Manaslu Circuit Trek – Nepal

Meeting at international airport Henri Coandă - Bucharest. Flights to Kathmandu (normally, via Dubai). Transfer to our hotel in Thamel and free time, for the rest of the day.

During that day we will visit some of the most important landmarks of the capital: Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Mahachaitya (The Monkey Temple) and Pashupatinath Temple. Also, we will proceed with final preparations for our trek.

Duration: 8–9 hours drive.

We leave Kathmandu early in the morning, driving alongside the Trishuli River before transitioning onto rugged, bumpy dirt roads that wind into the rural foothills.

Walking Time: 6–7 hours.

We will follow the narrow banks of the rushing Budhi Gandaki River and we will cross several high suspension bridges, pass through the natural hot springs at Tatopani, and climb stone stairs into the flagstoned village of Jagat.

Walking Time: 6-7 hours.

We complete our official permit checks at the Jagat Restricted Area Checkpoint. The landscape begins to tighten into a dramatic gorge, and the local culture transitions from Hindu farming communities to Buddhist-influenced Tamang villages.

Walking time: 4-5 hours.

The trail initially snakes through narrow gorges and dense, humid forests of bamboo, oak, and rhododendron. As we push forward, the valley gradually opens up to alpine mountain vistas.

Walking time: 6-8 hours.

It is one of the most rewarding and visually spectacular days on the Manaslu Circuit. This is the day we officially enter the Upper Nubri region, where the valley expands, thick forests give way to alpine pastures, and we finally catch our first clear views of Mount Manaslu.

Walking time: 4 hours.

The trail passes through the alpine village of Shyala, surrounded by a 360-degree panorama of giant ice walls (including Peak 29 and Himal Chuli). We will arrive early in Samagaon, the cultural hub of the upper Nubri region.

Today we will just have an easier walk: an easy 2-hour hike to Birendra Tal, a stunning turquoise glacial lake located directly at the base of the Manaslu glacier.

Walking time: 4 hours.

The trail ascends through wide alpine pastures where yaks graze. We will cross a wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River (now just a small stream) and enter Samdo, a Tibetan refugee village located very close to the old trading border with Tibet.

Walking time: 4-5 hours.

A slow and careful climb along the edge of the immense Larkya Glacier. We will check into Dharamsala, an isolated and very basic mountain shelter. Dinner is served early so we can rest before the pass day.

Walking Time: 8–10 hours (The longest and hardest day).

A 3:30 AM wake-up call and departure by headlamp light. We will navigate the long glacier moraine up to the maximum altitude at Larkya La Pass (5,106m / 16,752 ft), marked by prayer flags, offering spectacular views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and the Annapurna massif. This is followed by a long, steep descent into the alpine valley of Bimthang.

Walking time: 5-6 hours.

After the extreme physical exertion of conquering the Larkya La Pass (5,106m) on the previous day, this stage offers a continuous descent through a vibrant green landscape filled with lush forests and spectacular waterfalls. Transfer by jeeps to Besisahar.

It is is the final leg of our journey, bringing us back to the capital after completing the Manaslu Circuit. The journey moves from the mountain foothills back onto the busy, paved highways of central Nepal.