Manaslu Circuit trek also popularly known as Manaslu Base Camp trek is a tea-house trek, yet, still being remote, this area is a comparatively less trekked region in Nepal. Unfortunately, the Manaslu region does not involve flights and the roadways haven’t reached the trekking trails yet. Manaslu (8160 m) stands isolated without crowds of people surrounding it. Comparable in many respects with the Annapurna trekking, the Manaslu Circuit trek takes place in the lower traffic Valley. With the recently built lodges on the trails that lead to Manaslu, this trek has slowly become famous, familiar and popular among adventurers. As you get towards a natural setting of an amphitheater, the Gompa (monastery) of Sama which is at the foot of Manaslu, marks the entry into Buddhist territory. Larkya La pass (5135 m), the highlight of the route has a gentle ascent, before diving sharply deep to reach the lower valleys. Beautiful panoramas of mountain peaks and vistas, villages inhabited by a variety of ethnic groups are few of the highlights of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Manaslu is the 8th highest mountain in the world, it lies proud and high close to the border with Tibet, some 120 km northwest of Kathmandu. Only after a few years into the nineties, the valleys to the north and east of Manaslu were open for foreigners to visit. The Manaslu circuit trek sees relatively few trekkers compared to the established trekking routes, however, the whole circuit of Manaslu over the Larke La pass is getting more and more popular as a new trekking destination in Nepal. The Manaslu Circuit trek commences either in the town of Arughat Bazzar or Gorkha Bazzar and ends in Besisahar, which also happens to be the starting point for the Annapurna circuit.
The Manaslu Circuit trek is an amazing trek bestowing you with breathtaking views of the Manaslu, as you walk through authentic Hindu and Tibetan – style villages inhabited by indigenous villagers. We start at a rather low elevation, trekking through green countryside’s, and passing by villages inhabited by Hindus. Heading northwards, the valley opens up to reveal delightful alpine meadows and small Tibetan-style villages, which cluster aesthetically beneath Manaslu’s sweeping north face. Eventually, the trail takes us to Samagaon, the largest and most important village in the region. From this point on, the trail heads towards the west and crosses the Larke la pass (5160m), a classic and tough route linking the Buri Gandaki with the Marsayangdi valley. A number of descents pass through beautiful alpine meadows at Bimtang, before joining the main Annapurna circuit route and heading to the trails end at Besisahar.
We have carefully put together a tailor made itinerary below, which is one of the many possibilities. Upon your request, the trek can be longer or shorter, depending on the length of your trekking days. We can organize the Manaslu Circuit trek by either camping or doing it as a tea-house trek. Hence, feel free to choose whether you want to camp or stay at the local tea-house/ guest houses.
