Trek Overview
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the unexplored trails but Manaslu Circuit is getting popular as a new trekking destination. Mt. Manslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world; it is in the very centre of the Nepalese Himalaya and to trek around the base of this giant mountain along with its isolated trail is probably one of the best treks. This trek includes trekking to Visit to Tsum Valley; this is one of Buddhism’s sacred hidden valleys known as ‘Beyul’ with ancient monasteries and remote villages. The valley was only opened for trekkers few years ago and the trail traverses through virgin areas where you will witness the beauty of nature than any other places. This trek suits best to those who are looking for the challenging trekking in Nepal, is also a part of the Great Himalayan trail.
Note: below trekking hours, altitudes and distances are approximate, and absolutely for general idea only.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,302m/4,270ft)
You will be received and escorted to the hotel by our staff, refresh yourself and take some rest or explore the area around your hotel. Accommodate at Kathmandu.
- Day 2: Kathmandu valley sightseeing and Trek preparation
Kathmandu is the cultural heart of Nepal and has been a famous destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its borders to visitors. Today after breakfast we will explore Kathmandu valley, a guided tour will be conducted to major world heritage sites inside the valley. As Kathmandu valley is a beautiful combination of Hinduism and Buddhism we will visit historical sites like; Durbar Squares, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath (monkey temple) and Buddhist shrine of Bouddhanath which is one of the largest stupa in the world. After the tour you will prepare yourself for the trek, will be briefed about the trek; buy all the trekking equipments required and overnight at hotel.
- Day 3: Kathmandu to Soti khola (730m/2,395ft) 8hrs drive
It is a long ride day today so we will have to start early. We will have an early breakfast at our hotel and get on the vehicle that will drive us to our destination. Driving along the proper road we then drive through many villages and terraces to Soti. We will accommodate overnight at a guesthouse.
- Day 4: Soti Khola to Macha Khola (930m/3,051ft) 6-7hrs trek
After an early breakfast, we cross the suspension bridge and trek through the Sal forest and then we ascend to the ridge of rapids on the Budhi Gandaki. From here we then reach Khursane from where we trek through the rocky trail with ups and downs and eventually the trail will make its way to the Gurung village of Lapu Besi, from here we pass a zigzag path to reach Macha Khola. We will stay the night here in the village in a guest house.
- Day 5: Macha Khola to Jagat (1,440m/4,724ft) 6-7hrs trek
Today we cross Macha River and trek along the river to a small village of Khorla Besi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The route is quite challenging and natural in some places and as we trek further the valley opens up. We then reach Lauri after few hours where we cross a suspension bridge and then ascend uphill to the fields of Jagat. We will accommodate the night here at a lodge.
- Day 6: Jagat to Lokpa (2,240m/7,349ft) 6hrs trek
Today we enter the Tsum Valley, with an early breakfast we start to trek; the trail gently climbs uphill and then follows a leveled path. We enter a dense forest that will lead us to Doban from where the Buri Gandaki descends to further up the valley where the river opens up, we cross a suspension bridge over the river and enter Philim. Trekking further we will reach Lokpa, the first village as we enter the Tsum valley. We will stay the night here in a lodge.
- Day 7: Lokpa to Chumling (2,386m/7,828ft) 4-5hrs trek
We start to trek after having our breakfast in the lodge, as we start the trail descends to the banks of the Shiar Khola and then it goes through forests. The trail is a challenging one as it is an ascending path that stretches on almost the entire trail; we climb a steep ridge until we descend to a bridge over Shiar Khola. Once crossing the bridge we trek steeply to the village of Chumling, the village is an ancient one and the village will offer us magnificent views of Ganesh Himal. We will stay the night here in the village.
- Day 8: Chumling to Chhokang paro (3,031m/9,944ft) 5-6hrs trek
Today is a challenging trek day, we descend to the Dumje. The village is at a riverside where we will have our lunch, after lunch we ascend steeply along the river until we reach our camp. Chhokang paro is situated on a flat land as the name comes from its two settlements, Chhokang and Paro. From here we will witness amazing views of Ganesh Himal range and we will stay the night here.
- Day 9: Chhokang Paro to Nile (3,360m/11,023ft) 4-5hrs trek
With an early breakfast we rejoin our trail, the trail is flatter as the valley opens up too. Through the trail we will come across many gazing land, mani walls, chortens and stupas. Nile is the last village heading north in the upper Tsum valley, the village is situated on the bank of the Shiar Khola and the village has numerous households. Once we reach our destination we will find a suitable camping site, on the grassy bank of Shiar Khola and camp the night here.
- Day 10: Nile to Mu Gompa (3,700m/12,139ft) 3hrs trek
Today is a short trek day. After breakfast we start to trek, the trail gradually ascends through alpine meadows along with Juniper and Larch trees. We soon will reach Mu Gompa, home to a very ancient and the largest monastery in the area. As we will reach there before dawn we will have enough time to explore the area, 30 minutes hike from there will take us to Dheron Gumba, several Buddhist nuns live here meditating. We return back and camp on a grassy area just below Mu Gompa.
- Day 11: Mu Gompa to Rachen (3,240m/10,629ft) 4hrs trek
Today we descend to lower altitude; after breakfast we start to trek. After several days of trekking in high Tibetan landscapes we finally trek back down along Shiar Khola crossing the valley to Rachen Gompa, red roofed Buddhist nunnery. It is a very old monastery established in 1936, most of the nuns here join the monastery at the age of 7. We find a suitable camping site nearby and camp the night there.
- Day 12: Rachen to Dumje (2,405m/7,890ft) 6hrs trek
Today is also a descending day, after breakfast we steeply trek downhill. As we trek further down the climate gets warmer, we trek passing Shiar Khola, Laudang and Ghaughung khola until we finally cross a wooden bridge to our camp site in Dumje. We will camp the night there.
- Day 13: Dumje to Lokpa (2,240m/7,349ft) 6hrs trek
We have an early breakfast and start to trek; the trail has many ups and downs today. We climb over some very deep gorges, pass some cantilever bridges and picturesque. We then descend on steep stairs to the Ghumlong on the river; we passed this point few days ago. From here it’s a final climb up through pristine temperature forest to Lokpa.
- Day 14: Lokpa to Ghap (2,160m/7,086ft) 7-8hrs trek
Today is another long trek day, we will start trekking early. The trail from Lokpa will descend down to the point until we meet another track that comes from Philim. We trek further crossing the Buri Gandaki on a solid bridge and enter a loose track at a narrow gorge, the trail goes up and down till we cross to the east bank and soon back to west bank. We cross Nupri, deng and a dense bamboo forest, as we continue trekking we also cross Rana and Bhi. We trek all the way down to Serang Khola and after crossing we trek a final climb to Ghap, we will camp the night here.
- Day 15: Ghap to Lho (3,020m/9,908ft) 4hrs trek
After having breakfast we start to trek, it is shorter trek today. We will pass through villages like Namrung and Banjam, after crossing Banjam the trail steeps as we trek to Lihi. Lihi offers us fine view of Ganesh Himal and trekking further from here we reach Sho then soon to the next village Lho, from here we will be able to view Manaslu and Kutang Himal. We will reach Lho early and will have time to explore the area; we can hike to Ribang Gompa as well as explore the stupas, mani walls and Kani. We will return back to our camp and spend the night here.
- Day 16: Lho to Samagaon (3,450m/11,318ft) 4hrs trek
We will have our breakfast along with an amazing morning view, after breakfast we rejoin the trail and descend across Damonan Khola. From here we then ascend again to a plateau at Shya and then we cross a ridge descending onto a rock. Trekking further we pass through pastures and fields of Samagaon. The village is settles perfectly against a wooded moraine at the end of the valley. We will rest overnight here in the village.
- Day 17: Samagaon to Samdo (3,860m/12,664ft) 3hrs trek
After having breakfast we start to trek. The trail descends to Budhi Gandaki and then to Manaslu Base Camp. We then trek through Larkya La trail passing through several Mani walls and reaches Kemo Kharka, we trek gently uphill all the way to Samdo through a desert path and windy valley. This village is an excellent view spot for Manslu, Samdo, Nagdi chuli, Simnang and several other awesome peaks. We will stay the night here in the village.
- Day 18: Acclimatization and rest day at Samdo
Today is also an acclimatization day; an optional day hike to Gya La will be organized. Gya La is a trading pass with Tibet; we can explore the village or rest. We will return to the village for overnight.
- Day 19: Samdo to Larkya Phedi (4,460m/14,632ft) 3-4hrs trek
After having breakfast we rejoin our trail, the trail is rocky and zigzags leading to Larkya La. The trail further climbs in and out of the gorge from where we reach Larkya Phedi and rest for the night.
- Day 20: Larkya Phedi to Bimtang (3,590m/11,778ft) via [Larkya La (5,135m/16,847ft)] 8-9hrs trek
Today is a long trek day, we start trekking with an early start. As we trek further we reach at the top of the moraine and then climb steeply to the Larkya La pass, from the top, we will enjoy the views of Larkya peak, Mt. Manaslu, Ratna chuli, Cheo Himal and many other snow capped mountains and peaks. From here the trail then descends to Bimtang, a huge valley surrounded by high peaks.
- Day 21: Bimtang to Dharapani (1,860m/6,102ft) 7-8hrs trek
Today is also a long trek day so we have to start trekking early morning. The trail starts descending through meadows, pine and rhododendron forests. We trek to Hampuk from where the path descends to Karche following the course of the Dudh Khola and crossing the stream flowing down from the Kichke Himal. Trekking further to the village of Gho, from here we trek along the bank of the river and the gradually descend to the Gurung village of Tilije. After trekking through Tilije we cross to the eastern side of the Dudh Khola and then reach Dharapani where we will spend the night.
- Day 22: Dharapani to Jagat (1,440m/4,724ft) 6hrs trek
Today is the last day of our trek, we rejoin the trail as it now follows Annapurna Circuit route backwards as we will trek on the descended path along Marshyangdi River. We pass through the steepest part of the Marshyangdi gorge from where we trek down all the way to Jagat where we will spend the night.
- Day 23: Jagat to Kathmandu via [Besisahar]
Today we will drive to Besisahar where there will be a private vehicle that will then drive us to Kathmandu. Once we reach Kathmandu, you then will be transferred to your hotel for overnight.
- Day 24: Back home
Leisure time and explore Kathmandu until the departure time when you will be transferred to airport and fly back home.
Fast Facts
- Max altitude: Larkya La (5,135m/16,847ft)
- Suitably designed itinerary for acclimatization
- Accommodation in the best selected lodges and tea houses along the trail and in Kathmandu
- Visit to Tsum valley ( one of Buddhism’s sacred hidden valleys known as ‘Beyul’ ), ancient monasteries and remote villages
- Offers beautiful views of Ganesh Himal, Larkya peak, Mt. Manaslu, Ratna chuli, Cheo Himal and many other snow capped peaks.
- Visit traditional Buddhist monasteries, experience remote Tibetan Buddhist culture
- Adventurous and challenging trek, trek over Larkya La
