14-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek from Kathmandu with Larkya La Pass

1

Day 01

Arrival in Kathmandu and Trek Briefing

• Arrival: Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, where you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel.
• Evening: Enjoy free time to relax or take a short exploration around Thamel, a popular tourist district in Kathmandu. You will also meet your trekking guide for a briefing on the upcoming trek.
• Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu

2

Day 02

Drive from Kathmandu to Machakhola

• Driving Time: 7-8 hours
• Highlights: Drive through scenic hills, rural villages, and terraced fields along the Trishuli River.
• After breakfast in Kathmandu, you will embark on a long drive towards Machakhola, the starting point for your trek. The road conditions can be a bit rough, but the beautiful landscapes along the way make up for the bumpy ride.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Machakhola

3

Day 03

Trek Along the Budhi Gandaki to Jagat

• Trek Time: 6-7 hours
• Highlights: Scenic river views, terraced fields, and traditional Gurung and Magar villages.
• Route: From Machakhola, the trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River, passing through villages like Khorlabesi and Tatopani. There are a few uphill and downhill sections before you reach Jagat.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Jagat

4

Day 04

Ascend Through Forests to Deng

• Trek Time: 6-7 hours
• Highlights: Lush forests, waterfalls, and Tibetan-influenced villages.
• Route: The trail ascends through forests and fields, with views of the surrounding hills and valleys. You will pass through Philim, a large village, and continue to the remote village of Deng, which is the gateway to the higher regions of the trek.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Deng

5

Day 05

Into the Tibetan-Influenced Region of Namrung

• Trek Time: 6-7 hours
• Highlights: Tibetan architecture and culture, views of Manaslu, and stunning landscapes.
• Route: The trail climbs through beautiful bamboo and pine forests, entering a more Tibetan-influenced region as you reach the village of Namrung. You will also begin to see the first views of Manaslu peak from here.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Namrung

6

Day 06

Scenic Trek to Lho Gaon

• Trek Time: 4-5 hours
• Highlights: Lho village with panoramic views of Manaslu, Himalchuli, and other peaks.
• Route: This is a relatively short but scenic day, walking through forests and small Tibetan villages. The views of Manaslu and the surrounding peaks are absolutely breathtaking.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Lho Gaon

7

Day 07

Trek to Samagaon, Gateway to Base Camp

• Trek Time: 4-5 hours
• Highlights: Views of Manaslu, ancient monasteries, and Tibetan-style houses.
• Route: The trail leads you to Samagaon, which is the base for the Manaslu Base Camp trek. This village offers an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in Tibetan culture and prepare for the higher altitude ahead.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Samagaon

8

Day 08

Acclimatization in Samagaon

• Highlights: This is an essential acclimatization day before heading higher. You can take a short hike to the nearby Manaslu Base Camp (4,800m) or to Pungyen Monastery for panoramic views of glaciers and surrounding peaks.
• Optional Activities: You can rest, explore the village, or do some light hiking.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Samagaon

9

Day 09

Acclimatization Hike to Mishima

• Trek Time: 3-4 hours
• Route: The hike to Mishima is an excellent day hike that helps with acclimatization. You will climb higher on the valley side, getting fantastic views of the Manaslu Range and the surrounding mountains, before returning to Samagaon in the afternoon.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Samagaon

10

Day 10

High-Altitude Trek to Dharmasala

• Trek Time: 3-4 hours
• Highlights: Beautiful high-altitude landscape and views of Larkya Peak and the Tibetan Plateau.
• Route: From Samagaon, you will continue upwards towards Samdo. The landscape becomes more rugged as you approach Dharmasala, also called Larkya Phedi, the base camp for crossing the Larkya La Pass.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Dharmasala

11

Day 11

Cross Larkya La Pass to Bhimthang

• Trek Time: 8-9 hours
• Highlights: The breathtaking Larkya La Pass and panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, including Manaslu, Annapurna, and Himalchuli.
• Route: This is the toughest day of the trek. You will start early and make your way up to Larkya La Pass (5,160m). The trail can be steep and challenging, but once you reach the top, the views of the surrounding peaks are absolutely stunning. After crossing the pass, you will descend to Bhimthang, where you can relax and recover from the long day.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Bhimthang

12

Day 12

Descend Through Forests to Goa

• Trek Time: 5-6 hours
• Highlights: Beautiful forests, small Gurung and Tamang villages, and a relaxing descent from the high mountains.
• Route: The descent from Bhimthang to Goa is much easier, and the trail passes through lush forests and scenic villages. You will go through several small villages along the way.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Goa

13

Day 13

Trek to Tilije and Drive Back to Kathmandu

• Trek Time: 3-4 hours to Tilije
• Drive Time: 5-6 hours to Kathmandu
• Highlights: Scenic drive, local villages, and an overview of the trek's landscapes.
• Route: From Goa, you will trek to Tilije, a traditional village. Afterwards, you will take a jeep or bus back to Kathmandu via Besisahar. The drive takes around 5-6 hours, and the views along the way are stunning.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu

14

Day 14

Kathmandu Departure

• Highlights: Depending on your departure time, you can explore Kathmandu's cultural attractions such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, or Pashupatinath Temple.
• Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home or onward journey.
• Meals: Breakfast