Manaslu Circuit
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Days
13
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Trip Grade
Strenuous
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Maximum Altitude
Larkya La Pass (5,106 m)
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Starts
Kathmandu
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Ends
Kathmandu
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Best Time
Autumn (Late September – Mid November) Spring (Late March – Early May):
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Country
Nepal
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Activity
Trekking
Trip Price:
US $ 1,799 per person
Manaslu Circuit (Larke Pass) Trek is ideal for experienced trekkers seeking a physically demanding journey along some of the most rugged trails in Nepal’s Himalayas. Towering at 8,163 m, Mount Manaslu sits just east of the Annapurna region and borders Tibet to the north. Opened to foreign visitors only after Nepal’s transition to democracy in 1992, this route offers breathtaking scenery and a rich cultural experience. You’ll traverse remote valleys that reveal the traditional lifestyles of communities whose ancestors migrated from Tibet—evident in their language, clothing, and customs.
Because we are based in the Manaslu region, Adventure Pilgrims Trekking Pvt. Ltd. is uniquely positioned, as a government‐registered operator, to secure the necessary Restricted Area Permit and provide expert local knowledge. Although the trail can be challenging and often features difficult ascents, every effort is rewarded by sweeping mountain panoramas and encounters with hospitable villagers. A highlight is crossing Larke La, one of the most dramatic high passes in the Himalayas.
This trek still feels untouched by mass tourism, so you will explore truly “virgin” territory that very few others dare to visit. If you’d like to adjust the duration, group size, or season, just let us know, and we’ll design a detailed, customized itinerary to suit your needs.
- High-Altitude Pass: Conquer Larkya La (5,106 m) with 360° Himalayan panoramas.
- Cultural Diversity: Pass through Gurung, Magar, Sherpa, and Tibetan-influenced villages—each with distinct monasteries and traditions.
- Remote Wilderness: Entire trek lies within the Manaslu Conservation Area; far fewer trekkers than Annapurna or Everest.
- Scenic Diversity: From subtropical riverbanks to alpine meadows, glacial moraines, and thick rhododendron forests.
- Tsum Valley Option: (2–3 extra days) Accessible from Deng, offering ancient gompas, mani walls, and a unique Buddhist culture.
Day 1: Kathmandu → Arughat Bazaar → Soti Khola → Machha Khola (930 m)
You depart Kathmandu early, boarding a jeep or tourist bus for a seven- to eight-hour drive west along winding mountain roads through Dhading and Gorkha districts, finally reaching Arughat Bazaar (570 m) by late morning or early afternoon. From Arughat, the vehicle continues downriver to Soti Khola (1,000 m), where you register your permits and step onto the trail. The afternoon’s gentle walk follows the Budhi Gandaki River through rice terraces and small villages, ending at Machha Khola (930 m). Here, basic teahouses line the riverbank and offer your first night’s lodge before the trek proper begins.
Day 2: Machha Khola (930 m) → Jagat (1,410 m)
On Day 2, you leave Machha Khola after breakfast and steadily climb upstream for roughly six to seven hours. The trail ascends through lush subtropical forests and past cascading waterfalls, crossing wooden suspension bridges over the Budhi Gandaki several times. Villages such as Kamjung and Tatopani appear en route, giving glimpses of local Gurung and Magar lifestyles. You finally reach Jagat (1,410 m) by mid-afternoon, where you clear the Manaslu Conservation Area checkpoint and spend the night in a simple teahouse overlooking the gorge.
Day 3: Jagat (1,410 m) → Deng (1,700 m)
After an early breakfast, you trek for six to seven hours on Day 3 along an ascending path carved into the Budhi Gandaki gorge. The trail passes through dense bamboo groves and rhododendron bushes, with intermittent landslide zones requiring caution. Midway, you cross a series of suspension bridges before arriving at the small settlement of Deng (1,700 m). This village sits on a narrow ledge above the river and offers your first high-valley vistas. You spend the night in Deng’s modest lodges, surrounded by towering pine forests and the distant silhouette of Manaslu.
Day 4: Deng (1,700 m) → Namrung (2,630 m)
On Day 4, you continue ascending for about five to six hours through increasingly alpine terrain. The trail winds past seasonal farming terraces, rhododendron thickets, and glacial streams. As you climb toward Namrung, you may glimpse the first clear views of Manaslu’s southern face. Namrung (2,630 m) perches on a plateau overlooking the Budhi Gandaki gorge, with pine and bamboo forests framing the village. In the late afternoon, you can stroll to a viewpoint above Namrung to watch the sun set behind snow-capped peaks, then rest in a locally run teahouse.
Day 5: Namrung (2,630 m) → Samagaon (3,520 m)
You leave Namrung after breakfast on Day 5 and trek for about five hours through mixed forest and yak pastures. The path steadily climbs past Shyala and Lho, where a short side trip to Lho Monastery is possible. Arriving in Samagaon (3,520 m) by early afternoon, you check into a stone-walled teahouse in this traditional Gurung-style village. Late in the day, you may visit the 450-year-old Lho Monastery, explore mani walls, and take in expansive views of Manaslu Glacier across the valley.
Day 6: Acclimatization at Samagaon (3,520 m)
Day 6 is reserved for acclimatization at Samagaon. You rise late and spend the morning exploring the village’s mani walls and nunnery. After lunch, you undertake a side hike to Pungyen Gompa (4,100 m), which takes three to four hours round-trip and offers closer views of the Manaslu Glacier. Alternatively, if conditions permit, you can push higher toward the Manaslu Base Camp viewpoint (approx. 4,800 m) for panoramic vistas of surrounding summits. In the evening, you return to Samagaon, ensuring your body adjusts to the altitude.
Day 7: Samagaon (3,520 m) → Samdo (3,860 m)
On Day 7, you walk only three to four hours to allow further acclimatization. The trail climbs gradually past yak herders’ summer grazing fields and high-altitude meadows. By midday, you arrive at Samdo (3,860 m), the last Nepali village before the Tibetan border. This settlement, built with stone houses and prayer flags, sits beneath the looming wall of Cheo Himal. You check into a sturdy teahouse, gather with other trekkers, and rest, preparing for the ascent to Dharamsala on the morrow.
Day 8: Samdo (3,860 m) → Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi, 4,460 m)
Day 8 begins with a four-hour uphill trek out of the Budhi Gandaki gorge. You navigate moraine fields and rocky paths, gradually gaining altitude. The trail runs beneath the glaciated slopes of Cheo Himal and nearby peaks, offering increasingly stark, high-altitude scenery. By early afternoon, you reach Dharamsala (4,460 m), sometimes referred to as Larkya Phedi, where basic tea houses provide simple dormitories. Here, you rest early and prepare mentally and physically for the high-pass crossing the next morning.
Day 9: Dharamsala (4,460 m) → Larkya La Pass (5,106 m) → Bimthang (3,720 m)
On Day 9, you rise before dawn (around 4:00 AM) to begin the steep 1,000 m ascent to Larkya La Pass (5,106 m). Using headlamps, you navigate loose scree and patches of snow, reaching the summit as the sun rises—rewarding you with unforgettable 360° views of Manaslu, Himalchuli, Ngadi Chuli, and Ganesh Himal. After savouring the panorama and photographs, you descend the rocky, sometimes icy trail for several hours until reaching Bimthang (3,720 m) by mid- to late afternoon. This alpine meadow, dotted with prayer flags and shepherd huts, offers a well-deserved rest in spacious teahouses.
Day 10: Bimthang (3,720 m) → Tilije (2,300 m)
Day 10 begins with a six- to seven-hour descent. You leave Bimthang through clearings and birch-pine forests, following glacial streams that eventually feed into the Marsyangdi River. The path winds through high-altitude pastures, gradually giving way to denser rhododendron and pine groves as you descend. By late afternoon, you arrive in Tilije (2,300 m), a small village on the banks of the Marsyangdi. Here, teahouses are slightly larger, with greener surroundings, and you spend the night easing tired legs and enjoying warm meals.
Day 11: Tilije (2,300 m) → Dharapani (1,860 m)
On Day 11, you continue descending for about six to seven hours through mixed farmland and forest. The trail passes through villages such as Danakyu and Tal, where local farmers cultivate corn and millet terraces. You cross bamboo bridges over swift streams and may spot langur monkeys or Himalayan Thar along the way. By mid-afternoon, you reach Dharapani (1,860 m), the junction where the Manaslu route meets the Annapurna Circuit road. Lodges here cater to trekkers with hot showers and local cuisine, marking a return to more bustling trails.
Day 12: Dharapani (1,860 m) → Besisahar (840 m) → Kathmandu (1,400 m)
Day 12 starts with a five- to six-hour drive from Dharapani down to Besisahar (840 m). You traverse winding roads carved into riverbanks, passing waterfalls and roadside shacks until reaching the bustling bazaar of Besisahar. From Besisahar, you board a tourist bus or private vehicle for a six- to seven-hour drive back to Kathmandu, crossing the Marshyangdi and Trishuli Valleys. You arrive in Kathmandu late in the evening, completing the circuit.
Day 13: Buffer / Contingency Day
Day 13 remains unplanned as a safety buffer in case bad weather, landslides, delayed road travel, or mild altitude illness arise. If no issues occur, you can rest, shop for souvenirs in Kathmandu, or explore nearby cultural sites such as Pashupatinath Temple or Boudhanath Stupa. This extra day ensures you do not miss your international flight and gives your legs a final reprieve.
Day 14: Buffer / Contingency Day or Sightseeing in Kathmandu
If required, Day 14 serves as a second buffer for unexpected delays on the road or any residual acclimatization needs. Otherwise, you may use this day to sightsee in Kathmandu Valley—visiting Durbar Square, Patan, or Bhaktapur—and recover from the trek. In the evening, you prepare luggage and rest before departing Nepal the following day.
Included in The Cost
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Trekking guide/porter
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All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trekking)
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Accommodation in Tea house (lodges) during the trek
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Entry Permit for MCAP , ACAP, Restricted Area Permit
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All land transportation by tourist bus and private taxi
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Flight tickets from Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu
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Necessary insurance and equipment for trekking staff
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Airport pick- up and drop-off service
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Government taxes and Our service charge
Not Included in The Cost
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Personal nature expenses
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Drinks, beverages, etc.
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Tips
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Sleeping bag and down jacket if required
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Lunch and dinner in Pokhara
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Hotel accommodation and meals in Kathmandu
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Road Blockeds and personal Expense.
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In Case of emergency , your personal travel insurance includes your helicopter rescue, trip cancellation and medical expenses.