The Manaslu Circuit Trek: A 16-Day Guide
You want to take on the challenge of the famous Manaslu Circuit. You dream of seeing its remote villages, learning about its Tibetan culture, and crossing the high Larkya La pass. But you may worry about the risks of high altitude. You are looking for an itinerary that is challenging but does not rush you.
Imagine a journey where you have plenty of time to let your body adapt to the thin mountain air. You get two full rest days at high altitude before the pass. This allows you to explore amazing side trails, like a trip to the Tibetan border. You feel strong, healthy, and confident when you finally make the climb over the Larkya La.
Our 16-day Manaslu Circuit Trek is designed with your safety and enjoyment in mind. This special itinerary is perfectly paced with two full acclimatization days. This gives your body the best possible chance to adapt to the altitude. It allows you to tackle the Larkya La with confidence and fully enjoy this incredible and rewarding journey.
Despite its stunning beauty and remote location, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is still much less crowded than other more popular trekking routes, such asEverest Base Campand theAnnapurna Circuit. It’s worth the extra effort to get there as there are still only a fraction of the trekkers you’ll find in more well-known treks.
The trailhead to Manaslu Circuit is easily accessible by land and doesn’t need any domestic flights. We’ll travel along the Budi Gandaki, a long and deep stream that will give you spectacular views of the surrounding landscape as you cross many suspension bridges.
Summary of Manaslu Circuit Trekking
Each day of trekking promises a unique experience as we traverse through stunning landscapes and witness the beauty of nature. Whether it’s the lush forests, roaring rivers, or the spectacular views of the mighty Manaslu Mountain, you’re sure to be in awe of the region’s majestic beauty. With the help of our experienced and knowledgeable guide, we will make our way through the Manaslu region, exploring the villages and trying out the local cuisine.
Mainly during the trek, you will be staying at the local teahouses operated by the local communities along the trek. Manaslu Circuit Trek Accommodation is pretty basic in service but very convenient. These teahouses have a common place for dining and relaxing, which is a great place to stay warm around the fire at night.
As for food and accommodations, While you are at the lower elevation, you can typically find a single room with an attached bathroom and hot shower. As you ascend, the level of service and amenities decreases. You can expect a single room with an attached bathroom at lower altitudes. The room will have two single beds, a mattress, a pillow, and a cozy blanket. These lower altitudes offer hot showers, electricity, western-style commode toilets, and Wi-Fi. You can also choose between single, double, or dorm-style rooms.
As you ascend higher, you will have to settle for twin-sharing rooms with basic Asian-style squat toilets. In peak trekking season, you may even find yourself sleeping in the dining room due to overcrowding. In some cases, even basic facilities like electricity might require you to pay a fee. Wi-Fi is usually available throughout the trek, but it may be unreliable. Also, Mobile networks may not be available at higher altitudes.
Moreover, you can expect to find various food items on the trek. From the staple rice, lentils, and vegetable curry to western spaghetti, pizza, and other snacks like biscuits, chocolate, and instant noodles, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
The good news is that meat is not forbidden at high altitudes, though we strongly advise against it. Since meat is high in protein, it is difficult to digest and can affect your energy levels, adversely affecting your performance. Therefore, trekkers should stick to vegetarian meals to maintain their energy levels.
It is also important to remember that the digestion of food is slower at high altitudes, so it is best to stick to light meals and snacks that are easy to digest. This includes foods like crackers, nuts, and fruits. Additionally, try to stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids, as this can help to improve digestion and support your performance.
What To Expect From a Manaslu Circuit Trekking
On the Manaslu Circuit Trekking, you’ll be able to experience many unique sights and experiences. You’ll be surrounded by some of the highest mountains on earth.
Additionally, you’ll witness the stunning panorama view ofSringi Himal (7,165m),Hiunchuli (6,441m),Ganesh Himal (7,422m), andManaslu (8,163m). And to top it off, we can also come close to wildlife as the area is home to musk deer, snow leopards, red pandas, and other wild species.
The locals we meet throughout the journey are descendants of native Tibetans who have been living there since the 1600s. Spending time with these locals will give you an insight into their culture, language, and dress, similar to those found in Tibet. There is a certain charm and beauty in their traditional way of life that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years.
The final highlight of the trek is crossing the high and windyLarkya La Pass (5,100 meters). Here, you get to witness some of the most magnificent views of the Himalayas. The journey to theLa passis a tough but rewarding one that tests your physical strength and endurance.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is also a popular destination for trekkers looking to take on a challenging trek. The routes range from moderate to difficult, so trekkers of all skill levels can enjoy the experience. The trek also passes through some of the most pristine and beautiful mountain passes in the Himalayas, so the views will be breathtaking.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a trek you won’t forget. With its stunning scenery, unique wildlife, fascinating culture, and challenging routes, this trek is something that every avid adventurer should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of themost challengingandrewarding trekkingadventures in the world. It is a multi-day trek that takes you through the remote regions of the Manaslu Conservation Area, home to the famous8th-highestmountain in the world, Mt. Manaslu.
The trek is known for its difficulty and the challenges it presents to trekkers. The route follows a high-altitude trail and passes through steep valleys, high passes, and remote villages. The altitude can range from as low as700mto as high as5,300m, with significant elevation gains and losses throughout the trek.
Routes, Foods, Accommodation, And Map To Manaslu Circuit Trek
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu & Transfer You To Hotels
Welcome to Kathmandu! Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed with our traditional Khata and Tika, symbolic of hospitality and good luck in Nepal. After this, we will transfer you to your hotel, allowing you to rest and gather yourself after your long journey.
Day 2: Rest & Preperation Day in Kathmandu
We’ll spend our second day in Kathmandu getting everything ready for our trek. This includes preparing in detail for the permits and documents required for the trek.
Kathmandu is the perfect place to explore Nepalese culture and its vibrant people as you prepare for your journey. From the bustling streets ofThamelto the historical sites ofBhaktapur, Kathmandu will give you an insight into Nepalese culture and culture. There are many monasteries in the city, includingPashupatinath Temple,Ancient royal palace, andBhaktapur Durbar Square. You can rest up after a busy day touring through the city in one of the many souvenir shops or cozy cafes lining up throughout it.
Day 3: Kathmandu To Sotikhola
Our first day of the trek will start with a drive fromKathmandutoSotikholaby jeep, taking us through both the highway and off-road. We will pass through the scenic Dhadingbesi and have the opportunity to make a stop at a local restaurant for some delicious Daal Bhat, noodle soup, or fried noodles.
Day 4: Sotikhola To Machhakhola
We will begin our trek on our second day after a hearty breakfast. We will cross the suspension bridge and enter the lush saal forest, following the ridge above the high rapids of the Budi Gandaki River. Then, we will take on the rocky cliff trail as we make our way toward Lapubeshi, stopping to admire the waterfalls along the way. Our trail will then take us toMaccha Khola, where we will sleep and rest for the night.
Day 5: Machhakhola To Jagat
After a hearty breakfast, we continue our journey following the narrow trails that take us up and down through the mountains. After crossing the Tharo Khola, we reach the village ofKhorlabesi. We then continue our ascent, climbing more trails before reaching Tatopani. This is where we get the chance to take a quick dip in a hot spring, providing a refreshing break to our journey.
Following this, we will cross a suspension bridge over the Budi Gandaki and continue on to Jagat, where we will stay the night.
Day 6: Jagat To Deng
Here, the trail continues uphill toSalleri, a rocky ridge. This is where we start to descend towards Setibas before crossing a suspension bridge and reachingPhilim, alarge Gurung village.
We then cross the Budi Gandaki again, travel along the west bank, where the valley widens, and pass through bamboo forests. We finally reach the Deng Khola and cross it to get to the small village of Deng.
Day 7: Deng To Namrung
Our plan for today is to reachNamrung, and by the end of our5thday, we will reach a maximum altitude of 2630m. After breakfast in the morning, we will cross the Budi Gandaki after a short walk from Deng, then climb to Rana at 1980 meters on the north bank. We will then travel west along theBudi Gandaki valley, then cross several streams and rivers before reaching the Sringi valley.
We pass many mani walls as we make our way up and down the forests, before reaching theProkvillage. From here, we can appreciate the stunning view of theSiring Himal. We cross the river multiple times and come across monasteries along the way. After a few more ups and downs, and a final steep ascent, we eventually reach the village ofNamrung.
The view from here is truly breathtaking, and it’s a great reward for all our hard work. We take the time to appreciate the beauty surrounding us before we set up camp for the night and rest for our next journey.
Day 8: Namrung To Samagaon
The 6th day of our adventure starts off on a calm yet exciting note by enjoying a hearty breakfast while watching the incredible views of the Himalayas. We will be rewarded with the mesmerizing sights ofMt Ganesh Himal (7,422m),Mt Siringi (6192m), andMt Himal Chuli.
We will then continue the day’s journey to Lihi village, where we can observe many Chortens and beautiful barley terrace fields. As we move further along, we will pass through the Lho and Shyala villages. From Lho, we can take in a spectacular view of Mt Manasalu. On our way to Samagaon, we can observe glaciers and other mountains.
Day 9: Rest and acclimatization at Samagaon.
Today is our rest and acclimatization day, where we’ll spend the day exploringSamagaon. As we walk around the village and visit the monastery, we will get a chance to see the unique culture and beauty of the Sherpa people. We can explore further by hiking to Birendra Lake or Manaslu Basecamp or by hiking to Pungen Gumpa for panoramic views of the mountains and the village.
Day 10: Samagaon to Samdo.
Today, we are exploring the beautiful and breathtaking trail fromSamagaontoSamdo. This trek will take us 5 hours, and the trail drops down to the mighty Budi Gandaki River, offering us a spectacular view.
Along this route, we will come across manyManiwalls, forests of juniper and birch trees, and many rock arch formations. Crossing over a wooden bridge, we will be able to see a huge white Kani. To get to Samdo and complete the5 hours of trek, we must cross thisKani.
If you have an extra day that you would like to explore, we can take a detour from the Samdo trek and hike to the Tibet Border. This would be a great opportunity to learn more about the local customs and cultures of the regions in Tibet. After a full day of exploration, we can return to Samdo to rest in the small village and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayan range with the majesticLarkya La Mountains.
Day 11: Samdo to Dharamshala or Larkya la B.C.
On day 9, we’ll make our way down to the Larkya Phedi, otherwise known as Dharmasala, where we will be able to take a rest stop and admire the large stone structures. Here we will be able to take some time to explore the area, relax, and take in the beauty of the Himalayas. As we are about to spend the night at the Larkya’s rest house, we will do some acclimatization walks around the hill for our bodies to adjust to the altitude and prepare for our trek the following day.
Day 12: Larkya la B.C. to Bhimthang via Larkya pass
On our route today, we are on our toughest and longest day of trekking: a 9-hour-longer trek fromLarkya La Base Camp (BC)toBhimthang (3720m).
Our trek begins with a short climb up the north side of the Larkya glacier after breakfast, where we will encounter some rugged moraines. As we ascend, our route is steep and difficult until we reach the top of the pass, where we can viewHimlung Himal,Cheo Himal,Kanguru, andAnnapurna IIfrom the top.
Finally, after a long and challenging day, we will arrive atBhimthang. After a great journey, we’ll celebrate with hot tea and reflect on it. We will appreciate the opportunity to see the incredible views, take some incredible pictures, and make some great memories while there.
Day 13: Bhimthang to Dharapani
Our trek fromBhimthangtoDharapanibegins on Day 11 of our journey, and this will be an 8-hour journey filled with incredible views and beautiful landscapes as we head along our trails.
As we descend into the rhododendron forest, we are rewarded with spectacular views of Manaslu, Annapurna, and a few other mountains. We will also reach Karche,the highest cultivated landin the valley at 2785m.
The trail continues through the fields, crosses a stream, and passes through the houses and fields with rhododendron and oak forests until we reach Tilje.
Next, we will make our way to the Dharapani Annapurna circuit section, which is known for its rugged terrain and numerous ascents and descents. The Annapurna circuit trek is also the most popular, so you can experience some more challenging terrain along the way.
Day 14: Dharapani to Besisahar to Kathmandu or Pokhara
Today is our final day at the Manaslu Circuit trek. All of the hard work and fun times of this past week have ended, but the memories of our journey are sure to remain with us for years to come.
We will take a local sharing jeep fromBesisahartoKathmanduorPokhara, which will take approximately 8 hours. On the way, we will enjoy the stunning mountain views and relive the amazing journey we just completed. From the peaceful moments of the forests to the vibrant villages and towns, we can marvel at the beauty of this place.
After arriving in Kathmandu or Pokhara, we will say our goodbyes and move on to our hotels to rest and enjoy all the comforts they have to offer.
Day 15: Departure to Your Country
After an amazing and memorable Manaslu Trek, it is time to depart and return to your country. You have the opportunity to reflect on the wonderful treks and all the wonderful moments of the tour. Additionally, you can also book more treks with us throughout Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. So don’t hesitate to book your next trek and explore more of the beautiful country of Nepal.
Best Time To Visit Manaslu Circuit Trek
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is renowned as one of the best trekking circuits in Nepal and provides a thrilling introduction to high-elevation trekking. This circuit can be successfully completed during all four seasons, but spring and autumn are the best times to trek it.
These seasons provide excellent weather, visibility for trekking, and the best scenery in the region. You’ll be able to see the majestic Manaslu at its best from a distance and an abundance of wildlife and vegetation. Plus, if you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of some of the rare species that inhabit the area.
Of course, if you’re more of an adventurer and don’t mind the cold, you can trek the Manaslu circuit during, winter. From mid-December to mid-January, the clear skies provide a beautiful view of the mountains, and the snow adds to the visual beauty of the trek.
