Manaslu Circuit Trek

Your representative from Manaslu Treks and Expedition meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. In the evening your guide meets you for a full trek briefing covering the daily route, altitude progression, what to expect at checkpoints, gear requirements, and how we manage the Larkya La crossing day. This is also your opportunity to rent any remaining gear you need from the well stocked trekking shops along Thamel Marg. A good night of sleep before the long drive tomorrow.

About Kathmandu

Kathmandu sits at 1,350 meters in the Bagmati Province of central Nepal and serves as the starting point for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The city is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River, and Swayambhunath, the hilltop Buddhist complex known locally as the Monkey Temple. Thamel is the main trekker and tourist district where gear shops, restaurants, and exchange counters are concentrated. If you arrive a day early, Boudhanath is worth an evening visit to watch monks complete their sunset circumambulation of the stupa.

Departure from Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu between 6am and 7am. The road follows the Prithvi Highway through the Trishuli River valley, passing Malekhu and Dhading before turning north at Arughat toward the Budhi Gandaki valley. From Arughat the road changes character. Pavement gives way to rough mountain track, the Budhi Gandaki appears below carved through a steep gorge, and the landscape becomes increasingly wild. By late afternoon you reach Machha Khola, a small riverside settlement where the teahouses are simple and the sound of the river fills the night.
A private jeep upgrade reduces the drive by two to three hours and is available to add at booking. We recommend it for groups of four or more.

About Machha Khola
Machha Khola sits at approximately 930 meters on the eastern bank of the Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha district. The name means “fish river” in Nepali, a reference to the clear Budhi Gandaki waters below the village. The settlement is inhabited primarily by Gurung and Ghale communities whose agricultural fields of rice and millet terrace the hillsides above the river. Machha Khola serves as the official road terminus for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Beyond here the trail is foot traffic only. The teahouses at Machha Khola have developed over the past decade as trekker numbers to the Manaslu region have grown and now offer basic but clean accommodation with attached dining rooms.

Trek Time: 6 to 7 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The first walking day follows the Budhi Gandaki upstream through a mix of subtropical forest and riverside trail. Rhesus monkeys and langurs are common in the forest sections. The trail passes Khorlabeshi where Gurung shepherds wearing the traditional smoke browned Bokkhu cape can sometimes be seen, then Tatopani where natural hot springs offer a brief warm water soak. Crossing a long suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki at Doban, the trail continues through Landslip and Yaruphant before a final section brings you into Jagat, a beautifully maintained flagstone village of Gurung and Tibetan origin people. The Manaslu Conservation Area checkpoint at Jagat is where permits are verified. This is the official entry point into the restricted zone.

About Jagat

Jagat village sits at 1,410 meters in Gorkha district along the western bank of the Budhi Gandaki River. It serves as the first major checkpoint on the Manaslu Circuit Trek and marks the transition from the subtropical lower valley into the more mountainous middle sections of the route. The village is predominantly inhabited by Gurung and Tibetan origin communities who have preserved distinct cultural practices including traditional architecture with carved wooden windows and stone paved lanes. The economy combines subsistence farming, livestock herding, and increasingly teahouse tourism serving Manaslu trekkers. Several lodges in Jagat offer attached bathroom rooms and a wider menu than the higher villages, making it a comfortable first overnight stop on the trail. The stone paved central lane of Jagat is one of the most photographed sections of the lower valley.

Trek Time: 6 to 7 hours | Distance: 23 km | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Jagat the trail climbs briefly before descending to Salleri then continues north through Sirdibas where Buddhist gompas and prayer flags signal the deepening Tibetan cultural influence. At Phillim a second permit check takes place before the trail continues along the western bank of the Budhi Gandaki through bamboo groves and cliffside paths. The Siyar Khola bridge junction is where the trail to Tsum Valley branches right. The main Manaslu circuit continues straight. The river sculpted boulders along this section have been carved into unusual shapes by centuries of water pressure and are a notable feature of the route. After Pewa the trail arrives at Deng, a quiet village surrounded by forest where the evening fire in the teahouse dining room is a welcome gathering point.

About Deng
Deng sits at approximately 2,095 meters in a narrow gorge section of the Budhi Gandaki valley. It is one of the smaller villages on the Manaslu Circuit route and is home to a predominantly Tibetan origin community whose language, dress, and daily religious practice reflect the Tibetan Buddhist culture of the upper valley. The local economy is limited in scale, based on subsistence agriculture, yak herding, and small teahouse revenues from passing trekkers. Several basic lodges have been established in Deng to serve the circuit route and the food and accommodation here, while simple, is reliable. The prayer wheels at the village entrance and the mani stone walls flanking the path through the village are characteristic of the cultural landscape that becomes increasingly dominant as you move north.

Trek Time: 6 to 7 hours | Distance: 20 km | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail climbs steadily through pine and rhododendron forest, crossing small wooden bridges over clear tributaries of the Budhi Gandaki. Villages of Bihi and Ghap each have their own character. Bihi is known for its apple cultivation and the first clear views of snow peaks above the valley. Ghap marks another permit verification point and the beginning of the upper valley where mani walls line the trail and the sound of prayer flags in the wind accompanies every step. By Namrung the air is noticeably cooler and the views have opened significantly. Siringi Himal at 7,161 meters dominates the northeast horizon. The stone teahouses of Namrung feel like a genuine mountain village, which they are.

About Namrung
Namrung sits at 2,900 meters in the middle section of the Manaslu Conservation Area. The village is part of the Nubri sub region, inhabited by the Nubri people, a Tibetan Buddhist community whose language is a Tibetan dialect and whose cultural identity is distinct from both lowland Nepali and highland Sherpa communities. Namrung sits below the impressive face of Siringi Himal and offers the first genuinely high mountain views of the Manaslu Circuit route. The village has several teahouses and a small monastery. Evenings in Namrung are cold even in October. The temperature drops quickly after sunset and sleeping bags come out in earnest from this altitude onward.

Trek Time: 6 to 7 hours | Distance: 18 km | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

One of the most visually extraordinary days of the entire trek. The trail passes through Lihi and Sho, with their barley fields and traditional Tibetan style flat roofed houses, then arrives at Lho, the most significant village on the lower half of the upper valley. Ribung Monastery at Lho sits on a ridge above the village and offers a panoramic view of Mount Manaslu directly across the valley, one of the finest unobstructed views of an 8,000 meter peak accessible to trekkers anywhere in Nepal. After Lho the trail continues to Shyala, surrounded by peaks on all sides, before the final approach to Sama Gaon. The village of Sama Gaon, also called Samagaon, sits directly below the southwestern face of Manaslu and serves as the cultural and logistical heart of the upper valley.

About Lho Village
Lho sits at approximately 3,100 meters in the Nubri sub region of Gorkha district. It is one of the principal villages of the Nubri people and the home of Ribung Monastery, one of the most important active Buddhist monasteries in the Manaslu region. The monastery sits on a ridge west of the village and the view from its terrace of Mount Manaslu rising directly across the Budhi Gandaki valley is considered by many trekkers as one of the defining visual moments of the entire Manaslu Circuit Trek. The village economy centers on barley farming, yak herding, and a growing teahouse sector. The flat roofed Tibetan style architecture of Lho is characteristic of the Nubri building tradition and distinct from the stone roofed lodges of the lower valley.

About Sama Gaon
Sama Gaon, also written Samagaon, sits at 3,530 meters at the foot of Mount Manaslu’s southwestern glacier. It is the largest village in the upper Nubri valley and serves as the primary base for acclimatization on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The village has the highest concentration of teahouses and lodges on the upper route and is significantly better equipped for trekkers than any village above it. The Pungyen Gompa monastery sits on a ridge above Sama Gaon at approximately 3,900 meters and is a significant Buddhist site with panoramic views of Manaslu, Ngadi Chuli, and Himalchuli. The turquoise glacial lake of Birendra Tal at 3,451 meters lies a short walk northeast of the village below the Manaslu glacier. The village is inhabited by the Nubri people and the monastery bell calling monks to morning prayer is the first sound most trekkers hear at da

Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A full rest day at Sama Gaon is built into every one of our itineraries. This is not optional extra time. It is essential time. The altitude gain from Machha Khola to Sama Gaon has been significant and the Larkya La crossing two days ahead reaches 5,106 meters. Your body needs this day to adjust.
Two acclimatization options are available depending on fitness and preference.
Option 1: Birendra Lake and Manaslu Base Camp
The trail from Sama Gaon to Birendra Lake takes approximately 45 minutes and passes through yak pastures with Manaslu directly ahead. Birendra Lake at 3,451 meters is a turquoise glacial lake fed by the Manaslu glacier above. Continuing beyond the lake toward Manaslu Base Camp at 4,800 meters takes a further two to three hours of steep climbing on moraine terrain. The base camp views of the southwest face of Manaslu are extraordinary. This option is for fit trekkers comfortable with significant altitude gain on the acclimatization day.
Option 2: Pungyen Gompa
The monastery above Sama Gaon sits at approximately 3,900 meters and is reached by a 45 to 60 minute walk from the village on a clear stone path. The gompa is an active monastery and the monks welcome respectful visitors. The ridge views of Manaslu, the Budhi Gandaki valley below, and the surrounding peaks including Ngadi Chuli and Himalchuli make this one of the most rewarding shorter walks on the entire circuit. This option is appropriate for all fitness levels.

Trek Time: 3 to 4 hours | Distance: 7 km | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A deliberately short walking day to maintain the controlled altitude gain before the Larkya La crossing. The trail leaves Sama Gaon and crosses open yak pastures with wide valley views on all sides before a wooden bridge brings you into Samdo, the last inhabited village before the pass. Samdo sits close to the Tibetan border and the cultural atmosphere here is the most purely Tibetan of any village on the route. Many trekkers use the afternoon for a short acclimatization hike up the ridge above the village, which adds additional altitude exposure without the fatigue of a full walking day. The views north toward Tibet from the Samdo ridge are a unique perspective on the border landscape.

About Samdo

Samdo sits at 3,785 meters near the Nepal Tibet border in the upper Nubri valley. It is the last inhabited settlement before Dharamsala and the Larkya La Pass. The village is very small with a handful of families and a few basic teahouses. The Nubri people of Samdo historically maintained trade relationships with Tibetan communities across the border and the cultural traces of that connection are visible in the architecture, religious objects, and daily life of the village. The ridgeline above Samdo offers views across the border into the Tibetan plateau that are unavailable from any other point on the standard Manaslu Circuit route.

Trek Time: 3 to 4 hours | Distance: 9 km | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The walk from Samdo to Dharamsala is short in distance but significant in altitude and in psychological preparation. The trail climbs steadily over rocky terrain offering wide views of the surrounding peaks and the glacier moraines ahead. Along the route you pass the ruins of a traditional Tibetan trade post, a reminder that this was a working trade corridor between Nepal and Tibet for centuries before it became a trekking route. Dharamsala, also called High Camp, consists of a small cluster of basic teahouses at 4,460 meters. There is no WiFi. Facilities are minimal. Rooms are basic shared dormitories. Temperatures at night can drop to minus 10 degrees Celsius or below depending on season. Arrive, eat, hydrate well, and sleep as early as possible. The alarm is set for 3am.

About Dharamsala
Dharamsala on the Manaslu Circuit Trek sits at 4,460 meters on the eastern approach to Larkya La Pass. It is not a permanent village. It is a seasonal teahouse cluster that exists specifically to serve trekkers on the night before the pass crossing. The name Dharamsala means resthouse or shelter in Sanskrit and is appropriate for its function. The teahouses here are the most basic on the entire route. Beds are shared dormitory style, blankets are thin, and the cooking options are limited to simple hot food. What Dharamsala has, and what matters entirely the night before the crossing, is altitude. Sleeping here rather than in Samdo gives your body an additional 675 meters of pre acclimatization before the 5,106 meter pass. That difference is meaningful.

Trek Time: 8 to 10 hours | Distance: 18 to 24 km | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
The most demanding and most rewarding day of the entire Manaslu Circuit Trek. Wake at 3am. Breakfast by headlamp. On the trail by 4am.
The ascent from Dharamsala to Larkya La Pass climbs steadily over rocky moraine, then snow and ice in the final approach. The air is thin and the pace is slow and deliberate. Your guide manages the pace based on your condition. The pass must be reached before mid morning when winds typically rise. In autumn the crossing is cold but generally clear. In spring there may be residual snow on the approach. Micro crampons or traction devices are often useful on the icy descent sections.
At the pass itself, at 5,106 meters, the view opens in every direction. Behind you the Budhi Gandaki valley disappears into haze below. Ahead the glacial cirque formed by Cheo Himal at 6,820 meters, Himlung Himal at 7,126 meters, Nemjung at 7,140 meters, Gyaji Kang at 7,030 meters, and Kang Guru at 6,981 meters presents a wall of ice and rock that descends into cascading glaciers while Annapurna II at 7,937 meters rises directly ahead. This is the view that defines the Manaslu Circuit Trek and makes everything the route asks of you completely worthwhile.
The descent to Bimthang is long and steep over loose rock and occasional snow patches. Trekking poles are essential. The knees feel every step. By the time the trail drops into the green valley approaching Bimthang, the relief is physical and complete. Bimthang sits at 3,720 meters surrounded by Himalayan peaks including Manaslu, Ngadi Chuli, and Himalchuli. Teahouse facilities here are significantly better than Dharamsala and the hot meal and warm bed at the end of this day are among the most earned of any trek in Nepal.

About Bimthang
Bimthang sits at 3,720 meters in the Dudh Khola valley on the western side of Larkya La Pass, within the Annapurna Conservation Area. It is the first settlement on the western descent and marks the transition from the Manaslu Conservation Area to the Annapurna region. The village is small with several functional teahouses that are notably more comfortable than the high camp facilities above the pass. The views from Bimthang of Manaslu, visible now from the western face, and t

Trek Time: 5 to 6 hours | Distance: 16 km | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The long descent continues through one of the most beautiful landscape transitions on the trek. Leaving the alpine zone above Bimthang, the trail drops through meadows, then pine forest, then rhododendron forest, then the subtropical valley terrain of the lower Dudh Khola. The altitude loss is rapid and the body notices the thickening air with genuine relief. Tilije is a Gurung village at 2,300 meters known for its apple orchards and the warm welcome of its teahouses. The temperature is comfortable, the food portions are generous, and the sense of having accomplished something significant is very present at the dinner table in Tilije on this evening.

About Tilije
Tilije sits at 2,300 meters in the Nasho VDC of Gorkha district, on the western side of the Manaslu region within the Annapurna Conservation Area boundary. It is a Gurung village whose agricultural economy includes rice, millet, and notably apple cultivation. The apples of Tilije are known locally for their quality and apple brandy produced in the village is a traditional product of the area. The teahouses in Tilije are well run and the transition from the basic high altitude facilities above the pass to the comparatively comfortable lodges here is immediately felt. Several streams cross the trail below Tilije providing fresh cold water in a section where the days have been dominated by melting snow and glacial melt.

Transport: 7 to 8 hours | Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An early morning jeep ride from Tilije connects to Dharapani and then to the highway at Besisahar. From Besisahar the road follows the Marsyangdi River valley south to the Prithvi Highway and then east to Kathmandu. The journey passes through mid hill landscapes and riverside towns and the contrast between the mountain world you have just left and the busy highway traffic around Mugling is striking. Arriving in Kathmandu in the evening, Manaslu Treks and Expedition hosts your farewell dinner. You receive your Manaslu Circuit Trek completion certificate. This is a moment worth celebrating.

After completing the Manaslu Circuit Trek, our team will arrange your airport transfer from Kathmandu according to your international flight schedule. Depending on your departure time, you can spend your final hours exploring Thamel, shopping for souvenirs, or relaxing before heading to the airport.