Welcome to Nepal and the start of your Manaslu Circuit Trek. Upon arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will clear immigration and collect your baggage, then meet our representative outside the arrival terminal. From there, you will be taken by private vehicle to your hotel in the Thamel area or to another location in Kathmandu, as arranged. After checking in, you can rest and recover from your journey. If you arrive earlier in the day, you may also have time to walk around Thamel, visit local shops and cafés, exchange money, or relax before the trekking programme starts.
Later, your trekking guide or a company representative will give you a full briefing. The group will review the Manaslu Circuit route, the anticipated walking hours, altitude changes, weather conditions, accommodation, meals, transportation arrangements, and general safety measures. We will check your trekking equipment so that, if anything is missing, you can rent or buy it in Kathmandu before you leave. We will also check your permit documents. Please have your passport, Nepal visa information, insurance details, and any other requested documents ready. The rest of the evening is free for final preparations and rest.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Start early on and then begin the long overland trip from Kathmandu to Machha Khola, which is the starting point of the trek. The route leaves the crowded Kathmandu Valley and heads west along the highway, passing through hills, river valleys, roadside villages, and terraced farmland. As you head toward Dhading and the Gorkha area, the landscape becomes more rural, and you will come across local villages, cultivated hillsides, rivers, and green middle-hill areas that are quite different from the high Himalayan terrain you’ll encounter later in the trek.

As you go further into the Budhi Gandaki Valley, the road gets narrower and more rugged. Certain parts may be dusty, rocky, muddy, or uneven, depending on the season and the road’s current condition. Since road construction is still underway in the lower Manaslu area, treat the driving time as an estimate, not a fixed duration. Delays can occur because of heavy rain, landslides, traffic or road repairs, particularly during the monsoon season. After the long drive, go to Machha Khola and check into a local teahouse. In the evening, take it easy, pack your trekking bag, and get ready for your first full day of trekking.

Overnight at Machha Khola.

This is the first full day of trekking on the Manaslu Circuit. After leaving Machha Khola the path goes upstream along the Budhi Gandaki River through a warm lower valley. It passes small settlements, forested slopes, rocky areas, and several river crossings. If trail conditions dictate, you might have to walk along narrow tracks between the river and the steep hillsides. Throughout the day, the Budhi Gandaki stays close, and waterfalls and suspension bridges add variety to the trek.

The trail continues past Tatopani and gradually enters a narrower, more dramatic valley. The surrounding slopes steepen, and the trail climbs and descends several times as it follows the gorge’s natural shape. As you continue toward Jagat, the landscape shifts from the warmer lower region to the higher mountain environment. Jagat is an attractive stone-built settlement and an important checkpoint, marking the entrance to the restricted Manaslu trekking area. After reaching the village, settle into your teahouse and enjoy a quieter mountain atmosphere after the busy journey from Kathmandu.

Overnight at Jagat.

After breakfast in Jagat, continue north along the Budhi Gandaki Valley. The trail passes through traditional settlements, cultivated terraces and forested sections while steadily gaining altitude. Around the Philim area, the valley opens in places and offers good views across hillside villages and the surrounding landscape. The route includes several climbs and descents, so the day can feel longer than the altitude gain alone may suggest. Suspension bridges and river crossings remain an important part of the journey.

The further north you go, the more remote the valley becomes, and the villages generally grow smaller. Dense forests cover much of the hill slopes, and above certain parts of the river rise steep rock walls. The cultural atmosphere also changes. Tibetan Buddhist influence becomes more apparent in the layout of the villages, in the religious monuments, and in local traditions. Having kept up a steady pace for several hours, you at last arrive at Deng, a small settlement situated among mountains and forest. Deng is an important place to spend the night before the route ascends more steeply towards Namrung and the upper Manaslu Valley.

Overnight at Deng.

From today on, as you leave Deng and pass through forests, river crossings, waterfalls, and traditional mountain villages, the trail gains altitude and stays within the broader Budhi Gandaki system as it climbs slowly toward the higher areas of the Manaslu region. Walking conditions include stone steps, forest tracks, suspension bridges, and stretches of gradually rising path. As the altitude rises, it becomes even more important to maintain a steady pace and drink enough water.

Buddhist cultural features become increasingly noticeable as you follow the trail. You may come across mani stones, prayer flags, chortens, and other religious structures, which show the close link between upper Gorkha and the Tibetan Himalayan cultural area. Traditional houses and building styles in the villages also start to differ from those found in the lower valley. When you reach Namrung at the end of the day-one of the more significant settlements before going into the high Manaslu Valley – it is surrounded by forest and mountain landscape and offers a pleasant spot on which to stop at temperatures that make it. The cooler evening temperatures also clearly indicate that you have entered the higher Himalayan region.

Overnight at Namrung

The walk from Namrung to Lho is shorter than the previous trekking days, which is useful as the itinerary reaches higher altitude. After leaving Namrung, the trail climbs gradually through forests, cultivated fields and traditional upper Himalayan villages. The mountain environment becomes increasingly impressive, and on a clear day you may begin to receive excellent views toward the Manaslu massif. Walking at a comfortable pace is recommended, as the sleeping altitude now approaches 3,000 metres.

After several hours, arrive at Lho, one of the cultural highlights of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The village has traditional stone houses, mani walls, prayer flags and an important Buddhist monastery that gives the settlement a strong Tibetan Himalayan character. The surrounding area also offers excellent mountain scenery, especially when the weather is clear. The shorter walking schedule is intentional and gives your body additional time to adjust before moving toward Sama Gaun and the much higher settlements beyond. After reaching your lodge, you can explore the village slowly, visit the monastery if appropriate, enjoy the mountain surroundings and rest for the next stage.

Overnight at Lho.

Leaving Lho, continue deeper into the high Manaslu Valley. The trail gradually climbs through mountain settlements and open areas toward Shyala, where the surrounding Himalayan scenery opens up. In clear weather, this section offers some of the finest mountain views on the entire route. The green lower valleys of the earlier trekking days are now behind you, and the landscape has changed to a colder, drier and more open Himalayan environment. Mountain peaks rise above the valley while traditional villages remain scattered along the trail.

Continue toward Sama Gaun, one of the largest and most important settlements on the Manaslu Circuit. The village lies below the Manaslu massif and is the main acclimatization base before trekkers move toward Samdo, Dharamsala and Larkya La. Because Sama Gaun sits at approximately 3,530 metres, take the effects of altitude seriously. After arriving, avoid unnecessary hard activity and allow your body to recover from the day’s climb. Drink enough water, eat properly and move slowly around the village. The evening can be used to enjoy the mountain atmosphere and prepare for the following day’s acclimatization activities.

Overnight at Sama Gaun.

Today is an important acclimatization day at Sama Gaun. Don’t treat it as a full day inside the lodge. A better approach is to walk to a higher altitude during the daytime and then return to Sama Gaun to sleep at the same elevation. This method allows the body to experience a higher altitude without immediately increasing the sleeping height. The best activity depends on each trekker’s fitness, weather conditions, energy level, and any symptoms of altitude sickness.

One suitable option is an excursion toward Pungyen Gompa, which gives trekkers good mountain scenery and useful acclimatization without requiring an extremely long day. Stronger trekkers who feel well may consider a longer walk to Birendra Lake and the Manaslu Base Camp area. However, Manaslu Base Camp is much higher than Sama Gaun and should not be treated as a compulsory sightseeing destination. The purpose of the day is to support safe acclimatization, not to exhaust the group. Your guide should assess weather, trail conditions and the physical condition of the trekkers before deciding how far to go. Return to Sama Gaun in the afternoon for food, hydration and another night at the same altitude.

Second overnight at Sama Gaun.

Today’s trek is not very long, but it takes you to the highest sleeping point of the standard Manaslu Circuit itinerary. Leaving Samdo, cross the upper valley and gradually climb toward Dharamsala, also known as Larkya Phedi. The surroundings become increasingly barren as vegetation reduces and the trail enters a high alpine environment. Although the distance may look manageable, the thinner air makes walking more tiring, so a slow and steady pace is important throughout the day.

Facilities at Dharamsala are generally much more basic than those in the lower villages. Accommodation may be limited during busy trekking seasons, and temperatures can fall quickly after sunset. After reaching the lodge, rest and prepare carefully for the following day’s Larkya La crossing. Organize your warm layers, gloves, hat, water, headlamp, snacks and any extra equipment recommended by your guide. Depending on snow or ice conditions, you may also need additional traction equipment. The next day normally begins very early, often before sunrise, so an early dinner and early sleep are recommended. Avoid unnecessary walking after arrival and focus on staying warm, hydrated and rested.

Overnight at Dharamsala / Larkya Phedi.

Today is the longest, highest and most demanding day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The walk normally begins before sunrise so that trekkers can cross Larkya La before stronger afternoon winds or changing weather conditions develop. From Dharamsala, the trail climbs gradually across a cold, open and increasingly barren landscape. Progress may feel slow because of the high altitude. Snow, ice, strong wind and low temperatures can make the route more difficult, even though Larkya La is normally crossed as a trekking pass rather than as a technical climbing route.

After having climbed for several hours, you will reach Larkya La at a height of about 5,106 metres, which is the highest point on the trek. When the weather is clear, the pass offers broad views of the Himalayas on both the Manaslu and Annapurna sides. Although you will only stay at the summit for a short time, the descent towards Bimthang then begins. The initial part of the descent can be steep and may become slippery if the surface is covered with snow or ice, so careful footing is essential. The long downhill stretch can also be exhausting for the knees. Eventually, the trail comes to more green scenery and enters the lovely high-mountain valley of Bimthang, where you can finally rest after having completed the main challenge of the circuit.

Overnight at Bimthang.

After the difficult crossing of Larkya La, today’s journey brings a major change in scenery. Leaving Bimthang, the trail descends through alpine meadows and gradually enters thicker forest. In clear weather, you may still enjoy excellent mountain views behind you as you walk away from the high pass. The route feels noticeably different from the dry, rocky landscape around Dharamsala and Larkya La. With each stage of descent, the air warms and the vegetation grows richer.

Continue downward toward the lower Marsyangdi watershed, passing forested areas, streams and mountain settlements along the way. Although most of the route loses altitude, the day still includes several hours of walking, so tired legs from the pass crossing can make the journey demanding. The lower altitude usually makes breathing easier and allows many trekkers to feel stronger again. Eventually, arrive at Tilije, where lodge facilities are generally more developed than those found around the high-pass area. After several nights at high altitude, the warmer conditions and thicker vegetation can feel very comfortable. Enjoy a good meal and a relaxed evening after completing the trek’s most difficult section.

Overnight at Tilije.

Today marks the last official walking portion of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Following breakfast in Tilije, proceed through the lower valley towards Dharapani. Unlike the demanding days near Sama Gaun, Samdo and Larkya La, today’s walk is comparatively short and easy. The scenery is more green, the temperature warmer and the number of settlements increases. The change in the environment clearly indicates how much altitude you have lost since passing through the pass.

Dharapani sits on the standard Annapurna Circuit trekking route and thus marks a significant shift from the more peaceful, secluded villages of upper Manaslu. When you arrive, complete any required trail or permit procedures, then head to your lodge. It is also a good moment to reflect on the journey so far—from the Budhi Gandaki Valley, through villages influenced by Tibetan culture, and across Larkya La into the Annapurna section of the Himalayas. Although some trekking tours go directly by vehicle to Besisahar, an overnight stay in Dharapani prevents you from combining a trekking day with another long, exhausting road trip. You can therefore use the rest of the afternoon for a good meal, rest, and get ready for the return drive to Kathmandu.

Overnight at Dharapani.

The drive takes about 9 to 12 hours, depending on road and traffic conditions.

Leave Dharapani after breakfast and start the long trip back to Kathmandu. For the first part of the journey you usually have to use local mountain transport along the poor road leading to the Besisahar area. This section of the drive goes through steep valleys, mountain villages and stretches of unpaved road. The journey may be slow because road conditions change frequently, especially after heavy rain or when roads are under construction. Once you have reached the lower road network, proceed towards Kathmandu by means of the main highway.

The whole journey could take about 9 to 12 hours, but don’t treat it as a fixed driving time, since traffic, landslides, road maintenance, weather, and local conditions can all cause delays. The road trip might seem very long after several days of hiking, so it’s a good idea to take regular breaks for food and rest if you can. Once you’ve arrived in Kathmandu, go to your hotel and check in; in the evening you can do as you like- such as having a hot shower, staying in a comfortable room, eating at a restaurant or taking a leisurely walk through Thamel. Since you’ve spent nearly two weeks in the mountains, your arrival in Kathmandu signifies that the trekking part of your Manaslu adventure has been successfully completed.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Your 15-day Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal comes to an end today. After breakfast at the hotel, your free time will depend on your international flight schedule. If your flight leaves later in the day, you may have some time to relax at the hotel, enjoy a final meal, purchase souvenirs, walk around the nearby streets of Kathmandu or complete any last-minute shopping. Make sure your luggage, passport, air ticket and travel documents are ready before leaving the hotel.

At the agreed time, your representative will be waiting for you at the hotel and will arrange a private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international flight. It is usually recommended that you get to the airport about three hours before your international flight in order to have sufficient time for going through airline check-in, security, and immigration. During your trip around Mount Manaslu, you passed through the Budhi Gandaki Valley, traditional Himalayan villages, Buddhist cultural regions, and high alpine scenery, and crossed the difficult Larkya La Pass. We hope that the experience has left you with lasting memories of Nepal’s mountains, its people and the traditional way of life in the Himalayas. We wish you a safe journey back or a pleasant trip to your next destination.