Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary - 16 Days Detailed Itinerary

Are you thinking of going on an adventure? Then the Manaslu circuit trek is the perfect destination. We present to you our 16 days Manaslu circuit trek itinerary. Its an adventure you don’t want to miss.

Manaslu is also known as Kutang, which means “mountain of spirit” situated in the west-central part of Nepal. It is the eighth-highest mountain in the world.

Manaslu region has different trekking trails for trekkers. It is situated in the west-central part of Nepal in the Gorkha district.

This route for trekking is undisturbed which makes it more interesting as only a few get to walk those circuits. Larkya La is the highest point reached on this trek.

To trek in this region, a restricted area permit and two trekkers are compulsory.

Well, Arughat is the starting point from where the trek to Manaslu begins but we will start our trek from Soti Khola which is located in the altitude of 710 meters and Besi Sahar is where our trek ends.

Along the Manaslu circuit, we might sight different fauna (wildlife). It is home to many endangered animals.

During our trek, we can stop to rest in tea-houses. Earlier trekkers had to put up their tent for camping which was very tiring but nowadays houses have been built where they can rest after their long tiring journey.

In this trek, we help people not only to reach the destination but also create memories that last life long. You can know more about this trek in detail from our Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary.

Highlights of Manaslu circuit trek

It gives an opportunity to know more about the west-central culture.

Get to know and experience the different cultures and traditions of various communities.

Know the lifestyle of people living in rural areas.

To hear many interesting stories the locals have for the trekkers.

The pines forest through the syala village

View of many horseshoe-shaped peaks.

Manaslu circuit trek makes us realize how beautiful nature itself is. We get to sight many mountains and rivers on the way.

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When is the best time for Manaslu Trek?

Every season is pretty nice but the choice is your which season you would like to visit Manaslu.

Spring Season ( March, April, May) is a new beginning of chilly weather, freshly bloomed bud and fresh feel of nature. For nature lovers, this is the best season for Manaslu Trek. In the beginning, the weather is a bit chilly but by the end of the season, it gets warmer. Trek People usually choose this season for trekking. The views of the mountains are mesmerizing, the air is fresh and the trails are good to trek on. Traveling this season you will experience the best of everything.

Monsoon season (June, July, August) is when you get caught up with rain as you trek, which is pretty adventurous. You’ll get to notice some breathtaking views and the great phenomenon of nature at a higher altitude which happens only during monsoon. The trails are slippery and bit risky so if you like adventure this season is the best time for Manaslu trek adventure lovers. You should carry warm clothes as it gets cold at higher altitude and raincoat for the rain.

The autumn season is the peak season for tourism. As many travelers make plans to travel and visit Nepal this time of the year. The weather is very suitable for travel. The air is fresh, the sky is clear and the temperature is just perfect for traveling both high and low altitude. Many travelers consider this as the best time for Manaslu Trek. The trails for trekking in Manaslu and other trekking destination starts getting busy.

Winter season is when the skies are clear and the Manaslu circuit trail is dry. It is warm during the day and cold as the sunsets. You get to view the frozen waterfalls and lakes. You should know Larke pass closes during snowfall in winter so you might not get the chance to visit Manaslu at that time. Also, the tea-houses in Dharamsala remain closed in January and February.

To know more about how we walk through these routes you can read it in detail from our Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty

Manaslu Trek is an amazing experience as you get to travel one of the off-beaten trails in Nepal. But just how difficult is Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Manaslu Circuit Trek is the trails you will follow through the foothills of Mt. Manaslu. It starts from Soti Khola till you reach the highest point of this trek Larke La Pass.

The trails are sometimes rocky, steep and sloppy so you need to be careful while walking these routes. You will be walking 177 kilometers distance in total. The first few days of this trek are difficult as you will be crossing breezy trails and suspension bridges.

The weather is considered playing an important role in how challenging and difficult Manaslu trek is gonna be. The days are warm but the night can be freezing cold.

You should also prepare yourself for altitude sickness. Because if this is the first-time your trekking you might suffer as you reach a higher altitude.

We have explained more briefly on what difficulty you will have to face in our Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Map

Manaslu Circuit Trek detailed Itinerary

Usually, Manaslu Circuit trek lasts 17 to 18 days but we bring you 16 days Manaslu Circut Trek itinerary. You won’t miss any adventure, you can read what we have to offer throughout the trek in our detailed itinerary of Manaslu circuit trek below :

Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu

Our representatives will be waiting for you at the airport prior to your arrival. After that, we will transfer you to your hotel where you can rest after the long tiring flight. At dusk, you can visit local markets, view the nightlife of Thamel and enjoy the food.

Day 2: Preparation for trek and tour around Kathmandu valley

You will start the day by preparing for the trek and talking to your guide about the difficulty in this trek. If you need extra trekking gear then you can buy or rent in Kathmandu (p.s. You can rent sleeping bags and down jackets).

After the preparation, it’s time to visit the city of temples. You’ll visit various UNESCO heritage sites like Boudhanath, Swayambhu, Pashupati temple, Durbar square. After your little tour, you will rest for the night in your hotel. As you have to leave early the next day for your trek.

Day 3: Drive to Soti Khola by bus

On the third day of the trek, your long-awaited journey begins. You will be heading towards Soti Khola by bus which is a total of 8 hours drive. The drive will be enjoyable with the scenic view of villages, farmland, Arughat bazar.

After reaching Dhading Besi the ride might get a bit bumpy as we trail in offroad. But the views of the mountain might help you ease the discomfort. You reach Soti Khola after a long 8 hours drive, where you will be spending your night.

Day 4: Trek from Soti Khola to Machhakhola

Your fourth-day trek will be a lot demanding. You will be walking from Soti Khola to Machhakhola which has a distance of 8.7 miles. It takes around 6 to 7 hours to reach the destination. Machhakhola is situated at an altitude of 930 meters above sea level.

As you reach a higher altitude you get to witness the change in the landscape. You will be walking through forest trails and suspension bridges. You will be walking past a lot of pasture land on the edge of the trails.

After 6-7 hours of the walk when you reach Machhakhola you’ll rest at a humble guest house and call it a day.

Day 5: Trek from Machhakhola to Jagat

After a sound sleep in Machhakhola, you are going to head towards your next destination Jagat. The path between Machhakhola and Jagat is unspoiled and isolated which makes it an exotic part of the Manaslu region. The distance between them is 13.7 miles. It takes around 5 to 6 hours from Macchakhola to reach Jagat.

The trails have many uphills and some downhill paths. After walking for about one hour you will reach khorla besi village crossing through the tharo Khola. After that, you will arrive at Tatopani which is one of the natural hot spring spas. Later you will cross the suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki river.

Then you will trail through the paths until you reach doban and cross the suspension bridge. Then you will take a steep decline until you reach the banks of Budhi Gandaki river and then reach Jagat. After your arrival there, you will spend the night in one of the tea-houses.

Day 6: Trek from Jagat to Deng

On your sixth day, you will travel towards Deng. You have to walk 12.3 miles from Jagat towards Deng. It takes 6 to 8 hours to reach your destination.

After taking an uphill trail it leads to flatland. After some time, you will again cross Budhi Gandaki river. Crossing the river you will enter Philim. People living in Philim are mostly Gurung. They have many small monasteries.

On that day, you will also go through many forests filled with rhododendron trees. When you reach Deng you will settle down for the night

Day 7: Trek from Deng to Namrung

Today your destination will be Namrung, you have to walk about 5 to 6 hours from Deng. It is situated in an altitude of 3530 meters. You will pass Budhi Gandaki on the way. While walking through this trail you will come across many Buddhist mani walls, flags. These areas have many Buddhist worshippers.

While trailing through the paths you will realize how beautiful this region is.

Day 8: Trek to the beautiful village of Samagaon (Sama Village)

After your night in Namrung, you will move forward to the beautiful valley of Samagaon. On your way there you will sight the beautiful mount Manaslu and pass through the alpine area. Samagoan is situated at an altitude of 4359 meters. It is a famous stop for trekkers to view the beautiful scenario of mountains. After 6 hours of walk, you will reach your destination and settle there for the day.

Day 9: Explore Sama Village and Acclimatization

Today you are at an altitude of 4359 meters above sea level. This day you’ll take time exploring the beautiful village of Buddhists and rest here to adjust to the new climate. You get to experience their culture and notice their lifestyle.

You have the option of either hiking up to Manaslu base camp or visiting the Pungyen Monastery. This Monastery is about two and a half hour hike situated in the south of Samagaon. You can observe the magnificent view of the glaciers. One of the glaciers is Birendra tal where the Manaslu glacier melts into the turquoise lake.

After exploring the area for about 6-7 hours you’ll return back to Samagaon and rest for the night.

Day 10: Trek to Samdo

The view of sunrise is very beautiful from here so, you’ll rise early today to watch it. Then you will cover the trek distance of 10.1 miles from Samagaon to Samdo which takes up to 4 to 5 hours.

The routes between Samagaon and Samdo are not very strenuous. While passing through these trails you’ll come across a pasture land where you can watch the yak grazing. Walking these routes you’ll see forest filled with juniper, birch. You’ll view the mesmerizing landscape close to the Tibetan border. The trek is not very long, walking through the path observing mother nature will add pleasure to your mind.

After this short 4 to 5 hrs trek, we will reach our destination and rest in Samdo for this day. It rises at 3860 meters.

Day 11: Trek to Dharmasala

On your eleventh day, you will have crossed 4000 meters and will cross 4460 meters to reach Dharmasala. This is the last destination of Manaslu trek before Larke La Pass. The distance between Samdo and Dharmasala is 7.2 miles.

You will be passing through a Tibetan Seasonal Market known as Larke bazaar. While traveling through these trials you will get to see hanging glaciers, monasteries, beautiful views of mountains as well as many mani walls. You will spot Larke Glaciers after crossing two streams. After the mesmerizing view, you will trek around the valley of Salka Khola and start ascending.

After 4 to 5 hours of walk, you will reach Dharmasala. At some point, it used to be an important trading village but now it has become a resting spot for trekkers. You will rest here and prepare yourself for the next day as you have to wake up early.

Day 12: Trek to Bhimtang via Larke La pass

The twelveth day is the most important day for this trek as this is the longest and exciting day of this trek. You will visit the highlight of this trek the Larke la Pass. You will have crossed 5106 meters reaching Larke La Pass.

Larke La Pass is the highest point in Manaslu trek. The trekking distance between Dharmasala and Bhimtang is 15.3 miles. It takes around 7 to 9 hours to reach this destination.

You will get spectacular views of many mountains like Himlung, Annapurna II, Cheo Manaslu and many more while walking this trail. Weather plays an important role in how your trek will go and how challenging it will be. The weather up there can be stormy or windy.

As you start walking towards the south the trail begins to get unclear and a bit rough. These trails are highly adorned with a cultural legacy.

This region is mostly homes for Tamang, Gurung who own unique and lively culture and tradition that is similar to Tibetans. You can learn about their way of living.

You will head towards Bhimtang after crossing the majestic pass. It is located at an altitude of 3720 meters. You’ll call it a night and get some rest for the next day.

Day 13: Trek to Tilje

On your thirteenth day, you will start descending down through the trails. As you descend so will the altitude. The distance between Bhimtang and Tilje is 26.3 meters. The walk will take around 6 to 7 hours.

The hardest part of the trek is now finished and the trails from here on are easy. While heading towards Tilje you will again walk past many pasture land, villages and trails filled with forests of rhododendrons

You will cross Dudh Koshi rivers with the help of a wooden bridge. Then you will walk across the trails laden with pine trees viewing the beautiful Marsyangdi village.

You’ll call it a day after reaching Tilje the beautiful village filled by the Gurung community which is famous for its brandy.

Day 14: Trek to Jagat

Your last day of trekking is on the fourteenth day. Today you will be covering the distance between Tilje and Jagat which is around 4 to 5 hours walk.

It is located at an altitude of 1300 meters. The trails towards Jagat are easy and simple. On your way there you will see waterfalls and small few settlements. Today will be your last night at Manaslu as you will be heading towards Kathmandu the next day.

Day 15: Jagat to Kathmandu via Besisahar

On the fifteenth day, your trek finishes and you head back to Kathmandu. On your way back you will travel through Besi Sahar. It is about 9-hours drive back to Kathmandu.

After your return, you can go for massages, tour around Thamel and spend some quality time.

Today will be your last in Kathmandu so have some fun and get proper rest.

Day 16: Departure

Today is the last day of your trek program, now you will be returning back to your homeland with the great memories you have created in Nepal for the past 16 days. I hope you had a nice and warm stay!

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