Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Drive to SotiI Khola from Kathmandu (700m) 7 hours Drive

Your  tour to Manaslu Circuit begins from Kathmandu. To start, you can take a  direct bus at 6 am and 8 am from Gongabu Bus Park, Kathmandu, to  Arughat. In the same way, you can also take the bus to dhading or  malekhu on the Prithvi Highway and take the local bus or jeep  thereafter. 

Although  the road is dusty and bumpy, you will catch the best landscape views  from your window seat. En route, you can get stop at many rests stops  for short breaks and meals. And overnight at one of the teahouses in  Soti Khola.

Day 2 : Trek From Soti Khola to Maccha Khola (930m) 5 hrs walk

The  next morning, you will enjoy a warm breakfast at the teahouse at Soti  Khola while enjoying the scenic landscape. Then, you will start yourtrek  of the day. Unlike other trekking trails, the road from Soti Khola is  rocky and narrow.

Despite  the uneven road, you will have the most amazing walk on the first day  of this trek. The stunning countryside views will keep you engaged  throughout the trail.

On  walking, you will pass through Sal forests, where you can take short  rests during the tiring walks. Following the forests trails with many  rivers, waterfalls, and towering cliffs, you will encounter a few Gurung  and Ghale inhabitants of the region.

In the dispersed settlements, you can enjoy local milk, yogurt, Dal Bhat, seasonal vegetables, and typical pickles.

Once  you reach Nyali Khola, you will notice a rocky edge of the hill.  Standing there, local and trekkers pray to the local deities, rivers,  and mountains,to keep them safe throught the trail.

Following  the river trail, you will climb several ascends and descends across the  winding road. On this day, you will encounter hundreds of mules of the  route. So, you must be careful as you see them approaching you. You need  to stand on the wall side to prevent it from slipping down the  hillside.

With such experiences, you will reach Maccha Khola to find many teahouses for a comfortable night’s stay.

Day 3 : Trek From Maccha Khola to Jagat (1340m) 6 hrs walk

The  following day, you will start walking across the twisting road on the  bank of the Budi Gandaki River. As you enter the forest trail, you will  witness many monkeys and langurus.

After  the forests, you will walk to the gurung villages, like lower  Khorlabeshi in the village, you will notice the shepherds clad in a  typical smoke-browned cape call Bokkhu.

On  walking further, you will reach Tatopani ‘hot water’, where you can  take warm showers and relax your soaring body. After hot water  relaxation, you cross a new suspension bridge over Budi Gandaki River to  reach Doban.

Following  the waves, you will find the river flattening at Yaru, from where you  cross the Cantilever Bridge to reach Jagat, a neatly flagstoned Gurung  village. Upon entering the village, you will have to verify your  trekking permits at the check post. From this day, you will be walking  in the restricted region.

Day 4 : Trek from Jagat to Pewa (1804) 8 hrs walk

The  next day, you will walk o Salleri and descends to Sirdibas. The village  welcomes you with several gompas and Buddhist prayer flags. You can  also try the local alcohol at many stopovers on the route before you  reach Phillim, you will have your permits checked, and then you will  continue along the western bank of the river.

The  trail is beautiful, with unique sculptures over the boulders on the  river bank formed due to river water. Leaving the river bank, you  proceed through rhododendron forests, Himalayan pine, and the  overhanging rocks on the towering peaks. These highlights beautify the  trail.

On  proceeding further, you cross the Siyar Khola bridge and reach a  junction where the trail separates to Tsum Valleyon your right.

Finally,  you will reach Pewa, the final destination of the day. There are only  two teahouses in the region where they serve basic food and a night of  cozy sleep. Pewa has the best Dal Bhat in Nepal with the Shilong Acha.

You  can gather around the fireplace in the evening and share your  experiences with fellow trekkers and locals before you go to bed.

Day 5 : Trek From Pewa to Namrung (2630m) 6 hrs walk

After  the sun rises, you will have breakfast and start the day’s trek. Before  ascending the winding trails, you will walk across the bamboo forests  to reach Deng. Moving further, you will across a suspension bridge to  climb to Rana and Bihi Phedi. On the trail, White Faced monkeys visit  villages looking for a free feed.

The  trail then proceeds to Ghap through several landslide zones. At this  point, you must be extracareful as you walk. Plus, you must be attentive  to your guide’s instructions to maintain physical safety. After the  landslide zone, you will follow the trail up to Namrung.

After  about 1an hours on the uneven trail, you will climb a zigzag from the  riverto the neat village of Namrung (2660m). There are some of the best  teashops, a restaurant, and rest houses on the trek. A local to Namrung  and built a modern restaurant and hotel with Cappuccinos and WiFi.

Day 6 : Trek From Namrung to Lho (2957m) 6 hrs walk

Witnessing  the lifestyles of the Nubri people, you will start the day. Exploring  their Tibet-influenced typical lifestyle, you will walk past several  mani walls, lush terraces, and houses through Banjam to enter the fir,  rhododendron, and oak forest before climbing to Lihi and then to Sho.

As  you start walking, you will see most locals clad in traditional Tibetan  dress. As you start further, you will notice some fine paintings in the  Kani (gate arches) that you pass before Sho. Walking across the rocky  hillside routes, you will finally reach Lho.

You  can catch stunning views of Manaslu (8163m) and Manaslu North (7157)  from the place. You will gain a high altitude on this day, so you must  walk slowly and check your body signs.

Day 7 : Trek From Lho to Sama Gaun (3530m) 5 hrs walk

The  next morning, on walking, the picturesque view of Mt. Manaslu  accompanies you. You will walk across the easy trail to Shyala, passing  through pine and rhododendron gully with moss and gin-clear stream. From  Shyala, you will walk for almost an hour to reach Sama Gaun.

Once you enter the village, mountain views fade; however, the yak pasture and typical settlements will attract you.

Sama  Gaun is the principal village of the Nurbi people, which holds a large  Gompa, many shops, a health post, a heliport, telephone/wifi access,  etc.

Day 8 : Acclimatization Day (Day Trip to Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Gompa 4400m)

This  is the day of acclimatization at Sama Gaon to prevent altitude related  illness. And, as an acclimatization hike, you will walk to Pungyen Gompa  east of the Nubri Valley. On this acclimatization hike, you have to  take a pack lunch.

Once  at the hill top, you will get enticing views of Manaslu Base Camp north  of Sama Gong. You can follow the trail past Birendra Tal and turn left  onto the base camp track.

You  will climb the steady trails. However, the altitude may cause breathing  difficulty. So, you need to maintain body hydration and walk slowly.  Proceeding slowly, you will walk north of Manaslu glacier to base camp  at 4400m /14435, then return.

Or,  you can hike to Birendra Tal, a short walk from Sama Gong. This is a  option if you feel the need for a short rest of if you are finding the  altitude difficult.

Day 9 : Trek From Sama Gaun to Samdo (3865m) 4 hrs walk

on  this new day, you will reach the newer destination i.e Samdo. But, as  you are in high altitude, you need to walk slowly so this is a short day  trek. You will notice extended yak pastures up a broad valley with long  mani hills, with a variety of birds.

From  there, you will leave the tree line and climb to a ridge across the  wooden bridge of Buri- Gndaki before you reach white Kani. It is a  neighbouring village to Samdo, a very picturesque village dedicated to  yak herding.

Once  at Samdo, you can explore the nearby villages or hike to Samdo peak.  The Larky La trail is on the left above the valley. You can also see the  main track for Tibet over the Larjyang La forming slopes on the Larkya  La trail.

Day 10 : Acclimatization Day (Day Trip to Tibet Border 5000m)

As  a day for rest, you will stop at Samdo where you will go for a day trip  to the Tibetan border. From the border, you can also see parts of Tibet  and Nepal. If lucky, you can also witness the yak caravan passing the  border.

Once  at the border, if you look towards the south of Samdo Glacier you will  get excellent photos with a huge serac near the top of the glacier. You  can also frame Blue Sheep, Pica’s, and Marmots in season.

Day 11 : Trek From Samdo to Dharmasala (4460m)6 hrs walk

This  is another adventurous day in the high altitude. So, you must watch  your body signs properly. Enjoying the scenic views of the chain of the  Himalayans, you will walk slowly across the rugged terrains of the  Manaslu region before you reach Dharmasala.

Day 12 : Trek From Dharmasala to Bimthang (3590m) via Larkya Pass (5160m) 10 hrs walk

This  is a special day as you will walk to the trail’s highest point. On this  day, you will walk to Larkya La Pass (5160m /16929ft). The walk could  be quite challenging in bad weather and the snow, yet; it is doable. You  will cross the pass before the afternoon, so you must wake up early (3  am), have breakfast, and leave the teahouse early. This is the  challenging part of the trek, but if you walk steadly, you can walk to  the pass successfully.

The  stunning views you will witness once you stand at the pass make the  trip more enlightened. You will catch views of Himlung (7126m /23379 ft)  near Tibet and Kang Guru (6981m / 22903 ft), and Annapurna 2nd (7937m  /26040 ft) in the Annapurna range.

Spending  your particular time at the pass, you will walk down for around 3 hours  toward Bimthang for an overnight stay. On descending, you will get  views of huge icefalls and mountains I all directions, you will get  views of huge icefalls and mountains in all directions, Pongkar Tal  between the Pongkar and Salpu Danda Glaciers.

Day 13 : Trek From Bimthang to Dharapani (1970m) 8 hrs walk

This  is the final day you will be walking on the trails of the Manslu  region. On climbing downhill, you will walk through the lush forests  full of flaura and fauna, including rhododendron bushes.

Walking  back across the Dudh Khola, you will walk to karche for lunch. In the  next hour, you will see many signs of the glacier flood, with tree  trunks smashed and banks undermined, the track becoming rough. And the  trail drops to Gurung Goa, the first village since samdo.

The  valley becomes more agricultural and lush as you pass fields and copses  of oak and rhododendron, staying on the north (true right) bank until  tilije. From there, you will continue your stroll toward Dharapani.

Day 14 : Drive From Dharapani to  Kathmandu (1300m) 9 hrs drive

You  will take a jeep from tilije to Beshi Sahar. From there, you will take a  ride back to Kathmandu. After the 6 to 7 hours drive from Beshi Sahar,  you will get to rest in one of the sophisticated hotels in Kathmandu.