Manaslu Circuit Trek - 16 Days

On your arrival in Kathmandu, a designated individual will greet you at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Today after breakfast, we go sightseeing and explore around Kathmandu Valley. These include various UNESCO worlds’ heritage sites such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, and many more. In the afternoon you will be briefed about the itinerary planned ahead to make the necessary preparations.

The drive to Aarughat takes about 6-7 hrs from Kathmandu. The journey takes us through serpentine highways along the hills. The scenic drive involves various roadside villages before reaching Aarughat in Dhading. We continue to drive about 2 hours to Soti Khola via Aarkhet and spend overnight at guesthouse.

The trail begins through green Sal forests that climb over the Budhi Gandaki River. The rocky trail continues past waterfalls and rice terraces before reaching Labubesi village. The trek leads up a valley before descending to Gandaki River and across a suspension bridge to Machha Khola village where we spend overnight.

Today’s trek ascends up and descends down a couple of times before crossing over Budhi Gandaki River in a suspension bridge. The trail climbs up on the wide staircase which then crosses a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola. The trail climbs again up to Tharo Bharyang before reaching Jagat village where we spend overnight.

Climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri (1440m) where you have excellent views of Sringi Himal. The trail descends to Setibas (1430m), and then the valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to the stone houses of Ghatta Khola. Following the old trail up to Pangsing, climb to Ngyak, one of the few large settlements on this route and home to the Manaslu Conservation Area Project office. From here, you can view Mt. Lapuchun (5,950m).

The trail descends grassy slopes dotted with tall pine trees. The trek takes us through a heavily forested area in a narrow valley and finally widens, offering a pleasant walk through bamboo forest and a collection of rock as we reach the little settlement of Deng (1800m). A short distance beyond Deng crossing the Budhi Gandaki River, the trail climbs to Rana (1980m). After passing some houses the trail climbs high above the river and drops into the Sringi valley. The trail makes further ups and down through the forest giving us views of the Manaslu Massif before reaching Ghap.

Pass a few houses and three streams in a forest of big fir alive with birds including Danphe (national bird of Nepal). The trails make a severe and long climb through bamboo and rhododendron forests crossing the river several times. The trail crosses the Budhi Gandaki twice on wooden bridges above beautiful gorges before entering Namrung through a stone archway. Namrung is a Buddhist village where there are monasteries, a water turbine, hydro electricity powerhouse, Mani walls, chortens and prayer flags which can be seen fluttering in the sky.

You trek over a winding path which moves through the inner Himalayan range enjoying mountain views of Rupina la pass, Mt. Manaslu, Gorkha Himal, Dwijen Himal, Saula Himal, Lajing peak, and many other snow-capped mountains and peaks. Climbing through a forest of firs, rhododendrons and oaks the trail enters the carefully packed houses of Lihi (2900m) and several Buddhist villages along the way. The Tibetan culture has influenced these areas due to its proximity to Tibet, and as a result, you will find many monasteries, chortens, and mani walls. Having over one hundred and fifty houses, Samagaon is surprisingly large and bustles with the energy of remote village life. From Samagaon you can see Mt. Manaslu and the Kutang Himal Massif.

You trek gently uphill to Samdo through a desert path and windy valley. From Kargyu Chholing Gompa the route passes the juniper and birch forest and the stone hut of Kermo Kharka. It climbs gradually towards Samdo, and just before entering the village passes through the point where the Budhi Gandaki starts – at the confluence of Larke Khola and the river coming from Samdo Glacier. Samdo is the site of a Tibetan refugee camp and affords you a rare glimpse into the lifestyle of the Tibetan people. This is an excellent viewpoint for Mt. Manaslu, Samdo (Pang phuchuli), Nagdi chuli, Simnang Himal, Manaslu glacier, Manaslu ice fall, and several other majestic peals. Stay at local guest house.

Descend on a full, gentle trail from Samdo past many fields to a large Mani wall and stone archway. The trail is rocky and zigzags to your destination. The thundering Buri Gandaki trickles to a stream as we continue to follow its course ever upwards surrounded by spectacular mountains from all sides. After crossing to the east bank of the river, we reach the last permanent settlement in the valley, which is called Sumdu. Above the village, we cross the stream, which runs down from the Gya La (Pass), the pass to Tibet. We come to the ruins of an abandoned village, known as Larkya Bazaar. The trail rises high above the Larke Khola leading the to Dharmashala where the trail finally meets the river.

The trail becomes rocky as it goes along a moraine and reaches a beautiful turquoise lake that reflects the surrounding snowy mountains. The path becomes somewhat tedious as it climbs on numerous rocky moraines hills surrounded by rocky cliffs and snowy ridges beyond. This is a more strenuous day as having to cross over the Larkya Pass (5213m). The impressive Larke Pass is followed by a steep tiresome descend through a slippery trail towards the moraine of Salpudanda glacier. The path then becomes gradual as it goes along the moraine and parallel to Bimtang glacier towards Bimtang. From here, there are tremendous views of Himlung Himal (7126m), Cheo Himal (6820m), Gyaji Kung (7030m), Kang Guru (6981m) and Annapurna II (7937m). Bimtang is a broad and level ablation valley with several Mani walls and deserted houses.

The trail drops from Bimtang and crosses a glacial stream, the headwater of Dudh Khola on a wooden bridge. Make a gradual descent through rhododendron and pine forest seeing the north face of Manaslu along the way. You reach the highest cultivated land in this valley of Karche at 2785m and walking down you cross a stream through fig tree and rhododendron forests to reach Tilje. We will make camp in the apple orchards of Tilje.

Today we make our way to Shree Chaur. The trail passes through several villages and over Marsyangdi River. After 6.30 hours of walking, we reach Shree Chaur where we spend overnight at a local guesthouse.

Today we drive from Shree Chaur to Kathmandu via Besi Sahar. The 7 hours of the drive includes the scenic view of both hilly and mountain landscapes. In Kathmandu, the day can then be spent by leisurely exploring Kathmandu or by getting a much-needed rest.

We will drop you to the International airport to catch your flight back to your home and wish for your Safe journey.