Manaslu Circuit Trek

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A guide or representative transfers them to the hotel. The evening is free to rest after travel.

The day focuses on trek preparation. Staff complete permit processing and conduct a thorough equipment check. Trekkers attend a pre-departure briefing covering the itinerary, route conditions, altitude safety, and cultural guidelines.

Kathmandu also offers optional sightseeing for those with free time. Key UNESCO-listed heritage sites near the city include Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Each site is within a short taxi or auto-rickshaw ride from most hotels.

The group departs Kathmandu early by private vehicle. The route follows the Prithvi Highway westward toward Gorkha. At Arughat, the road turns north and follows a rough track along the Budhi Gandaki River.

The drive to Machha Khola takes approximately 7-8 hours, with the final section on an unpaved road. Machha Khola is a small roadside village along the Budhi Gandaki River. It sits at 869 m and serves as the standard road terminus and trek starting point for the Manaslu Circuit.

A short drive carries the group from Machha Khola further up the valley to Bangsing. From Bangsing, the trek begins on foot. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River through narrow gorges and forested sections, passing small hamlets and tea houses along the way.

The route threads through a mix of jungles and riverside terrain. Trekkers cross several suspension bridges over side streams before reaching Deng. Deng is a mid-valley village at 1,860 m where the Budhi Gandaki gorge begins to widen. The settlement marks an early transition point into the upper valley landscape.

From Deng, the trail climbs steadily along the Budhi Gandaki. The route crosses the river by suspension bridge and ascends through mixed forest. A small monastery sits near the river crossing at Shringi, and mani walls with carved Tibetan inscriptions appear along the path.

Further up, the trail enters denser stands of conifers and juniper. Birdlife is active in the forest canopy. After a sustained climb, the trail reaches Ghap, a good lunch stop. The afternoon push through more woodland leads to Namrung at 2,630 m. Namrung marks the beginning of the region's strong Tibetan cultural character, with closely packed stone houses and flat-roofed architecture.

The trek departs Namrung and continues north through small stone villages. The trail passes through Barchham and Lihi before climbing to Sho village. At this elevation, the landscape opens and mountain views become significantly clearer. Manaslu, Manaslu North, Himalchuli, and several surrounding peaks dominate the skyline.

After Sho, a short descent crosses a rocky ravine before the trail enters Lho at 3,180 m. Lho is an important settlement in the Nubri Valley. It contains a large monastery and a Lama school with around 80-90 resident monks and scholars. The monastery sits directly below the face of Manaslu, making Lho one of the most visually dramatic overnight stops on the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Leaving Lho, the trail descends steeply to cross a glacial stream, the Thusang Khola. The Manaslu massif and Himalchuli tower over the valley on both sides. Beyond the crossing, the path follows the ancient trans-Himalayan trade route, staying close to the Tibetan border.

The trail passes over a moraine above a glacier-fed valley before arriving in Samagaon. Also called Sama, this village at 3,520 m is one of the most traditional Tibetan-influenced settlements in the region. It has a major monastery, several mani walls, and a tight cluster of stone homes. Samagaon is the acclimatization hub for the Manaslu Circuit Trek and serves as the base for the next day's hike to Manaslu Base Camp.

An early morning start allows trekkers to make the round hike to Manaslu Base Camp and return to Samagaon in a single day. This acclimatization hike rises 1,280 m above Samagaon. The trail climbs through boulder fields and moraine ridges as the valley narrows toward the glacier.

Manaslu Base Camp at 4,800 m sits directly below the Manaslu glacier. The setting offers an unobstructed view of Manaslu's north face and the surrounding high-altitude ridges. After spending time at the base camp, the group descends along the same trail back to Samagaon. The full outing takes approximately 6-7 hours. The overnight stay in Samagaon allows the body to consolidate acclimatization before the push over Larkya Pass.

From Samagaon, the trail crosses the Budhi Gandaki River for the final time. The path follows the river upstream past ancient mani walls with carved inscriptions. The route rises through juniper scrub and tundra vegetation as the valley narrows toward the Larkya glacier system.

The trail gains elevation gradually, passing a viewpoint overlooking the Larkya La glacier below. Dharamsala, also known as Larkya Phedi or the Larkya Rest House, sits at 4,460 m. The accommodation here is basic and sparse. This high camp serves as the final staging point before the crossing of Larkya Pass. Trekkers should rest well and prepare layers for the following day's early departure.

The group sets out around 4:00 a.m. to beat the strong afternoon winds that build at the pass. A long, gradual climb begins alongside a glacial moraine. The trail descends slightly to a glacial lake before rising to the head of the moraine at approximately 4,700 m. From there, the route climbs steeply to the crest of the Larkya Pass at 5,106 m.

The Larkya Pass is the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. On clear days, the panorama stretches across Himlung Himal, Kanguru, Annapurna II, and the rear face of Manaslu. Four frozen lakes lie below the western descent. The descent is steep and drops around 650 m in a short distance. The trail eventually levels onto open yak pastures. The day ends at Bimthang at 3,720 m, a cluster of summer herder shelters in an open alpine meadow. Despite the long and demanding day, the setting at Bimthang is peaceful and the views back toward the pass remain impressive.

The toughest section of the trek is now behind the group. The trail descends steadily through open meadows and then enters pine and rhododendron forest. The path follows the Dudh Khola river downstream, passing through Hampuk and small village clusters. The descent continues through Karche and Gho, where lower-altitude vegetation and rice fields return.

The trail stays on the west bank of the Dudh Khola for most of the descent. Near the bottom, it crosses to the east bank and meets the junction of the Dudh Khola and the Marsyangdi river at Dharapani. Here, the Manaslu Circuit Trek intersects with the Annapurna Circuit trail. At 1,860 m, Dharapani is a lower valley with reliable vehicle access.

From Dharapani, the group boards a vehicle and drives south through the Marsyangdi valley. The road follows the river downstream to Besisahar at 760 m, the district headquarters of Lamjung. From Besisahar, the journey continues south along the highway toward Kathmandu.

The full drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu takes approximately 7-8 hours depending on road and traffic conditions. Trekkers arrive in Kathmandu in the late afternoon or evening. The night is free for rest, a farewell dinner, or any final shopping in the city's Thamel district.

The program concludes today. Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport is arranged according to individual flight schedules. Check-out from the hotel follows the standard time unless otherwise arranged.