Manaslu Circuit Trek - A Complete Guide

Manaslu region is located in the magnificent area over the foothills of the Gorkha, west of Kathmandu. The Manaslu Circuit Trek begins from Soti Khola, one step further from Arughat Bazaar in Gorkha District. In the past years, Arughat Bazaar used to be the starting point of Manaslu Circuit Trek. In recent years, the road had expanded to Soti Khola and allows driving access. Dharapani is the ending point of the trek, the village is located on the Annapurna Circuit Trek trail.

All foreign trekkers who are supposed to trek in Manaslu Circuit are required to trek with a Registered Nepali guide or porter as the trek route is in the Restricted Area.  Nepal´s restricted and controlled areas require special trekking permits as per state law. And trekkers should go through government-affiliated trekking agencies to have a special trekking permit.

Trip Highlights

• Typical old Gurung and Tibetan villages and their cultures, traditions and rituals
• Breathtaking views of Siringi Himal, Manaslu Himal, Naike peak, Himlung, Gyaji Kang, Kangaru, Namjung, Annapurna II, Cheo and Larke peaks
• Glacier views of Hinang glacier, Punggen glacier, Larkya glacier, Ponkar glacier, and Kechakyu glacier
• Crossing over Larkya La Pass (5,160m/16,930ft)
• Big Mani walls, ancient monasteries and caves
• Seasonal Fair at Tibetan markets
• Rhododendron and Oak Forests, and Greenland
• Traditional farming system

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)

Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing and trek preparation

Day 03: Kathmandu – Arughat (670m/2,198 ft) – Soti Khola (710m/2,330ft) 8-9 hrs drive

Day 04: Soti Khola – Machha Khola (890m/2,920ft) 6-7 hrs

Day 05: Machha Khola – Dobhan (1,000m/3,280ft 6-7 hrs

Day 06: Dobhan – Philim (1,590m/5,216ft) 6-7 hrs

Day 07: Philim – Deng (2,240m/7,350ft)  6-7 hrs

Day 08: Deng – Namrung (2,660m/8,725ft) 6-7 hrs

Day 09: Namrung – Lho (3,180m/10,430ft) 3-4hrs

Day 10: Lho – Sama Gaon (3,530m/11,578ft) 5-6 hrs

Day 11: Sama: Rest and exploration day: Birendra Tal / Pungyen Gompa / Manaslu Base Camp

Day 12: Sama – Samdo (3,860m/12,660ft) 3-4 hrs

Day 13: Samdo – Larkya Phedi/Dharamsala (4,460m/14,628ft) 3-4 hrs

Day 14: Dharamsala – Larkya La (5,160m/16,930ft) – Bimthang (3,720m/12,201ft) 8-9 hrs

Day 15: Bimthang – Gho (2,515m/8,250ft) 5-6 hrs

Day 16: Gho – Dharapani (1,920m/6,300ft) 3-4 hrs

Day 17: Dharapani- Besi Sahar (760m/2,495ft) – Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft) 9-10 hrs drive

Day 18: Final departure

* If you like to read one of our client's Manaslu experiences, please click here.

How to get on the trail?

You should drive 140 km from Kathmandu to Soti Khola. It will take 7 hours by Private 4WD Jeep and 8 - 9 hours by local public bus. The first day of this trek is all an adventure ride on the bumpy off-road.

Kathmandu to Soti Khola by local bus

You will have a few options for morning buses between Kathmandu-Arughat sections. The most recommended route is via Dhading Beshi, which will be a 35-seater bus and take around 8-9 hours including a short lunch break. Upon reaching Arughat, you need to change vehicles with small jeeps or small-sized buses to go to Soti Khola, which is frequently available.

Kathmandu to Soti Khola by private jeep

This option will definitely save you from the hassle of waiting and guarantee a much more comfortable ride. Private jeeps with a tourist plate (in green color) can take you straight to Soti Khola without transiting in Arughat, plus they are rarely affected by the protest. Private jeeps with a red plate, on the other hand, have to stop in Arughat, from where you need to switch to a privately reserved local jeep to continue to Soti Khola.

Note: In case of heavy rains, the section about 30-45km before reaching Arughat can be extremely muddy, and landslides can occur in a worst-case scenario. A possible solution is to walk through shortcuts to Arughat. Otherwise, as vehicles from both directions get stuck in the middle, negotiate with those heading opposite to drive you to Arughat.

How to return back to Kathmandu or Pokhara?

It will take 3 - 4 hours from Dharapani to Besi Sahar by 4WD Jeep and another 5 - 6 hours drive from Besi Sahar to Kathmandu or Pokhara by Local public bus. Trekking is definitely not recommended for the Dharapani-Besisahar section as the roads are heavily trafficked and dusty.

Dharapani to Besi Sahar by sharing local jeep

Dharapani-Besi Sahar section is a part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek as well as part of a bigger road project built by the Nepal Army, which also links with the Manang district. Kindly keep in your mind that this mountain-blasted road might be extremely daunting at some points. This might give you a big relief to know that there has not been a fatal accident recorded yet in this section.  In comparison with drivers in the cities, these local drivers seem more skillful. It will take approximately 4 hours to get between two ends by local jeep and available almost every hour.

Dharapani to Besi Sahar by private jeep

Please be sure that you find the jeeps at the local places before the trip. If available, it’s beneficial to have local drivers who know the road condition well. You are advised to reserve Private jeeps beforehand.

Note: In the event of heavy rainfall, an immense flow of water from waterfalls can cause road blockage. The only option is to wait until the water subsides. Attempting to cross in high water is highly inadvisable.

 

Besi Sahar to Pokhara by local bus

Leaving on a frequent basis, buses between Besi Sahar and Pokhara are easily available. You will have choices of small minibusses that can fit 16 people to Deluxe 40-45 seated buses. The road condition is stable all year round and will be 5-6 hours smooth drive.

Besi Sahar to Pokhara by private vehicle

If you prefer a private mode of transportation, private jeeps or cars from Kathmandu or Pokhara can be ordered to pick you up at Besi Sahar. The trip will take approximately 4 hours.

Besi Sahar to Kathmandu

Similarly, Besi Sahar to Kathmandu can be just as easy and with as many varieties of options. Local buses will take around 5-6 hours and the same for private jeeps.

Note: The only potential road hazard in this section is the landslide once you reach Mugling, where the road is joined with the main East to West Highway. Other than that, the road condition is fairly stable. However, it’s good to be reminded that a traffic jam can cause a few-hour delays.

 

Permits:

Manaslu Region is located in a restricted area. You will need a special restricted area permit, which can be issued by The Department of Immigration, located at Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu with support from the local trekking agencies. You will also need ACAP and MCAP permit for the trek. A minimum of two trekkers is compulsory for the trek. Read more about permits and fees:

https://www.amazingnepaltrek.com/blog/trekking-permits-and-national-park-entry-fees-in-nepal

 

Accommodation for the Manaslu Circuit trek:

You can plan this trek as ‘Lodge to Lodge Trek’. The lodges on the trail are very basic. Most of them have squat-style toilets, unless very few with Western-style toilets in the major villages. Showers offer randomly warm water and most lodge-owners will charge you for use of a hot shower.

You can order meals from teahouses, but all food has been carried up there by porters or donkeys. Thus, as you go higher up, the price of meals and drinks will be more expensive.

Wifi and Telephone in the Manaslu Circuit Trek:

Some lodges do have access to the internet but at an extra cost. If you want to communicate with your family or friends, there is an ISD phone available in some of the teahouses which also takes a little bit of extra money. Local Mobile Phones/SIMs hardly work on the trail. NTC has better signal coverage than Ncell in the region.

DREAM BIG, DREAM TRAVEL !!

Before Travel Trek Safety in Nepal