Manaslu Circuit Trek

TRIP OVER VIEW Trip Code : NHT 03

Max Elevation: 5160 mt.

Trip Grade: Moderate & High Pass

Best Time: Best Time: September to November & March to May

Group Size Min: 02 Pax

Accommodation: Tea House

Start & End: Tea House

Destination: Nepal

“ Adventure around world 8th highest mountains with Larke-La pass”

Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the most scenic adventures that lead you around both sides of the mountains from North to its Southern side in Manang areas. Where the walk follows upstream of River Buri-Gandaki and then ending following another glacier Masrsyangdi River flowing from the source of Northern Annapurna Himalaya. Manaslu Guide Trek which was a closed and hidden country of Nepal North Mid-West located within the Gorkha district for a long time. Manaslu region trek opened up its door for interested trekkers, adventurers to visit and witness its fascinating culture and awesome views.

Mount Manaslu stands as the world 8th highest mountains at above 8,163 m and 26,781 ft with its adjoining peaks Boudha Himal and Himalchuli range. The mountain with mountaineering history which was first climbed in 1955 by Japanese Expedition. After then remains closed for the outside world till the last three decades around the 1980s since then this region is slowly popular among trekkers and mountaineers. An exclusive adventure where beautiful scenery of mountains meets with an interesting culture of high Manaslu valley villages enriched with Buddhist heritage, religion as the area once a trading and caravan route to Tibet.

Manaslu Circuit Trek initiated with a drive from Kathmandu to reach the low warm valley of Nepal Mid-West within the Gorkha district. Then Manaslu Wilderness trek heading higher on leaving the sub-tropical paddy areas for cooler alpine hills reaching closer towards the mountainous region at Upper Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek with enchanting walks through serene woodland and into arid and barren landscapes. As walk progress reaching impressive villages of Lo and Sama-Gaon to reach the bottom of high Larke-la pass. Where climb leads to cross over facing an awesome panorama of both side mountains with Manaslu and Annapurna Himalaya range.

The Round Manaslu Trek route descends back into lunch green woodland to reach at Dharapani village within the Manang district. Dharapani where motorable has reached around this remote area where Annapurna and around Manaslu circuit route joins. From here wilderness Manaslu Larke La Pass trek completes with an exciting drive back to Kathmandu after unforgettable experience and adventure on Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Main Highlights:

“Adventure on both sides of Manaslu massive mountains from north to its southern sides

Amazing scenery on daily walks from low-warm farm areas to high scenic alpine hills

Journey into Nepal Far North Mid-West close to the border of Tibet around high Gorkha district

Exciting drives both ways before and after the trekking from Manaslu to Manang areas

Explore interesting villages enriched with old Buddhism culture of Manaslu people

Walk into high and scenic Manaslu valley and crossing high Larke-la pass with fabulous views”

Trip Preview:

Mode of accommodation: Hotels and local Lodge on treks.

Trek Grade: Moderate to Adventurous with a touch of high altitude.

The highest spot on treks: On top Larke-La Pass 5,160 m/16,929 ft high.

Trek Duration: 12 Nights and 13 Days (with drive both ways).

People and Culture: Populated by Gurung-Magar and Manaslu people of Buddhism religion and colorful culture with ancient traditional heritage and customs.

Best Seasons: March to May and September to November month March to May lively with wildflowers and rhododendron (Nepal national flower in-season times, where days are clear for views. October to November another best month for clear views but with short lights, cold in the morning and night times, chances of snow on route walk.

Total Trip: 14 Nights and 15 Days (arrival to final departure)

Short Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu with transfer to hotel.

Day 02: Drive to Soti-Khola 700m – 06 hrs.

Day 03: Trek to Machhe-Khola 869 m – 05 hrs.

Day 04: Trek to Jagat 1,340m- 05 hrs.

Day 05: Trek to Dyang 1,860 m- 05 hrs.

Day 06: Trek to Lo-Gaon 3,180 m – 06 hrs.

Day 07: Trek to Sama- Gaon 3,520 m- 06 hrs.

Day 08: At Sama-Gaon rest day for acclimatization.

Day 09: Trek to Samdo 3,875 m -05 hrs.

Day 10: Trek to Dharmasala 4,460 m or Larke Phedi – 04 hrs.

Day 11: Cross Larke-la 5,160 m/16,929 ft trek to Bhimthang 3, 590m – 07 hrs.

Day 12: Trek to Gho 2,560 m – 05 hrs.

Day 13: Trek to Dharapani 1,963 m -06 hrs.

Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel -07 hrs

Day 15: Final departure from Kathmandu homeward bound or to respective destinations.

Detail Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu with transfer to hotel.

On arrival at Kathmandu international airport get transferred to hotels after received by our guides and staff, at hotel check-in and join for group briefing regarding Manaslu Circuit with do’s and don’ts includes group dinner in typical Nepalese Restaurants.

Day 02: Drive to Soti-Khola 700m – 06 hrs.

Start the early morning with an interesting overland journey to reach Nepal Mid-West around the Gorkha district at Arughat town, and beyond to reach at first overnight stop in Soti-Khola by raging Buri-Gandaki River.

Day 03: Trek to Machhe-Khola 869 m – 05 hrs.

From Soti-Khola walk leads within warmer foothills and river valley following Buri-Gandaki River upstream and then heading into a gorge covered with forest, where route climb towards cooler areas walking for nearly four to five hours to reach our overnight stop at Machha-Khola, a moderate size farm village, as Maccha means Fish and Khola for stream, a popular fishing stream for the locals.

Day 04: Trek to Jagat 1,340 m – 05 hrs.

From Maccha-Khola fishing village, morning walk on Buri-Gandaki River upstream banks for some hours to reach Khorla-Beshi and then on winding path towards Tatopani a village with natural “Hot Spring,” as Tatopani means hot water/spring. Here time permitting where you can enjoy refreshing warm bathe and then continue to walk with the climb to Jagat village for an overnight stop, Jagat a lovely and large village with many shops and well-stocked stores, having nice and simple lodges for an overnight stay.

Day 05: Trek to Dyang 1,860 m – 05 hrs.

After a wonderful overnight stop at Jagat village, the walk continues heading higher past rural farm villages and on the downhill to cross a bridge to Nugget and then reaching at Philip, one of the large villages within this remote farm country with many scattered houses. From Philim walk leads around farm terraces of golden agriculture fields of wheat, barley, as climb leads above rocky ridge within a forest of bamboo to reach at Deng village for an overnight stop.

Day 06: Trek to Lo-Gaon 3, 180 m – 06 hrs.

Morning walk from Dyang leads to a much cooler region with an increase of altitude gain, as our route leads higher areas and then with short downhill to a riverside to reach a place called Bihi Bazaar a small village near a riverside. From Bihi where walk follows Buri Gandaki River, then crossing a river to enter small farm villages and cultivated farm fields of barley, wheat and millets to reach at Numrung village, continue walk past Banjham, Lhi and Sho, then as altitude gains with an hour up to Shrip village to Lo Gaon a nice place with excellent views of Manaslu North Face.

Day 07: Trek to Sama- Gaon 3,520 m – 05 hrs.

After Lo-Gaon tree lines fade only for some short juniper bushes and willow trees, walk on nice path facing views of peaks and finally, walk completes on reaching at Sama-Gaon for an overnight stop, one of a largest village within remote North Mid-West Himalaya, located on route Manaslu base camp, Larke-la pass and to Tibet border.

Day 08: Sama-Gagon rest day for acclimatization.

Enjoy rest or a spare day in Sama Gaon with excursion and hike around to support with acclimatization before heading higher area towards Larke-La, around Sama-Gaon explore its nice and interesting village and witness local traditional culture with views of peaks.

Day 09: Trek to Samdo 3,875 m – 04 hrs.

After a wonderful rest at Sama-Gaon, our walk leads to morning climb to reach at Samdo village which is not too far of few hours climb on upper terrain as high altitude and dry air makes the walk much slow. Walks slowly lead at Samdu village, the last village before Larke-la base and the high pass, at Samdu for overnight where you can witness this exciting village of strong Tibetan influence due to its closeness to Tibet border where at present trade across the border still exists.

Day 10: Trek to Dharmasala or Larke-Phedi at 4,460 m and14, 632 ft – 04 hrs.

From Samdo walk leads to more barren areas, the adventure begins crossing Gyala Khola and climb to a ridge with some ruins of a village known as Larke Bazaar. This village once thrives trade with Tibet over nearby Gya La, a trade which at present has ended but still goes on but less compared to early days. The walk leads near Larke Glacier reaching at Duwang, where the lodge is located for an overnight stop.

Day 11: Cross Larke-la 5,160 m / 16,929 ft trek to Bhimthang 3, 590m – 07 hrs.

Starting much earlier morning to reach the top of Larke-la Pass above 5,160 m, walk first heads to gradual winding uphill and then with the steep climb to reach on the highest spot of the adventure on top Larke-La decorated with thousands of Buddhist colorful prayer flags and stones piles. From the top excellent views of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II, after a great moment where long downhill leads you over snow and screen, to reach a valley at Larcia. Further walk on moraine leads to Tambuche at 3,900m from here walk to an overnight stop at Bhimtang, a beautiful place in a valley with a number of the good lodge to stay.

Day 12: Trek to Gho 2,560 m – 05 hrs.

After a long day walk to Bhimtang previous day, today an easy trek from here onward to Dharapani past thickly forested area of pines, rhododendron trees with a view of snow peaks. From Bhimtang descend to a valley of Burdin Khola which is the base of the west side of Manaslu, from a ridge with an excellent view of Manaslu towards the southeast with Annapurna II in the southwest. Our route leads over Dudh Khola, where descend follows a trail into a narrow valley within the forest to reach our overnight stop amidst forest surrounding in perfect tranquility after 5 hours of a good walk.

Day 13: Trek to Dharapani 1,963 m -06 hrs.

From here our last day walk of the adventure leads downhill into the forest passing small summer settlement and then climb on terraced fields to Karche La, and then down to Marysangdi River. After few hours walk reaching at Tilje village following Dudh (milky) river downstream, a passing number of villages, including Thonje. From Tilje an hour and last climb of the journey on crossing a bridge and then joining at the main trail of Annapurna circuit in Dharapani village. Dharapani a lovely large village will be a civilization after being in the complete wilderness, where one can celebrate with a beer and buy a hot shower from a local lodge.

Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu and then transfer to your hotels – 07 hrs.

Last day on high hills and mountains of Nepal Mid-West. After a marvelous experience and adventure around Manaslu where morning drive leads you back at Kathmandu. Driving along farm villages and terraced fields to reach a large town of Besisar and then on a good road towards Kathmandu, where our memorable adventure completes, afternoon free at leisure to relax after great walks around Manaslu trekking.

Day 15: Final departure from Kathmandu homeward bound or to respective destinations.

Last day in the land of Himalayan Wonders in Nepal. As per your international flight time depart from the hotel for an airport for your international flight back to home countries or other respective destinations.