Manaslu Circuit Trekking is the most exciting and scenic adventure that takes you around the far North Mid-West Nepal Himalaya, within the remote high areas of the Gorkha district.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking is one of several high-altitude adventures that remains restricted and forbidden for foreign visitors. This restriction is meant to limit the heavy flow of trekkers, maintaining the country in its pristine form while conserving its beautiful natural environment.
In the past, this area was a forbidden country, closed to outside visitors. It opened to outsiders in the last three decades, allowing entry with a special permit, as the Manaslu higher valley remains a restricted area.
The word “Manaslu” comes from ancient Sanskrit and means “mind of the God” as ‘Manas’ (like holy Lake Manasarover in Tibet). The local name for Mt. Manaslu is ‘Kutang,’ meaning “beautiful high country,” derived from the Tibetan language.
Mt. Manaslu towers high as the world’s 8th highest mountain at 8,163 meters (26,781 feet). It is located in Nepal’s Far North Mid-West Himalaya and falls on the Old Himalaya Trans Himalaya Salt Trade and Caravan Route Trails.
Trade and exchange of goods were active during the early 1960s before Tibet was annexed by mainland China. Currently, the exchange of goods still exists but in smaller numbers.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking begins with an exciting drive from Kathmandu to the Mid-West, around the Gorkha district, following the raging Buri-Gandaki River upstream to its glacial source near the Manaslu high valley.
The trek starts from low, warm farm areas within quaint villages, with an uphill route into green hills where the temperature changes to cooler days and nights. The path leads through typical Nepalese hill farm villages, offering glimpses of both Hindu and Buddhist cultures.
The adventure progresses higher, entering the beautiful, wide scenic valley of the high Manaslu area and passing through impressive villages like Namrung to reach Lo and Sama-Gaon. Sama-Gaon is one of the important villages of Manaslu, enclosed by high mountain ranges on both sides of the valley.
At Sama Gaon, you can enjoy extra days visiting interesting villages adorned with impressive religious monuments and monasteries in the shadow of the towering Mt. Manaslu and its range, including Bauddha and Himal-Chuli peaks.
After a pleasant and scenic time, the adventure continues westward to cross Larke-La at 5,106 meters (16,752 feet). The steep, long climb is rewarding, surrounded by an array of peaks from the Annapurna, Manaslu, and Larke peaks, including some from the Manang area, such as Himlung Himal with Manaslu towards the east.
After glorious views of breathtaking peaks, the descent leads into the Manang district, leaving Gorkha and the Manaslu area. The route heads back into green forests of tall rhododendron and pine trees.
The Manaslu Circuit trek is a highly rewarding and immersive trail, mainly during the spring and autumn seasons, although this is open in the monsoon and winter as well. The seasons of spring and autumn offer stable, trekking-friendly conditions with the trail bustling with natural and cultural beauty. These seasons are the best undertaken as the pass crossing is a bit easier in these months.
Comprehensive Guide to the Best Time to Visit Nepal
The Manaslu Circuit trek is regarded as a challenging trek for many trekkers. The higher sections and pass crossing are composite with the longer walking hours, rugged trail, and high altitude crossing. This trek is physically challenging and demanding, but still achievable if we take strategic acclimatization and enough rest.
The Manaslu Circuit trek is an immersive trek that takes us soaking into its raw Himalayan wilderness with fewer crowds and an authentic Tibetan-influenced culture. This trek combines dramatic landscapes with a high-altitude challenge. This trek is an equally rewarding alternative to the crowded Everest and Annapurna region. This trek is remote yet equally accessible.
Day 01: On arrival at Kathmandu airport 1,320 m transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu sightseeing tour and trek preparation.
Day 03: Drive to Machha Khola 930m – 06 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Jagat 1,340 m – 06 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Deng 1,860 m – 06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Namrung 2660 m -05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Lo-Gaon 3, 180 m -05 hrs.
Day 8: Trek to Sama-Gaon 3530 m -06 hrs.
Day 9: At Sama-Gaon rest day for acclimatization and local excursion.
Day 10: Trek to Samdo 3800 m – 05 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Dharma-Sala 4, 450 m -04 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Bhimphedi 3, 590 m via Larke-La Pass 5,106 m-08 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Dharapani 1,725 m -05 hrs.
Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu via Besisar town – 08 hrs.
Day 15: International departure for home ward bound.
Reach Kathmandu via various international airlines where our staff receives you with transport to the hotel in the heart of Kathmandu city within easy reach to its shops and restaurants.
Check into your rooms and after getting refreshed from jet-leg join at hotel lobby for group briefing regarding do’s and don’ts, local culture and with detail information on Helambu trekking.
Evening enjoy group dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurants and get the taste of local cuisine with folk cultural show of various parts of Nepal.
In Kathmandu full day for optional sightseeing tour at places of great interest, as Kathmandu and adjoining cities steeped with World Heritage Sites, on this day with time for trek preparation.
Starting early morning long and interesting overland journey to reach Nepal Mid-West, to reach at Arughat, a large farm town located within Gorkha district and then continue further to Soti Khola a moderate size farm village following Buri-Gandaki River.
As drive continues for short hour from Arughat and Soti-Khola heading past spread-out farm villages within cultivated terrace of Lapbesi village, then drive meanders below a steep, craggy valley side with slow climb to Machha Khola for overnight stop, a village with many teashops and small lodge, Maccha Khola means a Fish Stream.
From Machha Khola (Fish stream) walk upstream to Khola-Besi village and at Tatopani a place with natural 'hot spring', time permitting enjoy refreshing break here and then continue walk as valley turns into narrow to cross over suspension bridge, after a short period enter into forest then reach a small village of Dovan located on high shelf of Buri-Gandaki River.
As journey progress over field near Lauri stream crossing over a bridge with climb to a high ridge then descend into a valley around Yara Khola (stream), walk for another hour to reach at Jagat.
Jagat, nice and interesting typical hill farm village; where one can notice the local of various tribes from Magar, Gurung, Chettries, Brahman, to Manaslu Bhotia (Tibetan looking tribes) with some Newar people, who runs most of the lodge and shops.
On leaving nice village of Jagat walk heads towards near Manaslu valley on route to Larke-La pass, journey continues within scattered farm villages with climb through terraces of golden fields of wheat’s and barley of Philim.
Slowly walk takes you to a rocky ridge top covered within bamboo forest area towards Eklai Bhatti means a lonely Inn.
After short rest walk to higher region within upper Manaslu, where route diverts North West to reach our overnight stop at Deng a small nice village.
Morning walks towards high cliff walls, and then past dramatic section to reach around farm village, where houses and terrains changes with more strong Tibetan culture of Buddhism religion, after hours steady walks reaching Bihe, a small village, from here notice fields with buck wheat, wheat, barley and potatoes as staple crops,
From Bihe onward within cooler area as route follows series of Mani prayer stone walls to reach at Ghap a nice village for possible lunch stop.
After Ghap altitude gains gradually entering into alpine tree lines with steep climb then entering wide open valley with large fresh stream that flows from the glacier of Lidana.
On walks enjoy view of Manaslu with Pang Phuchin 6,335 m, Saula Himal 6,235 m with several unnamed peaks of above 6,000 m high, as walk heads to last climb of the day on reaching Namrung for overnight stop, also known as Sho Namru.
After Namrung, morning walk into a wide valley within farm fields and heading past Yak herder camps to enter into scenic high Manaslu valley towards Lo Gaon for overnight stop, a nice lovely village with awesome backdrop of towering Mt. Manaslu.
At Lo Gaon with time to explore its charming village and visit the monastery decorated with many Chorten and Mani walls facing views of massive Ganesh Himal in the east direction.
From Lo-Gaon morning starts with slow climb facing Peak 29 and high Manaslu, after few hours of good walk reaching a nice little village Shala, with views of Phungi, Mt. Manaslu and Himal Chuli peaks.
As route leads further west to reach main village of Manaslu valley at Sama-Gaon located close beneath Mt. Manaslu, the largest village of Upper Manaslu, where villagers originally migrated from South West Tibet more than 400 years ago, where one can notice similar custom and culture of strong Buddhist religion to its Tibetan predecessor.
At one time a major route of Nepal and Tibet for trade between the two countries, at present few trading across the border still exist as the frontier of day walking distance.
After many days of steady walks today a rest and free day for acclimatization before reaching high Larke-La high pass, at Sama-Gaon explore around the village impressive Tibetan cultural heritage with time to visit its old Monastery.
From Sama-Gaon, our adventure slowly walk to the last village of Gorkha and Manaslu valley to Samdo, as slow climb begins heading into much barren country facing beautiful views of surrounding landscapes.
Walk continues then reach at Samdo the last village of Manaslu and Gorkha district, a moderate size village with more than fifty houses where nearly two hundred villagers lives around this high harsh and dry country.
On leaving Samdo village, heading towards Larke-la where Manang and Gorkha districts separates walk leads at the far end of Manaslu valley within scenic and close to high snow-capped peaks with towering Mt. Manaslu, as walk heads across icy streams then reaching beneath and the base of Larke-la Pass at Phedi, means bottom of a hill or a pass, this place also called Dharma-Sala (travelers rest house or shelter).
At Larke Phedi afternoon free for short walks and preparations for next early morning long climb to reach high Larke-La pass and to reach at Manang area.
Starting early as possible for steep climb over moraine of rocks and boulders between ablation of north Larke glacier, facing views of Cho Danda with Larke Peak, as walk continues with steady uphill to reach at the top of Larke-la, the pass marked with thousands of colorful Buddhist prayer flags.
On the top stands a sign board with name of the pass with exact height and enjoy fantastic views of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II includes views of whole Mt. Manaslu range.
Enjoying marvelous scenery from the top a long descend takes you at the bottom of Larke-la pass, with slow walk to reach at Bhimtphedi also called Bhimtanf for overnight stop after a long tough day.
Bhimphedi situated within beautiful forest surrounding on a wide green valley with number of good lodges adorned with prayer Mani walls.
Today last day walk of the adventure as morning heads on nice and pleasant trail with much downhill walking into cool dense alpine forest to reach at Telje, a lovely and nice village, located at the bank of raging Masrsyangdi River that flows from Manang valley and Annapurna glacier.
From Telje enjoy final short climb of the whole journey on crossing a bridge to reach at large village in Dharapani for overnight stop this will be the last halt around high hills of Manaslu and Manang area.
Dharapani situated on a road-head as well on the junction where main popular Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit route joins in this nice village.
Morning from Dharapani taking a long and exciting drive to Kathmandu as ride takes you around low warm farm country, heading further down towards Lamjung area as drive takes you on long winding downhill at Syange to reach Besisar, a large town and headquarter of Lamjung district, with time here for short refreshing stop, where drive takes you on good smooth road to Kathmandu, with views of Himalayan peaks.
As drive follows on main the highway of Pokhara and Kathmandu from Dumre town of Dumre to reach back at Kathmandu by late afternoon time or evening within hustle and bustle city life in Kathmandu.
Then check into your hotels, rest of the evening at leisure for individual activities with group farewell dinner in a nice Nepalese restaurants with Folk culture programs to entertain you.
Enjoying great wonderful adventure and experience in Nepal with exciting memorable time on ‘Manaslu Circuit Trekking’, and on your last day in Nepal, our staff and guide transfers you to airport for your flight back home or to next port of call.
The accommodation during the Manaslu Circuit Trekking is based mainly on the teahouse accommodation. The range of teahouses is simple to rustic. The lower regions will provide the basic and comfortable teahouses with all the basic amenities like twin-sharing bedrooms, common bathrooms. Few lodges in Soti Khola or Jagat even offer private rooms with attached bathrooms with reliable facilities. As we ascend, the amenities will become basic but functional. The bedrooms will be twin or dorm-style wooden beds, and mattresses and warm blankets will be provided. The communal dining area will be warmed by wood or yak dung stoves. Samagaon stands out with attached bathrooms and wifi as well.
Teahouses along the Manaslu Circuit trek offer a hearty variety of Tibetan, Nepali, and simple Western and Indian dishes. The menu shrinks at the higher altitudes due to the limited supply. The staple meals include dal bhat, lentils, vegetable curry, alongside the noodles, thukpa, and fried rice. The major meals, like Dal bhat, are offered with free refills. Drinking water, either boiled or filtered, is available at every teahouse and natural sources. Using purification tablets will be a good idea.
Prices will increase with the elevation increase, and will cost more in the remote sections. Fresh meat is not available at higher altitudes, so we recommend avoiding meat-based food as much as possible. We also recommend avoiding alcoholic beverages along the trek, especially when ascending, as alcohol might make our journey difficult.
The Manaslu region boasts a vibrant culture deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. Due to its proximity to Tibet, the major ethnic groups here are Tibetan-origin Nubri people, Gurungs, and Sherpas. The people here speak Tibetan dialects related to the language. There are centuries-old monasteries like Pungyen Gompa and Ribung Gompa that add to the cultural value of this trek. The colourful prayer flags, mani walls, and ancient chortens line along the trail and symbolize devotion and spiritual life. People will be seen wearing traditional dresses, practic yak herding, and following the basic agricultural life. Despite the modernization in the lower villages, the cultural ethnicity isn’t yet forgotten.
1. Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
Sept–Nov (Peak Season): USD 100 for the first 7 days + USD 15 per additional day.
Dec–Aug (Off-Peak): USD 75 for the first 7 days + USD 10 per additional day.
2. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
3. Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
4. TIMS Card
When a single person with a mandatory guide wants to undertake our 15-day Manaslu Circuit Trek, the normal costs for the entire trek will be around 1300-1450, depending on your expenses. The costs in the package will include all the required permits, a guide’s salary(~$30/day), optional porter(~25/day), teahouse accommodations throughout the treks, three meals per day averaging $30-40 per day, transport in the route of Kathmandu Machha Khola, etc. the extra expenses can be on your basis like using the Wi-Fi, battery charging, extra snacks and having drinks, and tips. The cost will go up if you have to buy gear during the trek. Overall, expect the total costs to be around $1300-1450 for this trek, including your expenses.
Costs will reduce slightly when you have a partner or a companion with you. Peaceful Nepal Treks will assist you in covering all the costs for you in order to make your trek to the Manaslu Circuit Trek immersive and within your budget.
The major mode of transportation for the Manaslu Circuit Trek will be mostly on roads, and it can feel long. We will take our first and last sections of this trek by boarding a local bus or a private jeep to Machha Khola or Soti, based on our itinerary. The drive takes about 6-8 hours to reach the destination, depending on the road conditions. Buses will be budget-friendly but not comfortable, while the jeeps are more comfortable and faster but can cost more.
We’ll travel from Dharapani to Besishahar by shared or private jeep, then catch a bus to Kathmandu. There are no direct flights to the trail, so all modes of transportation for this trek are road-based.
The trek ends at the lovely village of Dharapani on the road-head, where the famous Annapurna and Manaslu routes join. From this charming village, the beautiful trek concludes with a drive to Kathmandu, wrapping up the overwhelming adventure and great experience of the Manaslu Circuit Trekking.
The Manaslu Circuit trek usually takes us 12-16 days to complete. If you want to tweak the acclimatization days, pace, and extensions, it may take more or fewer days. The major standard route of this package is 14 days, including the arrival and departure dates.
The Manaslu Circuit trek and the EBC trek are distinct experiences, each with its unique appeal. The EBC trek is busier than the Manaslu trek but offers the iconic views of the Mt. Everest and other towering peaks. On the other side, the Manaslu Circuit is a less crowded and culturally immersive trek.
Yes, this trail of the Manaslu Circuit is generally safe with a licensed guide, proper acclimatization, and travel insurance. The trails are mainly rugged and remote. The local teahouses provide us with restful evenings, but the trekkers have to take care of their health due to the high-altitude trail.
No one can undertake the Manaslu Circuit without a guide. As a restricted region, Manaslu requires a registered trekking guide and a minimum group size of two. This rule is due to the security issues for the trekkers.
The trek requires its trekkers to be moderately fit. The trek involves the daily hikes of 6-8 hours on the steep ascents, rugged trails. We will reach the highest altitude of 5106, so being fit is a basic.
The Manaslu Circuit route isn't as busy as the famous Everest or Annapurna region. Even in the peak seasons, we will find a handful of trekkers daily, which makes it ideal for cultural immersion and experiencing the genuine remote Himalayan adventure.
Planning for the Manaslu circuit trek is easy. First, you have to choose the right season; the major seasons for the Manaslu region are spring and autumn. Contact Peaceful Nepal Treks for the booking, and we will counsel you on the rest of everything.
Nepal offers visas on arrival for the passports of many countries. The visa is available at the International airports and major land borders with India and China. The costs are affordable, starting at just USD 30 for the first 15 days. Having a valid passport is mandatory.
The highest peak in the Manaslu region is Mt. Manaslu with 8163m. This is also known as the Mountain of Spirit. The venue dominates the skyline and provides the circuit with its name. The trekkers along the route will be offered awe-inspiring views throughout the journey.
There is a facility of Wi-Fi in many teahouses these days. The connections might be slow, and the local teahouses might charge for the Wi-Fi (300-500NPR). Higher altitudes mean increasingly limited or no access to Wi-Fi.
There will be no ATMs once we leave Arughat or Soti Khola. Trekkers should withdraw sufficient cash in Kathmandu or Soti Khola before starting the trek. All the expenses that are not included in the package, like extra expenses of drinks and snacks, tips, should be borne by the trekkers. Having more than 15,000NPR as cash is a wise decision.
There is no such age limit for the trek. Trekkers with a good fitness level, from teenagers to seniors, can undertake it successfully. However, the participants must be examined and cleared by the medical staff for the older people. Families can bring the children, but with proper travel insurance and planning for acclimatization.
The trek starts from Machha Khola. We will reach Machha Khola by a local bus or a private jeep(at your will) from the major starting point of Kathmandu. After completing the trek, we will return to Kathmandu via Dharapani.
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