Manaslu circuit trek
Valley of Light and the Mountains of the Spirits - Manaslu Trek, Nepal
Through the valleys and plateaus, we leave for 13 days of walking in the heart of the Samapa country, at the foot of Manaslu (8163m): Off the beaten track in a still very wild Himalaya which gives the impression of being in Nepal from 20 years ago. Much less crowded than the Annapurna tour or the Everest base camp trek, we will enjoy panoramas that are just as impressive but even more varied, the impression of passing through the four seasons, from tropical forests to snow-capped peaks at 7000 and 8000 which surround us passing through the gorges and arid steppes, from cows to yaks to monkeys. We will walk facing Manaslu, which we will see appear and disappear throughout our stay, until reaching the Larkya La pass, at 5106m, the highest altitude of this circuit.This crossing of the different Himalayan levels will dazzle us with its unique landscapes but also capsize our hearts thanks to the meetings with families of different ethnic groups during our crossings of villages inhabited by Gurung, Tibetans, or even Manangi Tibetans. A beautiful approach to the Nepalese Himalayas, in the secrecy of remote valleys.
Highlights
- A region with fewer people.
- Meeting with the Gurung, Samapa and Manangi ethnic groups.
Days
Pick-up at the airport, transfer to the hotel and check-in.
- Accommodation: Hotel in BB basis
- Meal self
- Accommodation: Hotel in BB basis
- Meal self
Sightseeing to the gems of the Kathmandu Valley: Pashupatinath, a 12th-century Hindu site dedicated to Lord Shiva, then visit Boudhanath, a large Buddhist stupa. Walk and kora around the stupa. After lunch, visit Bhaktapur, a superb medieval Newari town, one of the valley's gems. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Accommodation: Same Hotel in BB
- Meals self
- Accommodation: Same Hotel in BB
- Meals self
Transfer by private vehicle from Kathmandu to Khorlabhesi, where we'll meet our porters and continue to Jagat.
- Transportation: 9-10 hours by private jeep.
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
- Transportation: 9-10 hours by private jeep.
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
Today’s journey takes us through regions traditionally inhabited by the Gurung and Tibetan communities. As we progress, the gorge begins to widen, offering breathtaking views and allowing the sunlight to pour into the valley.
We make a short stop to check in at the Eklebhatti checkpoint, then continue our trek through Nyak Phedi till Pewa.
- Ascent: -600 meters
- Descent: 300 meters
- Walking duration: Approximately 5 hours
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
We make a short stop to check in at the Eklebhatti checkpoint, then continue our trek through Nyak Phedi till Pewa.
- Ascent: -600 meters
- Descent: 300 meters
- Walking duration: Approximately 5 hours
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
Walk through sunlit gorges, passing through stone villages that have remained untouched, until we reach the Ghapsya village.
- Ascent: 600 meters.
- Walking duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
- Ascent: 600 meters.
- Walking duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
With luck, we encounter many pilgrims, some coming from Tibet following the famous salt route. After passing through numerous villages—some home to monasteries—we gradually ascend, ending with a steep climb that leads us to the large village of Lhö Gaon.
The closer we get to the village, the more the view opens up, eventually revealing Mount Manaslu, where we’ll witness a stunning sunset and enjoy the soft morning light upon waking the next day.
Depending on the weather and our arrival time, we may have the opportunity to take an evening walk to the monastic school located on a hill just outside the village.
- Ascent: 1250 meters
- Descent: 300 meters
- Walking duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
The closer we get to the village, the more the view opens up, eventually revealing Mount Manaslu, where we’ll witness a stunning sunset and enjoy the soft morning light upon waking the next day.
Depending on the weather and our arrival time, we may have the opportunity to take an evening walk to the monastic school located on a hill just outside the village.
- Ascent: 1250 meters
- Descent: 300 meters
- Walking duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
Excursion day and first acclimatization hike to Pungyen Gompa — generally uninhabited — with the possibility, depending on fitness, to continue higher up to the glacier bearing the same name. We return to spend the night in Shyala Gaon.
- Ascent: 1000 meters
- Descent: 700 meters
- Walking duration: 6 hours
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
- Ascent: 1000 meters
- Descent: 700 meters
- Walking duration: 6 hours
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
Trek with views of Manaslu, through traditional stone villages and the first panoramas of high-altitude steppes. Check in at the lodge in Samagaon, we’ll have the chance to take a gentle walk to the stunning Birendra Lake — a sky-blue alpine lake surrounded by numerous cairns.
There, you’ll have the opportunity to overlook the valley, Acclimatization in the peaceful break at the lake, located at 3,900 meters.
- Ascent: 600 meters (350 meters to reach the lake)
- Descent: 400 meters (350 meters to return from the lake)
- Walking duration: 4 hours (+ 2 hours optional walk to the lake)
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
There, you’ll have the opportunity to overlook the valley, Acclimatization in the peaceful break at the lake, located at 3,900 meters.
- Ascent: 600 meters (350 meters to reach the lake)
- Descent: 400 meters (350 meters to return from the lake)
- Walking duration: 4 hours (+ 2 hours optional walk to the lake)
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
A gradual ascent to Samdo. If weather and energy levels allow, we can take an acclimatization walk of 1 to 2 hours up to 4,000 meters, near the mountains.
- Ascent: 400 meters
- Walking duration: 4 hours
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
- Ascent: 400 meters
- Walking duration: 4 hours
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
We may have the chance to witness an informal trade market between Tibetan traders and local villagers. The trail ascends gradually through a glacial valley, leading us toward the base of the Larkya Glacier. The final hour of the hike is steeper, ending at the high-altitude settlement of Dharmasala. A lodge in the dharmasala is so basic and often needs to be shared with others.
- Ascent: 800 meters
- Walking duration: 4 hours
- Accommodation: Basic Lodge in Full Board
- Ascent: 800 meters
- Walking duration: 4 hours
- Accommodation: Basic Lodge in Full Board
We set off at 4 a.m. under a starry sky, guided by our headlamps. As we ascend, the sunrise gradually lights up the surrounding peaks. The trail leads us to the Larkya Pass, where the views from the summit are breathtaking.
From there, we begin a long and steep descent along dry, dusty paths that eventually bring us to Bhimtang, where we’ll spend the night.
- Ascent: 800 meters
- Descent: 1,400 meters
- Walking duration: 8 hours
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full board
From there, we begin a long and steep descent along dry, dusty paths that eventually bring us to Bhimtang, where we’ll spend the night.
- Ascent: 800 meters
- Descent: 1,400 meters
- Walking duration: 8 hours
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full board
We descend through forested trails toward the river, pass by Tiliche village, inhabited by Tibetan Manangis. The descent continues to Dharapani, a key junction where the trail meets the Annapurna Circuit. We’ll spend the night in Dharapani.
- Ascent: 1,940 meters
- Walking duration: 6 hours
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
- Ascent: 1,940 meters
- Walking duration: 6 hours
- Accommodation: Lodge in Full Board
3 hours by local reserve jeep (35 km) till Besisahar, then a private vehicle to return to Kathmandu from Besisahar (175 km).
- 3+6 hours drive
- Accommodation: Hotel in BB basis
- Self meal
- 3+6 hours drive
- Accommodation: Hotel in BB basis
- Self meal
Transfer to the airport.
End of our services.
End of our services.
- All transfers by private vehicle according to the itinerary, including jeep/minibus to Jagat via Arughat
- Transfer from Dharapani to Besisahar by local reserve jeep(s)
- 3 nights at the Holy Himalaya Hotel or similar in Kathmandu (BB)
- Full-board trek in a lodge
- English-speaking guide for the entire trip (minimum 4 participants)
- Trekking team: assistant (minimum 4 participants), porters depending on group size for the entire trek
- Luggage carrying up to 12 kg/person during the trek
- Special Manaslu trek permit ($100)
- MCAP, ACAP trek permits
- 1-day guided tour with vehicle and English-speaking cultural guide
- Staff insurance
- Transfer from Dharapani to Besisahar by local reserve jeep(s)
- 3 nights at the Holy Himalaya Hotel or similar in Kathmandu (BB)
- Full-board trek in a lodge
- English-speaking guide for the entire trip (minimum 4 participants)
- Trekking team: assistant (minimum 4 participants), porters depending on group size for the entire trek
- Luggage carrying up to 12 kg/person during the trek
- Special Manaslu trek permit ($100)
- MCAP, ACAP trek permits
- 1-day guided tour with vehicle and English-speaking cultural guide
- Staff insurance
- Meals in Kathmandu, excluding breakfast
- Nepal visa ($30 + photo).
- Entrance fees for the sites of Kathmandu visit
- International flights
- Repatriation insurance + rescue and repatriation
- Tips, personal expenses and equipment, drinks, sleeping bag, hot shower during the trek, etc.
- Nepal visa ($30 + photo).
- Entrance fees for the sites of Kathmandu visit
- International flights
- Repatriation insurance + rescue and repatriation
- Tips, personal expenses and equipment, drinks, sleeping bag, hot shower during the trek, etc.
- Single room in Kathmandu (3 nights): 90 US$
- Temps de marche sont approximatifs car ils dépendent des groupes, des photos et des arrêts. Quant aux dénivelés, ils sont aussi des indications générales et non des relevés GPS. - En fonction des conditions météorologique et opérationnelles, l’accompagnateur se réserve le droit de modifier cet itinéraire pour votre sécurité et celle du groupe.
For your next trek with us in the Himalayas, travel light and aware: Base Camp offers you a biodegradable soap made in Nepal, to leave no trace ...
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