Trek the Manaslu Circuit

The Manaslu Circuit is a beautiful trek round one of Nepal’s most spectacular mountain ranges of which Manaslu (8153m) is the highest point. The Manaslu range that also contains other giant peaks, like: North Peak (7154m), West Peak (7540m) and Himal Chuli (7893m) will be the center point of this trek. Other than the popular Annapurna Circuit Trek, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is a off the beaten track and is because of the restrictions (permit), still authentic, wild and not packed with tourists! The Manaslu Circuit combines everything that Nepal has to offer: wild nature, different cultures, Hinduism, Buddhism, impressive 8000m mountains and beautiful trails. The Manaslu Circuit is definately one of our favorite treks!

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+ Trip description

Part 1 - Trekking to Larkya La (5120m)

To reach the starting point of this Manaslu Circuit trek, you will drive to the local trade center of Arughat Bazar. This is the green low land of Nepal (530m), hot and humid. The climate will slowly change as you trek and climb further to the North. The Manaslu Circuit trek takes you to higher altitudes and wilder landscapes. You will trek through a deep gorge, along huge waterfalls, through old forests, and across several Buri Gandaki suspension bridges. The heat finally disappears and the Tibetan culture becomes more dominant at higher altitudes. It's obvious that this trail has been an important trade route with Tibet. Eventually, you will leave civilization behind on our way to heart of the Himalayas, the land of snowfields and glaciers of the Lharkya La (5120m), the highest pass in this Manaslu Circuit trek.

Part 2 - Descent to join the Annapurna Circuit trail

From the spectacular Larkya La, we carefully trek across giant glaciers and snow fields and start a long trail down to the green and lush Marsyangdi valley where the Manaslu and Annapurna trail join. It's a long way... Snow and cold are history now. You will find yourself trekking again through old forests and lively Hindu settlements. The heat returns and you will be able to enjoy all the luxuries that the developed and more touristic Annapurna trail has to offer. The Manaslu Circuit trek is a relatively easier trek through a variety of impressive mountain landscapes and different mountain cultures. This Manaslu Circuit Trek is a classic journey through a very wild, authentic, restricted area, an excellent way to explore the Himalayas of Nepal without technical climbing.

+ Itinerary & different options

[ Arrival in Kathmandu / free days ]

Manaslu Circuit		Different options
1 - Kathmandu - Briefing 2 - Arughat Bazaar 3 - Soti Khola 4 - Machha Khola 5 - Jagat 6 - Philim 7 - Deng 8 - Namrung 9 - Lhogaon 10 - Samagaon 11 - Rest & acclimatization	12 - Samdo 13 - Rest & acclimatization 14 - Larkya La Base Camp 15 - Larkya La - Bimthang 16 - Dharapani 17 - Jagat 18 - Nagdi 19 - Besi Sahar 20 - Kathmandu	Do you prefer a different route or itinerary? Just contact us and we will be more than happy to think with you and organize the tailor made trip you're looking for...

[ End of services / free days / departure / continue travelling ]

+ What's included & excluded in the price?

To make things easy for you, we have put together different service packages that suit most people. However, if you want to make it really special, we also provide full tailor made services. Have a look at the fixed packages first or download a detailed comparison sheet.

» Download Comparison Sheet (pdf)

Full Trekking Service - Pro
The Pro package provides you a full organized trek including all organizational arrangements, a complete professional, experienced staff & crew, all needed equipment, all services and luxuries that makes your entire trek as comfortable as possible. The staff takes care of all tasks and activities, you are not required to help.

Full Trekking Service - Basic
The Basic package provides you a full organized trek including all organizational arrangements, a small professional, experienced staff & crew, essential equipment & services only, without the luxuries of the Pro package. Although professionally organized, this package is much more basic and adventurous, you are required to help with all tasks and activities.

+ How difficult is this trip?

We have rated this Manaslu Circuit Trek with B0-C0. This means that it's a easy to intermediate trip with no technical climbing sections. Have a look at a general description of these codes! Below we'll try to describe the specific difficulties of this trip.

[ Note: this trek has been created in a way that everybody with a general health is able to finish the Manaslu Circuit. A slow and very good acclimatization schedule allows anybody to adapt to the high altitude and to reach daily trekking goals easily. ]

In this trip you start with a bus ride to Arughat Bazar, the starting point of this trip. During the Manaslu Circuit you will trek across different trails varying from easy country side trails to jungle sections and non-existant glacier trails. The Manaslu Circuit leads you through little mountain villages, deep, green valley’s, across suspension bridges and wild rivers up to cold alpine area’s and wild glaciers. There may be deep snow at the Larkya La. The climb to this pass is not difficult, but tiring and slippery across large snowfields. The descent may be long, tiring and slippery, too, but without technical climbing difficulties.

In general...
This trek does not require specific experience or skills, although you should feel comfortable walking on steep, rocky, slippery and unstable terrain for at least some parts of the trek.

This trek is open for anybody who is fit. However, if you’re part of a group during demanding activities, you must prepare yourself for working and living in and with a group of people who share the same, common goal! An easy going, flexible attitude is a must.

+ What clothes & equipment do I need?

After booking we will send you a final, detailed clothes & equipment list with all the required clothes and (climbing) equipment that you need for this trip. To get a really good idea what you will get from us, you may download an example equipment list.

» Download an Example Equipment List (pdf)

+ What is the best time to make this trip?

An indication of best seasons to make this trip (stable weather and clear views)

• Spring: March, April, May
• Autumn: October, November

Indication of temperatures: (depending on weather conditions)

• Below 5000m varying from: Day time: +10ºC / +30ºC. Night time: -5ºC / +15ºC
• Above 5000m varying from: Day time: -5ºC / +15ºC. Night time: -5ºC / -15ºC

Rain may be expected in the lower areas. The Larkya La may be covered in deep snow. If you like to try to avoid a late monsoon and possible flight cancellations, you should start this trip from half October. Normally, the weather will be more stable by then. However, mountain storms and fog are unpredictable and can arise quickly, changing trekking & climbing conditions dramatically. Rain, snow and strong winds are always possible.