“We must take adventures in order to know where we truly belong.”
Bounded by Ganesh Himal and the subterranean Marshyangdi Khola with its Annapurna range of hills, Manaslu Circuit Trekking is a quaint trekking route, equivalence with the Annapurna Circuit Trek & Everest region trek in terms of complexity, variety and landscape. Our trek also lets you explore the challenging trail in a remote region of Manaslu which is planned to take you to the vicinity of the 8th highest peak in the world, Mount Manaslu (8,156m).
Several major highlights of this trek comprise the challenging Larkya La pass (5,123m) with the terrific sight of the snow-white peaks including the grandiose Manaslu Peak, Annapurna II , Kang Guru and Himlung Peak. The paths shall be full of powerful and persistent rivers, bridges to get you up and close with the genuine countryside lifestyle that has been conserved since unknown era. Also you shall be able to witness the diverse flora and fauna species inhabiting this fascinating region of Nepal. Previous trekking experience is an added advantage here as this is a moderately strenuous trek which requires trekkers to have an above average physical fitness. Come and enjoy the adventure here!
Day 01 - Arrival in Kathmandu [1,300m/4,264 ft]
Day 02 - Kathmandu: Sightseen and Trek Preparation
Day 03 - Drive from Kathmandu to Sotikhola [710m/2328 ft] 8 - 9 hours
Day 04 - Soti Khola - Maccha Khola [900m/2952 ft] -Khola Besi 910m/3000ft: 6 - 7 hours
Day 05 - Khorla Besi -Jagat [1410m/ 4625 ft]: 6 - 7 hrs
Day 06 - Jagat - Deng [1,804m/5917 ft]: 6 - 7 hrs
Day 07 - Deng - Namrung [2630m/8626ft]: 6 - 7 hrs
Day 08 - Namrung – Lho Gaun 3130m/ 8900ft
Day 09 - Lho -Samagaon [3530m/11,578 ft]: 6-7 hours
Day 10 - Samagaun -Acclimatize day with optional hike to Paguin Gompa or Berendra lake [3530m/11,578 ft]
Day 11 - Samagaon - Samdo [3860m/12,660 ft]: 4 - 5 hours
Day 12- Samdo - Dharamsala [4460m/14, 628 ft]: 4 - 5 hours
Day 13 - Dharamsala - Larkya la [5160m/16, 924 ft] - Bimthang [3720m/12, 201 ft]: 8 - 9 hours
Day 14 - Bimthang - Tilije [2300m/7544ft]: 5 - 6 hours
Day 15 - Tilije - Tal [1700m/5576 ft]: 5 - 6 hours(1700)
Day 16 - Tal - Syange [1080m/3542 ft]: 6 - 7 hours
Day 17 - Syange - Kathmandu: 8-9 hours
Day 18 - Final departure
Once you land at the airport in Kathmandu, one of our representatives will meet you there. He will guide you to your hotel through the winding alleys of Kathmandu. In the evening, explore the nearby street vendors and food stalls to map a rough picture of Kathmandu. Those food stalls are a wonderful place to grab the taste of Nepal.
Your City tour Guide picks you up from your hotel and takes you Kathmandu valley tour for half day.your will have great experiences of Nepal's cultures and old tradition and Religion and prepare trek gears for trekking.
Drive to Kathmandu to Soti (730m) 6-7 hours
Early morning you will be pick up by your trekking guide then drive to Soti Khola. The bus goes through the main high way Prithivi high way then turn west-north single tack to Dadhingbesi from Malekhu to all the way to Soti Khola after crossing the one of the biggest river trisuli river. After driving approx 6 hours you reach soti Khola.Overnight in Hotel.
This is our first day trekking, the trek start fairly level on road with a view of the Buddi Gandaki river down the valley, soon you see nice waterfall opposite side of the trail. Now trail inter into the rough Buddi Gandaki valley with tropical vegetation trough nice village Lapu besi then we cross the thrilling suspension bridge, again we see the big waterfall close to the few restaurants dominant the beautiful valley, we can have tea or coffee with a view of the waterfall and river down the valley. now we cross the bridge towards the Machha Khola where we eat lunch. Now we are ready to reach the final destination Khorlabesi, the trail is down and up in the valley walls to today's destination Khorlabesi. Overnight in Hotel.
We head upwards to the Tatopani through up and down valley walls, when we reach Tatopani, A tiny village between the Buddi Gandaki river and tremendous cliff then in 15 minutes we cross the bridge, then we turn left and straight ahead to Dovan and the trail go slowly descend up t to Yaru Phant via Thulo Dunga. we eat lunch in Yaru Phant and start trek to Jagat, most of the walk now is little up and down alongside the river to Jagat via the swiss bridge. Now the valley becomes wider, Jagat is the entry point of the restricted Manasalu and Tsum valley trek. we register trekking permits here in Jagat going before the Fillim village. Jagat is a small Gurung village situated between the Buddhi Gandaki river tremendous cliff. Overnight in Hotel.
The trail descent to the bank of the river and climb up the stairs to the edge of the bridge where is hydro powerhouse situated then cross the bridge with the view of the nice two waterfalls then we walk through the cliff, now you need extra care or walk together watching ahead to make sure donkeys are coming or not if donkeys are ahead of the stay uphill side. we then reach nice slate paved village Sirdibas, very friendly villagers. Now the trail is wider and nicer with the view of the Ganesh Himal ahead now we stay alongside the river to Ghatte Khola then soon we cross the longest bridge in our trek then climb 45 minutes then we reach Fillim, we register our all trekking permits and eat lunch then slowly onwards to Gam Pul (bridge) via Ekle Bhatti. we then turn right side up to Lokpa, after 1:30 descend up through the pine forests then you reach Lokpa, a small village with two, Lodges. Overnight in Hotel.
The trail descent to the bank of the river and climb up the stairs to the edge of the bridge where is hydro powerhouse situated then cross the bridge with the view of the nice two waterfalls then we walk through the cliff, now you need extra care or walk together watching ahead to make sure donkeys are coming or not if donkeys are ahead of the stay uphill side. we then reach nice slate paved village Sirdibas, very friendly villagers. Now the trail is wider and nicer with the view of the Ganesh Himal ahead now we stay alongside the river to Ghatte Khola then soon we cross the longest bridge in our trek then climb 45 minutes then we reach Fillim, we register our all trekking permits and eat lunch then slowly onwards to Gam Pul (bridge) via Ekle Bhatti. we then turn right side up to Lokpa, after 1:30 descend up through the pine forests then you reach Lokpa, a small village with two, Lodges. Overnight in Hotel.
First part of the trail today is narrow above the river to bridge, soon we cross the river then climb up to old and traditional village Rana with well craved Mani walls and Siringi Himal, again the narrow trail ahead through the bamboo forest, some steep down through the cliff to Bee Phedi, we then again walk in some section over the cliff and landslide to Gap. Now we eat lunch in Gap and nice fairly level trail to Jungle view lodge, soon crossing the bridge in 45 minutes we descent north to Namrung crossing the Another bridge. After an hour challenging climb we reach Namrung, nice views of the Manasalu, Syal peak and we register our trekking permits in Police post. OverNight in Hotel.
We head down to Lokpa saying goodbye to Beautiful Mountains until we reach Deng, we soon cross the bridge and slowly walk up and down through the valley walls above the Syar Khola, we soon get top of the slopes and trail descent to Lokpa via Swiss-made bridge and the pine and bamboo forests. Eat lunch in Lokpa.we then descent to Nyak Phedi via Junction to bridge, crossing the bridge we start to walk slowly up north to Nyak Phedi above the Buddhi Gandaki river soon we reach Nyak Phedi then fairly level trail until the bridge. Now we have a nice walk through the mix of pine forest to Piyo, from where we see the first view of the siringi Himal as well as monkeys, We then soon start zigzagging descent to Deng village above the river. Overnight in Hotel.
wider from Namrung, head east north crossing the bridge staying bottom of the valley and above the river upwards to Syo, we see beautiful Syala peak and Manaslu range, a nice village with stone sharing roof and courtyard. Now we walk into the corner, soon we cross the bridge and then onwards to Lhi through steep slopes valley walls. Another nice village Lhi with a pack of the clusters of the stone houses contains the wheat, barley, and potatoes, now valley open enough to view the Manasalu (8160m), Syala peak, Himalchui, Dwjin Himal, Manasalu North. Now an hour's walk we reach Lho gaun. After lunch climbs the north hill to view all seen mountains and observe the Monastery through the Stupa and Buddhist religious Mani walls. Overnight at Hotel.
The walk today steep upwards to the monastery n then in 45 minutes we cross the bridge, we then walk slowly down to the river with the section of the loose rock where some risk to get avalanches in winter or heavy snow high up. Soon crossing the Numla river by the wooden bridge then we walk slowly up crossing another small wooden bridge to Syala Village onwards keeping the small river left side of the trail. Syala is the very good place to observe the Himal Chuli, Manasalu north, Manasalu (8160m), Numla peak, Syala peak, and Manasalu glacier, now valley open wider, leaving Syala in 1:30 we reach very religious Tibetan influenced village samagaun where Buddhist mani walls are scattered along the trail, Mostly houses roof and courtyard are shared each other. Biggest village in the Manasalu circuit with Monastery. Nice sport to relax before the Larke La pass.
Acclimatize day with an optional hike to Paigun Gompa or Birendra Lake or roaming around the village just visiting the Monastery.
Leaving the hotel in 30 minutes we cross the river by a wooden bridge which river drains from the Manaslu glacier, we then stay fairly level trail to Samdo river, Mostly walk go through a mix of Bamboo, birch, and bushes alongside the Buddhist mani walls, You might see marmots along with the bushes aside. Approx a two and half hours walk we cross the samdo river by a wooden bridge, we then turn left up to Samdo and an ascending trail bring us in a well established Tibetan community village "Samdo. Keep in your mind "Go high sleep law", so hike up to the north hill for an hour and back to Samdo. Overnight in Hotel.
After 45 minutes walk, we cross the bridge, we then climb slowly gradually up through the south faces slope walls and Comma slopes. The view of the Samdo Peak, Larke Paek, Mansalu (816m), and valley up to Tibet is stunning while you are hiking up to Darmasala (4400m). Approx 3 hours gradual walk you reach Damasala rest house. Now the view of the Manasalu, Samdo Peak, and Larke La peak and other mountains makes you take some pictures drinking hot drinks. Again "Go high sleep law" for better acclimatize. we then go bed early to make sure we have enough sleep to cross the Larke La next morning. Overnight in Hotel.
Today we start our hike early in the morning to avoid gale force, high wind, itself today is extended and tough day. The trail goes more west north alongside the Lake La glacier for an hour, we then reach a lake almost drying in the left side the trail, now the trail becomes more gradual up and down for several time through the boulders until we reach Larke la (51200m). we follow the sign of the long stand metal, we stay together because easily we lose the trail when people is a tire or invisible weather or deep snow on the trail or very windy. we then reach the top of the Larke La pass (5120m) in 4:5 hours from Darmasala. The rewards for these challenging and difficult conditions are views of the Himlung mountains, Annapurna II in the west valley where we steep descent drops onto yaks pastures. Now the trail levels off onto Yak Pasturs, we then walk gradually down to Bhimthang through alongside the Himlung glacier. Soon you reach the Bhimthang surrounded by Manasalu, Himlung, and Kangaru Mountains and. Long walks through the Larke La. Overnight in Hotel.
An easy start hike with the view of the Manasalu again Himlung Himal, Leaving the Hotel We turn right to the river in 45 minutes, The view from the bank of the rivers is stunning of the Manasalu and Himlung river, After crossing the river we rapidly descent through the meadows, pine and a mix of the rhododendron forests close to the edge of the river and stay above the river, now then we follow the onwards to yak Kharka, slowly we walk down to Surki Khola, we then eat lunch, After lunch, we walk slowly up to edge and descend to Tilche via Goa through the pine and meadows forests. Tilche is a Nice big village of the Gurung peoples. Overnight in Hotel.
Today we are taking an easy day hike to Tal, After breakfast, we start hike crossing the bridge and walk on the road then now slowly descend to Darapani, we then hike down on the road for an hour and turn to the left to Tal crossing the bridge, we then reach Tal, a beautiful village in Bank of the Marsyandi river with a stunning view of the waterfall.
Leaving the Tal in 15 minutes we turn to the left through the bamboo forest, the walk quite descends for 30 minutes and walk up and down through valley walls to the river, crossing the bridge we walk slowly up to the Chamche, in few minutes we see beautiful waterfall opposite side of the trail, now mostly we walk on the road til Syage and take Jeep to Beshisahar.
Today drive to KTM by bus or private transportation 8-9 hours via Beshisaher.When we reach KTm relax, shopping, or some more sightseeing
Well experienced local guides and proper mountain porters and well management are main rules to make our customers satisfied. Experiences of the two decades in tourism sector managing their trekking plan and others activities properly to make their ’s dream to bring into the reality according to our customer’s interest, time and trekking areas. We focus on suitable, comfortable and safety plans for our valuable guests to experiences doing mainly trekking, climbing and any tours without ant obstacles. Our team always focus on to provides services to meet our guests ‘s targets, destination and aims in the remote areas of the Himalaya with open heart.
We are easy going local company to manage every single plan for our guests according to their interest. What we say is” GUEST IS GOD”. We value the guests first in our business. What we have is experienced staffs to manage every single thing easily in proper way. Well experienced field staff such as Guides and helpers/porters are the main back bone to stand among you to provides best services. “COME AS A GUEST GO AS A FRIEND”.
We spent more than two decades supporting to the local people in remote area of Nepal. We always provide proper local guides for the proper trekking area/routes. All guides are trained by Nepal government with some training of the First aids. All field staffs are selected sincerely to make sure you are in right in high mountains. Friendly Nepal team is coordinating to peoples who are scattering on the all over the world. I hope our two-decade working experiences in mountains and management in tourism sector may help you to explore the Nepal with confident with right people!!!
We can rent or hire, most of the trekking gear in Kathmandu/Nepal such as a four-season sleeping bag, Puffy down jackets, Micro pikes, trekking shoes, and others. we help you to hire or rent all required trekking gear before your trekking.
Hired trekking gears are must to keep safely if rented gears found damaged then you need to pay the same coast of the gear. You should keep certain amount of money to rent trekking gears. Normally, Trekking gears shop keep deposit $ 100 USD for a sleeping bag and a Puffy down jacket. Renting charge per day is approx. USD 1.50.
One of the re-presentative from Friendly Nepal treks come with private bus or car to pick you up from Tribhuvan airport and drop you in your guest house. With your details of the international flight and your full name, they will be standing in front of the arrival gate in Nepal airport.
Easily you can recognize the staff from Friendly Nepal treks with their T-Short and your name in holding bord. we always make you sure you are in right destination.
One of the re-presentative from Friendly Nepal treks come with private bus or car to pick you up from Tribhuvan airport and drop you in your guest house. With your details of the international flight and your full name, they will be standing in front of the arrival gate in Nepal airport.
Easily you can recognize the staff from Friendly Nepal treks with their T-Short and your name in holding bord. we always make you sure you are in right destination.
Trekking in Himalayas are mostly remote. In modern days there are many choices of food menu in every guest house in mountains and serve you proper ordered food. You can enjoy with continental breakfast with fresh fruit as well as lunch and dinner with verities of continental American, Nepali, and Indian foods with hot soups. Most of the food in high mountain supply by helicopter or local porter. Mostly in mountain you get Potatoes items, rice Items, Pasta, Pizza items, breads items and proper vegetables.
Dhal Bhat is the well- known food in Nepal that you get everywhere, Food in mountain cook properly by proper experienced cook. Local food is mostly organic and grown in same region. So, you can enjoy your trek with proper food in high Himalaya. We suggest you to have local food which are grown locally by local peoples.
You can leave your non-trekking gears in Kathmandu hotel safely. Every Hotel, they have proper safe store room to keep the non-trekking gears for the Hotel guests.
Hotel provides you TAG/receive to make sure that your non trekking gears or others backpack are stored in certain hotel. You get your stored belonging when you want. You no need to pay any money to store your luggage.
You can leave your non-trekking gears in Kathmandu hotel safely. Every Hotel, they have proper safe store room to keep the non-trekking gears for the Hotel guests.
Hotel provides you TAG/receive to make sure that your non trekking gears or others backpack are stored in certain hotel. You get your stored belonging when you want. You no need to pay any money to store your luggage
1 porter carry 20-25 kg in high Himalaya in trekking. We have weight limit for Porters because they need to carry their backpack too, So, 20 kg per porter is quite limit weight excluding porter bag pack.
Every 2 guests get 1 porter. Porter are main backbone of the trekking. And good supporters.
Mid-winter treks are getting popular in Nepal. And numbers of tourists are increasing in mid-winter. The data of the report of every trekking areas shows that mid-winter trekkers are increasing in good way.
All are related with global warming, and high glaciers are melting unusually. So, number of tourists are trekking in Nepal in mid- winter. However, you need well preparation with right trekking gears to deal with minus temperature.
You get warm and nice hot shower every day if you want. Every guest house they have hot shower service, mostly you get hot shower which runs by electricity or cooking gas.
Per shower, per person cost approx $5 USD. In some trekking region such as Dolpo, Manaslu, Kanchejanga and other remote area them don not have proper hot shower but provide hot buckets water for shower.
We value the safety of yours in mountain or anywhere in Nepal. So, highly suggested to bring travel insurance to cover mighty accident or if anything went wrong to anybody in unexpected ways in remote trekking route. Travel insurance help you to cover your expenditure if you need emergency rescue from mountain to nearest hospital or treatment in Nepal.
Equally travel insurance give you mentally secure and you will find life is safe with travel insurance.
We value the safety of yours in mountain or anywhere in Nepal. So, highly suggested to bring travel insurance to cover mighty accident or if anything went wrong to anybody in unexpected ways in remote trekking route. Travel insurance help you to cover your expenditure if you need emergency rescue from mountain to nearest hospital or treatment in Nepal.
Equally travel insurance give you mentally secure and you will find life is safe with travel insurance.
We value your goal and always give first priority of what you want. So easily you can customize any trekking area according to you interest, time, we are quite flexible to customize your trekking as your request as can as possible.
Written plan in webpage may not work out for you sometime because of your interest and time or you want to extra days somewhere you like. This is most asked question for us and please feel free and we always customize or make any itinerary according to you interest, time.
Best months for the trekking are the September to Mid-January, which is known as Autumn season and mainly most of the trekkers love to trek during the Autumn because of the beautiful weather and clear days and less chance to get heavy snow in high mountain, Autumn coordinate best weather than others season.
During the Autumn season in high mountain weather would be sunny with plus temperature and some snow refreshment over 3000m. charming mountains are shine with stunning glacier with lush forest lower down.
Second best months are the February to mid-June, which is known as spring season. During the Spring season trekkers have opportunities to glance the colourful Rhododendron flowers in the elevation of the below 3000m and others alpine flowers blooms in late spring season. Weather would be little windy with some hailstones in hilly region and some snow refreshment in high mountain.
Number of solo women- trekkers are trekking in mountain and Nepal is the still safe country for the solo trekkers in mountain. Solo women always safe with Friendly Nepal.
Some exercises are important before the hitting the mountain, everyday running for 1 hour for few weeks, jugging, and Gym and stay active and proper food with high carb as well as jumping.
Hiking up and down every day makes your muscle strong and keep fit your body. Move around your body, push up and down, play food ball, volley ball and other game which gives you physical exercises.
Well mental preparation plays main roles to trek in Himalayas. Be positive with mountains, get enough information regarding the coming trek. And Planning well to get ready to climb up and down.
Depend on where you are going to trek, somewhere in big town they may have ATM machine to draw the money but most of the trekking places in mountain there are not any ATM, So Credit cards is not worth using in mountain.
Make sure getting enough cash with some contingency budget for the trekking.
It cost you depend how much you spend. Approx $ 20-25 USD is quite enough for additional expenditures. You can buy water, chocolates, coffee and Biscuits and others fancy things.
Minus 10 sleeping bags require from September to November and minus 20 sleeping bags require from early December to mid- January). In case of the weather change in high mountain then you get extra banket in additional cost.
You can charge easily your batteries, cell phone, camera in trekking/mountains. When you are in the mountain region the, every guest house have sollar systems to charge you electric equipment, make sure charging your batteries before the sun go down. At least you get chance to charge your batteries, and other electric equipment.
Note: if weather get change in unusual situation then no any charging in high mountains because of the no sun.
Definitely you get enough boiled or hot water in trekking in the additional cost.In Annapurna, Langtang and Manaslu and mustang, hot water is little cheaper than in Everest , Makalu, Kanchenjang.
It cost you $2 -5 USD per litter for the boil water in trekking.
You should bring passport size photos -4 pieces.
Passport photo copy – 1 Piece.
Your Travel insurance’s Photo copy -1 piece.
Sure, you can extend the trekking days during the trek, just coordinate with guide and company few days ago you decided.
Some people may like to stay somewhere in nice places more days more than written plan or spend more time in KTM or Pokhara or somewhere.
You can extend your trekking with extra days.
Depend where you are trekking, there are internet services in mountain, If you are trekking in Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu and Upper mustang then easily you get internet services in every guesthouses in additional cost.
If you are trekking in far remote areas such as Kanchejanga, Upper Dolpo and Narphu Valleys then internet services are limits.
Santa is a great guide. I'm a returning customer.
September 22, 2019 Santa is a great guide. I'm a returning customer. Santa is an extremely experienced and capable guide. He gives his regions of expertise as Everest and Manaslu, but he comes from Langtang, and seems to have trekked everywhere there is to trek in Nepal. I first trekked with Santa in 2008, and have returned in 2017 and 2019. I can certainly say that he really knows what he is doing. Everything is always perfectly organised, and he takes any change of plan in his stride without difficulty. Personally, he is a man of great dignity, integrity, sensitivity and intelligence. He is friendly without being intrusive. He is polite without being servile or patronising. He is as decent a bloke as you could hope to meet! April 2019
Santa Ghale - take the best leave the rest.
Jan 2023 Our little family did a 10 day Tsum Valley Trek/ Ganesh Himal with Santa Ghale and we can highly recommend him. Santa is very kind, very experienced and flexible. He takes the safety of his customers very serious and is always cheerful. We travelled with our 15 years old daughter and Santa was very emphatic for her needs as well. His briefings will stay in our memorys: " Drink alot, be mentaly prepared and always enjoy the trek!" Written February 5, 2023.