12 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek

Kathmandu Elevation: 1,400 meters

Machha Khola Elevation: 850 meters

Elevation Loss: 550 meters

Kick-starting your 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek, you will start your adventure early on this day. Following the Prithivi Highway you will move along the scenic trails that follow the Marysangdi and Trishuli Rivers, green lush valley, waterfalls, Himalayan vistas at the far right corner from the window frame and cultural settlements along the trail. The route from Kathmandu to Dhading Besi is smooth on paved roads, however, after reaching Arughat you will switch to little rough trails.

Moving along the rocky trail, you will also pass Soti Khola, which is the traditional starting point for trekking adventures in the Manaslu region. From here you will pass several beautiful Magar and Gurung ethnic villages like Khursane and Labubesi before finally reaching Machha Khola.

Machha Khola Elevation: 850 meters

Jagat Elevation: 1,350 meters

Elevation Gain: 500 meters

On the second day of your 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek, your trekking adventure will finally begin. Leaving the Machha Khola behind, you will follow the trail with several ascends and descends alongside the riverbed and cross the Tharo Khola to reach the Kholrabesi Village. The moving along a small ridge with several steep sections your trail will lead you to Tatopani Village, known for the natural hot spring with healing properties.

Then, the trekking route follows another ridge that takes you to the riverbed of the Budhi Gandaki River, here, you will cross a suspension bridge to arrive at the Doban. Moving ahead, you will cross another long suspension bridge and proceed towards Lauri, from here the trail drops to the Yaru Khola. During the final stretch of this day’s trek, you will climb to Tharo Bharyang from Yaru Khola and the trail will further lead to the beautiful Jagat Village, the checkpoint of the Mansalu Conservation Area.

Jagat Elevation: 1,350 meters

Deng Elevation: 2,130 meters

Elevation Gain: 780 meters

On the third day of your Himalayan expedition, you will leave the Jagat Village behind and climb over the rocky ridge to reach the Salleri Village. Moving along the scenic trails of this day’s adventure in your 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek, you will descend down to Setibas Village passing the religious trails with mani walls and chortens which will indicate that you are now entering the Tibetan culture-influenced routes.

From there, the trail will widen and stretch toward the stone houses of the Ghat Khola, moving along the upstream route, you will cross a long suspension bridge over the river that will take you to Philim, a beautiful Gurung settlement. Proceeding forward on the beautiful trail across the millet field you will arrive at Ekle Bhatti, from here the trail follows the steep inhabited gorge of the Budhi Gandaki River alongside the bamboo forest. Then, during the last part of this day’s trek, you will be able to see the Shar Khola and Tsum Valley on the opposite bank of the river, you will take the western side moving across the lush bamboo forest to reach Deng, the beautiful Buddhist culture influenced village.

Deng Elevation: 2,130 meters

Namrung Elevation: 2,630 meters

Elevation Gain: 500 meters

It’s another day of spectacular adventure in your 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek, starting your adventure after breakfast, you will leave Deng behind and cross the Budhi Gandaki River then switch to the ascending route toward Rana Village. This day’s trekking route that stretches toward the west of the Budhi Gandaki Valley passes through waterfalls and streams leading you to a charming settlement of Bhi. The crossing the Budhi Gandaki River again, you will switch to the steep climbing route above the river with several ascend and descend that will lead you to Ghap Village.

Following elegant mani walls, spiritual routes with prayer flags, and chortens of the Ghap Village, you will enter the fir forest area which will lead you to the wooden bridge. Crossing this scenic bridge in the middle of the forest, you will proceed with your ascending route alongside the bamboo and rhododendron forest which will take you to the Namrung Village.

Namrung Elevation: 2,630 meters

Lho Elevation: 3,180 meters

Elevation Gain: 550 meters

On Day 5 of your 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek will follow the trail in the Upper Nupri Valley which is immensely influenced by the Buddhist tradition. Following the spiritual trail decorated with prayer flags, you will pass mani walls and chortens, which will gradually switch to the trails with wide fields and lush forests with firs, oak, and rhododendron trees. Moving ahead, you will arrive at the Lihi Village with its unique architecture, then as you proceed along the trail you will arrive at the Sho Village which offers stunning views of the Manaslu and Naike Peak.

During the final part of this day’s adventure, you will pass a Kani with prayer wheels that will lead you to the Lho Village, a large charming settlement with gigantic mani walls and Tibetan-influenced chortens.

Lho Elevation: 3,180 meters

Samagaon Elevation: 3,520 meters

Elevation Gain: 340 meters

During the first part of this day’s trekking, the trail drops down to a stream as you leave the Lho Village behind. Then moving along the damp forest areas you will follow the route heading toward the Shyala Village which offers wide vistas of the Himalayas that include charming Himalayan peas like Himalchuli, and Ngadi Chuli Peak in its frame. From there, the path drops down to the river nourished by the Pungyen Glacier, proceeding along the spiritual trail decorated with prayer flags, mani walls, chortens, and gompa you will arrive at Thosang Khola.

Samagaon is just a little bit further ahead, as you descend down a rocky moraine to reach the charming high Himalayan village with extensive field and pasture grounds. Overnight stay at a teahouse in Samagaon.

Samagaon Elevation: 3,520 meters

As you have to ascend way over the 2,500-meter margin (above which there is risk of altitude sickness), Day 7 in your 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek will be acclimatization and exploration day. For effective acclimatization, physical activity is recommended, so, you will use this day to do some short hikes and explore the alluring beauty of this charming Himalayan settlement.

Biredendra Tal (3,450 meters): This is one of the most popular hikes during the acclimatization day in Samagaon. Birendra Tak which is approximately just 2-3 hours away from Samagaon is a glacial lake that offers magnificent views of the surroundings.

Phungen Gompa (4,050 meters): The hike to Phungen Gompa is another popular activity during the acclimatization day in Samagaon. It is almost 2.5 hours of hiking adventure which will offer spectacular views of the Manaslu and surrounding peaks.

Manasalu Base Camp (4,800 meters): If you want to extend your adventure in the region, you can also do the optional hike to the Manaslu Base Camp which is approximately 6- 7 km from Samagaon. From here, you will be able to enjoy the spectacular views of the Himalayan gems like Ganesh Himal, Shringi Himal, and Himalchuli including Manaslu.

Samagaon Elevation: 3,520 meters

Samdo Elevation: 3,875 meters

Elevation Gain: 355 meters

After acclimatizing properly at Samagaon, on Day 8 of your 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek, you will continue your trekking adventure following the descending path to the Budhi Gandaki River during the first part. You will further come across several mani walls as the valley widens after you cross a bridge over the side stream and pass charming jumper and birch forests making your way toward Kermo Kharka close to the Tibetan border.

Then the trail drops off the shelf and you will cross a wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River; you will climb a steep section continuing your trail along the White Kani, the gateway of Samdo. On this day’s scenic route, you will be able to enjoy amazing views of the Manaslu as you reach the Tibetan refugee village.

Samdo Elevation: 3,875 meters

Dharamsala Elevation: 4,450 meters

Elevation Gain: 575 meters

Day 9 in your 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek adventure will follow a gentle trail as you move along the mani wall and stone archway after breakfast. The trail then drops to the riverbed of the Budhi Fandaki River then you will make you ascend to the Larkya Bazaar following the scenic tundra and juniper forest after crossing a bridge.

You will also be able to enjoy the stunning views of the Larkya Glacier in this day’s trek as you proceed on the trail of the Salkha Khola Valley, which will lead you across the gorge that stretches all the way upto Dharamsala which is also known as Larkya Phedi. This stone guest house isn’t typically a lodge but more of a shelter that offers rooms to the trekkers and is seasonally operative.

Dharamsala Elevation: 4,450 meters

Larkya La Pass: 5,213 meters

Bimthang Elevation: 3,720 meters

Elevation Gain: 763 meters

Day 10 of your Himalayan exploration is a little bit challenging and daunting day’s trek, as in this day’s trekking adventure of your 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek expedition, you will overcome the highest elevation point of this entire trek, Larkya La Pass. Staring your adventure early in the morning, you will follow the ridge in front of the Dharmsala crossing the moraine (4,690 meters) then move along the trail that switches to the steep grassy slopes on the south side of the moraine. Continuing your trail along the cairns and prayer flags you will descend down to the four frozen leaks that will lead you to the steep climbing section of the Larkya La Pass.

From the vantage point of the Larkya La Pass, you will be able to enjoy the incredible views of the Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, Annapurna II, and Kang Garu Peak. It can be extremely windy and cold at the top of this pass so you are recommended to wear warm clothes, after relishing in the Himalayan beauty from one of the highest passes in the Himalayas, you will descend down moraine to the west that steeply drops to the Dangboche Kharka. Moving ahead, you will trek along the grassy moraine, across the small meadow and a spring (4,080 meters) which will further lead to the larger meadow as you finally arrive at Bimthang, one of the significant trading posts along the Tibetan route in the past.

Bimthang Elevation: 3,720 meters

Dharapani Elevation: 1,860 meters

Elevation Loss: 1,860 meters

After overcoming one of the highest passes in the Himalayas, on this day’s adventure in your 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek, you will descend down to the Dudh Khola and Soti Khola which is also known as Khare. During the first part of this day’s trek, you will follow the trail alongside the Dudh Khola passing across the charming forested area, and the landslide area pushing forward for the Gho Village. Then, the trail continues along the oak and rhododendron forests which will lead you to the Tilje Village.

After taking a breather at Tilje, you will proceed along the trekking route alongside the small ridge on the stone-paved trail that stretches all the way upto a bridge over the Marsyangdi River. Crossing the long suspension bridge over the river leads to the spiritual trails decorated with praying flags and chorterns, you will toward Thonje Village, then a short descending trail from here will lead you to Dharapani

Dharapani Elevation: 1,860 meters

Kathmandu Elevation: 1,400 meters

Elevation Loss: 460 meters

This will be the final adventure day in your 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek, after breakfast, you will drive to Beshishar during the first part of the day which will take approximately 2- 3 hours. Then switching to a more convenient vehicle at Behishar you will continue your drive toward Kathmandu, following the scenic trail alongside the Marsyangdi and Trishuli Rivers. This day’s immersive drive will take take you across the soaring rivers, water falls, charming villages, and the Himalayan vistas as you slowly enter the capital valley.

Upon reaching Kathmandu, our representative will drop you at your respective hotel, depending on the hour of arrival, you can do a short excursion in the bustling city or check out the cultural sites to buy souvenirs as a memory of this great Himalayan adventure.

Thank you for traveling with Great Adventure Treks, we hope to see you again. Have a safe journey!!