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Trekking in Nepal is taken as the best thing to do with nature, its beauty, and the traditional culture living inside It. Trekking is already a most done and loved outdoor activity in Nepal. Trekking itself is a course of travel that covers traveling fractures such as adventure, witnessing, culture, ecosystem, nature, geography, and many more factors along with the features that give a specific exercise to physical and mental health too. So, it is not just a traveling spirit but also a good thing to have for you and yourself.
And Nepal is filled with such diverse trekking trails drawn over its geography. Manaslu Circuit Trek is amongst the most adventurous and features the most trekking trails in Nepal. It lies inside the preserved area of Manaslu Preservation Area. It also covers some parts of the Annapurna Region at some points which makes it even more diverse in the factors and the features a trekking journey should cover or should have.
The trekking journey in the Manaslu circuit trek unfolds the ecosystem and the unique geography of the Himalayas as well the unique culture of ethnic communities residing in the region of such high altitude. Manaslu circuit trek is a recently opened trekking trail with well-marked routes that circulate the Manaslu sanctuary and go through some parts of the Annapurna Region or the Annapurna Conservation Area bringing you astonishing beauty, wonderful journeys, breathtaking nature walks, and close insight into cultural living style of ethnic communities.
Such diversity itself makes it one of the great choices among travelers from all around the world. The consistency in amazing factors and the features all along the route make it an outstanding architecture of natural trekking. Therefore, it is becoming one of the most chosen spots for all travel enthusiasts and adventurers with the spirit to do great trekking beneath the mountain peaks of the great Himalayan trail.
To make it more comfortable and wonderful as well as the scheduled one, we designed an itinerary journey of 12 days over the trail of Manaslu Circuit which covers all the factors and the features, that could be covered during the great trip on the surrounding of Manaslu Circuit. It is already a very diverse place to go through which needs a proper plan and a scheduled journey to make it safer and the efficient in terms of your lifetime experience.
This Manaslu circuit trek can make you a good adventurer and appreciate your life journey. So, here we provide you with the best way of having this journey with an itinerary of 12 days to make your footsteps in Manalsu a great one. It can be your lifetime experience to have It as a wonderful traveling day.
The beginning of this trek starts from the drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola which is the starting point of the trekking of Manalsu circuit trek. During this drive of 8 to 9 hours through the rough and bumpy roads, you get to see magnificent landscapes of different types throughout the journey.
It goes through the proper landscape of the hilly region of Nepal. It also offers you a very refreshing drive, if you like to travel by the drive.
Until you reach Machha Khola you have already traveled the distance of about 160 KM from Kathmandu. You can guess how diverse the drive you could have during these 8/9 hours through the hilly landscapes and the zigzag roads.
After the arrival in Machha Khola, the day is about making yourself prepare for the next day’s journey and a good rest after a great dinner with Nepali typical foods. Your overnight stay will be managed at Machha Khola.
Activity: 8-9 Hours Drive
Accommodation: Lodge
Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Max Altitude: 1,400m/4,593ft. (Machhakhola)
After the morning breakfast, The journey will begin to climb the uphill stairs. After crossing the Machhakhola with the suspension bridge, the uphill routes on natural stairs until you reach the Khola Besi. Following the trail, you will get to the Tatopani, a very natural hot spring at the back of the hill.
Most of the trekkers consider the challenging part of this trek to begin from here when you start to follow the route to the Dovan, from where the descending trail to the Budi Gandaki River is. Later the trail follows the route through Lauri and after the uphill climb of the vertical hill, you will get to see the rice field and the farming terrace of Jagat.
It is a very beautiful village that lies inside the Manaslu Region and survives with a small farming terrace. The village is filled with several teahouses and homestays for visitors which is now also the major income source for the people of the Jagat.
You can have a very refreshing moment there with the local foods. You also see the people there having their daily lifestyle with the traditional attire all day out. Your overnight stay will be at Jagat.
Activity: 5 - 6 Hours Trekking
Accommodation: Lodge / Tea House
Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Max Altitude: 1,410m/4,626ft. (Jagat)
Same as other days, after your breakfast at Jagat, we will head towards the Deng. The remote paths of this journey go with very scenic routes alongside the riverbanks. The trail then takes you to the uphill climb. After you reach the Budi Gandaki River and cross it, then you will go through the Filim, a Gurung settlement at the lap of the hill.
Until the journey to Filim, you will get to see several monasteries, stupas, prayer flags, and shrines of Buddhist people. After the short break with small snacks, the trek will get to continue.
The trek above the Filim goes through lush greenery, pine forest, Rhododendron trees, and a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna. It will continue until you reach the village of Deng where you will be welcomed by the villagers and the great views of snow-capped mountains.
Deng is also a Himalayan village settled around the narrow landscape of the great Himalayan hill. It is a small village having a scenic view of being inside the surrounding hills and peaks. Your overnight will be at Deng.
Activity: 8 - 9 Hours Trekking
Accommodation: Lodge / Tea house
Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Max Altitude: 1,860m/6,102ft. (Deng)
The trek begins with the morning meal at Deng. The journey heads towards another point Namrung. This wonderful journey will take you through the diverse landscapes and the beautiful different small settlements throughout the journey.
The trail goes with hard ascending and descending paths. But you will get to see the log bridges, and water mill a very rare local technology which is used by the local people from back to the centuries.
After the downhill descend to Bihi Phedi until you cross the Serang Khola. After you go through the river you will see the heading trails filled with wheat fields, small waterfalls, maze fields, and witnessing different wildlife.
After you reach the place called Ghap, after crossing the river. The journey of lush greenery, pine trees, and the flowering plants of rhododendron. The trail goes with the riverbank and after you switch the bank to the Northern side of the river by crossing, the journey will head towards the village called Namrung.
It is a small village also known as the gateway of Upper Nubri. It is filled with very traditional living styles and the culture of ethnic groups living there. It is also a very rural place as at this point you are already a very remote part of Nepal.
The village followed a very similar culture to the Tibetan people so, it is ultimately called a Tibetan Village as it is filled with various Mani walls and prayer flags across the village.
Your overnight stay will be at Namrung.
Activity: 5-7 Hours Trekking
Accommodation: Lodge / Tea House
Meal: Breakfast /Lunch / Dinner
Max Altitude: 2,630m/8,629ft. (Namrung )
Who is another important point you will get to travel through? After lunch in the morning at Namrung, your journey begins from there through the very beautiful landscapes making your journey very scenic. There you are witnessing and passing through proper Himalayan terrain and the rough geographic structure.
After you pass through some ridges, you will witness the glacier of pungen glacier and the astonishing views of snow-capped mountains including Mt. Manaslu. After having such a refreshing witness of glaciers and peaks, you will head back to the Lho Village.
Lho village is a very beautiful small valley that lies between the high walls of hills and mountains. It is a very important place with the point of view of religious analysis and the viewpoint of history as well.
At Lho village you will see the large Gompa, only of its type as you will see the children of more than 160 having their education according to the philosophy of Buddhism.
Activity: 6 -7 Hours Trekking
Accommodation: Lodge
Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Max Altitude: 3,180m/10,433ft. (Lho Village )
In the morning at Lho village, you will head towards the Samagaun, you will walk through the forests and the landscapes of vegetation. And after you reach the light, you will get to witness the beautiful and massive view of Ganesh Himal and Himal Chuli. After the downhill descent, you will reach the beautiful valley crossing the Hinang Khola.
After the further trek, you will reach the Chrotens and Lho, where you will see the ‘Ribung Monastery’. From there, the trail descends downhill until you reach the beautiful Damodar Khola.
The trek goes further through the Shyala village and after crossing the Numla Khola. After there you need a short climb to the Pungyen Gompa. With a further walk of about an hour, the beautiful landscapes of Samagaun will arrive.
Your night stay will be at Samagaun.
Activity: 7- 8 Hours Trekking
Accommodation: Lodge/ Tea House
Meal: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Max Altitude: 3,500m/11,483ft. (Samagaun )
This day is all about taking a break and rest with acclimatization for the further trek.
During this rest day, you can still have a look at the beautiful landscape of Samagaun and visit It throughout the day as it allows you to explore the traditions and culture of people living in Samagaun.
It is also filled with several Monasteries, gumbas, stupas, and prayer flags all across the village. It adds more beauty to the terrace farming field above such a high altitude. The great stunning views of Mt. Manaslu, Pungyen glacier, and the Nadi River will make your day more refreshing after this long journey.
This acclimatizing day for more high altitude can be a great opportunity for you to explore the living culture and the close insight into their living style at such high altitude and with limited resources.
There are several teahouses where you can try your favorite dishes as you wish. Monks also do some prayer for expedition teams before their further climb.
After your whole day of acclimatizing day, your overnight stay will be at Samagaun.
Activity: Rest Day
Accommodation: Lodge / Tea House
Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Max Altitude: 3,500m/11,483ft. (Samagaun , Manaslu Area)
The trek continues from the Samagaun on the morning of the eighth day of the itinerary. From here the journey Manaslu Circuit Trek begins to climb higher in altitude. Your trek continues with the journey along descending routes to the BudhiGandaki.
The journey between these points is filled with juniper trees, pine trees, ridges, steep climb, and higher cliffs with the majestic beauty of the snow-capped mountains like mountains Mount Manaslu, Samdo, and Dharamsala, and the very beautiful scenery of Siachen glacier.
After a few more trekking hours you will reach the small village of Samdo. There you will see the settlement of Himalayan people having their daily busy lifestyle. The place is fully consists of Buddhist culture and very similar to Tibetan. This place is once used as a trading trail also in the back centuries.
Your overnight stay will be at Samdo with various local foods to serve.
Activity: 4 -5 Hours Trekking
Accommodation: Lodge
Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Max Altitude: 3,860m/12,664ft. (Samdo)
With the morning breakfast at Samdo, you will pass through some of the beautiful Himalayan terrain. The trail goes through crossing the Budi Gandaki River. After the river, you will reach Dharamsala.
This route then leads you to the Larkya ( Larke) Bazaar, a small market on the Himalayan hill. From there with further walks, you get to reach the Pana Danda Valley. After this, the Syacha Valley will arrive with a majestic view of rivers and the Syacha glacier with breathtaking views of the mountain range.
And back to the small Larkya glacier, you see the Dharamsala, with a stunning view of other mountain peaks.
The overnight stays will be at the homestay of Dharamsala.
Activity: 5 to 6 Hours Trekking
Accommodation: Lodge
Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Max Altitude: 4,480m/14,698ft. (Dharamsala)
This can be considered the toughest day in this Manaslu Circuit Trek. As it goes through various ascending and descending landscapes as reaches the altitude of 5106m form the sea level at Larkya La Pass.
It is the highest point of this trek. It is also going to be the most challenging part of this great journey. The uphill ascending of this trail goes through the frozen lakes and the great landscape of high altitude.
This journey to the Larkya-la Pass offers a stunning view of Pawar Peak and Larkya Peak. With the trek over this beautiful trail through various astonishing beauty and with the geography of the Himalayas you will arrive at the Larkya La Pass.
Larkya La Pass is one of the highest passes in Nepal and also one of the most beautiful. The breathtaking view of snow-capped peaks like Himlung, Kang, Cheo, KajiKubg, and other fellow peaks. The trail of the Larkya La Pass goes through the BudhiGandaki River. From there you can also absorb the great peaks of Annapurna II.
It also covers the other factors and features of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. It goes through the ruler villages, glacier lakes, lush greenery, different traditional villages, and the beautiful great landscape of the region. The journey up to the Larkya La Pass is still the challenging part of this journey and tiring as well as it consists of uphill climb and the descending trail from down the Larkya La Pass.
After spending and appreciating the beauty and the features of Larkya La pass, we will head to descend the hill, through DingbocheKharka. And further walks from there you will reach the Bimthang.
Bhimtang is also a Himalayan settlement of Himalayan people. It is also a trading point among places like Samdo, Samagaun, and other fellow villages and settlements. It is also a place where people from the Samdo flee during the time of winter to escape extreme cold. So, you can also have a look at this place as it carries a big importance in the region.
You will stay at Bhimtang on the 10th day of your trekking journey.
Activity: 8 -9 Hours Hike and Pass the Larke La Pass
Accommodation: Lodge / Tea House
Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Max Altitude: 5,160m/16,929ft. ( Larke la Pass - Bhimthang)
This day of trek goes through the dense forest and the diverse landscapes. The route crosses through the glacier and the cliffs. It covers the beautiful scenery of Chuli Himal, Larke, Manaslu, and Nadi. After descending through the downhill, through Karcher, Sangria Kharka,, and Hompuk. Then the paths pass through fields until you reach the Gho.
It goes along with the Tilje through the Marsyangdi Valley which is one of the most tourist attractions in the region. Marsyangdi Valley is a beautiful settlement inside the walls of hills and high peaks of the mountains. The valley consists of diverse beauty.
The people survive there by having agriculture on their farming terrace in a traditional method and animal rearing. The whole valley relies on their cultural way of living.
With the small breakfast at the valley. The journey continues through different ridges. The trail goes through the Dhudh Khola. Behind this river, you arrive at the Thonje Village. It is a very beautiful local settlement of the local people. With further walks, you will reach the Dharapani.
It is the midpoint of the trekkers from Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Region. Your overnight stay will be at Dharapani Point.
Activity: 8 - 9 Hours Trekking
Accommodation: Lodge / Tea House
Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Max Altitude: 3,720m/12,205ft. (Dharapani, Nepal )
It is the last day of your Manaslu Circuit Trek. It ends with the arrival in Dharapani. After the morning breakfast, you will be taken to Kathmandu through the Besisahar, which takes you the drive of 5 hours from there. This scenic drive will be taken through a private vehicle or Jeep.
After this long and tiring day of trekking in such a diverse trekking Region, it finally comes to an end. After your arrival in Kathmandu, you can have a look at the Kathmandu Valley, which itself a diverse subject in tourist attraction.
You will reach Kathmandu after the drive of approximately 10 hours from Besisahar by the Jeep or Bus. You will get your overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu at the end of your journey and get the rest.
Activity: 10 -12 Hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast / Lunch Only
Max Altitude: 1,400m/4,593ft. (Kathmandu )
If our standard itinerary doesn't fully meet your needs, we are happy to tailor it to your specific preferences and requirements.
The Manaslu circuit trek covers the diverse ecosystem, culture, and the geography of Himalayas. So, there is no specific answer for the best time to do the circuit trek during any season of the year. It depends on the factors and the features that the trekker wants to have during their journey through the trekking trail. But two seasons Spring and Autumn are considered the best times to trekking.
It is according to the features and the affecting factors of the seasons of the year. So, it is also upon the traveler to get the best time for them. The season of Spring brings the fresh odor of the Himalayas with the fresh and new blossoming flowers and leaves all over the hills. It makes the landscapes more beautiful and admirable for the natural spirit. During this season the weather also gets a stable one which helps you to do your trekking journey more easily.
The visibility gets clear after it washes all the dust by the monsoon before it. You will get the views of very distinct scenery and make your journey more scenic. So, it is considered a refreshing season to have Manaslu Circuit Trek. The season of Autumn, brings colorful landscapes which makes it a very mesmerizing journey throughout the trek.
It is the season that brings the changing phase of plant leaves, which makes a colorful change all across the trail. The weather also gets more Stable than any other month of the year. It also brings the most clear and more visibility than any other season of the year. So, with the mesmerizing and scenic journey in stable weather and clear visibility, it can be considered one of the best times to have trekking in Manaslu Circuit Trek.
The accommodation, food, and drinks during this trek are all managed by us for you. All the basic logistics will be covered. The basic breakfast, meal, and dinner will be provided by us. You will get an overnight stay at the Teahouse and homestays during the journey over the main trails and in the Hotel during the starting point and in Kathmandu.
Also, you need to understand that the teahouse and guesthouses in the Manaslu region run with very limited resources and with the modern transportation infrastructure nearly non-existent. So, do not expect to get luxury or standard services. You need to survive with the basic services of food, drinks, and stays which is also a great way to experience the lifestyle with limited resources in the Himalayas.
The foods are all the Nepali typical foods as the trail is recently opened and there are not enough guesthouses or restaurants to provide you with better dishes. But still, the menu is filled with diverse and unique foods like Dal Bhat Tarkari, eggs, meats, milk items, green vegetables, and other local foods which you can try in different villages seen throughout the journey of Manaslu Circuit Trek. This package will not cover the external or extra food and drinks you are willing to have during your journey.
It includes the extra bars and beverages, ice creams, sweets or desserts, and any other items that are not mentioned or excluded in our cost section above. You can have some Western dishes at the starting point and ending point or some parts of the trekking journey like pasta, pizza, and fries. Still do not expect it as good as what you find in a restaurant in Kathmandu.
This trek properly covers the 12 days of itinerary nearly two weeks of the journey. The journey lies over the proper geography of the Himalayas filled with high altitude, cliffs, rivers, lakes, glaciers, difficult paths, remote routes and vertical ascends. So, to go through such a diverse changing geography you need to have good physical fitness which is very necessary. Otherwise, you may or cannot do this Trekking itinerary. Good fitness is recommended and needed.
For preparation, you need to carry or prepare for the dozens of clothing and some pairs of shoes. Prepare with the basic essentials for yourself like a trekking pole, medical kit, water bottle, trekking shoes, caps, or whatever you think you need during your 12 days of the journey. Whatever doesn’t mean you can carry many things. Always avoid unnecessary things or you very barely use them while trekking as this journey is a somehow long journey in such a difficult trial.
So, it could be difficult to move with such a weight of essentials even with the help of potters. Carry extra clothes as 12 days of the journey is a pretty long itinerary. We also recommend you carry a personal camera with you as you may not regret it later in such scenic and picturesque moments of your trekking journey.
This Manaslu Circuit Trek consists of a minimal walk of 5 hours per and a maximum of up to 9 to 10 hours per day of continuous walk through various paths. It lies between the altitude of 1400m to 5106m of altitude from the sea level.
This Manaslu circuit trek covers the area of Manaslu Region and the Annapurna region too, and both of them are perseveration areas. The next thing is it is a restricted area. So, you need several permits from the official representative Boards. One from the MCAP ( Manaslu Conversation Area Permit ) another from ACAP (Annapurna Conversation Area Permit), and one from MRAP (Manaslu Restricted Area Permit ) along with Rural Municipality entry ticket. So these are the permits you need to get for your journey through Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Manaslu Circuit Trek is itself a diverse course of traveling option. It consists of a diverse range of natural beauty and features of the Himalayan region. This Manaslu Circuit Trek is designed to provide you with the proper traveling experience and the features you could get to make it a great trekking experience. Manaslu Region is a preserved and restricted area with an unspoiled beauty and the uninfluenced culture of the ethnic community.
The region consists of several rivers, lakes, glaciers, and streams with scenic beauty. So, from this trek, you can expect to have a mesmerizing journey and a very refreshing outdoor of the Himalayan air. This trek goes through various natural bodies which is also a great chance to explore the formation of natural bodies. The trekking trail of Manaslu Circuit also consists of lush greenery, alpine forests, diverse vegetation, and green lush grasses all through the journey.
The flora and fauna of the high altitude can be seen all over your journey. The mountain wildlife is also a good one to witness during your Manaslu Circuit Trek. It offers a spectacular ecosystem of plants and animals throughout the itinerary. It also allows you to challenge yourself with the difficult geography and the Himalayan terrains which can make you sweat with the difficulty. You can have the taste of your own physical and mental ability during this Manaslu Circuit Trek.
It also covers higher cliffs, difficult paths, narrow routes, and very remote trails, very far from modern society. The stunning views are uncountable all through the trail. The spectacular scenery of landscapes. The massive majestic view of mountain peaks. The crystal clear rivers, frozen glaciers, beautiful eye-catching lakes, and Himalayan forest are all the natural refreshing features you could have during your Manaslu Circuit Trek.
The route and the trail of this trekking journey also pass through several villages which are the traditional ones. All of them provide you with a better and closer insight into living culture with the traditional lifestyle and farming with traditional methods too. This village surrounded by the farming terrace can be an unforgettable witnessing beauty for you. They are just unexplainable. From all the above, you just can expect your journey to be a lifetime experience for you.
This trek is considered one of the moderately hard trekking in Nepal. But it can be done by beginners too. But if you are an absolute beginner in the course of a trekking journey and you want to try this on your first try then It could be your trouble. It is already a hard one to travel through such the challenging geography of the Himalayan.
The difficulty level of this Manaslu Circuit Trek is considered to be moderately hard. It consists of some difficult terrains to pass through and narrow routes to cross and the trail is drawn over the proper Himalayan geography. And there is no easy day walk all throughout the journey. So it is considered as a moderately hard trek.
It is restricted and recently opened for the outsider. It is done by the government to protect the living culture of the ethnic communities and the natural ecosystem of the high altitude.
It is also preserved to restrict unauthorized trekking and the entry of visitors which can spoil the beauty of the Manaslu Region which is still an unspoiled Himalayan beauty and it also protects the culture of people living their from direct negative influence from the outer modern cultures.
It is also important from the view of economic gain in the tourism industry. This is the reason to make it a restricted area.
This trek of 12 days Manaslu Circuit Trek is designed to give you the most features that can be covered in 12 days of the journey.
So, it can be said you will cover most of the features and the factors a 12-day journey should have in this geography of Manaslu Region.
It is considered a challenging trekking journey because it covers some of the factor which challenges your physical ability and your mental patience. It also consists of a continuous long walk with a vertical climb and ascends through the rough routes and the tough stairs to go across.
It also covers the high cliffs and the narrow paths which are difficult to tackle because of their challenging geography. So, it is called one of the most challenging trekking trails in Nepal.
No your 12 days of itinerary is all covered with the stays in a teahouse and the homestay. So, you do not need to carry camping essentials. It is to reduce more burden on your journey with the weight of such equipments and the essentials with you.
The transportation facilities are only needed two times during this whole itinerary as inside the trekking trail the modern infrastructure is non-existent and does not consist of any kind of transportation journey.
So, you will be taken to Macche Khola from Kathmandu and to Kathmandu from Dharapani in a private vehicle or Jeep or tourist bus considering the size of your trekking group.
As we mentioned above, this trekking journey covers the difficult and proper Himalayan geography over difficult routes and at an altitude more than 5000m from sea level. Considering these factors this trek is not recommended with children.