Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu. Rest or explore close by places, altitude: 1,300 meters
Day 02: City tour or free day to explore and shop on your own
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola - 140 kilometers (8 hours), altitude: 710 meters
Day 04: Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola - 14.2 kilometers (5-6 hours), altitude: 900 meters
Day 05: Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat - 22.2 kilometers (5-6 hours), altitude: 1,300 meters
Day 06: Trek from Jagat to Deng - 20 kilometers (8-9 hours), altitude: 2,095 meters
Day 07: Trek from Deng to Namrung - 10.5 kilometers (5-6 hours), altitude: 2,900 meters
Day 08: Trek from Namrung to Samagaon - 18 kilometers (7-8 hours), altitude: 3,500 meters
Day 09: Acclimatization day at Samagaon
Day 10: Samagaon to Samdo - 8.1 kilometers (3-4 hours), altitude: 3,690 meters
Day 11: Samdo to Larke Base Camp/Dharamsala - 13 kilometers (4 hours), altitude: 4,470 meters and 4,450 meters respectively
Day 14: Larke Base Camp to Bimthang via Larkya La Pass - 25 kilometers (8-9 hours), altitude: 3,720 meters and 5,160 meters respectively
Day 13: Bimthang to Dharapani - 30 kilometers (8-9 hours), altitude: 1,860 meters
Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu - 180 kilometers (8-9 hours), altitude: 1,300 meters
Day 15: Kathmandu leisure day/farewell dinner.
Day 16: Departure from Kathmandu
Manaslu Circuit Trek Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu. Rest or explore close by places
Your flight lands at the Tribhuvan International Airport situated in Kathmandu. A company representative will receive you and take you to the hotel. You may choose to relax or explore the nearby places around the hotel.
Day 02: City tour or free day to explore and shop on your own
Today, you can choose to explore the attractions of Kathmandu city. You can visit places such as the three durbar squares of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur or visit religious sites such as Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, and Pashupatinath. All these destinations are enlisted as UNESCO world heritage sites and are the perfect way to learn about Kathmandu and its cultural influences. You can also go shopping for trekking equipment and gears and get ready for your trek.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola - 140 kilometers (8 hours), altitude: 710 meters
Early morning, your vehicle will pick you up at your hotel. You will be heading towards Soti Khola along the winding highways on the hillsides. The first half of the drive is rather pleasant with smooth paved roads. However, the second half of the road goes through off-road tracks and can get fairly bumpy. Nevertheless, the whole drive consists of the breathtaking scenery of diverse landscapes. When you reach Soti Khola, you will spend the night here at a guest house and relax.
Day 04: Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola - 14.2 kilometers (5-6 hours), altitude: 900 meters
Your trek starts as you make your way alongside the Budhi Gandaki River. You feel the first sense of ascending altitude as you go along the woodlands that wind up to the mountain path. The trek begins to head north along the river and passes villages like Lapubesi and Khani Besi. As the trek approaches its end, you will be greeted by the views of the Ganesh Himal ranges. Relishing the views, you settle at Machha Khola for the day.
Day 05: Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat - 22.2 kilometers (5-6 hours), altitude: 1,300 meters
Today, you have a long walk ahead of you. You make your way across Maccha River and Khorlabesi to the hot springs of Tatopani. Sandy riversides and lush green forests cover the trails as the scenery changes continuously. The trek continues with occasional glimpses of Ganesh Himal (7422 m) and passes Lhakpa on the way to Jagat.
Day 06: Trek from Jagat to Deng - 20 kilometers (8-9 hours), altitude: 2,095 meters
Today, you will be ascending a great amount of altitude thus, the walk for the day is very tiring. The trail continues through a well-paved village and up to Sirdibas from where you can sight the Shringi Himal (7161 m). The trail leads across a river and through lush landscapes of forests, hills, and waterfalls. After walking for about 8 to 9 hours, you arrive at Deng where you spend the night.
Day 07: Trek from Deng to Namrung - 10.5 kilometers (5-6 hours), altitude: 2,900 meters
Again, today, you will be ascending a great amount of altitude. This, in fact, is the highest amount of altitude difference you will cover throughout the trip. The trail leads you steeply down to the Budhi Gandaki River. Once you cross the river, you reach a valley where you pass through several settlements. You notice Mani stones and prayer flags that signal that you have arrived at the Tibetan territory. You arrive at Namrung after passing Prok and Ghap on the way and stay here for the night.
Day 08: Trek from Namrung to Samagaon - 18 kilometers (7-8 hours), altitude: 3,500 meters
Today, you will make your way to Samagaon. You will reach Lho Gaun on your way where you will catch sight of Peak 29 (7871 m) from the village of Lho. From Lho, you follow a trail lateral to the Pung Gyen Glacier towards Samagaon. The breathtaking view of the village surely will be struck you completely. The trail is filled with numerous monasteries and passes a number of Tibetan Buddhist villages as well.
Day 09: Acclimatization day at Samagaon
Today, you will spend a day for acclimatization at Samagaon. Thus, you can opt for a half or a full day walk around Samagaon and rest in the evening. During your full-day walk, you can visit the Manaslu Base Camp which is at 4,440 meters. The hike offers mesmerizing views of the Manaslu ranges including the Mt. Manaslu (8163 m) itself. You can also visit the Birendra Lake on the way to the base camp. Alternatively, you can also hike to the Pung Gyen Monastery and Glacier.
Day 10: Samagaon to Samdo - 8.1 kilometers (3-4 hours), altitude: 3,690 meters
The trek for the day is fairly short and continues along a now small Budhi Gandaki River. The trail is decorated with pastures, villages, hills, and mountain views including the Manaslu (8163m). Samdo is known to be a Tibetan refugee village as it is situated only a day’s walk away from Tibet. You will reach Samdo in about 3 to 4 hours and you can spend the day exploring the village and interacting with the people.
Day 11: Samdo to Larke Base Camp/Dharamsala - 13 kilometers (4 hours), altitude: 4,470 meters and 4,450 meters respectively
Your day starts as you cross the Budhi Gandaki River. En route, you will come across Mani walls and prayer flags adorning the trails. After passing a few streams, you will come across the Larkya Glacier. After enjoying a joyful session of viewing the glacier you will make your way to Dharamsala. Here, you can find a few stone huts and houses which are built to shelter the trekkers on the Manaslu treks.
Day 12: Larke Base Camp to Bimthang via Larkya La Pass - 25 kilometers (8-9 hours), altitude: 3,720 meters and 5,160 meters respectively
This is the day you will be crossing the Larkya La Pass, which is also the highest point on the trek at 5,160 meters. The trail to the top is snowy and full of stone steps and rocky boulders. Atop the pass, the views of mountains such as Himlung Himal (7126m), Cheo Himal (6812m), Kang Guru and the Annapurna ranges are marvelous. After crossing the pass, you will descend towards grassy moraines. The trails start becoming easier as you trek towards Bimthang.
Day 13: Bimthang to Dharapani - 30 kilometers (8-9 hours), altitude: 1,860 meters
Now, the trail descends all the way to Dharapani. You will be walking through dense forests, crossing rivers and passing numerous villages on the way. Lastly, you cross the Dudh River and reach the beautiful village of Thonje. Walking through Mani walls and prayer flag, you reach Dharapani where your trek ends. Enjoy a lively or relaxing night at Dharapani before returning to Kathmandu.
Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu - 180 kilometers (8-9 hours)
It is now time to return back to Kathmandu. You get on your vehicle and proceed for the long drive ahead. This will be the last time you will be seeing the diverse landscapes. Take a good view of nature and relax as you drive back to the city. Once in Kathmandu, you will head to your hotel and relax.
Day 15: Kathmandu leisure day/farewell dinner
You can visit the locations you did not visit before and look around and shop for souvenirs. You can even opt to go for hikes to one of the hill stations around the Kathmandu Valley. In the evening, a farewell dinner will be organized for you.
Day 16: Departure from Kathmandu
Finally, your trip has come to an end. It is time for you to go back home. With great memories and lessons, you hop on your flight and view the Himalayas one last time as you fly away from them
The Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you to the heart of the Manaslu region. Covering heights of glorious passes and diverse landscapes, this trek explores the high altitudes of the Manaslu region. As such, the Manaslu region itself stretches from subtropical Himalayan foothills around 1,000 meters to arid Trans-Himalayan high pastures bordering Tibet above 5,000 meters.
Highest Point on the Trek
The highest point of this trek is the Larkya La Pass, standing at 5,160 meters of height. Although the ascent to the top of the pass is a challenging one, the views absolutely make up for the difficulty. The pass incorporates views of the entire Manaslu range including the Mt. Manaslu (8163m). Likewise, Himlung (7126m), Cheo Himal (6812m), Peak 29 (7871m), and other mountains in Annapurna and Lamjung Himal ranges are also visible from the pass.
Altitude Variation on the Trek
From Kathmandu, you drive your way to Soti Khola which is elevated at only 710 meters. From here you take the route; Machha Khola (900 meters), Jagat (1,300 meters), Deng(2,095 meters), Namrung (2,900 meters), Samagaon (3,500 meters), Samdo (3,690 meters), Dharamsala (4,450 meters). Larkya Base Camp (4,470 meters), Larkya La Pass (5,160 meters), Bimthang (3,720 meters), Dharapani (1,860 meters) and back to Kathmandu. You will be covering about 500 to 600 meters of altitude ascension on average during your trek. The highest chance will be during your hike from Deng at 2,095 meters to Namrung at 2,900 meters. Many other hikes will also have similarly great amounts of altitude changes.
Altitude Chart for Manaslu Circuit Trek
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is indeed a high altitude trek. Below you can see an altitude chart stating the altitude you will reach in order of the trek itinerary.
Best Season to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek
Nepal experiences 4 different seasons: spring, summer/monsoon, autumn, and winter. Generally, the autumn and spring seasons are considered to be the best time to go for any trek. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is also highly recommended to be done during one of these two seasons. However, you can also look towards other seasons to enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of the Manaslu region. Here are the details of what each season has to offer:
I. Spring (March, April, and May)
The colorful season of spring brings a warm atmosphere into the Manaslu region. As the cold settles and the snow melts, a bright surrounding takes place. The spring season is the next best season to go trekking after the autumn. The weather is pleasant and the skies are clear. Moreover, the trails are magnificently decorated with a variety of floras in different shades and hues. However, the cold from the winter still lasts around the upper regions during spring. So, make sure you are well-equipped with proper clothing.
II. Summer/Monsoon (June, July, and August)
Soon after spring, summer kicks in with a leap in heat. But with the heat also comes the rain. Thus, the summer season isn't considered a good time to be trekking. With humidity increasing, the temperature is high accompanied by frequent downpours. Rain can disrupt your trekking schedule. It can also cause the trails to become wet and slippery. Moreover, the clouds block the views.
III. Autumn (September, October, and November)
As the heat settles, autumn brings about a cooler atmosphere. Autumn is considered the best time to go for any kind of treks in Nepal. This is the most popular time to trek and the trails will be filled with trekkers. The weather is warm and there is a very low chance of rainfall. The skies are clear and so are the views.
IV. Winter (December, January, February, and March)
The winter season brings cold weather almost around every corner of the Himalayas. Most of the Manaslu region is cold during this time. The cold weather with the occasional snow makes trekking very difficult. The lower regions experience temperatures around 5-10 degree Celsius during the day and this may go below zero during the night. Regions above 4,000 meters may experience an average of 3 degree Celsius during the day.
Altitude Sickness
High altitude traveling surely is one of the greatest adventures in the world. However, it comes with risks and difficulties. One of the major risk factors for high altitude travel is altitude sickness. The threat of altitude sickness generally starts from around 2,400 meters above sea level. During most parts on the Manaslu Circuit Trek, you will be traveling above this altitude thus, you are under the risk of getting altitude sickness. There isn't a known immediate cure for this sickness thus, one must be fully aware of the dangers it can cause and how to deal with it.
Altitude Sickness- What Happens!
Usually, when you ascend higher in altitude, your body functions towards adapting to the new surroundings. But when your body is not able to do so, it suffers from various symptoms eventually leading to altitude sickness. This happens for various reasons. One of the simplest reasons is; the body is not capable of acclimatizing. This is a general medical case and the only solution is to not travel at high altitudes or travel with sufficient oxygen supplies. Controllable causes for altitude sickness can be; a person exerting too much pressure on their body. When a person ascends altitudes at a pace faster than their body can adapt, they can experience symptoms of altitude sickness. The Manaslu circuit trek has several hikes in which you will be covering a great number of altitudes. Thus it is critically important that you are aware of altitude sickness.
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness
When a person’s body is heading towards getting altitude sickness, s/he experiences noticeable symptoms. The most common symptoms that start to appear early are headache, nausea, vomiting, and lightheadedness. It can take up to 12 to 24 hours after altitude ascension for these symptoms to start showing. It is not certain that everyone will experience the same symptoms and symptoms can vary according to the individuals’ body and the altitude. Additional symptoms include coughing and gray, pale or bluish skin tone.
Measures for Altitude Sickness
As mentioned above, altitude sickness has no cure. If symptoms appear in an individual, immediately descended back to low altitudes. But there are certain measures one must take to prevent altitude sickness. In dire cases, one can take altitude medications such as Diamox which helps speed up the process of acclimatization. These types of medications are only for emergencies and are only to be taken with a doctor's prescription. In cases of emergencies, medications such as Diamox can help you speed up the process of acclimatization.
Prevention of Altitude Sickness
The best thing to do is to stay aware of and prevent altitude sickness. With proper acclimatization, one can easily avoid this problem. In trekking terms, acclimatization means to adapt to the climate of the region. Trekkers spend additional days so that their bodies can function with the change in the atmosphere. When the body is not able to acclimatize, it is bound to fall sick. Likewise, it is also essential to know how much strain their body can handle. It is best to regulate a good pace and pattern which allows your body to function properly and lets it adapt to the atmospheric pressure.
Another tip is to stay hydrated. The recommended amount of water for a trekker is 5 liters for a day. Similarly, no matter how high you ascend, always try and sleep in lower altitude. You should maintain an altitude ascension of around 500-600 meters when sleeping. Most people while trekking at high altitudes overestimate their abilities or get too excited and rush to complete the trek faster. This causes pressure on your body and makes acclimatization very hard. Thus, the best way to deal with altitude sickness is to prevent it!
Related treks in the Manaslu Region
Sheltered by the world’s eighth tallest mountain- Manaslu (8163m), this region is blessed with diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. The isolation and the off-beaten trails amidst nature is what makes this region's beauty unparalleled. The lush environment in the backdrop of the Himalayas consists of a range of vegetation, climate, and culture with an intense blend of warm hospitality. Exploring this region gets better when you meet the cultural face of Manaslu around the enchanting monasteries, caves, prayer flags, and the humble local people. Below are five treks in the Manaslu region that will make your visit worth the while.
Beneath the backdrop of the Ganesh Himal, Himalchuli, and Buddha ranges lies a beautiful valley of Tsum. The word “Tsum” means vivid and the valley lives up to its name. The Manaslu Tsum Valley is known for its rich history and diverse nature. The lushly colored forests, authentic Tsum, and Nubri culture, and the beautiful snow-clad peaks make this region worth visiting.
Opened just recently in 2008, the trails here are untouched and in a tranquil state. The Manaslu Tsum valley trek is a 17 day journey; starting from a scenic drive to Soti Khola- from where you walk the trails that lead through Maccha Khola, Jagat, Lokpa, Chumling, Chhokang Paro, Nile, Mu Gompa, Rachen, Chumling, Lokpa, Jagat, Lapubesi and back to Soti Khola from where you drive back to Kathmandu.
The highest point of this trek is Mu Gompa, which lies at 3,700 meters of altitude. The trek covers a total distance of about 150 kilometers; of which you will travel around 10 kilometers per day by walking on an average of 4 to 5 hours.
Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek
Imagine combining both the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek and experiencing the best of both treks. The Manaslu Circuit and Tsum valley trek are exactly that and a package of immense adventure and fun.
This trek offers travelers one of the rarest experiences of traveling in isolation. Amidst the off-beaten paths, you head to the abode of Tsumba and Nubri ethnicities as you witness the most authentic display of Tibetan culture. Another major highlight of this trip is crossing the Larkya La Pass; the highest point of this trek standing at 5,160 meters. Atop this pass, you get mesmerizing views of mountains in Manaslu, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and Himlung Himal ranges.
The Manaslu Circuit and Tsum valley trek together make a 21-day trip. The Journey begins with a scenic drive to Soti Khola from where you trek through the trails leading onwards through; Maccha Khola, Jagat, Chisopani, Chumling, Chokhangparo, Nile, Mu Gompa, Chumling, Deng, Namrung, Samagaon, Samdo, Dharmashala, Bhimphedi, Tilje, and Dharapani from where you drive back to Kathmandu. The Manaslu circuit with Tsum valley trek runs a total distance of 200 km of which you will be covering on an average 11 kilometers per day within 5 to 6 hours.
Manaslu Base Camp Trek
A journey to the foot of the world’s eighth highest mountains surely incites adventure in your head as you think of it. Presenting one of the most challenging treks, the Manaslu Base Camp Trek takes you to high altitude regions of the Himalayas such as Larkya La Pass at 5,160 meters and the Manaslu Base Camp at 4,400 meters.
Manaslu Base Camp trek offers adventures that include exposure to rich culture, scenic beauty, and an array of diverse landscapes. The Manaslu Base Camp trek is a wonderful journey for one to explore in isolation. As it was just recently opened for trekking, the route still remains fresh and untouched with its off beaten trails.
The Manaslu Base Camp trek is a 17-day journey which runs a course of 170 kilometers. The journey begins with a scenic drive to Soti Khola, from where you start your trek following the route: Maccha Khola, Jagat, Deng, Namrung, Samagaon to Manaslu Base Camp and the same way back. You will be trekking about 15 kilometers per day with over 6 hours of trekking on an average per day.
Rupina La Pass Trek
Rupina La Pass Trek is a trip that explores the lesser-known areas of the Manaslu region. It explores the foothills of the Buddha Himal and crosses the Rupina La Pass (4720 m). Additionally, you can join other trekking trails in the Manaslu region as well. The trek begins from the Chhetri and Brahmin settlements to reach the home of the Tibetan communities.
Comparatively, at a lower elevation than the Manaslu Circuit Trek, the Rupina La Pass trek nevertheless is a challenging and difficult trek. Standing 4,720 meters, the Rupina La Pass trek is distinguished as the most dangerous passes of Nepal. Atop, you get views of mountains such as Manaslu (8163 m), Himalchuli (7893 m), Buddha Himal (6672 m), Ganesh Himal (7422 m) and many more massifs. The Rupina La Pass trek is a 17-day trip. You will be walking an average of 5 hours per day.
Tsum Valley and Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek
Tsum Valley and Ganesh Himal Base Camp trek are yet another less traveled but greatly rewarding treks of Nepal. The remote valley of Tsum is well known as the hidden gem of Nepal. Described as the valley of happiness by Guru Rinpoche himself, it is said that Milarepa meditated in the caves of the Piren Phu in this valley. This alone gives you the excitement to visit this hidden gem. But with the Tsum Valley and Ganesh Himal Base Camp trek, you get the beauty of two adventures in one! As you go through the isolated valley, you head towards the Ganesh Himal.
The off-beaten trails and the quaint atmosphere of the region certainly amp the adventure of the trek. The routes decorated with colorful forests, lush hills, culturally rich communities and breathtaking sceneries, the Tsum Valley and Ganesh Himal Base Camp trek is definitely worth a shot. This trek is a 17-day adventure that takes you to these two wonderful destinations. You will start your journey with a scenic drive to Soti Khola, from where you will follow the route: Maccha Khola, Jagat, Lokpa, Chumling, Chhokang Paro, Chhule, Mu Gompa, Rachen, Domje, Gumba Lungdang, Ganesh Himal Base camp, Ripchet, Philim, Khorla Bensi and back to Soti Khola from where you drive the same way to Kathmandu. During the course of the trek, you will be walking 6 hours 7 hours per day on average.
Packaging List for Manaslu Circuit Trek
One of the major aspects of preparation for trekking is backpacking. It is partly responsible for how your experience of trekking goes. Thus it is crucial to know what you need for the trek and what you don't. If you are fully equipped with the essentials, you will be able to overcome any obstacles during the trek. On the other hand, if you are overloaded with stuff you do not require- it can cause a hassle. The basic backpack list consists of clothing (depending on the season of travel), trekking equipment/gear, personal supplies, general and necessary medications, first aid kit and a few additional items. Here is a detailed list of what to carry for your trek to the Manaslu circuit.
I. Clothing
- Light thermal inner-wear
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Wind stopper jacket
- from the cold winds
- Waterproof jackets and trousers
- Lightweight thermal gloves
- Set of Undergarments
- Trekking Shorts
- Lightweight long trousers/pants
- Sun hat or scarf
- Warm fleece hat or light balaclava
- T-shirts(preferably sweat soaking)
- Thin, lightweight (inner socks)
- Thick warm wool hiking socks
- Waterproof shell mittens/gloves(insulated liners recommended)
- Insulated jacket with attached hood
- Heavyweight pants (for high elevations)
- Heavy down jacket
- Winter hat
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Your clothing heavily depends on the season of your travel. For winters you may need more warm clothes whereas for summer you may need cooler clothes.
II. Equipments/gears
- Trekking boots
- Camp sandals
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Water bottles
- Trekking Poles
- Headlamp
- Sleeping bag (rated to 0 degrees recommended)
- Tent
- Sleeping pad/mat
- Silk Liner
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III. Personal Supplies
- Medium-sized towel
- Toothbrush/ toothpaste
- Multipurpose soap
- Face and body moisturizer
- Nail clippers
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer
- Face/body wipes
- Throat lozenges
- Lip balm
IV. General Medication
- Plasters/Band-Aids
- Bandage for sprains
- Iodine or water filter
- General painkiller
- Antiseptic cream for cuts
- Blister medication
- Antibacterial throat lozenges
- Antibiotic tablets
- Oral rehydration salts
- Diarrhea medication
- Diamox (for altitude sickness)
Tips for Packing
These items are the basic essential one will require during the Manaslu Circuit Trek. In addition, you are free to carry a few personal belongings such as cameras, books, cards or similar items you may need during your trip. But make sure you do not overload your bags and keep the contents simple.
A key thing to keep in mind is that it is better if you invest in good quality items for the trek. These essentials and gears are the mechanisms to help you tackle obstacles. Thus, make sure you have gears that you can rely on. If you do not already own the required equipment, we recommend you to purchase them in Nepal. You can find plenty of stores around the city areas that have the necessary items for trekking available to both purchase and rent.
Conclusion
The Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you to one of the most isolated regions of Nepal. Untouched and resting in its tranquility, the Manaslu region is definitely worth traveling. To witness the sight of the world’s eight tallest mountain- Mt. Manaslu (8163m) is a surreal moment that will definitely melt your heart. As much as it is an opportunity to travel and see, it is a magnificent opportunity to learn about nature and the culture of the Manaslu region. for more details email us: [email protected] or [email protected]
