Budget Manaslu Circuit Trek 14 Days

Namaste and welcome to the city of old customs and traditions, which offers a blend of modern and ancient architecture in Kathmandu. You will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, where you can also obtain your visa upon arrival. At the departure gate, one of our representatives or sometimes the owner of the company, Mr. Jiban Thapaliya himself will be welcoming you at the airport.

Early in the morning, around 8 AM, you will have breakfast at the hotel you are staying at and then pack your bags, and in front of the hotel, a shared vehicle like a Scorpio will be waiting for you, which will be shared with fellow trekkers. After that, you will be heading towards the Macha Khola, a small charming village in the Gorkha District, which is the gateway to the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

The distance between Kathmandu and Macha Khola is 160km, which is 99 miles. The time taken to reach the Macha Khola will be 4 to 6 hours, depending on the road conditions. You will be driving through the lush green forests as soon as you leave Kathmandu, and you will feel the cold breeze of the forests and the highways.

You will be passing through the beautiful villages like Dhading, Arughat, and Soti Khola. Upon reaching the Macha Khola, you can check into your guest house and relax for a while. In the evening, you can stroll around the Macha Khola, talking with the locals or fellow trekkers and spending your own time. Also, we will be meeting our guide who will be with us for the duration of the Budget Manaslu circuit trek.

Before starting the trek, make sure your backpack contains all the essentials you may need for the day, including water, snacks, extra layers, personal medications, and electronic devices. Since this is a budget trek without porter support, you will carry your own trekking gear throughout the journey, so it is important to pack light and carry only necessary items.

Our trek begins with a gentle climb along narrow mountain trails, crossing suspension bridges over the Budi Gandaki River. Passing through Khorlabesi and Tatopani, we can take a short break and soak our feet in the area's natural hot springs. The trail then continues through a series of ascents and descents, offering views of waterfalls, rocky cliffs, and terraced hillsides before reaching Jagat, a traditional Gurung village known for its stone-paved streets and welcoming atmosphere.

Early in the morning, we will be heading towards our next destination, which is Deng village. The distance from Jagat to Deng is around 20 km, which will be completed in a 10-hour trek via lush forests and small settlements like Salleri and Sirdibas. We will cross suspension bridges and walk along beautiful riverbanks before reaching Philim, known for its agriculture and scenic location.

The landscape gradually changes, with the valley narrowing as we head towards Deng, a small village surrounded by barley and buckwheat fields, which is also known for its beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes. Upon arrival, check into your tea house and relax.

Early in the morning, we will head towards our next destination, which is Namrung village. A beautiful village that gives the first glimpse of the mountains in the background. The distance between Deng and Namrung is 19km, which will be completed in 8 to 10 hours, including rest, tea breaks, and lunch breaks as well. We follow the trail through alpine forests, crossing wooden bridges and passing mani walls carved with Buddhist prayers.

As we trek, you will see the route climbs steadily with glimpses of Shringi Himal. The air becomes cooler as we reach Namrung, a picturesque village with traditional Tibetan-style houses and spectacular views of Ganesh Himal and Himal Chuli.

We will be heading towards our next destination, which is Samagaun. It is a large village rich in Tibetan culture and known for its breathtaking mountain views in the background, which are the Manaslu ranges. We will be trekking through lush green forests of rhododendron and fir, passing through charming villages like Lihi, Sho, and Lho. Upon reaching Samagaun village, you will feel like you are in an urban city inside the mountains.

As the village is rich in culture, traditions, and facilities as well. When reaching Samagaun, you can relax and stroll around the village, talking to locals, exploring the local markets, or buying souvenirs for your loved ones.
 

Today will be our acclimatization day in Samagaun to acclimate to the crisp and thin air at the high altitude so that our bodies do not get Altitude sickness. Today will be the acclimatization day, so we can stroll around the villages, explore the market, visit the monasteries and gumbas. Along with that, we will visit Birendra Lake, which is made from the melting glaciers of the Manaslu ranges.

If you want to hike in the early morning, before sunrise, we can hike to the Manaslu base camp for the sunrise as well as from the Manaslu base camp, where the sunrise over the mountain peaks looks beautiful, which is once in a lifetime to experience.

After that, we can descend to the Birendra Lake and enjoy its tranquility, and then we can hike to the Pungyen Gompa, which is a peaceful monastery set in yak pastures. In the evening, we will have the BBQ in the garden of the tea house and enjoy the stargazing and relax in Samagaun.

Today our trek will be very short compared to other day treks. The distance will be only 8km, which can be reached in 4 hours. Today, we will acclimatize with the little hike so that our bodies can adapt to the crisp and thin air of the high altitudes. We will leave Samagaun following the gentle hike to the Budi Gandaki River upstream. The dense forests give way to a wide, windswept valley with sparse vegetation, signaling our entry into a more barren, high-altitude landscape.

Samdo is a picturesque Tibetan refugee settlement located close to the Nepal–Tibet border. Known for its yak herding, traditional stone houses, and remnants of ancient trade culture, Samdo offers a fascinating glimpse into Himalayan frontier life. Upon reaching, enjoy the stunning scenery and relax.

Early in the morning, we will pack our bags, have our breakfast, and then we will head towards Dharamshala, which is also known as the Larkya Phedi. Dharamshala is not a village but a tea house location which is run by the locals of the Samagaun, Samdo, and Namrung Deng.

The Dharamshala is made for the trekkers ' ease so that they can rest and complete their trek to Larkya La, as it is one of the highest passes in the world. The Dharamshala is surrounded by the alpine wilderness, which makes it an unforgettable overnight stop. We rest early to conserve energy for the most demanding day of the trek.

Early in the morning, before 3 AM, we will wake up, have our breakfast, so that we can have some energy, get our lunch packed, and carry it with us from Dharamsahal to Larkya la and till Bhimtang, where there are no settlements to have lunch. We will start early in the morning because if we start late, we cannot predict the day temperature in Larkya la, making it difficult to cross the pass. We will be passing via an icy trail.

The climb to Larkya La Pass is slow and steady, where we will be crossing frozen streams, rocky ridges, and snowfields. As we near the pass, prayer flags flutter in the wind, marking the highest point of the trek at 5,106 meters. From the Larkya La pass, you can witness the breathtaking views of the Himlung Himal, Kang Guru, Cheo Himal, and Annapurna II stretch across the skyline, their glaciers glinting in the morning light.

Celebrate the moment of the conquered. Have photographs and enjoy the surroundings.  Have your lunch, which you carried from the tea house. Also, carry the waste materials, plastics, or any kinds of garbage with you, so that we can keep the Larkya la pass clean and suitable.

After that, in the evening, we will trek down to the Bhimtang, a beautiful village located in the Gorkha district and the famous stop for the trekkers crossing the Larkya la pass. As you will reach 5130 meters, you need to sleep at the lower altitudes to overcome the AMS, and Bhimtang village plays a perfect role in it.

Early in the morning, If you want, we can add an extra trip to Ponker Lake, which is just an hour hike from the Bhimtang village, and it is the most famous lake in Nepal, and people sometimes also call it an alternative to the Tilicho Lake.

After that, we will trek down to the Tilije village, which is situated just over the Glacier River, and it is a beautiful, lush green village. We will enjoy the warm hospitality of the local Gurung villages and rest for the night.

Early in the morning, trek down to the Dharapni village. We will be trekking via ascending waterfalls, terraced fields carved into the hillsides, and stone-built houses adorned with prayer flags. Upon reaching Dharapani, you will see that it is the busiest village as you will see vehicles coming from Kathmandu and a crowd of trekkers wanting to do the different treks in the Annapurna region, as the Dharapani village is the gateway to the beautiful treks in Annapurna region like Annapurna circuit, Tilicho Lake Trek, Pisang peak climbing, North Annapurna base camp, Nar Phu Vallley and many more. Upon reaching Dharapani, we will stay at the guest house, we will enjoy the local hospitality and relax, and think about the memories made during the Manaalu circuit trek.

Early in the morning, say goodbye to our fellow trekkers who were with us during the MCT trek and wish the trekkers starting their treks in the Annapurna region. A shared vehicle like Scorpio will be waiting for us to bring us back to Kathmandu from Dharapani. The distance between Dharapani and Kathmandu is 216, which is 134 miles, and can be reached in an 8 to 10-hour drive.

As soon as you enter the Kathamanu valley from Nagdhunga, you will see the hustling and bustling city life again. After reaching Kathmandu, you can check into the hotel, and in the evening, we will be having a farewell dinner for you, and you are invited.

According to your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the airport 4 hours before to complete immigration, customs, and airport security. If your flight is in the evening, then you can do some of the Kathmandu city tour and visit different places like Swyambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, Basantpur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and many more. We hope you liked our guided Manaslu circuit trek, and we invite you to do future treks in the Nepal region, like the Langtang valley trek, Kanchen Junga base camp trek, Everest High Pass trek, and many more.