Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary, A complete day by day Itinerary for 13 days Hike.

On these 13 days of Manaslu Circuit Trekking, you will explore the traditional villages, mountain landscapes, Tibetan monasteries, remote Himalayan lifestyle, and everything that you can experience nowhere in the world. The Manaslu Circuit trek package blends adventure with cultural immersion making it an unbelievable and unforgettable experience of your life. Starting the Trek from Machha Khola, you will explore various charming and most scenic villages of Manaslu region. Key highlights of the trek is crossing the Larkya La Pass, the most panoramic view of Mt. Manaslu, acclimatization at scenic Syala Gaon, alluring hike to Pungen Gompa, Encountering the Himalayan wildlife at Manaslu Conservation Area and many more that is inexpressible in words.

For those who want to do the Manaslu trek and explore this pristine region but have limited time, the Short Manaslu Trek is a perfect alternative. The short Manaslu trek also provides all the experience and allurements of the Manaslu region in a short period of time. Also we offer a special Manaslu Circuit Photography Trek for the adventure and nature enthusiasts. Those who want to capture the remote lifestyle, dramatic landscapes, Tibetan culture, authentic beauty of the Manaslu region, locals in traditional attire and the most spectacular frame of the mountains, Manaslu Photography Trek is perfectly made for you.

Highlights of Manaslu Trek

• Majestic view of  some of the world’s highest mountains like Mt. Manaslu, and Annapurna.
• Wildlife encounters including Himalayan Thar, Red Panda, Musk Deer, Blue Sheep, and Snow Leopard if you get lucky.
• Mix of natural beauty, rich culture, Tibetan influenced lifestyle and high-altitude trekking.
• Interact with friendly locals and immerse yourself in their local lifestyles, rich culture and customs.
• Experience the unique blend of Nepali and Tibetan ethnic groups and culture.
• Thrill to cross the Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters.
• Witness the breathtaking sunrise on the top of Mt. Manaslu from the charming Syala Gaon.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary: A Day by Day Guide

Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary is designed to provide you with an incredible journey through the remote and untamed landscapes of Manaslu region. The 13-day Manaslu Trek itinerary is suggested below with a breakdown of the daily activities.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Your journey to explore Nepal begins as your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu Nepal. A team member of Adventure Hikers will warmly welcome you with flower garlands and then you will be transferred to the hotel. And in the evening you get the brief information about your next day activities from one of our team members.

Day 02: Kathmandu cultural tour

Your second day in Nepal starts with a delicious breakfast. After that we will pick up you from the hotel for the Kathmandu valley cultural tour. Kathmandu is a treasure hunt of historical and cultural heritage sites. In this treasure mania, you will be exploring various places which carry a deep cultural and historical significance. 

You will explore the historical places like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pasupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath stupa, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Our tour guide will explain every detail and provide you with accurate information about these places.

Day 03: Drive to Machha Khola

With an abundance of excitement and expectations, we will start our journey with a scenic drive to Machha Khola. During the drive, you will be enjoying many beautiful views of the rivers, surrounding hills and waterfalls introducing you to the upcoming adventures you're gonna experience.

After around 7-8 hours of driving, we will reach Machha Khola, a stunning village nestled on a hill on the bank of Budhi Gandaki river. Today, we are going to stay at Machha Khola. The peaceful setting reflects the beauty of the region.

Day 04: Hike to Jagat 

You will wake up to the bright morning sun and roaring sound of Budhi Gandaki river. We will enjoy the delicious breakfast and head on to our journey. We will walk on the jeep road alongside the Budhi Gandaki River and come to cross the suspension bridge. After walking for a while, we will enter the Khorla Besi village, a village inhabited by the Gurung community. Walking forward, you will reach Tatopani, a natural hot spring where you can take a hot relaxing bath for a while. After relaxing your body in the hot spring, we will continue our journey through a lush forest where you will see many langur monkeys playing. 

Following the trail we will reach Dovan where we will have our lunch, and continue the walk. After a while we will come to cross Nepal's first Cantilever bridge, then after the final walk will bring you to Jagat. A beautiful village offering a beautiful scene and great place for an overnight stay.

Day 05: Hike to Deng

After having morning tea and breakfast in Jagat, we will move towards our destination. Today’s hike will take you even close to the heart of Manaslu region. We will start the hike by ascending to Salleri and then descend to Sirdibas. 

As you traverse small villages and pass a grand suspension bridge, we will reach Philim village where the landscape unfolds the glimpse of local life. Here, we will register our Manaslu Restricted Area Permit and Manaslu Conservation Area permit. Then moving forward, we will witness the locals engrossed in their daily chores. After a while we will reach Ekle Bhatti where we will enjoy the lunch and move forward. After walking for around 1 hour, we will come to a junction which separates the route to Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit Trek. We will choose the left path that leads us to Manaslu Circuit.

Just a little further, we will finally arrive at Deng and have some rest. In the evening, everyone gathers around the fireplace in the dining area and shares their experiences with fellow trekkers and locals. 

Day 06: Hike to Namrung Village

We will wake up to a beautiful sunrise, have our breakfast and start the hike. Following the trail, we will cross a suspension bridge and climb to Bhim Phedi where you get to interact with locals and a glimpse of their lifestyle. The trail passes through lush forests, you will see white-faced monkeys, various bird species, other animals, and an impressive view of the valley. 

The trail goes further to Ghap through several landslide zones. At this point, you need to be very careful and follow your guide’s instructions as you walk on the narrow and difficult trail. Crossing the landslide zone, we will follow the ascending trail to Namrung.

After 1 hour walking on an uneven trail, we will come to climb a zigzag path. Then following the path, we will reach Namrung village, a culturally significant place inhabited by Tibetan ethnic groups. Here, you will see many teahouses, and shops serving the trekkers. You will also witness snow-capped peaks, many mani stones, chortens, cultivating fields and experience the authentic Himalayan lifestyle. 

Day 07: Hike to Syala Gaon

After morning tea and delicious breakfast, we will trek towards Syala Gaon. Today’s hike is gonna be short and during the hike you will see the magnificent vistas like Gorkha Himal and others. We will traverse through many charming villages including Lho Gaon, a Tibetan style village. You will get the first glimpse of Mt. Manaslu and Manaslu North from Lho Gaon. Lho Gaon is our stop for Lunch. You will be enjoying the delicious food while savoring the stunning Mt. Manaslu sight from the rooftop of the teahouse. Also witness the Tibetan lifestyle, mani walls, traditional houses, locals in Tibetan dress and culture of Nubri people in Lho Gaon. 

Moving from Lho Gaon, we will traverse through rhododendron trees and pine forest. As you move to higher altitude, the air becomes thinner and the landscapes turn from lush green to wide yak pastures. Within a short time, you will enter Syala Gaon, a traditional village. Syala Gaon is one of the best places to witness the close outlook of the stunning Mt. Manaslu and surroundings. 

Day 08: Acclimatization Hike to Pungen Gompa and Hike to Samagaaon

We will wake up to an mesmerizing sunrise view over Mt. Manaslu. Your spirit will be rejuvenated by the sweeping panoramic views of sunrise casting ethereal glow on the Mt. Manaslu. Today we will do an acclimatized hike to Pungen Gompa at an altitude of 4700 meters, one of the oldest monasteries of Manaslu region. 

We will start the hike after a delicious breakfast.  This short trip to Pungen Gompa is the most scenic of Manaslu Trek offering unbelievable crystal clear views of mighty Manaslu including its neighboring peaks. You will see yaks grazing on the wide pasture, blue sheep and also Himalayan Thar. When we reach Pungen Gompa, you'll be immersed in the beauty of this spiritual place. After that, we will head up towards Sama Gaon. enjoying the surrounding beauty we will reach Samagaon where we are going to spend the night.

Day 09: Hike to Samdo Village

At this point we already gained a certain altitude. Today we will slowly move further towards Samdo Village. On the way, you will see extended yak pastures into a wide valley with long mani walls and various birds. We will finally leave the treeline and follow the ascending trail along the river and cross a wooden bridge over the Budi Gandaki. We will traverse through many picturesque villages including  Khermo Kharka, a village near to which is dedicated to yak herding.

From here, the trail gradually descends to Samdo. Once we reach Samdo, you can explore the village and hike to Samdo Peak. Our overnight stay will be at Samdo for today.

Day 10: Hike to Dharmasala

Today’s hike is going to be short and a bit demanding as we will go to a higher altitude. Following the ascending trail, we will cross the Budi Gandaki river and walk alongside the mani walls. The hike provides breathtaking views of Larkya Glacier and vast gorge. 

Walking further across the rugged terrains enjoying the marvellous sight of the Himalayan chain, we will reach Dharmasala also called Larkya La Phedi because it is the last stop before crossing the Larkya La Pass. Dharmasala is a small settlement nestled at 4470 meters, serving as a tea house. There is no proper accommodation like in the other tea houses of Manaslu, so you need to adjust for the night.

Day 11: Hike to Bhimthang Via Larkya La Pass

This is the most challenging and biggest day of the trek, as you’ll cross one of the highest mountain passess- the Larkya La Pass. We need to start the hike early in the morning at around 4 am because we have to cross the Larkya La Pass before the afternoon. If we get late, it will be very difficult for us to cross the pass, as there will be high wind which is impossible to tackle especially at such high altitude. 

We will steadily ascend through rocky trails enjoying the  beautiful surroundings. During the walk, you will come to cross the glacial moraine and pass through some frozen lakes which is an incredible experience. It will take five hours, but once you reach the top of Larkya La Pass, you will be overjoyed with the incredible sight of Cheo Himal (6,820m), Annapurna II (7,937m) , Gyaji Kung (7,030m), Himlung Himal (7,126m), Kang Guru (6,981m). 

Spending some particular time at the pass, you will gradually descend on the rock gully towards Bhimthang. On the way, you will see huge icefalls, Salpu Danda Glaciers, Pongkar Tal and mountains around you. Leaving the rock terrains behind, we will enter a grassy moraine of Bhimthang village. We’re gonna stay at Bhimthang for today.

Day 12: Trek to Dharapani

This is our final day of hiking the trails of Manaslu region. The trail will lead us through one of the most breathtaking scenery of Manaslu trekking. As we walk downwards, we will pass through lush forests of flora and fauna, pasture lands, Dudh Koshi river, tiny hamlets, and the stunning Marsyangdi river. 

After a few hours of hiking, we will stop at Karche for lunch to recharge our body. Walking further, you will see some spots of glacial flood with tree trunks, the path becomes rough from here until we reach Tilche a Gurung Village, the first village after Samdo. Tilche is an agricultural valley famous for its apple garden and locally made wine. 

After walking for a while, we will finally reach Dharapani, the last stop we’re gonna stay in this 13 day Manaslu Trekking. 

Day 13: Drive back to Kathmandu

We will wake up to a stunning green scenery with a clear view and peaceful environment. After having our last breakfast of Manaslu trekking, we will take a jeep to Kathmandu. The road is off-road, through the beautiful scenery including the roaring Marsyangdi River will entertain you. 

After 3 hours of driving, we will reach Besisahar where we will have lunch and rest for some time. Then, continue our journey to Kathmandu. Savoring the journey and beautiful route, we will reach Kathmandu and you can finally relax at the hotel.  

In the evening, you will be joining a dinner program with your trek guide and Adventure Hikers team. We will celebrate your successful trip and share your experiences of Manaslu Circuit Trekking with Adventure Hikers. From us, you will be honoured with a trek achievement certificate and an abundance of appreciation for your trust on Adventure Hikers & Team.

Conclusion, The Manaslu Circuit Trekis a once-in-a-lifetime adventure leading you through the stunning mountain landscapes, remote traditional villages and the Tibetan influenced culture and tradition. Whether you are trekking for adventure, photography, landscapes research, cultural immersion, remote lifestyle exploration, this trek has everything you are looking for. The 13-day trek itinerary will provide you a fully rewarding journey through the off-the-beaten-path and pristine beauty of Manaslu region. 

Embark on this unforgettable journey to explore the beauty, culture and experience the hospitality and Tibetan lifestyle of the remote Himalayas of Nepal. Contact us to know more about the Manaslu Trek and book your adventure with Adventure HIkers!