Morning as early as possible, enjoy an exciting drive to reach the starting point of the trek to Manaslu Circuit. The driving distance is not too far, but the winding hilly road, after leaving the main highway. Makes the drive quite slower on a hilly dirt road to reach the Gorkha district at Machha-Khola. A farm village slowly developing into a town, due to the construction of the motorable road. At Maccha-Khola arriving by late afternoon, transfer into a nice simple lodge for first overnight halt in a country village.
After a long drive of previous day, todays walking distance of more than six hours. But an interesting first day treks to reach Jagat, situated on the green hills, and gateway to Upper Manaslu Valley. Start the first day of the adventure, after a good breakfast the walk follows on gradual winding trail. Leads through farm areas, and into forest of pines and sal trees. Then reach at Tatopani, a small village with a natural hot-spring. The walk continues reaching at Khorla Besi for lunch stop in a village simple restaurants. Afternoon walk follows uphill leaving the Budi Gandaki River behind with few hours climb to Jagat.
A lovely hill village with number of good lodges for overnight stops. On arrival check into a nice lodge accommodation, having time to explore the village. Jagat is the entrance of Upper Manaslu and a Restricted Area, where trekkers permits are checked, before heading beyond Jagat.
Today walks leads to Deng Village, a moderate distance to trek on leaving Jagat. As walk enters the restricted areas of Upper Manaslu, heading downs and ups to cross few bridges over smaller streams. Then uphill to Salleri a small village and then down to Sirdibas. As the walk follows to cross another bridge above Gatte Khola, as climb leads to Philim. A wonderful spread out Gurung farm village, for lunch stop. Afternoon the walk follows on gradual winding path Ekle Bhatti, to cross a stream. Slowly a short climb reaches Deng, a nice farm village for overnight stop. Enjoy the comfort of a nice lodge, with time for stroll around the village to observe the local heritage customs. From Deng onwards the villages of strong Tibetan Buddhism religion and cultures.
From Deng into higher country, the air gets much cooler, morning walk leads across a bridge of Budhi Gandaki River. Then climb to Bhi, a small settlement, and then into rhododendrons and pine forest to Prok village. As walk continues encountering impressive Buddhist monuments, and then reaching Namrung, a nice village for overnight stop. The village offers majestic views of Mt. Manaslu North Face. At Namrung enjoy the comfort of nice lodge accommodation and explore the traditional and cultural village activities.
Enjoy the morning glorious views of snow-capped peaks, then start the walks to another lovely village of Lo-Gaon. From Namrung, enjoying scenery of Sringi and Ganesh Himal with Himal Chuli. The trail climb into dense forest to Lihi, lined with Buddhist stupas. After an hour of good walk reaching Sho, a small settlement, and then ending day reaching Lo-Gaon for overnight stop. Located on a beautiful locations surrounded by lovely pines and rhododendron forest. The village stands beneath the staggering North Face of majestic Mt. Manaslu, at Lo Gaon offers several good lodge. Interested people can enjoy a short hike to Ribung monastery of great cultural and religion interest.
After a pleasant overnight at Lo-Gaon, today's walk takes you into the heart of Manaslu Valley at Sama-Gaon. Leaving the lovely Lo-Gaon, enjoy the glorious scenery as the walk leads to a short climb. Then descend to Shayla, a lovely village with fantastic views of towering snow mountains. The walk carries on then reaching Sama-Gaon, the main village around Manaslu high valley. Transfer to a nice lodge and enjoy the dramatic scenery of Manaslu, Himal Chuli, and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli).
At Sama Gain, enjoy a free and rest day with short hiking to support acclimatization. Which is important before heading high Larke-La Pass, Sama Gaon, situated en route to Manaslu Base Camp. Interested people can hike to old Pungyen Gompa. As well as to Birendra Lake which is on the trail to Manaslu Base Camp. Offers grand scenery of surrounding beautiful landscapes with green woods and white snow peaks of Manaslu.
After a pleasant rest at Sama Gaon, morning walk to Samdo the last permanent village en route to Tibet border. As well as towards our direction to Larke-La Pass and Dharmasala. The walk follows around dry landscape terrain, with slow gain in altitude, head for a short steep climb to Samdo. A moderate size village for hundreds of inhabitants. At Samdo check into a nice good lodge for overnight along with dramatic scenery of the snow peaks to enjoy.
From Samdo, a few hours of good walk to Dharmasala a small place with few simple huts, serves as lodges. Start the morning heading towards the end of Manaslu Valley rim and remote corners of Gorkha district. The trail follows to the river bed and crossing the same streams of Salka Khola few times.
The landscapes get drier with rise in elevation, then the morning walks completes reaching at the foot of Larke-La Pass. At Dharmasala or Larke Phedi for lunch and last overnight around Manaslu and the district of Gorkha.
The lodge accommodation is Spartan and basic, sometimes in high times trekkers have to spend overnights in tents. But the surrounding scenery makes the place exciting for rest and short hikes.
The toughest walks and adventure begins early morning, after a breakfast and hot Refreshment. As well as carrying pack lunch for the long days to cross the highest point of the journey. The morning starts with slow climb on a rocky path with views of Cheo-Danda, Larke Peak. After a steady steep climb having few rest to marvel the surrounding scenery. Then finally the climb reaches you on top Larke-La Pass, as you feel in high spirits amidst towering snow mountains.
Enjoy the spectacular panorama of Manaslu, Damodar and Annapurna Peaks with Himlung Himal towards west. As far as Ganesh Himal in the far east horizon, the pass is festooned with thousands of colorful prayer flags. After a great scenic moments, bidding farewell to Manaslu and Gorkha areas, as the route enters towards Manang district. A long descend to reach a small ridge of Cheo Danda and Larcia. Then finally the downhill ends on reaching the western the Phedi, bottom of Larke-La Pass. From here an easy gentle walk, reaching back into dense forest of rhododendrons and pine trees. Then reaches a lovely wide grassy field in the midst of beautiful woods, at Bhimphedi or Bhimthang. For first overnight around Manang area, Bhimphedi with number of fine lodges.
Enjoy the overnight, in the comfort of nice lodge, after a long and tough treks of the adventure.
After completing the toughest part of the adventure, from Bhim Phedi, the walk leads through lovely tree lines. The trail follows on gradual down with few short climbs, facing stunning views of Manaslu range. Then slowly the day completes reaching a small settlement amidst forest surrounding at Gho. An isolated place in the middle of lovely woodland, with few nice simple lodge for overnight halt.
Enjoy the last day of trekking to Dharapani village, morning walk follows to long descend reaching a nice Tilje Village. From Tilje with short rest, then climb across the bridge above Masrsyangdi River, then finally the trek ends.
Reaching at Dharapani a large spread out village, located on the main route of Annapurna Circuit trekking trail. From Dharapani, for good lunch and then board on a jeep or similar four-wheel. An exciting drive on mountainous winding road, as the drive heads to Tal village. The last village of Manang, from here enter a new district of Lamjung. The drive heads past Chamje and another Jagat village with zig-zag downhill to Syange. From here around lower warm farm areas then reaching a large town at Bhesishar. The headquarters of Lamjung district, transfer to nice hotels and lodges arriving on time for a good dinner.
From Bhesishar Town, drive on the good road to Kathmandu. After breakfast, an interesting drive past farm villages, and then on the drive joins the main Pokhara and Kathmandu Highway. After Dumre Town a pleasant drive towards Mugling Bazaar, and then following Trisuli River for some hours.
On leaving the lower warm farm areas, the drive heads on winding road, reaching the rim of Kathmandu valley. After an hour ride, from the western end of the valley, then reaching into bustling Kathmandu city. On reaching the hotels check into your lovely rooms, rest of the day at leisure for individual activities.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking is not as tough as it looks by the nature of high landscape terrains. It starts with moderate walks heading towards gradual uphill and downhill with few gradual paths. The treks are enjoyable and pleasant amidst beautiful scenery of rolling hills and snow-capped peaks.
Most of the walks are on ups and downhills crossing exciting bridges, the altitude makes the walks slower. The only hardest parts of the adventure are the steep long climb to Larke-La Pass and the long tiring downhills. But overall it is one of the best and wonderful treks around the Himalayas.
The upper region of remote Manaslu high country in the early days remained a forbidden country. From the early 1960’s, since Tibet was annexed by mainland China, it was closed to outside visitors. Due to the close border of Nepal and Tibet, China is from Upper Manaslu, where the old trans-Himalayan Trade Route existed.
After Tibet became part of China it was closed, but in 1991 it was open for all world-wide visitors. When it was opened in the beginning group of trekkers was accompanied by a Government Liaison Officer. But from the past few decades Liaison officer has not been required, as all trekkers must obtain a Special Permit.
Yes, the itinerary is set accordingly with enough acclimatization days, once the walk enters the high Manaslu Valley. Having short hours of walks, from Namrung Village towards Lo and Sama Gaon at Sama Gaon with rest days. To support acclimatization, before heading for the climb up to Larke-La Pass, by then all trekkers will be well acclimatized.
For this wonderful Manaslu Circuit Trek, before and after booking the trip, one should be in sound medical health. As well as having daily an hour of exercise, like walking, jogging, running ups and downs. Including any outdoor physical activities and checking with your medical doctor. As well as packing the right gear for Manaslu Circuit Treks.
