Manaslu Circuit Trek - 13 Days

Your adventure on the Manaslu Circuit trek begins in Kathmandu. You can start by taking a direct bus at 6 am or 8 am from Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu to Maccha Khola. Another option is to take a bus to Dhading or Malekhu on the Prithvi Highway and then switch to a local bus or jeep to reach Maccha Khola.

The road might be a bit rough and dusty, but the good part is that you'll get to enjoy some amazing views of the landscape from your bus seat. Along the way, you can stop at rest areas for short breaks and meals. Your first night will be spent at one of the teahouses in Maccha Khola.

The next day, you will walk beside the winding road next to the Budi Gandaki River, and you might see monkeys and langurs in the forest. You will also pass through Gurung villages like lower Khorlabeshi, where shepherds wear brown capes called Bokkhu.

Continuing on your journey, you'll reach Tatopani, a place known for its hot springs. Here, you can take a warm shower to relax. After that, you'll cross a new suspension bridge over the Bhudi Gandaki River to get to Doban. You'll avoid a tough 3-hour climb by crossing a wooden bridge after facing some challenging terrain like a landslip and Yaruphant. As you follow the river, it becomes calmer at the peaceful village of Yaru. You'll cross a long cantilever bridge to reach Jagat, where you'll need to show your trekking permits at a checkpoint. This marks the beginning of your journey in a restricted area.

The next day, you will go to Salleri and then descend to Sirdibas, a village with gompas and Buddhist flags. You can try local alcohol on your way to Phillim, where your permits will be checked, and then you'll continue along the river.

The path will be decorated with unique boulder sculptures created by the river, and it passes through rhododendron forests, pine trees, and stunning rock formations, making your trek even more beautiful.

Further along, you'll cross the Siyar Khola bridge and reach a point where the path to Tsum Valley splits off. Finally, you'll arrive in Pewa, where you'll find two teahouses serving basic food and providing comfortable accommodation. Pewa is famous for its tasty Dal Bhat and Shilong Acha.

In the evening, you can gather around a fireplace, share your trekking experiences with fellow travelers and locals, and get a good night's rest.

After sunrise, you will have breakfast and begin your trek for the day. First, you will pass through a bamboo forest on your way to Deng. As you continue, you will cross a suspension bridge and make your way up to Rana and Bihi Phedi. Along the path, you might come across white-faced monkeys occasionally visiting villages in search of food.

The path then takes you to Ghap, passing through areas prone to landslides. It's important to be extra careful here and follow your guide's advice for safety. Once you've passed these landslide areas, you'll proceed with your trek until you reach Namrung.

After about an hour on a somewhat rugged path, you'll climb up a zigzag path from the river to the well-organized village of Namrung, which is located at an altitude of 2,660 meters. This village offers some of the best teashops, a restaurant, and guesthouses along the trek. Interestingly, a local entrepreneur who had spent more than a decade in Hong Kong returned to Namrung and set up a modern restaurant and hotel with conveniences like Cappuccinos and WiFi.

Your day begins with a fascinating glimpse into the way of life of the Nubri people. You'll walk through their Tibet-influenced culture, passing by many mani walls, lush terraced fields, and traditional homes in Banjam. Moving on, you'll enter a forest with fir, rhododendron, and oak trees as you head to Lihi and then Sho.

As you start your trek, you'll notice that most locals are dressed in traditional Tibetan clothing. Along the route, you'll encounter beautiful paintings on decorative gate arches called Kani before you reach Sho. While navigating rocky hillside paths, you'll eventually reach Lho.

From this point, you'll be treated to awe-inspiring views of Manaslu (8163m) and Manaslu North (7157m). This day involves gaining some notable altitude, so it's important to take it slow and be mindful of any signs your body may give you.

The next morning, you will wake up to a beautiful view of Mt. Manaslu. Your journey continues along an easy path to Shyala, where you will wank through a forest with pine and rhododendron trees, alongside a clear stream surrounded by moss. Afterward, it's about an hour's walk to reach Sama Gaun.

As you enter the village, the beautirul mountain views might not be as prominent, but you'll be charmed by the sight of yak pastures and traditional homes. Sama Gaun is the main village for the Nubri people and offers essential facilities like a large Buddhist monastery (gompa), various shops, a health post, a heliport, and access to telephone and wifi services.

This day is all about acclimatization in Sama Gaon to help your body adjust to the high altitude and avoid altitude-related problems. You can choose to go on an acclimatization hike to Pungyen Gompa, east of the Nubri Valley, and it's a good idea to bring a packed lunch for the trip. When you reach the hilltop, you'll be treated to fantastic views of Manaslu, and you'll also see Himalayan Thars and Yaks in the area.

Another option is to hike to Manaslu Base Camp, north of Sama Gaon. Follow the trail past Birendra Tal and turn left to get on the path leading to the base camp. While going up, the high altitude might make breathing a bit challenging, so it's important to stay hydrated and take it slow. You'll trek northward along the Manaslu Glacier to reach the base camp at 4,400 meters (14,435 feet) and then return.

If you feel the need for a more relaxed day due to the altitude, you can also consider a shorter walk to Birendra Tal, which is near Sama Gaon.

Today, you'll head to the next place, Samdo, but remember, you're at a high altitude, so it's important to go slowly, and this trek is relatively short. On your way, you'll pass through wide valleys with lots of areas where yaks graze, and you'll see long rows of stone walls with inscriptions. You might also spot different kinds of birds.

As you keep moving, you'll go up to a hill after crossing a wooden bridge over the Buri Gandaki River. Finally, you'll get to White Kani, a village close to Samdo, which is known for its beautiful scenery and yak herding.

In Samdo, you can choose to explore nearby villages or take a hike up to Samdo Peak. You'll see the trail leading to Larkya La on your left, higher up in the valley, and you will notice the main path to Tibet through the Larjyang La, which shapes the landscape along the Larkya La trail.

You'll take a break and stay in Samdo for the day, with a chance to go on a day trip to the Tibetan border. At the border, you'll see parts of both Tibet and Nepal, and if you're lucky, you might see a group of Yaks crossing.

When you're at the border, look south towards the Samdo Glacier for some fantastic photo opportunities, especially a big chunk of ice near the top of the glacier. You might also spot Blue Sheep, Picas, and Marmots during the right season.

This is another exciting day at high altitude, so it's crucial to pay close attention to how your body is feeling. As you take in the breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountain range, you'll make your way gradually across the challenging landscapes of the Manaslu region until you reach Dharmasala.

This day is truly special because you'll be heading to the highest point on the trek, Larkya La Pass, standing at 5,160 meters (16,929 feet). It can be a tough trek, especially if the weather is bad or there's snow, but it's doable. To cross the pass by the afternoon, you'll need to start early, waking up at 3 a.m., having breakfast, and leaving the teahouse.

This part of the trek is demanding, but if you maintain a steady pace, you can reach the pass successfully. Once you get there, you'll be treated to awe-inspiring views. You'll be able to see Himlung (7,126 meters/23,379 feet) near Tibet, Kang Guru (6,981 meters/22,903 feet), and Annapurna II (7,937 meters/26,040 feet) in the Annapurna Range.

After spending some time at the pass, you'll descend for about 3 hours until you reach Bimthang, where you'll spend the night. During the descent, you'll be treated to views of massive icefalls and mountains all around, with Pongkar Tal located between the Pongkar and Salpu Danda Glaciers.

This is the last day of your journey in the Manaslu region. You'll hike through lush forests with diverse plant and animal life, including colorful rhododendron bushes. After crossing the Dudh Khola again, you'll head to Karche for lunch. In the next hour, you'll come across signs of a glacial flood, with scattered tree trunks and eroded riverbanks, making the path more challenging. The path then descends to Gurung Goa, which is the first village you've seen since Samdo.

The valley becomes more farm-filled and green, with fields and groups of oak and rhododendron trees. You'll stay on the north bank until you reach Tilije. From there, your journey will take you to Dharapani.

You'll take a jeep from Tilije to Beshi Sahar and then ride a vehicle back to Kathmandu. It's about a 6 to 7-hour drive from Beshi Sahar, and once you arrive, you can unwind in one of the comfortable hotels in Kathmandu.