The Ultimate Guide to the Manaslu Trek: 17-Day Adventure

Guided tour of Swayambhunath Stupa with valley panorama. Explore Patan’s Durbar Square, Royal Palace, and world-class Museum. Evening at Basantapur and Kathmandu Durbar Square; exit through Ason Bazaar.

7-hour scenic drive through towns, villages, jungles, rivers, and waterfalls, with mid-hill Nepalese culture and mountain views. Overnight in Jagat, a Gurung village at 1,410 m where MCAP permits are checked; beans, potatoes, and maize are farmed together.

6-hour walk over a rocky ridge to Salley, down to Sirdibas and Ghatte Khola, then upstream across a long suspension bridge at Nagjet to Philim (Gurung village). The trail continues past terraced wheat, barley, and millet fields to Ekle Bhatti, through a steep gorge and bamboo forest to Deng Khola, then Deng.

Acclimatization day. Relax or take an optional excursion to Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m, ~6 hours with packed lunch) or Birendra Lake.

4-hour trek descending to the Budhi Gandaki, crossing a bridge, passing mani walls and juniper/birch forest to Kermo Kharka, then down to the river and up to Samdo, the last village of the Manaslu Valley. Views of the Lajyang La (5,098 m) route to Tibet; Chinese and Tibetan beer and food available. The high altitude and dry air slow your pace.

Walk 4 hours from the last village, descending to the Budhi Gandaki, crossing a wooden bridge, and gradually climbing past two icy streams to Larke Phedi (Dharmasala). Pass the ruined Larke Bazaar, an old trade fairground for Tibetans, Nepalese, and Sherpas. Afternoon free to rest before the pass crossing.

8-hour trek. Early start with a steep climb over Larke glacier moraine, views from Cho Danda, Larke Peak, glacial lakes, and Himalayan flora/fauna. Larke La summit has prayer flags and panoramas of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, Larke Peak, Annapurna II, and Lamjung Himal. Steep descent over scree and loose gravel (some snow/ice) to grassy moraine, then to Bhimthang/Bemathang, a green valley with lodges, prayer flags, Manaslu views, and rhododendron forests.

A beautiful place to explore around. 4-hour walk. Morning hike to Pongkar Tso for scenery, return for lunch and rest.

5-hour walk. Nearby ridge offers views of Manaslu, Lamjung, Himlung, and Cheo. Relaxed downhill walk across Yak pasture, over the Dudh Khola bridge, through rhododendron forest to Karcher, then across cultivated fields and a ridge to Gho, a small summer pasture for cattle and yak herders with four lodges.

3-hour walk and 4-hour drive. Pleasant downhill forest walk to Tilje village beside the Marsyangdi River, then a short climb and suspension bridge to Dharapani, junction of the Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu routes. Lunch, then drive ~4 hours via Taal Besi, Chamje, Jagat, Ngadi, and Bulbule past terraced paddy fields to Besisahar, headquarters of Lamjung district.

5-hour drive past farm villages and towns, joining the Kathmandu–Pokhara highway at Dumre, then back to Kathmandu.

Guided tour of the Pashupatinath ghats and temples, Bhaktapur’s medieval squares and palaces, and Nyatapola Temple (a UNESCO site). Finish at Boudhanath, one of the world’s largest Buddhist stupas.

Enjoy breakfast and some leisure time before transferring to the airport for departure.