Manaslu Circuit Trek – 14 Days

Welcome to Nepal! When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, our team will be waiting to greet you and take you to your hotel in Thamel, the colorful heart of Kathmandu. After you settle in, you’ll meet your guide for a friendly chat about the trek ahead, the route, the daily plan, what to expect with altitude, and a quick gear check. If you’re missing anything, there’s time to browse the trekking shops nearby. In the evening, enjoy your first taste of Nepali cuisine or just relax before the adventure begins.

We set off early for a full day’s drive to the trailhead. The road first winds through green hills and fertile valleys, following the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers. You’ll pass small towns, tea houses, and endless terraced farms. After reaching Arughat, the pavement gives way to a rougher mountain road, taking us deeper into rural Nepal. The Budhi Gandaki River appears beside us, flowing through a steep gorge. By late afternoon, we reach the quiet riverside village of Machha Khola, where we’ll stay in a cozy teahouse for the night.

Our first day of trekking follows the Budhi Gandaki upstream through narrow paths and subtropical forest. We cross suspension bridges, pass the natural hot springs at Tatopani, and make our way through small villages. The trail is a mix of gentle climbs and riverside walks, with the sound of rushing water always nearby. By evening, we arrive in Jagat, a beautiful stone-paved village where the Manaslu Restricted Area officially begins. This is where our permits are checked before we settle in for the night.

The trail today is full of variety. We pass through villages like Salleri and Philim, where Tibetan influence is clear in the architecture and prayer flags. The path takes us through bamboo groves, terraced hillsides, and cliffside trails high above the Budhi Gandaki. You’ll feel the remoteness of the valley as the number of trekkers thins out. After 6 to 7 hours of walking, we reach Deng, a quiet mountain village surrounded by forests and farmland.

We head deeper into the mountains, walking through pine and rhododendron forests and crossing small wooden bridges over clear streams. Villages like Bihi and Ghap greet us with mani walls, prayer wheels, and smiling locals. As we climb higher, the air turns cooler and the views open up. By the time we reach Namrung, we can see the impressive Siringi Himal, and the stone houses here feel like something from another era.

This is one of the most scenic days of the trek. We pass through Lihi and Sho, with their barley fields and apple orchards, and then on to Lho, home to the striking Ribung Monastery. From here, Mt. Manaslu dominates the skyline. We continue to Shyala, surrounded by snow-covered peaks on all sides, before reaching Samagaon. This large village, sitting right below Manaslu, is rich in Tibetan culture and will be our base for the next two nights.

We spend the day in Samagaon to help our bodies adjust to the altitude. There are several optional hikes, including the challenging trek to Manaslu Base Camp at 4,800 meters, which passes by the turquoise waters of Birendra Lake. For a gentler option, you can visit Pungyen Gompa, a peaceful monastery on a ridge with panoramic views. These side trips not only aid acclimatization but also offer unforgettable scenery. The evening is spent relaxing in the village, enjoying the quiet mountain atmosphere.

We have a short but beautiful walk today. The trail crosses open yak pastures and follows a wide valley with views of surrounding peaks. A wooden bridge takes us into Samdo, a small and very traditional village near the Tibetan border. The rest of the day can be spent exploring the village or taking a short acclimatization hike up the ridge for more mountain views.

Samdo to Dharamsala (4,4Today is an important day as you make your way to the final staging point before crossing the high mountain pass. The walk from Samdo to Dharmasala takes around 3 to 4 hours at a steady pace. The trail has recently been improved by local people, making it wider and more comfortable than it used to be. Although the elevation increases, the trail is more gradual than you might expect and not very steep.

The path climbs gently along a rocky trail, offering wide-open views of the valley and the surrounding snow-covered peaks. Along the way, you’ll see old ruins of a traditional Tibetan trade post—a subtle reminder of the region’s history as a trading route to Tibet.

Dharmasala is a very basic overnight stop with a few simple teahouses that offer shared dormitory rooms. Facilities are extremely limited due to the remoteness and altitude, but the views of the surrounding mountains are absolutely impressive.

Because tomorrow involves crossing the Larkya La Pass, you’ll want to rest early, stay warm, and be prepared for a pre-dawn start. This stop is all about getting your body and mind ready for the most demanding and rewarding day of the trek.50 m)

Dharamsala to Bimthang is going to be the most challenging and exciting day of our entire trek. It’s a long, tough day that demands an early start and a steady pace, but the rewards are incredible.

We’ll be trekking for about 8 to 10 hours in total. We start at Dharmasala around 4,460 meters, climb all the way up to the Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters, and then have a long descent to Bimthang at about 3,720 meters. The total distance will be somewhere between 16 and 24 kilometers.

Our Journey

We’ll be getting up before dawn, probably around 3 or 4 AM. That early start is essential so we can get to the pass before the winds pick up and have plenty of time for the long descent.

The path starts with a steady climb over a rocky moraine. As we ascend, the air gets thinner and the cold intensifies, so we’ll need to go slowly and steadily.

Reaching the top of the Larkya La Pass will be a huge milestone. The pass is marked by colorful prayer flags and offers a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayas. We’ll be able to see majestic peaks like Manaslu, Himlung Himal, and Annapurna II. It’s the perfect spot for photos before we start our descent.

The trek down to Bimthang is long and steep, over rocky and sometimes snowy terrain. Our trekking poles will be a big help here to keep our balance and protect our knees. As we lose altitude, the landscape will change, and we’ll eventually find ourselves in a beautiful, forested valley.

Finally, we’ll arrive in Bimthang, a lovely village surrounded by towering peaks. The teahouse facilities here are much better than in Dharmasala, so we can get a well-deserved rest. This is the end of the high-altitude challenges and the beginning of our journey to lower elevations.

Important Things to Remember

This is a physically demanding day due to the altitude, distance, and difficult terrain. Let’s make sure we’re prepared with good trekking boots, warm layers, a windproof jacket, and our trekking poles. Let’s also keep an eye on each other for any signs of altitude sickness and stay hydrated throughout the day.

The day begins with incredible morning views of the mountains before we descend through alpine meadows and rhododendron forests. The trail passes streams and small villages as we return to warmer, greener terrain. We arrive in Tilije, a lively Gurung village known for its apple orchards, in the late afternoon.

After breakfast in Tilije, we begin our journey back to the capital. A scenic jeep ride takes us through beautiful mid-hill landscapes, small villages, and riverside valleys before connecting to the highway at Besisahar. From here, we continue toward Kathmandu, arriving in the evening. Tonight, Manaslu Treks and Expedition will host a special farewell dinner to celebrate your incredible journey in the Himalayas. You will also receive your Achievement Award as a token of recognition for completing the Manaslu adventure, a memory to cherish for years to come.

This day is a safety buffer in case of delays on the trek. If everything runs on time, you can explore Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage sites like Pashupatinath, Boudhanath Stupa, or Patan Durbar Square. Or simply relax, shop for souvenirs, and enjoy the city’s cafes.

Your journey on the 14 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek ends today. We’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home, leaving you with unforgettable memories of remote valleys, high passes, and the warm smiles of the people you met along the way.