Manaslu Circuit Trek

Your arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital city, launches the inaugural day of the Manaslu Trek itinerary. Super Treks Nepal's representative will welcome you upon your arrival and serve as your guide for the duration of the excursion. Next, the guide will accompany you to your hotel, where you can unwind and refresh yourself following your flight. With your guide, you will have the opportunity to address any queries or concerns you may have regarding the trek. Additionally, the guide will provide a concise summary of the itinerary and inform you of the events that will occur in the coming days. In order to facilitate communication throughout the expedition, it is advantageous to exchange contact information with the guide at this time.

The second day of the schedule is devoted to discovering the cultural and historical richness of the Kathmandu Valley. The word “World Heritage Site” is likely referring to the multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites located in the valley, which are recognised as some of the most significant and recognisable cultural and historical monuments in Nepal. This cultural and historical heritage tour will be an extra cost if you want to add it to your schedule. Some of the most popular landmarks include Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) and Boudhanath Stupa. Throughout the day visitors will be able to see the rich history and the unique architecture of these important places and learn about their cultural and religious significance to the Nepalese people.

Departing from Kathmandu, you will travel by road to Machha Khola on the third day. Driving through picturesque landscapes, rural villages, and farming communities will provide you with a glimpse into the traditional way of life in Nepal. Depending on traffic and road conditions, the journey is anticipated to last between five and seven hours. After reaching Machha Khola, you will be accommodated at a local lodge or guesthouse for the nite. Before commencing the expedition the following day, this presents an excellent opportunity to adjust to the new environment and obtain a restful night's sleep.

Start your trek from Machha Khola on Day 4 and proceed toward Jagat. In the initial hour of the trek, you will ascend gradually until you reach Khorla Beshi, where you will pause for a cup of tea. You will resume your journey to Tatoo Pani by gradually ascending from Khorla Beshi. Dovan will be your lunch destination after you depart from Tatoo Pani. Through a landslip, the journey to Dovan will require a half-hour of walking. Following your lunch break, you will proceed with your journey to your ultimate destination via a gradual ascent and landslip trail. During your journey, you will encounter three suspension bridges.

On Day 5, the trek is relatively brief and leisurely, making it an excellent opportunity to acclimatise to the Manaslu Circuit. Leaving Jagat behind, the trail traverses verdant bamboo and rhododendron forests, following the Budhi Gandaki River upstream. Before traversing the lengthy suspension bridge at Philim, a popular photo stop and the highlight of the day, you will encounter small settlements such as Salleri and Sirdibas. As you depart from Philim, the trail becomes increasingly tranquil as you progress toward Pewa, a diminutive riverside settlement where you will spend the nite, leaving the bustling main village behind.

The journey from Pewa to Namrung is a picturesque trekking day through the center of the Manaslu region. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River through green forests, waterfalls and traditional mountain communities. The higher you climb the more harsh the scenery gets, with magnificent views of the neighbouring peaks. The day ends in Namrung, a beautiful town with Tibetan influences, and an essential stop on the Manaslu Circuit.

As the trail ascends progressively from Namrung to Lho, the trek today leads you deeper into the breathtaking Manaslu region. The route traverses serene pine and rhododendron forests, traditional mountain settlements, and expansive landscapes, providing progressively more breathtaking vistas of Manaslu and the surrounding Himalayas. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as you approach Lho, characterized by a strong mountain culture and Tibetan-influenced architecture. In the picturesque village of Lho, the day concludes with breathtaking Himalayan vistas and the historic Ribung Gompa.

The trek that commences today will deepen your immersion in the high Himalayan landscape, providing you with breathtaking vistas of Manaslu and the surrounding snow-capped peaks. The trail traverses alpine forests, open yak pastures, and traditional Tibetan-influenced villages, including the lovely settlement of Shyala. Towering mountains rise all around as you proceed toward Samagaun, resulting in an increasingly dramatic landscape. Samagaun, a historic mountain village renowned for its magnificent Himalayan setting, ancient monasteries, and rich Tibetan culture, concludes the day.

Rest and acclimatisation day in Samagaun to allow your body to acclimatise to the increasing altitude before moving toward the highest parts of the Manaslu Circuit. To ease into the acclimatisation process, we take a gentle walk to Birendra Tal, a magnificent glacier lake set amidst spectacular Himalayan landscape.

The short trek offers amazing views of Manaslu, glaciers and the rough mountain terrain. We explore Birendra Tal, then head back to Samagaun for a quiet afternoon.

You can spend the rest of the time sleeping, exploring the traditional village, visiting local monasteries or enjoying the serene mountain surroundings. Samagaun has Tibetan-influenced culture, stone buildings, prayer flags and spectacular views, making it a fantastic destination to spend an acclimatisation day.

Your trekking adventure continues as you head toward the highland settlement of Samdo, leaving behind the tranquil village of Samagaun. As you go through alpine meadows and difficult terrain, the trek offers breathtaking views of the spectacular Mt. Manaslu and other towering Himalayan peaks. This section of the hike offers a moderate climb to 3,875 meters, where the landscape becomes more dramatic and bleak. The raw, unspoiled beauty of the Manaslu region is reflected in the landscape's shift from forested slopes to open valleys and rocky ridgelines. Before entering the Manang region and traversing the difficult Larke La Pass, Samdo is the last human settlement. This isolated community, which is home to more than 200 people living in about 40 traditional Tibetan-style homes, provides a distinctive cultural experience as well as a crucial rest and acclimatization stop before the next leg of the journey.

Your journey to Dharamsala (also known as Larke Phedi) starts with a tough uphill climb over desolate alpine landscape after leaving the isolated settlement of Samdo (3,860 meters).

You will soon reach Larkya Bazaar, a seasonal Tibetan bazaar that was once utilized for trade between Nepal and Tibet, after crossing a wooden bridge. The trail then continues upward, providing breathtaking views of the Sambo Himal, Naike Peak, and other neighboring summits.

The terrain gets rougher as you get closer to Dharamsala (4,460 meters), and you'll start to experience the affects of high altitude. Despite its simplicity, the location offers a breathtaking base camp setting at the base of the pass with breathtaking vistas and a tranquil ambiance that gets you ready both physically and mentally for the challenge of the following day.

This day is one of the most difficult and unforgettable of the Manaslu Circuit. From Dharamsala, we commence our journey early and proceed to the formidable Larkey La Pass, which stands at 5,106 meters. This pass is one of the highest points of the trek. The trail leads us through a picturesque snow-covered landscape, featuring glaciers, frozen paths, and breathtaking vistas of the surrounding Himalayan peaks.

Climbing to the pass is a difficult endeavor, as the dense snow, cold temperatures, and high altitude make each step a test of determination. It is an incredibly emotional and proud moment to reach the summit of Larkey La, as it is a testament to the dedication, preparation, and obstacles that have been encountered throughout the voyage. After celebrating this accomplishment and admiring the breathtaking mountain vista, we commence the lengthy descent toward Bhimthang.

As we descend, the landscape undergoes a gradual transformation, providing a stunning contrast to the snow-covered high pass. When one arrives at Bhimthang, they experience a profound sense of relief and accomplishment. At 5,106 meters, crossing Larkey La is not merely another day on the trail; it is a significant milestone and one of the most unforgettable accomplishments of the entire Manaslu adventure.

Today is a well-deserved day of relaxation in Bhimthang following the difficult crossing of Larkey La Pass. We take time to unwind and recuperate from the voyage, surrounded by the tranquil Himalayan landscapes, beautiful forests, and breathtaking mountains. Today is an ideal day to contemplate the accomplishment of traversing the 5,106-meter pass, appreciate the breathtaking mountain vistas, and explore the stunning surroundings. This is a tranquil and gratifying respite before the journey continues to the lower valleys of the Manaslu region.

Today’s journey is from Bhimthang to the lovely village of Gho. The trail then descends slowly through gorgeous pine and rhododendron forests with invigorating mountain scenery and spectacular vistas along the way. As we descend, the terrain gets greener and warmer, with historic villages and quiet trails adding appeal. This is a more laid back and fun part of the tour after the hard days at high altitude. We arrive to Gho, a beautiful mountain village where we may relax, appreciate the surroundings and feel the peace of the lower Manaslu region

Your Manaslu trek concludes with the last trekking day from Gho to Dharapani. The trail progressively descends through lush forests, traditional villages and scenic mountain scenery before reaching Dharapani.

We reach Dharapani and enjoy our lunch and relax for a while after the journey. From here we continue our adventure by vehicle, leaving the mountains behind and driving toward Besisahar. The picturesque road winds past delightful hillside communities, rivers, waterfalls and the lush scenery of the Himalayan foothills.

Later in the evening we arrive at Besisahar, settle into our hotel and spend the nite. It’s a perfect opportunity to relax and celebrate the end of a memorable Manaslu trekking adventure.

As you finish the Manaslu Trek, carry with you memories of breathtaking mountains, attractive communities, rich culture, and the sense of accomplishment of having crossed the Larkey La Pass. To mark this fantastic journey, we’re going to have a special farewell supper, exchanging stories and precious memories from the trail.

We hope you enjoyed the vacation as much as we enjoyed having you with us. Thanks for making this fantastic excursion and wishing you a safe trip home. Until mwe meet again in the Himalayas!