Magic of Manaslu

Welcome to Nepal! Our team will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu. After settling in, we'll meet for a trek briefing and go through the route, equipment and preparations for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. This is also a good time to meet your guide and fellow trekkers before the adventure begins.

We leave Kathmandu early and begin the long drive toward the Manaslu region. The road takes us through the hills and rural landscapes of central Nepal before following the Budhi Gandaki River deeper into the mountains. As the road becomes rougher, the landscape becomes increasingly remote. By evening, we reach Machha Khola, our starting point for the trekking section.

Today we begin walking. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki through narrow valleys and subtropical forest, with plenty of ups and downs along the river. We cross suspension bridges, pass waterfalls and walk through small settlements before reaching the natural hot springs at Tatopani. From here, the valley becomes narrower as we continue toward Jagat. Jagat is an attractive stone-paved village and an important checkpoint for the Manaslu Restricted Area.

The trail continues deeper into the Manaslu region. We pass through forests, small villages and terraced hillsides while following the Budhi Gandaki upstream. Suspension bridges and dramatic cliffside sections make the day adventurous, while the surrounding landscape gradually changes as we gain altitude. We pass through Philim and continue toward Deng, where the valley begins to feel distinctly Himalayan.

Today the landscape begins to change noticeably. The subtropical forests give way to pine, fir and rhododendron forests as we climb higher into the mountains. We cross more bridges and walk through villages decorated with mani walls, prayer flags and Buddhist architecture. As we approach Namrung, the first major Himalayan peaks begin to dominate the horizon. The transition from the lower Budhi Gandaki valley into the high Nubri region becomes unmistakable.

This is one of the most spectacular days of the trek. We continue through the upper Nubri Valley, passing Tibetan-influenced villages and traditional stone houses. Lho is one of the highlights of the day, with its monastery and increasingly dramatic mountain scenery. As we approach Samagaon, the valley opens up and the massive peaks surrounding Manaslu become increasingly impressive. We arrive at Samagaon, one of the most important settlements on the circuit and our base for acclimatization.

Today we slow down and allow our bodies to adapt to the increasing altitude. Rather than spending the whole day inside the teahouse, we take an acclimatization hike around the valley. Depending on conditions and the group, options include hiking toward Manaslu Base Camp or Birendra Lake. The aim is to gain some altitude during the day while returning to Samagaon to sleep. This is also an excellent opportunity to experience the village, its monasteries and the unique Tibetan-influenced culture of the upper Manaslu region.

We leave Samagaon and continue higher into the mountains. The landscape becomes more open and alpine as we leave the forests behind. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki toward Samdo, the last major permanent village before Larkya La. The relatively short walking day gives us time to acclimatize while enjoying the huge mountain landscape surrounding the valley.

Today we make a short but important climb toward the base of Larkya La Pass. The landscape becomes increasingly barren, rocky and high-altitude. We pass through the final sections of the Manaslu Valley before reaching Dharamsala, also known as Larkya Phedi. We keep the day deliberately short and spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the biggest day of the trek.

The biggest day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek begins early. We climb gradually toward Larkya La, surrounded by high mountains, frozen lakes and rugged Himalayan terrain. After reaching the top of Larkya La Pass, we take time to appreciate the achievement and the spectacular panorama before beginning the long descent toward Bimthang. The landscape changes dramatically as we descend, eventually bringing us back into alpine forests and greener terrain.

After the demanding pass day, today is predominantly a descent. We leave the high alpine environment behind and walk through forests of pine and rhododendron toward Tilije and the lower Marsyangdi Valley. By the time we reach Dharapani, the landscape and climate feel completely different from the high Manaslu region we crossed only a few days earlier.

After breakfast, we leave the mountains by road. The drive follows the Marsyangdi Valley toward Besisahar before continuing through the hills and eventually back to Kathmandu. After almost two weeks in the mountains, we return to the city with a completely different perspective on Nepal.

A relaxed day in Kathmandu to recover from the trek, explore the city, shop for souvenirs or simply enjoy some well-earned downtime. This day also gives us some flexibility in case road conditions or unexpected delays affect the return journey.

Your Magic of Manaslu adventure comes to an end. Our team will transfer you to the airport according to your flight schedule. Until the next adventure!