Manaslu Circuit: Trekking tour with local guide & meals

Summary

Trekking around Manaslu—mountain mornings, quiet villages, and tea steam in your hands

You’ll hike through remote Himalayan villages on the Manaslu Circuit trek, share warm meals in cozy teahouses, cross high passes with your local guide cheering you on, and wake each morning to mountain silence broken only by birds or distant bells—a rhythm you’ll remember long after the trip ends.

What’s the experience like?

How do you even describe that first morning in Machha Khola? I remember waking up to the sound of someone chopping wood outside the teahouse, the air still cold enough that my breath made little clouds. Our guide, Ram, was already up—he handed me a cup of sweet tea before I’d even found my socks. The Manaslu Circuit trek starts way out from Kathmandu (that bus ride is something else—bumpy doesn’t quite cover it), but by the time we reached the riverbank village, it felt like we’d left regular life behind. There’s this earthy smell everywhere—wet stone, wood smoke, sometimes something frying in yak butter if you’re lucky.

The days sort of blur together after a while. We’d walk for hours along the Budhi Gandaki River, passing through bamboo forests and tiny villages where kids would wave or just stare (one little girl tried to teach me how to say “namaste” properly—I failed). Dal Bhat for lunch again and again—honestly, I didn’t mind. It’s warm and filling and you start craving it by day three. Ram would point out things I’d never have noticed: prayer flags tangled in trees above us, or how the wheat fields change color as you climb higher. Sometimes he’d just laugh at our slow pace and say “Bistari, bistari”—slowly slowly—which became our group motto.

I think about Larkya La Pass a lot now. That morning was so clear and sharp it almost hurt to breathe. Everyone was quiet except for the crunch of boots on frozen ground. At 5,160 meters you can see forever—or at least it feels that way when you’re standing there with numb fingers and a weird mix of exhaustion and awe (and maybe a bit of altitude headache). Crossing over into Bimthang felt like stepping onto another planet; suddenly there were pine forests again and sunlight warming your face instead of windburn.

It’s not an easy trek—there were days when my legs hated me and I wondered why I signed up—but every night in those simple tea houses with hot soup and stories from other trekkers made it worth it. The Manaslu Circuit isn’t crowded like Annapurna or Everest; sometimes we’d go hours without seeing anyone but yaks or an old woman carrying firewood who’d nod at us like she knew exactly what we were feeling. Maybe she did.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Kathmandu

• Arrival and transfer to hotel

Day 2 — Drive to Machha Khola

• Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola
• Explore village and dinner at teahouse

Day 3 — Trek to Jagat

• Trek to Jagat via Manaslu Conservation Area

Day 4 — Trek Jagat to Pewa

• Trek from Jagat to Deng and overnight at lodge

Day 5 — Trek Pewa to Namrung

• Trek from Deng to Namrung village

Day 6 — Trek Namrung to Lho

• Trek to Samagaon via Phungen Glacier

Day 7 — Acclimatization in Samagaon

• Rest and visit local village and lake

Day 8 — Trek Samagaon to Samdo

• Trek to Samdo with mountain views

Day 9 — Trek Samdo to Dharamsala

• Trek to Dharamsala via Larkya Bazaar

Day 10 — Trek Dharamsala to Bimthang

• Trek over Larkya La Pass to Bimthang

Day 11 — Trek Bimthang to Gho

• Trek to Gho and overnight stay

Day 12 — Trek Bimthang to Tilche

• Trek to Tal and rest overnight

Day 13 — Return to Kathmandu

• Drive from Beshisahar to Kathmandu by express bus

Day 14 — Departure

• Transfer to airport for final departure

Top questions

How long does the Manaslu Circuit trek take?

The full circuit usually takes 10–14 days to complete from Soti Khola back to Kathmandu.

Is there a local guide included on this trek?

Yes, a government-licensed trekking guide with over 10 years’ experience leads the group.

Are meals provided during the Manaslu Circuit trek?

All meals—breakfast, lunch, dinner—with tea or coffee are included during trekking days.

What kind of accommodation is used on this trek?

You’ll stay in simple but comfortable tea houses along the route; hotels are used in Kathmandu.

Does this tour include permits for Manaslu?

Yes—all required permits (Manaslu Special Permit, MCAP & ACAP) are arranged for you.

Is airport pickup included when arriving in Kathmandu?

Yes—airport pickup and drop-off are both included at the start and end of your trip.

What is the highest point reached on this trek?

Larkya La Pass at 5,160 meters (16,930 feet) is the highest point on the circuit.

Are porters provided for carrying luggage?

A porter is shared between two people to help carry gear throughout the trek.

What’s included

Your journey includes airport transfers in Kathmandu; all necessary trekking permits; two nights’ hotel accommodation in Kathmandu; all meals during trekking days with tea or coffee; experienced local trekking guide; porter support (shared); basic twin-share rooms in teahouses along the route; use of sleeping bag and duffle bag; plus return transport between Kathmandu and Machha Khola by local express bus.