Manaslu Circuit Trek
Available Batches
Brief Description
Gallery
Brief Itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu
Kathmandu to Sotikhola via Arughat - 8 to 10 hrs Drive
Soti Khola (720 M) to Machha Khola (900 M) - 14 km, 7 hrs
Machha Khola (900 M) to Jagat (1370 M) - 22 km, 7 hrs
Jagat (1370 M) to Deng (1804 M) - 19 km, 7 hrs
Deng (1804 M) to Namrung (2630 M) - 20 km, 8 hrs
Namrung (2630 M) to Samagaon (3530 M) - 18 km, 8 hrs
Samagaon (3530 M) to Samdo (3875 M) - 16 km, 6 hrs
Rest Day in Samdo (3875 M)
Samdo (3875 M) to Dharamsala (4460 M) - 11 km, 5 hrs
Dharamsala (4460 M) to Bimtang (3590 M) via Larkya La (5135 M) - 24 km, 9 to 10 hrs
Bimtang (3590 M) to Tilije (2300 M) - 16 km, 6 hrs
Tilije (2300 M) to Syange (1080 M)
Syange to Kathmandu - Drive
Depart from Kathmandu
Day 1
Upon arrival our representative will meet you and take you to the hotel and issue your first permit. In the evening you can visit the Thamel Street, it is a very popular place. It has a lot of restaurants, casinos and plenty of shops to buy trekking gears and accessories.
Day 2
Have breakfast and start the drive from Kathmandu to the village of Soti Khola on the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway. The drive takes you along rural villages, small towns, green terraces and beautiful hillsides with views of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Langtang Himal. Overnight in lodges in Soti Khola.
Day 3
From Soti Khola we will start our trek post-breakfast. The trail takes you through forests, rice fields, ridges, gushing streams and the rapids of Budhi Gandaki River. The trail takes you to Khursane on a rocky trail past tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff eventually descending to the beautiful Gurung village of Labubesi. Following this the trail climbs to a valley which wides next to a river that takes you over a suspension bridge to the village of Machha Khola. Overnight in teahouses.
Day 4
Today we will trek along a gorge and continue up the river. The trail has a series of ascends and descends eventually crossing the Tharo Khola to reach Khorlabesi eventually reaching a hot spring which is a good place to break. The trail then climbs over a ridge to cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. After crossing the west bank of the river the trail climbs over another ridge towards the village of Jagat. Overnight in teahouses.
Day 5
Today we will trek across various landscapes, dense forests, small rivers and classic villages to reach the village of Deng. The trail enters a steep gorge and then to grassy slopes eventually through a wide valley and bamboo forests to the Deng Khola river.
Day 6
Today's trek will take you across the Budhi Gandaki river and climb up to the bridge taking you up a valley passing through lush forests, alpine vegetation and lovely villages that host ethnic groups of Manaslu region this making this a culturally important section of the trek. You also get to witness major peaks that appear in the distance.
Day 7
The trail climbs steadily and passes through forests to reach Lihi, and then drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal with Ganesh Himal close by. Crossing the villages of Sho, Lho, Shayala and Sama you can enjoy stunning views of Manaslu. You will be surrounded by Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli), Manaslu and large glaciers. You will then reach Samagaon. Overnight in teahouses.
Day 8
Today we will descend to Budhi Gandaki River and follow several mani walls. The valley expands and the mountain views get better as you move closer to the border of Tibet. We will pass juniper and birch forests and then climb steeply to the village of Samdo.
Day 9
Today we will rest and spend the day exploring the area. We will hike up the valley behind Samdo from where you will get lovely views of Manaslu, Simrang, Himchuli, Cheo, and many more.
Day 10
We will cross the Tibetan market of Larke Bazaar and then move down to Budhi Gandaki River. We will cross the wooden bridge and witness the Larkya glacier. We will move towards the valley of Salka Khola to climb to Dharamshala across many monasteries.
Day 11
Today will be a long and tough walk along clear glacial lakes, traditional villages, stunning valleys, diverse flora and fauna and some notable peaks. We will reach the north side of Larkya glacier with epic views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. After crossing moraines, we will reach the Larkya La pass with views of outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and the massive Annapurna II. We will then descend down to Bimthang.
Day 12
Post breakfast we will head to a ridge from where you will get stunning views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal. We will then cross alpine pastures, rhododendron forests, lush fields and several ridges. We will then reach the village of Tilije where we halt for the night.
Day 13
Today we move through pine, rhododendron forests to reach the village of Syange where we halt for the night.
Day 14
We will drive from the village of Syange to Kathmandu. It will take about 9-10 hours.
Day 15
What's Included
- Accommodation in Kathmandu
- Accommodation in guesthouse/lodge on all trek days
- Permits (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- Safety Equipment includes static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys
- Experienced guide
- Portage of 10kg personal luggage
What's Not Included
- Any Expense of personal nature.
- Any Expense not specified in the inclusions list.
- Any meals during the trek/road journey/hotel accomodation
- Any tip to porters or guides which is a customary thing in Nepal
- Backpack Offloading of more than 10 kg
- Travel Insurance and Rescue Evacuation in case of emergency
- Gaiters, microspikes and sleeping bags (wherever necessary) are not included and thus have to rented from Kathmandu by you).
Are you Eligible for this Adventure?
Difficult
5160 m
171 km
BRS Level Required
Packing List
Frequently Asked Questions
Manaslu Circuit Trek is suitable for trekkers with prior experience, having completed at least one BRS 4 level trek or equivalent.
If you can Jog/Run for 5 kms in 25-30 mins, you are ready to take on this trek. Once a week, you can practice running 10 kms in an hour or so to improve your endurance further. In addition to this, you can also add resistance workouts to your schedule like squats, lunges, push ups etc.
If you cannot do the above, there’s no need to worry. It is important to remember that it’s all about practice. Get on a training schedule and we can assure you that you will meet these standards in a matter of a few months.
A certain level of fitness and physical endurance are required to take on any high-altitude trail in the Himalayas. Basic knowledge of ascending and descending on steep gradients, high-altitude attire & layering method and mountain mannerisms will be helpful.
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors between 13 to 17 years of age should be accompanied by their parents/ guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deems you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is located within the restricted region of Nepal close to the border with Tibet. It is one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal and takes you around the Manaslu Massif, which is the eighth-highest mountain in the world.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal is renowned as one of the most remote and outstanding trekking routes, leading you to an impressive altitude of 5,110M. The trek takes you on an offbeat path around the eighth-highest peak in the world, Mt. Manaslu (8163 M). This trek is a paradise for those looking for a less crowded trail that takes you through dense forests, alpine pastures, deep gorges and the mighty Larkya La pass at 5106 M in altitude. Along the trek, you'll pass through picturesque villages like Sho, Lho, Shayala, and Sama, where traditional Tibetan architecture, prayer flags, and monasteries add to the charm of the trek. You will be surrounded by Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli), Manaslu, and large glaciers. Overall, the Manaslu Circuit Trek offers a well-rounded adventure, combining natural beauty, cultural immersion, and a sense of remoteness that makes it a favorite among trekkers seeking an authentic Himalayan experience.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is of moderate difficulty and demands a reasonable level of physical fitness and prior trekking experience. With the highest point at an altitude of 5,160M, trekkers may face altitude sickness, particularly those who are not acclimatised. The trail is characterised by steep inclines and declines, uneven surfaces, and some narrow and rocky pathways.
The best time to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek is in the pre-monsoon months of March to June and the post-monsoon months of September all the way to December.
The accommodation for all days of the trek will be provided in a guesthouse or lodge, generally called tea houses in Nepal.
During the Spring season, temperatures during the day are comfortable at around 15°C to 25°C, but at night they drop as low as 5 °C.
In Autumn, the temperatures resemble those of Winter, with cool and chilly nights. In October, the temperature can drop as low as 0 °C, while daytime temperatures typically hover around 5 °C to 15 °C.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is not considered to be a technically challenging trek, but it does require a moderate level of physical fitness and some trekking experience. The trail involves some steep ascents and descents, uneven terrain, and some narrow and rocky paths, particularly in the first few days of the trek. Additionally, the altitude can be a challenge for some trekkers, with the highest point on the trek reaching 5,160M. However, the trail is well-maintained, and there are no technical climbing or mountaineering skills required.
The starting point for the trek is Kathmandu, which is well connected from Delhi by air and land.
By Air: There are multiple daily flights from Delhi to Kathmandu.
By Rail: You can take a train from Delhi to Raxaul Junction in Bihar on the Indo - Nepal border. From Raxaul, take a 5 km bus/taxi to the border, from where Kathmandu is a 10 hour road journey. Buses and taxis are easily available at the border.
By Road: The road distance from Delhi to Kathmandu is 1,145 km. There is a Delhi Government luxury bus service from Delhi Gate for Kathmandu that takes around 36 hours. This is the most time consuming but budget-friendly option at INR 2300 for the bus journey.
In the lower altitudes of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, the network of NTC and NCell are frequent. You can use the sky phones and Wifi services available on paid basis in almost all teahouses on the trails at lower altitudes. Read more: Comprehensive Guide for Trekking in Nepal
The closest ATM to the Manaslu Circuit Trek can be found in Kathmandu.
You will have to arrive at Kathmandu on your own. It is a well-established tourist location and is easy to reach.
We will be staying overnight in Kathmandu on Day 14. Depart early in the morning on the next day.
Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, is a vibrant, noisy city. Packed full of history, palaces and temples, it is also within touching distance of Nepal's premier attraction: the Himalaya. Kathmandu is home to places to visit like Durbar Square (with temples dating back to the 12th century), Boudhanath Stupa (a world heritage site), and Pashupatinath Temple (the country's most important Hindu temple, on the banks of the Bagmati river). Another must-see attraction is the Royal Palace, the site of the infamous 2001 massacre of the Royal Family by the then Crown Prince, and now converted into the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.
Safety equipment used for rescue such as static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys is carried by our trek leaders. Gaiters, microspikes and sleeping bags (wherever necessary) are not included and thus have to be rented from Kathmandu by you.
We don’t provide rentals in Nepal. But rental facilities are easily available in the market at Kathmandu.
Rental facilities are available in the market at Kathmandu.
You’ll have to return all the rented equipment to the shop from where you rented them.
For a detailed list, check the Packing List section on this page.
You can buy your trekking necessities from Kathmandu. However we recommend that you do not leave anything essential for the last minute purchase as you might not find sufficient time for shopping.
Although not recommended, you can off load your bag at an additional cost. Add a request while making your booking for the trek and it can be arranged.
(Note: We don’t recommend offloading because the extra resources on a trail - ponies or porters depending on the trail - means extra load on the environment which can easily be avoided. It also goes against the spirit of trekking by eliminating a level of endurance and discomfort from the experience which are factors at the very heart of an outdoor adventure activity.)
You can leave your extra luggage in hotel cloak rooms on a paid basis.
Like any trek in Nepal, meals are not part of the trek fee. All meals will have to be purchased by the trekkers at the tea houses where we stay. The tea houses in Nepal offer a wide variety of healthy and nutritious food. Read more: Comprehensive Guide for Trekking in Nepal
Since we will be staying at tea houses, these accommodations have proper toilet facilities. Depending on the tea house, however, some may have shared toilets and some may have private toilets attached to the rooms.
In case you get your period on the trail and don’t have sanitary napkins, our trek leaders can provide them to you. If you need any other kind of assistance, you can let our trek leaders know. Irrespective of gender, our leaders are gender sensitised and equipped to assist you in any way you need them to.
Our team carries a first aid kit and all the basic medicines required during the trek. They are equipped to be the first responders in case of any injury or health-related issues. For higher expeditions, we also carry a HAPO Bag and oxygen cylinders to tend to any altitude-related health conditions.
You will get electricity at the tea houses. But these regions are prone to power cuts so it is better to carry your power bank as a backup.
A copy of your ID Proof and Medical Certificate are the mandatory documents required for this trek. (Soft copies for all of these are to be sent to us & originals should be on your person while on the trek.)
Yes, insurance for any high-altitude activity is highly recommended to cover for the cost of rescue, evacuation and any other emergency service required as well as to cover for medical cost in case of injury or illness during the trek. You can buy it on your own. Alternatively, if you want us to buy it on your behalf, you can speak to our post-booking team and they will arrange it for you. They will send you a payment link once the insurance has been purchased. Read more: Comprehensive Guide for Trekking in Nepal
Yes, there are multiple permits required for this. We obtain the permits on every trekkers’ behalf. All the permit costs are included in your trek cost.
Yes, you will receive e-certificates (of completion) after the trek. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek. In case you were unable to finish the trek, you will get a certificate of participation.
On completion of the trek, the certificate will show up on your dashboard on our website. You can download it directly from there.
Foreign nationals need a Visa to enter Nepal. For some countries, the visa may be obtained on arrival. Citizens of China and SAARC countries, which includes India, a tourist visa can be obtained without a charge (visa fees) but for other countries there is a fee depending on the duration of the stay. Visit http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa to get all the information on the required processes based on your home country.
This does not apply to you if you are an Indian citizen. In case you don’t hold an Indian passport, you will need to check online for Visa application rules based on your home country. Read more: Comprehensive Guide for Trekking in Nepal
If you are not an Indian citizen, you will need Travel Medical Insurance to travel to the country. Please make sure that your insurance policy is valid for the altitude you are going to and the activity you are undertaking, to cover risks during the trek. The insurance policy provided by Bikat Adventures does not cover foreign nationals. So, please do not purchase it while making the booking from our website.
The Nepal Himalayas are home to Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. As a trekkers’ paradise Nepal has countless trekking trails which take you through all kinds of terrain spread out across Nepal. A country of warm people, eight of the fourteen tallest mountains in the world, diverse geography, and a rich culture with multiple languages, ethnicities and religions; the first thing you notice on entering Nepal is that it is extremely welcoming and full of colour – a country with a lot of heart.
You can make the booking any time depending on availability of slots in our fixed departure batches. You will get this information at the top of this page.
A Basic Mountaineering Course certification from one of the five recognized mountaineering institutes in India is a minimum requirement to join our team. Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response. We also conduct on-ground training for our staff once a year as a refresher for old skills and to learn some new ones. During this training that we call APW (Adventure Professional Workshop), our leaders learn close to 25 topics and techniques of rescue which are not covered in the BMC and AMC courses. For practical training, we simulate on-ground situations to prepare them for quick thinking and quick response during emergencies.
We follow a rigorous regime of hiring and training our experts on the field. Each trek leader is a certified mountaineer with years of experience in the field. The interview process to bring a trek leader on-board is close to 6 months long where we assess various skills as well as personality traits of an individual. They also go through an on-field assignment as part of the hiring process. Trek leaders also progress in time from leading easier treks before advancing to the more difficult ones where the stakes are higher. For detailed information on our selection process, please visit Forerunners - The Making Of A Trek Leader
It absolutely is. We recognize, value and embody the ideology that the world of outdoor adventure can benefit from diversity. We make it our mission to create outdoor spaces as equally accessible and safe for all genders as possible. We also encourage women leaders in the outdoors and all of our staff (irrespective of gender) is gender sensitised. As for accommodation, in case there are no other women on the trek, a solo female trekker is provided with a separate single-occupancy tent.
Our batch sizes for Manaslu Circuit Trek are capped at 15 with the trek leader to trekker ratio of 1:8.
In addition to their qualification, our trek leaders are trained to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on ground. During our recce stage, we study the trail in great detail and map out rescue routes before opening it up for our trekkers. We also have local support staff stationed in each area to arrange for emergency services at the place of need as quickly as possible.
We mobilise road rescue efforts where our trek leaders bring the person to be rescued down to the trailhead of the trek from where a car can take them to the nearest healthcare facility. The cost of rescue is not covered in the trek fee that we charge. It must be borne by the participant. However, if you opt for the insurance the cost of rescue operations can be claimed from the Insurance company on production of valid proof e.g. doctor’s prescription & hospital bills etc. Please note that Bikat Adventures is only a facilitator & not a party in the Insurance policy. You need to raise the claim request directly with the Insurance company. Bikat Adventures is not responsible for any rejection of claim. You can call the insurance provider directly for any clarifications related to the Insurance policy. Although not mandatory, we recommend buying the insurance. You don’t necessarily have to get the insurance we provide, you can pick an Insurance company of your choice and get a policy directly from them. If you need more information on the terms and conditions of the insurance policy, get in touch with our customer support team
All the gear used on our treks and expeditions is tried and tested, maintained for good quality and is overall top notch in quality and condition. We are continually looking to obtain the best of everything there is in the market so as to ensure optimum safety.
That will depend on the nature of your medical condition. Do give us a call, and one of our people will help you understand what is best for you. If not this, we are sure there would be plenty of other options you can choose from our vast portfolio to pick as your next adventure.
We have rolling camps on all our trails. To know why we are strictly against the concept of Fixed Camping, read Reasons to Ban Fixed Camping in Himalayas
This is a complex question and has a compound answer. The simple response is that because it is bad for the environment which we dearly love but if you are interested in a more detailed response to this question, please read Reasons to Ban Fixed Camping in Himalayas
There are a number of measures that we take to prevent overcrowding on some of the most popular trails. Some of them are capping our group size at 15, capping the number of trekkers on a trail to 250 per season, constantly looking for newer trails and routes to spread the crowd around and providing incentives to our trekkers to try unexplored territories with us. We put in place the system of dynamic pricing, which is the first of its kind in the trekking industry, which incentivises trekkers to choose less crowded trails by offering higher discounts. We have noticed, since we started this system, that this has helped in a big way to spread out the crowds between trekking routes. We are also going international so as to relieve some of the stress on the Himalayan landscape as well as explore newer ranges and design newer experiences for our community. If you want a more detailed description of all our measures in this regard, please read Simple solutions to overcrowding on Himalayan Treks
Some basic things to remember are: do not use water, do not dispose of anything non-biodegradable inside the pits, carry your own roll of toilet paper and remember to cover up after yourself to leave a clean toilet for your fellow trekkers. Everything else is much the same like using an Indian style home toilet!
Most wet wipes are not biodegradable which means it could take 100 years or more for them to decompose – not the best thing if you are trying to ‘Leave No Trace’, right?
This is quite a tricky situation but not a hopeless one. Since most of our sanitary waste is not biodegradable, we recommend that you pack your pads/tampons neatly, store it in a zip-lock bag and bring it back down with you where there are better options to dispose of them. In case you do not have zip-lock bags, ask our trek leaders for them and they should be able to provide them to you.
Each trekker is responsible for the use and hygiene of their own eating utensils. And as a measure to maintain proper hygiene, we do not provide plates and spoons. Also, dipping your hands in cold water to wash your own utensils adds something to the overall joy of high-altitude living, wouldn’t you think?
On making the payment, you will receive a booking confirmation along with the packing list and a copy of the undertaking form via email. You will subsequently receive emails detailing documents required, how to prepare physically and mentally for the trek, information on pick-up location on the first day etc. Please add info@bikatadventures.com in your trusted emails list to make sure our emails don't go to your spam folder.
A Whatsapp group will be formed a few weeks before departure. Members from our team are on those groups as well. Feel free to seek any clarifications you require in regards to the trek, on the group itself. Updates related to transportation/pickup point/pickup timing, accommodation etc. will be shared on the Whatsapp group as well.
Yes, we create a Whatsapp group a few weeks before the departure date so that the flow of information remains smooth and transparent.
Yes, it is one of the mandatory documents you will need to submit before the trek starts. The soft copy is to be sent to us & the original should be on your person while on the trek.
Yes, we will provide you an undertaking form through email which will need to be filled up by you and submitted to us post booking.
Why Bikat?
Small Group Size
Qualified Trek Leaders
Guided Progression
Equipment Quality and Check
Support Systems
Communication
Small Group Size
Our batch sizes are capped at 15 for smaller treks with the trek leader and trekker ratio of 1:8. This ratio, in our years of experience, has proven to deliver the best trekking experience for individuals as well as groups. Capping the size of the group ensures individual attention to each trekker so that no signs of distress or need during the trek go unnoticed. It also helps to form a more cohesive cohort with better group energy which helps define the rhythm and pace of days on the trek. As you go higher up on the BRS scale, since the stakes are higher, expeditions have an even smaller group size with the ratio of expedition leader to climber set at 1:2.
Qualified Trek Leaders
We follow a rigorous regime of hiring and training our experts in the field. Each trek leader is a certified mountaineer with years of experience in the field. In addition to their qualification, they also go through practical and situational training to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on the ground. Being unpredictable is the core nature of the mountains but being ready for any circumstance as best as possible is a controllable asset that we try to nurture. Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response. Watch: Forerunners - The Making of A Trek Leader At Bikat Adventures
Guided Progression
Since Bikat Adventures is a learning-based organization, we help you climb up the ladder of difficulty within the sphere of outdoor adventure systematically. Our on-ground training modules are designed to handhold you through the upskilling process so that you are ready to take on bigger challenges.
Equipment Quality and Check
All the gear used on our treks and expeditions is tried and tested, maintained for good quality, and is overall top-notch in quality and condition. We are continually looking to obtain the best of everything there is in the market so as to ensure optimum safety.
Support Systems
Along with the staff you see on-ground, we have a team of superheroes working in the background to give you the best experience possible. Our background team also comprises local staff from each area who know the region best. Having local support helps with studying the area, pre-planning, execution, and in receiving timely support in case of emergencies in these remote locations.
Communication
Our on-field staff is in constant contact with our teams based in primary locations so as to eliminate any avoidable delay in reaching additional help and support when required. We try to use the best tools for communication available, including satellite phones, in regions where they are not restricted.
What our customers Say
Cancellation Policy
Cash refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
Cancellations between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure date
Cancellations within 15 days prior to departure date
Voucher refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
Cancellations within 5 days prior to departure date
Please Note:
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
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