Manaslu is a restricted trekking trail in Nepal. To obtain the permit for Manaslu circuit trekking you need to present in Nepal yourself. That is why, you have to have 17 days itinerary for Manaslu circuit trekking.
However, Nepalgram also has 12 days trekking itinerary for Manaslu circuit trekking. That 12 days Manaslu circuit itinerary is certainly without the permit preparation period included.
Without one day to hold at Kathmandu for special permit preparation – Manaslu circuit trekking itinerary will be 12 days only.
With 17 days itinerary as below – all the program from the beginning of the trekking to the end of the trip with any of the local trekking agency in Nepal is included.
Basically – 17 days trekking in Manaslu circuit is a complete program for your entire Nepal trip. From the arrival to departure to and from Nepal is included in the 17 days itinerary of Manaslu circuit trekking discussed here.
Table of Contents
There are many types of itinerary for Manaslu circuit trekking
There are other in packaged itinerary for Manaslu circuit trekking with Nepalgram as well. However, any type of itineraries can be drafted for Manaslu circuit trekking.
I am saying this because – you can connected Manaslu circuit trekking with Annapurna circuit trekking, Tilicho lake trekking, Nar phu Kangla pass trekking and other less famous trekking trails nearby.
Also add on – tour program before start of the trekking and after the trekking determines the itinerary for Manaslu circuit trekking.
Places like Chitwan, Pokhara, Bandipur, Kathamndu, Kusma, Dhorpatan, Bardiya, Kosi tappu wild life reserve or any other places can be attached in the itinerary of Manaslu circuit trekking.
Itineraries with Nepalgram for Manaslu circuit trekking with dofferent variables are as below:
- Short Manaslu circuit trekking
- Manaslu circuit trekking with Tsum valley
- Manaslu circuit trekking – full board package
- Manaslu base camp trek – without larkey pass
Are you looking for other trips than Manaslu circuit trekking?
Nepalgram Adventure can help you with the filter below. Select the right destination and activity of your interest to find the best trip to Nepal.
Manaslu circuit trek Itinerary – 17 days details
Day 1 Arrival at Kathmandu
Day 2 Manaslu Circuit trekking permit preparation
Either you chill out at Thamel or join a Tour with Arun in major spots of UNESCO listed heritage sites.
Day 3 Drive Kathmandu to Soti khola
For the permit preparation of special trekking region manaslu it takes a day. After the permit work is done, the next day we drive to Soti Khola.
Drive is on Prithivi highway in the beginning which is on black topped road. But after Galchi the road to Arughat bazar is mostly off road.
It takes around 8 hours to get to soti khola from Kathmandu, on a 4 wheeler jeep. The bus might take longer. Road is bumpy but the scenery of the rural village, local people on the bus and life of locals is interesting. Paddy fields and local farmers working in those terraces look nicer. We cross several rivers before we get to Soti Khola Bazar.
Day 4 Trek to Tatopani (hot spring)
From soti Khola (a small bazaar) the trek to Machhakhola is along the river. You will have the opportunity to see waterfalls and a few narrow trails along this section of manaslu circuit trek. Trek to Machhakhola pass by lapu bensi and a few other villages which are nice and observatory.
The walk is easy and almost flat. It takes around 5 hours to get to Machhakhola. And Tatopani is by the side of the river, they have hot springs – which might not be functional throughout the whole year.
Day 5 Trek to Jagat
We will start hiking from this riverside village to Philim. Today Manaslu Circuit trek passes across the rock fall zone, suspension bridges and few other villages. Rock fall zone comes right after Ekle bhatti village.
Day 6 Trek to Bihi phedi
Trekking by the riverside, pass numerous villages and beautiful landscape and dense forest. Scenery of few water falls, deep river gorge and village by the side of the river and some village literally on the cliff opposite to our walking trail (can be seen near Chisapani). Wide river valley from the start of the day gets narrower towards the end of the trek.
Day 7 Trek to Namrung 2630 m
Trekking starts after having breakfast at the tea house in Bihi Phedi – this village is literally inside the jungle. The narrow river valley starts widening after an hour of walking. And once trekkers get to Ghap, the valley is wider and the view of the waterfall and mountains is wonderful.
The trek walks through the jungle and you will get to the jungle guest – a guest house inside the forest names itself a jungle lodge. Near this lodge- by the side of the truss bridge, you will see an interesting structure of rock morphology which acts as a natural bridge. The rock passes across the river, we can assume that as a natural bridge.
Before getting to Namrung the trail is uphill after Ghap and is inside the forest.
Day 8 Trek to Lho 3180 m
Trekking to Lho is completely different from the previous days. The trail goes along the river, passes through numerous villages. The white mountains appears. You will be able to see the village across the river on the edge of another hill. Everything is interesting on the trekking trail of Manaslu.
All the villages have their own gate and it is an interesting fact of trekking inspiration to get in through these cultural/traditional gates.
Once you get to Lho village the admiring view of Manasly and the surrounding peak is spectacular. You had never imagined this view.
At lho village there is a local monastery, this is near to Manaslu peak and we go to this monastery for a day hike – this helps acclimatization.
Day 9 Trek to Samagaun 3500 m
Samagaun is situated at the edge of the narrow valley, once the narrow valley opens wide enough; we will get to the village. Samagaun has an antique village and architecture from centuries ago still exists in this village. Do not forget to walk around to see how simple and inspiring living here is.
Day 10 Acclimatize
Samagaun village literally means village situated in the wide open space. This village is comparatively bigger than others we have passed. Village is nice to see from a distance.
Main motto of this day is to hike higher and sleep lower so as to acclimatize our body for the pass. We do the same, hike up to Birendra lake or all the way to Manaslu Base Camp and acclimatize. Nepalgram tries to find new places to hike around, so far we found a hiking trail toward the Yak shed 1.5 hours away from the village and get into the peace and wilderness.
To watch birds, the herd of blue sheep and deer on the way is wild enough for Manaslu Circuit trek. Apart from the wilds, we will see yaks grazing all over the meadow; do not tease them, follow your guide‘s instructions.
If you like glacial lake, choose Birendra lake hiking as day activity; choose Manaslu Base camp if you want to do hardcore trek, or choose hike to monastery or to yak shed if you want solitude. Believe it or not, This choice will make your Manaslu Circuit trek a best trek.
Day 11 Trek to Samdo 3860 m
Because of the altitude change we can not push further from Smado village today. Go easy and enjoy the nature of the surroundings. Scene of Manaslu disappears today after getting to Samdo village. Samdo is the sister village of samagaun.
Day 12 Trek to Dharmashala 4480 m
Dharmashala is base camp for Larke pass. Manaslu Circuit trek is famous for the world’s largest pass and today you will be spending night at the base camp of this pass. Dharmashal is really near to the glacier and the landscape is too much wilderness. Enjoy your night watching stars. As you are trekking in the mountains, cold is not the issue to talk about, but at Dharmashala; drink enough sleep as much as you can and eat enough for the hike tomorrow.
Day 13 Today we cross the Larke pass (5213 m) Trek down to Bimtang (3720 m)
Main day of Manaslu Circuit trek, larkey pass is the awaited attraction of the whole trip to Nepal. It is the longest pass in the world, feel proud to walk longer today. We will start early in the morning, after breakfast at the local guest house of Dharmashala.
Main aim of walking early is to watch the sunrise from higher up. We will be able to see blue sheep really near to us. We will pass by lakes, walk on the glacier, step on the rocks, walk close to the mountains; do not forget to feel the nature beyond your imagination.
Believe it, this is a great day you hiked ever, hard but lifetime memorable. Interesting thing about this pass is, the views of the mountain before and after the pass are not comparable to any other landscape you have seen.
Scenery gets even better with high mountains and deep glaciers on the other side of the pass. But this pass sometimes gets really windy, to avoid this nature, start descending as soon as you finish the celebration at the top of the pass. We will have packed lunch for this Larkey pass day.
Day 14 Trek to Tilije
Today the trekking ends, generally trekkers celebrate the day in a team, share the experience during the circuit trekking. This day will bring guests and guides closer in a celebration vibe. This probably will be the last day in your mountain for this trip.
Bhimtang has a great sunset view and sunrise is the coolest on the planet. You will see Mt. Manaslu from the opposite perspective, imagine; samagaun is just behind the giant Manaslu.
Day 15 Trek to Dharapani and take a jeep to Besishar, overnight at Besisahar.
After breakfast at Tiliche we will hike for 1 hour to get to Dharapani. Dharapani is on the side of a river, a small village with road access towards Manang.
Does not fit on your holidays?
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Interesting to know, this village is the connection point of Manaslu Circuit trek and Annapurna circuit trek. After getting to Dharapani, we will take a jeep to Besishar. The Manaslu Circuit trek ends here. Cheers !
Day 16 Drive to Kathmandu
Besisahar is a small town and a starting point of the world famous round Annapurna trekking trail. We take a bus back to Kathmandu from Bensisahar in the morning. Getting back to Thamel, time has come to farewell you with a promise to see you again. Have a safe trip ahead.
Day 17 Departure
General Cost details for all inclusive package of Nepalgram Adventure – a local trekking agency in Nepal
INCLUDES
• All food and accommodation during the trek
• 3 nights hotel in Kathmandu
• ACAP & MCAP (Special permit) Trekking permit and all government tax
• 2 trekking guides and one porter for 2 person with food and accommodation & insured
• Local Bus from Kathmandu to Sotikhola & Besishar to Kathmandu
• Shared Jeep from Dharapani to Besisahar
• Walking pole & Duffel Bag – to take away
• Sleeping bag and Dawn Jacket – to return
• Fresh fruits every night after dinner
• Airport Pick up and drop for arrival and departure
• Pick up and drop for Bus stop arrival and departure, prior to trek
• Oxymeter to check your oxygen saturation everyday
EXCLUDES
• Your Visa, international flight & personnel expenses
• Food while you are in Kathmandu
• All your drinks
• Your travel insurance
• Anything not listed on Inclusion section
Related blog from Nepalgram
- Recommended Season for Manaslu Circuit trekking
- Budget Trekking To Manaslu
- Best Time for Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Manaslu Circuit trek and 5 must do things
More destination from Nepal
Explore Nepal with us – to the deep in those nook and corners of Nepal Himalaya. Suggestions other than Manaslu circuit trekking.
Annapurna Conservation Area (46 Trips)
Nar Phu Valley (3 Trips)
Annapurna Base Camp (5 Trips)
Thorong La pass (8 Trips)
Tilicho Lake (2 Trips)
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