Manaslu Circuit Trek

Upon your arrival at Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport), a representative from Nepal Horizon Treks & Expedition will receive you and transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon, trip discussion with the management and trek leaders. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by Nepal Horizon Treks & Expedition in a typical Nepali restaurant with cultural shows

After breakfast, the trail climbs gradually through the picturesque forest of Sal. Then it goes over the forested and terraced ridges passing numerous waterfalls. Today we follow the narrow trail and go along the sides of the cliffs. We then dip down to the rice paddies before climbing to the attractive village of Labubensi (885m/2,800ft). Next, we cross the suspension bridge at the stunning Nauli Khola falls and the valley opens out. It drops onto gravel banks along the river before climbing gradually to the village of Machha (Fish) Khola.

Today marks the beginning of our trek to Jagat, where we'll cross the Budi Gandaki river. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for monkeys and langurs swinging through the Gurung village. Once we reach Tatopani, get ready to treat yourself to a warm shower—a luxury in these parts! And hey, if you're feeling fancy, why not indulge in a spa treatment in a natural hot tub before we head to Doban?

After navigating a wooden bridge left of the Buri Gandaki river, dodging a landslip near Yaruphant, we'll avoid a grueling three-hour hike up those tricky Gurung village pathways. The river eases out at Yaru, where a long cantilever bridge awaits our crossing to reach Jagat, a quaint Gurung settlement with charming flagstone paths. Don't forget to check in at the checkpoint and get your hiking permits sorted before exploring the village. Today, we step into the restricted zone—adventure awaits!

The third day of the Manaslu Circuit trek in Nepal promises to be quite exciting, starting around 8 am after breakfast in Jagat. Your hike begins with an hour-long trek along the river bank of Budhigandaki, leading you to Salleri. From there, it's another hour to Philim, where you'll cross a suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki. Philim, the largest village on this part of the trek, offers a host of attractions including a gomba, a school, a hospital, and a checkpoint for the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit. With more than 100 houses, Philim provides a glimpse into the local life and serves as a bustling hub.

After a 45-minute walk from Philim, you’ll reach Chisapani, where you can stop for an hour-long lunch break. The final stretch from Chisapani to Deng is a challenging four-hour hike. The trail is steep and demanding, with few stops along the way, such as the small villages of Nyak Phedi and Pewa. This route is often shared with locals and mules heading to the Tsum Valley. Deng itself is a small village with around 20 houses and a handful of hotels. Despite its size, Deng offers beautiful views of a small peak and has a predominantly Buddhist community with stupas and mani walls dotting the landscape. Though the accommodations are basic, with no rooms having attached bathrooms and limited charging facilities, the village does provide Wi-Fi. This night in Deng will be spent in a charming tea house along the river bank, ending a rewarding day of trekking with meals provided at the tea house.

Another long and exhilarating day on the Manaslu Circuit trek awaits as you hike from 8 am to 3 pm. The journey from Deng to Namrung is filled with diverse landscapes and cultural encounters. Starting with a challenging uphill hike, you'll reach Bhee Phedi in about an hour. This beautiful local village offers impressive views of the river and mountain peaks, along with gumbos and Mani walls that add a spiritual touch to the surroundings. From Bhee Phedi, the trail leads you to Ghap, an hour's hike along the earthquake route where you need to tread carefully. This forested path might even offer a glimpse of wild monkeys. After a brief stop in Ghap, the hike continues.

The final two-hour stretch from Ghap to Namrung begins pleasantly along the bank of the Budi Gandaki river before an uphill climb post a suspension bridge crossing. Namrung is a captivating village featuring a gomba, 15 local settlements, a police station, and a small school. The residents, mostly Tibetan Buddhist migrants, add to the village's rich cultural tapestry. Accommodation in Namrung consists of 4 to 5 tea houses, none of which have attached bathrooms, but Wi-Fi is available, and rooms can be charged. After a day of trekking around 19 km, you'll settle in for the night in this welcoming village, with meals provided at the tea house.

It's a short and interesting day on the Manaslu Circuit in Nepal. Starting from Namrung, the first two hours of the trek take you along a flat path with suspension bridges and mountain views of Niki Peak on the right and Lamjung Himal on the left. This pleasant section leads you to Shoo, and after another two hours, you arrive at Loo. In Loo, you’ll be treated to sights of Manaslu I and Himchuli. The area is dotted with 50 to 60 villages, 8 to 10 hotels, and several monasteries.

The hike continues from Loo to Shyala, passing through forests filled with pine, rhododendron, and juniper trees. Shyala village boasts a nice monastery, a stupa, mani walls, a school, and a health post. It offers some of the best views of Manaslu and other mountains like Himchuli and Nadi Chuli. With around 50 local houses inhabited by Buddhist people, Shyala provides a welcoming atmosphere. The village has 10 large hotels and a few homestays, with Wi-Fi and room plugs available. After a 5 to 6-hour trek, you’ll settle into a tea house for meals and rest.

From Syala, another fascinating day on the Manaslu Circuit Trek begins around 8 am after breakfast. The hike to Pyungen Gompa takes about four hours, with the initial 1.5 hours being quite challenging. After this tough section, the trail flattens out briefly, offering spectacular views of the mountains, including the best viewpoint of the entire journey. Pyungen Gompa, a 600-700-year-old monastery, is a highlight of the trek and a testament to the region's rich history.

After a brief visit to Pyungen Gompa, the adventure continues downhill for 2.5 hours to Samagaon, arriving around 2 or 3 pm. The path to Yak Kharkha is particularly interesting, as you might spot wild animals along the glacier trail. Samagaon is the largest and most engaging village on the Manaslu Circuit trek, serving as a local market hub. The village features an old monastery, a school, a check post, and a health post, making it an ideal place to spend two days for acclimatization. Samagaon offers 10 to 12 hotels and homestays, with attached bathrooms and WiFi available, although there are no charging plugs in the rooms. Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation is provided in tea houses.

At Sama Gaon, acclimatization is taking place today in order to avoid getting sick from the altitude. You'll also take a climb to Pungyen Gompa, which is located east of the Nubri Valley, as acclimatization. You are welcome to bring a lunch and have it at the rest spots along this acclimatization trip. Like on other days, crossing the raging river will keep you interested for around two hours on the trail.

Or, you can walk to Sama Gong's northern Manaslu Base Camp. After Birendra Tal, continue on the trail and take a left onto the base camp track.

Now, you're in the high mountain zone of the Manaslu trek, enjoying shorter days of walking and soaking in the surroundings. From Samagaon to Samdo, the path leads you through an alpine meadow with just a few huts scattered here and there. The journey includes a suspension bridge and mostly flat terrain, with a final uphill stretch before crossing the Budhi Gandaki River. In about four hours, you'll arrive in Samdo, ready for a well-deserved lunch.

Samdo, the last village on the Manaslu trek, is often referred to as the "forbidden village." It’s a sizable village with 30 to 40 houses, all inhabited by Buddhist people. The village features monasteries and stupas, offering a rich cultural experience. From the windows of the local hotels, you can see the impressive Sambo peak and the entire Manaslu range. Samdo has 6 to 7 hotels, all equipped with attached bathrooms, WiFi, and hot showers, though there are no in-room plugs. After a 6-hour trek, you’ll rest and enjoy meals at the tea house, surrounded by the beauty of the high mountains.

After some well-deserved rest, you can take another day off in Samdo, extending your stay on the Manaslu tour. This extra day gives you the chance to either relax, enjoy hot soup, and take photos, or go on a fun hike nearby. One option is a trek to the Tibetan border, which takes about 5 to 6 hours. This uphill trail leads to the Tibetan pillar, offering great views and aiding in acclimatization. You can capture some unique photos on Manaslu's Tibetan side before heading back to Samdo.

For those who prefer a shorter hike, the adventure to Samdo Peak is an excellent alternative. This 300 to 400-meter uphill hike takes about 2 hours and provides a rewarding experience without the commitment of a longer adventure. Whether you choose to explore the Tibetan border or climb Samdo Peak, you'll find both options enriching and enjoyable. Meals and accommodations are provided at the tea house, with a total trekking distance of around 9 km for the day.

On the 10th day of the Manaslu Circuit, the trek might be shorter, but the remoteness of the area makes it a challenging journey. The hike to the highest point of the journey takes about 4.5 hours. Shortly after leaving Samdo, you reach Larke Bazaar, the only stop with a hotel, after a 30-minute walk. The trail then leads you across a precarious wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River, followed by a 500-meter uphill climb through an alpine meadow. Enjoy the impressive views of the Larkya Glacier as you continue to the stone-built guest house in Dharamsala, arriving around 1 pm for a hearty lunch.

Dharmasala is the remotest stop on the route, with no village and only three basic hotels. The accommodations are very simple, and you might need to sleep in a common room on a mat. Despite the minimal facilities, there is Wi-Fi available. Many tourists take the opportunity to acclimatize by hiking for a few hours to Khaka Danda. Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you'll spend the night in a tea house. The total trekking distance for the day is about 12 km, taking 5 to 6 hours.

On this day, you'll walk to Larkya La Pass (5160m). The walk could be quite difficult in severe weather and in the snow, but it is achievable. You need to get up early and leave the teahouse rather early because you will cross the pass before midday. Views of Himlung (7126m), which is close to Tibet, Kang Guru (6981m), and Annapurna II (7937m), which is part of the Annapurna Range, will be visible. After that, you will make the approximately three-hour hike to Bimthang, where you will spend the night. As you descend, you will be able to see the Pongkar Tal between the Pongkar and Salpu Danda Glaciers, as well as enormous icefalls and mountains in all directions.

This is the final walking day of your Manaslu Circuit Itinerary, and it's sure to be an enjoyable one. The journey from Bhimthang to Yak Kharka takes about 2.5 hours, following a mostly downhill and flat trail with only two hotels along the way. From Yak Kharka, the journey continues for another 2 hours until you reach Sokhe. After a brief rest, you'll head to the village of Goa, home to the Gurung people, where you will stop for lunch around 1 pm.

The final leg of the trek from Goa to Tilje is a pleasant 2-hour walk through forests and villages. Tilje, the last village on the Manaslu hike route, is connected to the road network. You will arrive around 3 pm, preparing for the drive to Kathmandu the next day. Tilje is a charming village with 30 to 40 houses inhabited by both Buddhist and Hindu people, and it features a gompa and a health post. The village offers 4 to 5 hotels, all with attached bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and room charging facilities, ensuring a comfortable end to your trekking adventure.

From Tilije, a vehicle will transport you to Beshi Sahar. You will then be transported back to Kathmandu. You'll get to rest in one of Kathmandu's upscale hotels after the 6- to 7-hour drive from Beshi Sahar.