A Typical Day in Manaslu Circuit Trek

A trek through the Manaslu circuit offers a perfect combination of mountain views, challenging terrains, and rich cultural diversity. It takes you across luscious subtropical forests and terraced fields that swiftly change to high-altitude countryside and alpine forests. Hence, a typical day in Manaslu circuit trek usually involves a lot of walking and resting in the evening.

Not only is it an adventurous journey offering multitudes of trekking routes, but it is also an opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique cultural practices of Tibetan-Buddhist communities. You also get a chance to pass through the protected biodiversity of the Manaslu Conservation Area while walking on the off-beaten and quiet trails.

Let’s know in detail what a typical day in Manaslu circuit trek looks like.

A Typical Day in Manaslu Circuit Trek

Reaching the Starting Point of Manaslu Circuit Trek

Our journey to the sacred landscapes of the Manaslu region begins with a scenic drive through Trishuli’s green hills and river belts. Even though you must fly from your home to Kathmandu Valley to begin the trek, the actual ascent occurs from Machha Khola. This point is located in the northern part of the Gorkha district and takes about 8 to 10 hours.

As soon as we reach Machha Khola, we settle down in your accommodation and then quickly explore the surroundings. After a heartwarming dinner, we will rest to prepare for the trek the next day.

A Typical Trek Day in Manaslu Circuit Trek

Your actual trek through the rugged trails of the Manaslu circuit begins from Maccha Khola. We will wake up early with the sunrise, freshen up, and have breakfast before beginning the journey. As we continue our trek, we will cross numerous suspension bridges, traverse terraced fields, and pass through traditional villages. We will have lunch at a local teahouse in these villages and then continue the trek to the day’s destination.

On the way, you will pass through a charming village with a unique blend of cultural influences, which will also mark our official entry into the Manaslu Conservation Area. This first day of the trek also sets the tone for the natural and cultural richness we’ll encounter.

Following this similar pattern, we will trek through the following route: Machha Khola-Jagat-Deng-Namrung-Shyala-Samagaon-Samdo. After reaching Samagaon, we will take a rest day for acclimatization to trek to the base camp next day.  After returning from base camp we will trek to Samdo, take another acclimatization break and then continue with the following route: Samdo-Dharmashala-Larkya La pass-Bimthang-Tilje-Dharapani.

Every single trek day through these stops will be similar, i.e. it begins with a morning breakfast, continuous walks until the lunch break and then traversing through the jungles, rives, and villages till you reach the destination for the day. It usually involves 7 to 8 hours of trekking along with a few rest stops.

Acclimatization Day on Trek through Manaslu

You trek through the beautiful Himalayas of Nepal also involves rest days and acclimatization hike days. Unlike the trek day in Manaslu Circuit trek, these resting period are more relaxed and helps you better adapt to the environment. You wake up a little later than usual, enjoy a breakfast in a laid out mood and then stroll around the resting point. Often people also take a short acclimatization hike before having the dinner and resting out the day.

Here’s what an acclimatization day in Manaslu Circuit trek looks like:

Acclimatization at Samagaon

After reaching Samagaon, we will take a rest day for acclimatization to trek to the base camp next day. Samagaon is a large village with a deep cultural heritage, offers stunning views of Manaslu and provides a unique high-altitude experience. The serene beauty and cultural depth of Samagaon makes this. rest day a memorable highlight of the trip.

While adoring the mountain views and culture of the village, we will spend an additional day to acclimatize our bodies to these high altitudes. You will also have the option to trek to Manaslu Base Camp, which not only offers a breathtaking view of Manaslu and its surrounding peaks but also acts as a good acclimatization hike.

Acclimatization Day at Samdo

Since we are dealing with rapid shifts in altitudes and visiting a Tibetan border, we will take one more day to acclimatize while trekking the circuit. We’ll spend the day acclimatizing in Samdo with a scenic hike to the Tibetan border. This hike not only offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes but also provides a unique opportunity to explore the cultural connections between Nepal and Tibet.

As we gain insight into the cross-border interactions, we’ll experience the rich cultural blend that defines this region. This acclimatization day is both enriching and essential, helping us prepare for the higher altitudes ahead.

Visiting Larkya La Pass

Another fascinating day during the trek is your visit to the Larkya la pass. The Larkya La pass is the highest altitude you will get on this trek. We’ll begin our day early to tackle the challenging Larkya La Pass, one of the trek’s most demanding yet rewarding sections. As we ascend, we’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and other majestic peaks.

After reaching the top of the pass, we’ll descend into the beautiful valley of Bimthang, surrounded by towering mountains. This day is a highlight of our Nepal trekking journey, offering a profound sense of achievement and some of the most stunning scenery of the entire trek.

Trekking Back with a Memory

Manaslu Circuit Trek is indefinitely the most infamous trips in the Manaslu region. From exploring the rugged and untouched beauty of Manaslu Valley to iconic views of peaks from the high mountain passes of Larkya la and Rupina la, this trek offers a variety of activities.

You can catch a glimpse of Manaslu North and Manaslu, along with surrounding peaks like Samdo Peak, Cheo Mountain, Naike Peak, and Larke Peak from the Larkya la Pass. At the same time, Karche Pass will lead you to a mesmerizing view of dense rhododendron forests. And not to forget, a powerhouse of memorable experiences and many more.

Keep exploring!