Manaslu Circuit Trek – 11 Days

Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kathmandu by taxi and escort you to the bus station for the journey toward the Manaslu region. We recommend having breakfast at your hotel or requesting a packed breakfast before departure.

The Manaslu Circuit trek officially begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu, with public buses departing from Gongabu Bus Park around 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. The route follows the Prithvi Highway toward Dhading or Malekhu before continuing by local bus or jeep to Machha Khola. Along the way, there will be scheduled toilet stops and a lunch break.

The drive offers beautiful countryside views, rivers, and hills, though the road can be dusty and bumpy as you get closer to Machha Khola. There are several rest stops where you can stretch your legs, enjoy refreshments, or have meals during the journey.

Manaslu Treks and Expedition organizes all transportation and logistics to ensure a smooth and hassle-free start to your trek.
If you prefer a more comfortable option, a private jeep can be arranged for an additional USD 180.

After breakfast, our guide from Manaslu Treks and Expedition will lead you along a scenic trail following the Budhi Gandaki River, marking another beautiful day on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The path winds through forested sections where monkeys and langurs are commonly seen along the trail.

Leaving the forest behind, you enter traditional Gurung villages such as Lower Khorlabeshi, where local shepherds can be seen wearing a smoke-browned woolen cloak known as a Bokkhu, reflecting the authentic mountain culture of the Manaslu region.

The trek continues to Tatopani, meaning “hot water,” where you can enjoy a warm shower or hot spring bath to relax tired muscles. After resting, you cross a newly built suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River and continue toward Doban.

Passing through landslide areas and Yaruphant, a wooden bridge helps avoid a long and steep climb along village trails, making the walk more comfortable. The river then widens as you reach Yaru, and after crossing a long cantilever bridge, you arrive at Jagat, a neatly stone-paved Gurung village.

At Jagat, your Manaslu trekking permits are checked at the official checkpoint, marking your entry into the restricted Manaslu region.

After breakfast, the trail leads you toward Salleri before descending to Sirdibas, a welcoming village adorned with colorful Buddhist prayer flags and several traditional gompas, reflecting the strong Tibetan Buddhist culture of the Manaslu region.

Along the route, you will pass small local stopovers where you can observe village life and, if interested, sample locally made beverages before reaching Philim. At Philim, your Manaslu trekking permits are checked, after which the trail continues along the western bank of the Budhi Gandaki River.

This section of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is particularly scenic, with river-carved boulders and natural rock formations shaped over time by flowing water. Leaving the riverbank, the path climbs gently through rhododendron forests, Himalayan pine trees, and beneath dramatic overhanging cliffs with towering peaks above.

Continuing onward, you cross the Siyar Khola bridge and arrive at a junction where the trail to Tsum Valley branches off to the right, while your route continues deeper into the Manaslu region.

The trek then passes through Pewa, and after a short walk, you reach Deng, where you rest overnight after a rewarding day on the trail.

After sunrise and breakfast, you begin today’s trek by walking through a peaceful bamboo forest before continuing along the trail beyond Deng. The path gradually ascends, offering a calm and scenic start to the day.

As you move forward, you cross a suspension bridge and climb steadily through Rana and Bihi Phedi. Along this section, you may spot white-faced langur monkeys near villages, often seen searching for food around the settlements.

The trail then continues toward Ghap, crossing several landslide areas. Extra care is needed here, and following your guide’s instructions ensures a safe and smooth walk through this section of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. After passing the landslide zone, the path climbs gradually toward Namrung.

After about an hour on an uneven but rewarding trail, you ascend in a zigzag pattern and arrive at the attractive village of Namrung (2,660 m), set beautifully along the river with impressive mountain surroundings.

Namrung is known for having some of the best teahouses and lodges in the Manaslu region. The village offers comfortable rest houses, a well-run restaurant, and even Wi-Fi and good coffee, providing a welcome level of comfort as you continue deeper into the Manaslu Himalayas.

After breakfast in Namrung, the trail continues northward through beautiful alpine scenery as you walk deeper into the Manaslu Circuit Trek route. The path passes through traditional mountain villages such as Lihi, Sho, and Lho, where stone houses, mani walls, and prayer flags reflect the strong Tibetan Buddhist culture of the region.

As you gain altitude, the views become more dramatic, with impressive glimpses of Manaslu Himal (8,163 m) appearing along the trail, especially after reaching Lho. Here, the large Ribung Monastery offers one of the best viewpoints of Mount Manaslu and the surrounding peaks.

Leaving Lho, the trail continues through alpine forests of pine and rhododendron, following glacial rivers and open valleys. The landscape gradually becomes more rugged and expansive as you approach higher elevations.

After passing Shyala, a scenic village surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the trail gently leads you toward Samagaun (3,530 m), one of the largest and most important villages on the Manaslu Circuit. Samagaun sits beneath the massive Manaslu Glacier and serves as a key acclimatization stop for trekkers.

You will spend the night in Samagaun, resting and preparing for acclimatization hikes and higher passes ahead.

Today is a dedicated acclimatization day at Samagaun, helping your body adjust to the altitude and reducing the risk of altitude-related illness on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. After breakfast, you will choose one of the following acclimatization hike options and return to Samagaun for the night.

Option 1: Acclimatization Hike to Pungyen Gompa

This recommended acclimatization hike leads toward Pungyen Gompa, located east of Samagaun. The trail offers peaceful scenery and impressive views of Mount Manaslu and surrounding glaciers. A packed lunch is required for this hike.

From the viewpoint near the gompa, you can enjoy breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, with frequent sightings of yaks and Himalayan thar grazing in the high alpine terrain. This hike provides ideal altitude gain for proper acclimatization while maintaining a slow and steady pace.

Option 2: Hike to Manaslu Base Camp (4,400 m)

For stronger hikers, an optional hike to Manaslu Base Camp offers an unforgettable high-altitude experience. The trail passes Birendra Tal (glacial lake) before continuing north along the Manaslu Glacier.

• Ascent time: approximately 3–4 hours
• Descent time: approximately 1.5 hours

The climb is gradual but the altitude can make breathing more challenging, so walking slowly, staying hydrated, and listening to your body is essential. After enjoying close-up views of Mount Manaslu, you return to Samagaun the same day.

Option 3: Easy Walk to Birendra Tal

If you prefer a relaxed acclimatization walk or are feeling the effects of altitude, a short hike to Birendra Tal is an excellent alternative. This scenic glacial lake lies just above Samagaun and offers beautiful views with minimal elevation gain.

All options allow you to acclimatize safely while enjoying the dramatic landscapes of the Manaslu region. You will spend the night in Samagaun, preparing for the next stage of the trek.

Today is a short and easy trekking day, allowing your body to continue acclimatizing as you move higher on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Because of the increasing altitude, the walk is taken at a slow and steady pace.

The trail follows a wide open valley with extended yak pastures, long mani walls, and a peaceful high-altitude landscape. Along the way, you may spot various Himalayan bird species as the scenery gradually becomes more alpine.

Leaving the treeline behind, the path crosses a wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River before climbing gently toward White Kani, a small and picturesque settlement known for traditional yak herding. From here, the trail continues toward Samdo.

Upon reaching Samdo, a remote Tibetan-influenced village close to the Nepal–Tibet border, you have time to explore the surrounding area or take a short optional hike toward Samdo Peak for views of the surrounding valleys.

From the village, you can also clearly see the Larkya La Pass trail rising on the left side of the valley, as well as the historic trade route toward Tibet via Larjyang La, adding cultural and geographical interest to the day.

You will spend the night in Samdo, resting and preparing for the higher sections of the trek ahead.

Today is a short but high-altitude trek, taking around 3 hours of walking. Although Dharamsala (Larke Phedi) may appear close from Samdo, the increasing altitude makes the walk feel more demanding, so a slow and steady pace is essential.

This is another adventurous day on the Manaslu Circuit Trek, and it is important to pay close attention to your body and any signs of altitude discomfort. Walking calmly and staying well hydrated will help you enjoy the journey.

The trail offers beautiful views of the Himalayan mountain range as you cross rugged alpine terrain. Along the way, you may see yaks grazing on the high pastures and, with some luck, blue sheep moving across the rocky slopes.

The route itself is pleasant and well-defined, and local communities have recently widened and improved the trail, making the walk safer and more comfortable than in the past. After a gradual climb through open landscapes, you arrive at Dharamsala (Larke Phedi), the final stop before crossing the Larke Pass.

You will rest here for the night, preparing for the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek ahead.

Today is the most special and rewarding day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, as you cross the highest point of the journey, Larke La Pass (5,160 m / 16,929 ft). In case of snow or bad weather, the walk can be demanding, but with proper preparation and a steady pace, the pass is achievable.

To ensure safe crossing, the day begins very early (around 3:00 a.m.). After an early breakfast, you leave the teahouse before dawn. Starting early is essential, as weather conditions are usually more stable in the morning.

The ascent is long but gradual, so it is important to walk slowly, keep a steady rhythm, and refill your water bottles whenever possible. Carrying snacks or energy food is highly recommended, as the cold temperature and altitude increase energy needs. Listening to your body and taking short breaks will help you manage the climb comfortably.

Reaching Larke La Pass rewards you with breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas. From the top, you can enjoy stunning scenery of Himlung Himal (7,126 m) near the Tibetan border, Kang Guru (6,981 m), and Annapurna II (7,937 m) in the Annapurna range. This moment is one of the true highlights of the trek.

After spending some time at the pass, the trail descends steadily for about 3 hours toward Bimthang. During the descent, you are surrounded by snow-covered peaks and pass the beautiful Pongkar Tal, located between the Pongkar and Salpu Danda Glaciers.

Bimthang is a surprisingly beautiful settlement, known for its comfortable teahouses and some of the best accommodation on the Manaslu Circuit. After a long and challenging day, you can relax in a warm dining hall, enjoy a hot meal, and rest in cozy lodges set against a stunning alpine backdrop.

You will spend the night in Bimthang, celebrating the successful crossing of Larke La Pass.

Today is your final trekking day through the Manaslu region, as the trail gradually descends into lower elevations and greener landscapes. As you walk downhill, the scenery changes noticeably, with lush forests, diverse flora and fauna, and blooming rhododendron bushes, especially during spring.

The trail leads you toward Karche, where you stop for lunch after crossing the Dudh Khola. Along this section, you will see clear signs of past glacial floods, including eroded riverbanks, split tree trunks, and rugged terrain shaped by ice and water over time. This dramatic landscape adds a raw and powerful feel to the walk.

Continuing onward, the path descends to Gurung Goa, the first village since Samdo, offering a glimpse of traditional mountain life returning after days in high alpine terrain. From here, the trail passes through cultivated fields and forests of oak and rhododendron, as the valley becomes increasingly green and agricultural.

Staying on the north (true right) bank of the river, you continue toward Tilije, a pleasant Gurung village, before completing the day’s walk at Dharapani. Dharapani marks the official connection point with the Annapurna Circuit Trek, bringing your Manaslu Circuit journey to a rewarding close.

You will spend the night in Dharapani, enjoying a well-earned rest after completing one of Nepal’s most scenic and diverse trekking routes.