Manaslu Circuit Trek Blog, 11-Day Itinerary

The Manaslu Circuit trek is a choice for different groups of travel enthusiasts. Manaslu Trekking Circuit is a part of restricted trekking in Nepal that offers remote travelers a friendly nature and atmosphere.

The Manaslu Round Trail generally takes over 11 days to complete. The starting point of the trek is Soti Khola or Machha Khola which is an 8-9 hour drive from the Kathmandu, trailhead of the Manaslu region trek. The trek to Manaslu takes you closer to Mt. Manaslu and Larkya Pass, the highest point of Manaslu Loop Trekking that passes through the beautiful landscape, a wide range of jungle with diverse species of flora and fauna, villages that show the deep cultural consideration add glory and more charm to the Manaslu trekking. The lifestyle and cultural costume of the diverse endogenous settlement of the Manaslu region show the unique Tibetan Buddhism-influenced community.

Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal

The remote trekking trail of the Manaslu region was opened in 1992 AD for trekking and expeditions. Setting itself as a hidden treasure of Nepalese trekking, the Manaslu Curcular trek has become the dream list of hundreds of trekkers. The 11-day journey around manaslu highlights multiple icons of the Manaslu conservation area and ends at Dharapani. This11-day Manaslu circuit trekkingis the best trek in Nepal.

Manaslu Round Trekking 11 Days itinerary

This brief itinerary provides the trekking route of Manaslu Circuit Trek route, distance, duration, and trek altitude with it essential manaslu trek guide. 

Day 1: Drive to Machha Khola via Aarughat and SotiKhola from Kathmandu

• Distnace: 160km
• Duration: 8-9 hours
• Altitude: 930m( Machha Khola)
•             : 730m (Soti Khola)

Highlight ofthe day

• Scenic drive through Trishuli Highway
• Witness with lush green forest, terraced fields, and beautiful traditional villages.
• Opportunities to interact with local people.

Day 2: Trek to Jagat 

• Distnace: approx. 21km
• Duration: 6-7 hours
• Altitude: 1410m( Jagat)

Highlight of the day 

• Crossing the suspension bridge and following the trail along the Budi Gandaki River
• Ascend through the sop tropical and tropical land
• Beautiful waterfalls and a glimpse of local culture await

Day 3: Trek to Deng 

• Distnace: approx. 20km
• Duration: 6-7 hours
• Altitude: 1804m (Deng)

Highlight of the day

• Entry into Manaslu Conservation Area.
• Checking the trekking permits for manaslu entry.
• Walking along the river bank narrow gorges and dramatic views.
• Glimpse of the Tibetan Buddhist community and some monuments.

Day 4: Trek to Namrung (2660m)

• Distnace: approx. 19km
• Duration: 5-6 hours
• Altitude: 2660m( Namrung)

Highlight of the day

• Great vista of Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal.
• Tibetan-influenced cultural villages, Mani walls, and chortens along the trails.
• Opportunities to engage with local people and learn about their culture, and festivals.

Day 5; Trek to Samagaon 

• Distnace: approx. 18km
• Duration: 5-6 hours
• Altitude: 3535m( Samagaon)

Highlight of the day

• Rest place during the manaslu trail trek
• Expansive view of the world's 8th highest peak Mt. Manaslu
• Charming Tibetan village, people, and their daily rituals
• Monastery and Himalayan Buddhist culture.

Day 6: Acclimatization in Samagaon, explore Pun Gyen Gompa or hike to Manaslu base camp.

• Distnace: approx.8 km ( Pun Gyen Gompa) & 15km (Manaslu base Camp)
• Duration: 4-5 hours& 8-9 hrs-depending upon choosen activities.
• Altitude: approx. 4000( Pun Gyen Gompa)
•             : approx. 4800m(Manaslu base Camp)

Highlight of the day

• Visit Pun Gyen Gompa, or Manaslu Base camp
• Pristine Birendra Lake.
• Breathtaking alpine scenery.

Day 7: Trek to Samdo 

• Distnace: approx. 15km
• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Altitude: 3875m( Samdo)

Highlight of the day

• Trek through the yak pastures and rugged landscape.
• Walk in high altitude landscape
• Spectacular view of famous mountain peaks including manaslu,
• Explore the quaint Tibetan refugee village of Samdo

Day 8: Trek to Dharmasala (Larkya Phedi)

• Distnace: approx. 14km
• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Altitude: 4660m( Dharmasala)

Highlight of the day

• Ascent into the high alpine zone
• Breathtaking view of Larkya glacier and some snow-capped peaks.
• A day before Larkya Pass

Day 9: Trek to Bhimtang via Larkya Pass 

• Distnace: approx. 23km
• Duration: 9-10 hours
• Altitude: 5106m(larkya Pass) 
•             : 3720m(Bhimtang)

Highlight of the day

• Adventurous and rewarding climb of Larkya Pass
• Panoramic view of Himlung Himal, Ganesh Himal, Mt. Manaslu, Annapurna II
• Descend toward Bhimtang by following the valley and downhill.

Day 10: Trek to Dharapani via Tilje (2300m)

• Distnace: approx. 20km
• Duration: 6-7 hours
• Altitude: 1860m( Dharapani)
•              : 2300m(Tilje)

Highlight of the day

• Gradually walk down through pine and rhododendron forests.
• Crossing the beautiful village like Tilje, a rich cultural settlement.
• Great vista of the Annapurna range and cascading waterfalls.

Day 11: Drive to Kathmandu

• Distnace: approx. 230km
• Duration: 8-10 hours
• Altitude: 1345m (Kathmandu)

Highlight of the day

• Catch the jeep from Dharapani and drive to Besisahar
• Drive back through the national highway the opposite Trishuli River ( Trishuli River is famous for white water rafting)
• Enjoy the cultural hub of Kathmandu in the evening.

(Note: For the Trek Map of Manaslu open this live google map: https://recreationholidays.com/blog/manaslu-circuit-trek-on-google-map)

A key highlight of Manaslu Circuit Trail Trek 11 Days adventure

• New popular trekking in Nepal, less crowded and authentic trekking in Manaslu
• The border connected with the Tibetan region and opened for trekkers in 1992AD.
• Experience the awe-inspiring view, rugged landscape, alpine forest zone, and various vegetation close to the world's eighth-highest peak, Mt. Manaslu. (81063m)
• Manaslu Conservation area is home to a diverse group of wildlife species including over 1500 flowering and herbal plants.
• Mt. Manaslu trekking offers a blend of Hindu and Buddhist cultures along with mountain culture that was influenced by Tibetan Buddhism.
• Get a framed view of some of the stunning snow-capped peaks, such as Cheo Mountain, Buddha Peak, Shingri Himalaya range, Ganesh Himal, Kang Guru, and Annapurna, with eight thousand-meter-high peaks like Mt. Manaslu.
• The beautiful village that held an abundance of the cultural significance of Tibetan Buddhism in the manaslu region Samagaun is the center for trekkers to stay.
• Birendra Lake, Pun Gyen Gomba, and other Monastery in Samagaon are worthwhile.
• The 11-Day Manaslu high pass trek  covers one of the highest mountain glacier Pass, Larky Pass with an elevation of 5106m is the highest point of the trek.
• Dharpani the ending point of Manaslu Trek is the starting point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek in the Annapurna region. That provides unique vibes to the trekkers.

Manaslu Trekking benefits with Recreation Holidays Team

• Airport pick-up and drop-off facilities
• Trekking map
• Help with buying or renting trekking gear and equipment
• Guiding around the city (optional)
• Transportation for the trek Experienced and English Speaking Guide.
• Customized itinerary options for Manaslu Trek.
• Focusing on sustainable tourism practices.
• Competitive pricing with the value.
• Commitment to customer satisfaction enhancement.

Why to Choose the Manaslu Circuit for Trek in Nepal

Choosing a destination for spending quality holidays in Nepal is so difficult due to its never-ending beauty and uniqueness. So, we suggest you choose Manaslu Round Trek for the best experience of Nepalese Himalayan life, remote culture, and off-beaten track. Here are several reasons to choose Mt. Manaslu Trekking.

• Less Crowded and Off-the-beaten Path
• Experience enriches the Tibetan mix of cultural traditions
• Diverse remote landscape
• Challenging Trails but Rewarding Adventure
• Manaslu Conservation Area with its rich wildlife species
• Less commercialized but trekkers choose to trek.
• Restricted area trekking experience and remote nature of the trek.
• Easily connected with other several treks like T sum Valley, Manaslu base Camp, and Annapurna circuit.
• Close-up view of the world's eighth-highest mountain Mt. Manaslu(8163m)
• Perfect destination for adventure seekers, cultural trekkers, and nature lovers.
• Authentic tea house and local hospitality experience
• Budget-friendly trek compared to other popular treks in Nepal.
• Flexible and customizable trekking route and itinerary
• Trek's starting point is close to Kathmandu. It takes 8-9 hours to reach Soti Khola from Kathmandu.

Who can trek on the Manaslu Circuit? - is it possible for solo trekkers and first-time trekkers?

The thrilling adventure of Manaslu is challenging but rewarding at the same time. Trekking at high altitudes, especially in the Himalayas is a dream of many travelers. This trek is for every level of people who are willing to concur with the 5106m Larkya Pass.

While talking about Solo trekkers or first-timers on the Manaslu circuit trek is a combination of nature, culture, and adventure. It is best off-beaten trekking around Mount. Manaslu is the 8th highest mountain in the world. By following the necessary process and providing guidelines for fitness, acclimatization, safety, and saving tips, food, and accommodation tips every level of trekkers can do the Manaslu trek without any risk. Manaslu circuit trek is for both beginners and first-time travelers.

Altitude sickness during the Trek in Manaslu

Mountain sickness is a major issue faced by many travelers while embarking on high-altitude adventures like trekking in Nepal. Altitude sickness is not the things to ignore. Trekkers must follow the propagation to avoid mountain sickness. Due to the high-altitude nature of the Manaslu ascending fast is dangerous. So, always follow the provided safety tips for Altitude sickness during the manaslu trek. With better planning and guidelines you can avoid such kind of issues during the trek.

Some Useful travel Tips for trekking in Manaslu Circuit with Breakdown 

Accommodation on Manaslu Circuit Trekking

Accommodation on Manaslu Trail Circuit journey is basic and welcomes trekkers with hygienic bedrooms on a sharing basis. Generally, a tea house offers a tourist standard room at an accessible price. As you ascend to the high altitude tea house and lodge are fewer and trekkers have to share the room in a group mainly in high season time. During the Manaslu visit, we suggest trekkers carry their sleeping bags to enhance the trek experience and hassle-free journey.

Food on Manaslu Circuit Adventure Trekking

Manaslu Round Trek offers a multi-cuisine to the trekkers, from breakfast to dinner you can have a tea house or lodge where you stay overnight you can find a lunch along the trails while hiking. As trekkers require, tea houses provide a light breakfast like eggs, bread, beans, and sometimes cornflakes. The lunch and dinner during the trek is Dal Bhat, the local Nepalese traditional dish that is highly recommended to keep an energy balance. But if you prefer, you can order the food on a menu, like some American dishes, such as noodles, pasta, thukpa, momos, chowmins, and other items. Besides coffee, tea, water, and energy drinks are available in every tea house including fruit items. The food can be a little expensive due to the challenging transportation but somewhere the room can be free after food.

Permit for Manaslu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu circuit trek passes through the Manaslu Conservation Area, where trekkers need to obtain a Manaslu Conservation Area permit from the Nepal Tourism Board. Since the Manaslu region is protected as a restricted area, it applies for a restricted area trekking permit from the Department of Immigration, for which travelers need to apply via a trekking company with a government-registered license. At least two trekkers are necessary for applying for the restricted area permit.

The cost of a permit for Manaslu Circuit Trekking

• Manaslu Conservation area permit: NPR 3000 per person. (For foreigners) and NPR1000 for SAARC nationalities.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Trekking Permit cost: NPR 3000 for NON-SAARC and NPR 1000 for SASARC.
• Restricted area permit cost for Manaslu Circuit in autumn (September to November) - USD 100 per person for the first week and 15 per person, each day beyond a week.
• In A low-season restricted area, Manaslu Trekking costs USD 75 per person for the first week and USD 10 per person each day beyond a week.

Physical fitness is required for the Manaslu Circuit trek 

A major question for Larkya Pass trek, manaslu  is whether I am fit to trek or not. What kind of fitness is required to complete the Manaslu Circuit trek? As we know Manaslu Circuit is a challenging trekking that offers physical strength that faces the adventurous journey of the Manaslu trek. We can surely explain whether you can do this trek, but here we share fitness requirements. Before making the journey focus on short hiking, running, cycling, and other cardio exercises to make the trek smooth. Besides, altitude sickness is a major issue during high-altitude trekking, so ensure your body can adjust to the mountain atmosphere. for altitude sickness guide check this link: http://recreationholidays.com/blog/altitude-sickness-manaslu-circuit-trek-safety-tips

Conclusion- how far is the Manaslu Circuit trek from Kathmandu?

The Manaslu circuit trek is an unmissable remote trekking experience in the Manaslu region, located in the Gandaki provenience in the central part of Nepal, connected to Tibet. The trek starting point is an 8-9-hour drive from Kathmandu Valley, whereas the Samagaon takes 5 days from Kathmandu and 11 days to complete the manaslu circuit via Larky Pass.