Manaslu Circuit Trek

As you soar into the sky and approach the bustling city of Kathmandu, a magnificent sight of the valley, the Himalayas, and the step-like fields beneath will greet you. Following the necessary customs procedures, a designated representative will be awaiting your arrival to navigate through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s winding and narrow streets, leading you to your lodging. After settling in, venture out and explore one of Kathmandu's most distinguished cultural attractions. In the evening, immerse yourself in the tourist center of Thamel, a favorable location to experience your initial meal, with a plethora of dining options offering both traditional Nepalese and Western dishes.

Today you'll have the opportunity to explore some of the highlights of the Kathmandu Valley, including four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You'll start with a visit to Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, which is perched on a hill overlooking the city. This ancient Buddhist stupa is one of the most sacred sites in Nepal and is surrounded by numerous shrines and temples.

Next, you'll head to Baudhanath, another important Buddhist site and the largest stupa in Nepal. This impressive structure is located in a bustling Tibetan neighborhood and is a hub of religious activity.

After lunch, you'll visit Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple complex located on the banks of the Bagmati River. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world for Hindus.

Finally, you'll explore the historic city of Patan and its Durbar Square, which is home to many temples and palaces from the Malla period. You'll have the opportunity to admire intricate wood carvings, metalwork, and other traditional handicrafts in the area.

In the evening, you'll return to your hotel in Kathmandu to rest and reflect on your incredible journey in Nepal.

After a satisfying breakfast, the journey westward along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway commences, heading toward the charming village of Machhi Khola before diverting towards the hilltop settlement of Dhading. In route, the drive showcases the scenic beauty of the rural communities, small towns, verdant terraces, and lush hillsides. The once smooth ride will gradually transition into a rugged, dirt path, presenting awe-inspiring vistas of the southern slopes of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang Himal. As the day progresses, you will arrive at the Bhuri Gandaki Valley's Machhi Khola, in time to relish a delightful dinner.

Following breakfast in Machha Khola, your journey continues with a trek that traverses the gorge and proceeds upstream. The trail initially winds narrowly and features gentle inclines and declines. It eventually crosses the Tharo Khola en route to Khorlabesi. You'll traverse more hills and valleys before reaching Tatopani, which hosts a small hot spring that provides a suitable place to rest and rejuvenate.

Upon leaving Tatopani, you'll climb over a ridge and cross the Budhi Gandaki using a suspension bridge. You'll encounter another staircase and hike over another ridge before reaching Dobhan. Then, crossing another suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, you'll ascend a stone staircase and descend towards the river before trekking more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. As you move through the region, you may observe quaint Gurung villages nestled high in the jungle, as well as Langur monkeys roaming about.

After crossing the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, you'll ascend a ridge and hike along the river before climbing towards the village of Jagat.

After having breakfast in the village of Jagat, you'll begin your trek through a variety of landscapes, dense sub-tropical forests, small rivers, and rustic villages until you reach your final destination.

Start the trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri, then descend to Sirdibas. As the trail continues to the Ghatta Khola river, the valley widens a bit. You'll keep walking upstream to a long suspension bridge in Philim, a large Gurung village. From here, the trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays on a fairly level trail as it crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti.

Next, the route enters a steep, uninhabited gorge where you'll descend to the grassy slopes and then cross the Budhi Gandaki river. Trek along the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank before returning to the west side again. The trail widens through the valley, and you'll pass through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola river. Upon crossing, you'll reach the tiny village of Deng.

After breakfast in Deng, you'll begin one of the most important and culturally significant sections of the trek. First, you'll cross the Budhi Gandaki river and climb up to the bridge, where you'll climb a bit further to join a trail from Bhi. Then, head west up the valley, passing through lush forests, alpine vegetation, and quaint villages housing ethnic groups of the Manaslu region. You'll start to see major peaks appearing in the distance.

Even though there is another route, you'll take the trail through Prok. This village has a beautiful vantage point of the snowcapped Siringi Himal. Take a break here and then continue to cross the Budhi Gandaki several times today, running into several gompas along the way. The trail then follows the river upstream through a dense forest and leads to a narrow gorge. Keep going until you notice the forest becomes less dense. This rewarding part of the walk is a magnificent way to experience the Manaslu Conservation Area. You'll eventually reach one last steep climb to get you to the village of Namrung.

After having breakfast in Namrung, you can take a walk around the village to enjoy the beautiful views of Siring, Ganesh Himal, and Mount Himal Chuli to the south. Once you hit the trail, you'll climb steadily through forests until you reach Lihi, a charming village with numerous stupas and barley terraces. The trail then descends and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal with Ganesh Himal always visible in the distance.

As you continue, you'll pass through the villages of Sho, Lho, and Shyala before reaching Sama Village. From Lho, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Manaslu and visit the renowned Ribung Gompa. Shyala Village is surrounded by towering mountains like Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, while Manaslu and vast glaciers lie directly ahead. To the right, you can see other snow-capped peaks, and Ganesh Himal stands at the far end. You'll spend the night in Samagaon, and this will be the end of today's journey.

Today is a rest day, so you can sleep in and take it easy. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then spend the day relaxing in Samagaon.

For those who are feeling adventurous, there is an optional day hike that explores the rich Sherpa culture of the area. You can see thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts, as well as photographs of Sherpa women dressed in traditional clothing and adorned with ornaments. If you hike up to a small hill near Sama Village, you'll find an old monastery called Pungyen Gompa that offers stunning views of the nearby glacier.

After having breakfast in Samagaon, you'll start your trek by descending towards the Budhi Gandaki River and following it until you reach a bridge over a side stream. Along the way, you'll pass several mani walls and enjoy the stunning mountain views that the route has to offer, including views of the Tibetan border.

This part of the trek is relatively easy and follows a shelf above the river. You'll pass through juniper and birch forests in Kermo Kharka before dropping down to cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge. After crossing the river, you'll climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river, where you'll come across a stone archway. From there, you'll continue your trek until you reach the village of Samdo.

After breakfast in Samdo, you'll head towards the seasonal Tibetan market called Larke Bazaar. You'll then descend to the Budhi Gandaki River and cross a wooden bridge. From there, you'll begin your ascent and cross two streams while enjoying views of the Larkya Glacier. The trail then leads around the valley of the Salka Khola and climbs up again to Dharamsala, which is also known as Larke Phedi. Along the way, you'll pass by many traditional monasteries.

Today's hike is shorter, which leaves you with plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxation in the afternoon.

After having a hearty breakfast in Dharamsala, you'll embark on a longer and more challenging hike today. Along the trail, you'll encounter several rustic villages, clear glacier lakes, beautiful valleys, and diverse flora and fauna, in addition to some remarkable snowcapped peaks.

After a brief ascent, you'll arrive at a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glacier, providing you with stunning views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. As you walk across the glacier moraines, you'll gradually ascend, with the steepness increasing in the final part of the pass. From here, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and the enormous Annapurna II. Your trek will conclude with a rewarding walk through misty low pastures in the early evening, with Mount Manaslu looming majestically in the distance.

After breakfast in Bhimtang, you'll descend down towards the Burdin Khola and walk through a dense forest. The trail becomes easier as it follows the Marsyangdi River downstream. Pass through Karche and Gho villages, then cross a bridge over the Dudh Khola and continue walking towards the village of Tilije.

Tilije is a beautiful village with a mix of Gurung and Magar cultures. After Tilije, cross another bridge over the Marsyangdi River and walk through a stone arch to reach the village of Thonje. Here, you'll need to show your trekking permit and cross a bridge over the Marsyangdi River again before reaching Dharapani. Dharapani is a village in the Annapurna region with great views of Manaslu and Annapurna II.

After breakfast in Dharapani, you'll take a jeep to Besisahar, where you'll switch to a bus to make the final journey to Kathmandu. The drive to Besisahar takes about 4-5 hours, and the bus ride to Kathmandu takes approximately 6-7 hours.

Along the way, you'll pass through many small towns and villages, giving you a glimpse of rural Nepali life. You'll also see terraced fields, lush forests, and picturesque hillsides.

Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the city. You may want to visit some of the historic temples and shrines in the city, such as Swayambhunath (also known as the Monkey Temple) or Pashupatinath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, you can explore the bustling streets and markets of the city, sampling some of the local cuisine and picking up souvenirs.

As your departure day has arrived, we hope that you have had a wonderful and memorable trek in the Manaslu region. After breakfast, you will depart from your accommodation and make your way to the airport for your journey back home or to your next destination. We hope you had a great experience with us and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Safe travels!