Manaslu Circuit Trek, which takes place in the remote part of the central Himalayas in Nepal, is one of the most beloved off-beaten trekking adventures. This circumnavigating journey across the eighth-highest mountain peak in the world, Mt. Manaslu (8,163 meters), helps you get in touch with the raw state and mystical allurements of the Himalayan wilderness. As this circuit trekking route is pretty close to the Annapurna region, the second mainstream trekking destination in the country, you will also have the opportunity to relish the magnificence of both regions. But what about the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary plans? Is it a long Himalayan journey, or can you complete it in a short period? What route will this trek take you across?
If you are curious about this incredible and most popular off-beaten trekking adventure in the Nepali Himalayas like this, you have landed on the right page. The general Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary plan lasts somewhere between 12 to 18 days; the duration of the trip can be adjusted according to your preference and what kind of experience you are looking for. The trails in this thrilling Himalayan trek pass through both the Manaslu Conservation Area as well as the Annapurna Conservation Area and the charming traditional settlements on both sides. If you wish to learn more about the popular itinerary plans for this remote circuit trekking, trekking distance, day-to-day elevation gain, the best time for the trek, difficulty level of the adventure, and overall cost of this Himalayan excursion, follow the article to the end.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary: Outline Itinerary With Altitude and Trek Duration
13 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary
13 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek is the most standard itinerary plan in the remote circuit trekking route. Unlike the packages that handle all your itinerary plans during your stay in Nepal, this standard package takes care of just your adventure in the mountains. You will start your epic Himalayan quest with the drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola and end with a drive back to Kathmandu from Dharapani.
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu (1,400 meters) to Machha Khola (870 meters): 7-8 hours
Day 02: Trekking from Machha Khola to Jagat (1,290 meters): 6-7 hours
Day 03: Trek from Jagat to Pewa (1,860 meters): 7 hours
Day 04: Pewa to Namrung (2,630 meters): 6 hours
Day 05: Trekking from Namrung to Lho (3,180 meters): 4 hours
Day 06: Lho to Sama Gaun (3,500 meters): 7 hours
Day 07: Rest and acclimatization day at Sama Gaun
Day 08: Trekking from Sama Gaun to Samdo (3,860 meters): 4-5 hours
Day 09: Acclimatizing day at Samdo
Day 10: Samdo to Dharamsala/ Larkya Base Camp trek (4,460 meters): 4-5 hours
Day 11: Trekking from Dharamsala to Bimthang (3,720 meters) via Larkya La Pass (5,160 meters): 7-8 hours
Day 12: Bimthang to Dharapani (1,963 meters) trek: 9 hours
Day 13: Trekking from Dharapani to Besisahar and drive to Kathmandu: 8-10 hours
12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary
Although this 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek is pretty similar to the 13 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary plan, the pace is different in this trekking package. Unlike the standard package, which has two acclimatization days, you will get only one rest day in this itinerary plan. The journey is a little quick-paced and like the standard package, it takes care of your itinerary plan during the trekking part only.
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu (1,400 meters) to Machha Khola (870 meters): 7-8 hours
Day 02: Trekking from Machha Khola to Jagat (1,290 meters): 6-7 hours
Day 03: Jagat to Deng (1,860 meters): 7 hours
Day 04: Trek from Deng to Namrung (2,630 meters): 6 hours
Day 05: Namrung to Lho (3,180 meters) trekking: 4 hours
Day 06: Trekking from Lho to Sama Gaun (3,500 meters): 7 hours
Day 07: Acclimatization day at Sama Gaun, morning hike to Manaslu Base Camp (4,400 meters)
Day 08: Trek from Sama Gaun to Samdo (3,860 meters): 5 hours
Day 09: Samdo to Dharamsala (4,460 meters): 4-5 hours
Day 10: Trekking from Dharamsala to Bimthang (3,720 meters) crossing Larkya La Pass (5,160 meters): 7-8 hours
Day 11: Bimthang to Dharapani (1,963 meters) trek: 9 hours
Day 12: Drive back to Kathmandu (1,400 meters) from Dharapani: 8-10 hours
If you are looking for an extended version of exploration in this remote trekking region, the Himalayas on Foot also offers an exciting 20 Day Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek itinerary. This immersive journey combines two of the most popular trekking routes in the central Himalayan region of the country in a single itinerary plan.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary: Detailed Itinerary
This is the general itinerary plan and day-to-day activity of the standard Manaslu Circuit Trekking packages. The itinerary plans of other packages you may come across may vary slightly depending on the route, trekking pace, side explorations around the region and the rest period included in the package.
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola
Kathmandu Elevation: 1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet
Machha Khola Elevation: 870 meters/ 2,854 feet
Elevation Gain: 530 meters/ 1,738 feet
You will get started on your incredible journey of the Manaslu Circuit with a drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola. You will drive on the Prithvi Highway moving alongside the cascading Trishuli River to reach Dhading Besi. Then, heading toward the north road, you will cross the Arughat Village at the bank of the Budhi Gandaki River to reach Sotikhola.
Your driving trail then passes through the sal forests and beautiful settlements of Lububesi Village and Khursani Village before reaching Machha Khola.
Day 02: Trekking from Machha Khola to Jagat
Machha Khola Elevation: 870 meters/ 2,854 feet
Jagat Elevation: 1,290 meters/ 4,232 feet
Elevation Gain: 420 meters/ 1,377 feet
Today, you will begin your trekking journey and leave the Machha Khola Village after breakfast. Moving across the sub-tropical lush vegetation, you will cross Tharo Khola and Machha Khola to reach Tatopani. You will continue trekking on the forested trails alongside the Budhi Gandaki River for about 2-3 hours to reach the traditional village of Dobhan.
Moving further, you will trek toward Yaruphat via Thulo Dhunga, walking past the beautiful Gurung and Magar villages. You will reach the Jagat Village after about 2-hour trek from here. Jagat is the entry point of the Manaslu Conservation Area, and you will need to show your permits here before trekking further.
Day 03: Trek from Jagat to Pewa
Jagat Elevation: 1,290 meters/ 4,232 feet
Pewa Elevation: 1,860 meters/ 6,102 feet
Elevation Gain: 570 meters/ 1,870 feet
During the first part of this day’s trek, you will traverse across the traditional Gurung village of Philim. You will then continue walking past the terraced millet field to reach the Ekle Bhatti and make your descent to the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River.
Then, continuing with the ascending route, you will cross a suspension bridge over the Siyar Khola to reach Nyak. You will then climb from Nyak to reach the Pewa Village for an overnight stay.
Day 04: Pewa to Namrung
Pewa Elevation: 1,860 meters/ 6,102 feet
Namrung Elevation: 2,630 meters/ 8,628 feet
Elevation Gain: 770 meters/ 2,526 feet
After breakfast, you will continue climbing uphill in your Manaslu Circuit Trek and trek past Deng Village. Your trekking route then passes across Bihi Phedi and Bihi Village to reach the Rana Bridge. You will then walk past the mani walls and Buddhist shrine to reach Ghap Village over a suspension bridge.
Then, your trekking trail further ahead passes across the dense rhododendron, oak, fir, and bamboo forests. You will cross another suspension bridge along the way before reaching the Namrung Village.
Day 05: Trekking from Namrung to Lho
Namrung Elevation: 2,630 meters/ 8,628 feet
Lho Elevation: 3,180 meters/ 10,433 feet
Elevation Gain: 550 meters/ 1,804 feet
From Namrung, you will make you ascend across the traditional Lihi Village and cross a glacial stream that originates from the Lindanda Glacier as you move further in your trekking route. Your trekking trail will then take you to the Sho Village, from where you can enjoy the magnificent views of the Simnang Himal.
You will then start seeing the mani walls, decorated chortens, and Buddhist Stupas as you head toward the traditional Lho Village.
Day 06: Lho to Sama Gaun trek
Lho Elevation: 3,180 meters/ 10,433 feet
Sama Gaun Elevation: 3,500 meters/ 11,482 feet
Elevation Gain: 320 meters/ 1,049 feet
After breakfast, you will start your trek across Shyala Village (5,320 meters), where a large number of houses and Buddhist gompa were damaged by the 2015 earthquake. This high-altitude village is surrounded by farmlands, and there are several wooden resting places along the trail.
You will then cross a wooden bridge over a mountain stream that drains the Punggen Glacier to reach the flat surface where Sama Gaun is situated.
Day 07: Rest and acclimatization day at Sama Gaun
Sama Gaun Elevation: 3,500 meters/ 11,482 feet
As you have climbed over a significant altitude, this day will be your first acclimatization day in the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary. You can do short hikes around the region, like Birendra Lake, Pungyen Monastery, or Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 meters), for an effective acclimatization process.
After you can just stroll around this traditional village, exploring the traditions and lifestyle of the high-altitude Himalayan settlement.
Day 08: Trekking from Sama Gaun to Samdo
Sama Gaun Elevation: 3,500 meters/ 11,482 feet
Samdo Elevation: 3,860 meters/ 12,664 feet
Elevation Gain: 360 meters/ 1,181 feet
During the initial part of this day’s trek, you will trek past the Khermo Kharka to reach a junction point where one path leads to Manaslu Base Camp and another to Samdo Village. Following the trail toward Samdo, you will trek past the moraines of the Manaslu Glacier.
Then, you will ascend across the rhododendron forests to reach the Samdo Village. Samdo is a Tibetan refugee village and the last settlement you will rest at before crossing the Larkya La Pass.
Day 09: Acclimatizing day at Samdo
Samdo Elevation: 3,860 meters/ 12,664 feet
Day 09 is another acclimatization day in your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary; you will give your body enough time to adapt to the new altitude before entering the alpine zone. You can do some short hikes around the village to acclimatize effectively. From the vantage points in this high-altitude village, you will be able to catch magnificent views of the Himalayan ranges like Simrang Himal, Ngadi, Larkya Peak, Cheo Himal, Hiunchuli, and other adjacent peaks.
Day 10: Samdo to Dharamsala/ Larkya Base Camp trek
Samdo Elevation: 3,860 meters/ 12,664 feet
Dharamsala Elevation: 4,460 meters/ 14,632 feet
Elevation Gain: 600 meters/ 1,968 feet
Today, you will make your ascend to the Dharamsala, the last resting destination in this circuit trek, before crossing Larkya La Pass. From Samdo Village, you will trek past the mani walls and farmlands to the bank of the Budhi Gandaki River. You will cross a wooden bridge over the river and also walk past the Athahra Saya River and Larke River before reaching the Larkya Glacier.
During the last part, you will trek around the Salkha Khola Valley to reach Dharamsala. It is a stone guest house that has dormitory-style rooms to accommodate the trekkers in the region.
Day 11: Trekking from Dharamsala to Bimthang via Larkya La Pass
Dharamsala Elevation: 4,460 meters/ 14,632 feet
Bimthang Elevation: 3,720 meters/ 12,204 feet
Larkya La Pass Elevation: 5,160 meters/ 16,929 feet
Elevation Gain: 700 meters/ 2,296 feet
From Dharamsala, you will move along the glacial moraines of the Larkya Glacier before making a descent to a small lake. Then, following the grassy terrains, you will walk on the edge of the moraine before reaching the four frozen lakes. You will then slowly climb on the Larkya La Pass. From the top of this pass, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of Annapurna II, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, Himlung Himal, Gyaji Kung, and other surrounding peaks.
You will then make your descent across the moraine and grassy slope to reach the small meadow. Trekking further ahead across the large meadow, you will then reach Bimthang.
Day 12: Bimthang to Dharapani trek
Bimthang Elevation: 3,720 meters/ 12,204 feet
Dharapani Elevation: 1,963 meters/ 6,440 feet
Elevation Loss: 1,757 meters/ 5,764 feet
After crossing one of the thrilling passes in the Nepali Himalayas, on this day, you will make your descent on this circuit trekking route to the Budhi Gandaki River. You will then move alongside the lush rhododendron forested trail that opens up the path to the Karche Village.
You will then continue trekking downhill at the banks of the river to reach the Gho Village and walk past the sub-tropical vegetation to reach Tilje Village, a large Gurung settlement. The charming trails across the lush terrains and mani walls then takes you across the Thonje Village to Dharapani.
Day 13: Dharapani to Besisahar and drive to Kathmandu
Dharapani Elevation: 1,963 meters/ 6,440 feet
Besisahar Elevation: 820 meters/ 2,690 feet
Kathmandu Elevation: 1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet
Elevation Loss: 563 meters/ 1,847 feet
This is the final day of your circuit trekking adventure in the central Himalayan region of Nepal. During the initial part, you will make your descent from Dharapani to Besisahar in a comfortable vehicle across Bhulbhule Town and Khudi Village alongside the Marsyangdi River.
Then, driving on the re-joining of the Prithvi Highway, you will drive alongside the Trishuli River, passing the charming settlements and lush hills at the banks of the river to reach Kathmandu.
Best Time for Manaslu Circuit Trek
The peak/high seasons like spring (March, April, and May) and autumn (Septemeber, October, and November) are considered as the best time for Manaslu Circuit Trek. Although you can take part in this exciting wilderness exploration of the Himalayas throughout the year, the peak seasons are known to provide a comfortable and memorable experience. During these high seasons, you can expect the trail to be in optimum conditions, well-maintained, and dry, making your everyday trekking adventure feel seamless.
Similarly, the weather factors are also favorable in these seasons, with fewer obstructions and climatic disturbances that can push your Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary plans. Furthermore, due to the favorable weather conditions, the skies are generally clear, and you can relish the epic views of the Himalayan vistas to the end of the horizon. Still, both of these seasons do pack their own specialty that enchants the trekkers exploring the wilderness central Himalayan region.
Autumn, among the peak seasons, is considered the number one season for any kind of Himalayan adventure. It takes the trophy home due to its most stable climatic conditions, lower precipitation rate, clear Himalayan vistas, most pleasant temperatures perfect for outdoor adventures, and, of course, the unforgettable cultural experience. Spring, on the other hand, allures the trekkers with its natural charm, the whole trekking trail is lit with colorful flowers, and lush greenery takes over the post-winter landscapes. If you are a nature enthusiast and want to experience the true peak point of this Himalayan nation, you should definitely take on this circuit trekking route at least once in the spring season.
Temperatures of Manaslu Region During Spring Season: averages between 12°C to 31°C
Temperatures of Manaslu Region During Autumn Season: averages between 13°C to 25°C
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit
Manaslu Circuit Trek permit is quite extensive than other trekking adventures in the Nepali Himalayas. As you will traverse across both protected areas in the Annapurna and Manaslu regions, you will need to acquire all entry permits for both popular trekking regions.
Permits for Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Manaslu Restrcited Area Permit
- Manaslu Conservation Area Entry Permit
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
As Manaslu is one of the remote and isolated regions in the Himalayas, it has both a conserved area and a restricted area that requires special permits. The region between Jagat to Dharapni is the restricted region of the Manaslu Circuit Trek map; you will need to get the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit to enter this region. This permit costs about US$ 100 during the autumn season, and for the rest of the seasons, it costs only US$ 75. This permit can only be obtained by a government-licensed trekking agency.
Similarly, for this trek, you also need to get a Manaslu Conservation Area Entry Permit and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, both of which cost approximately US$ 30. Unlike the restricted area permit, this permit can be collected by trekkers individually from the tourism board office.
Note: On your behalf, the Himalayas on Foot will take care of all required permits and collect them for you so you can enjoy your time in Nepal without worrying about anything.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Distance
The overall Manaslu Circuit Trek distance is roughly around 180 km (111 miles). You will start trekking on the circuit route from the second day of your itinerary, and you will need to cover an approximate trekking distance of 5 to 6 hours on average during the trekking days. If your itinerary plans do include other side detours around the region, the Manaslu Circuit Trek distance can stretch even longer.
If you are doing a combination of 20 Day Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek, then the overall trekking distance in this remote Himalayan region stretches over a distance of 220 km (136 miles). The average trekking duration in the long route then extends to 6 to 7 hours on average during the trekking part.
Read also:
Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty
Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the exciting endeavors in the central Himalayan region of the country. If you are planning to explore this isolated trail to immerse in the unspoiled wilderness of the Himalayas and are curious about the Manaslu Circuit Trek difficulty, this exciting excursion is not a demanding journey. The difficulty level of this circuit trekking route has been listed in the moderate class, and trekkers aren’t required to have any experience or technical skills to participate in this remote Himalayan exploration.
However, it also doesn’t mean that this Himalayan trekking adventure is like a walk in the park, either. The remoteness of the region, Himalayan climate, trekking distance, altitude gain, etc, are some of the factors that you should be prepared for if you plan to make your journey as comfortable and as enjoyable as possible. You should be particularly on the lookout for the major obstacles like the altitude gain and overall walking distance across the rugged and remote trails of this isolated region.
With the rise in altitude, the risks of altitude sickness also significantly increase if you don’t acclimatize properly. In the standard trekking package, you will start your trekking journey from Machha Khola, which is at an elevation of 870 meters (2,854 feet), and you will reach the maximum point at Larkya La Pass, which is at an altitude of 5,160 meters (16,929 feet). Thus, the overall altitude gain in your trip is about 4,290 meters (14,074 feet). Similarly, the average trekking duration is about 5 to 6 hours on this trip; you will navigate your way across a diverse range of terrains from tropical forested trails, rocky and loose soil trails, steep sections, and even glacial moraines.
So, even if the Manaslu Circuit Trek difficulty is at a moderate level, you shouldn’t underestimate the physically demanding aspects of this off-beaten trekking adventure. You should make your preparations carefully and choose the right package that ensures a comfortable journey and unforgettable experience on this classical Himalayan route.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost
The Manaslu Circuit Trek cost of packages that generally last between 12 to 18 days is somewhere between US$ 850 to US$ 1,500 per person. The cost of packages can be influenced by several factors like the overall Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary, side detours, package inclusions, group size, additional activities, and the quality of services. In case if you are looking for a more luxurious mode of exploration and custom-designed itinerary plans, then the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost of such packages can cost upto US$ 5000.
Also read: Manaslu Trek Permit Cost
Himalayas on Foot is offering a standard 13 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek package at just US$ 880 per person. We also offer discounted rates depending on the number of trekkers in the group. Our trekking package takes care of all the general expenses during the trek like transportation, food, accommodation, guide, permits, government expenses, etc. In addition to an extensive first aid kit and responder, we also provide sleeping bags, duffle bags, and down jackets to the trekker who needs them (they should be returned after the trek).
For any kind of questions regarding the package and booking, please get in touch with us via our Contact Page. Our representatives are available 24/7 for your assistance.
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