Manaslu Circuit Trek Overview
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Manaslu Circuit Trek is an enjoyable adventure destination of over two week duration where drive involves both ways in the beginning and at the end of trekking depends upon where you complete the walks as the first place is nice village of Dharapani, where motorable road meets at Manang district.
Where some trekker carries on to Jagat and Syange village to finish the walks for drive back to Kathmandu, whatever the options as per the itinerary with your number of days for this trek, Manaslu Circuit is a marvelous mountain region to experience.
Manaslu Circuit trekking begins with overland journey from Kathmandu or Pokhara to reach around Gorkha district at Arughat town and then at Soto-Khola, where walk follows Burig-Gandaki River upstream heading past from low warm area to reach cooler mid hills.
Once on hilly area where walk leads into nice lovely farm villages as snow mountains gets closer entering Lo and Sama-Gaon within high Manaslu valley enclosed within high rocky mountains and snow capped peaks.
An interesting place to be where one can explore and observe interesting cultures of Manaslu people interwoven with Buddhism religion and similar traditional and cultures of Tibetans, as the border of Tibet falls within a mere distance from the high villages of Manaslu valley.
Manaslu Valley was once a popular Trans Himalaya Salt and Caravan Trade of Nepal and Tibet in good early days, before China came into Tibet where’s at present the trade is still active but in smaller ways.
From Sama-gaon where walk leads you to the last village of Manaslu and Gorkha area at Samdo, and then heading towards high Larke-La pass at the height of 5,160 m and16, 929 ft, leads you tough walk uphill.
The top of Larke-La festooned with thousands of Buddhist colorful prayer flags and stone cairns marking and respecting the high top, for Buddhist is an abode of gods and holy spirits.
Enjoy fantastic views of whole Manaslu range of peaks with
Annapurna and Himlung Himal then steep downhill to enter into Manang region and back into dense green forest of tall rhododendron, pines and fir tree lines.
After completing toughest climb of the adventure, rest of the walk is much easier on downhill to reach road head at Dharapani village where famous
Annapurna Circuit trail joins with Manaslu routes.
From Dharapani village with options either take a jeep drive to reach at Besisar town within Lamjung district for journey back to Kathmandu or walk down further to reach at Besisar headquarter town of Lamjung area.
Return to your last final destination to Kathmandu or scenic Pokhara, after completing a spectacular and most rewarding adventure around Nepal Far North Mid-West Himalaya on Manaslu Circuit Trekking.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Highlights
- Journey to world’s 8th highest Mt. Manaslu and around its massive mountain range
- Exceptional panorama of snow capped peaks on walks to high Manaslu valley
- Adventure to Mt. Manaslu around Nepal remote Far North Mid-West Himalaya
- Explore cultural villages of great interest from the start to the end of trekking
- Dramatic change of climate-vegetation-cultures on walks to high Manaslu valley
- Great traverse from Manaslu valley to scenic Manang area via high Larke-La pass
Manaslu Circuit Trek Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Drive to Soti Khola (730 m) from Kathmandu via Arughat town - 07 hrs.
Day 02: Trek to Maccha Khola (925m) -06 hrs.
Day 03: Trek to Dobhan (1,070 m) via Tatopani (Hot Spring) - 06 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Jagat (1,340 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Dyang (1,804m) - 06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Namrung (2,630 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Lo-Gaon (3,180 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Sama-Gaon (3,530 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 09: Rest day at Sama-Gaon for acclimatization and with short hike.
Day 10: Trek to Samdo (3,860 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Dharamsala /Larke Base Camp (4,460 m) - 04 hrs.
Day 12: Cross Larke-La pass (5,160 m) to Bhimthang (3,720 m) - 08 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Ghoa (2,940 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Dharapani (1,963 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 15: Drive to Besisahar and to Kathmandu
Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty
The grade of Manaslu Circuit Trekking is from moderate to adventurous. It is not much of a tough and difficult walk as it starts with gradual climb with few strenuous ups to encounter and walk on pleasant path on reach Manaslu from Lo-Gaon onward.
The strenuous walk is just for a day climbing to cross over high Larke-la pass, where one can walk on slow pace with some rest to catch breathe and enjoy scenic views of peaks. Crossing over Larke-La and with long descend to Bhimtang is quite an adventure where one can enjoy the tough part of the journey just for a day, where rest of the walk is easy and moderate.
Accomodation and Meals on Manaslu Circuit Trek
Manaslu Circuit remains as one of the restricted areas of trekking in Nepal. However, a number of good lodges has been built on trekking route where trekkers can stay overnight in a nice cozy lodge. Most places are simple and basic from Lo-Gaon and at Sama-Gaon where few good lodges are available.
In Dharmasala at Phedi, due to limited lodges where it can be crowded with flow of trekkers, one might have to accomodate in tented camps provided by the lodge. From Bhimthang, there are simple and clean rooms till Dharapani. One can find good facilities of attached bathroom and toilets in Dharapani.
Meals during the trek are as per the menu provided by the local lodge. Some good lodges around Dyang-Namrung and Lo-Gaon and Sama-Gaon do have expert chefs. But most of the lodges are family run, offers excellent meals from Nepalese simple and popular Dal-Bhat to Indian-Chinese and Continental cuisines.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Day by Day Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Drive to Soti-Khola (730 m) - 07 hrs via Arughat (570 m ) - 07 hrs.
Morning after early breakfast by 7 a.m. where overland journey takes you to Nepal Mid West at Gorkha areas town at Arughat.
From Arughat drive follows Buri-Gandaki River to reach at a farm village of Soti-Khola for overnight stop after more than six hours interesting drives.
Day 02: Trek to Machha Khola (925 m) - 06 hrs.
First day walks into steep valley around forested areas past small villages, a nice views of cultivated terrace of Lapbesi upper village thek descends to a wide, sandy riverbed following a trail that meanders below a steep, craggy valley side.
Walk leads to a climb tos Machha Khola for overnight stop, a village with number of teashops and small lodge, Maccha Khola means a Fish Stream.
Day 03: Trek to Dobhan (1,070 m) via Tatopani (Hot Spring) - 06 hrs.
Morning walk leads past interesting farm villages and cultivated fields, as walk lead upstream to Khola-Bensi village and Tatopani, a place with natural 'hot spring'.
Continue trek crossing a suspension bridge, entering patch of forest and then reaching at Doban located on the high shelf of Burigandaki River.
Day 04: Trek to Jagat (1,340 m) - 06 hrs.
Morning walk to Lauri stream cross a bridge and climb and then descend to open valley of Yara Khola, as journey continues for some hours to reach at Jagat.
Jagat is a nice moderate farm village with mix people Magar, Chettries, Brahman, Manaslu Bhotia (Tibetan looking tribes) and some Newar people a lodge owner and shopkeepers.
Day 05: Trek to Dyang (1,804m) - 06 hrs.
From Jagat descends to a river, as climb towards terraced hillside at Saguleri, with view of Sringi Himal 7,187m, walk continues with ups and down trail as our route reach at a bridge over Buri-Gandaki.
After crossing a bridge reach at Philim village with rich cultivated fields and terraces, here for refreshing stop and continue walk through golden fields of wheat’s and barley, and past forest area towards Eklai Bhatti, from here walk to Dyang, as our trail diverts toward North West to reach overnight stop at Dyang.
Day 06: Trek to Namrung (2,630 m) - 06 hrs.
Morning walking around cliff walls, as journey continues past Dyang, where houses and terrains completely changes of more Tibetan like. Walk leads past Bihi and Ghap villages entering alpine woodland crossing a large stream flowing from the glacier of Lidana.
Grand views of Manaslu native name Kutang (Manaslu) Himal range with Pang Phuchin 6,335m, Saula Himal 6,235m with many unnamed peaks of above 6000m. From here altitude gains to reach at Namrung for overnight stop, this village also called Sho Namru.
Day 07: Trek to Lo-Gaon (3,180 m) - 06 hrs.
Morning leads to farm fields and Yak herder huts and shelter and into high and scenic valley all the way to Lo-Gaon a nice village for overnight stop.
Around Lo, visit monastery with numerous chhorten and Mani walls with views of Ganesh Himal towards east.
Day 08: Trek to Sama-Gaon (3,530 m) - 06 hrs.
From Lo-Gaon pleasant walk as altitude gains with views of Peak 29, after climb reach a small forest at Shala village with view of Phungi, Manaslu and Himal Chuli.
Walk few hours to reach Sama-Gaon village, with super view of Mt. Manaslu slowly trek leads to Sama-Gaon a large village of Manaslu Valley, local are farmers cultivating buck wheat, barley which are the main crops.
Villagers migrated from South West Tibet more than 400 years of history with custom and culture of Buddhist heritage similar to Tibetan predecessor.
Day 09: Rest day at Sama-Gaon for acclimatization and with short hike.
Rest day for acclimatization before heading towards high Larke-la Pass, explore around Sama-Gaona and visit its old Monastery of Nyligpa (red hat sect) sect of Buddhism.
Day 10: Trek to Samdo (3,860 m) - 05 hrs.
After Sama-Gaon a short walk of four hour or more to reach the last village of Gorkha and Manaslu valley at Samdo for overnight stop.
Start with slow climb as elevation gradually gains with dry much air which makes walk slower than earlier past days.
Day 11: Trek to Dharamsala /Larke Base Camp (4,460 m) - 04 hrs.
Morning walk leads at the end of the valley facing incredible views of snow capped peaks of Manaslu.
Walk continues to reach at Larke Phedi which means the bottom of a pass or ahill, also called Dharmasala a rest house / shades, at Larke Phedi afternoon free for short walks and preparations for next early to cross high Larke-La pass.
Day 12: Cross Larke-La pass (5,160 m) to Bhimthang (3,720 m) - 08 hrs.
From Larke Phedi a steep climb over moraine of rocks and boulders in snocondition it will be tough to find the right tracks, however on a fine day the path is easily visible.
As walk proceeds to cross an ablation area north of Larke glacier, with grand views of Cho Danda with Larke Peak, walk with gradual ascent and steeper to Larke-la, at the pass festooned with thousands of Buddhist colorful prayer flags.
Marvel excellent panorama of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II includes series of Manaslu peaks, and then descend to a valley at Larcia, on moraine ridge to Tambuche at 3,900m, the bottom of the pass with short walk from here leads to Bhimthang for overnight stop after a long and tough day walks.
Day 13: Trek to Ghoa (2,940 m) - 05 hrs.
From Bhimthang after completing the hardest day over Larke-La where morning leads downhill walks with some short climb on route to Gho into thick alpine woodland, walk into beautiful forested area to reach at Ghoa for overnight stop, small cattle and yak herders summer pasture and temporary settlement.
Day 14: Trek to Dharapani 1,963 m (04 hrs)
Last day walk downhill back into green woodland of tall pines and rhododendron to Telje village, a nice place by the side of taging Marysangdi River, from here crossing over suspension bridge with short climb to reach a large and nice lovely Dharapani village, where Annapurna Circuit trail and Around Manaslu Trekking route joins, Dharapani village provides excellent lodges for overnight stay.
Day 15: Drive to Besisar and to Kathmandu
After being around high area of Gorkha and at scenic Manaslu valley and within Manang district, where morning drive takes you back at Kathmandu, on completing wonderful adventure Around Manaslu Trekking. On arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to your respective hotels with rest of the afternoon free at leisure.
Best Time for Manaslu Circuit Trek
April and May with September to early November are the best months for Manaslu Circuit Trekking. April and May are basically spring time when days are longer with sunlight hours. Plus the forest are also bright with wild flowers in full bloom especially the rhododendron of various species and colors.
Morning and night around higher areas are cold and freezing but day time are pleasant for walks and views of peaks.
September to early November is one of the best times when most days are crystal clear for walks and views. However with short sun light hours due to autumn / fall season, it can be cold in the morning and night time as well in shade, where you can expect snow sometimes around higher area.
From November, villages will be half empty as local migrates to other low warm area to escape the freezing cold winter.
Conclusion
Manaslu Circuit Trek is quite different to other adventure destination of Nepal Himalaya. As the area has been opened since last past two decades which makes more interesting to visit and explore its rich culture and custom of high Manaslu people in the close shade of high snow capped peaks.
Manaslu Circuit is a restricted area where special permits are required entering from above Jagat village onward, making a special area which controls main and mass flow of trekkers to keep its environment as pristine as it was.
All in all Manaslu Circuit Trek is a fabulous adventure where one can have taste of all climate from warm-cooler to arctic cold and walking with varied landscapes from green forested hills to sheer wilderness of ice and snow, and change of culture and custom of locals from the start to end of trek.
Marvel Adventure conducts Manaslu Circuit Trek with a very well-designed itinerary, professional guides and all the necessary arrangements. We can also customize the itinerary according to your choice and preference. Feel free to
contact us for any query regarding the trek.
