Manaslu Circuit Trek

Our foot journey begins along narrow canyon paths carved into the rock walls, following the turquoise Budhi Gandaki River upstream. We cross cantilever bridges and pass small mule caravans heading into the upper valley. Along the way, we stop at the natural hot springs of Tatopani to rest before crossing a long suspension bridge over the river. A final steady ascent brings us to the neat stone-paved village of Jagat, where we present our restricted-area trekking permits at the official park checkpost.

Leaving Jagat, we enter a vibrant cultural transition zone as Hindu lower-valley hamlets yield to Buddhist mountain settlements. We hike past carved mani walls and colorful prayer flags near Salleri and Sirdibas, crossing the river over a high suspension bridge at Ghatta Khola. The valley narrows significantly into a dramatic pine-scented gorge. We push past busy trail hubs to spend a peaceful evening in Pewa, a quiet riverside hamlet known for its intimate teahouse hospitality.

The trail today leads us deep into dense bamboo, oak, and rhododendron glades. Crossing the river at Deng, we enter the historic Nubri region, watching for grey langur monkeys swinging through the high tree canopy. As we gain steady elevation, the gorge opens up to reveal views of Siringi Himal (7,187 m). A series of switchbacks up a forested cliffside brings us to Namrung, a mountain village renowned for its ancient stone houses and wide barley fields.

We enjoy a shorter walking day packed with extraordinary high-mountain scenery. Passing through the Tibetan-influenced villages of Lihi and Sho, we observe traditional flat-roofed stone homes, chortens, and women weaving hand-spun textiles. As we climb into Lho, Mount Manaslu (8,163 m) comes into sudden, dramatic view directly above the village. We spend the afternoon exploring Ribung Gompa, watching the golden evening sunlight illuminate Manaslu’s twin summits.

Starting Destination: Lho (3,180 m / 10,433 ft)
Final Destination: Sama Gaun (3,530 m / 11,581 ft)
Sleeping Altitude: 3,530 m / 11,581 ft
Elevation Gain: 350 m / 1,148 ft
Walking Distance/Duration: ~17 km (10.5 miles) | 4 to 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Sama Gaun

Our path ascends gently through fir and rhododendron woodlands into Shyala village, where a 360° amphitheatre of icy peaks—including Himalchuli, Peak 29, and Manaslu—frames the horizon. Continuing across alpine yak pastures, we drop into the broad valley of Sama Gaun. This large, historic Nubri settlement serves as the chief trekking hub and base camp staging point for the region. We check into our teahouse early to rest up for tomorrow's acclimatization day.

To help our bodies adapt to the thinning air before tackling Larkya La, we embark on an active side trip. You can choose a challenging hike up to Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m), ascending moraine ridges to touch the edge of the Manaslu Glacier alongside international expedition teams. Alternatively, a gentler walk leads across high pastures to the sacred 400-year-old Pungyen Gompa, nestled directly beneath Manaslu’s massive east wall. We return to Sama Gaun for a warm dinner.

Following the Budhi Gandaki River upward through open juniper scrub and alpine meadows, we walk past long mani walls carved with Tibetan scripts. The valley widens as we approach the Tibetan border trade routes. A short climb brings us into Samdo, a traditional yak-herding village founded by Tibetan refugees in the 1950s. Located at the strategic junction of three mountain passes, Samdo offers an authentic glimpse into high-altitude border culture.

We take a second deliberate acclimatization day to ensure optimal altitude safety. We hike up the valley ridge toward Rui La Pass (4,998 m), an ancient trading saddle leading directly into Tibet. Along the trail, we enjoy views of blue sheep grazing on the slopes and expansive Himalayan vistas spanning the Samdo Glacier. We descend back to Samdo by early afternoon to pack our bags and rest for the pass crossing. 

We cross a wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki for the final time and begin our gradual ascent toward the base of the pass. Passing the historic ruins of the seasonal Larke Bazaar, we move across stark, windswept moraine landscapes surrounded by glaciers. We arrive at Dharmasala (Larke Phedi) by early afternoon. After a light, warm lunch and a thorough briefing on equipment for tomorrow's pass crossing, we go to bed early to prepare for a pre-dawn wake-up call.

We set off by headlamp light around 4:00 AM, climbing steadily across icy moraine ridges and lateral glacier paths. As dawn breaks, the prayer flags marking the summit of Larkya La Pass (5,106 m) come into view. From the top, we are rewarded with a panorama of Himlung Himal (7,126 m), Kang Guru, Annapurna II (7,937 m), and Cheo Himal. After photos, we make a long, careful descent down snow slopes and scree, reaching the meadows of Bimthang by late afternoon.

Our descent continues down through alpine pastures, past the rushing waters of the Dudh Khola. Walking into thick pine, oak, and rhododendron forests, the air grows warmer and oxygen-rich. We pass through small settlements at Sangure Karpu and Tilije—a vibrant Gurung village famous for local architecture—before crossing the Marsyangdi River suspension bridge into Dharapani, where the Manaslu Circuit joins the classic Annapurna trail.

We bid farewell to the mountains and board a 4x4 vehicle in Dharapani for a scenic drive along the Marsyangdi River gorge to Besisahar. Here, we transfer to a comfortable highway vehicle for the smooth return drive to Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway. Arriving in the capital by late afternoon, we check into your hotel, giving you time to enjoy a hot shower, get a massage, and celebrate the completion of your Manaslu journey over a celebratory dinner.