Experience the awe-inspiring 18-day journey of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, beginning and concluding in KTM, Nepal. This remarkable adventure encompasses a 15-day trek around the majestic eighth-highest mountain, taking you through the picturesque Gurung village of Barpak and concluding in Dharapani.
Manaslu Circuit Trek, considered one of the Best Treks in Nepal showcases diverse landscapes, ranging from lush subtropical Himalayan foothills to the arid Trans-Himalayan high pastures that border Tibet. If you're seeking a distinctive and captivating experience in Nepal, this trek offers a refreshing change while providing the most striking and mesmerizing scenery along the way.
Visit Himalaya Treks has thoughtfully crafted a 15-day tea house trek itinerary, offering the best price guarantee for this exceptional trek around the world's eighth-highest peak, Mount Manaslu.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a lesser-known, remote, and off-beaten-path trek in Nepal, offering a tranquil and intimate experience away from crowds. Trekkers can explore diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes while gaining insights into Hindu and Buddhist cultures from the warm local communities. The moderately challenging trek rewards adventurers with stunning views of snow-capped peaks.
By choosing this trek, one supports local communities and contributes to sustainable tourism. Proper preparation and acclimatization are essential for a successful journey. The Manaslu Circuit Trek promises an unforgettable adventure filled with natural beauty and cultural richness.
What Makes The Manaslu Circuit Trek Special?
- Trekkers are rewarded with mesmerizing views of Manaslu, Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, Nemjung, Gyaji Kang, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II along the route.
- The region is home to abundant wildlife, including Tahr, Agali, Pika, Himalayan Marmots, and, if fortunate, the elusive Snow Leopard.
- It boasts a rich biodiversity and offers beautiful natural scenery, with captivating flora and fauna.
- The trek provides valuable insights into Hindu and Buddhist culture.
- The local people are friendly and represent rich cultural diversity, including Nepalese and Tibetan ethnic groups.
- The Manaslu Trail has significantly fewer crowds compared to Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit.
- The area is becoming more popular, but there are still approximately ten times fewer trekkers on the Manaslu Trail.
Birendra Tal and Mt. Manaslu View.
The Mesmerizing Trekking to Manaslu Comprehensive
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a captivating journey that showcases the diverse landscapes of Nepal, ranging from subtropical Himalayan foothills to arid Trans-Himalayan high pastures bordering Tibet. Starting about forty miles east of Annapurna, this trek offers a pleasant contrast of scenery, with narrow gorges transforming into wide pastures, and lush green valleys giving way to glacial moraines. Along the way, trekkers encounter Hindu shrines that transition into chortens and stupas as they delve deeper into the trek.
The trek begins in terraced villages and gradually ascends to alpine meadows and pastures, Around Mt. Manaslu Trek starts from Barpak village that will connect us to Khorlabesi following the Budhi Gandaki River Valley through Jagat, and Phillim. Beyond Phillim, the trek enters the Tibetan Buddhist villages of the Manaslu Region, marked by increasing numbers of mane walls and chortens.
The journey continues through pine forests, pastures, and villages like Deng, Namrung, Lho, and Sama Gaon. Sama Gaon is the largest settlement, which presents opportunities for side trips to Pung Gyen Gompa and Manaslu Base Camp. The trek culminates at the Larkya La Pass (5106 meters), providing breathtaking views of various peaks.
Some of the Experience trekkers add additional 3 – 4 days to the attempted Larke Peak Climbing Trip. Larkya Peak is Located just South of Larkya Pass elevation of 6249 meters which is absolutely worth climbing for Adventure lovers who wanted to gain Climbing Experience.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek concludes at Dharapani Besisahar, offering a captivating experience that leaves trekkers with unforgettable memories.
Additionally, we encourage travelers to go through our blog on Manaslu Circuit Trek A Complete Travel Guide. It definitely gives you a better understanding and get prepared for this trek.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Route Map
A figure of Manaslu Circuit Trek Route Map of 18 days as tailored by Visit Himalaya Treks
Summary of Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1335 meters).
Day 02: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation.
Day 03: Drive to Barpak village (1915 meters).
Day 04: Trek to Laprak (2100 meters).
Day 05: Trek to Khorla Besi (970 meters).
Day 06: Trek to Jagat. (1120 meters)
Day 07: Trek to Deng. (1860 meters)
Day 08: Trek to Namrung. (2630 meters)
Day 09: Trek to Lho. (3180 meters
Day 10: Trek to Sama Gaon. (3525 meters)
Day 11: Acclimatization Day at Sama Gaon.
Day 12: Trek to Samdo. (3860 meters)
Day 13: Acclimatization Day at Samdo.
Day 14: Trek to Dharmasala. (4460 meters)
Day 15: Cross Larke La (5106 meters) and trek to Bimthang. (3610 meters)
Day 16: Trek to Dharapani (1960 meters).
Day 17: After breakfast drive to Kathmandu via Besisahar.
Day 18: Departure.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Altitude
How can I get a Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit?
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
- TIMS Card
- Valid Passport
- Travel Insurance
Rest assured, Visit Himalaya Treks will handle all the necessary permits and arrangements for you.
Around Manaslu Trek Gear List
Before traveling it is always a big question of what to pack, and what to unpack. Especially when you are doing multiday trekking and hiking in the Himalayas. We suggest some gears you will need while trekking and hiking in Nepal. Please visit the given link for gear list details for Manaslu Trek.
Suggested side trips around Manaslu Trek
During the trek to Manaslu, there are several impressive places to explore. From Prok village, you can take a day hike to Kal Tal, visiting Kal Chhokang Gumba along the way. The round trip takes around 3 hours to reach Kal Tal and 2 hours to return.
Another fascinating destination is Pung Gyen Gompa, Punggen Glacier, and Puggen Tal, offering one of the most beautiful hikes during the Manaslu Trek. You can witness breathtaking views of Mount Manaslu from Pung Gyen Gompa. Additionally, a side trip to Mount Manaslu Base Camp is possible, providing a chance to visit Birendra Tal (Glacier Lake) located at the base of Manaslu Glacier. All these side trips can be done from Sama Gaon.
As you approach Larkya La Pass during the Manaslu Circuit Trek, the village of Samdo offers an excellent opportunity for acclimatization. From Samdo, various side trips are available, including a full-day hike to Rui La Pass, the joint border between Nepal and Tibet. Alternatively, you can hike to Pangbuche Peak viewpoint to enjoy the surrounding Himalayan peaks.
After crossing the challenging Larkya La Pass at 5106 meters, you'll reach the beautiful valley of Bimthang for an overnight stay. Many travelers are unaware of other hidden gems that can be explored from Bimthang. Ponkar Lake and Nayamlo Lake are stunning viewpoints offering breathtaking views of Lamjung Himal, Manaslu North Face, Larkya Peak, Himlung, and Cheo Himal. These lesser-known side trips add to the beauty and richness of the Manaslu Trek.
Last but not the least instead the remarkable one. Make sure not to overlook the 8 Best Things Don’t Miss During Your Manaslu Treks In Nepal, Click to explore and uncover its essence. These incredible highlights are integral to fully experiencing the trek, and without them, your journey remains incomplete
FAQs for Trekking to Manaslu
What is the Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty level?
The Manaslu Circuit trek is a challenging and demanding trek, graded as difficult. It spans around 13 to 18 days, taking trekkers to high altitudes, including the Larkya La Pass at 5,160 meters. We will walk each day for 5 to 8 hours uphill and downhill during the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
The remote terrain, unpredictable weather, river crossings, and necessary permits add to the difficulty. Despite the challenges, the trek offers stunning scenery and unique cultural experiences, making it a rewarding adventure for those well-prepared and accompanied by experienced guides. So, it’s not a big challenging trip but requires being physically fit to complete this journey.
How much does the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost/ price?
At Visit Himalaya Treks, we provide an 18-day Manaslu Circuit Trek package at a rate of USD 1550 per person. Our package includes comfortable 3-star hotel accommodation for our clients before and after the trek in Kathmandu, as well as the best available guest houses along the trek.
However, the trip cost varies based on the chosen level of service, such as the standard of accommodation in Kathmandu before and after the trek. However, once we embark on the trek, there is minimal difference in cost. Along the trail, the availability and standard of lodges and tea houses are generally similar, offering a consistent experience for trekkers.
Is it possible for Manaslu Circuit Trek without a Guide?
Trekking to Manaslu without a guide is not permitted due to the remote and restricted nature of the area. It is mandatory to hire a trekking guide with a government license for this journey. The Manaslu Circuit trail falls within a restricted area, necessitating restricted area entry permits. Only government-authorized trekking companies can organize treks in such restricted regions, and they are the only ones authorized to issue the necessary entry permits.
How long does the Manaslu Trek take?
At VHT, we provide an 18-day Manaslu Circuit trek that begins and ends in Kathmandu. The trek itself spans 15 days, with transportation facilitated through drives. Safety is our top priority, and we carefully design our Manaslu trekking itinerary to ensure our clients enjoy a smooth and hassle-free trekking experience. To aid in acclimatization, our itinerary includes two acclimatization days during which our clients can embark on side trips to enhance their trekking holiday.
Trekking to Manaslu distance
Starting from Barpak and ending at Dhapani is about 170 kilometers which is what we walk during our 13-day journeys around Mount Manaslu. Many outfitters start the Manaslu Circuit trek from Arughta or Soti Khola, a driving road is under construction further up to Lapubesi, Machhakhola to connect the local villages. During the dry season land transport excess along Machhakhola from Kathmandu. Avoiding dirt roads and making the trek more interesting we Visit Himalaya Treks start our Manaslu Circuit Trek from Barpak village and end at Dharapani.
Solo Trekking to Manaslu Circuit
As a Solo traveler, it is impossible to do Manaslu Circuit Trek. Manaslu Circuit Trek is located in a restricted area, trekking to Manaslu you will need restricted area entry permits. Restricted area entry permits are solely issued by the Department of Immigration of Nepal through government-authorized trekking agencies. To obtain these permits, a minimum group size of two people is required.
Where is Manaslu Mountain Located?
The World’s eighth highest peak, Mount Manaslu elevation of 8163 meters is located in the Mansiri Himal, Part of the Nepalese Himalayas in the West central part of Nepal in Gorkha District. The name is Manaslu means “Mountain of the spirit”. Mount Manaslu was first climbed on 09 May 1956 by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu, members of the Japanese Expedition.
When is the best time to Trek Manaslu Circuit?
The best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit is from early October to late December, as the monsoon season has passed, ensuring clear skies and stunning Himalayan views. The months of October, November, and December offer excellent weather conditions. Another perfect time for the trek is during the spring season, from March to May. In March and April, the trekking route is adorned with blooming rhododendron flowers, enhancing the allure of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
