Country | Nepal | Max-Altitude | 5,165m/16,929ft | ||
Trip Start | Kathmandu | Trip End | Kathmandu | ||
Group Size | Min 4, Max 15 | ||||
Meals | Breakfast in Kathmandu and full board meals during the trek | ||||
Accommodation | 3 nights in deluxe 4-star hotel in Kathmandu, 8 nights in a tea house lodge during the trek |
Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you off-the-beaten path to a beautiful and rarely visited part of Nepal. Walk under the foothills of Mount Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world, and get close to the Tibetan border. Experience authentic Nepali hill culture as well as Tibetan culture. As the trail meanders near the border with Tibet, you will feel the crossover of the Tibetan traditions in the Manaslu region.
Manaslu Circuit is less crowded and less commercialized than the Everest or Annapurna trails, where the tourist traffic is heavier. With fewer tourists on the trail, you can enjoy your surroundings in solitude and interact with the locals.
Your trip begins with a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. After exploring the city's cultural landmarks, you will fly to Jagat via helicopter. Jagat, the entrance to the Manaslu Conservation Area, is the trailhead of your trek.
Starting from Jagat, you walk through a trail that weaves past lush sub-tropical jungles and picturesque Gurung villages in the Budi Gandaki River valley. As you ascend higher, you get closer to Tibet. Buddhist prayer flags, mani stones, chortens, and prayer wheels adorn the villages.
Explore ancient gompas sitting atop vibrant and beautiful villages flanked by the snow-dusted Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Singri Chuli, and other giants. The grueling crossing of the Larkya La, one of the longest mountain passes in the Himalayas, is the highlight of your trek. Your trek ends once you descend to the alpine meadow of Bhimthang.
Spring from March to May and autumn from September to November are the ideal seasons for Manaslu Circuit Trekking. During these seasons, the weather remains stable with clear skies and warm days.
Distance: 25 minutes drive
Accommodation: Hotel Shanker
After arriving in Kathmandu, Extollo's tour officer will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel. Take rest or enjoy a stroll around Thamel, the tourist hub of Kathmandu.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Distance: 25 minutes drive
Accommodation: Hotel Shanker
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Shanker
Enjoy a guided tour to some of the city's UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath.
After breakfast, visit the holy Pashupatinath Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. Later, head to Boudhanath Stupa, the biggest Buddhist Stupa in South Asia. Located close to the Tibetan settlement, Boudhanath is an important site for followers of Tibetan Buddhism.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is a wide palazzo decorated with pagoda temples and palaces of the Malla kings. The royal square is also home to the House of the Living Goddess, a little girl from the Newari community worshipped as the incarnation of goddess Taleju.
Later in the evening, attend a trek briefing and make the final preparations for your trek.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Shanker
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
From the domestic airport, you board a helicopter and fly to Jagat, the trailhead of your trek. At Jagat you are officially inside the Manaslu Conservation Area. Explore the village and soak in the natural views. Surrounded by green hills and mountains, you spend your first night on the trail at this charming little village.
Overnight in Jagat.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
After leaving Jagat you walk along a trail that weaves past a lush sub-tropical jungle. Crossing metal suspension bridges, you get to view some gorgeous waterfalls cascading down the hills.
You stop briefly at traditional Gurung villages for lunch and refreshments en route. Keeping to the west bank of the Budi Gandaki River, you walk through a gorge and a dense bamboo forest before finally arriving at Deng, your stop for the night.
Overnight in Deng.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Today's walk takes you across beautiful alpine valleys and small villages with traditional stone houses. As you trek higher, you get your first views of the mighty mountains. You are close to the border with Tibet, and you can see Buddhist signs and symbols on the trail – mani stones, chortens, and prayer flags.
Tibet lies just six kilometers away from Namrung. Most locals, having migrated from Tibet, still speak the Tibetan language and follow Tibetan culture.
Overnight in Namrung.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea house
Before leaving Namrung, enjoy stunning snow-capped vistas of Ganesh Himal, Singri Himal, Boudha Himal, and Himalchuli. The trail to Sama Gaon takes you past villages heavily influenced by Tibetan culture – Lih, Sho, Lho, and Shayla. Prayer wheels, mani stones, chortens, and prayer flags dot the landscape. Jaw-dropping views of Manaslu, Himal Chuli, and Ngadi Himal keep you inspired throughout the arduous hike to Sama Gaon.
Known as the 'Gateway to Manaslu,' Sama Gaon offers incredible views of the eighth highest mountain as it rears directly above the valley. The small settlement has an ancient gompa which you will visit tomorrow.
Overnight in Sama Gaon.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea house
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Hike to Pungen Gompa, an ancient Buddhist monastery located at an altitude of 4100 meters. The monastery sits high above the village, surrounded by mountains and glaciers. You can enjoy panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks from the secluded monastery.
Overnight in Sama Gaon.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
You reach Samdo around midday which will give you enough time to take an acclimatization hike to a viewpoint nearby. It's highly recommended to do the acclimatization hike as you will be walking and sleeping at an altitude above 4000 meters from tomorrow.
Overnight in Samado.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
From Samado, it's an upward ascent to Dharamshala. Walk slowly, at your own pace. Rest at intervals and keep yourself hydrated. It's going to be cold so dress warmly.
As you will have an early start tomorrow, we recommend you to sleep wearing whatever you will be wearing the next day. It will be freezing in the morning, and you won't have to change first thing in the morning if you sleep fully dressed.
Overnight in Dharamsala.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Wake up early and hit the trail while it's still dark. Wearing a head torch, make your way out in the darkness. You can catch the sunrise over the mountains as you climb up. Crampons and hiking poles will come in handy as the trail will be icy and covered in snow.
Larkya Pass is the longest mountain pass in Nepal. There are endless hills, snowy inclines, and switchbacks. If the ascent is tough, the descent on a steep incline is tougher. After descending, you will be settling down in Bimthang.
Bhimthang is yet another picturesque village located in an alpine valley. Savor the majestic mountain views as this is the last stopover of your trekking adventure.
Overnight in Bhimthang.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Included meals: Breakfast and Farewell dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Shanker
From Bhimthang, you board a helicopter and fly back to Kathmandu. Enjoy the aerial views of the Himalayan mountains and hilltop villages during the ride. Our staff will receive you at the airport and drive you to your hotel.
We celebrate the completion of your adventure with a farewell dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast and Farewell dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Shanker
Included meals: Breakfast
Bid goodbye to Nepal and head homewards. We will drop you at the airport well on time to catch your flight.
Included meals: Breakfast
During your travel, you will follow two styles of accommodations. You will spend 3 nights in 4-star deluxe Hotel Shanker while in Kathmandu and 8 nights in standard teahouses and lodges during the trek. All accommodations for Manaslu Circuit Trek will be on a twin-sharing basis. A single supplement will be provided on request, which will cost you an additional amount (490 USD). However, a single supplement may not be feasible all the time, especially at higher elevations.
During our Manaslu Circuit Trek, you can enjoy authentic Nepalese food as well as the common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.). Breakfast and dinner will be served from the teahouses or from a lodge menu where you spend the night, whereas lunch will be served on the way to the next destination. All meals will be provided during trekking whereas only breakfast will be available while in Kathmandu. There will also be a Farewell Dinner hosted by Extollo Adventures upon your return from the successful excursion.
You will be trekking in the mountains only for 6-7 days in our Manasalu Circuit Trek. You need to be in good shape and have the ability to walk 5 – 6 hours uphill and downhill. This is a moderate and short trek with good itinerary offering ample time for acclimatization. It is suitable for easy going and beginner trekkers as you will not walk all the way up to the base camp but instead fly on a helicopter. However, excellent health and strong determination will be required because the main challenging factor here is the altitude. Our Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary provides ample time for acclimatization. Neither ropes nor ice picks are needed for this trip and no vertical climbs are involved. Novice travelers in a good physical shape, who exercise regularly, has positive attitude and has healthy heart and lungs can easily complete this adventurous trip.
There is no official age limit for trekking in the Himalayas as long as our participants are healthy and mentally committed to complete the adventure. We are experienced in operating treks for families with kids as young as 9 years old and elderly trekkers in their 80s. This is a moderate short trek with a well-acclimatized and carefully crafted itinerary. We advise our trekkers to have good physical fitness, exercise regularly, and have a positive attitude and strong determination in addition to having excellent health for a successful Himalayan trek.
The best time to trek to the Manaslu Circuit Trek is Spring (March to May), and Autumn (September to November). The temperatures are moderate during these seasons and guarantee fantastic views throughout the trip. During these seasons, the weather remains stable, Beautiful bright blue sky and incredible views of different species of flowers and various Himalayan peaks are best experienced during these seasons.
Yes. A representative, preferably the guide along with driver will be there at the airport’s arrival sector to meet you and escort you up to your hotel room. We include all airport pick-ups and drop-offs as a part of your travel program. We will be with you the entire time of your stay in Nepal.
All our guides are proficient in English, government licensed and professionally certified. They are local, Nepali mountain experts with multiple years of expertise in the mountains. They are incredibly knowledgeable about the mountains and their minute details. Our staff gets constant training and understands the way of running quality trips that exceed expectations. Our guides are selected based on their technical proficiency, proven safety records, impeccable judgment, and their friendly demeanor. They are well trained in first aid and personal protection equipments. Our guides practice Responsible Tourism in the trek guided by the principles of ecotourism and sustainable tourism. We train them in the following major courses:
Intensive Wilderness First Aid
KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
Trekking Guide Training – Nepal Government’s Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department of Hotel Management and Tourism Training Center of Nepal.
Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
English Language – KEEP
Conservation and Biodiversity – KEEP
Rock and Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (optional) by Nepal Mountaineering Association.
For this trek, there will be one leader, assistant guides (4 trekkers:1 assistant guide) and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter). The arrangement has been made in such a way that even if anyone within the group falls sick or cannot continue with the trek due to some reason, the trip can still go on as planned.
To help you pack for your adventure, we have listed equipment and a pack list below. Please note that the listed items may vary according to the different seasons. Remember that your luggage will be carried by your porter but you are required to carry a day-pack (with your valuables or anything important) on your own. We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary.
HEAD
UPPER BODY
HANDS
LOWER BODY
FEET
RUCKSACK AND TRAVEL BAGS
MEDICAL
PRACTICAL ITEMS
TOILETRIES
PERSONAL HYGIENE
EXTRAS/LUXURIES
Our well-trained and dedicated guides will determine the intensity of your sickness and decide what needs to be done. He will provide on-site emergency assistance with first aid medical kit to begin with. If needed, your guide will bring you about 500 m below the altitude so that you feel better. In case of extreme difficulties, he will help to evacuate you using a helicopter under your covered health/travel insurance. If you can and want to stay there and recover, our Sherpa assistant will be there with you. If your condition is not too critical, or you feel you cannot afford helicopter rescue, then you may think of a pony rescue, or you may even walk down slowly.
As the altitude goes up, the oxygen density gets lower affecting your cardiac and pulmonary systems. Our bodies must adjust to avoid mountain sickness, thus we arrange our treks and day-to-day itinerary to incorporate with required acclimatization days. At different points of our trip, you may either choose to take a rest or have short hikes.
Your safety is our paramount concern; we are always there to help travelers in an emergency. We are available 24/7 at any of our following contact numbers:
Headquarter-USA: +1-855-986-5623
Regional Office-Asia: +977-985-105-5684
We provide luxury deluxe four-star hotel with breakfast while you are in Kathmandu before and after the trek. During the trek, all accommodations will be on a twin-sharing basis in Tea House lodges to meet your required level of comfort.
Please visit following link for the details: https://extolloadventures.com/our-policy/
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