Manaslu Circuit Trail
per person
Manaslu Circuit Trail
16 days 
Local tea-housesThe Manaslu Circuit is considered among the challenging treks in Nepal, rewarding the adventurous with an unparalleled alpine experience. This area offers a combination of rich cultural heritage, unsurpassed beauty and biological diversity. We will ascend the river valleys surrounded by endless waterfalls, emerald lakes & alpine forests made of ferns, bamboo & pine trees. A region where yaks outnumber people in the vast rocky landscape. We will hike just 15km away from the Tibetan border, in a land where myths are alive & the sacred monasteries share a place along with the stunning views of the Tibetan plateau.
On this 16 day-trek, we’ll experience some of the most remote & uncharted trails in Nepal. We’ll climb to an altitude of 5,106 meters (16,751 feet) through the Larkya La Pass, one of the longest mountain passes in the Himalayas. By the end of the trail, you’ll discover why so many consider this trek a life-changing experience.
Included
Not included
*The itinerary of Manaslu Circuit Trail can be change in case of adverse meteo conditions.
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Price: 420.000 ISK/person
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Come on a trip with us and enjoy these wonders with your own eyes
The photographs below have been taken by our travelers or guides during the adventure trips in the destination. Enjoy!
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Destination
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Departure
Kathmandu, Nepal
Day 1: Welcome to Nepal
Arrival and reception by the guides at the airport, transfer to the accommodation in Kathmandu. After time to get refreshed, you will be transfered for a welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Kathmandu. After dinner, briefing about your trip and overnight at Hotel.
Day 2: Explore the Nepali capital
First day in the capital for discovering all the heritage sites in Kathmandu valley and the highlights in the city, such as the pilgrimage Hindu temple of Pashupatinath; as well as the Bouddhanath stupa or the Monkey temple with a local guide.
After this, we will meet again for talking about the trip, needed gear checking & introduction of our fellow hiking local guide. After the meeting, relax evening in the hotel or enjoy Kathmandu on your own.
Days 3 & 4: Kathmandu – Machha Khola - Jagat
We’ll set out in the early morning in a passenger van for a 5hr drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway. We’ll then transfer to a 4x4 jeep that will take us to Machha Khola, at the bank of Budhi Gandaki River. We’ll stay overnight in our first local teahouse lodge for the journey.
After day 3, we’ll continue our journey along the Budhi Gandaki river, we will cross the Tatopani hot springs, near Budhi Gandaki. The trail is quite exposed and challenging in several places. After a short section of forest path we’ll reach the single tea-house at Doban.
Above Doban, you will be able to see an impressive series of rapids of Budhi Gandaki. We will climb a short steep section, the river is much more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed. We will cross the river using a suspension bridge and then we will have another short climb towards Jagat. Overnight at one tea-house lodge.
Days 4 & 5: Jagat to Namrung
After breakfast in the village of Jagat, we’ll make our way through various landscapes and dense sub-tropical forests, as well as small rivers and rustic villages to get to our final destination for the day.
We will start by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues to the Ghatta Khola river. We’ll continue then by walking upstream to a long suspension bridge in Philim, a large Gurung village, from where the trail crosses the millet fields towards Ekle Bhatti. Our trail will lead us to a steep, uninhabited gorge from where we’ll descend to the grassy slopes, and then cross the Budhi Gandaki river. The trail widens through the valley and it will take us through bamboo forests and lead us towards the tiny village of Deng.
We will gain altitude as we step slowly into alpine territory and we will get spectacular mountain views. Mani-walls and river crossings on our route to Namrung will set our morning today.
Above this village the valley opens out and we will find extensive pastures until we reach the Tibetan village of Sho. We will stay overnight above the village, where we will get our first stunning views of Manaslu North and Manaslu peak. Overnight at one tea-house lodge.
Days 6 & 7: Namrung to Samagaon
In the morning, we will discuss with the locals what is our best option to get to the Gompa depending on the conditions for each season. We will hike through Lho, a large village at 3.150m where there is a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens and mani-walls. Leaving the village, we will follow the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead.
We will head straight towards Peak 29, ahead of us, and then we’ll follow the lateral moraine of the Pungen Glacier towards Sama. Breathtaking views of the Manaslu, Northern Manaslu (7145m) and the Naike Peak. Surrounded by mountains in a peaceful forest, we will stay overnight at one tea-house lodge.
Days 8 & 9: Samagaon to Samdo
Day 9 will be the resting day at Samagaon. We will spend our time exploring the local surroundings. We will hike a little up towards Pungyen Gompa which will take about 3 hours to reach, or maybe we’ll hike up to the narrow and steep uphill trail to Manaslu Base Camp itself, where we will be getting close to the mighty Manaslu.
On route, we will also visit the beautiful turquoise lake Birendra Tal. After that, we will return back to our guest house and rest for the day. On Day 10 we will cross a high plateau and skirt around the ridge of the lateral moraine. We’ll then climb a terraced hillside to reach one of the most remote permanent settlements in Nepal. Samdo is only a day’s walk from Tibet by the Lajyang La pass (5098m). We’ll stay overnight at one tea-house lodge.
Day 11: Hiking from Samdo to Dharamshala
Today we’ll cross the tundra, which winds its way to the foot of the immense Larkya glacier that pours out from Manaslu itself. Everywhere you’ll look there will be mighty mountains and snow capped peaks, as spectacular as they get, including the particularly impressive Manaslu. The once large Bhudi Gandaki is now merely a stream as we continue to follow its course ever upwards. We will reach the last permanent settlement in the valley, called Sumdu, and we will walk along the ruins of Larkya Bazaa, an old trading village that had strong ties to Tibet. We will continue hiking towards Dharamsala. We will stay overnight at one tea-house lodge.
Day 12: Hiking to Larkya La Pass & descent
Today we’ll head towards Cho Chnda, in order to reach the ablation valley on the North side of Larkya Glaciers. Finally, we will walk across the moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent which becomes steeper only in the last section to the pass. From the top, the panorama that we will be able to contemplate is magnificent: Himlung Himal (7126m), Cheo Himal (6820m), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6981m) and the Annapurna II (7937m).
The welcomed sight of the colorful Tibetan flags encircling the “Congratulations for the Success!” sign at the top of the pass will overwhelm you with a sense of accomplishment. This achievement will be greeted with the relief of descending into the valley where we will be spending the night. Overnight at one tea-house lodge.
Days 13 & 14: Tilije & Dharapani
We will start with a gentle descent through paddy fields towards the small Karcha La pass and descend through fir tree and rhododendron forests to Tillije.
We will hike gently downstream of the river passing the village of Dharapani. Once there, we will catch a local jeep and drive back to Besisahar, finding a lot of hikers on their way to the Annapurna Circuit Trail. Overnight at one tea-house lodge.
Day 15: From Besisahar to Kathmandu
We will get ready for another big transit day, as we’ll drive back to Kathmandu for approx 6 to 7 hours. Reminiscing of the remote mountain villages and purity of their modest life, Kathmandu is a stark contrast with its swarming businesses and buzzing streets.
Beautiful in its own way, we’ll have time to explore the city before setting out for a celebratory dinner for our last night together as a group.
Day 16: Return home
After breakfast on our last day, your guides will coordinate your transfer back to the Tribhuvan International Airport where our journey began. We’ll say our goodbyes and revel in our accomplishments one last time. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the people, the land, and yourself.
* The itinerary could be changed in case of adversal meteo conditions.