Manaslu Circuit Trek 17 Days

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be welcomed by a representative of the Sherpa Expedition and Trekking Team. You will then be checked in to your hotel. You can either rest or explore around a popular tourist destination in Kathmandu, Thamel. From Thamel, you can do souvenir shopping and enjoy the authentic Nepali cuisine in one of the many restaurants. You will also be briefed about the Manaslu Circuit trek on this day.

Today, we will explore the numerous UNESCO’s world heritage sites in Kathmandu Valley which include the Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath stupa, Monkey Temple and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Today will be a fun day witnessing the beautiful mixture of religion, culture, and architecture in the various areas of the Kathmandu Valley. At the end of the day, We will make the final preparations for the Manaslu circuit trip and also obtain the TIMs, permit, and other required documents for an easy, convenient journey.

After having breakfast, We will start our journey to Sotikhola. We take a Local Bus drive from Kathmandu to Dhading Besi on a nice, paved road enjoying the views of the hilly sides, terraces, fields, and rivers and drive from Dhading Besi to Sotikhola is a little rough one on rocky trails. It takes a 7-8 hour driver to reach Soti Khola from Kathmandu.

Leaving Soti Khola we will fallow the trail that passes through green Sal forests that climbs over the Budhi Gandaki River. The rocky path continues past waterfalls and rice terraces before reaching Labubesi village. We will stop for lunch here. After having Lunch the trek leads up a valley before descending to Gandaki river and across a suspension bridge to Machha Khola village. We stay overnight at Teahouse.

After having breakfast, we will trek ascends up and descends down a couple of times before crossing over Budhi Gandaki river in a suspension bridge. The path climbs up on a wide staircase which then crosses a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola. then we will climb again up to Tharo Bharyang before reaching Jagat village. We stay overnight at teahouse.

Today after breakfast, we start our journey first we reach Salleri after climbing a rocky ridge and then go towards Sirdibas village. Then continue to Ghatta Khola and then walk upstream through a long suspension bridge to reach a Gurung village in Phillim. In Phillim village we register our permit and From the lower points of the village, the trail turns north and through leveled trails amidst maize fields, we reach Ekle Bhatti, where we will have lunch and continue our journey from a steep gorge and then descend through grassy slopes to again cross the Budhi Gandaki River and then cross bridges from west to east bank and back again. Afterward, we pass through bamboo forests to reach our today destination at Deng Khola. We will stay in Deng at Teahouse.

Today we take a brief trek from Deng and then we cross the Budhi Gandaki and hike up to reach Rana village. From Rana village, we climb for a while and then head west to Budhi Gandaki valley. The path passes through Bamboo forests and painted Mani stones, Mani walls, and we will reach Ghap. Then after we take the trail through Prok village which allows us to witness the stunning view of Siring Himal. Afterward, We follow the river, passing it at many places, and pass through dense forests and Gompas along the route. After we crossing the river at a gorge, the path becomes leveled and after a last steep climb, we will arrive at Namrung village. We will stay in Namrung Village at the teahouse.

From Namrung, we walk across the Budhi Gandaki river originating from Linda Glacier and continue on to Sho. We can see from here stunning views of the Himalayas including, Naike Peak, Manaslu North (7,774 m) and Manaslu (8,150 m). After some hours of trekking, we reach Lho Gaon, a beautiful village with a magnificent view of Mt. Manaslu. On top of the hill, we can visit around the Buddhist monastery Ribung Gompa. Our today final destination village is Samagaon and that’s where we will head to after that.

Today we stay at Samagaon for acclimatization and take this time to visit around. We can either hike to Pungyen Gompa and visit glacial Lake Birendra Tal (4-5 hours) or we can take a hike to Manaslu Base Camp and return back to Samagaon (6-7 hours)

From Samagaon, We follow the Budhi Gandaki River up to a stream which we cross on a suspension bridge and then towards a most remote permanent settlement – Samdo. we stay overnight at Teahouse.

Today, Today is set aside to rest and acclimatize to the increasing altitudes to adjust your body in high altitudes in the days to follow.

From Samdo, We trek to Dharmasala on the path that is quite similar to the path from Samagaon to Samdo. This place is also known as Larke Phedi. Here are small stone guest houses, three teahouses, and tent camp which gives the basic facility of flooding and the lodging will be in dormitory styled rooms.

From Larkya Phedi, We first climb towards Cho Chanda and then slowly head steeply climb up towards the snowed-up pass. From the Larkya la Pass the panorama is magnificent: Mt. Himlung Himal (7,126 m), Cheo Himal (6,820 m), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6,981 m) and the Mt. Annapurna II (7,937 m). After spending a some time at top of the pass we will trek down through moraines, towards Bhimtang. We stay overnight at Bhimthang.

Leaving Bhimthang, The trail gets easier. We start to walk with a gentle climb through paddy fields towards the small Karcha La Pass and trek down through fig trees and rhododendron forests to Tilje. Today we spend our night at Tilije Village.

From Tilije, We will start the trek passes through villages with the denser population on our way to Tal. After one hour of walking, we reach Dharapani (1860m) From Dharapani, we enter the Annapurna Circuit section. We walk through several streams and fields of wheat. We cross a suspension bridge over the Marshyangdi River and reach Tal. The beautiful village is situated on the bank of the river and there is a large waterfall we can enjoy seeing.

After breakfast, We take a drive to reach Kathmandu via Besisahar. The road is rough and bumpy up to Besisahar and smoother from then. After we arriving at Beshisahar we take another bus to reach Kathmandu. Enjoying the sceneries of hills and rivers along the highway, we reach Kathmandu after 8-9 hours of drive.

On your last day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, we will drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport. We would like to welcome you again to the next adventure in the Himalayan kingdom to explore more of the hidden treasures of our nation. Namaste!🙏