Manaslu Circuit Trek

Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1350m)

Our representative will meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the airport. He or She will brief you on the immediate arrangements and escort you to your hotel. The trip leader will hold a short briefing in the hotel regarding trek arrangements and general orientation to Kathmandu.

Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley

Today, we visit the most historical and Spiritual attractions in Kathmandu which are also listed in world heritage sites. We visit Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey temple), Bouddhanath, which is one of the largest Stupa in the world and the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath.

Day 3: Drive to Arughat (600m) and then Soti Khola (720m / 8-9 hrs)

After early breakfast, we drive from Kathmandu to Arughat following the Kathmandu Pokhara highway. While passing the ridge of Kathmandu valley, we have glimpse of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Langtang Himal, nice terraces and green hills. We cross the Trishuli Khola on a bridge and drive through Dhading besi, passing Murali Bhanjyang, Nigalpani, Gola Bhanjyang and arrive in Arughat. The village of Arughat is in two parts, on opposite sides of the Budhi Gandaki. Arughat Bazaar is large, clean and prosperous with hotels and shops. From here we drive further to Soti Khola by local bus. Here are some hotels, shops and small camping ground.

Day 4: Trek to Machha Khola (925m / 6 hrs)

From Soti Khola, we walk along the new constructing rough road, not any vehicle. We gently ascend through small forest and arrive in Armala village, from here it is mostly easy flat route to Labu besi (2 and half-3hrs). There are some small slide areas on the way. We have very nice views of the valley, nice terraces and some waterfalls. Labu besi (880m) is nice Gurung village, here are some hotels. From here, it is easy 40min walk to Nauli Khola, here is a hotel and long suspension bridge. The small new road is finish from this point, after the bridge, the path gradually descend, flat and second to Khani besi (970m / 40min from Nauli khola), here is also a local tea shop and few houses. Leaving Khani besi, the path descend down to the wide bank of Budhi Gandaki river, passing few local hotels, the path gently ascend to Machha khola (one and half – 2 hrs), this is beautiful walk. Machha Khola is a village which is situated above a stream with the same name. There are some hotels, shops and camping grounds. There is a police check post in Machha khola where we should keep our record.

Day 5: Trek to Yaru Phedi (1140m / 6-7 hrs)

We cross Machha khola by suspension bridge at last corner, make some minor ups and downs and following in a rocky ravine, arrive in Khorla besi (970m / 1 and half hrs). There are some hotels and shops. We cross the river at middle of the village by long suspension bridge. This is small beautiful village. From here, it is easy 1 and half hrs walk to Tatopani, hot spring (990m). There are small ups and downs but mostly gradual ascend. Few minutes later, cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge, gently ascend little higher from the river, follow the river side through narrow valley then small climb to Dobhan (1010m / 1 hr 15-20 min),There are some nice waterfalls on the way. In Dobhan, there are some good hotels and shops. Leaving Dobhan, we gently ascend to Shyauli (45 min, 2 hotels), tiny settlement and then very easy 15 min walk to Thulo Dunga, here are some old houses and local tea shops. From here, we walk about 15-20 min further to Yaru Phedi. At Yaru Phedi, here are few small huts and camping ground. This is not a village. 

Day 6: Trek to Philim (1590m / 6 hrs)

The route ascends gently through beautiful forest, small climb and arrives on Yaru top (1284m / 25 min) then descends down to Yaru Bagar. There are some local hotels and shops with beautiful huge ground. The river valley widens. We cross a long suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola and ascend a wide set of stone stairs, walk through very long new steel bridge by the corner of cliff, drop to the river and then climb more big stone stairs to Thado Bharyang (30-40m / one tea shop). We cross the Budhi Gandaki River, climb over a small ridge, descend down to river bank and walk along the river for a while and climb up to the Jagat (1410m / 30 min). Jagat is very nice village, here are shops, hotels, Police and Manaslu National Park check post. From Jagat, descend little bit, gently ascend to mini hydro powerhouse and long suspension bridge. Here is beautiful water fall. After crossing the bridge, gently descent and then walk through rocky cliff to Salleri (35-40min / 1430m), there are good views of Sringi Himal as you continue up along the side of a cliff. From Salleri the path gently ascend through beautiful hill slope, climb little bit and descend to Sirdibas (1 hr). We have really nice views of the mountains. The valley widens, we walk through Ghatta Khola (15min), cross the small stream and continue upstream to a long suspension bridge (Cham / 10-15 min). We cross the bridge and climb up to Philim (25 min). This is a large Gurung village with fields of corn and millet. There are several good camping grounds, good hotels and shops.

Day 7: Trek to Dyang (1860m / 6 hrs)

The trail turns north in the village and stays fairly level as it traverses to Chisapani (30-40 min / 1625m / several good hotels) and then Ekle Bhatti (15 min / few houses). From here it is very easy 40 -50 min walk to Gampul (no houses, descent, ascent and flat), from here the path for Chum Valley and Manaslu separate. We take left side path and descend down to the bridge (6-7 min). After the bridge, climb little bit and then flat route to Nyak Phedi (1685m / 25 min), here are 2 small hotels. From here we enter a narrow dramatic gorge section with towering walls and cross the suspension bridge (15 min), another bridge (25 min / gently climb) and arrive in Pewa (25min), here are some hotels. It is pleasant walk through beautiful forest of bamboo and mix. From here, gently ascend through nice forest, climb small up and arrive in tiny village of Dyang (1 hr). This is lower part of Nubri region called Kutang and is inhabited primarily by Gurung who practice Buddhism. Here are some hotels, shops, camping ground and private houses.

Day 8: Trek to Ghap (2160m / 6 hrs)

From Dyang, the path gently ascend, little bit climb and then cross the Budhi Gandaki River (30 min) by suspension bridge. After river crossing, we climb up to Rana Gaon (25min), there are some houses and fields. We walk through village, fields and gently ascend to Bihi Phedi (60 min/ 1990m / 2 hotels). There are some ascend, small ups and downs on the way. After Bihi Phedi, we ascend and descend down to a shop above the river (30 min). Beyond the shop, we cross the side river by long suspension bridge (can see many peaks from here) then climb small up. We walk flat, ups and downs through the beautiful forests, passing Mani wall and arrive in Bur (1hr), there are some fields and small hotels. From Bur, the path gently ascends, flat and little bit climb through small forest and landslide areas then contours to beginning of Ghap village (30-40 min). We continue to walk passing Mani walls, some hotels, old Stupas and cross Budhi Gandaki River then arrive in second part of Ghap. There are also many fields and nice hotels. The camping ground is in last part of the village (30-40 min from beginning of village).

Day 9: Trek to Lho (3180m / 7-8 hrs)    

Leaving Ghap, we gently ascend through beautiful forest passing several old Mani walls and arrive in Lung Chhyuda (forest hotel / 30-40 min), here is a nice hotel in the middle of the forest. After hotel, we cross the river and continue to ascend through nice forest to another suspension bridge (25-30 min) and climb very steep up to the top of Namrung village (1 hr 20-30 min). It is very nice walk through beautiful forest of Pine and Rhododendron, the path is very good and in some places is gentle climb. From top, we steeply descend down for 10 min to Namrung (2660m), here are some nice hotels and police check post. From Namrung, the path is mostly flat and ascent to Bhanjam village (40-50min), here are many old houses, local tea shop – hotel and lots of farming land. We walk through many old Mani walls and Stupas on the way. After Bhanjam, we climb steeply up through beautiful forest to ancient Lihi village (2910m / 50–60 min). This is very nice village, here are some hotels and one small monastery. Few minutes beyond Lihi, we cross side river by bridge (15 min) and gently ascend – flat route passing Kakani and many Mani walls to Shyo village (40 min), here are many houses and one normal hotel. The views now start to get spectacular. Manaslu (8163m), Manaslu North (7157m) and Naike peak (6211m) appear at the head of the valley. We ascend through more fields to the small village of Shrip, pass a stream then small climb up to Lho village (1 hr 15-20 min). There is a stone archway at the entrance, Monastery, Tibetan style Chhorten and huge Mani wall at the western end. This is large village, here are many good hotels, camping ground at the end of the village and big monastery on top of the village. We have wonderful view of Manaslu from this village.

Day 10: Trek to Sama Gaon (3530m / 4 hrs)

We climb up to the monastery (15-20 min), after visit monastery, take higher route which is very easy. From Monastery, it is flat route for a while, small up to the new suspension bridge (15-20 min) and then gently descend down to river, cross river by local bridge and then gently climb up to Syala village (3520m / 1 hr 30 min from monastery), here are many hotels. From here we get wonderful views of Himalchuli, Ngadi Chuli (Peak 29) and Manaslu. 10 min later from Shyala, we cross a stream by suspension bridge, gently descend and ascend to another long suspension bridge (10 min). After the bridge, the path gently descends and walks across fields of wheat and buckwheat, past Chhorten and large Kani. Beyond the Kani descend to a large collection of Mani stones, arrive in the main village (35-40 min), here are many good hotels, shops, Police and Manaslu Conservation Area check post. In the afternoon, we hike up to the old Gompa above the village and wander around the village.

Day 11: Explore around Sama Gaon.

Today, we visit Punggen Gompa (3870m). Climb the ridge to the south of Sama Gaon to the Punggen Gompa which is hidden behind the ridge in front of Manaslu. We can also make a day hike to Birendra Taal, the glacial lake at 3450m.

Day 12: Trek to Samdo (3690m / 4 hrs)

Today is also another day of incredible mountain views, we follow the valley floor which has now turned north again, follow it to a bridge over a side stream which is flowing down from Manaslu base camp (25 min). We passes several Mani walls, old Stupas as the valley begin to widen. It is an easy trail above the river past Juniper and Birch forests and the stone huts of Kyonggma Kharka then get rougher as it reaches a ridge. Descend little bit and cross the river and climb steeply (10 min) onto a promontory between two forks of the river. From stone arch we can see a large Kani. Finally we pass through the Kani to find old herding settlement of Samdo nestled behind a ridge. The people of Samdo are Tibetan and were ceded the land by the king of Jumla over 500 years ago. It was major trading point of Tibet and India long time ago. In the afternoon we walk around the village, where the people live an essential Tibetan lifestyle, herding their Yaks, Sheep and Goats. From Samdo, we can see wonderful views of Simnang Himal – 6251m, Ngadi Chuli (Peak 29) – 7871m, Himal Chuli – 7331m and Samdo Peak – 6335m but we can't see Manaslu.

Day 13: Trek to Dharmashala, / Larkya Phedi (4470m / 4 hrs)

From Samdo, we gently descend on a wide, past many fields, old Mani wall, descends to the river (25 min), cross it by bridge. Here is a small hydro power house. After bridge, we climb gently through beautiful green slope to small stream (30 min). From this stream, gently ascend and climb to small top through Juniper bushes (50 min). We have very nice views of Samdo Peak, Manaslu North, and Manaslu). From here, we descend and ascend to Dharamshala, the high camp for the Larkya La pass. We have breathtaking Mountains view (Samdo peak, Naike and Larke peak) and possible to see many blue sheep around here. Here are fixed tents and some small ground for camp.

Day 14: Cross Larkya La (5120m / 4 hrs), camp at Bimthang (3720m / 4 hrs) 

Today, we start walk early in the morning. We climb up the ridge in front of the rest house, eventually becoming a long, gentle climb beside a moraine. Cross a small ridge, descend a bit to a lake (1 hr 30-40 min), keep climbing the ridge to the top of the moraine and then easy flat for a while to small tea shop (35 – 40 min). From tea shop, we continue to climb, stay on the moraine to a small ridge (40-50 min), descend little bit to flat ground (dry lake) and then gently climb up to the pass (30-40 min). We have wonderful panoramic views of Himlung Himal (7126m), Cheo Himal (6820m), Larkya peak and some others. There are lots of prayer flags and Cairns on the top. From this first top, we gently descend and ascend for 10-15 min to another (second) top. From the pass, we descend along the top of a moraine to the west, then steeply and traverses scare slopes. It makes a long set of steep, rough switchbacks, crosses the moraine and then descend more gently. We make final long, steep, slippery descend on loose gravel to another grassy moraine (bottom / 1 hrs 30-40 min). From bottom, the trail becomes better and easier, we descend along the grassy moraine to a small meadow / small tea shop (25-30 min) and a spring. The trail turns a corner, the valley becomes larger and the trail heads down to a large meadow, Bimthang (1 hr 20-30 min). In Tibetan language, Bimthang means "plain of sand". In the ancient time it was major trading point. Bimthang was also a Khampa guerrilla staging area during the 1970s. This is huge valley surrounded by high peaks. Here are many good hotels and beautiful green ground. We have wonderful views of Manaslu and many other surrounding mountains.

Day 15: Trek to Tilche (2300m / 6-7 hrs)  

We drop from the Bimthang meadow and cross a glacial stream by bridge (20-25 min). We have magnificent views of the mountains around. Climb (few minutes) over the side of the moraine and descend into a pine and rhododendron forest to Hompuk (Habu / 15-20 min). The trail descends, switch backing down to a fork of the Dudh Khola then follow the river through forests to Chauli Kharka, and here is a hotel and beautiful ground in the middle of the forest (1 hr 30-40 min). From here, we descend down to the valley floor, ascend little bit then gently descend through beautiful dense forest to Surki Khola (1hr 20-30 min). Here are also some nice hotels and few farming lands. Leaving Surti Khola, it is flat route for a while, gentle ascend (10 min), steep climb for 10-15 minutes and then descend down through beautiful forest of Pine, Rhododendron and bamboo to a small stream where is a small farm (15 min) and old huts in other side of the river. It is very easy short walk to Gho village (2560m / 15 min). This is beautiful small village, here are several good hotels. From Gho, we descend for a while, walk through beautiful forest, almost flat route and then join with new constructing road (30 min). After join with road it is very easy walk, descend to Tilche (30-40 min). We walk along the new road all the way to Tilche. At the foot of the valley we can see part of the Lamjung Himal above the Marshyangdi valley. This is large Gurung village, here are many nice hotels and shops.

Day 16: Trek to Dharapani (1860m / 1 hr 15 min), Drive to Besi Sahar (760m / 5 hrs)

Leaving Tilche village, we cross the Dudh Khola and join with new constructing road. We follow the road all the time, little bit ascend and long descend by making several switch backs to  valley floor and cross the river again by long suspension bridge. We walk through old part of Dharapani passing some houses, many Mani walls and Stupas and cross Marshyangdi River by suspension bridge then climb small up to the main market of Dharapani. Here are many hotels, shops, ACAP and Police check post. Here we join with main Annapurna round route. From Dharapani, we drive to Besi Sahar by local jeep. It is long drive on bumpy jumpy road through very narrow valley. The road is very rough but when we reach in Ngadi, it becomes better and valley is wider. We will have very nice views during the drive. We drive through many nice villages and hydro power. We stop on the way for lunch. Besi Sahar is administrative Head Quarter of Lamjung district, this is big city, and here are many government offices, hotels, shops and restaurants. We spend night in one of the best hotel (Gate Way).

Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu (5-6 hrs)

From Besishahar the road is very good and wonderful scenery. We join with Pokhara Kathmandu highway in Dumre bazaar. We have lunch on the way to Kathmandu at nice restaurant. It is very scenic drive to Kathmandu. In the evening we have farewell dinner at typical Nepali restaurant with cultural program.

Day 18: Departure from Nepal.

We will escort you to airport for your departure.