Manaslu Circuit Trek offers a unique opportunity to experience a reasonably “untouched” region of Nepal. This region of Nepal sees few trekkers, which makes a visit here more exclusive and unspoiled. Manaslu trekking has been open since 1991, it provides spectacular beauty along the border of Nepal and Tibet and is now a controlled trekking route, allowing organized trekking groups special permits to gain entry into this region to venture round its spectacular circuit. Manaslu Circuit Trek is growing in popularity as next Annapurna circuit Trek.
Manaslu has a unique environment, which is exceptionally rich in bio diversity that has made this region one of the finest tourist destinations of Nepal for many years. The majestic Himalayan ranges in this area consist of cultural diversities and natural scenery with high altitude romantic glacier lakes and fascinating flora and fauna, all features of this region, have made it one of the most well liked places of Nepal.
We have two options for continuing Manaslu Circuit Trek.
OPTION 1: The first option is to trek further to Jomsom at Kali Gandaki river valley crossing which is another high and adventure hike through Thorung La pass at 5,416 meters. (Optionally, Nar Phu Valley Trek) and conclude the trek by flying down to Kathmandu via Pokhara, or you can also avoid a flight by walking down to Pokhara from Jomsom following the Annapurna trail in 4 – 5 Days. Along the way you will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Annapurna Massifs and Dhaulagiri peaks.
OPTION 2: The second option is to continue descending along the Marshyangdi river valley through the rhododendron and oak forests and finally conclude the trek at Chamje and Drive to Kathmandu. Any physically fit person can do this trip anytime from Mar to May (spring season) and Sept to Nov (Autumn season).
Choose the best option for you to enjoy the Manaslu Circuit Trek!
Manuals Circuit Trek Difficulty
For trekkers seeking adventure, Manaslu Circuit Trek is the best choice. This trek is a moderately hard trek. The trekker’s physical condition has a lot to do with the difficulty of Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Manaslu Trek is one of Nepal’s challenging treks that take you through the Himalayan region’s remote villages. It’s one of Nepal’s off-beaten treks. This trek will take you around Mt. Manaslu, 8 highest mountain worlds at 8,163 m (26,781 ft). And is gaining popularity as the new Himalayan trekking jewel in the crown.
Also a good tea house trek is the Manaslu Circuit trek. Some call it even Nepal’s best all-round trek. It’s definitely a great alternative to the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
It’s much less crowded than other classic Nepal treks. The spectacular crossings of the suspension bridge and a 1500 meters (17,000 ft) Himalayan pass are absolutely exciting.
Getting Manaslu Circuit Trek
The Manaslu Circuit Trek trailhead is the nearest of the main Nepalese treks to Kathmandu. That said, it is still a 126 km (80 miles) adventurous drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola, which takes about 6 hours by jeep (recommended) or 8 + hours by public bus. If road conditions are challenging (which is often the case in September at the trail end of the monsoon), you may have to start walking in Arughat, add an extra day.
Best Time to Trek Manaslu Circuit
Spring and Autumn are the best time to trek Manaslu Circuit. During Spring March, April and May are the best months for trekking, as the weather will be clear and calm in these months, as well as the opportunity to see high mountains including Manaslu with all the snow. Spring is the perfect season for the blooming of rhododendrons; you can see all the forest of rhododendrons turning into a lovely garden.
For Manaslu Circuit Trek, another perfect season is autumn. September, October and November are the ideal hiking months after the monsoon in Nepal. During these months you can get a clear majestic view of the Himalayas and experience their culture as you can be part of Nepal’s biggest festivals during autumn. With the phenomenal natural view, trekkers can experience local culture throughout this season.
Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport after completing your custom formalities Visa, etc. pick up your luggage and look for our airport representative from Himalaya Discovery Adventures, who will display your name on the board at the arrival gate. You will be greeted by our representative and transferred to the hotel by private tourist vehicle. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu. You may wish to visit Durbar Square in the heart of the old city where the old Royal Palace, with its intricate woodcarving is located. The whole area is a maze of temples and images. Leading away from the square in all directions are narrow alleys, full of the most amazing variety of shops and stalls. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites including the historic Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ Swayambhunath and Buddhists shrine Buddhanath which is one of the largest Stupas in the world.
There will also be a full trip briefing today with gear check. In case you need to hire or buy equipment locally there will be time to do this today. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Your Trekking staff will come to your hotel early in the morning at 7.00 AM to pick you up, from there we have an 8 hour driving journey to Arughat. From Kathmandu to Dhading Besi for 3.30 hours is comfortable drive after which there is a 4 -hour bumpy and winding off road to Arughat. Overnight at guesthouse.
Today, after breakfast we drive to Khursapani by Jeep. After taking our lunch in Khursapani, we start our trek to Lububesi. The trail goes slow up along Budi Gandaki river. After ascending around 3 hours, we finally arrive in Lububesi and Overnight at guesthouse.
Today, after breakfast we start our trek. The valley is narrow at the beginning. We pass small villages and descend s to sandy riverbeds. We then ascend to Machhakhola for the lunch and further one hour walk bring us in Khorlabesi, Overnight at guesthouse.
Today, we start our trek with easy walking to Tatopani, a place with natural hot spring. From here we cross the Budi Gandaki River through suspension bridge and continue our walking. Today it is slow ascending all the way to Jagat village, Overnight at guesthouse.
Today, we continue our trek along the Budigandaki river through flat way to Philim village and to Eklebhatti village where we take our lunch. From Ekle Bhatti we cross the river again and enter to dramatic section of the gorge high above the river. The trail goes up to west side of the valley and offers a pleasant walk through bamboo forests to the village of Deng, Overnight at guesthouse.
Today, we enter the area influenced by Buddhism. Walking few ups and downs through forests, we arrive at Ghap. On the way well preserves paintings and elegant mani wall is interesting. From here valley becomes steeper and we go long climb through bamboo and rhododendron forest to the village of Namrung, Overnight at guesthouse.
We have short walk, today we go through typical Tibetan village. Which consists Tibetan style entrance gates, mani walls and Buddhist gompas.We also have view of Manaslu and Gorakh himal before we arrive in Lho-Gaun, Overnight at guesthouse.
Today, we start our trek with view of Peak 29. It is steep up way through the forest for couple of hours to bring us Shyala. From here we have superb view of Manaslu and Himalchuli. From here, easy walking through the forest bring us at Samagau. Overnight at guesthouse.
Today is the Acclimatization day in Sama Gaun. If you feel good, you can hike to Manaslu Base Camp through Birendra lake or make a short hike Sama monastery and relax at the village, Overnight at guesthouse.
Today, we have pleasant walk to Samdo. The trail goes gradual up following Kali Gandaki River. Passing several mani walls, we also have magnificent view of Mt. Manaslu and other major peaks throughout the day. We cross the Kaligandaki River and clime for 15~20 minutes before to reach Samdo, Overnight at guesthouse.
We start our trek passing fields and old mani walls. After we descend to River and cross the wooden bridge to arrive Larkya bazaar. Larkya bazaar is used to be very famous bazaar but now there is nothing remain.From here we go through another mani walls marks, where the trails start to climb with view of huge Larke Glaicer ahead. A final push over with steep climbing closed the Larke Glacier and to reach Dharmasala, Overnight at guesthouse.
Today, we star early in the morning with pack lunch for the day. It is steep up for about 4 hours to the Larkya top. From here, we have great panoramic view of Mt. Himlung, Kang guru, Annapurna II and more. From here the trail descend all the way for about 3 hours. Depending on the condition, crampons and ice axe are advisable to have as the trail might be covered by the snow, Overnight at guesthouse.
We start our trek by crossing the pastures of Bimthang. Now the trail drops to a glacial stream at the origin of Dudh Khola. After crossing a wooden bridge, we descend into pine and rhododendron forest. We walk further ups ans down, prayer flags and terrace fields follow the way, bringing us a Large Gurung village Tilje, Overnight at guesthouse.
We walk through the lush forest to the river on an undulating trail and cross another suspension bridge leading to Chamje. Chamje is an atmospheric,’ wild west’ tea town, often packed with saddled local horses. From here, the road-building is full-on, so we will continue to hop in our jeeps as far as we can. But before then we have another hour of descent along the new dirt road, looking across the river to large waterfalls, to reach the (once) beautiful paved village of Jagat, located on a shelf that extends into the precipitous Marshyangdi valley. We continue through the rhododendron and pine forests down to Syange. Overnight at guesthouse.
Today we’re driving back to Kathmandu. Try to get your vehicle left to enjoy the greeneries, mountains, river gorges, villages and terraces while driving. In the evening we’ll have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performance.
The trip concludes! We will drop you to the airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
Chhiring Sherpa
