Manaslu Circuit (Larke-La Pass) Trek

Trip Overview

The Manaslu Circuit is getting more popular trekking destination but it still sees less trekkers compared to the other trekking routes in the Annapurna region. The circuit is a stunning trek with spectacular views of Mount Manaslu (8163 m) and the Ganesh Himal Range, among others. Along the trail you encounter an interesting mix of authentic Hindu and Tibetan-style Buddhist villages. The trail follows the spectacular Budhi Gandaki River all the way from Arugath to its source just below the Larkya Pass (5160 m). As you start low, at around 700 m, the landscapes are incredibly varied ranging from green countryside and lush forests to spectacular high altitude landscapes skirting huge glaciers.

The crossing of the Larkya Pass (5160 m) can be tough when there is snow. However, the stunning landscape with the mighty Himalayas towering straight above you and the spectacular glaciers make it more than worth the effort. The pass links the Budhi Gandaki with the Marsyangdi valley. The descent passes through beautiful alpine meadows at Bhimtang before joining the main Annapurna Circuit route heading to the trailhead at Besisahar. The Manaslu trek is easily accessible from Kathmandu. It originally started in the town of Arughat or Gorkha; however, with roads being built many trekkers start at either Barpak or Soti Khola a bit further up the trail.

Highlights

  • Explore the Manaslu National Park
  • Good views of Mount Manaslu
  • Annapurna Rage
  • Trade passes to Tibet
  • Rich variety of flora and fauna
  • Unique culture with varied customs

Trip Map

Manaslu Circuit (Larke-La Pass) Trek Map

Short itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Sotikhola [710m/2328 ft] 9 - 10 hours

Day 2: Soti Khola - Maccha Khola [900m/2952 ft]: 6 - 7 hours

Day 3:  Maccha Khola -Jagat [1410m/ 4625 ft]: 6 - 7 hrs

Day 4:  Jagat - Deng [1,804m/5917 ft]: 6 - 7 hrs

Day 5: Deng - Namrung [2630m/8626ft]: 6 - 7 hrs

Day 6:  Namrung – Samagaon [3530m/11,578 ft]: 6-7 hours

Day 7:  Samagaon - Pungyen gompa - Samagaon: 6 - 7 hours exploration

Day 8:  Samagaon - Samdo [3860m/12,660 ft]: 4 - 5 hours

Day 9: Rest Day in Samdo 

Day 10:  Samdo - Dharamsala/Larkya B. C. [4460m/14, 628 ft]: 4 - 5 hours

Day 11:  Dharamsala - Larkya la [5160m/16, 924 ft] - Bimthang [3720m/12, 201 ft]: 8 - 9 hours

Day 12: Bimthang - Tilije [2300m/7544ft]: 5 - 6 hours

Day 13:  Tilije - Tal [1700m/5576 ft]: 5 - 6 hours(1700)

Day 14:  Tal -Besisahar- Kathmandu: 9-10 hours drive.

 

Detail Itinerary

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Sotikhola [710m/2328 ft] 8 - 9 hours
After breakfast we will be driving to Sotikhola,  Upon reaching Arughat, a major town in the region we drive further towards Sotikhola. Overnight in Soti Khola.

Day 2: Soti Khola - Maccha Khola [900m/2952 ft]: 6 - 7 hours
At the crossing of the bridge, we trek through the beautiful Sal forests, then climb onto a ridge above huge rapids on the Budhi Gandaki. We then reach Khursane upon which the rocky trail weaves its way up and down, past two tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff. It eventually makes its way down and past a few rice terraces, then up and around to the Gurung village of Labubesi. We further climb behind a rocky outcrop, where the valley opens up and the Budhi Gandaki meanders among wide gravel bars. Dropping to the sandy river bed, we walk along rounded stones before climbing over a side ridge. We head down again to the river and cross another suspension bridge to reach Machha Khola village. Overnight in Machha Khola.

Day 3:  Maccha Khola -Jagat [1410m/ 4625 ft]: 6 - 7 hrs
The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola and reaching Khorlabesi. After a few more ascends and descends we come across a small Hotspring in Tatopani. From the hot spring, we climb over another ridge, then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. At this juncture, we climb on a wide, well-crafted staircase, then across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan. Upon crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Crossing the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat. Overnight in Jagat.

Day 4:  Jagat - Deng [1,804m/5917 ft]: 6 - 7 hrs
We begin today’s trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. We further continue walking upstream to a long suspension bridge in Philim, a large Gurung village. The trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays on a fairly level trail as it crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti. The route now enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. At this point, we descend to the grassy land slopes, cross the Budhi Gandaki, then trek along the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank and then back again. As we continue through the trail the valley widens and we pass through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola.  Upon crossing the Khola, we reach the tiny village of Deng. Overnight in Deng.

Day 5: Deng - Namrung [2630m/8626ft]: 6 - 7 hrs
After a brief walk beyond Deng, we cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb to Rana at 1910m. From the bridge, we climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley. The trail also passes through forests and mani where we turn towards a corner that contours to Ghap. Even though there is another route, we take the route through Prok village. Prok village has a viewpoint for a beautiful sight of Siringi Himal. We further cross the Budi Gandaki several times today and come across several gompas en route. The trail follows the river upstream through a dense forest. After crossing the river at an impressive spot where it thunders down a narrow gorge, the forest becomes less dense and the trail is fine again. The pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb we reach Namrung. Overnight in Namrung.

Day 6:  Namrung – Samagaon [3530m/11,578 ft]: 6-7 hours
Namrung village is a good viewpoint for Siring and Ganesh Himal and from the village one can also see Mt. Himal Chuli in the south. We climb steadily and pass through forests and reach Lihi, a fine village with many chortens and barley terraces. The trail drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal with Ganesh Himal always close by. We further pass through Sho, Lho and Shyala villages before reaching Sama Village. We enjoy extraordianary views of Mt. Manasly from Lho village and also explore the famous Ribung Gompa. In Shyala village we will be surrounded by high mountains like Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead, and other snow summits to the right, and at the far end stands Ganesh Himal. Today’s journey ends in Samagaon where we spend the night.

Day 7:  Samagaon - Pungyen gompa - Samagaon: 6 - 7 hours exploration
We spend the day at Samagaon both for rest and acclimatization. Today, we get acquainted with the rich Sherpa culture. We enjoy the sight of thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures and the Sherpa women clad in traditional clothes and ornaments. On a little hill near the Sama village is an old Gompa (Pungyen Gompa), a monastery with great views of the glacier. It is named after Manaslu, Pungyen means bracelet, a good description of the two peaks. It was destroyed a year after the first unsuccessful Japanese attempt to climb Manaslu. The locals believed that the climb angered the gods, and when the Japanese came back a year later they met with a lot of resistance that they had to give up their attempt. They were finally successful in 1959. Overnight in Samagaon.

Day 8:  Samagaon - Samdo [3860m/12,660 ft]: 4 - 5 hours
Today, we descend to the Budhi Gandaki River, that has turned north and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. The trail to the left leads to the Manaslu Base camp. The Larkya la Trail passes several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river passing the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. We drop off the shelf, cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge and climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. From a stone arch we can view a large white kani. Finally passing through the kani we find Samdo. Overnight in Samdo.

Day 9: Rest Day in Samdo
This is another day set aside for proper acclimatization. There are two options for us today. The option that we highly recommend is a hike, up the valley directly at the back of the Samdo village. This hike will take us to one of the trade passes to Tibet for excellent views of Mt. Manaslu along with other Himalayan ranges including Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye Peak, Cheo and possibly Kang Guru behind the pass.  En route to these viewpoints we pass many seasonal herding settlements called doksas and sight some beautiful mountain birds like the Lophophorus (the national bird of Nepal), Lammergeyer and Himalayan Griffin soaring high above us. Another option for today could be a trip to the Gya La ('large pass') to the north of Samdo, a more frequently used trading route to Tibet. But, this is a rather longer hike (whole day) and hence could be a little tiring. Overnight in Samdo.

Day 10:  Samdo - Dharamsala/Larkya B. C. [4460m/14, 628 ft]: 4 - 5 hours
Even today, we continue our walk down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over Budi Gandaki and begin walking upward. Upon crossing two streams and witnessing the Larkya Glacier we go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again to the stone guest house (4450 m), which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmshala, also known as Larke Phedi. The short walk today also leaves plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon. Overnight in Dharmashala.

Day 11:  Dharamsala - Larkya la [5160m/16, 924 ft] - Bimthang [3720m/12, 201 ft]: 8 - 9 hours
After a short climb, we reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glaciers from where we can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Finally, we walk across moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent which becomes steeper only in the last section of the pass. From the pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. It is a longer day than usual to Bimtang, but to walk into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in with Mt. Manaslu looming close by is an overwhelming experience. Overnight in Bimthang.

Day 12: Bimthang - Tilije [2300m/7544ft]: 5 - 6 hours
From a ridge at Bimthang, we can enjoy great views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal. We descend further and cross a high pasture (Sangure Kharka) followed by a bridge over Dudh Khola. We walk through rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land of the valley at Karche, 2785 meters. We pass across fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank at 2580m. A short distance beyond is the village of Gho. Due to yesterday's tiredness we might take an overnight rest at Gho but better lodges are available at Tilije, so Himalayan Glacier recommends we stay at Tilije. Overnight in Tilije Village.

Day 13:  Tilije - Tal [1700m/5576 ft]: 5 - 6 hours(1700)
We climb over a small ridge and enjoy the stone paved trail as it passes through a beautiful village. We then cross the bridge over Dudh Khola and climb up through a chorten-shaped arch, pass a mani wall and reach the Thonje village. At the village, we go through a police checkpoint and continue to Dharapani. We have entered the Annapurna circuit section from Dharapani. Further down, we come across Karte village and after quite a bit of walking we cross a bridge over Marshyangdi Khola. We also come across some mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, situated at the foot of a large waterfall. Overnight in Tal.

Day 14:  Tal - Besisahar-Kathmandu 9-10 hours drive.
We will take a local jeep to Besisahar then bus to Kathmandu.

 

Includes/Excludes

Cost Includes:

  • Public Transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek as per itinerary.
  • 3 meals per day during the trek (breakfast, lunch & dinner) including the coffee and tea.
  • Accommodation in tea houses as per itinerary during the trek.
  • Highly experienced Government licensed guide and one porter per two guest during the trek.
  • Accommodation and salary for guide and porters.
  • Proper Insurance of all staff including porters.
  • Specail Permit for Manaslu $100/week.
  • Manaslu Convervation Area Fee.
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Fee.
  • TIMS Card.
  • Government / Local taxes, Tourist service charge, guide / porter insurance and salary, general equipment, national park and conservation area fees.

Cost Exclude:

  • Trekking equipment
  • Major meals, lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu
  • Any type of personal expenses, such as alcoholic beverages and drinks, phone and laundry.
  • Nepal entry visa fee.
  • Rescue & travel insurance, trip cancellation costs, accident or health emergency, evacuation, loss, theft or damage to baggage and personal effects. We strongly advise you to take out personal travel insurance.
  • Tips & Gratuities for guide and porters.

Date & Price

Date and price

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Trip Facts

  • Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
  • Best season: February, March, April, May, October, November
  • Per day walking: 6 hours in average
  • Type of trek accommodation: Lodge
  • General Duration: 14 days
  • Maximum Altitude: 5160m

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