend through beautiful villages, terraced fields, and oak and pine forests. We'll pass through the village of Thonje, where we'll check out of the Manaslu Conservation Area. After crossing a suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River, we reach Dharapani, a large settlement on the Annapurna Circuit. This marks the official end of our Manaslu Circuit Trek. In Dharapani, you can relax, reflect on your accomplishment, and celebrate with your fellow trekkers and staff.

After breakfast, we begin our return journey with a drive from Dharapani to Besisahar along the newly constructed road that follows the Marsyangdi River. This drive offers spectacular views of waterfalls, villages, and terraced farmland. From Besisahar, we continue on a better road to Kathmandu, a journey that takes approximately 6-7 hours. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we'll check into our hotel and you'll have the remainder of the day free to relax, shop for souvenirs, or explore the city further.

This day is kept as a contingency in case of weather delays or other unforeseen circumstances during the trek. If the trek proceeds as scheduled, you can use this day to explore Kathmandu's World Heritage Sites, including Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple). Alternatively, you may choose to shop for souvenirs in Thamel or simply relax after your trekking adventure. In the evening, we'll gather for a farewell dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant to celebrate the successful completion of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Today marks the end of your Manaslu Circuit adventure. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Kathmandu. Our representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight. If you wish to extend your stay in Nepal to explore other regions or embark on another adventure, we'll be happy to assist with arrangements.