Manaslu Circuit Trek - 12 Days

We start with a bus drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola, the bus follows Prithvi Highway. Along the highway, you will be seeing huge mountains, pretty traditional villages, fast-flowing rivers, varied vegetation, and terraced fields. After you pass Dhading Besi, the road starts getting rough as we get nearer and nearer to the trekking zone. 

After the last day's long bus ride, we start our trek from Soti Khola to reach Dobhan. We start by crossing Soti Khola, followed by Sal forest, and then crossing Budhi Gandaki. 

The trail continues through rice terraces, then up and around the mountain to Lapubesi. Then a wide path opens as Budhi Gandaki meanders among wide gravel. From the route, you can get glimpses of Shringi Himal. As you move ahead, you will reach Lapu Besi and then Khorla Besi, a small farm village. After hiking some more you will arrive at Tatobani, and cross a suspension bridge above Budi Gandaki to reach Dobhan.

You start the trek crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola River. The trail is fairly challenging as it climbs up to a large rock and takes us across a single log bridge taking you north. Further, the route takes you to the Gurung village of Jagat, eventually taking you to Philim, another Gurung village, via Sridibas. While on the trek, you will enjoy the views of Ganesh and Shringi Himal.

The journey takes us further up the river along the valley of the Budhi Gandaki River. Compared to the last day, the path is less steep, and within an hour of hiking, we will reach Chisapani village, but we continue on our route, north through terraced Ekle Bhatti village fields to grassy slopes dotted with pine trees. 

We will then be crossing the Budhi Gandaki bridge, and from the path, we will see the Shar Khola and Tsum Valley. You will then cross a bamboo forest to reach Deng. From Deng, the route ascends and descends several times until we reach Ghap - a Tibetan-style village. At Ghap, you can notice elegant carvings on Mani walls. 

Today's path will consist of be passing below a huge overhanging rock mountain and forests full of different species of animals like langur monkeys and birds - including Danphe, the national bird of Nepal. You will be passing through a stone archway and entering Namrung - famous for its typical houses.

From Namrung, we climb past the mani walls and enter a forest continuing the hike. Slowly, you will get to enjoy the glorious views of Manaslu North (7,157m) and Naike Peak (5,515m). Once you cross a small stream, you will reach Lho. Lho is a comparatively large settlement full of Tibetan-style chortens and gigantic mani walls. 

From Lho, we descend to streams and then ascend once more. Around two hours of the hike takes you to the Shyaula plateau surrounded by Ngadi Chuli Peak (25,823ft / 7,879m), Hiunchuli (7,893m). From Shyala, our path slightly ascends and then drops down to a river - that originates from Pungyen Glacier. Then we pass several chortens and gompas to reach Thosang Khola. After Thosang Khola, we descend into a rock-strewn moraine, and little ahead lies Samagaun. 

We acclimatize at Samagaon to adjust to the thin air due to higher elevation. However, we will not stay idle but explore this village and learn about the lifestyles of the locals and their Buddhist culture. We have other options - hiking to the Manaslu Base Camp or Birendra Lake (Tal) and then climbing the ridge to Pungyen Monastery. This monastery lies south of Samagaon and takes about a two-and-a-half-hour hike. It is hidden behind the ridge in front of Manaslu and gives us tremendous views of the glaciers. Similarly, Birendra Tal is a glacial lake at 3,450m where ice blocks tumble into the lake with thunderous displays. 

Today's trek is comparatively more pleasant because you will be trekking at flatlands. You will be passing through pasture areas and slowly ascending to the valley. The trail leads us to juniper and birch forests and reaches down the Budhi Gandaki river, which you will cross on a wooden bridge over it. From the route, you will be getting amazing views of the mountains, especially Manaslu, as you reach Samdo - a Tibetan refugee village.

We start our walk down the edge of fields and old mani walls, then cross the wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki river to reach a valley. Then we hike past the Athahra Syar river, followed by Larke River. While on the route, you will be witnessing several Mani walls and prayer flags. 

After crossing two streams, you will get the view of Larkya Glacier, which is unquestionably magnificent. As we enjoy the view, we further trek around the valley of Salkha Khola and climb up again to reach the stone guest house (4,450m), which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter better known as Dharamsala or Larkya La Phedi. 

Today will be an exciting day as we trek around the Manaslu crossing the Larkya La Pass (5,100m). We leave Dharamsala and start crossing the moraine. Then we will descend to a small lake. The trail begins to be rough and unclear as we cross the south of a steep grassy slope. 

Our route stays on the moraine to an edge marked by two landmarks. The prayer flags provide us the direction to our trekking as we descend to four frozen lakes. The trail climbs up once again leading to the Larkya La Pass. The Larkya La Pass (5,160m), thanks to its altitude, provides panoramic views of several mountains - Himlung, Cheo, Kang Guru, and the great Annapurna II. 

After admiring the natural beauty from the Larkya La Pass, the trail takes us to the top of the moraine, heading to the west and making steep, rough bends. Then, the descent begins, and the trail becomes easier to walk in and opens to a small meadow. The valley begins to widen as we near the large meadows, mani walls, and small houses, which indicates we have reached Bhimtang.

From Bimtang, after an early breakfast, we start our trail by crossing over the side of the moraine and descending to the headwaters of the Dudh Khola, which we cross on a wooden bridge. We continue through the pine and rhododendron woods to Hompuk (3,430m). 

From the route, you can enjoy the panoramic views of Phungi, Manaslu, Manaslu north peak, Cheo Himal, and Himlung Himal. We descend downhill for 30 minutes in the forested area to reach Sangore Kharka meadow. Then we will be crossing a landslide before making a steep climb to a ridge followed by a descent towards the river bank at Gho(2,575m). The route is filled with ups and downs, passing mostly through the fields but occasionally through dense pine forest. Less than an hour walk through the fields, and intermittent stands of rhododendron and oak trees take us to Tilije, a multi-ethnic community settlement.

 After resting at Tilije, we continue our trek crossing the Dudh Khola, and following along its bank, we descend through the scrub forest. The walls of the Marsyangdi Valley loom larger, and, finally, the houses of Dharapani appear in the distance. Passing through Thonje via a wooden bridge and through a chorten-shaped arch, we arrive at Dharapani after crossing a long suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi.

Today we will be on the road the whole day. After early morning breakfast, we leave Dharapani to Besishar on a local jeep or a bus. The scenic drive past typical villages, Marsayangdi river, Bhulbhule town will take four to five hours.

To be on schedule, we should be reaching Besisahar before 3 pm to catch the last bus to Kathmandu. If we cannot catch a bus on time, we need to extend our trip by a day. The bus will move along the Prithivi Highway following the Marsyandi and Trisuli rivers and continue to Kathmandu, where your journey had started. 

We start with a bus drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola, the bus follows Prithvi Highway. Along the highway, you will be seeing huge mountains, pretty traditional villages, fast-flowing rivers, varied vegetation, and terraced fields. After you pass Dhading Besi, the road starts getting rough as we get nearer and nearer to the trekking zone. 

After the last day's long bus ride, we start our trek from Soti Khola to reach Dobhan. We start by crossing Soti Khola, followed by Sal forest, and then crossing Budhi Gandaki. 

The trail continues through rice terraces, then up and around the mountain to Lapubesi. Then a wide path opens as Budhi Gandaki meanders among wide gravel. From the route, you can get glimpses of Shringi Himal. As you move ahead, you will reach Lapu Besi and then Khorla Besi, a small farm village. After hiking some more you will arrive at Tatobani, and cross a suspension bridge above Budi Gandaki to reach Dobhan.

You start the trek crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola River. The trail is fairly challenging as it climbs up to a large rock and takes us across a single log bridge taking you north. Further, the route takes you to the Gurung village of Jagat, eventually taking you to Philim, another Gurung village, via Sridibas. While on the trek, you will enjoy the views of Ganesh and Shringi Himal.

The journey takes us further up the river along the valley of the Budhi Gandaki River. Compared to the last day, the path is less steep, and within an hour of hiking, we will reach Chisapani village, but we continue on our route, north through terraced Ekle Bhatti village fields to grassy slopes dotted with pine trees. 

We will then be crossing the Budhi Gandaki bridge, and from the path, we will see the Shar Khola and Tsum Valley. You will then cross a bamboo forest to reach Deng. From Deng, the route ascends and descends several times until we reach Ghap - a Tibetan-style village. At Ghap, you can notice elegant carvings on Mani walls. 

Today's path will consist of be passing below a huge overhanging rock mountain and forests full of different species of animals like langur monkeys and birds - including Danphe, the national bird of Nepal. You will be passing through a stone archway and entering Namrung - famous for its typical houses.

From Namrung, we climb past the mani walls and enter a forest continuing the hike. Slowly, you will get to enjoy the glorious views of Manaslu North (7,157m) and Naike Peak (5,515m). Once you cross a small stream, you will reach Lho. Lho is a comparatively large settlement full of Tibetan-style chortens and gigantic mani walls. 

From Lho, we descend to streams and then ascend once more. Around two hours of the hike takes you to the Shyaula plateau surrounded by Ngadi Chuli Peak (25,823ft / 7,879m), Hiunchuli (7,893m). From Shyala, our path slightly ascends and then drops down to a river - that originates from Pungyen Glacier. Then we pass several chortens and gompas to reach Thosang Khola. After Thosang Khola, we descend into a rock-strewn moraine, and little ahead lies Samagaun. 

We acclimatize at Samagaon to adjust to the thin air due to higher elevation. However, we will not stay idle but explore this village and learn about the lifestyles of the locals and their Buddhist culture. We have other options - hiking to the Manaslu Base Camp or Birendra Lake (Tal) and then climbing the ridge to Pungyen Monastery. This monastery lies south of Samagaon and takes about a two-and-a-half-hour hike. It is hidden behind the ridge in front of Manaslu and gives us tremendous views of the glaciers. Similarly, Birendra Tal is a glacial lake at 3,450m where ice blocks tumble into the lake with thunderous displays. 

Today's trek is comparatively more pleasant because you will be trekking at flatlands. You will be passing through pasture areas and slowly ascending to the valley. The trail leads us to juniper and birch forests and reaches down the Budhi Gandaki river, which you will cross on a wooden bridge over it. From the route, you will be getting amazing views of the mountains, especially Manaslu, as you reach Samdo - a Tibetan refugee village.

We start our walk down the edge of fields and old mani walls, then cross the wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki river to reach a valley. Then we hike past the Athahra Syar river, followed by Larke River. While on the route, you will be witnessing several Mani walls and prayer flags. 

After crossing two streams, you will get the view of Larkya Glacier, which is unquestionably magnificent. As we enjoy the view, we further trek around the valley of Salkha Khola and climb up again to reach the stone guest house (4,450m), which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter better known as Dharamsala or Larkya La Phedi. 

Today will be an exciting day as we trek around the Manaslu crossing the Larkya La Pass (5,100m). We leave Dharamsala and start crossing the moraine. Then we will descend to a small lake. The trail begins to be rough and unclear as we cross the south of a steep grassy slope. 

Our route stays on the moraine to an edge marked by two landmarks. The prayer flags provide us the direction to our trekking as we descend to four frozen lakes. The trail climbs up once again leading to the Larkya La Pass. The Larkya La Pass (5,160m), thanks to its altitude, provides panoramic views of several mountains - Himlung, Cheo, Kang Guru, and the great Annapurna II. 

After admiring the natural beauty from the Larkya La Pass, the trail takes us to the top of the moraine, heading to the west and making steep, rough bends. Then, the descent begins, and the trail becomes easier to walk in and opens to a small meadow. The valley begins to widen as we near the large meadows, mani walls, and small houses, which indicates we have reached Bhimtang.

From Bimtang, after an early breakfast, we start our trail by crossing over the side of the moraine and descending to the headwaters of the Dudh Khola, which we cross on a wooden bridge. We continue through the pine and rhododendron woods to Hompuk (3,430m). 

From the route, you can enjoy the panoramic views of Phungi, Manaslu, Manaslu north peak, Cheo Himal, and Himlung Himal. We descend downhill for 30 minutes in the forested area to reach Sangore Kharka meadow. Then we will be crossing a landslide before making a steep climb to a ridge followed by a descent towards the river bank at Gho(2,575m). The route is filled with ups and downs, passing mostly through the fields but occasionally through dense pine forest. Less than an hour walk through the fields, and intermittent stands of rhododendron and oak trees take us to Tilije, a multi-ethnic community settlement.

 After resting at Tilije, we continue our trek crossing the Dudh Khola, and following along its bank, we descend through the scrub forest. The walls of the Marsyangdi Valley loom larger, and, finally, the houses of Dharapani appear in the distance. Passing through Thonje via a wooden bridge and through a chorten-shaped arch, we arrive at Dharapani after crossing a long suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi.

Today we will be on the road the whole day. After early morning breakfast, we leave Dharapani to Besishar on a local jeep or a bus. The scenic drive past typical villages, Marsayangdi river, Bhulbhule town will take four to five hours.

To be on schedule, we should be reaching Besisahar before 3 pm to catch the last bus to Kathmandu. If we cannot catch a bus on time, we need to extend our trip by a day. The bus will move along the Prithivi Highway following the Marsyandi and Trisuli rivers and continue to Kathmandu, where your journey had started.