Highlights
- More than the Annapurna Circuit, you stroll on serene and untouched trails through magnificent scenery.
- Take a morning walk to the ridge above Samagaon village to witness the sun paint Manaslu’s summit in the morning light.
- Cross the challenging high-pass crossing of Larkya La (5,125m/16,814ft) offers breathtaking snow-capped peaks and glaciers
- In Nupri, you may enjoy Tibetan culture with enormous prayer wheels and chorten, as well as long mani walls and building-sized prayer wheels. People dress in their traditional Chubas here.
Reviews
Itinerary
At the airport, welcome you with a panoramic view of the valley and terraced fields, as well as distant Himalayan mountains. You’ll be met at the terminal entrance by one of Top1Trekking’s team representatives. He will greet you on behalf of the firm and escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu’s tourist area
You have options either to rest for the day or wander around your hotel and grab something to eat.
Spend the night at the hotel.
This is set aside specifically for you to discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu as well as prepare for the trip. Warm breakfast and freshly prepared coffee will get you off to a good start each morning.
You will then hop on the private car/van and go on the guided city tour. You will visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. All of these places hold great importance in the history of Nepal. You will get to see the precise art & architecture throughout your visit and get to understand Nepali culture & tradition closely.
Later, on the same day, you will prepare for your trip with your guide and other team members. You will check your gears and make sure everything you will need during the trek has with you. If not, you will also do quick shopping. You will end your day discussing the trip with your guide.
Spend the night at the hotel.
A quick breakfast, and you will begin your scenic drive to Soti Khola. Driving along with the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway, you will turn off towards the hilltop of Dhading. You will pass by small towns, rural communities, lush green hills, and terraced fields. Further, the road turns into a dirt path, passing by Arughat, you will reach Soti Khola where you stay overnight.
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Drive Duration: 8 to 10 Hours
The route will now take you to Machha Khola. The path is expected to pass by lush jungle and a thrilling bridge with several ascents and descents through thick woods, paddies, rivers, cliff-face ridges, and waterfalls. The trek will take you up a steep hill to the ridge overlooking the Budhi Gandaki. You’ll pass by two waterfalls on a rough path and arrive in Khursani. From there, you’ll descend through a rice field before climbing up to Labubesi, a tiny Gurung village.
The route proceeds up a hillside next to a river and ascends to a valley. You’ll descend down to the river’s edge and climb up the opposite slope. You will traverse one more suspension bridge before reaching Machha Khola.
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Trekking Duration: 5 to 6 Hours
After passing through the village of Machha Khola, you will continue up the rivers and follow a gully. The initial stretch of the narrow is trail has a few ups and downs before crossing the Tharo Khola to reach Khola Besi. From there, you’ll get to Tatopani, where you’ll have lunch
After lunch, you walk across a suspension bridge above the Budhi Gandaki River and climb toward a ridge. The route climbs all the way to Jagat. You will traverse one more suspension bridge over Yaru Khola before climbing up on stone steps to Tharo Bharyang on the journey. You will pass through forests where you may spot Langur monkeys. Before reaching Jagat, you will cross the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki River for the last time.
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Trekking Duration: 6 to 7 Hours
After having breakfast, you will trek through the subtropical forest, rivers, and small villages. The trail will take you to Salleri and further descend down to Sirdibas. From here, the valley widens up and you will trek to Ghatte Khola. Crossing a long suspension bridge, you will reach Philim. The trail then turns north and crossing beautiful millet fields, you reach Ekle Bhatti.
From Ekle Bhatti, you will trek through a steep isolated gorge and descend down to a grassy slope. Crossing the west and then east bank of Budhi Gandaki river, you will pass by dense bamboo forest and reach small Deng village for the night stay.
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Trekking Duration: 6 to 7 Hours
Crossing Budhi Gandaki river, you will ascend and reach Bhim. From here, the trail goes in the west through dense forest, alpine vegetation, and quaint villages. From here onwards, you will get to see views of major peaks in the far distance. There are two routes that go to Namrung. You will follow the trail that goes through Prok, a beautiful village that is known for its viewpoint of Shringi Himal (7,165 m).
You will take a small break her enjoy your lunch and view. After that, the trail crosses Budhi Gandaki River several times and goes through dense forest to a narrow gorge. Attempting one last steep climb, you will reach a lovely Namrung village.
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Trekking Duration: 5 to 6 Hours
Today, the trail pass by several main walls, gompas, colorful terraced fields, and small scattered settlements. Further, passing by lush forests of rhododendron, fir & oak, you will reach Sho en route Lihi. The trail will be going to present you, locals, in their cultural dress. on the way, you will pass by Kani (gate arches) that has fine artworks on them. The trail will take you to Lho from where you will get to see captivating views of Mt. Manaslu (8,156 m).
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Trekking Duration: 4 to 5 Hours
Leaving Lho behind, you will begin trekking towards Samagaon. Enjoying the picturesque landscape and panoramic views of Mt. Manaslu (8,156 m), you will reach Shyala. From here, around an hour trek will take you to Samagaon where you will stay overnight. Samagaon is the main village of Nubri people with several shops, gompas, health post, heliport, telephone, and WiFi access.
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Trekking Duration: 6 to 7 Hours
Option: Visit Pungyen Gompa and glacial lake Birendra Tal (6 hours roundtrip) or acclimatization walk to Manaslu Base Camp (4,400m/14,435ft) 7-8 hours roundtrip
Today is your acclimatization day for you to adjust your body with the increased altitude before any further change in the elevation. You have two options either to visit Pungyen Gompa and go on a 6 hours round trip to Birendra Tal or hike up to the Manaslu Base Camp. Both places will present superb sceneries and a great experience. Whichever option you choose, you will get to witness breathtaking views.
Spend the night in a tea house.
After breakfast, you will descend down to the Budhi Gandaki River. Crossing a bridge, you will pass by numerous mani walls and notice the valley begins to widen. The trail will present you with beautiful mountain views and take you close to the Tibetan border. Today, the trails will be short and easy. You will reach Samdo where you will stay overnight.
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Trekking Duration: 3 to 4 Hours
From Samdo, you will begin trekking and come across a seasonal Tibetan market called Larke Bazaar. Exploring the market, you will descend down to Budhi Gandaki River and cross a thrilling wooden bridge. After that, you will ascend and cross two more bridges. On the way, you will see the stunning Larkya Glacier. You will reach the valley of Salka Khola and ascend further to reach Dharamsala also known as Larke Phedi.
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Trekking Duration: 5 to 6 Hours
Today is going to be a long trekking day. After eating a warm breakfast, you will begin trekking on the comparatively challenging trail than other days. The trail will bless you with breath-taking views of fine villages, beautiful valleys, stunning glacier lakes, and a huge range of flora & fauna along with high Himalayan mountains.
Ascending on a rugged trail, you will reach the north side of the Larkya Glacier valley, which will welcome you with superb views of Larkya Peak and Cho Danda. Further, crossing several glacier moraines, you will ascend on a steep trail. On the way, you will get to see amazing views of Cheo Himal, Mt. Annapurna II (7,937 m), and Himlung Himal (7,126 m). You will descend down to a beautiful low pasture and reach Bimthang.
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Trekking Duration: 8 to 9 Hours
You will hike up to a nearby ride for outstanding views of Mt. Manaslu (8,156 m), Lamjung Himal (6,983 m), Cheo Himal, and Himlung Himal (7,126 m). After soaking your mind and soul with the beauty of the Himalayas, you will descend down to the Dudh Khola River crossing a bridge. You will then trek through lush forests of rhododendron and enter into a narrow valley. From here, you will ascend on a steep trail and reach Gho village. Taking a short break here, you will descend down to Tilje where you will stay overnight.
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Trekking Duration: 7 to 8 Hours
After having breakfast, you will begin descending down to Dharapani through a forested trail accompanied by a scenic landscape. From Dharapani, you will hop on a private jeep/van and drive to Besisahar. Besisahar is a beautiful village surrounded by hills. You will spend overnight here.
Spend the night in a tea house.
Average Trekking Duration: 4 Hours
Average Driving Duration: 6 to 7 Hours
After a quick breakfast, you will drive back to Kathmandu. The drive presents you scenic landscape views with lush green hills, rivers, terraced fields, dense forests, and small villages. upon reaching Kathmandu, you will be taken to your hotel. You can rest for the day or traverse nearby areas and do shopping. In the evening, you will attend a farewell dinner organized by the company and also prepare for your leave.
Spend the night in a hotel.
Average Driving Duration: 6 to 7 Hours
You will be transferred to the airport to take your flight back to your home as per your flight time, and our delegate will bid your our last goodbye.
Average Driving Distance: 6.5 km / 4 mi.
Payment conditions
Inclusion
- Private transfer between Tribhuvan Internation Airport and Thamel
- Private Jeep transfer to trekking start/endpoint
- Accommodation (comfort, 3-star) for 3 nights with Daily Breakfast
- 12x Accommodation (basic) on the mountain with full board meal
- Professional English-speaking trekking guide, as per itinerary
- Porters carrying a maximum of 25kg (Two guests share a porter)
- Trekking Permits: ACAP, TIMS, MCAP, Manaslu Restricted Area
- Taxes & service fees
Not include
- Flights to/from Nepal
Meals & drinks (unless otherwise stated) - Personal travel insurance
- Any services not listed above as “Included”
Top1Trekking charges a non-refundable deposit at the time of booking. The remaining amount you will pay on arrival.
Currency rate
All bookings are charged in US DOLLAR (USD)
After booking with Top1Trekking
After booking your tour with Top1Trekking, you will be contacted within two working days by one of our travel consultants, who will be your main contact point for all of your travel information before, during and even after your trip.
Your travel consultant will provide you with details about your booking and your remaining payment (if not paid in full). You will also receive more information about what to expect during your holiday.
Trip Information
Manaslu Circuit Trek Route
The trails begin in the town of Gorkha, where Prithivi Narayan Shah established Nepal’s first kingdom. However, because routes are being built, it is feasible to shorten the route by beginning at Soti Khola as outlined in this itinerary instead of Gorkha.
To the north, the trek passes through the Buri Gandaki River, which separates Manaslu Himal from Ganesh Himal to the east. The route follows Buri Gandaki River north through long sections of mountain gorges, high and steep waterfalls, ascents that must be crossed ridges, several suspension bridges, and dense forests.
The upper part of the trail is more difficult and provided access to vital trading routes to Tibet that have been utilized for centuries. Later you will reach the village of Ghap. This is where the real ascent begins, and you will be rewarded with stunning vistas as well as fantastic scenery. The trails continue to Samagaeon, which leads you through lush pine and rhododendron forests teeming with monkeys and birds.
The trek continues to Nupri Valley (2,660m/8,727ft), where Tibetan people wear their chubas and pass traditional gompas and mani walls.
Following this, the view of Manaslu is seen on the horizon, described as “a towering monarch with a double-edged peak towering above fields of barley”
After passing the final permanent settlement in Samdo’s Buri Gandaki valley, the route goes west to Larkya La.
Challenging and steeply climb leads you into the land of snow, frozen streams and more dramatic views with the Himalayas towering straight above you and the spectacular glaciers make it more than worth the effort.
The trek to Marsyangdi Valley begins with a climb from Manang. After descending through the lovely alpine meadows of Bhimtang, the route joins the main Annapurna Circuit and leads to Besisahar trailhead.
Variations
Combining Manaslu with the Tsum Valley, a little-known gem of this area where centuries-old Tibetan customs endure. Read more about the actual adventure to Manaslu Circuit Trek in our travelers’ journal or watch the video trip to see what it’s all about.
Getting to Trailhead
The Manaslu Circuit trek begins at Soti Khola, a 126-kilometer drive from Kathmandu that takes 6-8 hours by private vehicle. This will be a difficult road journey on a bumpy road with magnificent landscape views.
Getting Out
Default itinerary will end the trek at Dharapani, from where we go to Kathmandu by private jeep.
Another alternative is to extend your trip to Pokhara for additional adventure locations or leisure activities.
How Difficult is Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a 135-kilometer trek that, like the Annapurna Circuit Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek, needs a comparable level of physical fitness. The total length of the journey is 135 kilometers, with a 5,640m ascent and 5,730m descent.
You hike on steep mountainous terrain at elevations ranging from 700m/2,296ft to a maximum of 5,125m/16,814ft at the Larkya La.
The trail follows the steep side of the Buri Gandaki river with and some parts of the trails are carved out of the cliff. There is a danger that trekkers falling off the trail either by donkeys or slippery trails.
Best Season
The Manaslu Circuit is best visited in the fall (October to mid-December). You’ll get nice mountain vistas, pleasant weather, and a higher chance of seeing the Larkya La.
Spring (mid-March to May)
Another nice occasion to go is in the rhododendron bloom. However, if you do this loop in the spring, you’ll need to add a few backup days so you can wait until the pass is free of snow before crossing it.
Manaslu Restricted Permits
The Manaslu Restricted Area permits are $100 for the first week (then $15 per day) from September to November, and $75 per week the rest of the year. Trekkers go in a group of at least two people with a certified guide.
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