Are you looking for a standard Manaslu Trekking Itinerary for your next adventure? Manaslu trek is gaining popularity day by day. We have a typical trekking itinerary for you.
Located in Midwest Nepal in the Gorkha district, Manaslu is the 8th highest mountain in the world. The significant attractions of treks around the peak are the beautiful and pristine trails and the wonderful villages on the way.
With various treks available here, the options to view majestic mountains like Manaslu and Ganesh seem limitless. Some popular Manaslu treks are the Manaslu Larkya La (‘la’ meaning ‘pass’) Trek (also called the Manaslu Circuit Trek or the Manaslu Round Trek), the Tsum Valley Trek, and the Nubri Valley Trek.
The Manaslu Larkya Pass Trek is a relatively newer trek than the more popular ones in Nepal. Therefore, fewer people are on its off-the-beaten paths, allowing a unique adventure. The government also requires a special permit for trekking in the upper Manaslu area. The Manaslu trek’s distance spans 177km or 110 miles. The Larkya pass is the highest point on the tour and is considered one of Nepal’s more challenging mountain passes. But even though the difficulty of the Manaslu trek is considered somewhat high, it is also regarded as worth it for the unobstructed and amazing views of the landscapes it provides.
This trek circuits the Manaslu Mountain and can be combined with the Annapurna circuit trek to go around two great mountains! Trekking to the Tsum and Nubri valleys of the region to see Tibetan communities can also be another exciting addition to the main trek.
While Spring and Autumn are considered the best Manaslu trek seasons, the climate of the lower regions of this area is temperate enough to be easy for trekking year-round. And at around US$1300 to 1600$, the adventure will likely be more than worth the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost.
Manaslu Trekking Short Itinerary
- 01: Arrival in Kathmandu [1,300m/4,264ft], O/N at 3 Star Hotel (A.D)
- 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation. O/N at 3 Star Hotel (A.D)
- 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola [710m/2,328ft], O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 04: Soti Khola – Maccha Khola [900m/2,952ft]: 6-7 Hrs. O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 05: Machha Khola – Jagat [1,410m/4,625ft]: 6-7 Hrs. O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 06: Jagat – Deng [1,804m/5,917ft]: 6-7 Hrs. O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 07: Deng – Namrung [2,630m/8,626ft]: 6-7 Hrs. O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 08: Namrung – Samagaon [3,530m/11,578ft]: 6-7 Hrs. O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 09: Sama Gaon – Pungyen Gompa – Samagaon: 6-7 Hrs O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 10: Samagaon – Samdo [3,860m/12,660ft]: 4-5 Hrs. O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 11: Rest Day in Samdo. O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 12: Samdo – Dharamsala/Larkya B. C. [4,460m/14,628ft]: 4-5 Hrs. O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 13: Dharamsala – Larkya la [5,160m/16,924ft] – Bimthang [3,720m/12,201ft]: 8-9 Hrs O/N at Tea House (A,B,L,D)
- 14: Bimthang – Tilije [2,300m/7,544ft]: 5-6 Hrs. O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 15: Tilije – Tal [1,700m/5,576ft]: 5-6 Hrs. O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 16: Tal – Syange [1,080m/3,542ft]: 6-7 Hrs. O/N at Tea House (A, B, L, D)
- 17: Syange – Kathmandu: 8-9 Hrs. O/N at Hotel (A, B, L, D)
- 18: Final Departure (B)
Manaslu Trekking Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Altitude: 1,300m/4,264ft
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Dinner
Highlights: Relaxing in a luxurious hotel before the start of the trek and strolling around the city to take in the sites
Flying to Kathmandu, travellers can begin their adventure immediately by walking around the local area to enjoy the buzzing nightlife in areas like Thamel. They can also choose to unwind at their hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Dinner
Highlights: Explore a city full of cultural history and rich in heritage.
The travellers go sightseeing all around the exciting city to places like the UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, etc.
After an orientation with the tour guides to prepare for the trek, the trekkers can shop for any gear they might need for their trip.
A beautiful welcome dinner follows this with the trekkers.
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola
Altitude: 710m/2,328ft
Hours: 5 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: A drive alongside a river, the surrounding green hills;
A hilly drive through wonderful greenery and, besides a river, takes the trekker to the banks of Soti Khola (‘Khola’ meaning ‘river’), a part of Budhi Gandaki.
Day 4: Soti Khola to Machha Khola
Altitude: 900m/2952ft
Trekking hours: 6-7 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Sites of outstanding natural beauty.
The rocky trail to Machha (‘Machha’ meaning ‘fish’) Khola is next to a beautiful river and waterfalls. The trail gradually passes by terrace farms and enters a pleasant, thick forest.
Day 5: Machha Khola to Jagat
Altitude: 1,410m/4,625ft
Trekking hours: 6-7 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Climbing Cliffside trails next to human and animal porters; beautiful villages and tasty local food
After enjoying a tasty breakfast of local staples like Tsampa (buckwheat porridge), trekkers make their way up slated trails carved into the hillsides. They will pass by Khola Besi, a wonderful Gurung ethnicity village, and cross Thado (‘Thado’ meaning ‘straight’ or ‘steep’) Khola to the hot springs of Tatopani. Then they will go further across the Budhi Gandaki River to Doban village and past the Thado Bharyang (‘Bharyang’ meaning ‘stairs’) before reaching Jagat, the entrance to the Manaslu Conservation Area.
Day 6: Jagat to Deng
Altitude: 1,804m/5,917ft
Trekking hours: 6-7 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Alpine grassland, forest trails, and a gorge;
From Jagat, the trekkers will walk on ridges and across bridges to pass by remarkable Gurung settlements to reach the Kali Gandaki gorge. Walking through bamboo forests and crossing the Budhi Gandaki and Deng rivers, trekkers will finally arrive in Deng village.
Day 7: Deng to Namrung
Altitude: 2,630m/8,626ft
Trekking hours: 6-7 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Beautiful Buddhist monuments, forests, and mountain viewpoints;
Climbing straight up along the Deng River, trekkers will pass through more dense bamboo forests and pass by walls of Buddhist prayer wheels before reaching a viewpoint to see the Siring Mountain. Walking further on, they will reach Namrung village for the night.
Day 8: Namrung to Samagaon
Altitude: 3,530m/11,578ft
Trekking hours: 6-7 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: More Buddhist monuments and terrace farms; Tibetan culture;
On the 8th day, the trekkers will walk through Tibetan settlements with Buddhist shrines and monasteries and can observe the local lifestyle and traditions.
Day 9: Side trip to Pungyen Gompa
Trekking hours: 6-7 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Beautiful mountain views, verdant hills, and scenic pastureland; visiting a Buddhist abode of learning;
A side hike through beautiful alpine grassland with yaks grazing around takes travellers to Pungyen Gompa, a Buddhist monastery. Visitors can sit in the peaceful prayer hall or view the incredible Manaslu mountain outside.
Day 10: Samagaon to Samdo
Altitude: 3,860m/12,660ft
Trekking hours: 4-5 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Forests of alpine trees; Mount Manaslu;
Trekkers walk through beautiful forests pursued by the Manaslu Mountain before reaching Samdo village.
Day 11: Rest Day in Samdo
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: the Tibetan life, gorgeous scenery;
Samdo is a village of Tibetan refugees and the perfect place to experience some of their daily living. The rest day also helps with acclimatization for travelling to higher altitudes during the trek.
Day 12: Samdo to Larkya Peak Base Camp to Dharmashala
Altitude: 5,160m/16,924ft (Larkya Peak Base Camp) and 4,460m/14,628ft (Dharmashala)
Trekking hours: 4-5 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Even more Buddhist monuments and mountain views;
From Samdo village, trekkers make their way to the base camp to the Larkya peak, one of the least climbed ones in the country. Passing by prayer flags and wheels, the trekkers reach Dharmashala village (not the same as the one in India).
Day 13: Dharamsala to Larkya Pass to Bimthang
Altitude: 5,160m/16,924ft (Larkya Pass) and 3,720m/12,201ft (Bimthang)
Trekking hours: 8-9 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Wonderful sights of mountains; different cultures;
The Larkya Pass gives a stunning view of mountains, including Manaslu, Annapurna, Ganesh, and Himlung. Crossing this pass, trekkers reach Bimthang village, where they can experience Gurung and Tamang cultures.
Day 14: Bimthang to Tilije
Altitude: 2,300m/7,544ft
Trekking hours: 5-6 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Gurung village; forests; beautiful landscape;
Going through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests and crossing the Dudh Koshi River, one emerges to a wonderful view of the Marsayangdi river valley. The trekkers will then reach Tilije village, famous for its apple brandy.
Day 15: Tilije to Tal
Altitude: 1,700m/5,576ft
Trekking hours: 5-6 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Buddhist prayer wheels and Chortens; waterfall;
Crossing over the Dudh Koshi river again, trekkers will have to pass through police checkpoints and by prayer wheel walls and Chortens, which are Buddhist shrines, to reach Dharapani village and go on to Tal, a place lying at the end of a waterfall.
Day 16: Tal to Syange
Altitude: 1,080m/3,542ft
Trekking hours: 6-7 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Waterfall, Honey;
A small village, Syange, is famous for its roaring waterfall and wild honey. Local honey hunters climb up cliffs to get to hives to harvest their favourite honey.
Day 17: Syange to Kathmandu
Trekking hours: 8-9 hrs.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlights: Another round of Kathmandu;
After enjoying dipping in the waterfall pool in Syange, trekkers can make their way back to Kathmandu.
Day 18: Final Departure
Meals: Breakfast
The guides will drop the trekkers off on the final day at the international airport. Then it is time for the travellers to bid goodbye to Nepal until the next time and treasure the memories of their adventures here.
Enjoy travelling to remote but breathtaking places for the views and the culture. Manaslu Larkya Pass Trek would be the perfect choice for experienced trekkers.