Manaslu Circuit Trek

Welcome to Nepal and the Himalayas!! We greet you at the airport and drop you at your hotel. After a few hours rest, we come to your hotel to brief you about your Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Sightseeing in Kathmandu if you choose to, rest in your hotel, and prepare your equipment for the Manaslu Trek. Get sleeping bags and down jackets from local supplier.

Leave early today for the long drive from Kathmandu to Sotikhola, the starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Enjoy the drive through the Nepalese countryside, and through Arughat - a Gorkha community. Stop for lunch and try your first delicious Dhaal Bhat. Stay overnight in Sotikhola on the Budhi Gandaki river.

Today on the Manaslu, trek through shady sal forests, and maybe spot some Gray Langur monkeys. Following the Budhi Gandaki waterway, we proceed up and down the steep rocky trails often having to let trains of loaded mules pass as they transport supplies between villages. Always remember to step to the ‘mountain side’ to let them pass on narrow trails. After passing through the village of Khanibensi, we finally arrive at the large Gurung town of Macchakhola, where many trekkers were rescued after the April 25, 2015 earthquake.

The day starts in Machhakhola by crossing the Fish River next to the mule loading station. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki to Khorlabesi 960 mtrs. where espresso coffee beans grow, and then Tatopani 930 mtrs. where a hot spring gushes from under a sheer bluff. It then continues on the eastern bank of the Budhi Gandaki to Dovan 1070 mtrs where we stop for lunch, then Thulo Dunga, and Yara Bagar 1370 mtrs. The trail then crosses the Budhi Gandaki back and forth on suspension bridges to reach the entry gateway to the Manaslu Conservation Area, the Gurung town of Jagat, with it’s lovely flagstoned village square. There is a conservation area office here, where restricted area permits are checked. It is also located close to the Tibetan border, so one starts to see the Tibetan buddhist influences of prayer flags, stupas and mani walls..

After leaving Jagat, the trail climbs to Salleri and Sirdibas where many houses were destroyed in the quake. We then pass through Ghotta Khola and cross one of the longest suspension bridges of the circuit over the Buddhi Gandake river. After a steep climb, we reach Philim for lunch, where the terrain becomes increasingly arid. After lunch we reach Ekle Bhatti where the turn off for Lokpa and the Tsum Valley is. Pass through beautiful pine forests and by the confluence of the Budhi Gandaki and Shar Khola rivers, before reaching Pewa, and finally Deng.

Today the trail passes through several villages which have been rebuilding since the earthquake. We trek through the Prok Village which is located on a plateau and has a viewpoint for Sringi Himal. From Prok we descend to Ghap, and then hike through a beautiful forest filled with fir, rhododendrons, azaleas, pieris, rosehip, songbirds and langur monkeys. We finally arrive at Namrung which is a former customs post in the days of the salt route to Tibet. The Tibetan influences are heard in the local spoken dialects. In Namrung, one gets a different perspective of Sringi Himal and Ganesh Himal 7140 mtrs.

Today is an easier day but the scenery no less stunning. Going through the beautiful plateau of Bhanzam with barley fields and stone houses, we will enter the village of Lihi. After lunch here, we cross the Hinang River, and then reach Lho which is dominated by the Ribung Gompa.

This day takes you into the mountains with time to experience the surrounding commanding views and to acclimatize. Start the hike with a visit to the Ribung Gompa, and then head up a pine and rhododendron gully to reach Syala 3510mtrs. where we stop for tea and take in our first astounding perspective of Mt Manaslu 8163 mtrs. Revel in the 360’ perspectives from here because of the deforestation of the plateau. After hiking on through a world of yaks, pastures, and stone huts, crossing the slope draining the Pung Gyen glacier, we finally reach the village of Samaguan. This is the largest village on the Manaslu circuit, and also the closest to Manaslu Base Camp. After lunch we do a short hike to Birendra Tal (a glacial lake at the base of Manaslu glacier), which is the starting point for the trail to Manaslu Base Camp.

This is a full rest day so that you can wash your clothes, read your book, and take a warm shower. It is also recommended that you do an acclimatization hike to Pung Gyen Gompa (6-7 hrs) or Manaslu Base Camp (9-10 hrs). While hiking watch for Himalayan Tahr on the steep rock walls. Also explore the village of Samaguan and experience the local culture. See the many mani walls, made of thousands of mani stones inscribed with Buddhist texts and pictures.

Todays walk is brief because of the excessive elevation, but with exceptional mountain scenery. The trail heads north, passing through juniper and birch forests, and then gets tougher as we start the yak trails. We pass through an extensive valley with long mani partitions , and many marmots keeping watch from their burrows or sunbathing in the afternoon heat. After passing the starting point of the Buddhi Gandaki river, we enter Samdo village. Samdo is a Tibetan refugee village, under the Samdo Himal 6335mtrs and Samdo Glacier. The main pass to Tibet is over the Lajyang La Pass 5098 mtrs, sloping up the right hand valley. The Larkye pass is ahead and left. The pass to Tibet is currently closed, but stocks of timber are being carried up to Samdo by yak, in expectation of change.

Begin the path slightly uphill to the mythical Larkya Bazaar, and from here, people head right to Tibet through Lajyang Bhanjyang 4998 mtrs and Gyala Bhanjyang 5375 mtrs, which has a flourishing marketplace. The large Larkye glacier coming from Mt. Manaslu is visible on the left, and the trail starts to ascend to the pass. We cross the Athhara Saya Khola, and then go along the Larke Khola. Along the way maybe spot some Himalayan Blue Sheep or Bharal grazing on the slopes. They are the main prey of the elusive Snow Leopard which lives in the higher alpine regions. After continuing the climb upwards we reach the mountain facilities at Dharamsala.

After an early 3 a.m. rise and breakfast, we make a short climb to reach a valley on the north side of Larkya glacier with exquisite views of Larkya peak. We ascend the massive lateral moraine of the glacier, which becomes quite steep just before reaching the pass. Breaking camp early allows us to reach the pass before the strong, cold winds come up towards the late morning. From the top of the pass we have breathtaking views of Himlung Himal 7126 mtrs near Tibet, Kang guru 6981 mtrs, Annapurna II 7937 mtrs range and other peaks. The descent is quite steep to begin with, and in the snowy months may require the use of crampons. After several hours the trail flattens out into a wide delightful valley - a descent of 1400mtrs over 3-4hrs. It ends at the very scenic Bhimtang, where the exquisite view of Manaslu makes every step worthwhile.

After a great sleep and hearty breakfast, the trek starts and after 25m we pass the Kechakyu Khola glacier and enter the Rhododendron wooded area. If you are here in March and April you will see the incredible display of Rhododendrons blooms in full display. The view of Mt. Manaslu is equally impressive. The trail eventually leads upwards to the Gurung village of Gho, and on to Tilije where there are better accomodation choices.

Exit the village on a stone path and descend rapidly to the Marsyangdi Valley in Thonje. You will then join the new road along the main Annapurna Circuit route in Dharapani 3560 mtrs. Here you will catch a public jeep all the way to Besisahar and overnight at a hotel.

Besisahar is the district headquarters of Lamjung district. Here you will catch a private car, or public bus to Kathmandu ad follow the Marshyangdi river, passing numerous Gurung, Magar and different villages to reach Dumre bazaar. Then follow along the Himalaya rafting Trishuli river to the capital. Be dropped off at your hotel, and have a good nights rest after completing the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Namaste.