The Manaslu Circuit Trek is an incredible journey that gives you a fresh perspective on your mundane life. In 177 km (110 miles) of the length, this trek offers magnificent Himalayan landscapes, indulges in rustic Tibetan villages, and feels the snowy mountains from close. Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m), the 8th highest mountain peak, falls in the Gorkha District Nepal.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek falls among the most beautiful and adventurous trekking trails in Nepal. On this lifetime adventure, you will cross one of the longest passes; Larkya La Pass at an altitude of 5,106 m (16,752 ft). Witness the culture and tradition of Tibetan-Buddhist people who had migrated centuries before from Tibet. Manaslu region is a treasure for nature enthusiasts as most of its parts are untouched and unspoiled. Each Travel Listings includes detailed itineraries, cost breakdowns, and user reviews for easier planning.
Your friends who have traveled to mountains for once might say, “Mountain regions in Nepal are very expensive. The price is very high!” These are the naive statements from people who have traveled to the Himalayan region of Nepal for once. There are several factors contributing to trekking costs in the northern part of the country.
Nepal is composed of around 83% of Himalayan and Hilly area. It is difficult for transportation and logistics. Human labor and animals are used for the transportation of goods and services. Donkeys, Horses, and Mules are common modes of transportation. Horses carrying goods on their back are common sights in the trekking route of Manaslu Circuit, Annapurna Circuit, Everest Base Camp, and other trekking sites in Nepal. Therefore, difficult terrain makes it costlier.
Trekking during the peak season can cost you more than expected. Spring and autumn are the best times to travel and trek in Nepal. Trekking sites like Manaslu Circuit Trek, Annapurna region, and Everest region are packed with tourists due to perfect climatic conditions. Price soars up due to high demand.
Trekking in groups and trekking solo affect the cost of traveling as well. Traveling in groups can be cheaper. It helps to cut the cost by dividing the prices among fellow partners. Trekking in groups also helps to create shared memories and increases social interaction. Trekking Solo can come in handy and expensive but gives you personal freedom. Whatever mode of trekking you choose, North Nepal Travel & Trek is on every step to make your journey memorable.
Your traveling cost is also affected by your choice of traveling method. If you want to travel luxury, it can be quite expensive. You will have to pay more for luxury accommodation, delicious food, and services. If you like to spend less on food and accommodation you can easily find them as per your budget.
This detailed itinerary of the Manaslu Circuit Trek in the Gorkha district of Nepal will help you understand the basic topography of the region, the time to trek from one place to another, and the basic natural description of the palace. Similarly, introduces you to cultural and religious sites en route.
Our journey to Manaslu Circuit Trek started from Pokhara. It took us around 8 hours to reach Maccha Khola. Maccha Khola translates to “Fish River” in Nepali. It is a night stay for travelers trekking to Manaslu Circuit or Tsum Valley Trek.
The road to Maccha Khola was a smooth ride keeping the last section of the road exception. It was quite a bumpy ride. However, we enjoyed the ride. The jeep was often filled with loud laughter whenever we bumped our heads on the roof. Around 4 pm we reached Maccha Khola. Travel was mixed with fun. Sometimes unpleasant due to bumpy rides. Nepali cuisine; Daal and Bhaat was enough for us to forget our long travels.
If you choose to travel from Kathmandu, an early morning ride from Gongabu or a private jeep booking takes you to Maccha Khola. It will take around 8-9 hours.
After early morning breakfast at the hotel at Maccha Khola, we started our trek to Manaslu Circuit. Diwas would often joke, “Guys, start rolling your two wheels (referring to the legs).” He meant we will now start walking on foot until we reach our destination.
After crossing the steel truss bridge, the trek started. We were walking along the Budhi Gandaki River. Though our destination was different; the journey was similar. To keep walking. To keep flowing with time. We kept walking the rugged and flat trail for 7 hours.
After walking for a couple of hours, we reached Tatopani. Tatopani translates to “Hot water” in Nepali. It’s one of the popular resting places to enjoy a hot spring bath in the cold place. There are many such hot spring baths in the mountains of Nepal.
FIY: You will find many places named “Tatopani and Chisapani” all over Nepal. Chisapani means “Cold water”.
Sights like people & animals carrying goods on their backs, suspension bridges, and the settlements on the bank of the noisy Budhi Gandaki River are common on the trail of the Manaslu Circuit trek. Enjoying the scenic views and fleeting moments on the trail, we reached the Jagat.
Waking up in the cool ambiance of Jagat gave us a good mood to start trekking again. Replenishing the lungs with clean air into your lungs feels lively. We drank hot tea and Tibetan bread for breakfast. After pumping up with energy, we started our trek to Dyang.
We walked opposite the river. Trekking for a few hours before reaching Salleri, there was a waterfall below the suspension bridge. To add thrill to the adventure we opted for a road down the bridge. Well, I could not save my shoes from getting wet.
Walking past Salleri and Sridivas village, we reached Philim village. Twenty minutes walk after crossing the suspension bridge takes you to Philim. It is a beautiful village of Gurung in Gorkha. It serves as the headquarters with all the major offices established including the tourist checkpost.
Don't get surprised, if you see Mules with goods on their back. They are a mode of transportation to carry goods and people in the mountain region of Nepal. They have been carrying loads on this ancient Tibetan-Nepal trade route for a long. After trekking for a few hours, we reached a point where the trails got separated. One led to another popular trekking route; Tsum Valley Trek. Another to Manaslu Circuit Trek.
We crossed the suspension bridge for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Walking past the Nyak Phedi and Phewa, we reached Dyang. It was welcomed with a stone gate. Trek was very tiring. Walking for almost 6-7 hours, we were exhausted. We rested at the Teahouse of Dyang and had delicious Daal and Bhaat.
After early breakfast, we started our trek to Namrung. It was our destination on the fourth day. Scenes are no different from the previous days of the Manaslu region trek. We will encounter loose settlements, farming on the base of the hills, and locals busy with their daily chores.
Trek to Ghap has variations in the trial. Sometimes you will find walking down the narrow trail. Sometimes gradual uphill on a cemented trail. You will cross a suspension bridge to a wet trail passing through small rivers. You will feel the difference in the vegetation as you ascend to Namrung. Hills are mostly covered with dwarf coniferous trees.
Trekking further we reached Ghap. This section of the trek can be difficult due to landslide portions. It is prone to slippery. For beginners, it can be frightening. But we had Diwas. His guiding skill was phenomenal. Ghap was a beautiful village surrounded by Hills. Teahouses and lodges decorated with vibrant colors will steal your heart.
We had a tea break at Suksum. Hot tea is a pure medicine in the mountains region of Nepal like Manaslu. Similarly, Suksum also had organic Apple orchards. We tasted sweet organic Apple juice picked directly from the garden. Privilege!
After trekking for 6-7 hours, we reached Namrung. Trek to Namrung was followed by a zigzag path, gradual uphill and downhill. After an exhausting trek from Dyang, we had a delicious Daal and Bhaat. We deserved it.
As usual, we started our trek with early morning breakfast and headed towards our destination. Our destination on the fifth day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek was Samagaun at 3,530 meters. The morning started with a clear blue sky and a bright sun.
Trekking past the Tibetan villages, farmland, and giant hills we reached Lho Village. Lho is an extremely beautiful village. Located at an altitude of 3,180 meters, it is a Tibetan-Buddhist community inhabited by Nubri people. The contrasting architecture of the Monastery and Chortens gives you spiritual vibes.
Magnificent views of Manaslu (8,163 m) and Manaslu North (7,157 m) from Lho kept our spirits high. Trekking through the pine and rhododendron trees took us to Shyala. The trail was quite easy with gradual up and down. Spring flowing through the jungle was an enchanting moment for us. The giant red Gomba is a never-miss Buddhist architecture in Shyala. Tibetan architecture, colored with a contrasting red and golden color is beautiful.
Finally, we reached Samagaun trekking for 5-6 hours. It is a beautiful Tibetan village located at an altitude of 3,530 meters. Samaguna has many teahouses and lodges for accommodation.
Samaguan is the biggest village in the Manaslu Circuit Trek. It has Helipad, health post, and schools. Surrounded by hills on the vast land, it feels like a wonderland. We were not tired, unlike the previous trek to Manaslu. We strolled around the village. Had the opportunity to get a glimpse into the lives of people.
The sixth day of our Manaslu Circuit Trek was acclimatization day at Samagaun. Acclimatization is necessary in the high-altitude regions of Nepal. They help you to adapt to climate and height. They prevent you from altitude sickness. We had two choices at Samaguan. Either we stroll around the village or trek nearby places. We chose the latter one.
We walked up to Birendra Lake at an altitude of 3,691 meters. It took us just two hours to reach the lake.
Other side trips one can indulge in during acclimation day are trekking to Pungyen Gompa and Manaslu Base Camp (MBC). Pungyen Gompa is situated at an altitude of 4,700m. MBC is located at an altitude of 4,800 meters. Both destinations are best for mountain views.
After early breakfast, we headed for Samdo village in the Manaslu region. Our guide had good news for us. He told us that the trek to Samdo only takes 4-5 hours and is probably the shortest trek in the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
As described by Diwas, the trail was easy. We walked on the vast green pasture land. The sight of Yaks grazing was amazing. The snowy mountain peak’s view while trekking was out of the world experience. After crossing the wooden bridge, we reached Lela Kharka (3800 m) and Khermo Kharka (4,100 m). After following a dry trail, we reached Samdo; our night stop at Manaslu Trek.
After early breakfast, we started our trek to Dharmasala. It is also called Larkya La Phedi by locals. Surrounded by dry hills and snowy peaks on the backdrop is a beautiful view from Samdo.
Trekking ahead on a flat path, we reached Larkya Bazar. Located at an altitude of 4200 m (13780 ft). During old times, it used to be a Tibetan market. People from Nepal and Tibet used to shop here. But the market does not exist anymore. On the right side of Larkya Bazar, there is the route to the Tibet border.
En route to Dharmasala, you can view mountain peaks like Manaslu East, Manaslu North, Ranges of Nikey Col, and Rani Peak.
Trekking to Dharmasala is easy while you might spot debris brought by landslides on some sections of the trek. Dharmasala is nothing but a teahouse situated at an altitude of 4,460 meters. Dharmasala has no electricity or internet.
This was the biggest day for us at the Manaslu Circuit Trek. We were crossing Larkya La Pass located at an altitude of 5,106 meters. We woke up at 4 in the morning earlier than expected because we had to cross Larkya La Pass before the afternoon.
We were trekking through Larkya La Pass in the Manaslu region with the torch in the dark. It was challenging as well as fun. It was my first experience trekking in the dark. That too, crossing one of the longest passes in the Himalayan region.
Gradually the sun rose. It was a surreal moment to witness the orange hues of the sun on the snowy mountains. It was quite difficult to walk on the pass. Climbing the trail was difficult due to the stones and leftover snow patches. However, the trek’s difficulty had no quantitative measures over the beauty of snowy mountain peaks and icy ponds at Larkya La Pass.
You can see mountain peaks like Nijangima (7,200 m), Chonbi Himal Annapurna II (7937 m), Kang Guru (6, 981 m), and Tibet Kang (7126 m).
Winter can be extremely difficult to pass through Larkya La Pass. It is filled with heavy snow. The temperature reaches harsher. Chances are that you might get lost and suffer from altitude sickness. It is always recommended to hire a guide from North Nepal Travel & Trek.
We did not lose our chance to indulge in Larkya La Pass. It was our moment. We took a lot of pictures for memory back at home. After spending a few hours, we descended to Bhimtang huge icefalls and Pongkar Tal between Pongkar and Slapu glaciers. Walking for 7-8 hours, we reach Bhimtang.
As usual, we had early breakfast at the teahouse of Bhimtang and started descending to Dharapani. This was our last step at the Manaslu Circuit Trek. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the Manaslu region.
We walked through the lush green forest of Manaslu. Reached the Dudh Khola valley. After reaching Karche, we had our lunch. We rested for a while and reached Dharapani passing through the rustic Gurung village and Tilche. It took us around 5-6 hours to descend from Bhimtang.
We had our last breakfast at Dharapani in the morning. After breakfast, we drove back to Pokhara in the morning. We traced back the same route along the Marsyangdi River. The road was bumpy in a few sections. After joining the highway, it was a smooth ride of 3 hours from Dharapani to Besisahar. We reached Pokhara in 6-7 hours of driving.
Manaslu Circuit Trek was a lifetime adventure for us. Despite strenuous climbs and rugged trails, Manaslu Circuit Trek is a must-go trekking in life. Clean air, exotic landscapes, and lush green forests are the perfect retreat to life from a busy schedule. It's a detox for your body.
If that is less, imagine witnessing mountain people residing in the hidden valley. Learning about their Tibetan-Buddhist culture and tradition. And a close encounter with their life will forever change your outlook toward life.
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