Trip Overview
Enjoy soaring peaks, fantastic trekking and Tibetan-style villages on this classic Manaslu Circuit trek.
This trek in the shadow of the eigth highest mountain in the world is the perfect alternative to the neighbouring Annapurna Circuit. It has equally spectacular Himalayan scenery, an abundance of wildlife and tea house accommodation, but sees far fewer trekkers and has not become blighted with roads.
Your trek starts at steamy Machhi Khola as you walk northward up the Buri Gandaki Valley, sometimes following the river along the valley, but more often climbing high as the trail snakes along the increasingly steep, forested gorge. From Ghap you start to climb steeply to reach your highest point, the impressive Larkya La, 5,106m/16,752ft. The route to the pass offers excellent acclimatisation as well as strong cultural interest with time to explore the attractive Tibetan villages of Sama Gaon and Samdo.
As you cross the Larkya La, you can enjoy both a great sense of achievement and the breathtaking views of the giant peaks of the greater Himalaya on all sides. Finally you descend to Dharapani where you say a fond farewell to your Sherpa guide and trek crew, before returning to Kathmandu.
This is truly a special cultural adventure with unbeatable big mountain scenery from first step to last.
Short Itinerary
Day 01-03:
Fly to Kathmandu and drive to Machhi Khola – the trailhead for the trek.
Day 04-05:
Trek to Deng via Jagat.
Day 06-07:
Trek to Shyala.
Day 08-09:
Trek to Sama. Acclimatisation walk from Sama Gompa.
Day 10-11:
Trek to Samdo. Acclimatisation day.
Day 12-13:
Trek to Dharmashala and cross the Larkya La, 5,106m/16,752ft. Continue to Bimtang.
Day 14-15:
Trek to Gowa. End trek. Drive to Besisahar.
Day 16-18:
Drive to Kathmandu. Fly to home.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Depart from Home on your overnight flight to Kathmandu.
On arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Today you have a full day driving west from Kathmandu passing through many villages and bazaars to reach the settlement of Machhi Khola.
You cross the Machhi Khola River and follow it upward to the small village of Khorlabesi. Continuing northward you pass the hot springs at Tatopani and head into a forested area before entering Doban. As you walk beyond Doban there are huge rapids down below on the Buri Gandaki. You cross the river again by suspension bridge at Lauri and continue up the valley to Jagat.
Leaving Jagat you descend to the river and follow its course, on an undulating trail amongst fields typically sown with grain such as maize or millet. Passing through the settlement of Sulleri you’ll catch your first, distant glimpse of Phillim which you’ll reach in a further 1½-2 hours trekking. There’s a custom post in the village here, checking and levying taxes on goods imported from Tibet. Even though your permits may have been checked earlier in the day they are likely to be checked again here.
Leaving Phillim you continue on the main track passing some superb waterfalls on both banks, as you trek up the narrow western gorge of the Buri Gandaki heading towards Manaslu. There is some impressive scenery as you walk up the gorge, sometimes high above the river, while at other times you descend to cross and re-cross it on an incredible variety of bridges. After around 4 hours of trekking you reach a stone “arch” or Kani, through which you pass to arrive in Deng shortly thereafter.
Whilst your trek today follows a similar pattern to previous days, descending to, crossing, and then climbing up from the river waters there is a noticeable change in the scenery. The narrowest and most impressive gorges are now behind you and the valleys open out. Upon reaching the entrance to the village of Ghap, after 3-4 hours trekking, look out for beautifully decorated kani and close by an intricately carved mani wall. The final leg of today’s trekking takes you through forest of pines, rhododendrons and bamboo – a marvellous playground for the resident monkeys. You exit the forest on the edge of Namrung, your overnight stop.
From Namrung you will climb to Li Gaon 2,905m/9,531ft, set in a delightful spot at the foot of a side valley. The village has numerous chortens and intricately decorated mani walls. You’re likely to enjoy your first clear views of Manaslu today along with those of some neighbouring Himalayan giants. You trek to Sho, and this is the first viewpoint for Manaslu.
A little further on, across another bridge, is Lho, 3,100m/10,230ft, which has a small temple containing two complete sets of the Tibetan canon in the Narthang and Lhasa prints, a fine gilded terracotta image of Sakyamuni and painted panels of the Five Buddhas and of “Lotus-Born” with different ritual cycles of divinities and lamas.
Continuing on you pass through a stone gate and along a mani wall of the village, to head straight towards Peak 29 which is ahead of you. Your overnight stop is at Syala.
Following the lateral moraine of Pungen Glacier towards Sama, you reach the village and it takes a further 20 minutes to reach the monastery. There are excellent views of Manaslu from here.
In the afternoon, there are a number of possible walks to aid your acclimatisation including the walk to Phug-yen Monastery, which was rebuilt after an avalanche destroyed it in the 1950s. The monastery is located on a ridge south of Sama Gaon.
Today the guide will suggest a suitable walk to help you acclimatise.
You cross a high plateau now and skirt around the ridge of lateral moraine heading towards Karmo Kharka and Kermo Mamam. You climb a terraced hillside on the opposite bank of Budhi Gandaki and from here you reach one of the most remote permanent settlements in Nepal, Samdo. It is quite a sizeable village of some 40 houses containing 200 villagers who live year-round in this harsh and at times hostile environment.
A day to rest and acclimatise in preparation for crossing the high pass the day after tomorrow.
Today you descend the wild mountain path from Samdo until you cross the Gyala Khola. You then ascend again to the ridge overlooking the remains of the once thriving Lyarke Bazaar and cross two small streams before Larke Glacier. From here you ascend to collection of huts, locally known as Dharmashala. There are a couple of very basic tea houses here where you may spend the night, but they also have tents for those who prefer to camp.
You make an early morning start to cross the highest pass on the route. First you climb slowly towards Cho Canda and then slowly head on from here steeply uphill towards the pass. From the top there are magnificent views of the greater Himalaya in every direction and peaks including Himlung Himal, 23,379ft/7,126m, Cheo Himal, Gyaij Kang, Kang Guru, 22,998ft/7,010m, and Annapurna II. It is a steep descent again on the other side of the pass. The length of the day is very much dependent upon conditions but it will certainly be challenging and you will no doubt be tired when you arrive at your lodge, at the foot of the pass, at a place called Bimtang, 12,202ft/3,760m.
A shorter day today. Leaving the meadows of Bimtang you continue your descent initially with glorious mountain views then into pine and rhododendron forest. You then climb the lateral moraine for a while until this ends in a river bed at the hamlet of Karcha, which is also known as Dovan. After the river, you climb gently through the terraced fields and then descend through numerous fields and pine forests to Gowa. This is your last night on the Manaslu Circuit so there will no doubt be an end of trek celebration and a chance to say a fond farewell to your trek crew.
beginning the Annapurna Circuit. There are also numerous tea houses along the route offering tempting apple pie and beer to the trekkers. It’s a bumpy, dusty, dirt road from Gowa to Besisahar so the going will be slow.
Today you drive from Beshisahar back to your hotel in Kathmandu. Now there is time to relax and reflect on the many memories from your trek.
You will have time at leisure in Kathmandu today when you may do some sightseeing or shopping, or simply relax at your hotel. Later there will be a group transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the Home.
Include
Includes
- Arrival & Departure Transport By private Car/Van/Bus.
- Three meals a day during the Trekking (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Accommodation in Tea House during the Trekking.
- Trekking Guide with Insurance
- Trekking Porters if needed with Insurance
- Kathmandu city and trekking maps.
- Tims card (Trekking information management system) is like a permit.
- Free use Company's duffel bag.
- Emergence of helicopter rescue (pay by your insurance)
- Day sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley, car/van/bus and tour guide.
- All needed Government fees.
Exclude
- International Airfare.
- Food in Kathmandu(City) lunch and dinner.
- Your travel insurance and Sightseeing entrance fees in Kathmandu
- Any kind of drink. (tea, coffee, hard and soft drinks, Drinking water, etc)
- Tips for Guide and Porters
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu (late departure or early arrival from the mountains.
- Donation Items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone etc.
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