Circuit du Manaslu

After having breakfast in your hotel, we organize a day tour of Kathmandu Valley. This day we visit some UNESCO world heritage sites of Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Bouddhanath Stupa. 

There are Newar Settlements in Kathmandu with unique architecture, we will explore those local places and enjoy the Newari cuisine. After exploring the city, we return to our hotel and have a small meeting. We will talk about the trek and meet your trek guide. If you have any queries regarding the trek, you can ask us. 

Note: Please bring your passport and some photos of yours. (needed for making permits and oyster necessary documents)

After having breakfast in your hotel, the trek officially commences with a drive to Machha Khola via Soti Khola in a private 4WD vehicle. The concrete road from Kathmandu to Dhading Besi takes around 3-4 hours. The road gives beautiful views of rivers and terraced fields. 

We drive through the bank of the Budhi Gandaki River. It is pretty dusty and bumpy and takes around 6-8 hours drive to reach Machha Khola. 

You refresh yourself in the teahouse and relax for a while.

This day we walked through the trial. We started our journey to Jagat from Machha Khola and moved toward a small village Khoela Bensi and Tatopani- hot springs. We can spot their marijuana plants along with other green plants. We walk through suspension bridges over Budhi Gandaki and climb uphill during the trek. 

On the way to the trek, you will capture attractive birds, gorgeous landscapes, and the scenic beauty of nature. You stopped for lunch at Dovan (1070m) and continued your trek through traditional Gurung and Magar villages. 

As we trek higher, you will see a change in the weather, attractive landscapes, and the view of the surroundings. After some hours we will reach Jagat (1340m). Jagat is a small village whose name comes from Sanskrit “consciousness”. The hospitality served by this village's people is incredible. You stay overnight here and enjoy the authentic Nepali food and enjoy your time exploring the town. 

From Jagat, after having breakfast we head toward Deng. The trek is around 7 hours of walking and passes through Salleri, Ghatta Khola, Suspension Bridges, lush forest, and the local villages of Gurungs. 

The journey offers you a breathtaking view of the mountains- Sringi  Himal (7,177m), waterfalls, and diverse landscapes.  There are Buddhist stupas, Prayer flags, and monasteries in this trial. This trial passes through flora and fauna including different trees and rhododendrons.

Continuing the journey, the trail leads you to Deng Village from where you will see majestic views of snow-capped mountains. You can explore the local village and interact with local people. You will stay overnight at Deng.

After having a meal at Deng, we continue our trek through various landscapes of the region. We cross the Budhi Gandaki, climb the zigzag road for around 25 minutes, and reach Rana Village (1900m). We continue our journey passing through various small villages and valleys. You will pass through a lush forest with pine trees and rhododendrons. 

When you get closer to Namrung, you will see Mani stones (ancient writings of Tibetan mantras), monasteries, and prayer flags. The influence of Tibetan culture starts to appear. After crossing Budhi Gandaki we reach Namrung village where we stay overnight. 

On this day, the trek passes through stunning landscapes along the Mani stone wall. You will catch beautiful snowcapped mountains including Manaslu, Peak 29, and other peaks. Trek through traditional villages and fields, visiting Lihi and Sho (2880m) before reaching Lho Gaun, known for its monasteries and stunning mountain views.  

We will be able to see the Twin Manaslu Summit from Lho (3180m). You can explore the Lho villages, and interact with local people. The morning view from Lho village is stunning. 

Feasting your eyes on the rising dawn, take breakfast and begin your walking journey to Samagaon. You are going to walk through a pretty terrain of forests, terraced fields, and magnificent views of mountains. 

The Tibetan culture is all pervasive in this part of the world and you will come across quite a few tingzhe, mani walls, and chortens. The path is mostly defined, although there is rocky and uneven terrain as well. Look out for the myriad of bird species and, if you are lucky, the somewhat elusive blue sheep. Different flora along the mountain trail may be one of the most renowned plants and flowers adorning the paths as the altitude changes. 

We walk over a wooden bridge crossing Budi Gandaki and continue to cultivate fields and a few small settlements. Samagaon will interest you because it is considerably larger than Lho Gaun and has few established teahouses, lodges, and shops. Samagaon is an important trekkers' stopover for acclimatization and for those hoping to explore nearby areas such as the base camp at Manaslu.

Acclimatization is required for your body before heading to higher altitudes. After enjoying breakfast, you will rest for a day or you can go for a short hike to Pungyen Gompa and enjoy visiting various monasteries. 

You can go to Manaslu Base Camp and return to Samagaun. It takes you around 7-8 hours. You can enjoy visiting the local village, interacting with local people, and learning about the culture and traditions of the village. 

On this day we rest more and enjoy the trek. Stay overnight at Samagaun and prepare for the next day.

It is going to be a short trek today but it is going to reward you for all that you have done today, as the views are so beautiful and culturally rich. You will be surrounded by beautiful landscapes, including rocky terrains of the valley. The trek brings you through Tibetan-style villages, where Tibetan Buddhism has left its imprint on the whole area. 

Well-marked but sometimes rocky, uneven, and uneven ground is the general path. There are various species of wildlife, and you might even see birds and other animals while trekking. 

Samdo is a little village. There are a couple of tea houses and lodges there. It is among the very last major settlements before you get into even more outlying areas near the Tibetan border.

From Samdo you walk to Dharmasala taking about 4-5 hours. It is the way to the base of the Larkya La Pass. This stretch of the trail offers stunning views and a chance to experience real culture.

On arrival at Dharmasala, one can see that it is a simple settlement consisting mainly of teahouses and lodges. It is a halt for trekkers heading for the Larkya La Pass the next day.

Walking from Dharmasala through Larkya La Pass (5160m) to Bhimtang is one trek that will never be forgotten. It takes longer than other days since we are going for about 9 hours. But it is an exciting day and a full mile when one crosses one of the upper passes in the trek.

Once you make it to the top at Larkya La Pass, you will now be rewarded with the views of the neighboring heights, like Himlung Himal at 7126m, Cheo Himal at 6820m, and Kang Kuru, which rises to 6981m. There are usually prayer flags at the pass; great for photo shooting and enjoyment of crossing a high mountain pass achievement.

You may stay a little longer at the pass and then start going down to Bhimtang. The steepness can be pretty formidable, and where the trail is loose or rugged, even tougher. Bhimtang might be the most beautiful of all places on the Manaslu Circuit. It is a fine place to be lazy and enjoy the peace of the Himalayas.

From Bhimtang, the incredible trek commences with a downhill walk gradually undulating into the lush forests and beautiful alpine meadows. On the way down, enjoy the great views of the Manaslu range and surrounding peaks. The chorus of rushing water coupled with cascading streams greatly contributes to the delightful experience of the trek.

Reach Goa, and you will find it to be the most beautiful of villages: some teahouses and lodges, just perfect for trekkers. This village lies along the banks of the river, making it a great place for rest. Goa is the perfect half-time before heading towards Tilije and then back to civilization.

It involves a gradual ascent and descent from Goa to Tilije-the trek across beautiful vistas. The trail meanders through rural areas, terraced fields, and lovely hamlets.

On arrival at Tilije, you will find it to be a friendly village, having several lodges and teahouses. A great place to catch your breath before your journey back to Kathmandu, Tilije is known for its amicable and hospitable locals, besides a taste of traditional Nepali village life.

Will usually take around 8-9 hours to drive from Tilije to Kathmandu, depending on traffic and road conditions. Through the lush green terrain of the Manaslu region and into the more developed areas leading to Kathmandu, the route will take you back.

As soon as you've reached Kathmandu, you can enjoy a good rest and think about the wonderful experience of trekking. Depending on your schedule, you will also have time to explore the last-minute sights, shopping, or take a meal in this vibrant city.

On the date of your departure, our staff will be on standby with a private vehicle to take you to the International Airport for your flight home.  We hope you enjoy your safe airplane travel. 

Remember us when planning your next holiday to Nepal, though.