Manaslu Trek is a well-loved trekking route, which includes pristine mountain views, rich culture and genuine adventure. Opened in 1992, this area offers a combination of rich Tibetan culture heritage, supreme beauty, and biological diversity.
Manaslu at 8163 meters (26,775′) is the 8th highest peak in the world and is located near the border between Nepal and Tibet. The name Manaslu means “The Spirit-Mountain” in the local dialect, referring to the benevolent and strong deity that is believed to dwell within. Trekking in Manaslu through Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition is one of the most delightful adventures.
If you would like to sample both an extreme trekking experience in Nepal, and one of the most breathtaking mountain scenery on earth, then look no further than the circuit of Manaslu via the Larke La. The Tibetan enclave of Nupri, north of Manaslu at the head of the Budhi Gandaki, was closed to foreigners for years on account of its proximity to Tibet. The area was surreptitiously opened in 1992, but it took several years for the word to get out.
Detail Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1337m)
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1337m)
Day 03 Kathmandu – Barpak (1915 m) 7-8 hours
Day 04: Laprak – Khorlabeshi (970m) 4-5 hours
Day 05: Khorlabeshi – Jagat (1340m)4-5 hours
Day 06: Jagat – Ekle Bhatti (1600 m) 2-3 hours
Day 07: Ekle Bhatti – Bihi Phedi (1990 m) 4-5 hours
Day 08: Bihi Phedi – Namrung (2630 m)4-5 hours
Day 09: Namrung – Lho (3180 m) 3-4 hours
Day 10: Lho – Samagaon ( 3520 m) 3-4 hours
Day 11: Samagaon Acclimatization / Rest day in ( 3350 m)
Day 12: Samagaon- Samdo to (3875 m) 2-3 hours
Day 13: Samdo – Dharmashala (Larke Phedi (4460 m) 3-4 hours
Day 14: Larke La BC – Larke La (5160 m) – Bhimthang (3590 m) 6-7 hours
Day 15:Bhimthang – Tilije (2300 m) 5-6 hours
Day 16: Tilije – Kathmandu (1340m) 8 to 6 hours
Day 17: Departure from Kathmandu (1337)
Important Information:
Our Guest’s security is of dominant concern while traveling with Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition. The trekking leader has the authority to adjust or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is necessary due to unfavorable circumstances. Unfavorable weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, or an unexpected natural disaster can force changes to the itinerary. However, every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary. The lead guide will try his/her best to ensure that the trip goes smoothly and according to plan, but please be ready to be flexible if necessary. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition is capable, experienced, and prepared to give a 24-hour emergency response to an accident or condition that requires attention or evacuation.
Important Also:
Himalayan Vacation Treks & Expedition requires that trekking and expedition guests have Insurance Policies. A Travel Insurance Policy should cover the cost of emergencies (including altitude sickness), injuries, and evacuations. Please, it is essential to bring your Travel Insurance Policy, or copies of your pertinent existing insurance coverage with you to Nepal. HV Treks will require a copy for our office records. We, as well, advise you to inform your existing insurance agent/company of your itinerary, including trekking, climbing, and hiking, and insure your current policy provides sufficient coverage.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1337m)
You are welcomed to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal renowned for historical monuments, Hindu Temples, and Buddhist Stupas/Monasteries. We meet our guests at the Tribhuvan International Airport. A representative will be waiting with a Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition placard with our guests’ names displayed. After dropping luggage at the hotel, guests are taken for a short sightseeing tour. In the evening, guests are invited to a Welcome Dinner at a Nepali restaurant.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1337m)
A local guide will be available. According to your wishes, the guide will escort you for sightseeing. Sightseeing may include the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupati, Boudhanath, Patan Durbar Square, and the Swoyambhunath areas. Starting after breakfast, usually at 9.00am, the exploration of Kathmandu Valley can continue until 5.00pm. Lunch and dinner, you will be responsible for.
Day 03 Kathmandu – Barpak (1915 m) 7-8 hours
Today, we start trekking from Kathmandu. We begin our trekking with a bus ride from Kathmandu. We pass through Thankot , the gate point of Kathmandu Valley. We follow Prithivi Highway which contains many uphill and downhill fine tarred road. We follow the famous river Trishuli until we reach Mugling. After 15 minutes bus ride from Mugling., we reach Khaireni and diverted to 12 Kilo leaving Kathmandu Pokhara Highway. From 12 Kilo we follow Daraudi river via Chhepetar .
Day 04: Laprak – Khorlabeshi (970m) 4-5 hours
We walk down to the Budhi Gandaki River from the village of Laprak today. We cross a suspension bridge and we climb a steep path that goes through the terraced fields. We contour around several hillsides through a narrow path up to the village of Singla. From here, the walking becomes easier and we enjoy the views of Kutang Himal and Sringi Himal to the north as we walk down through more terraced fields and papaya trees, through the Gurung village of Khorla, and then down along a narrow, winding trail to Khorlebeshi on the bank of Budhi Gandaki River. We need to be careful since we walk through the rocky path just before the long suspension bridge to Khorlabeshi. We will probably get a visit in the evening from this village’s cultural ambassadors, and perhaps have another show for our entertainment.
Day 05: Khorlabeshi – Jagat (1340m)4-5 hours
We start walking along the river for about an hour. Then we walk by the terraced field of tobacco and buckwheat. After some time the path becomes stony that leads us to the hot springs in the center of the small, terraced village of Tatopani, Here we can enjoy for some time to soak our exhausted bodies in the garrulous hot water, and then perhaps go for a swim in the ice-cold river below, drying off on the wonderful river-side beach. Then a slight climb through the woods past with a spectacular waterfall, across an old, wooden suspension bridge and through a short section of the forest path and we reach Dobhan. Above Dobhan, the Budi Gandaki River flows down in an impressive series of steep rapids. From here, our path climbs high above the river. We cross the river on a long, new suspension bridge and climb high on stone steps before coming into our camp at Jagat, the entrance to the Manaslu Conservation National Park. It will be really good to wander around this beautiful, paved village.
Day 06: Jagat – Ekle Bhatti (1600 m) 2-3 hours
After descending a long series of stone steps back down to the river from Jagat, we climb on wonderful stone steps along a terraced hillside to the small hamlet of Saguleri, from where we can see the impressive view of Sringi Himal 7,187 meters high. We pass through the charming, paved village of Sirdibas. We Cross the river again on a long, high suspension bridge at Ghata Khola, the path splits, with the right-hand branch heading off towards the Ganesh Himal. Our route continues upstream, and again we have a steep climb to reach Philim. After Philim the path still goes uphill to Ekle Bhatti where we camp for the night.
Day 07: Ekle Bhatti – Bihi Phedi (1990 m) 4-5 hours
In the beginning, the path goes flat then downhill to Budhi Gandaki River. We cross a new suspension bridge over Budhi Gandaki River at the point where the Siyar Khola meets with the river. From this point before we cross the bridge our trail splits. One goes to the Tsum Valley. The other leads us to village Bihi Phedi. After crossing the River, in one hour’s walk at the place called Nyak, the ending point of Rupina La treks meets with our path. We catch the route that takes us to the village called Bihi Phedi where we will spend the night in a lodge. After Nyak, from Deng, we can have a spectacular view of Shringai Himal. Deng is a small Gurung village where the Buddhist culture is practiced. So Mani walls and prayers flags welcome us here. After Deng, the path goes downhill up to Budhi Gandaki River. We cross a Trust bridge over Budhi Gandaki River and walk uphill to Bihi Phedi.
Day 08: Bihi Phedi – Namrung (2630 m)4-5 hours
In the beginning, slowly going uphill but after lunch, we walk through a steep path and we have to walk through the trail that has landslides, wet pieces, and slippery stones. We are now completely turned to the west and the Tibetan border is less than 10 km from of us. We are now entering the area inhabited by Tibetan refugees. Hence, the sight of Tibetan culture and lifestyle is common in this area. The trail goes uphill and downhill both. At Namrung, our special permit will be checked. This is a village where there is a hydropower station. This is the viewpoint of Shrigai Himal and Ganesh Himal. There is a famous beautiful gompa called Namla Gompa. We can make a telephone call here. We spend the night at Namrung.
Day 09: Namrung – Lho (3180 m) 3-4 hours
A few hours later, we reach the village of Lihi at 2840 meters, a substantial altitude gain. We climb gently now; soon we cross a large stream flowing down from the Li danda Glaciers. We pass the gompa of Lihi and continue to rise until we go through the stone gates of Sho. Lihi is the viewpoint of Himchuli too. A little later, we have a magnificent view of the Naike Peak, Manaslu north and eventually Manaslu Peak. Lho is a beautiful village. In the east we have a view of the peaks of Ganesh Himal and north to the glaciers on the mountains that form the border with Tibet. We can visit the Kandjur Scripts monastery of Lho and Ribung Gompa. Lho is the viewpoint of Manaslu. We can make a telephone call from Lho.
Day 10: Lho – Samagaon ( 3520 m) 3-4 hours
We walk downhill to the river in the beginning. Then the path goes slightly uphill along the river. We cross a small jungle area in several places. We arrive in Shyala. It is a comparatively new village and is populated by Tibetan refugees who are still on the old trade route through the pass called Lajyung Bhanjyang. We cross Numala Khola through the suspension bridge and walk to Samagaon which is a very beautiful Tibetan village. We stay her e for 2 nights.
Day 11: Samagaon Acclimatization / Rest day in ( 3350 m)
Today as it an acclimatization day, we can have just rest for the whole day or there are so many things we can do. Maybe we can get a hold of Puja (prayer) in the gompa or the monastery. We can bathe and make washing. If we wish to observe Tibetan culture, we can walk through the village and see how the Tibetan villagers live and work in this region. We can make a walk to the Birendra Lake or a piece of a way to Manaslu BC or a longer walk to Pung Gyen Gompa also is the things we can make. The Gompa is in the altitude of about 3900 m on one of the slopes along the Numla Khola. This is a point from where we can see the view of Manaslu, Larke, Naike Peak, Manaslu glacier etc. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition guide will arrange for our visit to the various places today.
Day 12: Samagaon- Samdo to (3875 m) 2-3 hours
Today we have a short trek along the Budhi Gandaki River. Since we are walking in the high altitude, we slowly acclimatize. We climb uphill gradually. Slowly we feel the cold wind as we climb up. So, the warm clothes in your rucksack are suggested. We follow the Budhi Gandaki in a northwesterly direction to the last inhabited village before the pass. We walk through yakweiden with dozens of meters long manis. We camp in Samdo in a lodge. Telephone service is available here. Mani walls and stupas can be seen everywhere here. We can visit the viewpoint from where we can witness Naike and Pangboche Peak.
Day 13: Samdo – Dharmashala (Larke Phedi (4460 m) 3-4 hours
We walk today flat first then slightly uphill. We have to take it easy because today we rise about 800 meters and tomorrow await us a hard day as we will cross the pass Larke La. On the south side of the path we have a view of the North Peak, Naike Peak, and the Larke Peak and the Manaslu massif and to the north, the barren, rough stone desert that lies between us and the Tibetan plateau. This will be the coldest night on this trip and probably also the shortest. We spend the night in a lodge in Dharmashala in the other word Larke Phedi.
Day 14: Larke La BC – Larke La (5160 m) – Bhimthang (3590 m) 6-7 hours
We get up very early and leave early because today because maybe most of the snowy pass and which may, in particular, make the long steep descent difficult and time-consuming. The run-up to the pass is gradual and hopefully, it’s a bright sunny day so that, once the light is able to enjoy the impressive landscape. Moraines, glaciers, snow-capped peaks which stand out stridently against the blue sky and the icy glacier lakes are the view of the surrounding. The pass is not really showing signs of a sharp transition but the prayer flags tell us that we have arrived at the highest point. We too, hang our prayer flags in there. In the succeeding descent, it goes again slightly uphill and then comes the long and very steep down but we occasionally take the time to enjoy the extraordinary view. Only at the moraine path becomes less steep and the going easier. Along the moraine-shore, we walk to the large lawn with some houses. We walk for long hours today; we must bear in mind that average of 10 to 11 hours walks including a few short breaks along the way. But the duration can vary since it depends on the local conditions like weather. In the evening we are very much exhausted but contented today. We stay in a lodge for the night in Bhimthang. Bhimthang has telephone service facility.
Day 15:Bhimthang – Tilije (2300 m) 5-6 hours
Today our journey goes down slowly. In the beginning, we walk through glacier shore. Then beautiful forests with great views of the peaks of the Manaslu behind us, we walk quietly along the river to Kharche. This is just off the Suti Khola, a river coming from the northwest and flows into the Dudh Khola. We walk along the Dudh Khola down south. Small villages with tea houses are on the way. First a horrible climb over the Pass of Kharche but then mostly down along moraines, yak kharka, white beaches, and rocks along the river that swirls down and called Dudh (milk) delivers. Also, we see a beautiful view of waterfalls and the forest with mosses. We love the path that has a view of the magnificent mountains around us. We slowly head to the big Gurung village of Tilje, where we will spend the night in a lodge. We can visit Tilije Gompa here and telephone and NTC mobile service are available here. Apple Wine and brandy is produced here since the apple farm is there. We can have a taste of local wine, alcohol and other products here.
Day 16: Tilije – Kathmandu (1340m) 8 to 6 hours
We leave the Gurung village Tilje and walk downhill to the point where the Dudh Khola comes together with the Marsyangdi River. We reach the Annapurna trail. It may take about 45 minutes walk. At Dharapani we hire vehicle to Kathmandu . We go over the bridge to the west bank of the Marsyangdi and we will check with the postmark to let our permits. We are now in a completely different world with many tea-houses, restaurants, and lodges in comparison of the routes we walked in the past. We pass typical villages like Tal and Chamje and finally reach Jagat. Further we drive to Besi Sahar; the headquarter of Lamjugng District. Until Besisahar the road is rough as it is just graveled. But from Besi Sahar, the road is pitched. At Dumre we reach the road that runs from Pokhara to Kathmandu. As well as on the way we will have lunch in Muglin. The drive will take 8 to 9 hours. It depends on the situation of the road traffic and especially the pass to the Kathmandu valley can sometimes cause delays.
Day 17: Departure from Kathmandu (1337)
Today, we check the list of all necessary documents and goods of our guest. We confirm the flight tickets before 72 hours of departure flight. We advise our guest to put passport and tickets at their handbag for convenience. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition staff representative will take our valuable guests to the airport (3 hours prior to your flight) and bid goodbye. It will be not only goodbye but also the welcome for next visit to Nepal.
Number of participants
Minimum number of participants: 2
Maximum number of participants: 14
Max Altitude: 5,160 meters
Best Season: Oct – Nov and March-May
Difficulty Level: Moderate
December, January, and February
It is called the winter season in Nepal. It is a season for snowfall in mountain region above 4300m in Nepal. So, trekking is possible below 4500m during this period. This season is noted for occasional snowfall at higher elevations in the Himalayas. Though it gets colder in a night, often it offers the clear day / blue sky and relatively fewer trekkers on the trail. Sunrise and Sunset are seen very clear and beautiful in this season. So, a tourist who wants to pass short holidays during this period Himalayan vacation Treks and Expedition welcomes to see a splendid view of nature. During this period, we arrange a family tour to experience natural beauty with short hikes and cultural tour. It is suitable for homestay tour through which different rituals and culture can be experienced during this period. The famous homestay like Sailung Timal homestay,Timal homestay, Tamang Heritage Homestay, Ghalegaon Homestay are the special places to visit.
March, April, and May
It is spring season which is known as trekking season in Nepal. A smooth wind and gentle breeze are felt all over the country. Sunny days and clear weather are the supportive factors for trekking in this season. Presence of a cloud can be seen in the sky during this season. So a short rainfall can be felt during this period. It is the season of an expedition and climbing high peaks in Nepal. So many tourists from different parts of the world come to climb peaks above 7000m in this season. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges tour and journey for climbing during this period. Peak climbing period can be in length up to June so Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges attractive programs during this period. This period offers plenty of opportunities for clear mountain views. It is also the time for flowers to blossom, and the national flower of Nepal – rhododendrons – coat the mountainsides with its colorful beauty throughout the spring.
June, July, and August
It is rainy season in Nepal. As it is the season of heavy rainfall. it is also known as the crops harvesting season in Nepal. In this season, trekking is slightly difficult in Nepal. These times are blessed for the keen botanist as the higher valleys and meadows blossom with flowers and lush vegetation. Trekking in the rain-shadow (places are out of reach of the rain clouds because of the high mountains) areas north of the Himalaya like Upper Mustang and Dolpo could be an ideal trek selection. However, Himalayan vacation Treks and Expedition arranges tour and trek during this period in dry areas. We arrange treks and tour in dry areas like Mustang, Upper Dolpa, Leh Ladakh (India) and Tibet.
September, October, and November
Moderate temperatures, clear sky with outstanding views, making it a great time to do any of our treks. Occasional short storms may dump snow at high altitudes. This is the season of feast and festivals. This is also known as the special season for flowers in Nepal. Marigold is popular and found best in this season. Temples and holy places are visited during this period. Festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath are celebrated during this season. Long national holidays are offered for this festival for workers. This season is known as the king of the season. No rainfall, sunny days and moderate temperature are the most favorable factors of this season for treks and tours in Nepal. Every kind of treks and tours can be done during this period. So many tourists come to see beautiful Nepal in this season. Many trekking routes are full of tourist during this season. Peaks 6000m to 7000m is the best destination for climbing in this season. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition welcomes tourist to feel the splendid view of the nature of Nepal in this season.
Equipment & Packing List
This list is a guideline to help you pack for your adventure. Please understand that the items listed below will vary according to the season and the duration of the trek. The weight limit for your luggage is 33 pounds or 12 kg. Your gear will be carried by your porter and you will be required to carry your own day-pack (with your valuables and things of immediate importance to you). We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary. Our list of equipment is prepared on the basis of our long experience. The Himalayan Vacation Trek & Expedition Team leader will check your gear to ensure you have all the necessary equipment at the start of the trek. If necessary, the HVTreks’ guide will request additions of necessary equipment when and where it is available.
Important documents and items
Head
Upper Body
Hands
Lower Body
Feet
Sleeping
Rucksack and Travel Bags
Medical
-Note: In the larger towns and cities of Nepal, pharmacies have available common over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Western/foreign brand name products and prescription drugs are not. We suggest you bring the pharmaceuticals you use in enough quantity.
Practical Items