Manaslu Circuit Trekking:14 Days Itinerary, Cost, Difficulty
 

Manaslu Circuit Trekking:14 Days Itinerary, Cost, Difficulty

  • Transportation
    Car / Jeep / Bus
  • Group Size
    1 -10
  • Destination
    Nepal
  • Altitude
    5160m
  • Duration
    14 Days
  • Activities
    Trekking in Nepal
  • Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  • Difficulty
    Moderate
  • Accomodation
    Hotel in Kathmandu, Teahouse during the trek

Overview

Manaslu Circuit is the Eighth-Highest Mountain in the World at 8,163 mt above Sea Level. Samdo to Tibet Rouila Pass 5000 mt and trek here is still the dream of many trekkers around the world.

Before Knowing the Manaslu Circuit Trek, let’s first get some information about Mount Manaslu. Manaslu is the world’s eighth-highest peak and is above 8000m. Local People name this mountain Kutang. This Mountain is part of the Nepalese Himalayas. The name Manaslu has a unique meaning which is “Mountain of the Spirit”.

In the Mountain community, it is famous as a Killer Mountain. Manaslu is located in the Gorkha District of Nepal and is also the highest peak of Gorkha. It is about 64 miles east of Annapurna.

The Manaslu Region offers various Trekking options, and we focus here on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The popular Manaslu massif skirt through the highest point Larkey Pass and pass down to the Annapurna.

This trekking Trail was opened in 1991, before then it was not allowed to enter the area. Manaslu Circuit Trek uses Restricted area permits and individual trekkers cannot enter the area Alone. Every Trekking should at least have a partner with him/her and a Guide/Porter.

The 177 kilometers of this Manaslu Circuit Trekking trail follows an ancient salt trading route along the Budi Gandaki River. Manaslu en route passes through 10 peaks over 6500m that are visible along the trip and a few 7000m peaks.

Trekking in the Manaslu

Manaslu Regions offers different trekking trails. Among all the trekking trails Manaslu Circuit Trek is the most famous and the best one. Manaslu Circuit Trek starts from Soti Khola and ends at Besishahar, also the starting point for the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

This two-week Trek takes you to the amazing valley and Mountains along with the Budi Gandaki River.

This route follows the ancient salt trading route. From Deng, the slope of the Ravines decreases, and the view of Snow Peak starts appearing from Lhi. After passing Lhi and reaching Lho the stunning view of Mount Manaslu appears.

Here onwards, you pass through the pine forest in Syala Village and to the Sama Gaon which is at the foot of Mount Manaslu. Reaching Samdo which is the highest village in the Budi Gandaki Valley. Samdo is mostly inhabited by the Bhutanese people. From the village, the valley looks stunning along with the Pangh Phuchi Village with the Tibetan border visible.

En route to Larkha La Cheo, Himlung, and Kang Guru Mountain are visible along with rare views of Annapurna Massif.

Best Alternative Treks

Geographical Features in the Manaslu Region

The conservation area of Manaslu is at the Sub-tropical Himalayan foothill to the Trans-Himalayan high pasture bordering Tibet. From Arughat to the Larkya Pass, the area covers 6 climatic zones. The Tropical and sub-tropical, the temperate zone, the sub-alpine zone, the alpine zone, and the arctic zone. All these zones differ in varying altitudes.

The climate in Manaslu Circuit

The precipitation in the Manaslu area is both Snow and rainfall. Above 5000m it is covered by a permanent snowline. In the climatic zone, the monsoon starts in June and till September. The Arctic zone comes under a permanent snowline area and has an annual temperature of much below the freezing point.

Ethnic groups encountered during the Manaslu Circuit Trek

There are two ethnic people mainly inhabiting the area Nubri and Tsum. In the central region, Gurungs are the main ethnic group. Getting closer to the Tibetan border Bhutia people inhabit the area. Bhutias are similar to the Sherpa Groups of Tibetan ethnicity.

The Region of Manaslu is dotted with Monasteries, Mani walls, Chortens, and Buddhist religious landmarks.

Fauna in the Manaslu Region

Manaslu Valley is a sanctuary for many endangered animals Such as Snow Leopard and the Red pandas. Mammals found in the area are lynx, Asian black bear, blue sheep, Himalayan musk deer, Himalayan Thar, Himalayan goral, and many others. Birds with over 110 species and 11 butterfly species with 3 butterflies have been recorded to date.

Accommodation During Manaslu Circuit Trekking

If you are looking for Luxury accommodation during the Manaslu Trek then this trip doesn’t fit you. For accommodation in the Mountains, there are simple tea house lodges. Normally common bathrooms and Nights are scary cold, there will be extra blankets for you and the heating is only available in the dining area.

Transportation for the Manaslu Circuit Trekking

For Transportation, we do have private Jeep and Sharing Bus services. It will take you 6 hours to drive by jeep and 8,9 hours to drive by bus to reach the trekking starting point of the Manaslu.

When is the Best Time to To Go Manaslu Circuit?

The best time to do Manaslu Circuit Trek is in the best seasons of the year. Manaslu Circuit trekking in Winter and Monsoon is not very recommended as the weather at that time is very bad and difficult to pass. We recommend doing the Manaslu circuit trek during the high tourist season.

Related: Manaslu Circuit Trek in September | Manaslu Circuit Trek in March

The best time to do Manaslu is in Spring and Autumn. Spring from March till May and Autumn from October till mid-December.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty

This trek is not as easy as you think. The first thing that makes this trek difficult is the altitude and the oxygen level. Another difficult part is Appetite, due to the higher altitude and less oxygen you might have difficulty consuming food.

So, it’s better to do some exercise before starting this trip. There are hundreds of rescues happening every day in the Mountains because of the medical condition of the travelers.

Booking Manaslu Circuit Package

Info Nepal does have excellent offers for all of the travelers who are keen to enter this region. From Airport Pickup to drop, we have all the services that you require. You just need to contact us by sending us an email. Our reply response is super quick. Info Nepal will hear out all your requirements as soon as you contact us.

Trekking Equipment For Manaslu Circuit Trekking

Clothing and Gears

  • Windproof down Jackets
  • Outerwear water raincoat
  • A pair of Gloves
  • Cap or Woolen Het
  • Trek Boot
  • Towel
  • Trouser
  • Thermal Wears
  • Trek Bag
  • Water Bottle
  • Sunscreen / Sunglasses
  • Camara
  • Water purifier tablets
  • Torch or Headlamp
  • Trek Sticks
  • Power Bank
  • Toilet Papers & tissue papers

Check Our Video of the Manaslu Circuit Route

For other queries, feel free to message us on our contact page or do a quick inquiry.

Itinerary

DAY 01

Arrival in Kathmandu and then transfer to hotel.

On arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be received by staff and guide with a short transfer into the heart of Kathmandu city around exciting areas at Thamel where your hotels are situated, Here our company representative will brief you about treks and other necessary information regarding your the trek.

In the evening group welcomes dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant with a cultural program to give you a glimpse of local culture with music and dance while having your dinner.

  • Destination
    Kathmandu
  • Altitude
    1400m
DAY 02

Drive to Soti Khola past Arughat town 710 m -07 hrs.

Morning overland journey on scenic Prithvi highway following Trisuli River, and then route diverts to reach around low warm farm areas of Gorkha and Dhading districts to reach at farm town in Arughat, where drive follows Burigandaki River for few hours to reach the end of the drive at Soti-Khola for an overnight stop in a nice farm village located next to Soti stream that joins into Burigandaki River.
DAY 03

Trek to Maccha Khola (900m) -06 hrs.

Starting the first-morning walk with a climb for a few hours heading past a nice hill village within a farm area and views of cascading waterfalls, the walk continues on winding ups around cultivated terrace fields of Lapbesi on mid hill village as walk descends to a wide, sandy riverbed and follow a path that meanders below a steep, craggy valley side.

Trek continues with a climb towards Machha Khola for an overnight stop, a small farm village with teashops and nice simple small lodges for an overnight stay, where Maccha means Fish hence it is named Machha Khola (stream).

DAY 04

Trek to Jagat (1,340 m) -06 hrs.

From Machha-Khola walk through farm villages with nice cultivated fields, where the vegetation changes gradually as altitude gains slowly with cooler air, morning walk leads to cross a stream where Machha Khola (Fish Stream) name comes from.

From here walk upstream towards Bensi village a place with a natural hot spring known as ‘Tatopani’ in Nepali.
A walk continues where the valley becomes turns narrow and crossing over a bridge to reach Doban located on a high shelf of Burigandaki River, with refreshing stops walk leads across Lauri stream to cross again over bridges and then descends into an open valley of Yara Khola, then walk for another hour to reach Jagat village for an overnight stop.
Jagat a nice-looking farm village of moderate size after Arughat; people are of mixed race with Magar, Chettries, Brahman, Manaslu Bhotia (Tibetan-looking tribes), and some Newar people.

DAY 05

Trek to Dyang (1,804m) - 06 hrs.

From Jagat village, the morning heads to a higher hill around rural farm villages where the trail descends to cross a bridge towards Nagjet and then walk past Philim, a nice farm village with scattered houses.

After Philim walk leads around farm terraces of golden agriculture fields of wheat, and barley, as the climb leads above a rocky ridge within a forest of bamboo to reach Dyang village for an overnight stop.

DAY 06

Trek to Namrung (2,630m)-06 hrs.

After overnighting in Dyang, from here walk leads to a much cooler climate, the journey continues for a few hours on a steep-sided scenic valley, coming across rows of Mani prayer stone walls as the walk leads to Ghap a nice village with possibly stop for a lunch break.

After Ghap enters into alpine woodland as the trail meanders to climb as the valley opens out and crosses a large stream flowing from Lidana peak glacier.
On walks views of Manaslu the local name is Kutang (Manaslu) with Pang Phuchin 6,335m, Saula Himal 6,235m with a range of unnamed peaks, walk from here on a slow uphill as altitude gains slowly heading past farm village to reach Namrung for overnight stop, this village with another name as Sho Namru.

DAY 07

Trek to Lo-Gaon (3,180m) - 06 hrs.

With a pleasant stop at Namrung, morning heads into spread out farm fields with Yak herder huts and shelters, Manaslu valley people are much engaged in farming during summer.

From here walk leads to a high and scenic valley to Lo-Gaon a nice village for an overnight stop, and an attractive village of high Manaslu valley, at Lo-Gaon enjoy close views of towering Manaslu North Face.
At Lo-Gaon, visit the village’s old interesting monastery with numerous corten and Mani walls facing views of Ganesh Himal in the east.

DAY 08

Trek to Sama-Gaon (3,530m) - 06 hrs.

From Lo-Gaon morning walk on the gradual path as altitude gains gradually with a slow climb facing views of Peak 29, after hours of scenic walks enter into a small forest area at Shala village offers excellent views of Phungi, Manaslu, and Himal Chuli.

Walk for a few hours further as the day ends on reaching at Sama-Gaon a village, with super close views of Mt. Manaslu.

DAY 09

Rest day at Sama-Gaon for acclimatization and with short hike.

At Sama-Gaon village rest day for acclimatization before climbing to the high Larke-La pass, on this day explore around visit old Monastery of Nyligpa (red hat sect) sect of Buddhism, as a native of Manaslu valley originally migrated from South West of Tibet way back some 400 years as the culture of ancient Buddhist religion similar to its Tibetan predecessor.

The local villagers are still active with trade and bartering across the border with Tibet taking a few days to reach the frontier of Nepal and Tibet, actually located on the old Trans Himalayan Salt Trade route of the two countries.

DAY 10

Trek to Samdo (3,860m) - 05 hrs

After resting at Sama-Gaon, today a short walk of a few hours to reach the last village of Gorkha and Manaslu valley, start the trek with a slow climb as altitude gains slowly then take time with a short break to enjoy the surrounding wonderful views of peaks and dramatic terrains.

As the walk continues finally ending at Samdo village with a short climb to reach a small flat plateau where the village is located, a moderate size village of more than forty houses with about two hundred villagers living in this highly harsh country.

DAY 11

Trek to Dharamsala /Larke Base (4,460m) -04-05 hrs.

From Samdo’s farewell to the last village of upper Manaslu valley within the Gorkha district, a walk leads to the end of the valley, with a view of peaks including towering Mt. Manaslu.

A walk continues crossing a few icy streams to reach Larke Phedi means the bottom of the pass, also known as Dharmasala means ‘travelers’ rest house/shade’, where in early days also called Larke Bazaar, (where trade and bartering were held between merchant-traders of Gorkha-Manaslu-Manang people and Tibetans on this remote isolated spot).
At Larke, Phedi afternoon is free for short walks and preparations for the next early morning long climb and descent crossing the high Larke-La pass to reach Manang areas.

DAY 12

Climb /cross Larke-La Pass (5,160m) descend to Bhimthang (3,720m) -08 hrs

An early start from Larke base at Phedi walk leads to a steep climb past Dharmasala in snow conditions tough to find the right trail), the walk continues over the ablation section north of Larke glacier, facing views of Cho Danda with Larke Peak, and then ascent gets steeper to reach on top of Larke-la, festooned with thousands of Buddhist colorful prayer flags.

From the top of Larke-La panorama of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II include a series of Manaslu peaks and then descends back into tree lines through Larcia, as walks lead on moraine ridge to Tambuche at the bottom of Larke-la pass, where a short walk takes you at Bhimthang for overnight.
Bhimthang is a wonderful spot situated on a wide green valley with several lodges adorned with prayer Mani walls, surrounded by green tall trees of rhododendron pines and oaks.

DAY 13

Trek to Dharapani (1,963m) (04 hrs) 2 hrs drive to Besisar.

After Dharapani today will be the last day walk of the adventure on reaching at large Dharapani village as the walk follows the downhill trail through the forest to reach a nice village at Tilje village, a nice place by the raging Marysangdi River.

From Tilje shortstop climbs for short while after crossing over a bridge to reach the nice village of Dharapani located on the junction of the popular Annapurna and Manaslu circuit route with the district of Manang.
After the refreshing break at Dharapani drive following Masrsyangdi River downstream to reach the low warmer farm area and a large area of Besisar, a headquarter town of Lamjung district with overnight stops in a nice lodge and hotels.

DAY 14

From Besisar drive to Kathmandu -05 hrs.

Ending our adventure at the foothills of Manaslu where the morning drive takes you to Kathmandu as the drive leads around nice farm villages and towns then on the main road to reach Kathmandu, the transfer to your respective hotels with afternoon free for own individual activities with farewell dinner.

Fixed Departure

Start Date End Date Availability  
25 Aug, 2024 7 Sep, 2024 OPEN Book Now

Includes/Excludes

What's included?

  • Airport picks up and drops off by the private vehicle.
  • Three-time Meal During trekking(Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
  • All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
  • Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle
  • Transport from Kathmandu to Arughat to soti khola and from dharapani to Besisahar then back to Kathmandu by local bus.
  • An experienced, English-speaking, and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (10 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
  • Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food, and accommodation Down jacket and sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion)
  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits and TIMS.
  • Restricted areas permit.
  • Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
  • All government and local taxes
  • Trekking map
  • Twin-sharing tented accommodation during the trek.
  • Trekking certificate after the trek.

What’s excluded?

  • International flight ticket and Nepal Entry Visa
  • Personal travel insurance (Which should include coverage for trekking)
  • Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Personal gear for trekking (Including any you may wish to hire in Kathmandu), any personal expenses (i.e. soft and alcoholic drinks, snacks, etc.)
  • Excess baggage charge(s)
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Trekking equipment
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.) Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)

Useful Info

Permits for Manaslu Circuit Trekking

Manaslu Trekking is in a Restricted area so you will require the Restricted area permits to do this trip. In total there are 5 permits you will require during Manaslu Circuit Trek. Manaslu Conservation Area Project permits Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, and TIMS card.

Gear and Clothes List for the Manaslu Circuit Trekking

Manaslu Trek requires some gear so it will be much easier for you to do this trip. Gears such as Hats, Sunglasses, Down Jackets, Hiking Boots, Medicines, Water bottles, Trekking poles, Crampons, Trousers, Tshirt, Thermal sets, and hiking socks are mostly required during the trip.

Altitude Sickness and its prevention during Manaslu Circuit

We have been asked a lot of questions regarding altitude sickness during Manaslu Circuit. It is not recommended for those who have any kind of Medical condition. People with sugar, diabetes, Asthma and other related disease are risked doing this high-altitude trekking. Even normal people are severely affected by the high altitude.

Nausea, Vomiting, Headache, Less appetite, Dizziness, diarrhea, and dehydration are the main symptoms of high altitude sickness.

Prevention for high altitude sickness is not that hard. Drinking a lot of water, taking good rest in the tea house, choosing food wisely, avoiding alcohol and cigarette, and in the last situation taking the medicines such as Diamox will help you get better with the high altitude.

Do you need oxygen for Manaslu Circuit?

No, in most cases you won’t need oxygen during Manaslu trekking. In case you need Oxygen during this Trek, there will be oxygen in the tea house.

Is the Manaslu Circuit suitable for Children and pregnant women?

Children can do this trip as long as they do not have any medical conditions. For pregnant women, it is not recommended to do this trip.

Manaslu Circuit on Monsoon and Winter

As it is stated earlier monsoon and winter are not good reasons to do this trip but if you still insist then we recommend Winter over monsoon.

In winter you need to put on a lot of clothes, gears are very much necessary.

In Monsoon if you are doing Manaslu Circuit Trek then we do recommend bringing rain gear.

FAQs

How do I book the trip?

You only need to email us, and we’ll ensure that your trip is booked once we have your confirmation.

What are the extra charges hidden in the costs?

How do I pay for the trip?

What is the cancellation policy?

Group Discount

  • No. of PaxPrice per Pax
  • 2-5USD 1149
  • 5-10USD 1099
USD 1200 Per Person
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