Manaslu Circuit Trek – 16 Days

Welcome to Nepal! Our representative will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in, take time to rest after your flight. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short walk around the neighbourhood. Our team will introduce the trip arrangements and confirm the following day’s meeting time.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: Meals at your own expense.

After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing visit to Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, two of Kathmandu’s well-known Buddhist landmarks. The day also allows time for your trek briefing, equipment check and permit arrangements. Meet your guide, discuss the route and prepare your trekking luggage. Any belongings you do not need on the trek can be left in Kathmandu. The order of activities may change to accommodate the permit process.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast.

Leave Kathmandu after breakfast and begin the road journey to Machha Khola. The drive passes through countryside, roadside towns and terraced hills before approaching the Budhi Gandaki valley. The later sections can be rough and slow, offering an introduction to the rural landscapes surrounding the trekking route. On arrival, settle into your teahouse and prepare for your first walking day.

Approximate elevation: 930 m.

Driving time: 8–10 hours.

Overnight: Teahouse in Machha Khola.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Begin trekking along the Budhi Gandaki valley, passing small settlements and crossing bridges along the route. The trail includes repeated ascents and descents rather than a continuous uphill climb. Walk through the Khorlabesi and Tatopani area and continue towards Jagat, a village associated with entry checks for the Manaslu Conservation Area. Your guide will handle the necessary check-post formalities.

Approximate elevation: 1,400 m.

Approximate trekking distance: 16–22 km.

Walking time: 6–8 hours.

Overnight: Teahouse in Jagat.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Continue through the valley towards Philim, passing cultivated land, villages and forested sections. Suspension bridges and views of the river gorge add variety to the day’s walk. As the trail leads towards Deng, the surroundings gradually become more enclosed and mountainous. Arrive at your teahouse, enjoy a warm meal and rest.

Approximate elevation: 1,860 m.

Approximate trekking distance: 18–20 km.

Walking time: 6–8 hours.

Overnight: Teahouse in Deng.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Follow the trail through forested slopes and settlements around Bihi and Ghap. The day includes river crossings and a steady ascent towards Namrung. Mani walls and other cultural features reflect the Tibetan Buddhist traditions of the upper valley. Keep a comfortable pace as the elevation increases and enjoy the changing scenery along the way.

Approximate elevation: 2,630 m.

Approximate trekking distance: 17–20 km.

Walking time: 6–8 hours.

Overnight: Teahouse in Namrung.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Leave Namrung and pass through Lihi and Sho on the way to Lho. The landscape opens up, revealing wider mountain views when conditions are clear. Arriving in Lho gives you time to rest and appreciate the village surroundings. If time, access and your energy allow, take a short walk towards the monastery area with your guide.

Approximate elevation: 3,180 m.

Approximate trekking distance: 10–12 km.

Walking time: 4–5 hours.

Overnight: Teahouse in Lho.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Walk from Lho towards Shyala, a scenic settlement surrounded by mountain scenery. Continue to Samagaun, one of the main villages in the upper Manaslu valley. The relatively shorter stage gives you time to settle into your lodge and take a gentle village walk. Enjoy the stone houses, prayer flags and daily life of this mountain community.

Approximate elevation: 3,530 m.

Approximate trekking distance: 8–12 km.

Walking time: 4–5 hours.

Overnight: Teahouse in Samagaun.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Remain in Samagaun for an acclimatization day before continuing higher. Your guide will select a suitable activity based on your condition and the weather. A walk towards Birendra Lake, combined with village and monastery exploration, offers a rewarding way to stay active without making the day unnecessarily demanding. Return to the same lodge for the night. A longer excursion towards Manaslu Base Camp is not part of the standard day and would depend on fitness, conditions and guide assessment.

Approximate trekking distance: Variable, depending on the selected acclimatization hike.

Activity: Rest and a suitable acclimatization walk.

Overnight: Teahouse in Samagaun.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Continue through a broadening valley and open mountain terrain towards Samdo. The walking stage is shorter, but the higher elevation calls for a slow, steady pace. On arrival, have lunch, rest and enjoy the village surroundings. A short afternoon walk may be possible if you feel well and your guide recommends it.

Approximate elevation: 3,860 m.

Approximate trekking distance: 8–9 km.

Walking time: 3–4 hours.

Overnight: Teahouse in Samdo.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Leave Samdo and make a gradual ascent towards Dharamsala, also known as Larkya Phedi. The terrain becomes more exposed as you approach the final overnight stop before the pass. Arrive early enough to rest, eat and prepare your clothing, headlamp and daypack for the next morning. Your guide will brief you on the crossing and assess the group’s readiness.

Approximate elevation: 4,460 m.

Walking time: 4–5 hours.

Overnight: Basic mountain lodge in Dharamsala.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Accommodation note: Facilities are limited; shared rooms may be necessary.

Cross Larkya La Pass and Trek to Bimthang

Start before dawn for the longest and most demanding stage of the journey. Follow the high mountain trail towards Larkya La, taking a careful, steady pace. Weather permitting, the pass offers an impressive Himalayan panorama. After a brief stop, begin the long descent towards Bimthang. Sections can be steep, snowy or slippery, so follow your guide’s instructions and allow plenty of time. Reach your lodge for a well-earned meal and rest.

Highest point: Approximately 5,160 m at Larkya La Pass.

Overnight elevation: Approximately 3,720 m.

Approximate trekking distance: 17–24 km.

Walking time: 8–10 hours or longer in difficult conditions.

Overnight: Teahouse in Bimthang.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Descend from Bimthang through open meadows and forested slopes. As you lose elevation, the surroundings become greener and small settlements reappear along the trail. Continue through the lower valley towards Tilche, also written as Tilje. This is a substantial walking day, with opportunities to enjoy the changing landscapes after the high pass crossing.

Approximate elevation: 2,300 m.

Approximate trekking distance: 17–22 km.

Walking time: 6–8 hours.

Overnight: Teahouse in Tilche.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After breakfast, walk from Tilche to Dharapani, completing the final trekking section. Meet your vehicle and continue by road through the Marsyangdi valley to Besisahar. The drive follows a mountain road where conditions can affect journey times. Arrive at your hotel or guesthouse and enjoy a relaxed evening after completing the circuit.

Approximate trekking distance: 5–6 km (walking only; road transfer to Besisahar is additional).

Walking time: 2–3 hours.

Driving time: Approximately 3–5 hours, depending on road conditions.

Overnight: Hotel or guesthouse in Besisahar.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Travel back to Kathmandu after breakfast, passing through roadside towns and river valleys. Transfer to your hotel on arrival. Depending on traffic and arrival time, enjoy a free afternoon for rest or shopping. In the evening, join a farewell dinner with Himalaya Kingdom Treks & Tours to celebrate your journey.

Driving time: Approximately 6–8 hours.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast and farewell dinner. Lunch at your own expense.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, subject to your flight time. Our team will arrange your transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey. If you wish to extend your stay in Nepal, we can help arrange additional sightseeing, cultural tours or a relaxing break.

Overnight: Not included.

Meals: Breakfast, subject to departure time.