An adventure around the remote location of Manaslu Himalayan region of Gorkha district, Mid-West Nepal Manaslu Circuit Trekking was first opened for tourists in 1992, requiring a special permit for the restricted areas due to the close border with the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. As a designated conservation area, the region’s main highlight is its biodiversity, varying landscapes, climate, and towering mountain peaks.
The name Manaslu refers to the “soul of the mountain” as Manas means soul in Sanskrit, whereas the local name “Kutang” originated in Tibetan meaning “land of paradise”. Culture is mostly inclined towards Himalayan Tibetan Buddhism, decorated with prayer flags, and Chorten and Mani walls along the hiking trails.
The adventure begins after a drive to trailhead Soti Khola, a terrace farm village following the raging BudiGandaki River upstream towards high green hills and nice rural villages entering high altitude Manaslu Valley. The walk follows through beautiful topography overlooking the towering peaks of Manaslu, Himal Chuli, Ngadi Chuli, and Sringi Himal.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking continues via the remote villages of Lo and Sama-Gaon, with days
for acclimatization and exploring its viewpoints. Walk follows at the end of Manaslu valley at Dharmasala or Phedi, the bottom of Larke-La Pass. After crossing Lake-La mountain Pass, the highest point of the adventure trip at 5,106 m. Rewards with a panorama of a giant mountain range, and then descends to the Dharapani village, where our trekking journey concludes.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing tour of UNESCO World Heritage sites around Kathmandu.
Day 03: Drive to Soti-Khola 845 m via Arughat of Gorkha district- 06 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Machha-Khola 930 m – 06 hours.
Day 05: Trek to Dovan 1,070 m via Tatopani (Hot Spring) – 05 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Jagat 1,410 m – 05 hours.
Day 07: Trek to Deng 1,800 m – 06 hours.
Day 08: Trek to Namrung 2,630 m – 06 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Lo-Gaon 3,180 m – 05 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Sama-Gaon 3,525 m -05 hrs.
Day 11: At Sama-Gaon rest day for acclimatization and local excursion.
Day 12: Trek to Samdo 3,690 m – 05 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Larke Phedi / Dharmasala 4,460 m – 04 hrs.
Day 14: Cross Larke-La 5,106 m and descend to Bhimthang 3,790 m -08 hrs.
Day 15: Trek to Gho 2,515 m – 05 hrs.
Day 16: Trek to Dharapani village 1, 820 m – 06 hrs.
Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel-07 hrs.
Day 18: Departure, as per scheduled flight to respective countries.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu 1,300 m and transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu, our representative receives you and assists you at the designated hotel. After checking in rooms a short briefing regarding the trek information is held by our guide and leaders. In the evening a group dinner is reserved in a Nepali restaurant, then back to the hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing tour around Kathmandu.
Explore UNESCO world heritage sites adorned with the country’s beautiful cultural and historical landmarks. The tour offers visitors an introduction to Nepalese culture along with medieval art and architecture.
Day 03: Drive to Soti-Khola 845 m via Arughat, Gorkha district- 06 hrs.
Drive to Arughat Mid-West Nepal then drive on rough off-road to Soti-Khola village for an overnight halt.
Day 04: Trek to Machha-Khola 930 m – 06 hours.
The walk starts heading north through a number of smaller farm villages along the banks of the Budi Gandaki river. The trail leads to a short uphill towards Machha-Khola for an overnight stop.
Day 05: Trek to Dovan 1,070 m via Tatopani (Hot Spring) – 05 hrs.
Begin the day hike with a pleasant walk on the gradual trail into the small forested area of Tatopani, with a natural hot spring. The journey continues with a slow ascent to Dovan a small village with rows of farm terraces. On arrival check into a small nice lodge for an overnight halt.
Day 06: Trek to Jagat 1,410 m – 05 hours.
From here the hiking trail continues on the winding path with an ascent through the forest of Sal, blue pines, and oak trees. The ascent leads to the top of a ridge where Jagat, A nice hill village with comfy lodges. Explore the village life of mixed cultures of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Day 07: Trek to Deng 1,800 m – 06 hours.
Walk through the pine and oak tree forested trail before reaching the village of Philim with rows of terrace farms. After lunch walk leads further uphill to Deng with a cool breeze, as the walk ends for the day at Deng village.
Day 08: Trek to Namrung 2,630 m – 06 hrs.
Trek into the high hills of Manaslu conservation area overlooking snow-capped peaks via the uphill forested trail. Tibetan Buddhism culture influenced settlements and people can be explored beyond this point.
The climb finally ends for the day on reaching Namrung village for an overnight stop, after an exciting scenic walk of more than six hours.
Day 09: Trek to Lo-Gaon 3,180 m – 05 hrs.
From Namrung walk leads higher above the Budi Gandaki River, the hiking trail follows uphill into a cool forest of rhododendron and pines while enjoying the surroundings with a grand vista of snow peaks and of beautiful landscapes of hills and river dales.
On reaching the settlement of Lo-Gaon, check-in a lodge and explore the village and Pungyen monastery, facing views of Mt. Manaslu.
Day 10: Trek to Sama-Gaon 3,525 m -05 hrs.
Lo-Gaon, the entrance of upper Manaslu valley, after breakfasts enjoy the day hike overlooking grand views of snow peaks. The walk continues with a short ascent and descends to Sama-Gaon,
the main village of the high Manaslu region. Check into a nice simple lodge.
Day 11: At Sama-Gaon rest day for acclimatization and local excursion.
Extra day in Sama-Gaon having for acclimatization, enjoy a short hike exploring the village of great cultural interest. Sama-Gaon is at the junction of Manaslu base camp, Tibet border, and Larke-La Pass.
Day 12: Trek to Samdo 3,690 m – 05 hrs.
The adventure continues towards a wild and arid, windswept country. The walk leads past a nice monastery and towards dry terrain, as altitude gains on reaching a large village of Samdo for an overnight halt. Enjoy the comfort of a nice simple lodge of Tibetan-style hospitality.
Day 13: Trek to Larke Phedi / Dharmasala 4,460 m – 04 hrs.
A short hike of a few hours leads to the end of Manaslu valley at Phedi or Dharmasala. Start the morning on rocky trails crossing a number of cold icy streams as walk slowly leads to Dharmasala. A place with few lodges, during high season the place is flooded with trekkers, where one has to spend nights in a tented camp.
Day 14: Cross Larke-La 5,106 m and descend to Bhimthang 3,790 m -08 hrs.
Early morning starts the hardest and toughest day of the adventure, as the climb begins following a trail above Dharmasala. After a strenuous climb of
more than two hours to Larke-La Pass. After spending some quality time spectating the panorama of mountains, head along descent at the base of Larke-La and pass to Bhimthang for an overnight stop.
Day 15: Trek to Gho 2,515 m – 05 hrs.
From here onwards, walking is much more pleasant. Head down on a gradual path into densely forested areas then reach a small isolated settlement at Gho for an overnight stop.
Day 16: Trek to Dharapani village 1, 820 m – 06 hrs.
Last day of the trek, enjoy the walk following a downhill trail all the way to Tilje village for lunch. Afternoon a short climb up to Dharapani, our journey concludes.
Dharapani is located on the famous Annapurna Circuit route at Manang, where the motorable road has reached, since last decade. Overnight at a lodge: celebrating successful adventure around Manaslu Circuit trail.
Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel-07 hrs.
Drive to Besisahar on local jeep via farm areas of Lamjung district at. After lunch at Besisahar, an exciting drive back to Kathmandu.
Day 18: Departure to respective countries.
As per the scheduled return flight, our staff transfers you to the airport terminal for final departure after a wonderful experience and adventure on Manaslu Circuit Trekking.
Congratulation!