Manaslu Circuit Trek

We will start the day early after breakfast. We take a drive from Kathmandu to Dhading Besi on a nice, paved road enjoying the views of the hilly areas, terraces, fields and rivers. The drive from Dhading Besi to Arughat is a little rough one on rocky trails. From Arughat 2 more hour driver to reach Soti Khola or to drive there and rest the night.

We start the day early to reach our destination which will take about 6-7 hours. After crossing a popular suspension bridge of Soti Khola, we trek through Sal forests to reach a ridge above the splashing rapids of the Budhi Gandaki River. After reaching Khursane, the trail becomes rocky, passing through waterfalls and cliffs. We make our way past terraced rice fields and up to a Gurung village of Labubesi. we climb behind a rocky cliff where the valley opens up. Walking through a sandy river bed, climbing over stone ridges and then again moving down to the river and crossing the suspension bridges, we climb behind a rocky cliff where the valley opens up. Walking through a sandy river bed, climbing over stone ridges and then again moving down to the river and crossing the suspension bridges, we reach Machcha Khola village and overnight at tea house.

The next day, From Machhakhola we follow a narrow trail that takes us to Tharo Khola and finally to Khorlabesi. After a few ascends and descends, we reach a popular hot-spring, Tatopani. We will spend sometime here and can enjoy the natural sauna in the hot -spring and relieve all our tiredness and stress of the trek.we climb another ridge and cross the Budhi Gandaki on another suspension bridge. After this, we climb a staircase and then cross a landslide and a ridge to reach Doban. After crossing a suspension bridge, we again climb stone staircase then go down to the river and climb some stairs again to reach Thado Bharyang. Then we cross the west bank of Budhi Gandaki, climb over a ridge, walk along the river to reach the village of Jagat where we spend the night.

On this day, we first reach Salleri after climbing a rocky ridge and then go towards Sirdibas. We continue to Ghatta Khola and then walk upstream through a long suspension bridge to reach a Gurung village in Phillim. From the lower points of the village, the trail turns north and through leveled trails amidst maize fields, we reach Ekle Bhatti, where you will have lunch and continue our trip from a steep gorge and then descend through grassy slopes to cross the Budhi Gandaki and then cross bridges from west to east bank and back again. As the trail widens, we pass through bamboo forests to reach the Deng Khola. After crossing the river, we reach the tiny Deng village where we spend the night.

We take a brief walk from Deng and then we cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb to reach Rana. From here we climb for a while and then head west to Budhi Gandaki valley. The trail passes through forests and painted Mani stones and a corner from where we reach Ghap. Then we take the trail through Prok village which allows us to witness the beautiful view of Siring Himal. We follow the river, crossing it at many places and pass through dense forests and Gompas along the way. After crossing the river at a gorge, the trail becomes leveled and after a last steep climb, we reach Namrung where we stay the night. Namrung is the best viewpoint for Siring and Ganesh Himal as well as Mt. Himal Chuli.

From Namrung a steep climb and passage through forests take us to Lihi, a village well known for its chortens and barley terraces. After crossing the side valley of Simnang, we pass through Sho and then reach Lho where we spend the night. Late afternoon visit the local monastery after you reached there.

After crossing the Shyala village, we reach the Sama village where one gets to witness the amazing views of Mount Manaslu and explore the famous Ribung Gompa. The breathtaking view of the high mountains along with glaciers is the highlight of the trip. We stay in Samagaon for the night.

This day is set aside to rest and acclimatize to the increasing altitudes. We stay in Samagaon and explore the surrounding areas or visit Birendra Tal and Anie Gompa. The main attraction of the day is the Pungyen Gompa with a spectacular view of the glaciers but it rather log day only recommended for the fit hikers. It is situated on a hill near Samagaon. We hike up to the Gompa named after the two peaks of Manaslu which means bracelet. It was destroyed when the Japanese first tried to summit the peaks. It was believed that the expedition to reach the summit might have angered the Gods. After the detour, we come back to Samagaon and spend the night there.

We follow the Budhi Gandaki River up to a stream which we cross on a suspension bridge. From here we take the trail on the right to Larkya la. It is a fairly easy trail, passing through Mani walls and juniper and birch forests. We again cross a bridge over Budhi Gandaki and continue forward. From a stone arch, we can see a kani and after crossing it, we reach Samdo where we spend the night.

We start our day trip by crossing a wooden bridge over Budhi Gandaki River and begin a hike upwards. After crossing a few streams and seeing a glimpse of the Larkya glacier, we go around a valley and make our way upwards again to reach a guesthouse called Dharmashala. This short walk to Larke Phedi provides enough time and rest to acclimatize for the further trek.

On this day, we make a short climb and reach a valley on the north side of Larkya glacier with exquisite views of Larkya peak. We ascend the moraines of a glacier which becomes quite steep at the end before reaching the pass. From here we can enjoy the breathtaking views of Himlung, Cheo, Kanggru and the Annapurna. It is a longer walk than other days and you reach the guesthouse among the low pastures at the dim lights of dusk. When we finally reach Bhimtang, the exquisite view of Mount Manaslu makes every step worth it.

On this day, we make a short climb and reach a valley on the north side of Larkya glacier with exquisite views of Larkya peak. We ascend the moraines of a glacier which becomes quite steep at the end before reaching the pass. From here we can enjoy the breathtaking views of Himlung, Cheo, Kanggru and the Annapurna. It is a longer walk than other days and you reach the guesthouse among the low pastures at the dim lights of dusk. When we finally reach Bhimtang, the exquisite view of Mount Manaslu makes every step worth it.

After enjoying the splendid views of the mountains from a ridge in Bhimtang, we make our way down towards a high pasture and then a bridge over Dudh Khola. We walk through rhododendron forests, narrow valleys and fields before making a climb to the river bank that leads to the village of Gho. A short walk takes us to Tilije with better accommodation options where we spend the night.

We move in a stone paved path passing through a beautiful village and then cross a bridge over Dudh Khola, move past an arch and Mani walls to get to the Thonje village. After passing through a police checkpoint we make our way towards Dharapani from where we enter the Annapurna circuit section. From Dharapani we take Jeep or bus from Dharapani to Beishar. which takes 4-5 hours. We spend a our last night of the trek at Besishar.

We drive along the banks of Marsyangdi and Trishuli River, witnessing the beautiful scenery of rice fields, terraced farms, rivers and valleys and refreshing views of the hilly areas and mountains. After a few hours’ journey we reach Kathmandu where we will spend the last night in Nepal.