Day 1: Kathmandu to Machha Khola drive (850 meters/2788ft)
Duration: 8 to 9 hours drive
Distance: 160 Kilometers
On the first day of your Manaslu Trek 12 Days Itinerary, you start your adventure after breakfast in the morning heading toward Machha Khola from Kathmandu. Moving along the Prithivi Highway alongside the Marysyangdi and Trishuli Rivers enjoy the beautiful views of the lush valley, hills, and the scenic mountain far on the edge you will arrive at Dhading Besi. The route stretches from here onwards to Arughat can be a little bumpy as you move along the rocky trails toward the northwest route, opposite side of the Budhi Gandaki River.
Moving along the route, first, you will pass the Soti Khola, which is the starting point for trekking adventures in the Manaslu region. From here, after you move across several Gurung and Magar settlements, you will finally arrive at Machha Khola.
Day 2: Machha Khola to Jagat (2,095m/4,395ft)
Duration: 6-7 hours trek
Distance: 22 Kms
You begin your trek by walking to the police checkpoint in Machha Khola. Here, they check your permits.
After this, you continue following the gorge and continue hiking up the river. You trek up and down the trails. It also includes a steep uphill trail.
This takes you to Tatopani where there is a natural hot spring. If you wish, you can take a dip to relax your muscles and joints.
From here, you walk towards Yuri Bagar. Here, you can see the cantilever bridge which will take 20 minutes to reach. This bridge is 158 m long and is the first bridge of its kind in Nepal. Most of the trail follows a forested area.
On these trails, you can get some of the best views of Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal.
You continue your trek till you reach Jagat. Jagat is the entry checkpoint of the Manaslu Conservation area. Overnight stay in the beautiful village of Jagat.
Day 3: Jagat to Deng (1,340m/4396ft)
Duration: 6 to 8 hrs trek
Distance: 19.9 Kms
On this day, we first reach Salleri after climbing a rocky ridge and then go towards Sirdibas. We continue to Ghatta Khola and then walk upstream through a long suspension bridge to reach a Gurung village in Phillim. From the lower points of the village, the trail turns north and through leveled trails amidst maize fields, we reach Ekle Bhatti, where you will have lunch and continue our trip from a steep gorge and then descend through grassy slopes to cross the Budhi Gandaki and then cross bridges from west to east bank and back again. As the trail widens, we pass through bamboo forests to reach the Deng Khola. After crossing the river, we reach the tiny Deng village where we spend the night.
Day 4: Trek to Namrung (2660 m | 8,727 ft)
Duration: 5 to 6 hrs trek
Distance: 19.5 Kms
You make your way to Upper Jagat and Salleri. You will notice two hydropower plants on the way.
From Salleri, you continue on to Sirdibas with views of Mt. Siring (7,239m). Then you reach Philim. From Philim, you will trek through Chisapani, Ekle Bhatti, Nayak Phedi, and Pewa. Most of these are beautiful, quaint and small villages.
In Pewa, you will cross two suspension bridges. From here, it is a 45-minutes walk to Deng. Overnight stay in Deng.
Day 5: Trek from Namrung to Lho (3180m/10433ft)
Duration: 4 hrs trek
Distance: 10 Kms
Moving along your Day 5 adventure in the Manaslu Trek 12 Days Itinerary, you will leave Namrung behind after breakfast and head toward the beautiful Lihi Village. This day’s trail passes through a scenic forest of fir, rhododendrons, and oak trees, you will also cross a stream nourished by the Lindanda Glacier as you make your way toward Sho Village.
This day’s trekking route will offer you stunning views of the Simnang Himal, Naike Peak, and Mansalu as you pass the Kani Stupa. Following the spiritual route with praying wheels, mani walls, and praying flags you will finally arrive at the Lho Village. Overnight stay at a teahouse at Lho.
Day 6: Lho to Samagaun (3520m/ 11549ft)
Duration: 5 hrs trek
Distance: 17 Kms
Leaving the Lho behind, your trail drops down to a stream and moves alongside it as you move across the damp forest areas that carves a path toward the Shyala Village. This beautiful Himalayan village surrounded by farmlands opens the wide vistas that include mountain ranges like Ngadi, Himnalchuli, Manaslu, and several other adjacent peaks.
From here, you will move alongside a small stream that originates from the Punggen Glacier and walk on the ridge that stretches to Samagaun. This fascinating settlement close to the Manaslu Base Camp has extensive pasture and farmlands, you will be able to enjoy wilder and clearer vistas of the Himalayas from its vantage point.
Day 7: Acclimatization Day at Samagaon
Birendra Taal
Today is the rest day in Samagaon.
In Sama village, you can get amazing views of Mt. Manaslu and explore the famous Ribung Gompa. You can also get breathtaking views of the glaciers, flat terrain, and farmland. Sama Gaon or village is also the practice destination for many climbers to summit Mt. Manaslu.
During your acclimatization day, it is recommended that you go for day hikes near your point of acclimatization. This helps your body to adapt better to the changing altitudes.
In Samagaon, you have the options to see the following:
Birendra Taal (lake): At 3,450m, this is a beautiful, glacial lake. This lies around 3 km from the Sama village.
Manaslu Base Camp: It is 6 km away from the village and takes around 5 hours to reach. It lies at an altitude of 4,800m. Once here, you can enjoy views of the Manaslu Glacier, Birendra Taal, and a cave.
Pungen Monastery: This monastery is around 6-7 km from Sama Village. It offers better panoramic views of the mountains like Mt. Manaslu. You can also see the sight of thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures. You may also see local Sherpas clad in traditional clothes and jewelry.
Overnight stay in Samagaon.
Day 8: Samagaon to Samdo (3,875m /12,713 ft)
Duration: 5 hours trek
Distance: 16 Kms (6 km on the map)
On the 8th day, you begin your trek with a walk across a hill for around 2 hours. This hill is a ledge above the river.
It is also the grazing area of blue sheep. You may see some on the barren hillsides. On this path, you will walk through beautiful juniper and birch forests.
Samdo is at the junction of the 3 valleys. Samdo village (3,800m) is a Tibetan refugee village. This village has its own hydropower project, therefore it has an uninterrupted supply of electricity.
If you are up for it, go for a hike to the viewpoint in Samdo. It is around 1.5 to 2 hours walk from the village. It offers fabulous views and is a great way to acclimatize as well.
Some of the mountains you can see from here are Mt. Manaslu, Samdo (Pang Phuchuli), Ngadi Chuli, Simnang Himal, and several other mountain peaks. Along with these, you can also see Manaslu glacier and Manaslu icefall. You will stay overnight at Samdo village.
Day 9: Samdo to Dharamsala ( 4,450m / 14,596 ft)
Duration: 4 hours trek
Distance: 12 Kms
The day starts with a downhill trek to the Budhi Gandaki river. You will then cross the river and start your climb upwards through Larkya Bazaar and the valley of Salka Khola to Dharamsala.
Also known as Larkya Phedi, Dharamsala is a seasonal village. It has a little shelter house that provides room for trekkers. On the way, you will come across the magnificent Larkya Glacier. You can roam and explore the surrounding hills to better acclimatize to the changing altitudes.
From Dharamsala, you can enjoy views of Siachen Glacier, Larkya Peak, and Naike Peak.
Overnight stay at Dharamsala.
Day 10: Dharamsala to Bimthang (3,720m / 12,201 ft)
Duration: 8-9 hours trek
Distance: 25 Kms
The 10th day is the most challenging part of the trek. You begin your trek early to the North side of the Larkya Glacier. Here, you can see Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Then, you make your climb to the major highlight of this 12 days Manaslu Trek- the Larkya La Pass. At 5,213m, this Pass is one of the highest of its kind.
Once here, you can enjoy some of the best views of the Himalayan ranges. You can see Mt. Annapurna II, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and Himlung Himal.
After some time on the pass, you cross it and make a steep descent on a high moraine ridge of Salpudanda Glacier. From here, you make your way down towards a grassy moraine of Dangboche Kharka. The trail then becomes easier from there and after 6 hours of trek, you reach a large meadow, a Mani Wall, and a small rest house. This is the beautiful village of Bimthang. Overnight stay is at Bimthang.
Day 11: Bimthang to Dharapani (1860m / 6,102 ft)
Duration: 7-8 hours trek
Distance: 34 Kms
This is the last day, and one of the longer days of your trek.
You begin with a walk south below Bimthang behind the moraine wall. You will also cross the Bhimtang Glacier. After this, you climb up the far moraine wall and enter some of the best-looking forests in Nepal. You will trek through deep pine, oak, and rhododendron forests. The trail then descends to Dudh Koshi river.
On your way, you will notice the amazing view of the Marsyangdi valley. Then you will reach
Tilije- the Gurung village famous for its locally produced brandy. You can enjoy some of it here.
You will walk through police checkpoints until you reach Dharapani, the entry point of the popular Annapurna Circuit trek.
Overnight stay at Dharapani.
Day 12: Duration: 7-11 hours drive
Distance: 118 Km
Today is the concluding day of your 12 days Manaslu Trek. From Dharapani, you will drive to Besisahar. This takes about 2-3 hours. From Besisahar, you will drive on the banks of the Marsyangdi river to reach Kathmandu.
This takes around 5-8 hours. On the way, you can enjoy the beautiful view of green forests, local settlements with small houses and huts, bridges, and Marsyangdi River.
You book you own hotel for Kathmandu for this night.
