13-day Manaslu Circuit Trek from Kathmandu: Mt. Manaslu views
The trek crosses into the eighth-highest mountain's shadow on every step.
A 13-day guided trek from Kathmandu through the Manaslu Conservation Area, circling Mt. Manaslu (8,163m) with close views of the peak and surrounding Himalayan massifs. You trek through subtropical forests and alpine ridges, cross Larkya La Pass, visit Buddhist monasteries, and stay in teahouse lodges. An English-speaking licensed guide, permits, and transport from Kathmandu are included.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and rest in Kathmandu
- Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport
- Meet representative and transfer to hotel
- Check-in and rest at hotel
Day 2: Drive to Maccha Khola
- Early breakfast in Kathmandu
- Drive to Maccha Khola via Dhading Besi and Arughat
- Overnight stay in Maccha Khola
Day 3: Trek to Jagat village
- Breakfast in Maccha Khola
- Trek through forests along Budhi Gandaki River
- Cross suspension bridge at Nauli Khola
- Pass Khorlabesi, Tatopani, Dobhan
- Reach Jagat and show permit
- Rest overnight in Jagat
Day 4: Trek from Jagat to Deng
- Start trek through dense forests
- Cross several suspension bridges
- Reach Philim, Ekle Bhatti, Lokpa
- Cross suspension bridge to Pewa
- Arrive at Deng and rest overnight
Day 5: Trek from Deng to Namrung
- Trek through Bihi Phedi and Bihi villages
- Pass Ghap village with stone houses
- Climb through rhododendron and pine forests
- Reach Namrung and prepare for next day
Day 6: Trek to Sama Gaon village
- Walk through alpine forests and ridges
- Visit Pung Gyen Gompa Cave
- Enjoy panoramic mountain views
- Arrive at Sama Gaon and rest
Day 7: Acclimatization and exploration
- Rest and acclimatize in Sama Gaon
- Short hike to Birendra Taal Lake
- Visit Labrang Gompa monastery
- Return and overnight in Sama Gaon
Day 8: Trek from Sama Gaon to Samdo
- Ascend rocky terrain towards Samdo
- Enjoy views of Manaslu Peak
- Reach Samdo village and rest
Day 9: Trek from Samdo to Dharmasala
- Climb higher through rocky trails
- View tall peaks and prayer flags
- Arrive at Dharmasala and rest
Day 10: Cross Larkya La Pass to Bhimtang
- Early breakfast and start trek
- Cross Larkya La Pass
- Trek downhill through rocky paths
- Reach Bhimtang and overnight stay
Day 11: Descend from Bhimtang to Dharapani
- Leave Bhimtang after breakfast
- Walk through pine and rhododendron forests
- Pass local villages and streams
- Arrive at Tilije and rest overnight
Day 12: Drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu
- Drive jeep to Besisahar
- Lunch in Besisahar
- Drive to Kathmandu
- Rest overnight in Kathmandu
Day 13: Departure from Kathmandu
- Pack luggage and check out
- Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport
What’s included
- Trekking route map.
- experienced government-registered guide in English (Spanish, French, German and Mandarin available on request).
- three daily meals and hot tea or coffee at teahouses.
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, and Restricted Area Permit.
- private vehicle transfer from Kathmandu to Maccha Khola, jeep transfer from Tilije to Besisahar, and vehicle transfer from Besisahar back to Kathmandu.
- overnight accommodation in Kathmandu hotels at the start and end, and in mountain teahouses during the trek.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by Wonder Himalaya
Prices and times updated 6 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and a Wonder Himalaya representative meets you with a placard. After a private transfer to your hotel, you have the rest of the day to rest and acclimatize at 1,400m before the trek begins. The next morning you drive three to four hours through the Dhading district to Maccha Khola (900m), the official starting point, where you overnight in a teahouse and prepare for the route ahead.
The trek itself runs 10 days of walking and one acclimatization day. You start at Maccha Khola and follow the Budhi Gandaki River through subtropical forests, crossing suspension bridges and passing Gurung villages like Lyabrubesi and Jagat, where you show your permit to enter the Manaslu Conservation Area. The route climbs steadily through rhododendron and pine forests, passing Tibetan-influenced villages like Bihi and Ghap, until you reach Sama Gaon at 3,530m. Here you stop for a full day to acclimatize and take a short hike to Birendra Taal Lake and Labrang Gompa monastery, where monks perform blessing ceremonies. From Sama Gaon you push higher to Samdo (3,875m) and Dharmasala (4,460m), where the landscape becomes rockier and more barren. On day 10, you cross Larkya La Pass at 5,106m, the trek's highest point, then descend through open valleys to Bhimtang (3,720m). The final two days are a long descent through forests back to lower elevations, ending in Tilije, then a jeep ride to Besisahar and a seven to eight hour drive back to Kathmandu.
Your guide is a government-registered trekker who speaks English and can arrange translation in Spanish, French, German or Mandarin if needed. Three times daily (tea or coffee with breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are provided at teahouses along the route. You carry a day pack. Porters handle the bulk of your gear. The trek suits moderate fitness. The operator notes it is one of Nepal's less crowded high-altitude routes and that the views of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and the Annapurna Massifs reward every elevation gain.
Is this one for you?The trek departs from Kathmandu with hotel pickup included, so you need no car or separate transport to reach the starting point. The 13-day length (with one built-in acclimatization day at Sama Gaon) suits trekkers with moderate fitness who want high-altitude views without the technical climbing of an expedition. The operator notes it is less crowded than other Nepal routes and designed for those who want to experience Himalayan culture and Buddhist monasteries alongside the peaks.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Chinese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (18 to 24 years). Children under 18 can't be included in the booking.
What is the Manaslu Circuit Trek route, and which peaks do you see?
The Manaslu Circuit circles Mt. Manaslu (8,163m), the world's eighth-highest peak, and passes through the Manaslu Conservation Area. Along the route you have close views of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Annapurna Massifs, and Ngadi Chuli. The trek follows the Budhi Gandaki River through subtropical forests in the lower sections, then climbs into alpine terrain with prayer flags, mani stones, and Buddhist monasteries like Labrang Gompa.
How high does the trek go, and what is the highest pass?
Larkya La Pass is the highest point at 5,106m (16,752ft). You sleep at Dharmasala (4,460m) the night before crossing it, then descend to Bhimtang (3,720m) on the other side. The trek starts at 900m in Maccha Khola and climbs gradually, with acclimatization stops built in at Sama Gaon (3,530m) to help your body adjust.
What kind of lodging do you stay in during the trek?
You stay in mountain teahouses run by local families along the entire route. These are simple, basic lodges with beds and blankets. Teahouses provide three daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and hot tea or coffee throughout the day. In Kathmandu at the start and end, you stay in a tourist standard hotel.
Do you need permits to trek the Manaslu Circuit, and are they included?
Yes. The Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, and Restricted Area Permit are all required and included in the trek cost. Your guide handles the paperwork and shows the permits at checkpoints along the route, such as at Jagat where you enter the Manaslu Conservation Area.
What wildlife and cultural sites might you encounter?
The Manaslu Conservation Area is home to Himalayan Tahrs, blue sheep, and snow leopards, though sightings are rare. You pass through villages with strong Tibetan influence (Bihi, Ghap, and Namrung), where you see traditional stone houses and Buddhist culture. You visit Labrang Gompa (also called Kargya Chholing) monastery on the acclimatization day, where monks perform blessing ceremonies for trekkers, and hike to Birendra Taal Lake, named after Nepal's late king.
What is included in the trek cost, and what do you need to pay for separately?
Included are the trekking route map, an experienced government-registered guide who speaks English, three daily meals and hot drinks at teahouses, all permits, and transport from Kathmandu to Maccha Khola, from Tilije to Besisahar, and from Besisahar back to Kathmandu. Not included are alcoholic beverages, bottled water, snacks, gratuities, travel insurance, personal expenses, and device charging.
13-day Manaslu Circuit Trek from Kathmandu: Mt. Manaslu views
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