Active Altitude

Manaslu Trek

Duration

13 Days

Difficulty

Moderate

Max. altitude

5160 M.

Group Size

2 -15

Trip Starts

Kathmandu

Trip Ends

Kathmandu

Group Style

Private & Group

Best season

March-May/September- November

Overview and Highlights

The Manaslu Trek is located in the Gorkha District of Nepal, in the western-central Himalayan region, within the Manaslu Conservation Area. This trek is one of Nepal’s most beautiful and less-crowded trekking routes, famous for its untouched landscapes, traditional villages, rich Tibetan-influenced culture, and spectacular mountain scenery.

The Manaslu trek is considered a restricted trekking region, so outdoor visitors must obtain a special trekking permit along with other required permits. Normally, to enter this trekking route, you need at least two trekkers and a licensed guide, and the trek must be led through a registered agency. This makes the trek well-managed and safe while preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

The trek usually begins at around 870 meters above sea level and gradually ascends to cross the challenging Larkya La Pass (5,106 m), the trek’s highest point. Because of this dramatic altitude gain, trekkers experience a wide variety of landscapes—from subtropical river valleys and terraced farmlands to alpine forests, glacial valleys, and high mountain deserts.

During the trek, visitors are warmly welcomed by the breathtaking views of Mt Manaslu (8,163 m), Himalchuli, Naike Peak, and Ngadi Peak. Many of these peaks are clearly visible from scenic places such as Shyala Village and cultural landmarks like Pungyen Gompa, where trekkers can also witness Buddhist prayer flags, monasteries, mani walls, and chortens, making the journey spiritually and culturally enriching.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1365m)

Welcome to Nepal! After you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, our team will receive you and transfer you to your hotel in Thamel (about a 30-minute drive, depending on traffic).
In the evening, you will meet your trekking guide for a short trip briefing, where you’ll receive detailed information about the trek, check your gear, and review the itinerary.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Not included (depending on arrival time)

Day 2: Drive to Machha Khola (869 m)

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our journey to Machha Khola by private jeep (approx. 6–7 hours). The drive follows the scenic countryside of Nepal with rivers, terraced hills, small villages, and mountain views as you leave Kathmandu Valley behind.
The road becomes rougher as we approach the Budhi Gandaki River region—an exciting start to your adventure.
Overnight: Tea house/lodge in Machha Khola
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3: Trek to Jagat (1,340 m)

Today your trekking adventure begins! After breakfast, we start walking from Machha Khola toward Jagat. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River, crossing several suspension bridges and passing beautiful villages such as Khorlabesi, Tatopani (natural hot springs), Dovan, and Nakphedi. Nakphedi is a common lunch stop. After lunch, we continue for about 3 hours to Jagat, including a section where we may cross a landslide area, so careful walking is required.
Walking time: Approx. 7–8 hours
Overnight: Tea house in Jagat
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Elevation gain 850m.

Elevation loss 300m.

Day 4: Trek to Deng (1,860 m)

After breakfast, we continue trekking through forest trails and river valleys, crossing several suspension bridges. The day includes a permit checkpoint at Philim village, where your Manaslu Restricted Area Permit and other permits are checked.We then walk toward Ekle Bhatti, a good lunch stop, and continue through beautiful landscapes to reach Deng village.
Walking time: Approx. 7–9 hours
Overnight: Tea house in Deng
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Elevation gain 800m.

Elevation loss 400m.

Day 5: Trek to Namrung (2,630 m)

Today the scenery becomes more mountainous and culturally Tibetan. We pass several villages and cross more suspension bridges along the Budhi Gandaki River. The trail includes ups and downs through forest and rocky sections.Before reaching Namrung, we cross a final bridge and climb uphill through lush forest for about 1–1.5 hours. Namrung is a beautiful village known for its stone houses, mani walls, prayer flags, and incredible views of Ganesh Himal, Himal Chuli, and Mount Manaslu.
Walking time: Approx. 7–8 hours
Overnight: Tea house in Namrung
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Elevation gain 1000m.

Elevation loss 400m.

Day 6: Trek to Lho (3,180 m) Syala (3500 m)

 We hike through a rural landscape dotted with fields of barley, wheat, and oats. As we progress, the villages take on an increasingly distinct Tibetan style. Upon arriving in Lho, we catch our first glimpse of the summit of Manaslu, reaching 8163 m. We visit the Lho Monastery before continuing our trek to Syala. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Walking hour 6 to 7 hours.
Elevation gain 1100 m. Elevation loss 200m.

Day 7: Trek to Pung Gyen 3870 m. Sama Gaon (3,530 m)

 One of the most beautiful days of the trip! Before continuing our ascent, we’re taking an acclimatization hike this morning to Pung Gyen Monastery. The hike is easy, and little by little, the black, rocky mountains give way to a plateau of grasses yellowed by the cold, nestled in a cirque of snow and ice of dazzling white. The abandoned Tibetan monastery sits within it and, at an altitude of 3870 m, faces the giant Manaslu. We have lunch there to the sound of cracking ice and avalanches, savoring this view which will undoubtedly remain one of our most beautiful travel memories. Constantly turning to admire the panorama, we retrace our steps and head towards Sama Gaon, the quintessential Tibetan village. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Walking hour 6 hours Elevation gain 900m.
Elevation loss 600m.

Day 8: Trek to Samdo (3690 m)

Our guide offers us two options today, depending on our fitness level and motivation: – Continue the trek towards the next village, Samdo. This is a short stage, which we can consider a rest day. Samdo is the last inhabited village in the valley, just a few kilometers from the Tibetan border. – take a way to Lake Birendra, a glacial lake at the foot of Manaslu (approximately a 1-hour hike with an additional 100 meters of elevation gain and loss). To get there, we briefly ascend towards the valley floor before branching off onto a wooded path. A clear view of the surrounding glaciers soon unfolds before us. We quickly reach the shores of Birendra Tal and take a welcome break to appreciate the enchanting setting. We then descend back to the path leading to Samdo. Check-in at the lodge and free time to explore the narrow streets of Samdo. There are also opportunities for walks in the surrounding area. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Elevation gain 450m.

Elevation 100m.

Day 9: Trek to Dharmasala (4460 m)

Another short day’s hike takes us to Dharmasala, at 4335 m. This small hamlet serves as a “base camp” for the ascent of Larkya La, tomorrow’s objective. The aim of today is to take the time to acclimatize to the altitude: we’ll proceed slowly to the end of the day’s hike and then freely explore the surrounding area in the afternoon, allowing our bodies to adjust to the thinner air. Walking hour 4 hours Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Elevation gain 700m.
Elevation loss 100m.

Day 10: Trek to Larkye pass (5160 m) Bhimthang (3600 m)

This is the big day, the highlight of the trip! We woke around 3:00 AM for the start of the ascent by headlamp, under the stars! The trail leads us to high altitude, to the summit of the Larkya La Pass, reaching an altitude of 5106 m. The climb is long but very gradual, eventually leading to the top of the pass. From up there, the view is breathtaking… Beyond the summit, a long descent into the Dudh Khola Valley awaits us, with a sublime view of the Peri Himal. We end the day in Bimthang and enjoy a well-deserved rest facing the south face of Manaslu…walking hour 8 to 9 hours Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Elevation gain 750 m.

Elevation loss 1550m.

Day 11: Trek to Tilije or Dharapani (2000 m)

Today we descend through forests, rhododendron areas (seasonal), and charming villages. The trail becomes easier as we lose altitude and reach warmer temperature.Lunch is usually at Surki Khola, then we continue toward Goa village, Tilije, and finally Dharapani, where we connect with the Annapurna Circuit route.
Walking time: Approx. 6–8 hours (depending on overnight place)
Overnight: Tea house in Tilije or Dharapani
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Elevation gain 250 m.

Elevation loss 1950m.

Day 12: Drive to Kathmandu via Besisahar

After breakfast, we take a private jeep drive via Besisahar back to Kathmandu. The drive usually takes 5–7 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic.Once in Kathmandu, you can relax, enjoy a hot shower, explore Thamel, and celebrate completing your trek.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast (Lunch on the way) Dinner your own 

Day 13: Departure from Kathmandu

Today is your final day in Nepal. Depending on your flight time, we will transfer you to the airport for your departure. If you have extra time, you can do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast (depending on flight time)

INCLUSIVES

All airport transfers and ground transportation by private vehicle as specified in the itinerary.

  • Domestic flights as described in the program.
  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis with breakfast Bed & Breakfast.
  • Accommodation during the trek in comfortable teahouses/lodges as detailed in the day-by-day itinerary.
  • Full-board meals during the trek, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Afternoon tea with biscuits is served upon arrival at each lodge whenever available.
  • An experienced English-speaking or French-speaking Nepalese trekking guide throughout the trip. A French-speaking guide is guaranteed for groups of four or more participants.
  • A complete trekking team, including a licensed guide, one assistant guide for groups of four or more participants, and one porter for every two trekkers.
  • Porter or animal services for transporting luggage during the trek where required.
  • Luggage transport 13 kg meximum per person during the trek.
  • All necessary trekking permits, national park entry fees, and restricted area permits as applicable.
  • Comprehensive first-aid kit carried by the guide.
  • Insurance coverage for all trekking staff.
  • All local and government taxes.

EXCLUSIVES

  • International flights.
  • Nepal entry visa fees.
  • Personal travel insurance, including medical expenses, emergency rescue, helicopter evacuation, hospitalization, repatriation, trip cancellation, interruption, and baggage loss.
  • Personal expenses, including drinks, snacks, laundry, souvenirs, and trekking equipment.
  • Sleeping bag rental available for approximately USD 1–2 per day if required.
  • Any services not specifically mentioned in the Price Includes section.
  • Airport transfers if you have arranged your international flights independently or if you arrive or depart on dates different from the rest of the group.

Personal Expenses at your own cost

  • Nepal tourist visa fee, payable upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport.
  • Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu: approximately USD/EUR 5–10 per meal.
  • Optional sightseeing entrance fees for temples, monasteries, and monuments in the Kathmandu Valley: approximately USD/EUR 15–25 per person, depending on the sites visited.
  • Hot showers in teahouses: approximately USD 1–2 per shower.
  • Wi-Fi and battery charging in teahouses: approximately USD 1–2 per use.
  • Bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and other personal drinks.

Tips

Tipping is a long-standing tradition in Nepal and is greatly appreciated by the local trekking team. At the end of the trek, it is customary to offer a collective tip to the guides, assistant guides, porters, drivers, cooks, and other support staff as a token of appreciation for their dedication and service. Our staff receive fair wages, so tipping is entirely voluntary and should reflect your level of satisfaction with the services provided. As a general guideline, we recommend allowing USD/EUR 40–60 per participant per week for tips. Before your trek begins, your guide will be happy to provide advice on how to distribute gratuities fairly among the team.

PRICE PER PERSON

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