Manaslu Circuit Trekking

One of the least explored regions in the hidden corners of Mid-West Himalaya.

Highlights

  • One of the least explored regions in the hidden corners of Mid-West Himalaya

  • Where Buddhist and ancient Bon culture is a way of life

  • Pass through the Nepal’s longest mountain pass, Larke La pass 5106m

  • Travel to the base of the world's 8th highest peak, Manaslu

Manaslu circuit trekking is a very popular trekking destination in Manaslu region. Also known as the alternative to Annapurna circuit, trek to Manaslu circuit is one of the amazing trekking trips as you will have an opportunity to explore around Mt Manaslu 8163m (the 8th highest peak in the world, located at Nepal / Tibet border) and also pass through the Nepal’s longest pass called Larke La pass 5106m from where you can enjoy the panoramic views of mountains located in Manaslu and Annapurna region.

Trekking to Manaslu region was opened in 1992 for outsiders. Since then, the trekking to Manaslu, Tsum valley along with Larke La pass has been popular primarily for having incredible scenes of the unique landscapes, natural wonders of snowcapped and rocky hills and awesome views of range of mountains located in the Manaslu region. The term Manaslu means the ‘Spirit Mountain’ which stands to be benevolent and strong deity in the local dialect. You will also be amazed with the blend of cultures, unique rituals, and lifestyles of diverse ethnic groups living along the trail. Therefore, Manaslu region trekking is much loved and a demanded trekking. Similarly, one can also go for the expedition around Manaslu which adds more significance to this trekking destination.

However, Manaslu journey demands a strong physical fitness and not suitable for the weak legs. This trekking is highly preferred to be accomplished during spring and autumn time.

If you have short time, you might also want to check Short Manaslu Circuit Trekking and Manaslu Circuit Trek with Heli Return.

Manaslu Circuit Trekking Outline Itinerary

Day 01:Arrival in Kathmandu via respective airlines, Hotel

Day 02:Preparation day in Kathmandu and sightseeing, B, Hotel

Day 03:Drive to Soti Khola 710m 7hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 04:Trek to Machha khola 900m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 05:Trek to Jagat 1410m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 06:Trek to Dyang 1800m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 07:Trek to Namrung 2630m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 08:Trek to Syala, BLD, Teahouse

Day 09:Trek to Sama Gaun 3530 m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 10:Sama Gaun for acclimatization and visit to Manaslu base camp 4800m, BLD, Teahouse

Day 11:Trek to Samdo 3860m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 12:Trek to Dharamsala / Larke phedi 4460 m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 13:Cross Larke La 5106m and to Bimtang 3720 m 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 14:Trek to Tilije 2300m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 15:Trek to Dharapani 1860 m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 16:Drive to Besisahar, BLD, Teahouse

Day 17:Drive back to Kathmandu 7hrs, BLD, Hotel

Day 18:International departure, B, Flight.

Manaslu Circuit Trekking Detailed Itinerary

**BLD denotes Breakfast Lunch Dinner**

Day 01:Arrival in Kathmandu via respective airlines, Hotel

Our Nature Lovers' representative will be there to pick you up in Tribhuvan International Airport and take you to respective hotel. You will be introduced to the team over the dinner.

Day 02:Preparation day in Kathmandu and sightseeing, B, Hotel

The next day, after good breakfast you will leave for Kathmandu valley sightseeing. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is very rich in cultural and historical places. You can visit sacred Pashupatinath temple, Swoyambhunath temple and all other UNESCO world heritage sites around Kathmandu valley. Also this day will be for preparation of all the required tickets, permits and TIMS.

Day 03:Drive to Soti Khola 710m 7hrs, BLD, Teahouse

After breakfast, you will drive to Soti Khola for about 8 hours of long drive. This long drive passes through some small villages, green hills including the mesmerizing views of Annapurna ranges, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and many more.

Day 04:Trek to Machha khola 900m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

This is the first day of our epic trek. From the very first walk, you will experience the unrealistic views of landscapes, hills, mountains, rivers, waterfalls and so on. The journey begins by crossing the bridge following the ridge of Budhi Gandaki. This trail is little bit rocky and steeply climbing to the side of cliff. You will pass through beautiful Gurung village of Labubesi. With further more walk of ascending and descending, you will cross a bridge and reach Machha Khola (which means fish river).

Day 05:Trek to Jagat 1410m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

After breakfast in Machha Khola, you will begin trekking to Jagat. Trekking trail in this day is gently up and down and narrow at the beginning. After crossing bridge of Budhi Gandaki, the trail climbs up the staircase to Dovan and descend to river. Again you have to climb some more stone staircases following some beautiful Gurung villages. After walking for a short period of time through the bank of river, you will arrive at Jagat.

Day 06:Trek to Dyang 1800m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

After breakfast in Jagat, journey starts and goes through the dense green forest, some small rivers and neat villages. After descending Sirdibas the trail continues to Ghatte Khola and crossing the suspension bridge you will reach Philim, a large Gurung village. Subsequently walking for few hours the trail widen through valley and passes through bamboo forest to arrive at Dyang.

Day 07:Trek to Namrung 2630m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

After breakfast in Dyang, trek begins by crossing bridge and some ascents for a while, the trail passes through lush forest and alpine vegetation towards Bhi village. This is the best start of the culturally and traditionally significant journey of the trip. You will see many Gumbas on the way to Namrung. More than that, you can experience Manaslu Convervation area and Siringi Himal. Having a good walk through beautiful landscape, you will reach Namrung in no time.

Day 08:Trek to Syala, BLD, Teahouse

After breakfast in Namrung, you will walk pass through Sho and Lho village to reach Syala village. The trail is gently ascending and can enjoy good views of Ganesh Himal, Siringi and Mount HimalChuli. En route you can see some Tibetan monasteries. You will be staying at Syala where you can enjoy high Himalayas like HimalChuli, NgadiChuli, Manaslu range and Ganesh Himal in addition with glaciers straight ahead.

Day 09:Trek to Sama Gaun 3530 m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Short trekking day of the trip. You can take your time and walk forward by enjoying magnificent views of the Himalayas. This day trek is kind of short for the acclimatization. You will stay in Sama Gaun which is only few hours from Syala.

Day 10:Sama Gaun for acclimatization and visit to Manaslu base camp 4800m, BLD, Teahouse

Today is the main acclimatizing day. You can take rest and relax in the Sama Gaun. And as for optional you can visit Manaslu Base Camp. For more option, you can visit nearby Gumbas like Pungyen Gumba and Old Gumba.

Day 11:Trek to Samdo 3860m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

The trekking journey today is easy. You will descend to the river and follow the bridge. The mountains view on the route is breath taking. On the way, you can also get just this close to the Tibetan border. You will stay at Samdo for the night.

Day 12:Trek to Dharamsala / Larke phedi 4460 m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Trekking today is a little bit of snaky highs and lows. You will pass through seasonal Tibetan market called Larke market. This is the best day of trekking when you can witness Larke glaciers. After Salka Khola, you will climb up Dharmasala to Larke Phedi.

Day 13:Cross Larke La 5106m and to Bimtang 3720 m 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse

This is the big day. Challenging and longest hike of the entire journey. After the early morning breakfast in Dharmasala you will head for Larke pass (5106m). Although it is challenging trail, you will be able to witness the glacier lake and beautiful valleys along with snowcapped peaks. Some honorable names of the mountains are Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal and Annapurna II. After crossing the Larke pass, you will stay at Bimtang.

Day 14:Trek to Tilije 2300m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

The trail to Tilije is mostly descending. On the way you can enjoy great views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal. Walking through rhododendron forest, you will reach Tilije in no time.

Day 15:Trek to Dharapani 1860 m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Last day of trekking, trail on this day will be easy and mostly descending. On the trail you can enjoy stone paved trail. You will stay in Dharapani. Dharapani is the gateway for Annapurna circuit.

Day 16:Drive to Besisahar, BLD, Teahouse

After breakfast in Dharapani, you will take a jeep and drive to Besisahar. On the way you can encounter some beautiful waterfalls. Besisahar is the capital of Lamjung district. You will stay at Besisahar for the night.

Day 17:Drive back to Kathmandu 7hrs, BLD, Hotel

This is the last day of the trip. Early breakfast and you will head back to Kathmandu. This final drive offers you the wonderful views of landscapes and rivers like Marsyangdi and Trisuli. This drive can take 6-7 hours to reach Kathmandu.

Day 18:International departure, B, Flight.

After the glorious trip in Manaslu Circuit, it's finally the time to fly back home. Our respective team will drop you at the Tribhuvan Airport for the final departure. Good bye and see you again.

Cost for 1 PAX: $1990 /-

Cost for 2 or more PAX: $1550 per person

Note: Trip cost varies with the group sizes.

Manaslu Circuit Trekking Cost Breakdown

Cost Include

  • All ground transports

  • Complimentary farewell dinner at typical Nepali restaurant

  • Hotel in Kathmandu on BB basis (bed and breakfast)

  • 14 night’s tea house lodge accommodation in mountain

  • Full meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea / coffee)

  • An experienced and English speaking guide, his food, travel, salary, equipment and insurance

  • Strong porters (2 people will be sharing one)

  • All entrance fees and special restricted permit 

  • Company t-shirt and certificate of appreciation

  • First Aid Medical Kit

  • All government Vat / Tax including local taxes

Cost Exclude

  •  Nepal visa fee

  • International flight (airfare)

  • Meals in Kathmandu

  • Personal expenses

  • Extra accommodation and meals behind schedule

  • Travel and rescue insurance

  • Tips to guide and porters (mandatory) 

Manaslu Circuit Trekking Useful Information

Kathmandu airport pick up and drop services

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours’ staffs will pick you up from the airport as per your flight arrival time and similarly drop you off in the airport for international departure according to your flight schedule. During arrival, please don’t forget to look for your name placard hold by the team, outside the airport arrival gate. Our staff will be impatiently waiting for your arrival to greet you and warmly welcome you in Nepal. ‘NAMASTE’ is the foremost and the most commonly used greeting word in Nepal which you will hear from our staff at the very first moment you meet him.

Customized Trips and Trip departure

Manaslu Circuit Trekking departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.

But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the trek as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.

Accommodations in Kathmandu and during trek

You will be staying in the 3 star hotel in Kathmandu while in the teahouse lodges or guesthouses during the trek.

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. We believe after the tough walking day, everyone deserves the proper rest and the right ambience to relax and chill. Therefore, our choice of accommodation is the best when it comes to the trekking days. The rooms will be clean and comfy. Our entire accommodations will be on twin-sharing basis as you can see, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or if you want a double bed, etc. There will be extra charge for the single supplement.

If you wish to change the accommodation category to a better one in Kathmandu, please let us know and we can change it for you on added cost.

Route Map and Company T-shirt

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.

Safe Drinking Water during Manaslu Circuit Trekking

Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid the altitude sickness and to avoid other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water on extra cost.

Your trekking guides and porters

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.

Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.

Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.

Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.

Your safety

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Manaslu Circuit Trekking.

Manaslu Circuit Trekking Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Manaslu Circuit Trekking cost?

The cost of the Manaslu Circuit Trekking varies from $1200-$2200 depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the accommodation choices and group sizes also. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey from the moment you land in Nepal till the moment you fly back home. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.

How is the Accommodation during the Manaslu Circuit Trekking?

In Manaslu Circuit Trekking, we will provide you the teahouse accommodations. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Some teahouses even have attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace. Also some of the teahouses provide the European toilets these days while Asian style of toilets are available in every teahouses. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.

What are the permits that I need for Manaslu Circuit Trekking?

For Manaslu Circuit Trekking, you will need to make 4 permits: Manaslu Restricted permit, MCAP {Manaslu Conservation Area Project}, ACAP {Annapurna Convservation Area Project} permit and TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System).

How does this tipping system in Nepal work and do I have to tip?

Tipping is not compulsory for Manaslu Circuit Trekking however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide expects around $5 or more per day per person while a porter expects $4 or more per day per person.

Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Manaslu Circuit Trekking?

You can sometimes charge your electronic devices during Manaslu Circuit Trekking but only by paying small amount or fees for charging. Don’t forget to buy a plug adapter or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.

Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Manaslu Circuit Trekking?

Manaslu Circuit Trekking route has mobile network coverage in some days, thanks to the Nepalese telecommunication companies called Ncell and NTC. You can buy one of these Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu. It is wiser to buy a sim card with around 4 GB data in Kathmandu and use the mobile data in the trek to avoid paying extra by buying WiFi on the trek.

WiFi is available in some of the teahouses in Manaslu Circuit Trekking route and cost some charges. However, the signal varies from place to place and please don’t expect to receive the fast data coverage in the trek.

When is the best time to trek to Manaslu Circuit?

Manaslu Circuit Trekking can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek to Manaslu Circuit. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Manaslu Circuit Trekking. The problem is the weather is harsh cold in winter and there’s snow everywhere while the summer has rainfalls and clouds obscuring the mountains and the views are not so great most of the time.

Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Manaslu Circuit Trekking?

The itinerary of our Manaslu Circuit Trekking is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Manaslu Circuit Trekking.

Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Manaslu Circuit Trekking?

When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Manaslu Circuit Trekking is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek. We will be gaining the high altitude of 5106 m above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.

Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Manaslu Circuit Trekking demands high physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-8 hours and involves many ascents and descents including crossing of the high pass which means you need lots of practices before you start the trekking journey. You will be traversing through the forests, high passes and high hills. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, that’s fine but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least two months prior to your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Manaslu Circuit.

What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Manaslu Circuit Trekking?

Only breakfast is included in Kathmandu while full board meals or full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are limited choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc.

The most common and the highly recommended food during the Manaslu Circuit Trekking is typical Nepali Dal Bhat {rice and lentil}; even better without meat, means Nepali Vegetarian Dal Bhat. You can also eat other food items such as seasonal vegetables, noodles and spaghetti, pastas, pizzas and French fries, soups, etc. depending upon the availability. For the beverage, you can either choose warm, hot or cold beverages; soft drinks, beer and hard drinks. For the breakfast, you can order cereals, breads, noodle soups, egg dishes, etc.

Do I need a travel insurance for Manaslu Circuit Trekking?

Travel insurance is a must when you trek to Manaslu Circuit. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 5000 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.

What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Manaslu Circuit Trekking?

Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Manaslu Circuit. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Manaslu Circuit. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.

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