- info@peacefulnepal.com
- +9779851150739
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 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.
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.
If you are looking for travel in Nepal, Bishnu will help you to make your perfect trip plan. He has been working on this industry for more than 10 years