One of the most well-known treks in Nepal circles the eighth-highest peak in the world, Manaslu, before going through the Larkya La pass. Anyone seeking for a difficult trip in a remote area of the Nepal Himalaya might find this journey appealing.
Despite being a more recent hiking location, Manaslu Circuit Trekking still attracts fewer hikers than other more established trekking areas. A breathtaking journey, the Manaslu Circuit Trek offers breathtaking vistas of the Ganesh Himal Range and Mount Manaslu (8163 m). A unique mixture of genuine Hindu and Tibetan-style Buddhist settlements may be seen along the walk. From Arugath to its source just beyond the Larkya Pass, the route follows the stunning Budhi Gandaki River (5125 m). The sights are quite diverse as you begin low, at around 700 m, going from verdant farmland and lush woodlands to breathtaking high altitude panoramas bordering enormous glaciers.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking is a short distance from Kathmandu. It originally started in the town of Arughat Gorkha, but now we can start at Soti Khola, a bit further up the trail. Manaslu Circuit Trek begins with a scenic drive from Soti Khola via Arughat, which takes approximately the whole day. On the following day, our trek begins to Machha Khola. During the trek, we will be walking through beautiful forests, climbing onto ridges, walking past rice terraces, and crossing suspension bridges. After about four days of trekking, we will arrive at Deng, which begins to show signs of snow peaks. As we continue trekking, we will be crossing a small village and then further reaching Namrung village, where there’s an amazing viewpoint for Ganesh Himal (7,422 m) and Mt. Himalchuli (7,893 m). We will arrive at the highest village in the Budi Gandaki valley, Samagaon, after a short hike. We will acclimatize at this village the following day and then continue our trek, heading towards Samdo, followed by Dharamsala. We will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Larkya Glacier and the Larkya Peak at this point. We will be crossing the highest pass in Manaslue, Larkya Pass (5125 m), which can be tough when there is snow. However, the breathtaking scenery, with the mighty Himalayas towering directly above you, and the spectacular glaciers make it well worth the effort. The descent passes through beautiful alpine meadows at Bhimtang before joining the main Annapurna Circuit route and heading to the trailhead at Besisahar.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty
Manaslu Circuit Trek lies in the northern Himalayan range, in the west-central part of Gorkha district. Manaslu Circuit Trekking takes about 17 days on average, but we can make it longer or shorter. The average distance each day will be approximately 15–20 KM, and the time will be about 8 hours each day. The trek can be made longer or shorter depending on the length of your walking days and starting point.
- You need to be physically and mentally prepared for Manaslu Trekking
- It is important to train yourself and get used to walking on uneven surfaces in himalaya
- Crossing the Larkya La Pass at altitude 5,213 m is the most challenging day during this entire trek. But at the same time, it’s a more a test of your patience level.
- You’ve to walk on snow but you don’t need any technical skills to cross this high alpine pass.
- You will experience more wilderness, remote, local mountain culture and adventure during Manaslu Circuit trek.
Best time to visit Manaslu circuit trekking
Autumn (October and November) and spring (March and April) are often the finest times to hike the Manaslu Circuit. Over 5,000 meters, there may be some snow, and the weather is rather steady in the fall. In the spring, the rhododendron and the beautiful green woodland will bloom. However, Manaslu hiking is possible year-round.
Highlights of Manaslu Circuit Trekking
- A scenic drive from Kathmandu to SotiKhola
- Views of highest peaks in the world like Mt. Manaslu, LamjungHimal, Mt. Annapurna II etc.
- Trek along the BudhiGanadaki River gorge
- Experience natural scenery, flora and fauna
- Discover unique moutnain cultural of Hindu’s and Buddhists