MANASLU CIRCUIT TREK

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  • DURATION18 Days
  • DIFFICULTY-LEVELStrenuous
  • GROUP SIZE2-14

Highlights

  • Scenic drive to Arughat and Beshisahar to Kathmandu
  • Visit remote part of Nepal and many verities of culture and nature
  • A beautiful backdrop of Ganesh Himal mountain range & Mt. Manaslu
  • Trek in rich cultural heritage
  • Pass over the Larke La

Trip Overview

Manaslu circuit trek is a hiking adventure into virgin territory where the remote wilderness displays a mirage of natural beauty unimaginable virtually. The Manaslu circuit trek is yet one Untouched trekking trail in Nepal that wades into real virgin territory where only a few dare to venture into Nepal vast Himalayan terrain.

Manaslu circuit trek is located in the western part of Nepal, near to the border of Nepal alongside Tibet, and the Mt. Manaslu at (8163m) is the eighth highest peaks in the world, which opened its routes for trekking only in 1992 AD. The name Manaslu, "The spirit-mountain"; refers to it to be the compassionate and Strong deity that mysteriously dwells within its domain.

Manaslu circuit trek is a well-known and much-loved trekking trail in Nepal Himalayan landscapes. The Manaslu Trek offers Great views of some of the highest mountains in the world, giving this area a heady mix of rich cultural heritage, a genuine outing in the outback, incomparable beauty, and biological variety, that is amazing. The trekking in the Manaslu region is one of those delightful adventure treks in Nepal, where you rewarded with magnificent views of the Annapurna Massifs and Dhaulagiri peaks along the way.

The Manaslu circuit trek trail is located in the east of Annapurna Himalaya range, and trekking within the Manaslu circuit is a controlled & government-regulated area. So, permission must have taken before organizing treks in Manaslu. Manaslu circuit trek is to be one of the finest adventure destinations in Nepal for those looking for an unusual experience in a sublime territory where you enjoy breathtaking views of the imposing Himalayas stretching beyond horizons.

Escape Nepal has designed an 18-day itinerary for the Manaslu circuit trek that includes arrival and departure days to and from Nepal. Manaslu circuit trek begins from Arughat (7-hour drive from Kathmandu) along the Larkya pass at (5420 m.), and you continue trekking to the Annapurna circuit trails to return to Bhulbhule & drive back to Kathmandu through a scenic highway.

Itinerary

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You will be met by our airport representative/driver on your arrival at Kathmandu airport and transfer to the hotel. Get refreshed at your hotel, rest a bit & your evening is free. We suggest you go for a stroll down the street to get familiar with your surroundings.

Have supper & go in for an early sleep to get rid of the jetlag.

  • Hotel
  • 1345
  • Kathmandu

After breakfast at the hotel, you proceed for a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. The tour includes a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, Monkey Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, and Baudhanath Stupa.

All of these monuments are UNESCO declared world heritage sites that represent a wonderful mix of Hinduism & Buddhism that seems to have gotten on well since the ancient periods of this medieval city.

We (Escape Nepal) prepare trekking permits as we require to obtain a special trekking permit to do the Manaslu circuit trek.

Our guide will drop you back at the hotel, and you can shop trekking gear in Thamel if you need it.

  • Hotel
  • B
  • 1345
  • Kathmandu

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you start to drive to Arughat along the Kathmandu - Pokhara Highway for the first part of the surface journey. You drive through many vibrant villages and irrigated terraces to Arughat & this gives you the first experience of Nepal’s rural landscapes.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 570
  • Arughat Bazaar

You start the trek after breakfast at the hotel, and the trekking goes over a flat leveled path along the bank of Budhi Gandaki River through mostly terraces, numerous villages, and green hills. And, you are almost surrounded by a lush green forest with bushy foliage.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 530
  • Soti Khola

After breakfast at the lodge, you start trekking for today, and the meandering path passes through forest, colorful villages, clean streams, pretty waterfalls, and green dales until Lapu Besi.

Lapu Besi is a village mainly inhabited by Mongolian inhabitants. Now, you again traverse a zigzag path to reach Machha Khola.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 890
  • Machha Khola

The trek starts after breakfast at the lodge, and you cross the Machha Khola river and head upstream to the tiny village of Khorla Bensi. The valley sides are steep until they are impassable, and the route then switches to the left bank by way of a suspension bridge. The trail is exposed and challenging in some places & this is the beauty of the wild. After a short section of the forest path, you reach a single tea house at Doban. Above Doban, the Budi Gandaki descends on an impressive series of rapids.

Beyond this steep section, the river is much more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed. At Lauri, you cross the river on a suspension bridge, then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 1350
  • Jagat

You start trek after breakfast at the lodge, and today, the early part of the trekking moves gently uphill and then somewhere through a flat leveled path. You cross a suspension bridge over Budhi Gandaki before Philim. Philim is a big village mainly inhabited by the Gurung community. Small serene monasteries, Chortens, and prayer flags fluttering in the sky, along with graves and typical mountain shanty but sturdy houses are seen around hereabouts.

You trek over a flat leveled path mostly through a forest of pine, rhododendron, and fir after Philim. While walking, you cross a few bridges and can see colorful looking brown thatched-roof villages at a far distance. You can enjoy a pretty cascading waterfall lying at some distance.

Deng is famous for its potatoes, buckwheat, barley, wheat, cabbage & spinach as people are mostly involved in agriculture in this area.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 1860
  • Deng

The trek starts after breakfast at the lodge. You begin trekking almost on a flat leveled path, and then the trail moves uphill to Namrung through lush forest. You enjoy the impressive views of Mt. Manaslu, rock hillocks, a green glen, and ridges.

Namrung is a Buddhist village, where there are monasteries, a water turbine hydroelectricity powerhouse, Mani walls, Chortens, and prayer flags.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 2900
  • Namrung

You start the trek after breakfast at the lodge. Today, you trek over a winding path which moves through the inner Himalayan range. You enjoy mountain views of Rupinala pass, Mt. Manaslu, Gorkha Himal, Dwijen Himal, Saula Himal, Lajing peak, and many other silver-grey mountains and peak.

When you go up, the vegetation decreases due to the increase in altitude & thin air. In the afternoon, this part becomes quite windy & chilly. While walking, you come across mani walls, Chortens, prayer flags, and monasteries.

Before You reach Lho Gaon, you pass a Tibetan village and Lihi Gaon. There is a monastery named Chon on a ridge and also a Buddhist school at Lho Gaon run by Buddhist monks. You continue the trek by leaving the village of Lho Gaun. And, you follow the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. You soon reach the fields of Sama Gaon.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 3520
  • Sama Gaun

You take rest at Sama Gaon for acclimatization today that give weary limbs some respite from the intense hiking. This also allows you to rest your lungs so that the respiratory systems would adjust with the changed elevation.

Surrounded by mountains in a peaceful forest, you take a breather to acclimatize and relax. You can also hike to Manaslu Base Camp for excellent views of Samdo, Nagdi Chuli, Simnang Himal, Manaslu glacier, Manaslu ice fall and can see Birendra Kunda, which is an ice lake nearby the Manaslu Base Camp.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 3520
  • Sama Gaun

After breakfast at the lodge amidst your lovely surroundings, You trek gently uphill to Samdo through a desert path and windy valley.

The Tibetan border is just four kilometers away from Samdo, but visitors are not allowed to pass the Border.

There is a Tibetan refugee village at Samdo, and this is an excellent viewpoint for Mt. Manaslu, Samdo (Pang Phuchuli), Nagdi Chuli, Simnang Himal, Manaslu glacier, Manaslu ice fall, and several other Awesome peaks.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 3690
  • Samdo

We start trek after breakfast at the lodge, and the trail is rocky and zigzags to the destination today. Before you reach Larkya La Phedi, there is a market called Larkya Bazaar (market) where seasonal fairs are held for the local folks. People bring goods from Tibet to sell it here.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 4460
  • Larkya La Phedi

We start the trek today after early breakfast at the lodge. And, today is a pretty tough call in this part of the trekking as you are going to pass the Larkya La today, you begin to trek a steep ascended path until Larkya La through a rocky and winding trail.

You enjoy the views of Larkya peak, sunrise, Mt. Manaslu, Ratna Chuli, Cheo Himal, and many other snow-capped mountains and peak from the pass. You hike to a steep downhill path through rock and ice after the Pass. You encounter many icy lakes that make you feel chilly on the way.

Bimthang is a broad and level ablation valley with several Mani walls and deserted houses.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 5135
  • Bimthang

You start trek after breakfast at the lodge by descending the valley of the Burdin Khola to the area of the Base Camp for the west side of Manaslu. From a ridge at 4150 meters, you have excellent views of Manaslu to the South East and Annapurna II to the South West. Beyond a bridge over the headwaters of the Dudh Khola, you descend into a rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until you reach the highest cultivated land in this valley at Karche, 2785 meters.

You cross a stream to reach Tilje. There is an apple orchard, and it is quite famous for local wine. Leaving Tilje, you trek about another hour to reach Dharapani.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 1860
  • Dharapani

After breakfast at the lodge, You trek over a descended path along the bank of Dudh Khola (river) and Marshyangdi River. You walk through pleasant villages such as Taal, which is an attractive village with a pretty waterfall.

You enjoy the sight of lush green hills on the way. Eventually, you come across Jagat, which is a stone village situated on a shelf, that juts into the precipitous Marshyangdi valley.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 1300
  • Jagat

The trek starts after breakfast at the lodge, and a steep trail descends from Jagat through Marshyangdi river valley to Bhulbhule.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 840
  • Bhulbhule

After breakfast at the lodge, you start to drive to Kathmandu, and It is a picturesque drive on the way back to Kathmandu along the banks of the Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers with splendid views of green hills, mountains, farming terraces, and colorful villages on both sides of the road.

  • Hotel
  • B, L, D
  • 1345
  • Kathmandu

We transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home, and meeting you has been a wonderful experience & serving you have been a pleasure. We do hope our relationship with getting closer in the years ahead.

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What's Included

  • Airport transfers
  • Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu as per the above itinerary
  • 3-night hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
  • Transport by local bus Kathmandu - Arughat and Bhulbhule -Kathamndu
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) on the trek
  • Conservation entry permits, restricted area permit, and TIMS permit
  • 14-night accommodations in lodges/tea houses on the trekking
  • A guide and porter (1 porter for every two trekkers)
  • Arrangement of emergency helicopter service, which will be paid by your travel insurance company
  • Sleeping bag, down jacket, and a duffel bag (return after the trek)

What's Excluded

  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • Your travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Food while you are in Kathmandu
  • The entire bar bills, hot and cold drinks, water, internet, and telephone charge
  • Entrances fees while visiting Kathmandu on the second day
  • Tips for the guide and crews
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Check Available Dates

  • We have set a date to depart the Manaslu Circuit Trek. So, select your date and book the trek.
  • If the preferred date is not listed, then contact us for the further process to book the trek on your date as the trekking is available on any date of the year.
  • We have listed the price for up to 14 people only so, if you are more than 14 people, then please contact us for the group price and process to book the trek.
  • The private trek is available on any date of the year, contact us for the booking.
  • The departure dates are your arrival dates in Nepal.
Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityPrice 
Start Date07 Dec, 2020End Date24 Dec, 2020AvailabilityAvailablePriceUS$950
Start Date14 Dec, 2020End Date31 Dec, 2020AvailabilityAvailablePriceUS$950
Start Date21 Dec, 2020End Date07 Jan, 2021AvailabilityAvailablePriceUS$950
Start Date28 Dec, 2020End Date14 Jan, 2021AvailabilityAvailablePriceUS$950

Useful Information

Extra nights in Kathmandu for pre and post the Manaslu circuit trek

The extra night hotel in Kathmandu for pre or post the Manaslu circuit trek is available at the US $55.00 per night includes breakfast and airport transfers. Let us know if you are planning to arrive in Nepal earlier or stay in Nepal later than the scheduled dates and need extra nights. We then book the extra nights as per your requirements.

Electricity and battery charge on Manaslu circuit trek

Electricity is available in Kathmandu and most of the villages of Manaslu circuit trek to charges your camera/mobile batteries. However, you may have to pay a little fee to recharge these batteries.

We strongly suggest you bring spare/extra batteries to use in case of unavailability.

Guide and crew for Manaslu circuit trek

We provide a tourist guide for a day tour in Kathmandu on day 02 and a trained trekking guide for the whole trek who handles the logistics and guide you and your team on the Manaslu circuit trek.

We provide Sherpa (assistant guide) when there are eight or more members in the group. We also provide porters to carry your main luggage, there is one porter for every two members, and a porter carries about 20 - 22KG, which means 10 - 11 KG from each trekker.

Client Reviews

Recommended company Manaslu Circuit Trek

I just returned from my Manaslu circuit trek and had a very positive experience with Escape Nepal Holidays. Unfortunately, my trip was cut short due to a family emergency. I was well into the trek when I got the news and our guide Sanjay was very gracious and helpful in getting me back to Kathmandu so that I could fly home. I was trekking with a friend, and we decided that he should continue with our porter.

My last evening in Kathmandu, Arjun (the owner) came over and visited with me in the hotel garden. He was very kind and gracious as I was in a fragile state. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. I highly recommend them.

Jeff S, United States | 19 December, 2018

Manaslu circuit trek

Liaising with Escape Nepal was very easy as Arjun, the coordination was very prompt and helpful in his email replies. Our group of 5 took on the Manaslu circuit trek with Dipak as our guide and Ram & Sankar.

The trek was well managed, and our needs were well taken care of. We left Nepal with wonderful memories. Highly recommended to engage Escape Nepal for planning your trekking in Nepal.

RuhuiC, Singapore | 28 February, 2018

Best agency for Manaslu Circuit Trek

Escape Nepal is the most helpful and professional throughout our whole planning and trekking process for the Manaslu circuit trek. They put up with changes to our itinerary to the very last minute (up to the day we arrived in Kathmandu).

All the people we encountered from the company have been most excellent, from Arjun, who corresponded with us via email to Prakash and Ranjit on the trek. They were always patient, cheerful, responsible, and very knowledgeable!

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience with Escape Nepal and would highly recommend them to anyone looking to visit Nepal!

KristlA, Australia | 14 February, 2018

Best Trek in Manaslu Region

We did a marvelous tour with Escape Nepal and Dipak through the Manaslu region, Pokhara, and a city tour in Kathmandu. Everything worked perfectly on our tour. Dipak is a very reliable (funny and entertaining) guide, and he is full of knowledge about the mountains, treks, people, flora, and fauna.

Together with the porters, we got the best team one could wish for. All the transfers were exactly on time, we received a full service, including a taxi from and to the airport.

We recommend Escape Nepal!

EliotBlues, Germany | 16 November, 2016

FAQs

Yes, You need to have some permits to do the Manaslu circuit trek. The permits are Manaslu conservation entry, Annapurna conservation entry, TIMS (Trekkers' information management system), and a Special trekking permit from the government as the Manaslu is in the restricted/controlled area by the government of Nepal. We apply and get all these permits for you once you book a trek.

You need to have a moderate level of fitness with daily trekking between 3 to 8 hours to do the Manaslu circuit trek. You reach an altitude of 5100m on the adventure. So, You need to be physically fit, healthy, and strong stamina and desire to complete the trek. If you have previous trekking experience, that would be beneficial.

If you have any concerns please consult your healthcare provider before the book the Manaslu circuit trek.

Yes, You need travel insurance when you come for the Manaslu circuit trek. In case of a sickness or any injury, while you are trekking, we do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. And, You will be entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in the evacuation/rescue. So, make sure that these expenses are covered by your insurance policy.

No, solo travelers cannot do the Manaslu circuit trek as it is a controlled area for trekking, and you need to have special trekking permits from the government of Nepal. And, there should be a minimum of 2 people to apply for these special permits.

However, We have fixed some dates for the small group trek for the Manaslu circuit trek, and we may have some people already booked, and you are welcome to join us for the trekking. Let us know when you are planning for the trek then we see if you can join our fixed group trek.

The Manaslu circuit trek is available and doable throughout the year. However, the autumn season (from mid-September till mid-December) and spring season (from the beginning of March until the end of May) are the best time to do the Manaslu circuit trek in terms of weather and temperature.

We provide a 3-star hotel for three nights in Kathmandu and simple lodge/teahouse accommodation for the rest of the 14 nights on the Manaslu circuit trek. The rooms are basic, normally just a bed with a pillow and blankets on the trekking lodge/guest house. Please, remember that some of them are very basic, and a sense of adventure is necessary.

The hotel we provide:

  • Hotel in Kathmandu: Hotel Moonlight: 3 nights
  • Hotel on Trek Routes: Simple Mountain lodge: 14 nights

Notes:

  • Accommodation mostly will be on double/twin share, and a single room is available in Kathmandu hotels.
  • A hotel upgrade in Kathmandu is available. There are luxury 4 - 5-star hotels available in Kathmandu so, let us know if you want to upgrade the hotel in Kathmandu.

We provide a total of 47 meals (17 breakfast, 15 lunch, and 15 dinners) on the Manaslu circuit trek, and these meals are provided in hotels/lodges. You have breakfast and dinner at the lodges where you stay overnights and lunch at the lodge available along the trail.

You have a wide variety of Nepali and Western meals and drinks such as coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks, and beer) as well. However, these drinks are not included in the cost. So, you can buy them yourself on the available lodge/guest house.

We advise you to bring water purification pills/medicine while coming for the Manaslu circuit trek since you have normal water for free and use the medicine and drink, or you can buy bottled/boiled water.

No, International flights to arrive in Nepal and to return from Nepal are not included in our price and itinerary of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. You need to book international flights yourself.

No, You do not have to carry your luggage on Manaslu Circuit Trek. We provide porters to carry your main luggage on trekking. You simply carry a day bag pack with a water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket, etc. - a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek.

Yes, you have to tip the Manaslu Circuit Trek staff. However, the tipping for all services is always a matter of personal discretion. However, please be aware that tipping is considered to be a part of the remuneration, and they may approach you for payment.

As a Suggestion, the US $ 5  for the guide and the US $3 for the driver from each of you on day two, and a total of US $120.00 from each for the trekking part, that is to divide guide and porters (it depends on the size of the group you traveling with). Our trek guide will give you a clearer idea of when the adventure ends).

Yes, you need some money for your expenses on the Manaslu circuit trek, and it depends largely on your habit. Most of the meals are included in the price of the Manaslu Trek. So, You only need money for table drinks (alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverages), snacks, souvenirs, a hot shower (you have to pay in some places), etc.

If you do not drink alcohol and shopping, then the US $12-15 per day per person should be enough for these expenses.

We provide private transport for airport transfers and sightseeing in Kathmandu and local bus transport from Kathmandu to Arughat and from Bhulbhule to Kathmandu. However, private jeep/van transport is available on request to drive from Kathmandu to Arughat and from Bhulbhule to Kathmandu. So, let us know if you want to upgrade to private for a more comfortable drive.

Yes, we arrange free airport transfer services once you book the Manaslu circuit trek. The airport transfer services provided, if you arrive and depart on our scheduled dates or you book extra nights from us.

Important Note on Arrival: There can be many people around you to support you to carry your luggage or to put your luggage in the vehicle when you exit from the airport, and they ask for money as a tip at the end (these people do not belong to us).

So, be careful of them, and we advise you not to let to carry your bag/luggage. We suggest you take your bag/luggage yourself until you put on our vehicle as there are many trolleys that you can use free of cost.

Yes, you can combine the Manaslu circuit trek with the Annapurna circuit trek. Both Manaslu and Annapurna is the popular trekking region in Nepal, and some part of the Annapurna circuit trek (from Dharapani to Bhulbhule) are included in Manaslu itinerary/. If you want to extend the hiking to the Annapurna circuit, then we can continue trekking on the Annapurna circuit trail rather than return to Bhulbhule and Kathmandu. This extension needs several days and lets us know if you want to have a combined adventure, then we will send you as per your requirement.

Yes, We can shorten the Manaslu Circuit Trek. We have 15 days trek included in this 18-days package of Manaslu circuit trek. However, if you have a limited timeframe, then we can customize the trekking itinerary and make it shorter.

The given itinerary for the Manaslu circuit trek is mostly for the fixed departure group trek. And, if you want to shorten it, then you have to do private trekking. Let us know if you need a shorter version of the itinerary.

We wish that no one get AMS or any other sickness while on the Manaslu circuit trek. However, there is always a risk of AMS (Altitude mountain sickness) while going on a high mountain trek. Our guide will provide you information to avoid the AMS while on a trek. However, if in case if you or any member of the group get AMS, then we do everything to bring you back safely.

What we do in this situation is depends on the situation. As such, if you get AMS and still able to walk, then we take a day rest (while others continue the trek) with one of the porter/guides, and we see how the situation will improve, and we can continue the trekking from next day if the situation gets better.

Or, If there is not any improvement or even it gets worse, we do not have other options rather than return the same trail to avoid AMS. Or, if the situation gets worse and you are not able to walk further, then we rescue/evacuate and bring you back to Kathmandu to visit a doctor.

The cost of evacuation by helicopter is expensive in Nepal, and it is almost impossible to pay by the people so, we strongly suggest you buy an insurance policy that covers the evacuation in the worst situation.

Yes, you can add some extra tours/activities on our Manaslu circuit trek as you can add a mountain flight tour on the morning of day 2 before the Kathmandu tour starts.

Furthermore, if you have some extra days, then you can add Chitwan Jungle safari, Pokhara tour, Lumbini tour. Or, if you want to extend your holidays to another country, then you can add Tibet Lhasa Tour in Tibet or Bhutan Tour in Bhutan.

Equipment is very important to have a comfortable and successful Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. So, you need to pack your gear carefully and pack only the things that you need and not anything that you no need for the trek.

To help you to pack your gear for the Nepal student tour, we have given some list that you should not miss while you are packing.

General

  • Four seasons sleeping bag (we provide you one if you do not have).
  • Duffel or Rucksack bag to keep all your gear, which will be carried by the porter.
  • Daypack for yourself to keep your things, such as a camera, water, and things that you need for the day.
  • A small lockable bag to keep the extra stuff that you do not use on the trek, and this can be kept at the hotel in Kathmandu or Pokhara and get a return after the trekking.
  • A down Jacket (we provide you one if you do not have
  • Shade hat
  • Warm wool hat to cover your ears
  • A pair of light-weight warm gloves
  • T-shirts 2 pieces
  • Lightweight thermal tops
  • A fleece jacket
  • Raincoat (if you are traveling in monsoon time)
  • A pair of trekking pants, preferably that zip on/off at the knees so they double as shorts.
  • Some pairs of warm socks
  • A pair of light to medium weight waterproof hiking/trekking boots
  • A pair of light trekking shoes or sandals for camp/lodges
  • A water bottle
  • Head/torch Light
  • A medium-size towel
  • Walking poles (optional)

Medicines and First Aid Kits

  • We recommend consulting with your doctor for medication suggestions to take for these regions.

Miscellaneous but Important

  • Passport and extra passport photos (4 copies), these extra passport photos are necessary to obtain the trekking permits.
  • Durable wallet/pouch for travel documents, money & passport.
  • Lip balm at least SPF 20, 2 sticks.
  • Sun cream with SPF 40
  • Pocket knife
  • Water purification Iodine tablets (optional)
  • Toiletry kit and be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag, hand wipes, and liquid hand sanitizer, towel, soap, etc.