Manaslu Circuit Trek

Your Manaslu adventure begins in Nepal's vibrant capital city. After airport pickup, settle into your hotel and attend a pre-trek briefing with your guide. Take time to explore Thamel for last-minute trekking supplies and enjoy authentic Nepali cuisine as you prepare for the adventure ahead. Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Kathmandu with hot showers and WiFi.

Begin your journey with an early morning drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola, a 7-8 hour journey offering scenic views of rural Nepal. The drive follows the Prithvi Highway alongside the Trishuli River before turning north along the Budi Gandaki River. The final stretch to Soti Khola passes through terraced hillsides and small villages, giving you a first glimpse of the rural lifestyle that characterizes much of your trek. Accommodation: Basic teahouse in Soti Khola.

This 6-7 hour trek follows the Budi Gandaki River through a landscape of dense forests and scattered villages. Cross suspension bridges over rushing streams, navigate narrow trails carved into cliff sides, and gradually ascend through changing vegetation. The day's journey includes sections where the trail rises high above the river before descending to the riverside settlement of Machha Khola. Accommodation: Teahouse in Machha Khola.

Today's 6-7 hour trek continues along the Budi Gandaki, crossing back and forth over the river via suspension bridges. Pass through the villages of Khorlabesi and Tatopani, where hot springs offer a soothing dip for tired muscles. After climbing up stone steps and traversing a ridge, descend to the picturesque village of Jagat, the entry point to the restricted Manaslu Conservation Area. Accommodation: Teahouse in Jagat.

The 6-7 hour journey today takes you deeper into the Manaslu region. After crossing a suspension bridge, the trail climbs gradually through forests and terraced fields, offering panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. Pass through Tibetan-influenced villages of Sirdibas and Philim before entering a narrow gorge that leads to the small settlement of Deng, where you'll notice a transition to Buddhist culture. Accommodation: Teahouse in Deng.

This 6-7 hour trek climbs steadily through dense forests of fir, rhododendron, and bamboo, crossing the Budi Gandaki multiple times. The trail passes mani walls (stone structures inscribed with Buddhist prayers) and small settlements before a final steep climb to Namrung. From here, you'll enjoy your first views of the Sringi Himal range and experience a distinct change in landscape and cultural influence, with Tibetan-style houses and Buddhist prayer flags becoming more prominent. Accommodation: Teahouse in Namrung.

Today's 6-7 hour trek takes you through beautiful forests and past several villages including Lho, which offers magnificent views of Mount Manaslu. Visit the Ribung Gompa monastery in Lho before continuing to Shyala, where the landscape opens up to reveal stunning alpine scenery. The final stretch to Samagaon traverses high pastures with dramatic views of Manaslu, Manaslu North, and Naike Peak. Accommodation: Teahouse in Samagaon.

Your acclimatization day includes a recommended hike to either Manaslu Base Camp (4,400m) or Birendra Tal, a glacial lake. These 4-5 hour round trips help your body adjust to the increasing altitude while offering incredible photographic opportunities. Return to Samagaon for lunch and spend the afternoon exploring the village and its ancient monastery, which houses remarkable Buddhist artifacts. Accommodation: Same teahouse in Samagaon.

This relatively short 3-4 hour trek follows an ancient salt trading route to Tibet. Cross wooden bridges over streams and traverse grassy slopes with views of the Manaslu Glacier. The landscape becomes increasingly barren as you approach Samdo, the last permanent settlement before the Larkya La Pass. This frontier village, just 15km from the Tibetan border, offers fascinating insights into high-altitude living and trade. Accommodation: Teahouse in Samdo.

Your second acclimatization day includes a recommended hike toward Dharamsala or up one of the nearby ridges for views across the border into Tibet. This 3-4 hour excursion further helps your body prepare for the challenging pass crossing ahead. Return to Samdo for lunch and spend the afternoon resting and preparing your gear for the upcoming days, which represent the trek's most demanding section. Accommodation: Same teahouse in Samdo.

This short but challenging 3-4 hour trek crosses several streams and moraines as you leave Samdo and civilization behind. The terrain becomes increasingly desolate, with the trail climbing steadily to Dharamsala (also known as Larkya Phedi), a basic shelter that serves as the base for crossing Larkya La Pass. Early dinner and rest are essential as you'll begin the pass crossing before dawn the next day. Accommodation: Basic dormitory-style shelter in Dharamsala.

This pivotal day begins with a pre-dawn start, using headlamps to illuminate the trail as you begin the ascent to Larkya La Pass. The 8-10 hour journey first follows a relatively gentle incline across glacial moraines before steepening for the final approach to the pass. At the summit, prayer flags mark the highest point of your trek, offering spectacular panoramic views of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and the Annapurna range. The descent from the pass is steep and often snow-covered, eventually leading to the lush meadows of Bimthang, where the contrast with the barren landscapes of previous days is striking. Accommodation: Teahouse in Bimthang.

Enjoy a more relaxed pace today after the previous day's efforts as you trek for 5-6 hours through rhododendron forests and past a glacier lake. The trail descends into the Burdin Khola valley, crossing pastures and a ridge with excellent views back toward Manaslu. Continue through pine and rhododendron forests before reaching the large village of Tilije, where you'll experience Gurung culture and architecture—a marked change from the Tibetan influences of previous days. Accommodation: Teahouse in Tilije.

This 5-6 hour trek follows the Dudh Khola downstream, passing through the villages of Thonje and Dharapani, where you join the popular Annapurna Circuit trail. Continue through terraced fields and forests to Tal, a picturesque town situated beside a wide, flat valley and a beautiful waterfall. Here, you'll notice a gradual transition back to Hindu cultural influences as you descend to lower elevations. Accommodation: Teahouse in Tal.

On your final trekking day, complete the 5-6 hour journey to Syange, experiencing the full physical and psychological benefits of descending to lower altitudes. The trail follows the Marsyangdi River, passing through several villages and offering final views of the mountain landscapes you've traversed. Reaching Syange brings a sense of accomplishment and often calls for celebration with your guides, porters, and fellow trekkers. Accommodation: Teahouse in Syange.

Board your vehicle for the return journey to Kathmandu, a 7-8 hour drive that follows the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. This drive provides time to reflect on your achievement while enjoying the changing landscapes from the mountains to the middle hills and, eventually, the Kathmandu Valley. Back in Kathmandu, enjoy the comforts of urban amenities like a hot shower, varied cuisine, and perhaps some souvenir shopping while processing the profound experiences of the past two weeks. Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu.

Your Manaslu Circuit adventure concludes with a transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for your departure flight. Depending on your schedule, you might have time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Kathmandu before leaving Nepal with memories and achievements that will last a lifetime.