Manaslu Circuit Trek- 16 Days Adventure in Himalayas (best Itinerary)

Upon you arrive in Kathmandu International Airport, a representative from Relax Getaways will be at the airport to greet you and take you to your hotel. In the later part of the day, we will host a pre-trip gathering at your accommodation. This provides an opportunity for you to inquire about any aspects of the forthcoming journey and receive a final briefing.

After breakfast, your sightseeing adventure will kick off with the aid of a private vehicle and an expert tour guide. You will be transported to the following locations:

Swyambunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the valley from a hillock situated on its western side. The name "Monkey Temple" comes from the abundance of monkeys on the site.

Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can be found on the eastern fringes of Kathmandu and is regarded as one of the most sacred Hindu temples in Nepal. This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and is positioned along the banks of the Bagmati River.

Boudhanath Stupa, is an ancient Buddhist stupa situated in the valley, with a history spanning over 2500 years. Constructed in the 5th century, it features four sets of Buddha's eyes, each positioned in one of the cardinal directions, symbolizing a continuous vigilance over people and their deeds. It's a common sight for visitors to observe Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims circling the stupa while turning prayer wheels.

Patan Durbar Square, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is positioned at the heart of Lalitpur city. It serves as an outstanding representation of Newari architecture, which thrived during the rule of the Malla kings. These monarchs were renowned for their governance as well as their support for the arts, culture, and architectural endeavors. Patan Durbar Square boasts numerous remarkable temples, palaces, and courtyards adorned with elaborate carvings and sculptures. It's an essential stop for those with a keen interest in history and architectural marvels.

Following your morning meal, embark on a journey to Soti Khola by traveling along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway. This drive will take you through countryside settlements, quaint towns, verdant terraced fields, and lush slopes. As you progress, the paved road will transition into a bumpy dirt track, revealing scenic vistas of the southern flanks of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang Himal.

Following your Brekafast, the trek commences, taking you through a diverse range of landscapes, including woodlands, terraced rice fields, a precipitous ridge along a cliff, a swiftly flowing river, and numerous stunning waterfalls. The journey kicks off by crossing a bridge and meandering through a forest. You'll then ascend to a ridge overlooking the turbulent waters of the Budhi Gandaki River.

The trail proceeds to Khursane, featuring a rugged path that winds past two tropical waterfalls while hugging the steep cliffs. Afterward, you'll descend alongside rice paddies and then continue your journey upwards, eventually reaching the charming Gurung village of Labubesi.

Continuing the ascent, you'll approach a rocky outcrop where the valley widens next to the river, which flows more tranquilly in this stretch. Descending to the riverbank, you'll stroll along a path of rounded stones before ascending over a side ridge. You'll then descend once more to the river, crossing another suspension bridge to arrive at the village of Machha Khola.

Following your breakfast, you'll initiate your trek by tracing the gorge and progressing alongside the river. Initially, the path is quite narrow and gently undulates, eventually leading you to cross the Tharo Khola en route to Khorlabesi. As you continue to traverse through varying elevations, you'll stumble upon a small hot spring in Tatopani, serving as an ideal spot for a well-deserved rest.

Moving forward, you'll ascend over yet another ridge, cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge, and then ascend via a staircase, finally making your way over a ridge to Dobhan. Upon crossing another suspension bridge spanning the Yaru Khola, you'll ascend another set of stone stairs and then descend to the river, ascending once more on stone steps to Tharo Bharyang. While on this leg of your journey, be sure to keep an eye out for charming Gurung villages nestled amidst the jungle above, along with the playful Langur monkeys that inhabit the area.

Upon crossing to the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, you'll ascend over a ridge, continue your path along the river, and eventually climb toward the village of Jagat.

Following breakfast, your journey will take you through diverse landscapes, dense sub-tropical forests, small rivers, and quaint villages, ultimately culminating in your destination.

The trek commences by ascending a rocky ridge to reach Salleri. After your morning meal, you'll embark on one of the most significant and culturally enriched segments of your trek. To begin, you'll traverse the Budhi Gandaki river and ascend to a bridge. From there, you'll climb further to meet a trail originating from Bhi. Subsequently, you'll head westward up the valley, traversing lush forests, alpine flora, and charming villages inhabited by ethnic communities native to the Manaslu region. As you progress, notable peaks will begin to appear on the distant horizon.

Opting for the route through Prok, despite the presence of an alternative, you'll be treated to a village boasting a breathtaking view of the snow-clad Siringi Himal. Take a moment to relish this panorama before continuing your journey, crossing the Budi Gandaki multiple times and encountering several gompas along the way. The path follows the river upstream through a dense forest, eventually leading you to a narrow gorge. Your perseverance will be rewarded as the forest thins out, offering a splendid way to experience the beauty of the Manaslu Conservation Area. At last, you'll face a final steep ascent that will lead you to the village of Namrung, where you'll spend the night.

From Namrung, the valley expands slightly as you continue your path alongside the Ghatta Khola river. You'll trek upstream until you reach a lengthy suspension bridge in Philim, a sizable Gurung village. Here, the trail turns north, skirting the lowest house in the village, and maintains a fairly level route as it crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti.

Subsequently, the route enters a steep, uninhabited gorge, guiding you down to grassy slopes and across the Budhi Gandaki river. You'll walk along the west bank for a stretch, then switch to the east bank before eventually returning to the western side. The trail opens up within the valley, leading you through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola river. Upon crossing this river, you'll reach the diminutive village of Deng.Trek from Jagat to Deng: 6-7 hours trek

After breakfast, you'll set off on one of the most pivotal and culturally significant segments of your trek. Initially, you'll traverse the Budhi Gandaki river and ascend to the bridge, where you'll continue uphill to connect with a trail originating from Bhi. Subsequently, you'll proceed westward along the valley, passing through lush forests, alpine vegetation, and charming villages that are home to various ethnic groups native to the Manaslu region. Notably, as you advance, prominent peaks will gradually emerge on the distant horizon.

Opting for the path through Prok, despite the presence of an alternative route, you'll be treated to a village that offers a splendid viewpoint of the snow-covered Siringi Himal. Take a moment to appreciate this breathtaking panorama before resuming your journey. Today, you'll cross the Budi Gandaki multiple times, encountering several gompas along the way. The trail then follows the river upstream through a dense forest, leading you into a narrow gorge. Continue onward until you observe the forest gradually thinning out. This segment of the hike is truly rewarding, providing a magnificent way to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Manaslu Conservation Area. Eventually, you'll encounter one last challenging ascent that will guide you to the village of Namrung.

Hiking from Namrung to Samagaon, you'll embark on a picturesque journey through the Manaslu region in Nepal. As you set out from Namrung, you'll gradually make your way to Samagaon, experiencing the diverse landscapes and cultural richness of the area.

The trail leads you through enchanting forests, charming villages, and alongside the Budhi Gandaki river. Along the way, you'll encounter the warm hospitality of the local communities, and if you're lucky, catch glimpses of the majestic peaks in the distance. Samagaon, your final destination for the day, is a welcoming village where you can rest, acclimate, and appreciate the unique Sherpa culture. It's a memorable leg of your Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Today is designated as an acclimatization day, allowing you the luxury of extra sleep and relaxation. Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast and then spend your time in Samagaon, unwinding and recharging.

For those with an adventurous spirit, there's an optional day hike that offers a deep dive into the rich Sherpa culture. 

During this excursion, you can marvel at the thousands of mani stones etched with Buddhist scriptures and encounter photographs of Sherpa women adorned in traditional attire and jewelry. If you decide to trek up a small hill near Sama village, you'll stumble upon an ancient gompa known as Pungyen Gompa—a monastery offering magnificent vistas of the glacier.

Following your morning meal, you'll commence your descent towards the Budhi Gandaki River and proceed along its banks until you reach a bridge spanning a tributary. Along this path, you'll encounter numerous mani walls as the valley begins to open up. The mountain vistas along this trail are truly breathtaking and bring you in proximity to the Tibetan border.

This section of the journey entails an easy trek along a shelf above the river, meandering through juniper and birch forests in Kermo Kharka. Afterward, you'll descend and cross the Budhi Gandaki via a wooden bridge before embarking on a steep ascent to a promontory situated between two branches of the river. You'll ultimately reach a stone archway and continue your walk until you arrive at the village of Samdo.

This day is once again dedicated to proper acclimatization. Following breakfast, you have the choice of either relaxing in Samdo or selecting between two hiking alternatives:

Option 1:

Opt for the easier trail that ascends the valley directly behind Samdo, leading you to one of the trade passes heading towards Tibet. This path offers superb vistas of Manaslu, as well as other Himalayan ranges, such as Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye Peak, Cheo, and possibly Kang Guru beyond the pass. Along the way to these vantage points, you'll come across numerous seasonal herding settlements known as doksas and have the opportunity to spot exquisite mountain birds like the Lophophorus (Nepal's national bird), Lammergeyer, and Himalayan Griffin soaring overhead.

Option 2:

For those seeking a more challenging adventure, there's the option to trek to Gya La (a significant pass) north of Samdo. This pass is a more frequently used trade route to Tibet but involves a full-day hike and is not recommended for those looking for a leisurely day of rest.

Following your morning meal, you'll traverse a temporary Tibetan market known as Larke Bazaar and then descend to the banks of the Budi Gandaki River. Cross the wooden bridge, and as you ascend, you'll cross two streams, all while enjoying views of the Larkya Glacier. Your journey will take you around the Salka Khola valley before ascending once more to reach Dharamsala, also recognized as Larke Phedi. This route will introduce you to several charming traditional monasteries along the way.

Following breakfast, your trek towards Bimthang begins. While it's a more demanding trail, you'll have the opportunity to explore numerous quaint villages, crystal-clear glacier lakes, picturesque valleys, and a rich variety of flora and fauna. Not to mention, there are some remarkable snow-covered peaks to admire along the way.

After a brief ascent, you'll reach a valley on the northern side of the Larkya Glacier, offering fantastic vistas of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Traversing the glacier's moraines, you'll gradually ascend, with the incline becoming steeper in the final segment of the pass. This vantage point provides spectacular views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and the massive Annapurna II. You'll conclude the day with a gratifying walk through misty lowland pastures, arriving in the early evening with the imposing Mount Manaslu in the distant backdrop.

After your morning meal, your trek commences. It's a day of extensive walking, beginning from the beautiful open terrain of Bimtang, where you can revel in mountain vistas. The path leads us downward through a challenging forested trail with numerous descents. Once past the quaint village of Tilije, we continue along the route to Dharapani, where we encounter fellow trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit.

Following your morning meal, embark on your return journey to Kathmandu. The drive from Kathmandu through Besi Sahar presents a chance to relish the scenic beauty of hilly and mountainous terrain, occasionally offering captivating views of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli riverbanks. Along the way, you'll pass by charming villages adorned with agricultural terraces on either side of the road. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner accompanied by a cultural performance.

After a few days of fun and excitement, the day to bid farewell has arrived. Our representatives will escort you to the Tribhuwan International Airport as per your flight time.

After the wonderful opportunity to organize this tour for you we wish you a safe and happy journey ahead.