Highlights
- A distinctive and improved version of the classic Manaslu Circuit with spectacular scenery from start to finish
- Excellent acclimatization with rest days before ad after crossing the Larkya La
- Explore picturesque Tibetan villages full of cultural interest
- Staying in tea houses on trek and a four star hotel in Kathmandu
Manaslu Circuit Trek
GRADE Strenuous
TRIP DURATION 16 Days
BEST SEASON Autumn & Spring
Maximum Altitude 5160 Meters
The Trek
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is situated in the east of the Annapurna region of Nepal. It explores the Mansiri Himalayas which are to the north-west of Kathmandu. Beginning from Gorkha, 143 kilometers west of Kathmandu, the Manaslu Circuit Trek begins at Soti Khola which is at the lowest altitude on the trek which you will find at 700 meters. The trek gradually builds in altitude and ascends to 5,160 meters at Larkya La Pass, the highest altitude achieved on the trek. Manaslu Circuit trek emphasizes the culture of Tibetan-Buddhism which is present in the northern most villages of Bihi, Lho, and Samagaon. The predominated culture of Tibetan Buddhism is found in the villages of Nubri, Tsum, Gurung, and Sherpa communities, found all along the route of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, due to its closeness to Tibet. Buddhism of Tibetan origins is prevalent; this is reflected in the daily life of the people. There is floral and fauna in abundance along the route, and many opportunities for photography.
The initial and final couple days on the Manaslu Circuit trek involve less walking of 3-4 hours on easier trails. However, the mid-days on the Manaslu Circuit trek require strenuous walks of around 6-7 hours on steep, there are rugged, and demanding trails. The Autumn and spring seasons bring the best weather on the Manaslu region trek and this is the recommended time to access the trek. During these times in the day, the weather will be warm and perfect for trekking whereas, nights are relatively cold, you will find in these seasons.
Accommodation:
You will arrive in Kathmandu where you will be greeted and 3* hotel accommodation will be provided. On the trek, the accommodation will Lodges or what is known as a teahouse (Mountain hut). All accommodation is on a twin-shared basis. A single supplement will be served on request and at an additional cost. Lodges in most places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. Also, please note that single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevations but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations. Regarding the budget, the hotel accommodation can be upgraded and downgraded in Kathmandu.
Food:
On your trek, you will experience authentic Nepalese cuisine as well as more common international food (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.) Breakfast and dinner will be served in the Lodge where we spend the night and lunch will be served on the way to the next destination. All meals will be provided while trekking while only breakfast in Kathmandu.
Electricity facilities in trekking lodge:
Some villages will have hydropower lines but most commonly there will be a solar power system. There are likely to be battery charging facilities in most of the Lodges but for these facilities, there may be a separate charge (a cost of about 1USD for 1hour of charge).
Outline itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrive in Kathmandu. Group transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be met and transferred to a four-star Hotel. You may like to do some exploring in Kathmandu. In the evening you could either eat at your hotel or venture out to one of the many restaurants in Thamel.
Overnight: 3* Hotel, Kathmandu
Day 2 – Drive to Machhi Khola, 700m/2296ft – 8-9 hours.
Today there is a full day driving west from Kathmandu passing through many villages and bazaars to reach the settlement of Machhi Khola.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 3 – Trek to Jagat, 1,350m/4,428ft – 6-7 hours.
You cross the Machhi Khola River and follow it upward to the small village of Khorlabesi. Continuing northward you pass the hot springs at Tatopani and head into a forested area before entering Doban. As you walk beyond Doban there are huge rapids down below on the Buri Gandaki. You cross the river again by a suspension bridge at Lauri and continue up the valley to Jagat.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 4 – Trek to Deng, 1,895m/6,217ft, 6-7 hours.
Leaving Jagat you descend to the river and follow its course, on an undulating trail amongst fields typically sown with a grain such as maize or millet. Passing through the settlement of Sulleri you’ll catch your first, distant glimpse of Phillim, which you’ll reach in a further 1½-2 hours trekking. There’s a customs post in the village here, checking and levying taxes on goods imported from Tibet. Even though your permits may have been checked earlier in the day they are likely to be checked again here.
Leaving Phillim you continue on the main track passing some superb waterfalls on both sides, as you trek up the narrow western gorge of the Buri Gandaki heading towards Manaslu. There is some impressive scenery as you walk up the gorge, sometimes high above the river, while at other times you descend to cross and re-cross it on an incredible variety of bridges. After around 4 hours of trekking, you reach a stone “arch” or Kani, through which you pass to arrive in Deng shortly thereafter.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 5 – Trek to Namrung, 2,650m/8,694ft – 5-6 hours.
Whilst your trek today follows a similar pattern to previous days, descending to, crossing, and then climbing up from the river waters there is a noticeable change in the scenery. The narrowest and most impressive gorges are now behind you and the valleys open out. Upon reaching the entrance to the village of Ghap, after 3-4 hours trekking, look out for beautifully decorated kani and close by an intricately carved mani wall. The final leg of today’s trekking takes you through a forest of pines, rhododendrons, and bamboo – a marvelous playground for the resident monkeys. You exit the forest on the edge of Namrung, your overnight stop.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 6 – Trek to Syala, 3,500m/11,483ft – 6-7 hours.
From Namrung you will climb to Li Gaon 2,905m/9,531ft, set in a delightful spot at the foot of a side valley. The village has numerous chortens and intricately decorated mani walls. You’re likely to enjoy your first clear views of Manaslu today along with those of some neighbouring Himalayan giants. You trek to Sho, and this is the first viewpoint for Manaslu.
A little further on, across another bridge, is Lho, 3,100m/10,230ft, which has a small temple containing two complete sets of the Tibetan canon in the Narthang and Lhasa prints, a fine gilded terracotta image of Sakyamuni, and painted panels of the Five Buddhas and of “Lotus-Born” with different ritual cycles of divinities and lamas.
Continuing on you pass through a stone gate and along a mani wall of the village, to head straight towards Peak 29 which is ahead of you. Your overnight stop is at Syala.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 7 – Trek to Sama Gaon, 3,499m/11,480ft – 4-5 hours.
Following the lateral moraine of Pungen Glacier towards Sama, you reach the village and it takes a further 20 minutes to reach the monastery. There are excellent views of Manaslu from here.
In the afternoon, there are a number of possible walks to aid your acclimatization including the walk to Phug-yen Monastery, which was rebuilt after an avalanche destroyed it in the 1950s. The monastery is located on a ridge south of Sama Gaon.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 8 – Acclimatisation walk from Sama Gompa.
Today the guide will suggest a suitable walk to help you acclimatize.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 9 – Trek to Samdo, 3,850m/12,631ft – 4-5 hours.
You cross a high plateau now and skirt around the ridge of lateral moraine heading towards Karmo Kharka and Kermo Mamam. You climb a terraced hillside on the opposite bank of Budhi Gandaki and from here you reach one of the most remote permanent settlements in Nepal, Samdo. It is quite a sizeable village of some 40 houses containing 200 villagers who live year-round in this harsh and at times hostile environment.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 10 – Acclimatisation day.
A day to rest and acclimatize in preparation for crossing the high pass the day after tomorrow.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 11 – Trek to Duwang (Dharmashala), 4,460m/14,629ft – 4-5 hours.
Today you descend the wild mountain path from Samdo until you cross the Gyala Khola. You then ascend again to the ridge overlooking the remains of the once-thriving Lyarke Bazaar and cross two small streams before Larke Glacier. From here you ascend to a collection of huts, locally known as Dharmashala.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 12 – Cross the Larkya La, 5,106m/16,752ft – Trek on to Bimtang, 12,202ft/3,760m – 9-11 hours.
You make an early morning start to cross the highest pass on the route. First, you climb slowly towards Cho Canda and then slowly head on from here steeply uphill towards the pass. From the top, there are magnificent views of the greater Himalaya in every direction and peaks including Himlung Himal, 23,379ft/7,126m, Cheo Himal, Gyaij Kang, Kang Guru, 22,998ft/7,010m, and Annapurna II. It is a steep descent again on the other side of the pass. The length of the day is very much dependent upon conditions but it will certainly be challenging and you will arrive tired into camp at the foot of the pass at a place called Bimtang, 12,202ft/3,760m.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 13 – Trek to Tilje, 2,335m/7,661ft – 6-7 hours.
A shorter day today. Leaving the meadows of Bimtang you continue your descent initially with glorious mountain views then into pine and rhododendron forest. You then climb the lateral moraine for a while until this ends in a river bed at the hamlet of Karcha. You then climb gently through the terraced fields towards a small pass – the Karcha La. From the pass, the track descends through numerous fields and pine forest to Tilje.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 14 – Trek to Dharapani, 1,900m/6,234ft – 3 hours. Drive to Besisahar – 2 hours drive.
You cross the Dudh Khola and trek alongside the river to reach the Thonje checkpost. From here you will join the popular Annapurna Circuit. You now follow the trail downstream, to the village of Dharapani. You will pass plenty of trekkers starting their Annapurna Circuit, and numerous tea houses offering tempting apple pie and beer. It’s a bumpy, dusty, dirt road from Dharapani to Besisahar (approximately 2 hours) so the going will be slow here.
Overnight: Tea House
Day 15 – Drive to Kathmandu – approximately 8 hours.
Today you drive from Beshisahar back to Kathmandu and back to the Shangri La Hotel. Now there is time to relax and reflect on the many memories from your trek.
Overnight: Shangri La Hotel, Kathmandu
Day 16 – At leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport. Depart Kathmandu.
You will have time at leisure in Kathmandu today when you may do some sightseeing or shopping, or simply relax by the pool at your hotel. Later there will be a transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.
Overnight: In-flight