Manaslu Trek: Adventure Awaits in the Nepalese Himalayas
The Manaslu Trek is a well-loved trekking route, offering pure wilderness, pristine mountain views, rich culture, and genuine adventure. Opened in 1992 and protected by the Manaslu Conservation Area established in 1998, this trek takes you to the 8th highest peak in the world, Manaslu, at 8,163 meters (26,775′). The Manaslu Circuit trek is one of Nepal’s most famous and exhilarating treks, offering cultural heritage, a genuine outing in the outback, incomparable beauty, biological diversity, and stunning mountain panoramas. The Manaslu Circuit Trek offers not only stunning natural beauty but also a deep immersion into the unique cultural tapestry of the Nepalese Himalayas. It’s a chance to appreciate the rich traditions, spirituality, and warmth of the mountain communities that call this remote region home.
The trek takes you from the steamy lowlands with rice and millet terraces through the mighty gorges of the Budi Gandaki, featuring turquoise waters and amazing waterfalls. The trail continues to ascend the snowbound Larkya La Pass (5,167 meters/16,952 feet) beside the Tibetan border. Along the way, the trail covers several farm villages like Namrung (2630m), Lho (3180m), Samagaun (3500m), Samdo, Dharamsala (4480m), Larkya La Pass (5213m), Bintang (3720m), and Tilije (2300m). These villages offer opportunities to experience and explore cultural settlements with many monasteries and chortens, as well as spectacular mountain views of Mt. Manaslu (8163m), Mt. Annapurna II (7,937m), Kang Garu, Cheo Himal, Gyaji Kung, Himalchuli, and many more.
You will take a scenic drive back to Kathmandu from Machhi Khola, observing green hills, serene waterfalls, and rivers across the region. The route enters into lovely cool forests of rhododendrons, pines, oaks, and fir trees, then reaches more Tibetan-origin cultured villages of Buddhism. With time for rest and acclimatization at Sama-Gaon, you can explore its colorful customs and monastery before heading further with scenic views of the Manaslu Mountain range and cultural villages with fascinating traditions.
You will travel to another scenic settlement known as Namrung (2630m), a cultural settlement with many monasteries and chortens in the area. After exploring and staying for the day, you will trek to Lho (3180m), another beautiful settlement. From Lho, you will make your way to Samagaun (3500m), acclimatizing for the second time along the trail. The trails of this trek then lead to Samdo and Dharamsala (4480m), offering an unforgettable trekking experience in the heart of the Himalayas.
The climb over Larkya La, above 5,106 meters high, offers an outstanding panorama of peaks festooned with Buddhist prayer flags, and then descends towards the Manang area and back into woodland. The walk follows the Marysangdi River downstream after Dharapani village to the road head for the drive back to Kathmandu, concluding a mesmerizing adventure on the Manaslu Circuit Trekking.