MANASLU ROUND 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 is located in Gorkha District. Gorkha, the headquarter, is situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalaya and is a beautiful historical place. There are two fascinating temples of Gorakhanath and Kali inside the historical palace precinct. Besides the history, it’s also an area that offers you an excellent habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals; 526 species of plants (including 40 species of orchids), and 300 species of birds. Other interesting wild animals are the Himalayan thar, as well as many kinds of monkeys and musk deer we may have the luck to witness during the trekking of this route.
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 – Machha khola (869m) by bus/jeep 7-8 hours hold night.
Day 04: Machha Khola – Jagat (1070 m) 7-8 hours
Day 05: Jagat – Deng (16000m) 7-8 hours
Day 06: Deng – Namrung (2130 m) 7-8 hours
Day 07: Namrung – Lho (3180 m) 3-4 hours
Day 08: Lho – Samagaon (3520 m) 3-4 hours
Day 09: Samagaon Acclimatization / Rest day in (3350 m)
Day 10: Samagaon- Samdo (3875 m) 2-3 hours
Day 11: Samdo – Dharmashala (Larke Phedi) (4460 m) 3-4 hours
Day 12: Dharmashala – Larke La (5160 m) – Bhimtang (3590m) 7-8 hours
Day 13: Bhimthang – Goa (2300 m) 5-6 hours
Day 14: Goa – Kathmandu (1340m) 10-13 hours
Day 15: 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.
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.
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 – Machha khola (869m) by bus/jeep 7-8 hours hold night.
We set off early morning from Kathmandu through Prithvi Highway by bus. The bus goes down through the zigzag road and from a point the road splits and we turn right crossing a bridge over Trisuli River. The road to Arughat from the main road is not very good and we just drive slowly. But the view around the road is very beautiful. It goes through green jungles and villages in some places. We cross a large mountain village called Arughat. Gurung and Newar people live in a majority here. The bus service is available for up to Arughat. After Arughat we have to hire a jeep for Machhakhola via Soti Khola. The main part of the journey we follow is the Budhi Gandaki River upstream. The landscape of the valley is full of is terraced farm fields. We pass several villages and small settlements. We spend the night in a lodge beside the bank of the river in Machha Khola. Telephone and mobile phone service are available. We can witness the northeast view of Ganesh Himal from here.
Day 04: Machha Khola – Jagat (1070 m) 7-8 hours
From today walking starts. The path still goes along the Budhi Gandaki River. Today we have a long trek. We walk on the off road along the Budhi Gandaki River. We cross Khorla Besi the path is seasonal road where jeep plays during winter season only. From Khorla Besi we can have a spectacular view of Ganesh Himal. At Tatopani, there is hot water spring. In order to reach Jagat early we have to follow off road but It’s better to go through trekking trail by crossing a suspension bridge over Dobhan Khola but it is bit lengthy rout. Dobhan means a meeting point of two rivers or streams. From Dhobhan it may take four hours. We have to ascend gentle slope up to Yarubagar. Just before reaching to Yarubagar we have to cross old landslide area its distance is about half km. After Yarubagar we walk on easy trekking trail. From here crossing suspension bridge walk on off road then walking about half an half an hour we reached Jagat. We stay in Jagat.
Day 05: Jagat – Deng (16000m) 7-8 hours
The path is slightly uphill, flat and downhill since we are walking in the hilly region of Nepal. The path goes through landslide area in some section of the path where we must be careful because the pieces of rock may come down falling from the cliffs. We have a spectacular view of waterfall on the way. The path goes sometimes along the river too. Along the way, we view the Shringi Himal, a 7161-meter high summit in the north, close to the border with Tibet. There is a check post of Manaslu Conservation Area Project and special permit. We head to Deng crossing suspension bridge at several places. We have to pass through alpine forest in several places. We stay in Deng
Day 06: Deng – Namrung (2130 m) 7-8 hours
The path for today also goes uphill, flat and downhill. We cross several small streams and river through wooden and suspension bridges. Such a path is common in the hilly region. We sometimes walk through villages and sometimes through a beautiful ancient forest. Since we are in the Buddhist area, prayer flags and prayer wheels are part of the landscape. After passing through beautiful village Bihi and Ghap, we cross the suspension bridge over Budhi Gandaki River in several places and we have to walk through alpine forest and bamboo bushes. After that we reach to Namrung where we spend night.
Day 07: Namrung – Lho (3180 m) 3-4 hours
Namrung has police check point where we have to show our permits to move further. From here we walk downhill about 15 minutes and cross suspension bridge. We always have beautiful views over the fields and pass many mani walls and stupas or chortens as they are called in Tibetan. We pass the gompa of Lihi and continue ascending until we pass through the stone gate of Sho. A little later we have a beautiful view of the Naike Peak, Manaslu north and finally Manaslu Peak. Lho is a beautifully situated village with walled fields that are golden yellow in the autumn with ripe grain. In the east we have a view of the peaks of Ganesh Himal and in the north the glaciers on the mountains that form the border with Tibet. In Lho we can visit Monastery where disciple of Buddhist monk studies about Buddhism.
Day 08: 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 09: 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 10: Samagaon- Samdo (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 yak Weiden with dozens of meters long manimuren. 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 11: 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 12: Dharmashala – Larke La (5160 m) – Bhimtang (3590m) 7-8 hours
We get up very early and leave early because of 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 9 to 10 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. There is a viewpoint of Lamjung Himal, North-East face of Manaslu, South face of Phungi, Cheo Himal and North-West face of Himlung.
Day 13: Bhimthang – Goa (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
Day 14: Goa – Kathmandu (1340m) 10-13 hours
We leave the Goa early in the morning and walk on road to Dharapani. From Dharapani we hire jeep head to Besisahar it takes around 4 hours. From Besisahar it will take around 6 hours to reach Kathmandu by vehicle. Today is longest day of the journey, so trekkers have to prepare mentally as well as physically.The tour lasts 4 hours and will cost an additional upcharge. In the evening, a Farewell Dinner is given by Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition.
Day 15: 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: 5550 meters
Best Season: March-November
Difficulty Level: Hard
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 Himalayas. Though it gets colder in night, often it offers the clear day / blue sky and relatively less trekkers on the trail.Sunrise and Sunset are seen very clear and beautiful in this season. So tourist who wants to pass short holidays during this period Himalayan vacation Treks and Expedition welcomes to see splendid view of nature. During this period, we arrange family tour to experience natural beauty with short hikings 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. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges tour for this places. Chitawan National park Bardiya National Park are also the places to have live experience of culture and rituals.
March , April and May
It is spring season which is known as trekking season in Nepal. A smooth wind and gentle breeze is felt all over the country. Sunny days and clear weather are the supportive factors for trekking in this season. Presence of 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 expedition and climbing high peaks in Nepal .So many tourist from different parts of the world come to climb peaks above 7000m in this season. Himalyan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges tour and journey for climbing during this period.Peak climbing period can be enlength upto June so Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges attractive programmes during this period.This period offer 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.Except rhododendrons , many kind of natural flora and fauna makes Nepal very beautiful during this season
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 slight 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 trek. 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 the 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 civil workers. This season is known as the king of the season. No rainfall, sunny days and moderate temperature are the most favourable factors of this season for treks and tours in Nepal.Every kind of treks and tours can be done during this period.So many tourist come to see beautiful Nepal in this season. Many trekking routes are full of tourist during this season. Peaks 6000m to 7000m are the best destination for climbing in this season.Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition welcomes tourist to feel the splendid view of nature of Nepal in this season.
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 insure you have all 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