Manaslu Circuit Trek

Manaslu Circuit  Trek: A Trek Around Manaslu in remote Mansiri Region of Nepal Himalayas

The Manaslu Circuit Trek combined with a visit to Tsum Valley is an off-the-beaten-track adventure that covers an impressive distance of 177 kilometers in the stunning Mansiri region of west central Nepal. The trek route running close to the border with Tibet, is the ultimate classic trek in Nepal that revolves around the majestic Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world.

Running across the breadth of Manaslu National Park, the round Manaslu trek begins in the sub-Himalayan foothills of Arughat and takes you through the breathtaking Budi Gandaki Gorge. The journey reaches its pinnacle at the awe-inspiring Larkya la Pass, standing tall at an elevation of 5,106 meters. Finally, the trek concludes by circling around the magnificent Manaslu in Besisahar.

Embarking on the Manaslu Circuit Trek with a hike into the ancient Tsum Valley means immersing yourself in a long-distance expedition that offers a sense of isolation and tranquility. As you traverse the rugged terrain of the Mansiri Region, you will be rewarded with awe-inspiring vistas, untouched beauty, and close proximity to the Tibetan Plateau.

However, what truly sets this trek apart is the opportunity to explore small Himalayan villages, specially the Tsum Valley, and interact with the diverse tribes that call these villages home. This cultural exchange adds an unforgettable dimension to the round Manaslu trek, leaving a lasting impact on your memories.

As you trek, be prepared to be mesmerized by the awe-inspiring views of the glacial circle formed by Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, Nemjung Himal, Gyaji Kang, and Kang Guru. The crystal-clear streams flowing from the glaciers, with Annapurna II gracing the horizon, create a picture-perfect backdrop that will leave you in awe.

An Excellent Add-on: A Trek to Tsum Valley

By adding a few more days to the regular Manaslu Circuit Trek, you get a chance to visit Tsum Valley. A small, beautiful valley inhabited by the Nubri People of Tibetan Descent where the ancient Buddhist culture is still practiced.

Trekking on the old Salt  Route

Manaslu Circuit Trek Route used to be the ancient salt trading route to Tibet, and this area was closed to foreign nationals until 1991. It is now open to outsiders on a limited basis, and one needs to have a restricted area permit to trek here.

Starting and Ending Points

The trek starts with a drive to Arughat and then to Soti Khola. Kathmandu to Arughat is 138 km, and Arughat to Soti Khola is just 13 km, and to cover the total distance of 151 km, it takes a nine-hour jeep ride. It is advisable to hire a Jeep from Kathmandu to Soti Khola.

Pokhara to Arughat to Soti Khola is 155 km and takes a 6-hour Jeep ride.

Besisahar is the point where this Circuit Trek around Manaslu ends, and Besisahar is 176 km from Kathmandu. There are daily bus services available.

The best way to travel from Besisahar to Kathmandu with ease and comfort is to hop on a tourist bus, conveniently departing from the Bus Terminus in Besisahar. These tourist buses go to Kathmandu via Pokhara. This hassle-free option offers a comfortable journey that typically takes around 8–9 hours.

For those seeking more flexibility, renting a car allows you to take charge of your travel arrangements. Embark on a scenic drive, enjoying the freedom to explore at your own pace.

Choose the mode of transportation that suits your preferences and embark on a memorable journey from Besisahar to Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Kind of Trek

Around Manaslu Trek is a mesmerizing fourteen-day tea house hike in Nepal. This incredible trek route covers a total distance of 177 km, with an average of 18 km of walking per day, with accommodation in lodges run by local families, offering an authentic local experience.

Although the lodges are basic and have shared washroom and restroom facilities, they provide a comfortable resting place for trekkers.

Permits required

• Manaslu Circuit Trek is a restricted area trek; therefore, you will need a restricted area permit to trek in this area, which will be issued to a local company.
• Restricted area Permits will be issued to a group of two trekkers and above only.
• Over and above the restricted area permit, one  will also need Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
• Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP).

The best time to trek in Nepal 

Manaslu Circuit Trek is best done from April to May, when the temperature is mild, the sky is clear, and the mountains will be filled with wild flower blooms and colorful rhododendron flowers.

September to November is also a perfect time to go on this trek when the skies are crystal clear for views of the mountain range.

FOOD

Food on the Manaslu Circuit Trek route is hearty and nutritious, primarily served at teahouses with menus that feature a mix of local Nepali, Tibetan, and Western dishes. The food quality and variety improve in lower regions and become more basic as you ascend due to supply limitations.

• Breakfast: Common choices include Tibetan bread (with jam, honey, peanut butter), eggs (omelets, boiled, scrambled with vegetable options), porridge, muesli, pancakes (plain, apple, chocolate), and hot drinks like tea or coffee. Garlic soup is also popular as an altitude sickness preventive.

• Lunch and Dinner:

  • Dal Bhat (rice, lentils, vegetable curry, pickle) — the Nepali national dish and high-energy staple

  • Noodles (fried or boiled, with vegetables or egg)

  • Momos (vegetable, cheese, non-veg varieties)

  • Pasta and macaroni dishes (plain, fried, with cheese or tomato sauce)

  • Thukpa and Thenthuk (vegetable or non-veg noodle soups)

  • Potato dishes (boiled, fried, mashed, roasted)

  • Pizza and sandwiches sometimes appear on menus in teahouses at lower elevations.

• Local Specialties: Dhido (a nutritious maize or buckwheat porridge) and Gundruk (fermented leafy vegetable pickle) are also available and provide high nutrition.

The importance of Travel Insurance when Trekking in Nepal

Travel insurance is strongly recommended for the Manaslu Circuit trek in Nepal, as it is a high-altitude trek. Your travel insurance plan should cover all medical and travel issues. Accidents may occur. In such cases, you may take advantage of the facilities of air ambulance, evacuation by helicopter, helicopter rescue, clinical attention, etc. In short, every hiker will need travel insurance for adventure travel or hiking in Nepal.

You will need to ask your insurance company for a policy that will cover high-altitude sickness, accidents, and sickness. The insurance policy should cover the evacuation by helicopter in case of an emergency.

Your insurance policy should also cover general issues like delays or even cancellations of all flights due to bad weather conditions or natural disasters. In such cases, sometimes you will need to take a chartered helicopter flight, and these charter flights are not cheap. Therefore, your insurance policy should cover all these aspects.

The Best Insurance Company in Nepal:

• Alpha Global Solutions

For Indian citizens, given below are the recommended insurance companies from India that have a good record for policy claims in Nepal:

• Bharati Axa Travel Insurance
• ICICI Lombard
• HDFC Ergo Travel Insurance
• Reliance Travel Insurance
• Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance

TRIP FACTS :

• Minimum No. Of Participants: 2 Persons.
• Type of Trek: Tea House/Lodge.
• Highest point: 5016 m (Larkye La Pass)
• Highest Sleeping Point: 4460 m (Larkya Phedi)
• Trail grade: Strenuous.
• Total duration: 14 Days.
• Starting Point: Kathmandu/Pokhara.
• Ending Point: Kathmandu/Pokhara.
• Best Season: February to May and September to December.
• Climate: Days are normally warm. Nights can at times be (general) very cold and in winter even below the freezing point. Monsoon showers in summer (heaviest in July, August) and sometimes even in spring and autumn.
• Trek availability: Private treks only for minimum 2 persons on request. No group departures available.
• Customized private Treks can also be arranged for a minimum of two persons on request on a date of your choice.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Arughat to Soti Khola (700m/158 Km/5 hrs).

Manaslu Circuit Trek begins with a drive from Pokhara to Arughat (158 Km/5 Hrs). Drive further more by Jeep to Soti Khola (13Km). Overnight Lodge in Soti Khola.

Day 2: Soti Khola to Maccha Khola (900m/23.3 Km/ 6 hrs).  Overnight Lodge

Day 3: Maccha Khola to Jagat (1340m/23 Km/ 8 hrs). Overnight Lodge.

3rd.Day of the Around ManasluTrek from Jagat starts with a twisting trail besides the banks of the Buri Ghandaki through Sal forest inhabited by Macac and Langurs.

Day 4: Jagat to Deng (1600 m/20.7 Km/ 6 hrs). Overnight Lodge.

Day 5: Deng to Namrung (2630 m/19.4 Km/ 6 hrs). Overnight Lodge.

Namrung a small village on the Around Manaslu trek  has some of the best teahouses, a restaurant and rest houses with modern cappuccinos and WiFi too.

Day 6: Namrung to Lho (2957 m/10.5 Km/ 4 hrs). Overnight Lodge.

Lho is a big village on the Manaslu Circuit Trek with a Buddhsit Monastery and a sizable population inhabited by Nubri People of Tibetan Origin. From Lho catch the stunning views of Manaslu (8163 m) and Manaslu North (7157 m).

Day 7: Lho to Samagaon (3540 m / 17 Km/4 hrs). Overnight Lodge.

Samagaon is the principal village of the Nubri people which has a Buddhist Monastery, some shops, a health post, a helipad and telephone booths.

Day 8: Acclimatization Day.

Side trip to Pungyen Gompa, Manaslu Base camp or Birendra Tal. Overnight Lodge. Take a side trek to Pungyen Gumpa (2 Hrs) which lies to the east of  Nubri Valley or hike up to Birendra Tal (3450 m) a glacial lake and to Manaslu Base Camp (4400 m) which lies to the North of Samagaon. This side trek on the rest day is a perfect hike to get acclimatized while on a Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Day 9: Sama Gaon to Samdo (3865 m/16 Km/ 4 hrs). Overnight Lodge.

Once at Samdo, you can explore the nearby villages or you can hike to Samdo Peak. The Larkya La trail is on the left above the valley. You can also see the main track leading into Tibet over the Larjyang La forming slopes on the Larkya La trail.

Day 10: Samdo to Dharamsala/Larkya Phedi (4460 m/12 Km/4 hrs). Overnight Lodge.

Trek to Dharamsala also known as Larkya Phedi is short but adventurous. Do take your time while trekking as your body needs to get acclimitized. Enjoy the wonderful Himalayan Vistas while you trek to Dharamsala.

Day 11: Dharamasala – Larkye La Pass (5016 m) – Bimthang(3590 m /25 Km/10 hrs). Overnight Lodge.

Trek to Bhimthang on the 11th. Day of the Trek Around Manaslu is perhaps the longest and the most challenging ten hours of gruelling trek. You will need to cross the Larkya La Pass (5016 m), highest point on the Manaslu Circuit trek with the trail passing through scree and moraines.  But the best part of trekking Around Manaslu on this day is that, you get to witness the stunning views of  Himlung Himal (7126m) near Tibet, Cheo Himal (6820 m), Gyaji Kung (7030 m), Kang Guru (6981 m) and Annapurna II (7937 m), this view is perhaps the best part of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Day 12: Bimthang to Tilje (2300 m/26 Km/6 hrs). Overnight Lodge.

Day 13: Trek Tilje to Dharapani (1150 m/7.8 Km/3 Hrs). Drive to Besisahar (35 Km/3 Hrs Drive). Overnight Lodge.

Final day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is a hike through lush forests full of flora and fauna made up of Rhododendron bushes till Tal, perhaps an easy day of trekking with a few uphills as compared to the previous days trek around Manaslu .

Day 14: Drive to Pokhara (103/5 hrs) or to Kathmandu ( 186 Km/7Hrs).

If you feel you are done with trekking than you can also take a bus back to Kathmandu from Tal. End of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

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• Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost : US$1100/person

Restricted Area Permit Fees (Extra as Applicable) :

• September to November – US$70/Pax for 7 Days. Thereafter  US$10/Day/Pax.
• August to December – US$50/Pax for 7 Days. Thereafter US$7/Day/Pax
• Manaslu  Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) : NRs.2000 or US$30/Pax
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit : NRs.2000 or US$30/ Pax
• Trekkers Information Monitoring Card : US$10/Person
• Indian Nationals kindly Inquire within for quotes in IRupees

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Trek Services Include:

• Trek guide; porter/s to carry luggage(1 porter for 2 persons);
• Lodge accommodation in twin share rooms;
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner during the period of the Trek;
• Contribution to guide transport;
• Guide/porter insurance costs;
• Transport by bus from Kathmandu to Arughat and from Sirichar back to Kathmandu;

Excludes:

• Any services in Kathmandu, hotel/meals, etc.
• Airport pickup/drop in Kathmandu.
• Nepal visa fees;
• Manaslu trekking permit and national park fees
• Sleeping bags (can be hired @ $1 per night in Kathmandu);
• Personal clothing/equipment;
• Tips;
• Client insurance of any kind;
• Cost of evacuation (if any);
• Bottled/alcoholic drinks;
• Snacks/desserts;
• Tea/coffee – other than at breakfast;
• Expenses of personal nature.

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NEPAL TOURIST VISA

• Nepal visa is readily available on arrival at the International Airport in Kathmandu and all other entry points to Nepal.
• 2 passport photos will be required.
•  Single Entry visa: US$ 30 per visa (valid for 60 days).
• Multiple Entry visa: US$ 80 per visa (valid for 150 days).
• Nepal Visas are also available in all Nepalese Embassies and Consulates.
• Visa is not required for Indian Nationals to travel inside Nepal

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Note:  The above itinerary is a sample, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather,  road conditions, physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of the trip participant’s safety, comfort and general well being.

Recommendations: The Around Manaslu Trek is a relatively difficult trek in Nepal requiring good physical fitness. Few weeks  training is advised and a physical fitness check-up is a must.

(All relevant Terms & Conditions apply).