The Manaslu Circuit Trek is an awe-inspiring journey that circles around the majestic mountain, Manaslu (8,163 meters), which is the eighth highest peak in the world. A perfect blend of natural beauty and rich cultural and traditional heritage with diverse landscapes through remote villages, lush forests, and rugged terrain. This trek will take 12 to 14 days, depending on your chosen itinerary and pace.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek will take you to the thrilling heights, the rhododendron forests, terraced fields, and Budhi Gandaki River Valleys but also gives you the time to engage with local communities, being a secluded route compared to other popular routes. The Manaslu Circuit Trek will promise you an unforgettable experience, but only with careful planning of the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary and choosing the best route and duration will your journey become safer and more enjoyable in the heart of the Himalayas.
Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (930 m / 3,051 ft - 9 hrs)
Day 2: Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat (1,340 m, 4,396 ft – 6 hrs)
Day 3: Trek from Jagat to Deng (1,804 m / 5,918 ft – 6 hrs)
Day 4: Trek from Deng to Namrung (2,630 m / 8,628 ft – 6 hrs)
Day 5: Trek from Namrung to Lho (2,957 m / 9,701 ft – 4 hrs)
Day 6: Lho to Samagaun (3,530 m / 11,581 ft – 4 hrs)
Day 7: Acclimatisation Day at Samagaun (4,400m / 14,435 ft – 7 hrs)
Day 8: Trek from Sama Gaun to Samdo (3,865 m / 12,680 ft – 3 hrs)
Day 9: Trek from Samdo to Dharmasala (4,460 m / 14,632 ft – 4 hrs)
Day 10: Trek from Dharmasala to Bimthang via Larkya Pass (3,590 m /
11,778 ft – 10 hrs
Day 11: Trek from Bhimthang to Tilije (2,300m / 7,546 ft - 6 hrs)
Day 12: Trek from Tilije to Dharapani (1,970 m / 6,463 ft – 7 hrs)
Day 13: Trek from Dharapani to Kathmandu (Drive) (1,300 m / 4,265 ft – 10
hrs)
Regardless of your fitness level or prior trekking experience, you can still get severe altitude sickness, giving you a headache, nausea, or dizziness. Above 3000 meters, the air pressure decreases, which will lead to a lower oxygen level, and it can affect your bodily functions. So, it is crucial to properly acclimatize during the Manaslu Circuit Trek. You can get severe forms of altitude sickness or complications like High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), which can be life-threatening. Therefore, your body needs to adjust to the sudden change in the oxygen level.
You can acclimatize at Samagaun and Samdo or have at least 2 acclimatization days during your whole trek. Especially before you will be crossing Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters), you need to have an acclimatization day to prepare for the next challenging day. Therefore, plan your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary with at least two extra days as acclimatization days to give your body the needed amount of rest and to adjust to the change in the atmosphere.
Your trekking pace should be moderate for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. On average you can walk from 10 to 15 kilometers a day, which is about 6 to 8 hours of walking a day, but it also depends on how fit you are, your acclimatization plan, and your trekking style. The longer Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary, which takes about 14 to 16 days, will give you more leisurely time to explore and to take a rest or to recover for the next challenging day by walking 4 to 6 hours a day. It will enhance your trekking experience by giving you time to witness the beautiful and stunning landscapes of the Manaslu region. The Manaslu Circuit Trek offers you diverse and challenging trails leading you to the rugged, rocky, and muddy terrains or icy and snowy paths, depending on the season, at higher altitudes. Therefore, to ensure your safety and comfort throughout the whole trek, make sure that you do a steady, moderate ascent to give your body the time to adjust to changes in altitude to prevent altitude sickness and to facilitate your body with the hydration and nourishment.
Both of the short and long Manaslu Circuit Trek itineraries start at Machha Khola and end at Dharapani with their different durations. The short itinerary will last about 10 to 12 days, and the long itinerary will last about 12 to 14 days. But the short itinerary will skip the acclimatization and some rest stops because of the tight schedule. This short itinerary will still offer you a journey through the beautiful scenery and stunning landscapes, but it can also lead to the risk of you getting altitude sickness because of skipping acclimatization. Regardless of your choice of itinerary, you still get to immerse yourself in the rich cultural and traditional heritage of the local communities and culminate in the iconic Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters).
The Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary will offer you several exploration opportunities or side trips. Even if you choose a short itinerary, you can explore the ancient village of Bhimthang, known for its picturesque views, and enjoy its serene environment. On shorter day hikes, you can visit a serene monastery called Pungyen Gompa, which is a 4- to 5-hour trek from Samagaun. This hike will provide you an opportunity to engage with Tibetan Buddhist culture and spirituality along with the beautiful views of the majestic Mount Manaslu. On a longer itinerary, you can hike over to the Manaslu Base Camp, around 4,800 meters, where you can witness the breathtaking views of the peak itself and its surrounding glaciers. Additionally, you can explore the Tibetan border, which is roughly a 4-hour trek from Samdo. This will give you insights into the lifestyle of the local communities influenced by Tibetan culture. You can also immerse yourself in the local culture of the Tibetan settlements at Samdo and Lho.
Tsum Valley, an ancient valley untouched by modern tourism, is known for its rich Tibetan culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality, which typically begins at Philim. You can witness the stunning and breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including Ganesh Himal. Mu Gumba, a Buddhist monastery, is one of the highlights of this detour, which is adorned with intricate murals and statues that reflect the area’s religious significance. You can see Tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the wind at the village of Soti Khola as you journey deeper into the Tsum Valley. You will see the livelihoods of the people involved in agriculture and animal husbandry. Tsum Valley is a compelling detour, providing you with the fascinating blend of natural beauty, culture, and spirituality.
Pungyen Gompa is a historic monastery located above the village of Samagaun, which takes you through the lush vegetation around the terraced fields and local wildlife. This hike can take 3 to 4 hours depending on your pace, altitude acclimatization, and weather conditions, but it is still moderately challenging. You can witness the beautiful artistry of the monastery's architecture along with the ancient statues and murals that give insight into Buddhist teachings. The panoramic views and adjacent valleys from the high altitude make it an excellent spot for photography. You must include it in your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary.
The journey to Manaslu Base Camp must make it to your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary, and it takes approximately 6 to 7 hours from Samagaun. You will ascend through the lush forests, offering you the majestic views of the Himalayas with the close scenery of Mt. Manaslu. The route begins with gentle slopes, but it gradually becomes more challenging because of the glacier. Along the trails, you can witness the lifestyle of local Gurung and Tibetan communities along with the unique flora and fauna and the grazing yaks around at the high altitude. The Manaslu Base Camp is approximately 4,800 meters high, so you need to do a proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. You can engage in the raw beauty of the Himalayas more intimately and take photographs, soaking in its panoramic vistas.
The pristine body of water named Kal Tal definitely makes it to your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary if you are an avid lover of nature. It is located at an elevation of around 4600 meters, which is a captivating short side trip. It takes about 6 to 8 hours from Samagaun, which also makes it accessible for you to acclimatize in the area. This route offers you stunning views of Mount Manaslu and Larke peak along with the stunning landscapes full of lush forests and Alpine flowers. You will be ascending moderately, requiring a proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness due to the high altitude .
Kal Tal is not only a natural beauty but also holds cultural significance for the local communities. The serene scenery of the mountains surrounding this lake gives you a perfect spot for photography, along with its changing tapestry of colors throughout the day. This is not only one of the highlights of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, but its untouched nature and rich cultural heritage make it a must-visit destination for you.
You can also customize your ideal Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary based on your time availability. If you have a plan of hiking for about 12 days, you will be crossing Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters), getting ample time for acclimatization along with the enjoyment of watching the stunning landscapes. You can do a side trip to Manaslu Base Camp as well. Similarly, if you have a plan for about 15 days, you can do a more thorough exploration of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. You will be covering the whole circuit route with a visit to Kal Tal Lake, along with getting enough time to immerse yourself in the locals’ cultural richness.
It is crucial that you plan your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary considering how fit you are. If you have a high fitness level, you can pursue Manaslu Circuit Trek for about 12 to 14 days, making you do a more extended daily hike and giving you less acclimatization time. You may have a comfortable hike up to 5,160 meters at Larkya La Pass without getting excessive fatigue, but you should do a rapid ascent. Alternatively, if you have a moderate fitness level, you should be planning your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary for about 14 to 16 days, which will give you more additional rest days and allow you to have a slower pace on the rough terrains, especially while crossing Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters) with proper acclimatization to prevent severe altitude sickness. Similarly, if you are a beginner or possess less fitness, we advise you to make your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary about 18 days. This will provide you with scheduled rest days and shorter daily hikes. Moreover, you can enjoy the stunning landscapes without being in a hurry and get enough time for interactions with the local communities and exploration of the Manaslu region.
You can plan your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary by choosing the best route and duration that align with your specific interests. If you are an adventure lover, you can do the whole trek along with a hike over the Manaslu Base Camp. Similarly, if you are more into culture, you can do a lot of cultural exploration of the villages at Samagaun and Samdo, interacting with the indigenous people, learning about their rich culture and history, and visiting the ancient monasteries that reflect their religious and spiritual beliefs. Furthermore, if you are an avid lover of nature, you can spend more time at Machha Khola and Bhimthang for their lush forests and stunning landscapes, respectively, and go during spring and autumn for clear skies and mild weather conditions perfect for photography sessions.
Planning your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary based on your budget should be considered with several aspects. If you want to get a more guided trek, it will cost you more because of the guide and porter’s fees along with the permit costs, and if you want to go for a self-prepared trek, then it may save you more money, but you should make more preparations, which might be hectic, and you might miss out on something that is essential during the Manaslu Circuit Trek. You should assess the cost of tea houses to go with the cheaper ones. With the food options, you should go for local cuisine rather than the Western cuisine to save you a few bucks. Furthermore, the additional facilities of the tea house should be taken into consideration for less spending, and the side trips will cost you more as you need to stay more days. It is also important to go during the off-seasons to get into less pricing time.
September-November: USD 100 per week and USD 15 for each additional day
December-August: USD 75 per week and USD 10 per each additional day
Foreign: USD 30
SAARC: NPR 1,000
Foreign: USD 30
SAARC: NPR 1,000
Foreign: USD 8 (NPR 1,000)
September-November: USD 40 per week
December-August: USD 35 per week
Hiring a guide for the Manaslu Circuit Trek is mandatory for your own safety and comfort, which is authorized by the Nepal government. Additionally, you should hire a porter to carry your essentials to ensure a smooth journey throughout the trek.
Arrive at tea houses early for the best accommodations and facilities. Especially during the peak seasons, you will struggle to find accommodation. So, consider the off-seasons like winter (December to February) and summer (June to August) for the budget and the best seasons like spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) for the best views.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is an immersive experience showcasing the remarkable Himalayas and the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous communities. For a successful expedition, you should do proper planning of the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary, considering several aspects such as your budget, fitness level, interest, and availability of time. Take all the essentials, like permits, to witness the unparalleled beauty of Manaslu, and do prioritize your safety along the trek.
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