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Around Manaslu Trek

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16 reviews
3000+ happy travelers
Duration18 days
Min. Group Size2
Max Altitude5218 meters
DifficultyDemanding
Starts / EndsBarpak/Dharapani
AccommodationTea-houses/Lodges
Trip Guide
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Bestseller
$1,800
/ person
Erik - Travel ExpertKumar Lama - Lead Expedition GuideAstrid - Custom Itinerary Planner

Kumar, Erik & Astrid

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Nepal is the ultimate paradise for intrepid travelers seeking to explore various hiking trails. It is a way to see some of the world's top ten mountains in a single excursion. Trekking in the Manaslu was restricted for foreigners until 1992. The Around Manaslu Trek is one of the most popular treks in Nepal, offering an authentic glimpse of the stunning Nepalese landscape and culture.

It is considered a real adventure due to its unique combination of scenic beauty, breathtaking altitude, and an incredible variety of flora and fauna. The main attraction of this trek is the beautiful sunrise over the towering snow-covered mountains, and you can get up close and personal with the locals in their homes and villages.

The route generally goes from Arughat toward the Budhi Gandaki River. The river's source is the massive Larkya glacier below the Larkya Pass. The landscapes are incredibly varied, ranging from around 700 meters to more than 5000 meters. It allows exploring the lush green forests to stunning alpine meadows skirting massive glaciers. In addition, you will get proper acclimatization while you begin your trek from a low altitude. Manaslu is an ideal destination for both trekkers and mountaineers. Manaslu Expedition is perfect for the extreme mountaineer, and Larkya Peak is for beginners.

The crossing of the Larya – La can be difficult if there is snow. The Larkya La is the trek's highest point, connecting Budi Gandaki with the Marshyandi valley. The trail descends towards Bhimthang, passing through beautiful alpine meadows before joining the main Annapurna Circuit Trek route at the trailhead in Besisahar.

Trekking: Overview

Trekking through the Manaslu Conservation Area, an opportunity to observe a vast range of biodiversity.
It is much less crowded than the famous Everest Base Camp and Annapurna circuits.
The trail follows the spectacular Budi Gandaki, a deep gorge crossing many suspension bridges, and is fascinated by the chilling wonder of the Larkya Glacier towards Larkya La Pass.
Trekking through the subtropical jungle from lower altitudes to the highlands enables one to experience natural wonders, fascinating mountain views, and to cross the Larkya Pass at 5106 meters.

20 Days Around Manaslu Trekking: Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,350 m)

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, a representative from Himalayan Exploration Treks will warmly greet you at the airport. Then, we will transfer you to the hotel. Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 02: Trek preparation and Sightseeing day (1,350 m)

Today is your free day to visit on your own. If you prefer, we can also organize a guided city tour for you. At the same time, we will finalize the permits for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 03: Drive to Barpak village (1915 meters).

You will be driving through the hilly region to Barpak, which is the largest Gurung village. The journey takes 7 to 8 hours by private jeep from Kathmandu. You will stay at a local lodge.

Day 04: Trek to Laprak (2100 meters).

The trail leads you moderately uphill through the lush forest. You will have a stunning view of Ganesh Himal and Bouddha Himal from Kang Hill. The downhill trail leads you to Laprak village. It takes 4 to 5 hours. Overnight at the homestay.

Day 05: Trek to Khorla Besi (970 meters).

A gentle downhill trail will lead you to Singla Village. From there, you will take a steep descent trail. Now, you connect the classic Manaslu Circuit trail at Khorla Bensi. The journey on foot from Laprak takes 6 to 7 hours. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 06: Trek to Philim. (1570 meters).

You will hike along the Budhi Gandaki River valley. The trail passes the these tiny villages: Tatopani, Dovan, Yaru Phant, and Jagat. Finally, you will get Philim after 6 to 7 hours of walking. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 07: Trek to Bihi Phedi. (1990 meters).

The trail goes steadily straight into a new valley. You will get steep sections in some sections. After. Deng, you will continue uphill to Bihi Phedi. You can experience a remarkable cultural shift. The journey takes 6 to 7 hours.

Day 08: Trek from Bihi Phedi to Serang Gompa (3045 m).

You will trek up a steep, undulating trail to Bihi Village. Then you will take the northern trail to Serang Gompa. Many trekkers miss this hidden monastery. You will get there in about 6 to 7 hours of walking. Overnight at the Buddhist Monastery.

Day 09: Trek to Ghap (2160 m).

You will have the opportunity to observe the ritual ceremony, practice self-meditation, and dine with the monks. It's a totally different experience from other classic days. You will have a spiritual vibe and life-changing memories from this Serang Gompa. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 10: Trek to Lho. (3180 m).

Now you are back on the Manaslu Circuit Trail. You will trek through the lush forest, passing through the beautiful villages such as Namrung, Lihi, Shyo, and finally, Lho. The journey takes 5 to 6 hours. You will have an impressive view of Mount Manaslu over here. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 11: Trek to Sama Gaon. (3525 m).

You will trek uphill, crossing a Buddhist Stupa, toward Shyala. You will make a short break here for lunch before proceeding to Pung Gyen Gompa. And then back to Sama Gaon with 6 to 7 hours of walking. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 12: Acclimatization Day!

You will hike to the iconic Mount Manaslu Base Camp, where you can see the many tents set up for an attempt at the world's eighth-highest peak. You will also visit the pristine Birendra Lake on your return to Sama. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 13: Trek to Samdo. (3860 m).

You will gradually climb through the valley with beautiful meadows along the river. The path then steepens after crossing the river. At the end of the journey, you will reach Samdu, a tiny Tibetan village with a 3 to 4-hour walk. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 14: Acclimatization Day at Samdo!

You can take a side trip to the Tibetan border—the best option for a spectacular view of the border and the Lajyung pass. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 15: Trek to Dharamsala (4460 m).

The trail leads you to descend briefly towards Larkya Bazaar. You will see two different routes there. The left one goes to the Tibetan Border, and the others lead to Dharamsala. You will experience shortness of breath due to the thin air. Even the path seems more straightforward, ending in Dharamsala after a 3- to 4-hour walk.

Day 16: Dharmashala to Bhimthang (3610 m) via Larkya La Pass (5106 m).

The trail leads you on a gradual ascent along the Larkya Glacier, which only ends at the top of the pass. You will have magnificent views of Himlung, Annapurna II, Ceo Himal, and many other peaks from here. Then you will take a steep descent along a zigzag trail that connects to the glacial moraine. From there, you will descend again to arrive at Bhimthang. The journey takes 8 to 10 hours. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 17: Bhimthang to Dharapani (1960 m).

You will gradually descend into the beautiful greenery, which quickly drops in and out of a glacier. As a result, you will steadily lose the altitude. You will finally arrive in Dharapani and connect with the popular Annapurna Circuit trail. The journey takes 7 to 8 hours. Overnight at a lodge.

Day 18: Drive to Kathmandu via Besisahar.

After breakfast, you will drive to Kathmandu via Besisahar in a private Jeep, taking about 8 to 9 hours. Overnight at a hotel.

Day 19: Leisure and free day in Kathmandu.

Today is a leisure day; you are free to do whatever you want. It is a security day in case of late arrival due to any unforeseen causes.

Day 20: Final Departure:

Your Around Manaslu Trek went perfectly. Thanks for choosing us. Now we need to get you to the airport. We'll be sending a car for you 3 hours before your flight.

The Around Manaslu Trek is easily reachable from Kathmandu. It usually begins at Arughat; however, many trekkers start at either Barpak or Machha Khola, starting a little further up the trail due to road construction. The Larkya La Pass is not only the high pass, but it is also a demanding trek. So, it is wise to begin your tour from a low altitude. However, if you want to explore off the beaten path, you can add another 7 days to your plan to discover the hidden Tsum Valley.

Furthermore, this trek is also combined with the Annapurna Circuit Trek. So, the Annapurna Manaslu Loop Track allows you to explore hidden places we create, especially for kids and older people. It does not require going to high passes. But it will enable you to discover parts of the Manaslu and Annapurna.

For a better travel experience, Himalayan Exploration Treks always helps you tailor your holiday based on your needs.

Route Map

Elevation Profile

Safe (< 3,000m)
High (3,000m - 4,500m)
Extreme (> 4,500m)

Swipe to see the full profile →

01,0002,0003,0004,0005,000900 m4Day970 m5Day1,400 m6Day1,804 m7Day2,100 m8Day3,200 m9Day3,530 m10Day3,860 m12Day4,460 m14Day3,800 m15Day2,300 m16Day1,700 m17Day1,340 m18Day900 m19Day1,350 m20Day

Itinerary

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Includes

  • Hotel/Airport transfer
  • Accommodations in Kathmandu with breakfast
  • All accommodations and all meals during the treks
  • All necessary documentation and permits
  • All ground transportation (as per mention in itinerary)
  • Professional guide and porters
  • A First Aid Kits
  • Applicable Government Taxes

Excludes

  • International Airfare
  • Nepal Visa fee (advice to take accurate amount)
  • Meals in Kathmandu (except breakfast)
  • Personal Expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills & extra porters
  • Travel Insurance
  • Gratuity for Guide and Porter

Need a custom mix of inclusions?

We can add private single rooms, helicopter returns to any plan.

FAQs

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Tripadvisor
5.0

9 reviews on Tripadvisor

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ale
aleSep 5, 2025

Upper mustang trek

I did this trek in Upper Mustang with my sisters, and it was an incredible experience. Everything was very well organized, and we truly enjoyed every part of the journey. I also highly recommend kumar as a guide – he was knowledgeable, helpful, and made the trek even more special. A truly unforgettable adventure!

Guillaume D
Guillaume DJuly 18, 2023

A wonderful experience!

I did the Phoksundo Lake trek with Kumar and it was a superb experience. It is an adventure, so you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone, but Kumar always adapts to the unexpected and makes the trip as enjoyable as possible! The landscapes are magnificent, you meet lots of people along the way, and you really push your limits! Kumar is an excellent guide attentive, friendly, and his prices are very fair!

santos
santosMay 10, 2018

Best company best guide

I recently did an annapurna curcit with my brother and his girlfriend. It was an amazing trek with the help of kumar and his team . It was one of the best experience of our life . The annapurna curcit is the best of the treks that people can choose for. I sincerely recommend this company for other travellers.

Christine B
Christine BOct 18, 2023

Impressive tent trekking Dolpo 2023

The 18-day Lower and Upper Dolpo tour was individually tailored to our needs by Kumar. Kumar had put together a great team of guide, cook and mule guide. This team fulfilled all of our wishes at all times during the entire tent trek. Narsang, our guide, is very attentive and careful along the entire route. Kumar is very reliable. He looked after us very well in the preparation and execution of our trek and during our stay in Kathmandu right up to the farewell at the airport. A highly recommended local company when it comes to individually planning a trekking tour. The trip was a great experience. Chris and Hajo

Boli
BoliJan 21, 2019

Amazing Memories in Nepal .. again!

Recently I did EBC Trekking with my Girl Friend and this is my forth time to trek in Nepal with Kumar! Kumar is very professional and helpful. He always arranges all the things well before you asking for. Highly recommended for anyone who is first time to visit Nepal and trek!

saisosai
saisosaiMarch 26, 2015

Wonderful ABC Trekking

H.E.T were professional and helpful for my first trekking in Nepal. Friendly and joyful trek. Thank you for every things. Thank you to lead me there at ABC. It was so wonderful and I couldn't forget this experience.

Yarmun
YarmunDec 5, 2018

Honest & Friendly

Our non-profit organisation needed a local tour guide to help with our local guide and logistics. After much research, we engaged with Kumar. During our 4 days trip, Kumar demonstrated excellent local knowledge, punctuality, friendliness. During the trip he never tried to sale us anything. And with a charitable and kind heart, he did not even charge us for this ngo trip. thank you so much.

stellardayz
stellardayzMarch 26, 2015

Reliable and responsible

I was very lucky to have Kumar to arrange our 5 day stay in Nepal. From the pick up at the airport to showing up punctually every morning at the hotel lobby, everything was smooth and hassle free. Kumar is a friendly and kind-hearted gentleman who genuinely wants to help visitors to experience the best of Nepal. Will definitely choose Himalayan Exploration for my next trekking.

qiushasha
qiushashaDec 4, 2018

Very friendly and helpful guide

Kumar has a very kind heart to help me arranging logistics before and during my volunteer work in Kathmandu. He also guided me with my city tour and mountain trekking after my volunteer work. He can always surprised me with brilliant suggestions.

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Associated With:

Nepal Tourism Board
Nepal Mountaineering Association
Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal
Government of Nepal
PATA

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