Manaslu Circuit Trek - 18 Days

You will arrive to Kathmandu today one of us from Himalaya Heart will welcome you at the airport for the hotel transfer. We can arrange a time to meet your guide to go over the tour in more detail and discuss any questions you may. The rest of the day is free to explore the bust Bazaar area

A cultural exploration day is due in Kathmandu today. We get to visit the amazing historic and cultural sites during a full day exploring Kathmandu. The tour today mixes culture, history and spirituality together to give you an exceptional city touring experience.

After breakfast we leave the busy frenetic Kathmandu behind and set off west along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway towards the village of Soti Khola. It’s a lovely drive passing through rural communities, small towns, green terraces, and lush hillsides on the way. We turn off the main highway toward the hilltop village of Dhading. The road eventually becomes a rutted, dirt path and around here we start to get views of the southern slopes of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang Himal.

We reach Soti Khola, located in the Bhuri Gandaki Valley, in time for dinner.

Transport: Private 4×4 jeep

Driving time: 8-10 hours (88 miles / 141.3 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

in Soti Khola we begin our journey it’s a great start trekking through various landscapes including forests, rice paddies, a cliff-face ridge, a rushing river, and several beautiful waterfalls. Soon in we cross a bridge, before a trek up through a forest, then climb onto a ridge above the wild rapids of Budhi Gandaki River .We then follow a rocky trail to Khursane passing two cascading waterfalls as we steadily make our way on the trail that clings to the cliff. We need to descend past a few rice paddies and continue up to the lovely picturesque Gurung village of Labubesi.

From the village we follow along a rocky outcrop,its around here the valley opens up next to the river which flows more peacefully now. We head down to the river bank and follow it for a while before climbing over a side ridge. Then back down again to the river and cross another suspension bridge to reach our overnight destination Machha Khola. Great introduction today.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Trekking distance: 8 miles (14 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

After breakfast in Machha Khola, we follow the gorge and continue up the river. The trail is narrow at first with a few gentle ups and downs before eventually crossing the Tharo Khola to reach Khorlabesi. After more ascents and descents, we arrive at a small hot spring in Tatopani—where we take a break!

From here we need to climb over another ridge before crossing the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. Soon after we have a stone staircase to negotiate and then head over another ridge to Dobhan and yet another suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, staircases all the way today we have another one to climb and then drop to the river and yet again more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Keep an eye out for neat Gurung villages in the jungle high above, as well as Langur monkeys, which roam the region.

Crossing the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat. At last no more staircases or suspension bridges but a great and very varied day none the less.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Trekking distance: 13.7 miles (22 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

With some food in our stomachs in the village of Jagat, we make our way through various landscapes and dense sub-tropical forests, small rivers and rustic villages to get to our final destination today.

We begin the trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues to the Ghatta Khola river. Continue walking upstream to a long suspension bridge at Philim, a large Gurung village. From here, the trail turns north and stays fairly level as it crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti.

We are now about to enter a steep, uninhabited gorge and need to descend the grassy slopes, to cross the Budhi Gandaki river. Trek along the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank before we cross back to the west side again nothing easy in Nepal!. This is a really good stretch, the trail widens through the valley as we pass through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola (river). Upon crossing we reach the tiny village of Deng.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Trekking distance: 12.3 miles (19.9 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

After breakfast in Deng today is a day for getting more involved with mountain culture First cross the Budhi Gandaki river and climb up to the bridge, where we soon meet the trail to Bi. We head west up the valley passing through lush forests, alpine vegetation, and quaint villages that house the ethnic groups of the Manaslu region and then very slowly the major peaks start to appear in the distance, magic!

We take a break at the village of Prok with a great view of snow capped Siringi Himal. We move on to cross the Budi Gandaki several times today passing several gompas along the way. We follow the river upstream through a dense forest that leads to a narrow gorge. The forest eventually becomes less dense. This is wilderness, a magnificent way to experience the Manaslu Conservation Area. We have one last steep climb to the village of Namrung.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Trekking distance: 12.1 miles (19.5 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

There is a good viewpoint in Namrung, of Siring, Ganesh Himal, and also Mount Himal Chuli to the south. Back on the trail we first climb steadily passing through forests to reach Lihi, a beautiful village with many stupas and barley terraces. The trail then drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal with Ganesh Himal always close by.

We pass through the village of Sho and on to Lho here there are great views of Manaslu with time to explore the famous Ribung Gompa. Continuing on there is a true high mountain feel at Shyala village surrounded by Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead of us. Other snow capped peaks can be seen to the right, and at the far end stands Ganesh Himal. Our journey today ends in Samagaon where we spend the night. Another great day among many so far!.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Trekking distance: 10.9 miles (17.7 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

We take today off helping our bodies adjust to the altitude. There’s an optional day hike which should really be done,it provides some rich Sherpa culture. Thousands of mani (prayer)stones with texts, as well as Sherpa women clad in traditional clothes and ornaments. We can hike up to a little hill near the Sama village where there is an old gompa—Pungyen Gompa—a monastery with great views of the glacier.

After breakfast in Samagaon, we descend to the Budhi Gandaki River and then follow it to a bridge over a side stream. Yet more mani walls, these people are intensely religious. As the valley begins to widen, the mountain views are amazing we are now very close to the Tibetan border.

The trail levels on a shelf above the river, we pass juniper and birch forests in Kermo Kharka. and then drop down and cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge, before climbing steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. We come to a stone archway and continue walking until we reach the village of Samdo. Nice short day.

Trekking time: 4 hours

Trekking distance: 10.1 miles (16.4 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Today is another day set aside for proper acclimatisation. Its not essential to be hiking today but if the legs are twitching we have two options.

Option 1

We can take an easy trail up the valley directly behind of Samdo to one of the trade passes that head for Tibet. This route has excellent views of Manaslu along with other Himalayan riches including Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye Peak, Cheo. On the way up we pass many seasonal herding settlements called doksas,some beautiful mountain birds around here like the Lophophorus (the national bird of Nepal), Lammergeyer, and Himalayan Griffin soaring above.

Option 2

Is a more challenging route to Gya La (large pass) north of Samdo—Its another trading route but used more frequently by the locals who trade with Tibet. This is a longer full-day hike and not advised for those seeking a little rest.

After breakfast in Samdo another fascinating day awaits first we pass a colourful seasonal Tibetan market called Larke Bazaar before descending to the Budi Gandaki River. Crossing it over the wooden bridge and begin to follow upward, crossing two streams while the Larkya Glacier keeps us company on our way. We skirt around the valley of the Salka Khola then climb up again to Dharamsala, also known as Larke Phedi. Along the route we pass many traditional monasteries.

Today’s shorter hike leaves time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon.

Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Trekking distance: 7.2 miles (11.7 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

A long and sometimes testing day that can take many people out of their comfort zone. so a hearty breakfast in Dharamsala is needed. it’s definitely more challenging today but with many rewards as we go.We encounter a number of rustic villages, we pass clear glacier lakes, trek through beautiful valleys with a wide range of flora and fauna, not to mention some stunning snow capped peaks.

After a short climb to the north side of the Larkya Glacier there are some awesome views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Tough going as we walk across the moraine of the glacier, making a gradual ascent at first which becomes a lot steeper in the last section of the pass. From the pass it is just amazing there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and the massive Annapurna II. With the hard bit over our reward is a walk down into the misty low pastures in the early evening with Mount Manaslu looming in the distance.

Trekking time: 7-9 hours

Trekking distance: 15.3 miles (24.7 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

After breakfast we head out to a nearby ridge for some great views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal. We follow a downward trail crossing high pasture followed by a bridge over the Dudh Khola River.

From here,we have another great walk through a rhododendron forest as we follow a trail through a narrow valley until we reach Karche. Passing through lush fields before making a steep climb up and over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank. A short distance on we pass through the village of Gho where we could stop but we have time to continue walking to our overnight stop of Tilije.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Trekking distance: 10 miles (16 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

We are leaving the Manslu trail today and entering the Annapurna region. It’s an easy trekking day today following the Dudh Khola through bamboo forests down to Dharapani, an atmospheric Tibetan village with prayer flags fluttering at the gompa in Thongje which is situated on the old Annapurna trail. Trekking south on the main Annapurna Circuit trail, and following down the Marsyangdi River crossing two bridges to reach the small village of Karte. From here we continue the decent along the rocky trail before crossing the Marsyangdi river. Soon after,spread out before us is the wide plain and waterfall at Tal (lake), the last village of the Lower Manang region. A very scenic and interesting settlement where we overnight.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Trekking distance: 7 miles (11.3 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

After breakfast in Tal, we follow a sometimes steep trail to the village of Chyamje crossing the beautiful Marsyangdi Khola (once again) via a suspension bridge. The valley of the same name opens with its terrace fields while picturesque villages cling to the hillside high above.The trail then descends further through rhododendron and pine forests to reach the village of Syange where we stay the night. This is our last night on what has been an incredible eye opening and popping two weeks, Before dinner, make sure to check out Syange’s magnificent waterfall.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Trekking distance: 8 miles (12.9 km)

Accommodation: Teahouse

Wake up with breakfast in Syange as we take one last walk around the village before inevitably having to hit the road.The drive from to Kathmandu via Besi Sahar is never boring, we drive by some beautiful villages with farming terraces on both sides of the road wonderful mountain views lush forests along rushing rivers, much the same of the last two weeks only this time we are cheating a little!.On our arrival back in Kathmandu we transfer to our hotel relax on what is the last night of the tour.We often arrange an evening meal on the last evening.

Today its time to move on we hope you have had a great time with us and we would like to meet again in the future. If you are flying today.we will drop you at the airport as per your flight schedule.