Manaslu Circuit Trek - 16 Days

After breakfast, the day begins with a guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is an old royal palace complex with beautiful temples and courtyards. Then, we go to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), which is on top of a hill and has great views of the valley.

Go on to Pashupatinath Temple, which is on the banks of the Bagmati River and is Nepal's most sacred Hindu site dedicated to Lord Shiva. Last but not least, we go to Boudhanath Stupa, which is one of the biggest stupas in the world and a spiritual center for Tibetan Buddhism. In the evening, return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After a delicious breakfast, we take a beautiful drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola, where the Manaslu Circuit Trek will begin. The drive takes about 6 to 7 hours and goes along the winding roads along the Trishuli and Budhi Gandaki rivers. You can see terraced farms, lush hills, waterfalls, and cute rural villages along the way.

These villages give you a taste of life in the countryside of Nepal. The landscapes get rougher and more remote as you enter the Gorkha district. When you get to Machha Khola, a small village by the river, settle into your teahouse for the night and enjoy a warm meal before going to bed.

Today's hike will take us along the Budhi Gandaki River on a narrow, winding path that goes through rice terraces, dense forests, and small Gurung villages. There are a lot of ups and downs on the path, as well as suspension bridge crossings and stone steps carved into the cliffs. We'll pass through Tatopani, a village famous for its natural hot springs, where you can take a short break before moving on.

The path then slowly rises toward Jagat, a village with beautiful stone-paved streets that marks the official entrance to the Manaslu Conservation Area. The traditional houses and mani walls in Jagat are the first real examples of Himalayan culture and architecture.

The trail today continues through a mix of subtropical forest, rocky ridges, and small farming settlements as we follow the Budhi Gandaki River upstream. We will pass through the villages of Sirdibas and Philim, where we can see prayer flags flying and traditional Gurung and Ghale buildings. The path gets narrower and leads to a dramatic gorge with waterfalls and cliffs rising steeply on both sides.

We cross a few suspension bridges and go past Ekle Bhattibefore continuing on to Dyang, a quiet village surrounded by terraced fields and rhododendron forests. As we go higher, the landscape changes and the temperature gets cooler.

Today's hike takes us deeper into the beautiful Manaslu Valley, where the scenery starts to change from subtropical to alpine. The trail goes through thick rhododendron and pine forests, which is a nice change from the rocky paths of the past.

We will cross several suspension bridges and pass through small towns like Bihiand Rana. There, you might see villagers doing traditional farming and yak herding. As we walk along the trail, you can see mani walls, chortens, and prayer wheels, which show how Tibetan Buddhist culture has had an impact.

Today’s trek is a long but rewarding journey from Ghap to Syala, gaining significant altitude as you move closer to the high Himalayas. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River and winds through beautiful forests of fir, rhododendron, and oak. You might see colorful Himalayan birds or playful langurs. The landscape slowly opens up, showing snow-covered peaks and larger valleys.

You'll pass through the pretty village of Namrung, which is known for its Tibetan-style homes, prayer walls, and monasteries. From here, you can see the mountains in all their glory. Manaslu (8,163 m), Himal Chuli (7,893 m), and Ganesh Himal (7,422 m) are the most prominent. Continuing upward, the air becomes cooler and crisper as you reach Syala, a beautiful village surrounded by towering peaks and open meadows.

This is one of the most beautiful places to spend the night on the trek. It's quiet and has breathtaking views of the Himalayas at sunset.

On Day 8, the trek takes us from Syala to Samagaun, which is one of the most beautiful villages in the Manaslu region. We will pass the holy Pungen Gompa at 4,000 meters. The day starts with a slow climb through forests and terraced fields, giving you amazing views of Manaslu (8,163 m), Ngadi Chuli (7,871 m), and other peaks in the area. A short detour will take us to Pungen Gompa, a peaceful Buddhist monastery that sits high above the trail.

This is a spiritual high point of the trek that gives you a look into Tibetan-Buddhist culture, prayer rituals, and the life of a monk. After spending time at the gompa, we keep going down to Samagaun, a traditional village with stone houses, mani walls, and a peaceful Himalayan atmosphere. Samagaun is a great place to get used to the altitude because you can explore the village and the area around it and see amazing sunsets over Manaslu.

Today is all about getting used to the higher altitudes while exploring the beautiful area around Samagaun. You can take a short, easy hike to Birendra Lake, a peaceful alpine lake near the village that has amazing views of Manaslu, Ngadi Chuli, and other peaks in the Himalayas.

There is an optional full-day hike to Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m) for those who want to do something more adventurous. This difficult hike brings you closer to the base of the eighth-highest peak in the world. Along the way, you'll see stunning mountain views, glaciers, and feel a sense of accomplishment. You will see yak pastures, moraine fields, and traditional villages along the way, which will give you a taste of the area's natural and cultural wealth.

This day helps you get used to the higher altitude, which lowers your risk of getting sick from it in the days to come. It also gives you amazing views of the Himalayas and chances to take pictures.

On Day 10, we start the day with a moderate 2–3 hour hike from Samagaun to Samdo, a pretty village at the base of the Manaslu massif. The trail isn't very long, so your body can get used to the altitude slowly while you take in the beautiful scenery along the way.

You will see the unique Tamang and Gurung culture of the area as we walk through glacial moraines, yak pastures, and traditional Tibetan-style houses. Samdo is a beautiful village with great views of the nearby peaks, such as Manaslu and Ngadi Chuli. It is also the last permanent settlement before the trek gets more difficult at high altitudes.

This easy day of hiking helps your body get used to being at higher altitudes, which will help you cross Larkya La Pass. The village is also a great place to take pictures and relax because you can see the Himalayas at sunset from there.

On Day 11, we walk from Samdo to Dharma La (Dharamsala), which takes about 5 to 6 hours. This part goes up slowly through high-altitude terrain, past rocky trails, moraine fields, and alpine meadows, with stunning views of the Manaslu range.

Dharma La is a high-altitude rest stop before the Larkya La Pass, which gives you time to get used to the altitude. The village has simple tea houses where we can get warm meals and sleep in comfortable rooms. You might see Himalayan fauna, like Himalayan blue sheep and different kinds of birds, along the trail.

The trek provides stunning views of Manaslu, Ngadi Chuli, and other nearby peaks. Clear skies are great for taking pictures at sunrise and sunset. This day combines both trekking challenge and scenic reward, preparing you for the most demanding part of the circuit.

Today is one of the most challenging and rewarding days of the trek as we cross the Larkya La Pass, the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek at 5,100 meters. . The day starts with a steady, steep climb from the last campsite. We'll go through rocky slopes, snow patches, and glacial moraine terrain.

Reaching the summit offers breathtaking panoramic views of Himalayan giants including Manaslu (8,163 m), Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal, creating a truly unforgettable moment. After taking time to celebrate the achievement and capture photos, the trail descends toward Bhimthang (3,720 m), crossing high alpine meadows, small streams, and yak pastures along the way. Bhimthang is a small, remote village with cozy lodges and a quiet atmosphere where we can relax and recover after crossing the difficult pass.

After a challenging day at Larkya La Pass, today’s trek is a gradual descent through the scenic Manaslu region. We'll walk through terraced fields, meadows at high altitudes, and traditional villages, and you'll see the scenery change from alpine to mid-hill forests. The trail has stone steps, suspension bridges, and streams that you have to cross, which makes for a fun and varied hike.

Along the way, we might encounter local shepherds, yaks, and glimpses of traditional Gurung and Tibetan-influenced settlements, offering a cultural insight into the region. At the end of the day, we reach Tilche (2,300 m), a lovely village with simple lodges where we can relax, eat hot meals, and talk to other trekkers.

After breakfast, we take a beautiful jeep ride from Tilche to Besisahar (2–3 hours) through the Manaslu region's lush valleys, rivers, and traditional villages. From Besisahar, we will be picked up for a private vehicle transfer back to Kathmandu (5–6 hrs), allowing you to relax and reflect on the incredible journey through the Himalayas. As you go down toward the capital, the route gives us spectacular views of terraced hills, rivers, and the lower mountains.

Today, enjoy a guided cultural tour of two of the Kathmandu Valley’s most historic and architecturally rich cities. First, visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is famous for its old temples, palaces, and lively local culture.

After that, go to Patan Durbar Square, a city known for its Newari craftsmanship, beautiful courtyards, and intricate wood carvings. In the evening, celebrate the completion of your Manaslu Circuit Trek with a farewell dinner, sharing stories and memories of your journey through the Himalayas.

On the final day of your adventure, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airportfor your onward flight. After breakfast at your hotel, take a moment to reflect on your incredible journey through the Manaslu region, the cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley, and the stunning Himalayan landscapes you’ve experienced. The guide and driver will make sure that your airport transfer goes smoothly, which will mark the end of your unforgettable trek.

We hope you enjoyed every minute of this exciting, peaceful and comfortable tour and made countless memories that will last with you for a long time. And we also hope to see you again for your next adventure in Nepal with us Nepal Excursion.