Nepal · Trekking

16-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek from Kathmandu via Larkya-La Pass

16 Days Round trip from Ring Rd Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore traditional villages enriched with the old Buddhist culture of the Manaslu people
  • 02 Walk into the high and picturesque Manaslu Valley
  • 03 Admire scenery on daily walks from low, warm farm areas to high scenic alpine hills
  • 04 Cross the high Larke-La Pass with fabulous views
  • 05 Come across abundant wildlife species

Embark on one of the most rewarding Manaslu Circuit treks via Larkya-La Pass for far-reaching views of the Himalayas. Observe the unique culture of Tibetan people as you pass through beautiful forest areas, riverbanks, and traditional villages in the picturesque Manaslu Valley. Admire the changing scenery on daily walks from low, warm farm areas to high scenic alpine hills, and cross the high Larke-La Pass with fabulous views. The journey also includes time to visit the sacred temples of Kathmandu.

There are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kanguru, and the massive Annapurna II.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 16 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Hard
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Kathmandu, Manaslu, Dharapani
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Kathmandu and Trek Preparation

  • Connect with our tour representative, who will welcome you at the hotel.
  • We will prepare you with information and gear for your trek.

Overnight at the hotel.

2
Day 02

Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing

  • After breakfast, we'll brief you on our upcoming adventure and then go on a sightseeing tour around Kathmandu, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • You can spend the rest of the day freely or prepare for your upcoming trek.

Overnight at the hotel.

3
Day 03

Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola

  • We will set off early today for Soti Khola.
  • During the drive, we will enjoy views of the countryside, catching glimpses of the typical village lifestyle with mountain views in the background.
  • We will travel on a paved road from Kathmandu to Dhading Besi, the district headquarters of Dhading (1050 m), and then continue on a rough road from Dhading Besi to Soti.

Overnight in a guest house.

4
Day 04

Trek from Soti Khola to Machhakhola

  • After crossing the bridge soon after leaving the village, we will trek through beautiful forests and climb onto a ridge above the rapids of the Budhi Gandaki.
  • We will reach Khursane, where the beaten trail ascends and descends past two waterfalls as we hug the side of a cliff.
  • We will eventually head down past terraced fields to the Gurung village of Labubesi.
  • We will climb further behind a rocky outcropping to an open valley.
  • Dropping to the sandy riverbed, we walk on the stones before climbing over another ridge.
  • We will hike to the river and cross another suspension bridge to reach Machhakhola village.

Overnight in a guest house.

5
Day 05

Trek from Machhakhola to Dovan

  • After breakfast, we will walk on a narrow and challenging trail through Khorlabesi and Tatopani, with its natural hot spring bath.
  • From there, we will cross a suspension bridge and walk over a ridge to Dovan.

Overnight in the guest house.

6
Day 06

Trek from Dovan to Philim

  • We will walk through various Gurung ethnic villages and cherish the views of Sringeri Himal as we approach Philim.

Overnight in the guest house.

7
Day 07

Trek from Philim to Deng

  • We will begin our trail after a tasty breakfast.
  • Upon reaching a fork in the road, we will choose the left path, the one that does not go to Tsum Valley. The next 3 hours are relatively flat and easy.
  • After lunch, we will trek further on to our destination.
  • Arrive at Deng.

Overnight in the guest house.

8
Day 08

Trek from Deng to Namrung

  • After Deng, we will cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb to Rana.
  • We will climb a bit more to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley. The trail passes through verdant forests.
  • Next, we will take the route that goes through Prok village, which has a perfect viewpoint of Siring Himal. The trail follows the river upstream through more forests, which become less dense as we climb.
  • The pleasant walk continues, and after one last steep climb, we will reach Namrung.

Overnight in the guest house.

9
Day 09

Trek from Namrung to Samagaun

  • We will climb steadily, passing through forests to reach Lihi. Here, the trail drops and crosses the valley of Simang Himal with Ganesh Himal nearby.
  • We will enjoy incredible views of Manaslu from Lho, a pleasant village with a Gompa. In Shyala, we are surrounded by high mountains with Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead.
  • Today's journey ends in Samagaun.

Overnight in the guest house.

10
Day 10

Acclimatization Day in Samagaun

  • Today, rest and allow your body to acclimatize.
  • If you are interested, take a day hike to explore the surrounding area.

Overnight in the guest house.

11
Day 11

Trek from Samagaun to Dharamsala

  • After breakfast, we will begin our day.
  • We will cross the wooden bridge over the Budi Gandaki and start walking upward.
  • After crossing two streams and seeing the expansive Larkya Glacier, we will walk around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up to Dharamsala, also known as Larke Phedi.

Overnight in the guest house.

12
Day 12

Cross to Bhimthang via Larkya-La Pass

  • After a short climb, we will reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glacier, where we can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak.
  • Finally, we will walk across the moraines of the glacier and gradually ascend the pass. There are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kanguru, and the massive Annapurna II. It is a long and strenuous day, but constantly being exposed to the fantastic scenery makes the hike well worth it.

Overnight in the guest house.

13
Day 13

Trek from Bhimthang to Goa

  • From a ridge at Bhimthang, we will enjoy great views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal.
  • We will descend and cross a high pasture (Sangure Kharka), followed by a bridge over Dudh Khola.
  • Then, we will walk through the rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until reaching the valley at Karcher (2785 m).
  • Next, we will pass agricultural fields before making a steep climb over a ridge.
  • We will go down and cover a short distance to reach the village of Goa.

Overnight in the guest house.

14
Day 14

Trek from Goa to Chamje

  • After leaving Goa, we will cherish the last views of Manaslu, Nadi Chuli, and Himal Chuli. Annapurna II and its surrounding peaks will continue to be visible to the south.
  • On the Annapurna Circuit trail, we will trek back to Thonje and Dharapani. Follow the road down to Karte (1850 m), cross the suspension bridge, and head back to Tal.
  • Continue down to Chamje.

Overnight in the guest house.

15
Day 15

Drive from Chamje to Kathmandu

  • An 8-9 hour scenic drive takes us back to Kathmandu.
  • We'll drop you off at your hotel, and you can spend the rest of your day freely.
  • Celebratory dinner in the evening with the crew.

Overnight in a hotel.

16
Day 16

Departure from Kathmandu

  • Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport to board your return flight.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Ring Rd 3 cities · 16 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transportation to and from Tribhuvan Airport
  • Three nights in a 2-3 star hotel in Kathmandu, breakfast included
  • All transport for the trek
  • Local guest house accommodation in the mountains
  • Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) fees
  • Manaslu Trekking Permit
  • Government-authorized experienced guide and porters
  • Insurance, food, accommodation, and wages for guides and porters
  • Hygienic meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
  • All equipment (sleeping bag, warm layers, etc.)
  • First Aid Kit
  • Maps
  • Service charges and government taxes
  • Post-trek celebration dinner in Kathmandu

What's Not Included

  • International airfare
  • Meals in Kathmandu, besides breakfast
  • Your personal expenses, shopping, etc.
  • Shower and electronic charging fees at guest houses during the trek
  • Alcoholic drinks, chocolates, tea, and coffee
  • Tips for the guide and porter
  • Extra accommodation and meals outside of the itinerary
  • Costs from unexpected occurrences, such as cancellations, weather problems, property damage, illness, etc.

What to bring

  • Sun hat
  • Monkey cap
  • Woollen hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Hiking pants
  • Shorts
  • Hiking socks
  • Hiking boots
  • Camp shoes
  • Sandals
  • Gaiters
  • Fleece jacket
  • Pullover
  • Fleece wind-stopper jacket
  • Waterproof jacket

Know before you go

  • AMS = Acute Mountain Sickness.
  • It is a condition that affects many travellers at high altitudes, caused by a lack of oxygen, and is especially common at heights above 2500 m above sea level.
  • HAPE = High Altitude Pulmonary Edema.
  • Shortness of breath even at rest, cough - sometimes with frothy phlegm - excessive tiredness, chest tightness, and blueness or darkness of the face, lips, and tongue are the symptoms of HAPE.
  • HACE = High Altitude Cerebral Edema.
  • The symptoms of HACE are severe headaches, unsteadiness on the feet, altered behaviour, hallucinations, disorientation, drowsiness, and progression to coma.
  • Diarrhea is the most common illness in the mountain or Terai region while travelling. The causative organisms are bacteria.
  • Food poisoning is caused by eating food contaminated by bacterial toxins. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and similar symptoms are the main signs of food poisoning.
  • Cough and cold: runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever, headache, aching muscles, and soreness are the main symptoms of the common cold in the mountains.
  • Frostbite means a part of the body is frozen, either the skin and the tissue immediately beneath it or right through the region. It can lead to permanent damage.
  • Frostnip is the freezing of a patch of surface skin that recovers on rewarming. Frostbite and frostnip usually start in the fingers, toes, face, or ears and spread. However, they can appear on any exposed surface. Frostbite and frostnip can happen once the air temperature is freezing.
  • Wear a scarf or mask.
  • Make sure footwear is not too tight. Avoid wearing too many socks.
  • Ensure your gloves and socks are adequate.
  • Use plastic bags inside leaky footwear to keep your feet dry.
  • Be careful at sub-zero temperatures.
  • Check yourself, your body, and the whole group regularly.
  • Stop and warm any part that goes numb as soon as you notice it.
  • These are the prevention measures for sun and windburn below:
  • Apply plenty of sunscreen.
  • Use lip and nose protection.
  • Wear a hat with a brim and a scarf across the face.
  • Extra care is needed in high, dry, cold regions.
  • Wear dark sunglasses or goggles with suitable lenses at all times when at high altitudes, on snow, on ice fields, and even on cloudy days.
  • Wear wraparound, side-shielded glacier goggles with a neck cord to prevent loss.
  • Carry eye drops.
  • Blisters consist of plasma oozed into a space under a thin skin covering. They should not be broken, as this can allow them to become infected. Prevention of blisters is listed below:
  • Keep feet dry and clean, and wear clean socks and properly fitting shoes.
  • Any part that is rubbing should be protected immediately with bandage tape.
  • Muscle cramp may be caused by a salt imbalance due to excess sweating. It may happen while resting.
  • Swollen knees and knee pain are widespread while trekking in the mountains. Here are tips to help prevent these:
  • Stop walking for a few days.
  • Apply anti-inflammatory cream to the affected part.
  • Apply adhesive tape or use a knee cap while walking.
  • Warm up well before setting off to walk.
  • Use a walking stick and carry low weight.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), International Terminal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tour start
Ring Rd, काठमाडौँ 44600, Nepal
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 16 days finish where they began, in Ring Rd.

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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,499.00 — $1,799.00
Double Sharing $1,499.00 — $1,799.00

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