13-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal with Larkya La Pass

• Arrive in Kathmandu and receive a warm welcome at the airport from the local team.
• Transfer to the hotel and enjoy time to relax after your journey.
• Attend a briefing about the trek progress and presentation.
• Spend leisure time after the briefing.
• Use free time to rest or explore the surroundings if arriving in the morning.
• Experience Nepalese culture and enjoy local culinary delights during your free time.

Transfer to the hotel.

Final altitude: approximately 1,350m

Meals: Dinner with guide

Accommodation: one night in the hotel

• Depart by bus in the direction of Dhanding.
• Enjoy views of the Trisuli River Valley along the route.
• Continue north through tropical scenery as the road turns away from the valley.
• Change vehicles at Arughat Bazaar.
• Travel along the Budhi Gandaki River through fields and rice paddies.
• Pass through the villages of Arkhet, Almara, Lapubesi, and Machhakhola before reaching Macchakola.

Drive in a private vehicle for 7 hours.

Final altitude: 930m

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: one night in a lodge

• Continue trekking along the river towards Khanigaon and Khola Besi.
• Enjoy views of the Ganesh Himal peaks and Machha Khola valley along the route.
• Reach Tatopani and experience a natural hot spring.
• Cross the Budhi Gandaki River via a suspension bridge to reach Dobhan (1,300m).
• Continue through the narrowing Budhi Gandaki valley towards Jagat.
• Walk for approximately 6 hours.

Elevation gain/loss: +660m / -220m

Final altitude: 1,300m

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: one night in a lodge

• Ascend along the right bank, crossing the villages of Saleri and Sirdibas towards the bridge below Philim.

• Follow a balcony trail offering beautiful views of Pansing village.

• Walk along a cliffside path above an impressive gorge for about an hour.

• Cross the deep gorges of the Budhi Gandaki River on an iron bridge.

• Pass through changing terrain of wooded and rocky landscapes as the vegetation gradually shifts.

• Arrive at Pewa, where Tibetan influence is visible in the architecture, villagers, and prayer wheels.

• Walk for approximately 7 hours.

Elevation gain/loss: +1,040m / -520m

Final altitude: approximately 1,800m

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: one night in a lodge

• Pass through a series of Tibetan-influenced villages marked by mani stone walls and prayer wheels.

• Continue along a trail that may include rocky and slippery sections due to rockslides.

• Walk through a humid forest where monkeys can occasionally be seen.

• Ascend steeply towards Namrung village.

• Arrive at Namrung, a traditional village with a central stove and local women working on looms.

• Walk for approximately 6 hours.

Elevation gain/loss: +700m / -320m

Final altitude: approximately 2,540m

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: one night in a lodge

• Descend along a sometimes tricky trail towards Gapshé's small villages.

• Cross a humid forest where monkeys may be seen along the route.

• Climb steeply to reach Namrung village, known for its traditional layout and weaving culture.

• Walk through cultivated plateaus, passing the hamlets of Baksan, Lihi, and Wangsang with views of Mount Manaslu.

• Continue towards Shyo with scenic views of the Ganesh Himal range and Himal Chuli.

• Pass chortens and mani walls along the trail.

• Arrive at Lho village, visit the local school and monastery, and stay overnight at the lodge.

• Walk for approximately 7 hours.

Elevation gain/loss: +1,050m / -200m

Final altitude: approximately 3,200m

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: one night in the lodge

• Enjoy a beautiful view of the Manaslu Himal throughout the route.

• Visit Lho Monastery before continuing towards Shyala.

• Proceed from Shyala towards Sama via a less-travelled acclimatisation route.

• Walk through a wild landscape of rock and grassy plateaus with exceptional panoramic views.

• Observe Mount Manaslu getting closer, along with nearby glaciers.

• Pass chortens and mani walls reflecting the region's cultural presence.

• Retrace the route to rejoin the classic path and reach Sama village.

• Walk for approximately 5 hours.

Elevation gain/loss: +600m / -100m

Final altitude: approximately 3,500m

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: one night in the lodge

• Spend an acclimatisation day in Samagaun village.

• Visit the Tibetan village, monastery, and nun cells.

• Optionally hike to Birendra Kund Lake at 3,570m.

• For experienced trekkers, undertake an early morning challenging excursion to Manaslu Base Camp at 4,850m.

• Enjoy views and exploration around the surrounding Himalayan landscape.

• Walk for approximately 3 hours for village or lake exploration (optional base camp trek is 10 hours).

Elevation gain/loss: +300m / -300m (for village/lake exploration)

Altitude: 3,520m

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: lodge

• Continue trekking past the Kermo Manan mani wall towards Samdo.

• Reach Samdo, a Tibetan refugee community located near the Tibetan border.

• Observe the traditional caravan trail that leads towards Tibet via Lajyung Pass (5,096m).

• Walk through scenic high-altitude landscapes during the route.

• Trek for approximately 4 hours.

Elevation gain/loss: +400m / -50m

Altitude: 3,850m

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: lodge

• Explore the surroundings of Samdo village.

• Continue trekking towards Dharamsala, the highest camp of the trip.

• Ascend through high-altitude terrain with scenic Himalayan views.

• Arrive at Dharamsala at 4,480m and settle into a stone shelter or lodge.

• Prepare for a cold night at high altitude.

• Walk for approximately 4 hours.

Elevation gain/loss: +600m / -50m

Altitude: 4,480m

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: lodge

• Begin an early morning ascent towards Larkya La Pass (5,150m), the most challenging section of the trek.

• Enjoy panoramic views of major Himalayan peaks including Cheo (6,812m), Nemjung (7,140m), Himhung (7,126m), Kang Guru (7,010m), Gyaji Kang (7,036m), and Annapurna II (7,937m).

• Descend through snowy and scree-covered terrain towards Bimtang.

• Admire views of the west face of Mount Manaslu during the descent.

• Trek for approximately 9 hours.

Elevation gain/loss: +750m / -1,450m

Altitude: 3,710m

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: lodge

• Descend through the Dudh Khola river valley towards Tilije village.
• Pass through traditional Gurung settlements and alpine hamlets along the route.
• Re-enter wooded forest areas while continuing the descent.
• Follow the trail towards Dharapani through scenic landscapes.

• Complete the trek after approximately 8 hours of walking.

Elevation gain/loss: +350m / -1,550m

Altitude: 2,300m

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: lodge

• Drive by private jeep to Besisahar.

• Change vehicles at Besisahar to continue the journey towards Kathmandu.

• Travel duration of approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: one night in a tea house