Classical Manaslu Circuit Trek – 18 Days

After breakfast, you will leave Machhakhola and continue the classic Manaslu Circuit trek. You will begin hiking up and down the rough hills to reach Khorlabesi. After Khorlabesi, you will reach Tatopani, which is well known for its hot water spring. From Tatopani, continue along the route that leads to the forested ridge. Then, you will cross the suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River.

From there, you will continue along the thick forest area where you might encounter some mules of the Himalayas. Then, as the forest areas end, you will reach Dovan. Dovan is a small village located at the confluence of the Budhi Gandaki and Dovan rivers, hence the name Dovan, which translates to “a place where two rivers meet.” Overnight in Dovan.

You will wake up with the sound of the Budhi Gandaki River. Once you finish your morning routine, get a warm breakfast. As breakfast concludes, leave Dovan and follow the river through the dense forests. Then you will approach stone steps carved into the hillside. Continuing the uphill walk along the Manaslu trail, you will cross several suspension bridges. With the usual occurrence of small waterfalls, you will take a sharp climb to Louri and continue until Thado Bharyang.

Then, from Thado Bharyang, you will cross a river to arrive at Jagat for a quick lunch stop. Jagat is the main initial entry checkpoint for the Manaslu Conservation Area Project and is a restricted area. Continuing from Jagat after checking your trekking permits, the landscape gradually opens up. A river gorge replaces terraced fields, and villages appear more frequently.

You will descend to the village of Sirdibas, known for its gompas and flags. Then, you will pass through small settlements and cross another river to reach Philim. Philim is a beautiful village that serves as the gateway to the Manaslu Conservation Area. On a clear day, you can see views of Manaslu and Himalchuli. Once you arrive at Philim (the second permit checkpoint), head to your accommodation for some well-deserved rest. Dinner is served in the evening; until then, you can stroll around the village or simply rest. Overnight stay in Philim.

Begin the day with breakfast in Philim, then continue along your Manaslu Circuit trek to Pewa. The trekking trail switches towards the western bank of the Budhi Gandaki River. You will see smooth, natural rock formations on the gorge walls by the river, making it one of the more visually striking sections of the lower circuit. Then, you will pass beneath the overhanging cliffs and rhododendron forests to reach Ekle Bhatti.

After that, you will cross a bridge over the Siyar Khola, where the trail reaches a marked junction. The right-hand path will lead you to the Tsum Valley region (a separate restricted area). In contrast, the left-hand path leads you to your Classic Manaslu Circuit trek. So, take a left and keep moving towards Pewa. Upon arrival in Pewa, check into your accommodation and relax. Dinner will be served in the evening. Overnight stay in Pewa.

Today’s trek distance is short but packed with scenery. With Pewa behind, you will continue through the bamboo and rhododendron forests while following the Budhi Gandaki River. The walk alternates between ascents and descents while crossing small streams to reach Deng.

As you approach Deng, a big and vibrant Kani gate welcomes you. You can see the Kani gate decorated with paintings of some Buddhist deities, thereby showcasing the dominance of Tibetan culture in the region. Then, enter Deng and get to your accommodation. You can explore the region in the evening until dinner time. Overnight stay in Deng.

After finishing your breakfast in Deng, you will head onto the trail that leads you into a dense bamboo forest. The forest area provides a cool atmosphere for comfortable walking with a chance of wildlife sighting. Then, passing through the forest, you will arrive at the suspension bridge. Crossing the suspension bridge leads you to Rana. Rana is a small mountain settlement that is known for sightings of white-faced langurs, so keep a sharp eye out.

From Rana, you will continue towards Bihi Phedi. Bihi Phedi is another village where you can see the bamboo vegetation shift to a mix of fir, oak, and rhododendron. It is also a good place to stop and refill water. Ahead, the trails consist of several long mani walls, prayer flags, and prayer stones that you should keep on your left as you pass.

Then, you will move forward towards the small flat-roofed village of Ghap. With arrival in Ghap, take a few more steps to reach your accommodation option. Rest your bags and explore the region. Dinner is served in the evening. Overnight stay in Ghap.

Your destination for today is Lho. But, before reaching your destination, you will pass the often active landslide terrain with loose rock and eroded trail edges. It is one of today’s most technical sections, requiring cautious navigation. The risk is manageable with care, but a steady concentration is necessary. Once through, you will follow the uphill zigzag trail leading to Namrung. As you reach Namrung, you can see that the village is comparatively more sophisticated than the others.

From Namrung, you will gently climb through an alpine forest. Now, you can feel the air becoming significantly thinner than in previous days. So walk slowly, adjust your body, and enjoy the forest walk to reach Lho. Lho village sits on the edge of the tree line, offering views of Mount Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak, in all its glory. Once you arrive at Lho, soak in the views and head to your accommodation. There is an active monastery that you can explore. Overnight stay in Lho.

By the time you finish your morning routine, breakfast will be served in the communal dining area. Finishing breakfast, you will get ready to leave Lho. Your destination for today is Shyala. The trail from Lho to Shyala leaves the last treeline and enters a broad valley. Soon you will arrive at the traditional village of Sho. Then, walking farther, the landscape here changes dramatically from the last forest area to an open sky, rocky terrain, and high peaks.

Himal Chuli, Ngadi Chuli, Buddha Himal, Shringi Himal, and some sections of Ganesh Himal begin to appear as you move north, giving you one of the best panoramic views. With the final walk over the yak pastures and alpine meadows, you will reach Shyala. Shyala is a peaceful village that consists of a handful of teahouses and a monastery. Sunrise and sunset from Shyala are also exceptional. Overnight stay in Shyala.

From Shyala, head north across the open glacial terrain following the Budhi Gandaki River. Then, walk deep into the Numbi Valley. You can see only a small trace of vegetation, consisting of alpine scrub and scattered junipers. Mostly now, the landscape is a wide moraine meadow. On the horizon, you can see the closer north face of Mount Manaslu. About an hour from the trek, you will reach the junction for Pungen Gompa and Sama Gaun.

Moving along the Samagaon route, you will see some first line of mani walls, then stone houses and wide yak pastures marking your arrival. Sama Gaun is the largest settlement on the Manaslu Trek in Nepal and an important acclimatization stop. Here you can see the view of Mount Manaslu, Himalchuli, Peak 29, and Naike Peak. Overnight stay in Sama Gaun.

On the eleventh day of the classical Manaslu Circuit Trekking tour, it is the acclimatization day. You will spend the rest of the day in Sama Gaun. You need to adjust your body to the altitude you reach before trekking to a higher altitude. You will explore Sama Gaun Village after having a nice breakfast. Sama Gaun is a peaceful mountain village with traditional houses, prayer wheels, and yak pastures. If you still have the urge for a short hike, you can visit Pungen Gompa, which offers great mountain views, including Mt. Manaslu, from a quiet monastery.

If your body is well-adjusted to the altitude and you want to explore more, you can hike to Manaslu Base Camp or take a short walk to Birendra Lake. If you decide to hike to Manaslu Base Camp, although it is tough, you will get incredible views of glaciers and surrounding peaks. And if you lean toward Birendra Lake, you will experience a peaceful glacial lake below Mountain Manaslu with blue-green water. After your hike, you must return to Sama Gaun for an overnight stay.

On this day, after resting in Sama Gaun, you will start your high-altitude trekking to Samdo, walking near the Tibetan border. Walking across open valleys on a shorter, more relaxed walking day, you can encounter yaks and blue sheep grazing. As altitude increases, it is important to keep a slow, steady pace.

Walking along the Budhi Gandaki upstream, you will walk above the tree line after you cross the wooden bridge. From this point, you can see the landscape become dry and rugged due to wind and high-altitude conditions. Then, as you progress, you will pass a small settlement known as White Kani. It is a traditional gateway and meeting place used by locals engaged in yak herding and seasonal trade.

Continuing further, you will now take a few hours to reach Samdo. Samdo is a small village that is home to families of Tibetan origin. The lifestyle here revolves around herding and cross-border trade. Also, because of its location, the culture, language, and daily lifestyle differ from those of other lower villages. Upon reaching Samdo, you will go to your accommodation, then rest. In the evening, you can take a short walk around the Samdo peak for a better view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. After dinner, an overnight stay in Samdo.

It’s your second acclimatization day in the classical Manaslu Circuit trek. Today, you can visit either Samdo Ri or Ruila Pass. If you are planning to do the Samdo Ri hike, you can start with a light daypack, cross a stream, and begin a steady uphill climb. As you go higher, the village of Samdo below gets smaller, and the Budhi Gandaki valley stretches into the distance. Views of Manaslu, Simnang Himal, Naike Peak, and a long snowy ridge rise above. As you reach Samdo Ri, you can see Sama Gaun behind, Larkya La ahead, and the Tibetan side across. The view is your actual reward. So spend enough time at the top to properly adapt the body to a low oxygen level. Follow the climb high, sleep low policy and return to Samdo for an overnight stay.

Or, if you choose to go towards Ruila Pass, the experience is different. You will follow one of those old trade routes that once connected Nepal and Tibet. This path was previously used to carry salt, wool, and goods across the border. Along the way, you can see old stone shelters, narrow yak paths, and occasionally even yak caravans. As you move up in altitude, you can feel the landscape changing. Manaslu and Samdo peaks open up while the land becomes drier and drier. Once you reach the high point, you can see the mix of sharp Himalayan peaks. So enjoy the view and take enough time to adapt to low oxygen. Afterward, you will return to Samdo for dinner. Overnight stay in Samdo.

The fourteenth day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek starts with a warm breakfast in Samdo, after which the walk begins. You will start to descend to cross a wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River. After walking along a wide valley with rocky ground and sparse vegetation, you will get to a fully alpine landscape with no trees, just open meadows, glacial streams, and strong mountain winds.

Moving forward with views of the Larkya Glacier and surrounding mountain peaks, you can sense that the destination is getting closer. On the way to Dharamshala, you can see the old trading hub between local communities and Tibet, Larkya Bazaar.

You will reach Dharmashala after a steady uphill walk. Dharmashala is the final stop before crossing the La Pass, with minimal facilities and limited rooms and shared sleeping space, especially during peak trekking seasons. You are recommended to take a short hike to nearby ridges, such as Kharka Danda, to help with acclimatization. If not, you can spend the rest of the day preparing gear and resting early for the next day.

This is the climax of your trekking days, where you will cross and conquer the high-altitude Larkya La Pass. Beginning the day early, before sunrise, you will take advantage of the stable weather. By doing so, you will also avoid the strong afternoon winds for a safer crossing. Leaving Dharmashala, you will begin the slow climb through rocky, icy sections by headlamp.

Although the ascent is long, keep a steady pace while covering through frozen lakes, moraine ridges, and snow-covered paths. Once you reach the top of Larkya La Pass, the 360-degree mountain view is your true reward. The view of Mount Manaslu (8,163 m), Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, and the surrounding Larkya and Mansiri ranges will appeal to your eye. In addition, colorful prayer flags layered at the pass will create a powerful, emotional moment.

With a successful summit on the Larkya Pass Trek. Now it’s time to descend from the Larkya La Pass summit and begin your journey towards Bhimtang. The descent is long and can be tiring on the knees, especially on snowy or loose-gravel paths, so take your steps carefully. The highlight of the descent is passing through a varied landscape, including glacial valleys, icefalls, and views of the Larkya Glacier. This part of the Manaslu region feels remote and untouched. As you reach Bhimtang, you’ll feel proud of completing the hardest section of the trek. Overnight at Bhimtang.

Early in the morning, from Bhimtang, you will follow a quieter side trail through rocky moraines and glacial terrain towards Punkar Lake. Punkar Lake sits below the Larkya and Punkar glaciers. It is a beautiful destination that offers a quiet sense of peace. From the lake, you can see hanging glaciers, broken rock faces, and wide valleys. If you spend enough time, you can witness the lake changing colors as the light shifts. Next, you can see a small Shiva temple on the northern end and, of course, Manaslu’s north face.

After some quality time, you will begin your return journey to Bhimtang for breakfast. Then you will continue your downhill journey toward Guha. The downhill path follows the forested area of rhododendron, pine, and oak until you reach Karche. With luck, you may see exotic animals and birds. After Karche, the trail follows the Dudh Khola River on its northern bank. Then, following the flat route, you will arrive at Guha. Guha will be your first proper agricultural village since crossing the western circuit. Overnight stay in Guha.

After finishing your breakfast in Guha, you will leave the accommodation and continue on your route. Your destination for today is Tilje, a fairly easy walk away. You will start with a walk in the forest, accompanied by the soothing sound of the Dudh Khola. With a downhill walk and a loss of altitude, you will feel extra strength to cover the area more easily. Crop fields, traditional settlements, and wider paths begin to appear more frequently. Then, you will arrive at Tilje. Then walk to your accommodation place for rest. Overnight Stay in Tilje.

It’s your final day in the Classical Manaslu Circuit Trek, so celebrate the journey. After breakfast in Tilje, you will hop into the jeep and begin the drive towards Besisahar. The drive will pass through the lower valley, taking you alongside beautiful hills, green valleys, and small Nepali villages. Reaching Besisahar will take about 4-5 hours, following the river valley and passing through settlements like Tal and Syange. Waterfalls, cliffs, narrow roads, and roaring rivers are the true highlights of the day. Then, you will pass hydropower sites and road construction areas that showcase ongoing construction for a better Nepal.

Then, once you reach Besisahar, you will take a short break before continuing towards Kathmandu. As you head back, the road connects to the Prithivi Highway, giving you a flash of how you began and completed your remote Himalayan trek in Nepal. Afterward, you will follow the winding path along the Trishuli River to reach Kathmandu city. Once you reach Kathmandu, the representative from Nepal Alternative Treks will drop you off at your hotel, marking the official end of your 18-day Classical Manaslu Circuit Trek. Overnight in Kathmandu.