Manaslu Circuit Trek

Your first day of the trip will be quite a long one. After having breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our drive toward Machha Khola via Arughat & Soti Khola.

This drive will take around eight to ten hours, during which you will get to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Nepal’s mid-hill region. As soon as we leave the Kathmandu Valley, you will begin to witness the landscapes that lead toward your trekking destination. Along the way, you’ll also get the chance to admire the stunning Himalayan ranges, Manaslu, Ganesh, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri, which we will later see more closely during our trek.

Driving alongside the major river of Nepal, the Trishuli, we will pass through Dhading Besi, the district headquarters of Dhading. Charming hillside villages, terraced fields, and vibrant local life along the route will make your journey even more enjoyable.

With a few short breaks along the way, we will eventually reach Arughat. From there, we’ll continue driving for about two more hours before arriving at Machha Khola, the starting point of our trek.

After breakfast at your tea house, we will begin the first day of our trek. Crossing a small stream just ahead and following the newly opened off-road trail, it will take us about an hour to reach Khorla Besi and another hour to Tatopani. At Tatopani, you will also have the chance to enjoy a bath in the natural hot spring.

Continuing onward, we will reach Dobhan. Following the Budhigandaki Valley and trekking gradually uphill, you will notice the landscape and vegetation changing constantly. One of today’s highlights will be the steep cliffs of the Budhi Gandaki gorge and the impressive cantilever bridge built along the rocky mountainside.

Finally, after ascending a bit from the riverside, we will arrive at the village of Jagat. Overnight stay at a teahouse in Jagat.

After completing MCAP formalities in Jagat you will reach Salleri village while enjoying the beautiful view of the Jagat Khola waterfall. Walking a few hours on newly built offroad you’ll also get your very first breathtaking glimpse of the majestic Siringi Himal. This first encounter with the Himalayas on your trek will truly fill your heart with excitement and joy.

A little further ahead, you’ll also cross a long suspension bridge built over the Budhi Gandaki River, another memorable feature of today’s journey. Once you cross the bridge and reach Philim, your permits will be checked by both the Manaslu Conservation authorities and the police. Continue along the old trail and you’ll reach Chisapani for your lunch break. Here, you can see a natural spring where clean, cold water flows directly from the ground. If you like, you can even touch the water and feel its refreshing purity. From this spot, the village of Bangsing on the opposite side of the river looks especially beautiful.

From today onward, you’ll begin to see seasonal rhododendron blossoms along your path. Small bamboo groves and tall pine trees will also accompany you throughout the day, adding even more beauty to your walk.

When you reach Ghamphul the trail separates into two valleys one leading toward the Nubri Valley, where your journey continues, and the other branching off toward the Tsum Valley.

Following the Nubri Valley route, you’ll pass through Nyak Phedi and then reach Pewa. From Pewa, it’s only about an hour’s walk to Deng, where you will finally rest for the day. Here, you can relax, enjoy organic meals, and let the tiredness of the day melt away.

The mountain views from your teahouse early in the morning will fill you with excitement for the day ahead. After enjoying a fresh and organic breakfast, you will spend the entire day exploring the Lower Nubri Valley. About 30 minutes into the trek, you will cross a suspension bridge, and another 30-minute uphill walk will bring you to Rana village. With a mix of gentle ascent and descent, you will continue toward BihiPhedi.

The actual Bihi village lies slightly above, and to visit it, you would need to follow an alternate trail from the bridge before reaching BihiPhedi.

Today’s trail goes up and down as you pass Baijam and eventually reach Ghap. Before arriving at Ghap, you will walk through several landslide sections, so it’s important to proceed with extra caution. Your guide may give you specific instructions for your safety and make sure to follow them attentively.

After having lunch in Ghap, you will walk for about an hour along the left bank of the river and reach a teashop hidden inside the forest. From there, you will cross the Budhi Gandaki once again. This spot is particularly special: as you cross the bridge, you can see a short but powerful waterfall formed by the Budhi Gandaki, along with a naturally carved stone arch above the river. A short trek through a dense forest will bring you to a place called Suksam. After crossing another bridge, you will begin a steady ascent. About an hour of uphill climbing leads you to the Apple Farm House. Here, you can explore the beautiful apple garden and enjoy a variety of apple-based treats such as fresh apple juice, different kinds
of apple cakes, and organic coffee.

Standing at around 2,600 meters, surrounded by forest and the soothing sounds of birds, this is an ideal place to rest for a while and enjoy your drinks and bakery items. With about 45 minutes of walking still remaining for the day, this short rest will refresh you for the final stretch. Lost in your thoughts and memories, you will walk through the forested trail until you reach Namrung. This village is well-known for its excellent teashops, restaurants, and comfortable lodges, making it a perfect place to end your day.

Today, you will truly begin to feel the essence of the Manaslu trekking experience. From today onward, we will enter the Upper Nubri Valley. The stunning morning view of Rugar Himal will definitely make your day’s journey even more delightful. At the start of the trek, your permits will be checked at the police checkpoint. A little further ahead, you will cross a small stream and then walk for about 45 minutes along a flat trail.

As the valley gradually widens, you will climb uphill once more from Bhratang. Looking back, you’ll be able to see Ganesh Himal watching over you. A little further up lies the village of Lihi. Before reaching the village, a welcoming Mané gate stands ready to greet you. From that spot, you can feel the comforting presence of North Manaslu and Nike peak on the right side of the valley and the Himal Chuli range on the left.

Continuing forward, accompanied by the sound of birds chirping around the large walnut tree near the Lihi monastery, you will pass through another big Mané gate. Inside the gate, you will see various Buddhist carvings and symbols. Passing through it feels like purified entering the Himalayan region with a clear mind and refreshed spirit.

Following the trail that winds inward, you will eventually arrive at the village of Sho. From here, your dream finally becomes the main highlight of this trek: Mount Manaslu (8,163 meters / 26,781 feet), the eighth-highest peak in the world. Its magnificent beauty becomes even clearer as you get closer to Lho.

Since today’s journey ends at Lho, you will stay overnight there. But make sure you don’t miss the sunrise view the next morning, it is truly unforgettable.

Today is one of the most special days of the entire trek. Early in the morning, with a warm cup of tea or coffee in hand, you will wait for the sunrise view. When the first rays of sunlight touch the massive and majestic summit of Mt. Manaslu, you will feel every hair on your body rise with excitement. Witnessing Manaslu turn golden in the morning light might be one of the most extraordinary moments of your life, something you may have never experienced before and might never experience again.

Enjoying breakfast in the hotel dining room while gazing at the morning view of Manaslu has its own charm. After finishing breakfast, your journey continues through the upper part of Lho village. If you haven’t visited the Lho monastery on the first day, you can explore it today as it lies along the trail.

The trail leads you through a forest of Himalayan alder trees, then across the crystal-clear river flowing down from the Naadi Chuli glacier. You will also walk alongside a charming small river originating from the Punggen Glacier. After a short but enjoyable uphill walk through a beautiful forest of tall cedar pines, you will come across a small hydropower station. Continuing on, after about two hours of trekking from Lho, you will reach Shyala village.

Since today’s trek is not very long, you can relax and enjoy the stunning morning surroundings and even stop for a tea break in Shyala. From the left side of Shyala, you can see spectacular views of the Himal Chuli range, Naadi Chuli, Manaslu, North Manaslu, Nike Peak, Syala Himal, Bongkar Himal, and Rugar Himal. These breathtaking mountain panoramas add even more excitement to your journey. After walking for about an hour from Shyala, you will arrive at Sama Gaun. Crossing the long suspension bridge twice between Shyala and Sama Gaun, you will begin to see the Sama Gaun School, village area, hotels, and monastery area clearly. The wide open fields, local farmlands, and herds of grazing yaks also become part of the day’s highlights. Entering the village through the Mane gate, you will see large Manewalls, rows of carved stones, mantras, and various Buddhist symbols. The Tibetan-style houses and traditional settlement add a unique charm to your journey. Sama Gaun is the main and oldest village of the Nubri people. It has large monasteries, different kinds of shops, a health post, a helipad, and the final police checkpoint of this valley.

This day is set aside to help your body adapt and acclimatize to the thin oxygen-poor air of the high Himalayas. From Samagaun, you can take several short side trips to higher elevations for proper acclimatization.

One good option is a hike to Pungyen Gompa. For the first 45 minutes or so, you will walk along the same trail you followed the previous day before heading uphill. Once you reach the ridge top, you will be rewarded with stunning views of Mount Manaslu. On the wide open meadows, you’ll often see yaks grazing, and Himalayan thar herds moving across rocky slopes. If you continue a little further, you can also explore the Pungyen Gompa area.

Another option is to hike to the Manaslu Base Camp, located north of Samagaun. This route takes you steadily uphill for about 6 km, reaching an altitude of around 4,800 meters. The climb is challenging, but the breathtaking view of Birendra Lake from above is often one of the most memorable parts of the journey.

Both hikes take about 5 to 6 hours in total, so it’s best to pack a good lunch from your teahouse.

If you prefer a more relaxed day or are feeling the effects of altitude, a shorter hike to Birendra Lake is a great choice. This gentle and scenic walk also lets you explore the upper part of Samagaun, where you can visit various monasteries, chortens, and observe the simple daily life of the local lamas.

This hike helps prevent altitude sickness and prepares you for high passes ahead, including Larkya La Pass. Overnight in Samagaon.

Today, you will be trekking to Samdo, the highest village in the Gorkha region. Samdo was established nearly 70 years ago and lies only about 300 meters higher than Samagaun. Although the trail is fairly gentle, the high-altitude terrain can still feel challenging at times. So, it’s best to walk slowly and steadily without rushing.

The total distance is around 11 kilometers, making it a pleasant day to walk at an easy pace while enjoying the wide, open views. Along the way, you’ll pass long Mani walls and see yak pastures spread across the valley. For a short while today, you’ll also catch glimpses of the eastern face of Mount Manaslu. After this point, your focus will gradually shift toward the journey ahead, especially the approach to Larke Pass.

Once you arrive in Samdo, you can explore the nearby small settlements or take a short hike up Samdo Hill. From the viewpoint on Samdo Hill, you can clearly see the trail that leads all the way to Larke Pass, giving you a preview of the route that lies ahead.

Today’s journey is to Dharmashala, a small settlement just before Larke Pass where accommodations have been set up primarily for trekkers. There are only three hotels here, so you may need to share rooms with other trekkers.

About 30 minutes into the hike, you will cross the suspension bridge over the Budi Gandaki and reach Larke Bazaar. From here, your journey alongside the BudiGandaki ends and thetrail to Dharmashala involves a gentle uphill climb.

Since this is another high-altitude adventure day, it’s important to pay close attention to your body’s signals and take it slow.

Today, you will once again have views of Mount Manaslu from the north side. Looking back, you may also catch glimpses of Sonam Peak or the Samdo Peak. Enjoying the scenic and peaceful moments of the Manaslu region, you will eventually reach Dharmashala. Overnight in a teahouse at Dharamsala.

Today is one of the most special days of the trek. You will be walking to the highest point of the trail, 5,106 meters. Trekking at such high altitude is definitely challenging, but it is possible. You should be prepared for a journey of about four hours to reach the pass.

You will need to start your hike early in the morning, around 5 a.m., after having a hot breakfast. Even if you don’t feel like eating, it’s important to fuel your body, as you will need energy to face the challenge ahead.

As you take each step forward, the majestic mountain views will captivate you. Along the way, the lakes reflecting the snow-covered peaks will keep you mesmerized, and you will not grow tired of the scenery. Walking along the rocky trail, the view from the pass itself is breathtaking and unforgettable. From here, you can also see nearby Larkya Peak, Choyu, Himlung, KangGuru, and Annapurna II.

After spending some time at the pass, you will trek approximately five hours to Bimthang. There is a mid-point around the three-hour mark, where you can stop for lunch and a short rest. On the way down, you will enjoy views of ice-covered mountains, Pongkar Lake, and the Pongkar and Salpu Danda Glaciers.

About an hour before reaching Bimthang, the valley of Bimthang will come into view, and the cluster of lodges there will signal that you are approaching your overnight stay.

The final day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you to Tilche Village. On this day, as you descend, you will walk through forests of tall pine trees and rhododendrons, experiencing a variety of vegetation along the way. The wooden bridge over the Dudh Khola is particularly scenic and adds to the charm of the trek.

From the trail, you will get views of Mount Manaslu, Nadi Chuli, and Pungi Himal, which are the highlights of today’s journey.

After crossing the Surkhi Khola, you will reach a lunch spot where there are two lodges available. About an hour later, you will arrive at Gho Village. Nestled on the hillside, Gho Village is incredibly picturesque. Some trekkers choose to stay overnight in Gho and take a jeep from Tilche the next day, while others walk all the way to Tilche on the same day and take a jeep the following morning.

From Gho to Tilche, the walk takes approximately another hour along a wide trail built for motor vehicles, providing a smooth and comfortable end to your trek.

From Tilche, you will board a jeep to Beshi Sahar, marking the conclusion of your trekking journey. Drive along the Marshyangdi River gorge, passing narrow roads, cliffs, waterfalls, and Annapurna Circuit villages like Chamje, Bahundanda, and Bhulbhule. Stop for lunch en route and complete a final permit check before reaching Besisahar.Upon reaching Beshi Sahar, you will begin a scenic drive back to Kathmandu or Pokhara, which takes approximately more 6 to 7 hours to kathmandu and 5 hours to pokhara. Where you can unwind and relax in one of the city’s luxurious hotels, enjoying the comforts of modern amenities after your high-altitude adventure.