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17-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek

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Overview

The Manaslu trek is a complete circuit of the world's eighth highest peak Mt. Manaslu (8163 metres) which stands almost in the middle of the Himalayan range, close to the Annapurna massif. This newly-opened trekking route is now recognised as one of the premium category's trekking route in Nepal.

Being a controlled Nepal trekking route, this allows organised trekking groups with special trekking permits so that small numbers of tourists actually visit this region, which preserves its purity in nature and culture.

This 18-day unspoiled trekking route provides opportunities to explore the verities of ethnic groups, religions, culture, spectacular views, flora and fauna. The Manaslu Circuit is one of the most scenic treks in Nepal and follows an ancient salt-trading route along the Budhi Gandaki River.
Hiking & Trekking
Sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Kathmandu, Free Time & Pre-Trip Meeting

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Welcome to Kathmandu, Free Time & Pre-Trip Meeting

You will arrive at Kathmandu airport where you will be transferred by private car to your hotel for check-in. You'll attend a pre-trip meeting at the hotel in the afternoon and then you are free to explore the city for the rest of the day. There is a variety of interesting markets and museums to visit in Thamel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Moonlight Kathmandu3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in Thamel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Tribhuvan International Airport to Kathmandu City Hotel P.Ltd

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kathmandu

  • notes icon
    Notes

    During this meeting, your guide will greet you at your hotel and provide all of the necessary information regarding your upcoming trip. Feel free to ask questions regarding the trek if you have any.

Day 2

City Sightseeing in Kathmandu

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City Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel after breakfast for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. You'll visit Swyambhunath Stupa also known as Monkey temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur), Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath Stupa. You'll have lunch at Bouddha and return to Hotel Moonlight before dinner. In the evening, you'll prepare your trip to sort out the things you may need during this Nepal trekking route.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Moonlight Kathmandu3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Basantapur Durbar Square

    Swayambhunath

    Pashupatinath

    Boudhanath Stupa

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Thamel House RestaurantOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kathmandu

Day 3

Drive to Machha Khola (900 m) via Arughat Bazaar Gorkha (640m) and Soti Khola

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 Drive to Machha Khola (900 m) via Arughat Bazaar Gorkha (640m) and Soti Khola

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Arughat, the starting point of the trek, via Dhading Besi. The road up to Tari Besi is a comfortable drive and from Tari Besi to Soti is through a winding dirt road. The road follows the Budhi Gandaki River to reach Arkhet Bazaar via Mangaltar and Simara through the river banks. And ascending road brings you to Soti Khola where we stay for the night. On a flat path, we reach Armala and through the forest trail you will reach Lapubesi then the trail follows down to the riverbank of Budhi Gandaki, which will be on the Machha River.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Machhakhola Tea House

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Kathmandu to Soti Khola

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kathmandu

    Uiya

Day 4

Trek from Machhakhola to Yaru Phant

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Trek from Machhakhola to Yaru Phant

Today, you'll cross the Macha Khola (Fish Stream) and head upstream to the tiny village of Khola Besi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The valley sides steep until they are impassable and the route then switches to the left bank by way of a suspension bridge. The trail is quite exposed and challenging in places. At Lauri, you'll recross the river on a suspension bridge and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat, where you'll camp.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Yaru Phant Tea House

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Trek Six Hours to Yaru Phant

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kerauja

Day 5

Trek from Yaru Phant to Philim

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Trek from Yaru Phant to Philim

After descending a long series of stone steps to the river, the trek climbs a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where you can see the impressive Sringi Himal, at 7187 metres. Crossing the river again, at Gata Khola, the path splits, with the right–hand branch heading off towards the Mustang. Your route continues upstream, through a gorge section with towering walls. You'll cross the river three more times to avoid difficult valley sides until you reach the village of Deng, where you'll camp.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Philim Tea House

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Trek Five hours to Philim

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kerauja

    Sirdibas

Day 6

Trek from Philim to Bihi Phedi

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Trek from Philim to Bihi Phedi

The valley is still steep-sided and most impressive today. You'll cross to the village of Lana, and start to see mani stones, a sure sign that you are now entering high country Buddhist regions. After only about four hours, you'll reach your camping place in the village of Ghap, which straddles the river. You have entered the Tibetan areas and the cultural change is obvious, and the climate change is also obvious the trekking is pleasantly cool now, as you start to fain the altitude.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bihi Phedi Tea House

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Trek Seven Hours to Bihi Phedi

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sirdibas

    Bihi

Day 7

Trek from Bihi Phedi to Namrung

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Trek from Bihi Phedi to Namrung

Today, you'll gain altitude to take you into alpine territory and increasing mountain views. There are more mani walls and three more crossings of the Burigandaki on your route to Namrung, where your permit is checked. Above this village, the valley opens out and there are extensive pastures. You'll camp just above the village you get your first incredible views of the Manaslu North and then of Manaslu main ahead.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Namrung Tea House

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bhihi Phedi to Namrung

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bihi

    Prok

Day 8

Trek from Namrung to Lho

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Trek from Namrung to Lho

You'll leave Namrung after breakfast and trek to Lho during the day, you will pass through Lho, a large village at 3150 metres where there is a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens and mani and Ganesh I is visible. The trail continues toward Honsansho Gompa and the Pungen Glaciers, from where there is a stunning view of Peak 29 and Manaslu. You'll arrive at Lho, check-into tea-house after lunch and explore around the village.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lho Teahouse

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Namrung to Lho at 3180 Metres

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Prok

    Mid-Western Development Region

Day 9

Trek from Lho to Samagaon

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Trek from Lho to Samagaon

You will check-out of the teahouse after breakfast and trek to Samagaun. You will walk through the trail Surrounded by mountains in a peaceful forest, passing a small typical local village called Syala and beautiful pine and rhododendron forest. You will arrive at Samagaon for lunch and check-into tea-house. You'll explore the village in your free time.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Samagaun Tea House

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Lho to Samagaon 3360 Metres

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mid-Western Development Region

Day 10

Acclimatisation Day & Free Time in Samagaon

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Acclimatisation Day & Free Time in Samagaon

After breakfast at your teahouse, you will hike to Birendra Taal as an acclimatisation activity. Birendra Taal, named after the late King Birendra of Nepal, is a turquoise lake at the foot of the Manaslu glacier. You may wish to wash bath in distant waters will find it pleasant to dip in its chilly ice water. It can be reached by a 45-minute walk from Samagaon. You'll head back to the teahouse for lunch and then have the afternoon to explore.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Samagaun Tea House

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Acclimatisation Hike to Birendra Taal

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mid-Western Development Region

    Samagaun

Day 11

Trek from Samagoan to Samdo

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Trek from Samagoan to Samdo

Today the trail gradually climbs uphill all the way to Samdo along the deserted trails of the windy valley. You will have 3-4 hours of pleasant walking to reach Samdo, four kilometres north of the Tibetan border. You will enjoy the view of Mt. Manaslu, Samdo (Pang phuchuli), Nagdi Chuli, Simnang Himal, Manaslu glacier, Manaslu ice fall and more. You'll arrive in Samdo in time for lunch.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Samdo Tea House

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Samagaon to Samdo at 3800 Metres

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mid-Western Development Region

    Samagaun

Day 12

Trek from Samdo to Dharmashala

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Trek from Samdo to Dharmashala

The once large Burigandaki is now merely a stream as you continue to follow its course ever upwards. Everywhere you look are mountains, as spectacular as they get and Manaslu is particularly impressive. After crossing to the east bank of the river, you'll reach the last permanent settlement in the valley, which is called Samdu. Nearing the Larkya Glacier, you'll reach a lodge at 4450 metes, which has been built to serve the travelers crossing the Larkya La.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Dharamsala Teahouse

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Samdo to Dharmashala at 4460 Metres

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Samagaun

Day 13

Dharmashala to Larkay Pass and Bhimtang

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Dharmashala to Larkay Pass and Bhimtang

Today is the main goal of your trek, so you will wake up early and have quick breakfast and then, you will trek to Bimtang through Larkya La pass (5160 metres) where you will enjoy the spectacular view of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. The trek then descends to Bhimtang stopping somewhere on the way for a packed lunch and drink.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bimtang Teahouse

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dharmashala to Bhimthang via Larkay Pass

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Samagaun

    Thoche

Day 14

Trek from Bhimtang to Tilje

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Trek from Bhimtang to Tilje

Now the route gets easier and you are descending to 2200 metres from 3900 metres. You'll start the day with a gentle climb to the ridge of Bimthang (Bhimtang) from where you can enjoy the amazing view of high mountains including Manaslu and you descend to Tilje (Tilche Village). You'll walk through rhododendron forest and high land pasture passing some small villages on the way.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Tillje Teahouse

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bimthang to Tilje at 2260 Metres

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thoche

    Mid-Western Development Region

Day 15

Trek from Tilche to Jagat

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Trek from Tilche to Jagat

You'll leave Tilche after breakfast and trek down to Jagat passing Dharpani and Taal, you will enjoy the view along the way. you'll stop at Taal for lunch and continue your trek to approach Jagat where you'll check into your teahouse. Today is the last day of your trek, so you may invite the trekking staff for a last day party as you celebrate your trip!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Jagat Tea House

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tilche to Jagat at 1330 Metres

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mid-Western Development Region

    Gandaki

Day 16

Drive to Kathmandu via Beshishahar

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Drive to Kathmandu via Beshishahar

After breakfast, you will depart from Jagat by private jeep, stopping at Besishahar for lunch on the way. You'll continue your drive to Kathamndu by private car, stopping on the way for a tea break. You'll reach Kathmandu in the late afternoon. You'll check into your hotel and then freshen up for your traditional Nepalese dinner with a local family.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Moonlight Kathmandu3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Jagat to Kathmandu

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Gandaki

    Kathmandu

Day 17

Departure from Kathmandu

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Departure from Kathmandu

After breakfast in the morning, you will have some free time to do some last minutes shopping and explore around Thamel before your departure. After check out from your hotel you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time In Thamel, Kathmandu

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hotel Moonlight to Tribhuvan International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kathmandu

Included in Price

  • 16 nights accommodation
  • 17 activities
  • 16 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Trekking permits

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
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