Manaslu Circuit Trek [Larkya La]

from $1,266

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a unique trekking adventure in the restricted region. It leads you via the rough Buri Gandaki Valley to Nupri, a valley of Tibetan people behind Manaslu (8163m). Along the trek, you will have stunning mountain scenery. And you trek through and eat and sleep at Tibetan villages and cross the high pass of Larkya La (5100m).

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  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
    • High Altitude
    • Lodge
    • Restricted Region
    Treks
  • Activity Level 5,000m >
    6/8
  • Group Size Small Group
    Min. 2
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All about the Manaslu Circuit Trek [Larkya La].

Trek the Manaslu Circuit via Larkya La

Manaslu is the eight highest mountain in the world (8163m). Its name means “mountain of the spirit” which comes from the Sanskrit word manasa, meaning “intellect” or “soul”. Manaslu is located in the Gorkha district, east of Annapurna. 

This beautiful trekking route leads you via the Tsum Valley which only opened to trekkers in 2008(!) The Tsum Valley is among the most holy Buddhist areas where mostly Tibetans live. For instance, just behind Samagaon, where you have a rest day, you find the beautiful Kargyu Chholing Gompa which houses a large statue of Guru Rinpoche.

If it isn’t enough yet: this route also leads you through forests of rhodondendrons, along many mani walls with prayer wheels with gorgeous views over – of course – Manaslu (8163m), Manaslu North (7157m) and Naike Peak (5515m).

 

People of Manaslu

The inhabitants of the upper Buri Gandaki, a region known as Nupri (‘the Western mountains’), are direct descendants of Tibetan immigrants who settled here in the early 1600s. In upper Nupri the speech, dress and customs are almost exclusively Tibetan. Nupri actually paid taxes to Tibet until about 1840 and there is still continuous trade between Nupri and Tibet.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
  • airport transfer
  • experienced mountain guide
  • private vehicle (Kathmandu – Soti Khola)
  • bus (Besi Sahar – Kathmandu)
  • TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems)
  • ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit)
  • restricted region permits
  • hotel in Kathmandu – 2 nights
  • accommodations during your trek – 14 nights
  • breakfast, lunch and dinner during your trek
  • VAT and tourist service charges
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • Nepal tourist visa
  • travel health insurance
  • emergency evacuation if needed
  • alcoholic, hot and cold drinks
  • trekking equipments
  • tips for your trekking staff and drivers (will be expected)
  • all other expenses that are not mentioned below ‘cost includes’
  1. Day 1 Kathmandu (1400m)

    By Mountain People welcomes you at the international airport and brings you to your hotel in Thamel.

    Later this day, we will meet at your hotel or at our office for a pre-trip meeting. We introduce you to your guide and talk about your itinerary. If you have any questions or requests, we would like to hear them from you.

    Note: Please make sure you bring your passport to the meeting along with three copies, two photos and a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. We also request you to clear the due balance if any.

    airport transfer – hotel

  2. Day 2 Soti Khola (790m)

    Early morning we pick you up from your hotel and drive to the Gorkha region. We drive through small villages and bustling bazaars till we arrive in the settlement of Soti Khola (790m) in the Budi Gandaki valley.

    breakfast – private vehicle – dinner – mountain lodge

  3. Day 3 Budhi Gandaki

    Today we start our trek. First the trail descends slowly until we climb to the mountain ridge to Almara. Then we pass the forest trail to arrive at Riden Gaon. Via the valley, we cross the river to enter Budhi Gandaki. From Lambesi, the trail follows down to the sandy river bed of Budhi Gandaki.

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  4. Day 4 Tatopani (930m)

    After crossing the Machha river and Khola Besi, we reach the hot spring of Tatopani. From here the trail follows a forest whereafter we reach Dovan with just below the massive river Budi Gandaki. From here the elevation increases clearly and our view change completely.

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  5. Day 5 Deng (1855m)

    Today our trail begins by climbing a rocky ridge from where views of Sringi Himal (7187m) appear. We continue through rich terraced fields of maize, potato and millet before we enter the Nupri, the western mountains, via bamboo forests. Tonight we spend the night in the Buddhist village of Deng (1855m).

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  6. Day 6 Namrung (2660m)

    We pass by numerous Tibetan mani walls, intricately hand carved stone walls with Buddhist scriptures. We weave in and out of canyons. An enter into a colourful forest of firs, oaks and rhododendrons until we arrive in the settlement of Namrung (2660m).

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  7. Day 7 Lho Gaon (3190m)

    Today our trek climbs steadily into the alpine where we’ll see the first stunning glimpse of Manaslu North (7774m) and Manaslu (8150m). We spend the night at the village of Lho Gaon (3190m) with locals who wear the traditional Tibetan clothes called ’chubas’.

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  8. Day 8 Samagaon (3530m)

    Today we have a shorter trekking day which allows us to acclimatize and enjoy the spectacular mountain views and villages along the way. We walk through a gully of mosses and rhododendron until we enter the village of Samagaon (3530m).

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  9. Day 9 Acclimatization Day

    Today we stay around Samagaon and hike up to Pungyen gompa and the glacial lake Birendra Tal. This hike takes us through a forested area before we reach a ridge and a grassy plateau. Here you’ll discover the gompa that was destroyed by an avalanche in the winter of 1953. When we continue our hike, we reach the icy waters of Birendra Tal that is situated at the base of a glacier.

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  10. Day 10 Samdo (3850m)

    Today we have another shorter day that allows us to adjust to the altitude. Along the way we pass a land of yaks, plentiful marmots and pastures where only barley and potatoes can grow due the high elevation. Today we finally trek above the tree line.

    A pleasant walk takes us to the picturesque village of Samdo (3850m) a town that is known for its yak herding. Samdo is also at the convergence of three valleys and is only a one day walk from Tibet. We’ll be quite likely to see traders coming from the valley carrying Chinese and Tibetan goods.

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  11. Day 11 Larkya Phedi (4480m)

    When we continue our trek from Samdo, we follow a wide, broad path, cross the Budi Gandaki river and traverse along a mani wall. Then we climb over the Larkya glacier until we reach a ridge from where we can have grand views over a huge gorge. We spend the night in Larkya Phedi, also known as Dharmashala, before we cross the high Larkya La pass tomorrow.

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  12. Day 12 Larkya La (5100m) & Bimthang (3720m)

    Today is a longer day with a challenging, though not technically difficult trek over Larkya La pass (5100m). From Larkya Phedi we pass a glacial moraine and four frozen lakes as we make our way to the pass. It takes about 5 hours to reach this point. From the pass we can see incredible views of Himlung Himal (7126m), Cheo Himal (6820m), Gyaji Kung (7030m), Kang Guru (6981m) and Annapurna II (7937m). After a short break we start our descent down a trail along a steep gully. Eventually the trail peters out into a more grassy level and we continue our descent to Bimthang (3720m).

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  13. Day 13 Tilje (2300m)

    Today we cross a glacial stream and climb over the side of the moraine descending into a spectacular forest of rhododendrons and impressive pines. Also we are likely getting a view of Manaslu providing an equal amount of splendour. We descend down towards the Dudh (milk) Khola and continue through a more agricultural landscape until we reach the village of Tilje (2300m).

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  14. Day 14 Chamje (1410m)

    Today we have a more rapid descent into the Marsygandi Valley. We trek through a forest, cross a suspension bridge and make our way to the well-trodden trail of the Annapurna Circuit. We make our way to Chamche where we stay for the night and celebrate our success of completing the Manaslu Circuit!

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  15. Day 15 Besi Sahar (800m)

    From Chamje we can either continue trekking or take a jeep to Besi Sahar.

    breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

  16. Day 16 Kathmandu (1400m)

    Today we take the bus to Kathmandu.

    Would you like to extend your holiday and visit the peaceful city of Pokhara? Please let us know and we will change your itinerary.

    In the evening, we offer you and your guide a farewell dinner together in a traditional Nepalese restaurant.

    breakfast – bus – farewell dinner – hotel

  17. Day 17 Departure

    If it’s the final day of your holiday in Nepal, we will bring you back to the international airport. Goodbye friends! We hope that we will meet each other again in the future.

    breakfast – airport transfer

Mountain Lodges

Mountain Lodges

During your Manaslu Circuit trek, you will be staying at basic mountain lodges. Here are double rooms and shared bathrooms.

In some villages, there’s also a hot shower and wifi available for an additional fee.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance.
Photo by Petr Meissner

Gompa by Petr Meissner

Enter your title herePhoto by Zabara Alexander

Village in Manaslu by Zabara Alexander