Manaslu Circuit Trek 14 Days

Have your morning meal at Dovan’s accommodation point, then pack your backpack and continue your journey to the Manaslu Conservation Area. As the trek begins, the route shows the area’s stunning beauty, taking you away from the river and up into the green, forest-covered hills. Your first stop on the day is the beautiful Gurung village of Philim, a wide and welcoming village that feels like the entrance to the region’s unique culture and traditions.

At Philim, you’ll have lunch and check your Manaslu Conservation Area Permit. Here, you can clearly see the influence of Tibetan Buddhism, with colorful prayer flags waving in the wind and beautifully carved mani walls along the trail. After Philim, the trail continues northwest through thick bamboo forests and tall pine trees. Below, the Budhi Gandaki River rushes through a narrow canyon, and its constant roar has been accompanying you since leaving Maccha Khola.

As the trek continues, you’ll reach a junction point. The path on the right leads you to the remote and beautiful Tsum Valley, and the left keeps you on the main Manaslu Circuit. Even if you’re not heading to Tsum Valley, this junction is a reminder of the many trekking routes in this region. From here, the climb becomes steeper. At times, the trail is cut into the cliffs, giving you amazing views of the deep gorge below. After a long stone staircase, you’ll finally reach a quiet, forested ridge where the small village of Chisapani welcomes you. Day’s overnight and dinner at Chisapani.

Have your morning meal at Chisapani and pack your bag to begin the day’s trek. After leaving Chisapani, you’ll spend the first part of the day walking downhill. The trail follows steep stone steps through a forest of pine and chestnut trees. Soon after leaving, you’ll arrive at the first of several suspension bridges. As you cross high above the Budhi Gandaki River, you’ll see its turquoise water flowing below, which adds to the excitement of the trek.

After crossing the bridge, the route follows the eastern side of the river through thick bamboo forests. If you’re lucky, you may spot birds such as the white-throated laughingthrush. Soon, you’ll cross another suspension bridge to the western side, where you’ll carefully make your way across a short landslide area with loose rocks. This is one of the most challenging parts of the trail. So, walk carefully over the loose rocks while the Budhi Gandaki River rushes far below.

Beyond the landslide, you’ll move away from the river and walk uphill through oak, walnut, and blue pine forests. The air becomes cooler, and the trail feels calmer and more relaxing. Along the way, you’ll pass through the small village of Pewa, a peaceful village with traditional stone houses. You can stop here to rest and refill your water bottles with fresh spring water. Keep an eye out for local herders and their livestock around Pewa.

The final part of the hike is a steady climb to Bhi Village. It lies on a hillside above the meeting point of the Deng Khola and Budhi Gandaki rivers. As you get to Bhi Village, you’ll pass through a traditional Buddhist gateway decorated with colorful prayer flags and a prayer wheel. Spin the wheel clockwise as you walk by, following local custom. It’s also your first real introduction to the Tibetan Buddhist culture of the Nubri region, where friendly locals and cozy teahouses welcome you with a warm smile. Day’s overnight and dinner at Bhi Village.

Continuing from Bhi, the trek to Namrung is your final full day following the Budhi Gandaki River. The day begins with a pleasant walk along the riverside before you cross a suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki. After crossing the bridge, the route takes you towards the village of Ranagaon, located between the Hyujung and Thungbang streams. It’s a great place to stop and enjoy a short break.

From Ranagaon, the trek continues to Bihi, a larger village with more facilities than the smaller settlements along the route. The village is known for the school, post office, and Buddhist landmarks, including traditional chortens and mani walls. From Bihi, the pathway splits into two routes towards Namrung. One passes through Prok, while the other follows the route via Ghap. Both involve several suspension bridge crossings and a steady uphill climb.

As you make your way toward Namrung, the route takes you through dense oak, pine, and rhododendron forests. In spring, the blooming rhododendrons add to the route’s beauty. You’ll also notice more large chortens and mani walls along the path, signs of the region’s deep-rooted Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Reaching Namrung (2,630 m) is a memorable moment, as it marks your arrival in the culturally rich Nubri Valley and the start of a new chapter of the trek. Overnight and dinner at Namrung.

Have your morning meal at Namrung while enjoying views of Manaslu, then get ready to continue your journey. From Namrung, you’ll follow the dense and peaceful forest of rhododendron and fir. Walking through the forest, you’ll experience a refreshing section of the trek, where the cool shade and natural surroundings provide a sense of tranquility.

As you walk, the trail winds through this alpine landscape, where the peaceful silence is accompanied by the sounds of nature and the songs of Himalayan birds. The forest offers the possibility of wildlife sightings, including mountain langurs moving among the branches above. Between the trees, you’ll also catch occasional views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Manaslu (8,163 m) and Himalchuli (7,893 m).

With every step higher, the dense forest begins to fade, and the landscape slowly transforms into open alpine terrain. As you continue toward Lho, the mountain scenery becomes more stunning and feels closer. As you enter Lho Village, you’ll get a glimpse of the Tibetan Buddhist heritage of Nubri Valley, with traditional stone houses and mani walls welcoming you. Check into your lodge in Lho and enjoy the evening while witnessing views of Mount Manaslu.

The day begins with your departure from Lho, followed by a steady climb that takes you above the treeline and into a more open mountain landscape. The path continues uphill through the forest, close to an icy stream. After an hour of trekking, the forests disappear, and the landscape opens up. This change in scenery marks your entry into the high-altitude zone, where you’ll get an amazing view of Mount Manaslu.

Continuing onward, you reach the summer pastures of Shyala, where you’ll enter through a beautiful chorten and get views of the valley and surrounding peaks. The scenery along this route is amazing, with some of the best mountain views of the trek, including Mount Manaslu and Ngadi Chuli.

The scenery continues to stun you as you get near Sama Gaun, making every step worthwhile. The cold, thin air and frozen patches along the trail signal that you’re at high altitude in a harsh alpine environment. As you get to Sama Gaun, a large chorten and an impressive view of the largest settlement will welcome you. Stay overnight at the Mount Manaslu Hotel in Sama Gaun.

After 6 continuous days, it’s your acclimatization day at Sama Gaun, a well-known day on the Manaslu Circuit adventure. This acclimatization day is an important part of the journey. Today, you’ll take a hike to nearby viewpoints and return to Sama Gaun for an overnight stay. Spending the day at higher elevations and sleeping back in Sama Gaun helps your body adjust to the thinner air and prepare for the challenges ahead.

This day is yours; you can choose your hiking destination from Manaslu Base Camp, Birendra Lake, or Pungen Gompa.

After an acclimatization day, you’ll continue your trek along the Manaslu Circuit. Leaving Sama Gaun, you’ll notice the landscape becoming rockier and more alpine. Views of Ngadi Chuli and Manaslu will accompany you as you begin the day’s trek. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River, which flows gently through the valley.

Along the route, you’ll see stone mani walls, centuries-old chortens, and colorful prayer flags that showcase the region’s rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. As you continue the hike, watch for blue sheep (bharal) grazing on the slopes. The area is also known for its elusive snow leopards, but spotting one is extremely rare.

As you get to Samdo, you’ll experience a peaceful mountain village and its charm. The village lies near the Tibetan border and has preserved its traditional way of life. Likewise, the village is known for its flat-roofed stone houses, prayer flags, and mani walls. The friendly atmosphere in Samdo makes every visitor feel at home, where you can enjoy a comfortable night’s rest and a warm meal before the next stage of the trek.

Since you’re continuously gaining altitude and near your ultimate challenge, Larkya La, this day is your second acclimatization day on the journey to Manaslu Circuit. Like previous acclimatization days, you’ll visit some of the nearby destinations and follow the rule of the Himalayas, “Climb High, Sleep Low”.

For the day, you have two options:

Now that your body is adjusted to the altitude and landscape of the highlands, you’ll make your way towards Dharmashala, the base of Larkya La Pass. After breakfast, you’ll leave Samdo and reach Larke Bazaar, a seasonal trading location that is active during the busy trekking months. It may be your last chance to see Tibetan traders along the route. From here, the trail passes through open yak-grazing fields and rocky landscapes, taking you alongside the Budhi Gandaki River valley.

The trail offers beautiful views of Samdo Peak behind you, while the Larkya Glacier is visible ahead. The final walk to Dharmashala takes you over a wooden bridge and crosses several streams. Along the way, you might spot wildlife along the trail, including marmots, hawks, and blue sheep (bharal) on the hillside.

Dharmashala is the highest overnight stop on the Manaslu Circuit. Unlike the villages you’ve passed, Dharmashala isn’t a traditional village. It consists of a few basic guesthouses that provide shelter for trekkers. The hike to Dharmashala is short, but it prepares you for the high-altitude crossing of Larkya La Pass the next day. Overnight stay at Dharmashala.

This is a memorable day. The day begins before sunrise at around 3:30 or 4:00 AM with a headlamp and a packed lunch. The hike starts with a slow but steady climb over rocky trails that could be icy, especially in colder months. With every step, the altitude increases, and the air gets thinner. With the first light of day, the mountain peaks light up in colors of orange and gold, making the early morning start worthwhile.

Reaching the top of Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m (16,752 feet) means you’ve reached the highest point of the entire Manaslu Circuit. At the pass, you’ll see prayer flags fluttering in the wind, adding a peaceful and meaningful touch to the landscape. From the top of Larkya La, you’ll witness incredible 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, including Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, Annapurna II, and Manaslu very closely. The incredible views make all the effort of the past weeks worthwhile.

Enjoy your victory at Larkya La, then descend to Bhimthang for an overnight stay. The downhill journey is one of the toughest parts of the trek, with a steep 1,500 m descent over loose scree, rocks, and possible snow. Trekking poles are essential for this section to help you walk and protect your knees. Overnight and dinner at Bhimthang.

After a peaceful night at Bhimthang, you’ll start your return journey. Have a warm morning meal at the hotel and pack your belongings. The walk begins with a downhill walk from Bhimthang through dense pine and rhododendron forests. Along the way, you’ll pass small settlements like Hampuk, where you can see a rock shelter cave, as well as Jangli Kharka and Sangure Kharka.

Karche is an important stop on the way down to Tilje. It is a common lunch spot where you can rest, refuel, and enjoy the beautiful mountain surroundings. Following a lunch break, you’ll cross Karche Pass (2,715 m) and then continue your descent. The final section to Tilje follows the Dudh Khola River with the relaxing sound of water flowing. Overnight stay at Tilje.

Your Manaslu Circuit adventure ends with a long drive from Tilje to Kathmandu. After breakfast at Tilje, you’ll drive to Besisahar, which takes you through the Marsyangdi Valley, with views of traditional villages and waterfalls along the route. Besisahar is the district headquarters and a major road junction. From Besisahar, you’ll take a ride back to Kathmandu.

The drive follows the Prithvi Highway on a smoother, paved road. Along the way, you’ll pass through central Nepal’s hills and towns, with views of terraced fields and river valleys. Upon getting to Kathmandu, your adventure officially ends. Hope you enjoyed the trip and will remember us for your next adventure.