Round Manaslu Trek

19 Day(s)

Overview The Round Manaslu Trek is an awe-inspiring Himalayan adventure that encapsulates the sheer beauty of Nepal's landscape, culture, and trekking challenges. Circumnavigating the majestic Mount Manaslu, the eighth highest peak in the world, this trek offers an exceptional blend of natural splendor and cultural immersion. Spanning around 14 to 18 days, the trek is a moderate to strenuous journey that leads trekkers through diverse terrains – from lush lowlands to high alpine passes. The trail ventures through charming villages, inhabited by diverse ethnic groups, including the hospitable Gurungs and Tamangs. These encounters provide a genuine glimpse into the traditional…

Overview

The Round Manaslu Trek is an awe-inspiring Himalayan adventure that encapsulates the sheer beauty of Nepal’s landscape, culture, and trekking challenges. Circumnavigating the majestic Mount Manaslu, the eighth highest peak in the world, this trek offers an exceptional blend of natural splendor and cultural immersion.

Spanning around 14 to 18 days, the trek is a moderate to strenuous journey that leads trekkers through diverse terrains – from lush lowlands to high alpine passes. The trail ventures through charming villages, inhabited by diverse ethnic groups, including the hospitable Gurungs and Tamangs. These encounters provide a genuine glimpse into the traditional mountain lifestyle, as well as opportunities to experience local cuisine, customs, and architecture.

The trekking route scales through the tranquil Budhi Gandaki Valley, traversing suspension bridges and terraced fields. Ascending steadily, trekkers treat them with panoramic vistas of snow-capped peaks, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls. The challenging Larkya La Pass, standing at an altitude of 5,160 meters, is a highlight of the journey, demanding stamina and determination but rewarding with breathtaking panoramic views.

Nature enthusiasts spoiled with the chance to observe an array of flora and fauna, including the elusive snow leopard, Himalayan blue sheep, and a variety of bird species. The stark contrast between the subtropical zones and alpine landscapes adds a unique charm to this trek.

The Round Manaslu Trek’s remoteness and lower traffic compared to more popular treks like Everest and Annapurna Circuit create an unspoiled trekking experience, perfect for those seeking tranquility and authentic adventure. Proper acclimatization and physical fitness are vital for a successful journey due to the elevation and demanding terrain.

Conclusion and Summary

In conclusion, the Round Manaslu Trek encapsulates the essence of Nepal’s natural beauty and cultural diversity. This immersive journey offers trekkers a chance to forge unforgettable memories as they navigate through ever-changing landscapes, interact with warm-hearted locals, and conquer challenging altitudes while being surrounded by the towering grandeur of the Himalayas.

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Trip Highlights

The Round Manaslu Trek is an amazing adventure that offers a variety of highlights for trekkers. Some of the main highlights of the trek include:

Beautiful Scenery: The trek offers stunning views of the Himalayan mountains, including Manaslu (8,163m/26,781ft), the eighth highest mountain in the world.
Unique Culture: The trek takes you through several remote villages where you can experience the unique culture and lifestyle of the local people. You will have the opportunity to learn about their traditions, customs, and beliefs.
High Altitude Pass: The trek includes a challenging crossing of the Larkya La Pass (5,135m/16,847ft), which is the highest point of the trek. This is a great accomplishment for trekkers and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Diverse Landscapes: The trek takes you through a variety of landscapes, including lush forests, rocky terrain, and high altitude passes. Each day offers a new and exciting environment to explore.
Off the Beaten Path: The Round Manaslu Trek is a less traveled route in comparison to other popular trekking destinations in Nepal, which makes it a great choice for those looking for a more secluded adventure.
Warm Hospitality: The local people in the villages along the trekking route are known for their warm hospitality and welcoming nature. You will have the opportunity to interact with the locals and experience their way of life.
Natural Hot Springs: The trek offers a chance to soak in the natural hot springs in Tatopani, which is a great way to relax and unwind after a challenging trek.

Overall, the Round Manaslu Trek offers a unique and unforgettable adventure that combines stunning scenery, cultural immersion, and physical challenge.

Itinerary

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, a representative from the trekking agency will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. In the evening, you will meet your trekking guide for a briefing on the trek.

After breakfast, you will take a private jeep to Soti Khola, the starting point of the trek. The drive takes approximately 8-9 hours, passing through scenic countryside and rural villages.

Today, you will begin your trek along the Budhi Gandaki River, crossing several suspension bridges and passing through small villages. You will reach Machha Khola in the afternoon, where you will stay overnight in a tea house.

Today’s trek takes you through lush forests and along the river, passing through several small villages. You will cross the Machha Khola and reach Jagat, where you will stay overnight.

Today, you will trek through forests and climb steep stone stairs to reach the village of Philim. From there, you will continue to Deng, a small village where you will stay overnight.

Today’s trek is a bit shorter and takes you through forests and across several suspension bridges. You will pass through the village of Ghap and reach Namrung, where you will stay overnight.

Today, you will trek through alpine forests and cross the Budhi Gandaki River to reach the village of Samagaon. Along the way, you will have stunning views of Manaslu and other surrounding peaks. You will stay overnight in Samagaon.

Today is a rest day in Samagaon, which will allow you to acclimatize to the altitude. You can explore the illage and hike to the nearby Birendra Tal Lake for great views of the surrounding mountains.

Today, you will trek through rocky terrain and cross several streams to reach the village of Samdo. You will have great views of the Manaslu range along the way. You will stay overnight in Samdo.

Today is another rest day in Samdo for acclimatization. You can explore the village or hike to the nearby Tibetan border for great views of the mountains.

Today’s trek takes you to Dharmashala, also known as Larkya Phedi. You will climb steeply to reach the Larkya La Pass base camp, where you will stay overnight in a tea house.

Today is the most challenging day of the trek as you will cross the high altitude Larkya La Pass. You will start early in the morning and climb up to the pass, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. You will then descend steeply to reach Bhimthang, where you will stay overnight in a tea house.

Today’s trek takes you through forests and across several streams as you descend to the village of Gowa. You will have great views of Manaslu and other surrounding peaks along the way. You will stay overnight in a tea house.

Today, you will continue your descent and trek through forests to reach the village of Tal. You will have great views of waterfalls and cliffs along the way. You will stay overnight in a tea house.

Today’s trek takes you through forests and along the river, passing through several small villages. You will reach Jagat, where you will stay overnight in a tea house.

Today, you will trek through lush forests and along the river to reach the village of Philim. You will have great views of the surrounding mountains along the way. You will stay overnight in a tea house.

Today’s trek takes you through forests and across several suspension bridges as you descend to the village of Khorlabesi. You will have great views of the Budhi Gandaki River and surrounding cliffs along the way. You will stay overnight in a tea house.

Today is the last day of the trek. You will trek back to Soti Khola, where you will take a private jeep back to Kathmandu. You will arrive in Kathmandu in the evening and stay overnight in a hotel.

A representative from the trekking agency will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

What's Included

Airport pick-up and drop-off
Accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast (3-star hotel)
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card
Private transportation to and from the trailhead
Accommodation during the trek (basic tea houses or lodges)
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
English-speaking licensed trekking guide and porter(s)
Salary, insurance, and equipment for the guide and porter(s)
First aid kit
All government and local taxes

What's Excluded

International airfare to and from Nepal
Nepal entry visa fee (available upon arrival at the airport)
Meals and drinks in Kathmandu
Personal expenses such as phone calls, laundry, and souvenirs
Travel insurance (required)
Tips for the guide and porter(s) (recommended)

Trip Information

The Manaslu Trek is a popular and challenging trek that takes you through a remote and less traveled area of Nepal, circumnavigating the eighth highest mountain in the world, Mt. Manaslu (8,163m/26,781ft). Here is some basic trip information:

Trekking Season: The best time to trek Manaslu is from September to November and March to May when the weather is mild, and the skies are clear.

Trekking Difficulty: The Manaslu Trek is considered a challenging trek, and it requires a good level of fitness and trekking experience. The trek involves crossing several high mountain passes, including the Larkya La Pass (5,135m/16,847ft), and the trail can be steep and rocky in some sections.

Trekking Permits: To trek Manaslu, you will need two permits: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. These permits can only be obtained through a registered trekking agency in Nepal, and you will need to be accompanied by a licensed guide.

Accommodation: Accommodation on the Manaslu Trek ranges from basic tea houses to more comfortable lodges. Tea houses are available in most villages along the trek, and they offer a simple room with a bed and shared bathroom facilities. Lodges offer more comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and hot showers, but they are only available in some of the larger villages along the trail.

Food: The food on the Manaslu Trek is basic but nourishing, with a variety of Nepali, Tibetan, and Western dishes available. Dal bhat (rice and lentil soup) is a staple dish on the trek, and it is served with a variety of side dishes such as vegetables, curry, and pickles. Other popular dishes include momos (dumplings), noodle soup, and fried rice.

Altitude Sickness: Altitude sickness can be a significant concern on the Manaslu Trek due to the high elevations involved. It is important to acclimatize properly and to drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness. If you do experience symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headache, nausea, or dizziness, it is important to descend to a lower altitude immediately.

Overall, the Manaslu Trek is a challenging but rewarding trek that offers stunning mountain views, remote villages, and a glimpse into traditional Nepali and Tibetan cultures. It is a great alternative to the more popular treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions, and it is perfect for experienced trekkers looking for a more off-the-beaten-path adventure.

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