12-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal via Larkya La Pass

Drive: Approximately 8-10 hours
Starting point: Kathmandu
Destination: Machha Khola
Altitude: 930 m / 3,051 ft
Overnight: Machha Khola

Your Manaslu Circuit Trek begins with an early morning drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola.

The journey follows the Prithvi Highway before turning toward the Manaslu region. Along the way, you pass through green hills, terraced farmland, rivers, and traditional villages.

The road becomes rougher and more winding as you approach Machha Khola. Travel time can vary depending on traffic, weather, and road conditions.

After reaching Machha Khola, check into your teahouse and rest for the evening. Your trekking adventure begins the following morning.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse in Machha Khola

Trek: Approximately 6-7 hours
Starting altitude: 930 m / 3,051 ft
Destination: Jagat
Altitude: 1,340 m / 4,396 ft
Overnight: Jagat

After breakfast, you begin walking along the Budhi Gandaki River toward Jagat.

The trail passes through small villages, forest, and several suspension bridges. You will also encounter rocky sections and stone steps as the route gradually gains altitude.

Along the way, the valley becomes narrower and the surrounding hills become steeper. The sound of the river remains a constant part of the walk.

After several hours on the trail, you reach Jagat, a traditional stone-built village and an important settlement on the Manaslu Circuit.

Spend the evening resting at the teahouse and preparing for the next day's walk toward Deng.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse in Jagat

Trek: Approximately 6-7 hours
Starting altitude: 1,340 m / 4,396 ft
Destination: Deng
Altitude: 1,804 m / 5,918 ft
Overnight: Deng

After breakfast, leave Jagat and continue deeper into the Budhi Gandaki Valley.

The trail passes through forests, small settlements, and terraced hillsides, with the river flowing below the trail. You cross suspension bridges and walk through sections of narrow valley as the route gradually climbs.

As you move farther north, the landscape becomes more rugged and the villages become smaller. The trail eventually reaches Deng, a quiet mountain settlement surrounded by forest and steep hills.

Spend the evening at the teahouse and rest for the next day's walk toward Namrung.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse in Deng

Trek: Approximately 6-7 hours
Starting altitude: 1,804 m / 5,918 ft
Destination: Namrung
Altitude: 2,630 m / 8,628 ft
Overnight: Namrung

After breakfast, leave Deng and continue north along the Budhi Gandaki Valley.

The trail passes through forest, small villages, and several river crossings as you gradually gain altitude. The valley becomes narrower and the surrounding mountains begin to rise higher above the trail.

Along the way, you start to notice stronger Tibetan cultural influences, including mani walls, prayer flags, and traditional mountain houses.

After a steady climb, you reach Namrung, a beautiful mountain village and an important stop before entering the higher Manaslu region.

Take the evening to rest and enjoy the mountain surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse in Namrung

Trek: Approximately 4-5 hours
Starting altitude: 2,630 m / 8,628 ft
Destination: Syala
Altitude: Approximately 3,500 m / 11,480 ft
Overnight: Syala

After breakfast, leave Namrung and continue higher into the Manaslu Valley.

The trail passes through alpine forest and traditional villages, including Lho, where you can see Buddhist prayer flags, mani walls, and the local monastery. As you climb higher, the forest gradually opens and the mountain views become more impressive.

Continue toward Syala, a small settlement surrounded by high Himalayan peaks. From here, the views of Manaslu and the surrounding mountains become especially prominent.

Arrive in Syala in the afternoon and enjoy the quieter mountain setting. This overnight stop also helps break up the altitude gain before continuing to Samagaun.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse in Syala

Trek: Approximately 5-6 hours
Starting altitude: Approximately 3,500 m / 11,480 ft
Destination: Samagaun
Altitude: 3,530 m / 11,581 ft
Overnight: Samagaun

Leave Syala after breakfast and continue deeper into the upper Manaslu Valley. The trail leads through a quiet mountain landscape with close views of Manaslu and the surrounding peaks.

On the way, visit Pungyen Gompa, an important Buddhist site set in a scenic area below the high mountains. Take some time to explore the area and enjoy the views before continuing toward Samagaun.

After the visit, rejoin the trail and continue to Samagaun, one of the main villages of the Manaslu region. The afternoon is free to rest, explore the village, and prepare for the acclimatization day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse in Samagaun

Altitude: 3,530 m / 11,581 ft
Overnight: Samagaun

Today is an important acclimatization day before continuing toward the higher parts of the Manaslu Circuit.

After breakfast, take a gradual hike around the Samagaun area. Depending on weather, trail conditions, and your group's energy, you can visit Birendra Lake or hike toward Manaslu Base Camp.

The day is kept flexible. The aim is to spend time at higher altitude without overexerting yourself. You can also explore Samagaun, visit local Buddhist sites, or simply rest and enjoy the mountain views.

Return to the teahouse in Samagaun for another night before heading toward Samdo.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse in Samagaun

Trek: Approximately 3-4 hours
Starting altitude: 3,530 m / 11,581 ft
Destination: Samdo
Altitude: 3,875 m / 12,713 ft
Overnight: Samdo

After breakfast, leave Samagaun and continue higher into the upper Manaslu Valley.

The trail follows the valley through open mountain terrain, with the surrounding landscape becoming drier and more rugged as the altitude increases. The views of Manaslu and the surrounding peaks remain impressive along the way.

After a steady but relatively short walk, reach Samdo, a traditional high-altitude village located close to the Tibetan border.

The afternoon is free to rest, explore the village, and prepare for the next day's trek to Dharmasala.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse in Samdo

Trek: Approximately 4-5 hours
Starting altitude: 3,875 m / 12,713 ft
Destination: Dharmasala
Altitude: 4,460 m / 14,632 ft
Overnight: Dharmasala

After breakfast, leave Samdo and continue toward the high-altitude section of the Manaslu Circuit.

The trail gradually climbs through a dry, open landscape with little vegetation. As you gain altitude, the surrounding mountains and glacial terrain become more prominent.

The walk is not particularly long, but the increasing elevation makes it important to maintain a slow and steady pace. Your guide will help you manage the altitude and breaks along the way.

Arrive at Dharmasala, also known as Larkya Phedi, the final overnight stop before crossing Larkya La Pass.

Rest well and prepare for an early start the following morning.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse in Dharmasala

Trek: Approximately 8-10 hours
Starting altitude: 4,460 m / 14,632 ft
Highest point: Larkya La - 5,160 m / 16,929 ft
Destination: Bimthang
Altitude: 3,590 m / 11,778 ft
Overnight: Bimthang

Start early from Dharmasala for the most demanding day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

The trail climbs gradually through the high alpine landscape toward Larkya La Pass. The altitude makes the ascent challenging, so a slow pace and regular breaks are important.

After reaching the 5,160 m Larkya La Pass, take some time to enjoy the mountain views before beginning the long descent toward Bimthang.

The landscape changes noticeably as you descend, with rocky high-altitude terrain giving way to open meadows and eventually forest. After a long day on the trail, arrive at Bimthang and settle into your teahouse for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse in Bimthang

Trek: Approximately 5-7 hours
Starting altitude: 3,590 m / 11,778 ft
Destination: Tilje
Altitude: Approximately 2,300 m / 7,546 ft
Overnight: Tilje

After breakfast, leave Bimthang and continue downhill through the changing mountain landscape.

The trail passes through alpine meadows and forest, with the scenery becoming greener as you lose altitude. Along the way, you pass small settlements and follow the trail toward the lower Marsyangdi Valley.

After the demanding Larkya La crossing the previous day, today's walk is more relaxed and gives you time to enjoy the forests, rivers, and mountain villages.

Continue to Tilje, a traditional settlement where you spend your final night on the trekking route.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse in Tilje

Drive: Approximately 7-9 hours
Starting point: Tilje
Destination: Kathmandu
Overnight: Kathmandu

After breakfast, leave Tilje by road and continue toward Besisahar.

The journey follows the lower Marsyangdi Valley, passing through mountain villages, river valleys, and green hills. As you travel farther from the trekking region, the landscape gradually changes from the high Himalayas to Nepal's middle hills.

After reaching Besisahar, continue by road toward Kathmandu. The journey can take longer depending on road, traffic, and weather conditions.

Arrive in Kathmandu in the evening, marking the end of your 12-day Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Not included / your own hotel in Kathmandu
Trip ends: Kathmandu