Manaslu Photography Trek

We leave Kathmandu early in the morning, usually between 6:00 and 7:00 am, to avoid city traffic and reach the hills before midday. The drive starts on the Prithvi Highway, following the Trishuli River through Mugling and Malekhu. This section is paved and busy, with roadside towns, local buses, and river views.

A proper lunch break is taken around Malekhu or Arughat area, depending on road conditions and traffic. Most stops are simple local restaurants serving dal bhat, noodles, or fried rice. After lunch, the route turns off the main highway toward Arughat, where the road condition starts to change.

Beyond Arughat, the drive becomes slower and rougher. The road follows the Budhi Gandaki River and passes through small villages, terraced hillsides, and landslide prone sections. A short tea break is usually taken at a roadside shop along this section to rest and stretch after the bumpy ride.

By late afternoon or early evening, we reach Machhakhola, a small settlement beside the river. This is where the Manaslu Circuit Trekking officially begins. After checking into a local teahouse, there is time to relax, organize trekking gear, and have dinner. Overnight stay at Machhakhola.

After breakfast at Machhakhola, the trek starts by following the Budhi Gandaki River upstream. The trail begins with a mix of stone paths and dirt sections, crossing small streams and passing through riverside settlements. Early in the day, there are a few short climbs and descents, which help the body warm up for the trek.

After a few hours of walking, we reach Tatopani, where a short rest is taken. The natural hot spring is located near the river, though most trekkers continue walking rather than stopping for a bath. From here, the trail climbs on stone steps to Doban and then continues through narrow gorges with waterfalls and hanging cliffs.

A lunch break is usually taken at a teahouse along the trail, often around Doban or Yaru depending on walking pace and trail conditions. After lunch, the path continues through forested sections and crosses several suspension bridges. The terrain becomes slightly steeper but remains manageable.

In the afternoon, the trail climbs gradually toward Jagat. The village is clearly different from earlier settlements, with stone paved streets and traditional houses. Jagat is an important stop on the Manaslu Circuit Trekking route as it serves as the entry checkpoint for the restricted area. Permits are checked here. Overnight stay in a local teahouse at Jagat.

After breakfast in Jagat, the trail continues deeper into the Manaslu region. Shortly after leaving the village, permits are checked again, and the path climbs gradually through forest and stone steps. The Budhi Gandaki River remains below the trail, and the gorge becomes narrower as the day goes on.

The walk includes a steady mix of ups and downs. We pass through small villages such as Salleri and Sirdibas, where Tibetan influence becomes more visible in prayer flags, mani walls, and traditional stone houses. A tea break is usually taken at one of these villages, giving time to rest and enjoy the surroundings.

Beyond Sirdibas, the trail crosses a suspension bridge and enters a more rugged section with cliffs and river views. The landscape feels more remote compared to the previous days. A lunch break is taken at a local teahouse, often at Philim or nearby settlements, depending on walking pace.

After lunch, the trail continues through forested areas and climbs gradually toward Deng. The air feels cooler, and the villages become quieter as altitude increases. Deng is a small settlement but an important stop for the Manaslu Circuit Trekking route. Arrival is usually in the mid to late afternoon, leaving time to rest and recover. Overnight stay in a local teahouse at Deng.

After breakfast in Deng, the trail starts with a gradual climb through forested paths and small villages. The sound of the Budhi Gandaki River stays with us for most of the morning. The terrain becomes steeper compared to previous days, and the stone steps are more frequent.

We pass through settlements such as Rana and Bihi Phedi, where the influence of Tibetan culture is more noticeable in houses, chortens, and mani walls. A short tea break is usually taken along the way, often in one of these villages, allowing time to rest and hydrate.

The trail continues with a steady ascent through pine and rhododendron forest. Suspension bridges cross deep river gorges, and waterfalls appear along the cliffs, especially during spring and early autumn. A lunch break is taken at a teahouse on the trail, depending on walking pace and weather.

After lunch, the path climbs more directly toward Namrung. As altitude increases, the air feels cooler, and mountain views begin to open up when the weather is clear. Namrung is a well arranged village with stone houses and open fields, and it marks an important point on the Manaslu Circuit Trekking route for acclimatization. Arrival is usually in the afternoon, with time to rest and explore the village. Overnight stay in a local teahouse at Namrung.

After breakfast in Namrung, the trail climbs gently through forest and stone villages. The walking is relaxed and steady, making this one of the most comfortable days on the Manaslu Circuit Trekking route. As we gain altitude, the landscape opens up and the air feels cooler and cleaner.

After passing Lho village, the trail continues toward Shyala, a wide open settlement surrounded by mountains on almost every side. Peaks such as Manaslu, Himalchuli, and Ngadi Chuli become clearly visible when the weather is good. The valley around Shyala is broad and flat, which makes walking easy and photography natural.

We usually reach Shyala by late morning or early afternoon, leaving plenty of time to rest and explore the area. Shyala is considered one of the best places for landscape photography on the Manaslu Circuit Trek with Photography because of its wide foregrounds, grazing yaks, stone walls, and uninterrupted mountain views.

The sunset at Shyala is one of the highlights of the Manaslu Photography Trekking experience. In the late afternoon, warm light hits Mount Manaslu and the surrounding peaks from the side, creating strong contrast and depth. The open valley allows clean compositions without obstacles or crowds.

The next morning sunrise at Shyala is equally strong. Early light reaches the peaks directly, often with mist in the valley and yaks moving across the fields. Clear mornings here offer some of the best sunrise photographs of Mount Manaslu during the entire trek.

Overnight stay in a local teahouse at Shyala.

The day starts early in Samagaun with sunrise photography. On clear mornings, the view is wide and powerful, with Mount Manaslu dominating the valley. First light reaches the peaks directly, creating strong contrast between snow, rock, and sky. The open landscape around Samagaun allows clean compositions with stone houses, prayer flags, and yaks moving through the fields. This sunrise is considered one of the most impressive on the Manaslu Circuit Trek with Photography.

After breakfast, we walk toward Pungen Gompa, following a gradual trail that climbs above the valley. The walk is steady and not rushed, allowing time to stop and photograph changing angles of Mount Manaslu and the glacier below. As height is gained, the view becomes broader and more dramatic.

Pungen Gompa offers one of the most open and massive viewpoints in the Manaslu region. From here, Mount Manaslu, surrounding peaks, and the glacier spread out clearly in front. The setting is quiet, surrounded by high mountains and prayer flags, giving a strong sense of space and isolation. Many trekkers describe this place as one of the most peaceful and visually striking locations on the Manaslu photography trekking route.

Time is spent around the gompa for photography and rest before returning to Samagaun in the afternoon. The evening is relaxed, with time to review photographs and prepare for the next section of the Manaslu Circuit Trekking route. Overnight stay in Samagaun.

Day seven is an acclimatization day at Samagaun and one of the most important days for Manaslu photography trekking. Samagaun lies in a wide open valley below Mount Manaslu, offering space, light, and strong mountain views in every direction.

The day begins early with sunrise photography around Samagaun. On clear mornings, first light reaches Mount Manaslu and nearby peaks, creating a massive view across the valley. Stone houses, prayer flags, yaks moving through the fields, and morning smoke from village kitchens provide natural foregrounds that are difficult to find on busier trekking routes.

After breakfast, we walk toward Birendra Lake, following the trail that also leads in the direction of Manaslu Base Camp. The walk is gradual and suitable for acclimatization, allowing the body to adjust while staying active. Along the way, views of glaciers, moraines, and surrounding peaks continue to open up.

Birendra Lake sits below the Manaslu glacier and is one of the most photogenic locations in the region. The turquoise water, ice formations, and mountain backdrop create strong compositions, especially in calm weather. This area is also good for photographing yaks grazing near the lake and along the trail.

After spending time around the lake, we return toward Samagaun, often stopping near a local monastery or small café for tea. These stops offer simple but authentic moments to photograph village life and rest before descending.

The afternoon is relaxed, giving time to recover, review photographs, and prepare for the higher sections of the Manaslu Circuit Trekking route. Overnight stay in a local teahouse at Samagaun.

After breakfast, we trek from Samagaun to Samdo following a gradual trail through open alpine terrain. The walk is short and steady, suitable for high altitude conditions. Along the way, yaks and wide mountain views are common. We reach Samdo by late morning or early afternoon and spend the rest of the day resting and exploring the village. Overnight stay at Samdo.

After breakfast in Samdo, we trek gradually toward Dharamsala, also known as Larkya Phedi. The trail passes through open high altitude terrain with a steady climb. We reach Dharamsala by early afternoon, giving time to rest and adjust to the altitude. In the late afternoon, weather permitting, sunset light on the surrounding peaks offers quiet photography opportunities, with clean mountain views and dramatic shadows. Overnight stay at Dharamsala.

We start early before sunrise for the crossing of Larkya La Pass. The climb is gradual but long, and the air is cold. At the top of the pass, weather permitting, there are wide views of surrounding peaks and glaciers, making this one of the most important photography moments of the Manaslu Circuit Trek with Photography. After crossing the pass, we descend steadily through snow fields and glacial terrain to Bimthang. Overnight stay at Bimthang.

After breakfast at Bimthang, we descend through alpine terrain and forested trails. As altitude decreases, the landscape becomes greener, with forests, rivers, and pasture land along the way. The trail follows mountain streams and passes small settlements. On clear sections, Mount Manaslu can be seen from a different angle, offering a final perspective of the massif. We reach Tilije in the afternoon and have time to rest and relax. Overnight stay at Tilije.

After breakfast in Besisahar, we take a jeep for the short transfer out of the town before continuing the journey to Kathmandu by local bus. The drive follows the Marsyangdi River and later joins the main highway. Total travel time is around 6 to 7 hours, covering approximately 200 kilometers. We arrive in Kathmandu by late afternoon or early evening. In the evening, a farewell dinner is organized, where trekkers receive a trek achievement award to mark the successful completion of the Manaslu Circuit trek.