Manaslu Circuit Trek 15 Days

Landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Mount Elegance representatives will drive you through the busting streets to your hotel. Rest up at your hotel after the long travel. Our team will contact you for the pre-trip meeting usually at your hotel lobby. In the meeting our representative will check your gears, insurance coverage and other formalities. After that you will have free time to explore around the Thamel.

A full day dedicated to preparation, Buy gears and equipment, meeting guide, packing bag and obtaining the area permit. Afterwards your city guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and drive you to historic landmarks like Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. After that you can explore around the local cafe and restaurants in Thamel for the local cuisine to end the day.

Today after breakfast your guide will take you to the bus station. A scenic and adventurous 8 to 9 hours of drive transition from city to the winding mountainous road. Road winding along the Budhi Gandaki river will take you to Machha Khola, a small local town beside the river, famous trail head for the Manaslu region. Enjoy breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls, green hillside villages, and the fresh mountain air as you drive to Machha Khola.

The walking begins today. The trail sets off from Machha Khola, immediately descending into the gorge then walking alongside the roaring Budhi Gandaki River, you pass through lush subtropical forests, cross swinging suspension bridges, and then climb up stone steps into the paved checkpoint village of Jagat. A vibrant 6 to 7 hours walk through river gorges and terraced fields, and ending at the checkpoint of Jagat.

Leaving Jagat, the landscape shifted into the deeper valley gorges. Walking through the bamboo and rhododendron forests, you will cross the high suspension bridges over roaring Budhi Gandaki River. Passing through small Gurung villages like Philim and Deng, the first glimpses of Buddhist Mani walls and carved prayer stones signal that you are entering the high mountain cultural zone. A 6 to 7 hours hike crossing deep river gorges and bamboo forests, passing traditional Gurung villages, and seeing the first Tibetan Buddhist landmarks marking the entrance to the high mountain cultural zone.

Trekking begins with climbing higher from Deng toward Namrung, the cool mountain breeze starts to carry a noticeable chill. Walking past lush apple orchards, stone houses, and hand carved Mani walls, you cross the Budhi Gandaki River one last time for the day before ascending steep wooden and stone steps into Namrung, where locals in traditional Tibetan clothing welcome you. A scenic 6 to 7-hour ascent entering the Nubri Valley, passing dense forests, serene carved Mani walls, and reaching Namrung at 2,630 m for your first taste of Tibetan cultural life.

Exiting Namrung the alpine landscape opens up dramatically as you enter the upper valley. Passing through the traditional Ribum Monastery at Lho village and the jaw dropping views of Mount Manaslu will be visible. Following the trail through stone-walled pastures and yak grazing fields, you finally reach Samagaon, where the massive white peak of Manaslu fills the sky right above the wooden rooftops. A 5 to 6-hour trek into the high alpine zone, passing Lho Village and Ribum Monastery while enjoying magnificent, up-close views of Mount Manaslu.

Taking time for your body to adapt, an acclimatization day at Samagaon gives a much needed break while offering some of the best scenery on this trek. Or stepping out early in the morning for an optional hike and descend to Manaslu Base Camp, you will pass through the incredible shores of Birendra Tal before pushing up to the base camp. Standing at the Base Camp Viewpoint surrounded by piles of Glaciers and looking straight up at the towering 8,164 meter summit, leaves you completely humbled. Today is a vital rest day to adapt to the thin air, offering optional hikes to the turquoise Birendra Lake or up toward Manaslu Base Camp for spectacular glacier views.

The day begins after breakfast leaving Samagaon behind, the short hike to Samdo feels gentle. Walking across dry open tundra passing the mani walls and yaks grazing herds, surrounded by wide open valley views. On arriving in Samdo, an isolated seasonal village built by Tibetan refugees, it feels like stepping back in time as you warm up with a hot cup of butter tea and watch locals tend to their livestock. 3 to 4 hours high-altitude walk along open desert-like mountainous terrain, leading to a Tibetan refugee village known for its rich culture and close proximity to the Tibetan border.

Leaving Samdo, the hike up to Dharmasala is short but you will feel the air getting thinner as it gets harder to climb. Walking across ice mountain streams and barren alpine slopes, you are surrounded by a quiet landscape. As you arrive at Dharmasala a simple high altitude shelter with no other settlements, sipping warm tea in the freezing cold. Rest up and prepare for the challenging hike across Larkya La Pass. A short 3 to 4 hours of high altitude climb across rugged alpine landscape, leading to the final basic and simple stay before crossing the pass.

Today waking up early under a dark sky full of stars, the steep climb up Larkya La Pass tests every ounce of your stamina, this is where your pre planned workout helps you, summit in the freezing wind. Reaching the summit at 5160 meters, decorated with colorful prayer flags marking the highest point of the pass. With panoramic views of snow capped peaks unfold around you as the sunrises from the mountains. An intense 8 to 9-hour journey conquering the trek's highest point at 5160 meters, rewarded with unmatched glacier views before descending into the tranquil Bimthang valley.

Waking up early for a longer descent today the landscape changes dramatically as high glaciers pass and lush rhododendron and pine forests take over the landscape. Walking downhill along the Dudh Khola, the air grows warmer and rich with the scent of pine. Passing through traditional Gurung villages with stone paved paths, you feel a gentle wave of accomplishment as the harsh mountain trail transitions back into friendly, green valley life. A 5 to 6 hours of downhill walk descending from the high alpine meadows into lush pine forest, wooden bridges and traditional Gurung villages along Dudh koshi river.

Ending the walking trip with gentle descents feels like a gentle victory lap. Crossing the Marsyangdi River over a long suspension bridge, you officially join the main Annapurna Circuit trail in Dharapani. Reaching this bustling hub marks the end of your trekking on foot, giving you a wonderful sense of relief and accomplishment as you get ready for the drive back to civilization. A brief 1.5 to 2 hours morning walk crossing stone bridges and river junctions to join the main Annapurna Circuit trail at Dharapani, completing the foot portion of your circuit.

Leaving the foot trails behind, the drive from Dharapani begins with a bitter-sweet transition back to modern life. Winding down the rugged mountainous road on an off-road jeep to Besi Sanar, then catch your last glimpses of Marsyangdi river valley. From there get on a bus to join the main highway back to Kathmandu watching the dramatic landscapes fading away from you. Feeling proud on completing the journey you will reach Kathmandu.

A 8 to 10 hours return journey starting with a bumpy off-road drive along the river gorge to Besi Sahar, followed by a smooth highway drive back to the bustling capital city.

Final day in Nepal, today you will head back to your country or next destination. Bidding farewell to Nepal with the unforgettable memories of journey and the friendships made along the trip, transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight back. Do inform our team about your flight time for the transfer. Sitting on your flight seat feel proud of the achievement of completing the magnificent Manaslu Circuit trek. Have a safe journey.