Manaslu Circuit Trek - 15 Days

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, there will be one of our team members waiting to receive you and transfer you to the hotel in Kathmandu. After a brief rest, you may enjoy a leisure walk around Thamel, the lively tourist hub of the city, and indulge in the flavors of the local shops, restaurants, and Nepalese culture. Overnight at the hotel.

Day begins with a guided tour of Kathmandu Valley sightseeing, seeing some of its most renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, and historic Kathmandu Durbar Square. Evening is for a detailed pre-trek briefing, along with a welcome dinner of authentic Nepali cuisine, arranged by us. Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning road journey along the scenic Prithvi Highway, through green hills and rivers westwards. Going on further past Arughat, the road becomes more bumpy as you ride on to Machha Khola, a small village situated on the Budhi Gandaki River. This marks the start of your trek. Stay overnight in a teahouse at Machha Khola.

Your trek begins with a gentle walk along the riverbank, navigating small ups and downs through forested trails and suspension bridges. You’ll pass through Khorla Besi and the natural hot spring at Tatopani before ascending stone steps to reach the village of Jagat, a gateway to the Manaslu Conservation Area. Overnight at a teahouse.

The trail winds through lush subtropical forests and small hamlets like Salleri and Philim, a large Gurung village. You’ll walk alongside mani walls and cross suspension bridges as the valley narrows, eventually entering deeper into the gorge. After crossing the Budhi Gandaki multiple times, the trail climbs gently to reach Deng, a small settlement with Tibetan influence. Overnight at the teahouse.

Today, the country is starting to look more alpine as you move deeper into higher countries. The trail continues through scrub pine forests and pleasant villages of Rana and Bihi Phedi, with great views of white-topped peaks. Climbing gradually, you reach Namrung, a village with rich cultural heritage and great views of Ganesh Himal and Himalchuli. Overnight at a teahouse.

You begin to enjoy wide Himalayan views as the path ascends through fir and rhododendron forests. Hiking across barley fields and stone mani walls, you bypass Lho Village, renowned for its massive monastery and vistas of Mt. Manaslu. From there, it's a pleasant walk to Shyala, a quiet village with stunning vistas of Himalchuli, Peak 29, and Manaslu itself. Overnight in a teahouse.

It is a gentle and brief trek today in order to acclimatize. The path gradually climbs up from yak pastures and alpine meadows to reach Sama Gaun, one of the biggest and most significant culturally located villages along the trek. There is Tibetan Buddhist culture visible here, and the scenery of Mt. Manaslu is very nice. Teahouse overnight stay.

To adapt to the higher elevation, you’ll spend a day acclimatizing at Sama Gaun. Optional day hikes include a visit to the sacred Birendra Lake, formed by the Manaslu Glacier, or a longer excursion to Manaslu Base Camp if weather and fitness permit. Exploring the village and its ancient monasteries also offers insights into Tibetan culture. Overnight at a teahouse.

Exiting Sama Gaun, the path climbs steadily up through open meadows and sparse juniper woodlands with unobstructed views of the peaks surrounding you. You traverse deserted mani walls and wooden bridges as the landscape becomes increasingly alpine and rugged. The vegetation thins with every step you climb up and the trail leads to Samdo, a tiny, remote village on the Tibetan border just a few kilometers from here. A cultural and strategic outpost of Tibetan refugees, Samdo has a stunning view of Manaslu range. The remainder of the day is for visiting the village or trekking up to a nearby ridge for increased acclimatization as well as mountain views. Overnight at a teahouse.

The hike today is shorter but important for proper acclimatization at altitude prior to crossing the high pass. The trek is northwards following a climb in rock sections and dry meadows with sporadic glimpses of the Larkya Glacier and mountains. Blue sheep and Himalayan birds can be spotted along the way. After a few hours, you’ll reach Dharmasala, also known as Larkya Phedi, a basic stone hut settlement serving as the last overnight point before crossing the pass. The rest of the day is spent resting and preparing for the early morning ascent. Overnight at a teahouse or shelter.

This is the most difficult and rewarding day of the trek. You depart early, ascending gradually over a stony moraine path to Larkya La Pass. The climb is uninterrupted and long, but what you see from the top is well and truly worth it—breathtaking summits like Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II offer a breathtaking panorama. After the photography and enjoying the success, you'll go down a steep track to ultimately access greener valleys, yak grazing pastures, and forestland. The lengthy descent is gradual, taking you to the beautiful valley of Bimthang, which is a peaceful village with extensive Himalayan views. Overnight stay at a teahouse.

The route now descends precipitously, through alpine meadows and fertile rhododendron and pine forests. You'll pass over rivers on suspension bridges and walk through old villages like Yak Kharka and Gho. The land gets greener and more oxygenated as you keep going down from the high Himalayas. Your overnight destination today is Tiliche Village, a beautiful Gurung village in the foothills. Overnight at a teahouse.

The final day on the trail today. A short walk brings you to Dharapani, where you officially exit the Manaslu Conservation Area and take the Annapurna Circuit route. From there, you will board a private jeep and drive to Besisahar and change to a smoother road and drive back to Kathmandu. The journey is long but scenic, going through hills, rivers, and Nepali villages. Upon reaching Kathmandu, check into the hotel and rest well-deserved. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, our team will arrange for your departure to Tribhuvan International Airport for further onward travel. If time allows, you might choose to see more of Kathmandu or relax over a cup of Nepali tea. We hope your journey along the Manaslu valley was rewarding and look forward to welcoming you back to the Himalayas.