Manaslu Circuit Trek, guided by RP Adventures, leads to marvelous scenic pockets of the Mid-West Himalayas. The walk begins in the district of Gorkha and then concludes at Dharapani village in Manang district. One of the most exciting and impressive adventures, with various changes in vegetation, cultures, and temperatures. Walking from low, warm paddy farm areas and villages to reach the cooler alpine hills of Jagat and Philim.
From here, you enter the restricted areas of the Upper Manaslu Valley, where the real adventure starts. The walk follows the mountain trails through dense woods of tall rhododendron, pine, and fir trees, reaching lovely areas and nice villages like Deng, Namrung, and Lo-Gaon. These trails offer majestic views of Mt. Manaslu and Sringi Himal. After spending wonderful moments around the impressive village of Lo-Gaon, you can visit its old monastery, which holds great religious and cultural interest.
From here onwards, amidst the scenic Manaslu Valley, follow the Buddhi-Gandaki right up to the glacial source. On reaching the beautiful areas of Upper Manaslu at Sama-Gaon, the large and main village of the High Manaslu region, The gateway to Mt. Manaslu Base Camp and towards the Tibet/China border as well as towards Larke-La Pass. Sama-Gaon is having a day off for acclimatization and to explore its picturesque areas and traditional village. Slowly, the walk leads to the far western end of Manaslu Valley at Dharmasala or Larke Phedi.
Located at the bottom of Larke-La Pass, you can enjoy amazing views of the surrounding high mountains of Manaslu Himal. This includes a close look at Cheo and Larke peaks and their massive glaciers that feed the tributaries of the Buddhi-Gandaki River. The next morning brings a big day of adventure. On leaving Dharmasala, the walk follows a steep climb, eventually reaching the top of Larke-La Pass, the highest spot of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Enjoy the spectacular panorama of the Mid-West Himalayan range of peaks, including the Manaslu range, Annapurna peaks, and as far as Ganesh Himal.
From the top, there is a long descent towards another district of Manang, leaving the Gorkha and Manaslu regions. A complete change of landscapes, walking within dense trees and following a downhill path to Dharapani village. At Dharapani, the adventurous trek ends, and then there is an interesting overland journey to Kathmandu. To conclude Manaslu Circuit and Larke-La Pass Trekking, after a mesmerizing adventure with the grand services of RP Adventures.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel – 1,300m
Day 02: In Kathmandu with optional sightseeing tour and trek preparations – 1,300m
Day 03: Drive to Machha Khola 900m / 2,952 ft approx -07 hrs
Day 04: Trek to Jagat 1,4000m via Dovan 1,070m – 06 hrs
Day 05: Trek to Deng 1,860m via Philim village 1,700m – 06 hrs
Day 06: Trek to Namrung 2,660m – 06 hrs
Day 07: Trek to Shyala gaou 3,500m – 06 hrs
Day 08: Trek to Samagaou 3,500m vai pungen Gompa 3,850m – 06 hrs
Day 09: At SamaGaon rest day for acclimatization and excursion – 3,500m
Day 10: Trek to Samdo 3,775m – 05 hrs
Day 11: Trek to Dharmasala 4,450m /14,596 ft – 04 hrs
Day 12: Trek to Bhimphedi 3,790m via Larke La Pass 5,106m – 08 hrs
Day 13: Trek to Gho 2,535m – 04 hrs
Day 14: Trek to Dharapani village 1,900m – 05 hrs
Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel 1,300m – 08 hrs
Day 16: International departure for homeward bound – 1,300m
On arrival at Kathmandu, Nepal International Airport, check the Nepal Standard Time, which is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of GMT. Outside the air terminal, our staff from RP Adventures will greet and receive you for a short drive to your hotel. The hotel is located in the hub of Kathmandu. On arrival, check into your lovely circuit and Larke-La Pass Trekking. After collecting all the useful information and trek details, a group welcome dinner in nice authentic Nepali restaurants was an introduction to Nepali foods and cultures.
A free day in Kathmandu allows for preparation for the treks and the enjoyment of a tour of Kathmandu and Nepal's famous landmarks. The Kathmandu Valley and its adjoining cities are rich in historical monuments listed as World Heritage Sites. Enjoy a tour of the Old Durbar Square, the ancient palace, and the royal courtyard, as well as a visit to the oldest Buddhist Stupa, Swayambhunath. Additionally, visit the famous Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and the large dome stupa of Bouddhanath. After an exciting tour, return to the hotel for the rest of the afternoon to prepare for the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
It was an interesting morning, quite long, covering 160 km (99 miles) to reach the start of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The journey began on Nepal’s main highway for a few hours before diverting to the Dhading area. Reaching the district of Gorkha at Arughat Town, the drive continued on a rough country road, following the Buddhi-Gandaki River upstream to Maccha-Khola for an overnight halt. After an exciting drive of more than 6 hours, transfer to a simple and nice lodge.
Enjoy the first day of trekking with long walks and interesting scenery, starting from Machha Khola after breakfast. The trail follows the river on a narrow path with short ascents and descents. After crossing the Tharo Khola to reach Khorla Besi, there is a short climb followed by a descent to Tatopani, a place with hot springs. The trail continues on a stone-paved staircase to Dovan. After Dovan, cross a bridge over the Yaru Khola and then climb above the river to Jagat, a nice, moderate village with many good lodges. This is also the main entrance to the Upper Manaslu Restricted Area of Nepal.
On leaving Jagat, walk through a sub-tropical forest, crossing over a few small streams. After a slow uphill climb past farm villages, reach a rocky ridge at Salleri, then descend to Sirdibas. The walk continues to the Ghatta Khola stream, crossing a bridge to reach the large Gurung village of Philim. Walk on a fairly level path to Ekle Bhatti, then descend into a gorge with grassy slopes. After crossing a stream, reach Deng, a nice village with a strong influence of Tibetan culture, where you will stay overnight in a simple, nice lodge.
From Deng, the morning walk leads over the Budhi Gandaki River and climbs to Bihi, a small place. The trail continues through the forest to reach the small village of Prok, passing by Buddhist prayer monuments along the way. Finally, you reach Namrung, a lovely village where you can enjoy a nice lodge accommodation with views of snow peaks.
After a pleasant stay in Namrung, I took a nice walk to Lo-Gaon, another lovely village. From Namrung, enjoy views of Sringi, Ganesh Himal, and Himal Chuli towards the south. The trail climbs through the forest to Lihi, a village with many stupas and terraces of barley and buckwheat. The trail then heads downhill across the valley. The trek continues past Sho village to reach Lo-Gaon for an overnight stop. Situated amidst scenic landscapes of lovely pines and rhododendron forest, with views of Mt. Manaslu, Lo-Gaon offers a nice lodge where you can check in, with time to explore the village and Ribung Monastery.
In the morning, enjoy a moderate and scenic walk to the main village of Sama-Gaon. The trail includes short ascents and descents to Shyala. Before reaching Sama-Gaon, the trail offers views of Manaslu, Himal Chuli, and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli), along with the glaciers of the Mt. Manaslu massif. Finally, end the day by reaching Sama-Gaon and staying overnight in a nice, cozy lodge.
Sama-Gaon rest day for acclimatization and excursion. Enjoy a free day at Sama-Gaon, the perfect height for acclimatization before reaching Larke-La Pass. After a good breakfast, spend the day exploring Sama-Gaon. For those interested, take a hike up to the old Pungyen Gompa, a monastery with dramatic views of the glacier, and visit the glacial pond of Birendra Tal.
Enjoy the morning walk to Dharmasala (Larke Phedi), the base of Larke-La Pass, on this short-day trek. The trail follows the end of the Manaslu Valley and the Gorkha district, leading to a wooden bridge. After crossing the bridge, there is a short climb over streams with views of the Larke Peak Glacier. The walk continues to Salka Khola and then climbs to Dharmasala. Arrive in time for lunch and an overnight stop, marking the last of the Manaslu areas before reaching the Manang district. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, enjoying a short hike and marveling at the grand views of snow-clad peaks.
A big day of adventure begins with rising early for breakfast and packing a lunch. Start the cool morning climb to Larke-La Pass, passing glacial ponds and ascending steeply toward the northern side of the Larke Glacier. Enjoy views of Cho Danda and Larke Peak along the way. After hours of climbing, reach the top of Larke-La Pass. From the summit, take in the breathtaking panorama of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and Annapurna II, III, and IV.
Descend from the pass, past Cheo Danda to Larcia, and then continue to the bottom of Larke-La Pass. Enjoy a lovely walk through dense rhododendron and pine forests to Bhimphedi, also called Bhimthang. This picturesque place, set in a green pasture amidst the forest, offers the comfort of a nice lodge. After a long and challenging day's trek, relax and enjoy the adventure.
To make the walk shorter after the long, tough trek the previous day, you’ll walk for 3–4 hours to reach Gho. Start the morning with lovely views of the peaks, then descend through dense woods with a few short ascents. After hours of good walking, arrive in Gho for lunch and an overnight halt. Gho is a small settlement nestled within a dense forest of pines and rhododendron trees.
Leave Dharapani early in the morning to cover over 8 hours of driving, covering a distance of 235 km (146 miles). The drive starts on a rough, hilly road for about 50 km to reach the large town of Besisahar in the Lamjung district. From Besisahar, continue on a good road that joins the Pokhara and Kathmandu highways at Dumre. Proceed on the busy highway to Mugling Bazaar, following the Trisuli River for a few hours. The road then climbs towards the Kathmandu valley rim. From the top, it takes an hour or less to reach Kathmandu and return to your hotel.
On the last day in Kathmandu and Nepal, it’s time for your international flight. Our RP Adventures guides and staff will transfer you to the airport, where you’ll bid them farewell. Afterward, enter the airport terminal for your homeward-bound flight, concluding your memorable adventure on the Manaslu Circuit & Larke-La Pass Trek.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek offers an extraordinary journey through Nepal's remote and culturally rich regions. The Tsum Valley, a hidden gem, is known for its unique Tibetan Buddhist culture, ancient monasteries, and picturesque villages. Trekkers are greeted with the warmth of traditional hospitality and stunning views of the Ganesh Himal. The Manaslu Circuit, encircling the majestic Mount Manaslu, the world's eighth highest peak, provides a more challenging route with diverse landscapes, from lush subtropical forests to arid high-altitude terrain. Together, these treks offer an unparalleled blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and adventure.
To ensure a safe and comfortable trek in the Himalayan region, it is highly recommended to bring the appropriate equipment and gear to cope with the cold temperatures. The following is a list of essential equipment and gear for Manaslu Circuit Trek, which can be purchased either in the Thamel market or brought from your home country:
The following basic checklist for trekking and hiking equipment should assist you in packing for our trips. Keep in mind the importance of minimizing the weight of your clothing and gear. Your packed trek bag should weigh less than 15 kilograms. Remember, this is merely a guideline and not everything listed is essential to bring.
Additional Equipment Checklist
We did the Manaslu Trek with Rajan our guide who was excellent. Not only knowledgeable and experienced but was very attentive to our needs anticipating and not only responding to our requests. The back office team, specifically Prash advised us in advance on preparations and handled administrations without a flaw. The trek itself is magnificent; moderate to challenging with amazing vistas all the way. It is also less travelled than the more classic treks around Annapurna or Everest Base Camp which is a plus. For us this was a father / son trip that is really a once in a life time experience.
One of the best guide and friendly too. Choose him without any hesitation. He always make sure the travellers are safe and sound. Best service and quality
We did Manaslu & Tsum valley trek with Rajan. It was great experience and Rajan was very caring and helpful. He provided us with plenty of details about the landscape and culture and I feel very safe with him.
When we were deciding where to go for the next trek, we asked Rajan and decided to go with him again. Second time, we did the Kanchenjunga North and South base camp circuit and Rajan did not disappoint us. He took care of all permits and transportation and we could just enjoy one of the most awesome experience in our life.
Während meines Aufenthalts in Nepal hatte ich das Glück, von meiner Familie besucht zu werden. Zusammen haben wir im März/April 2023 eine ausgedehnte Wanderung mit Nepal Holiday Treks and Tours unternommen. Diese führte uns um den Manaslu, den acht höchsten Berg der Welt, und in das malerische Tsum Valley.
Die Kulisse aus majestätischen Bergen, beeindruckenden Gletschern und malerischen Tälern war atemberaubend. Sie, zusammen mit der herzlichen Gastfreundschaft und den köstlichen Mahlzeiten, haben bei uns einen bleibenden Eindruck hinterlassen. Unser Guide Rajan und zwei Träger, die unser Gepäck trugen, begleiteten uns. Rajan besitzt ein ausgezeichnetes Wissen über die Region und hat persönliche Beziehungen zu den Gastgebern der besten Unterkünfte. Er hat ein gutes Gespür für die Bedürfnisse der Gruppe und plant die Tagesetappen entsprechend, so dass sich jeder wohl fühlt. Meine Eltern (ü50) konnten mit leichtem Gepäck wandern und waren dank Rajans stets verfügbarer Reiseapotheke bestens versorgt.
Seine kompetente, einfühlsame Unterstützung, sowohl physisch als auch psychisch, hat es uns ermöglicht, die Herausforderung des über 5000 Meter hohen Passes zu meistern. Ein unvergessliches Erlebnis! Für die besonders Energiegeladenen und Motivierten unter uns hatte Rajan immer zusätzliche Ziele und interessante Orte im Angebot. Ein Ausflug ins Tsum Valley ist definitiv empfehlenswert.
Zum Abschluss noch ein Lob an Nepal Holiday Treks and Tours: Die Organisation der gesamten Reise war hervorragend. Sie haben meine Familie vom Flughafen abgeholt, eine angenehme (und ruhige!) Unterkunft im Herzen von Kathmandu organisiert und sich um Visa und Wander-Permits gekümmert.
Born in a small village of Nuwakot, began his career in the tourism industry as a porter which helped him to become a professional experienced guide and now operating RP Treks sincerely.