Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
You'll arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport where a Himalayan Recreation Treks representative meets you and takes you to your hotel in Kathmandu. After checking in, there's a briefing about the Manaslu Circuit Trek ahead, then you can freshen up and rest before dinner.
Landmarks/POIs Tribhuvan International Airport - Day 2
Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing
A government-registered guide leads you through Kathmandu's World Heritage Sites, starting with Pashupatinath Temple Complex and moving on to Bouddhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa. Later in the day you'll see medieval Kathmandu Durbar Square, checking out Basantapur Museum and the home of the Living Goddess Kumari. Your trekking staff will also brief you about what's coming on the trail.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Pashupatinath Temple Complex
- Visit to Bouddhanath Stupa
- Visit to Swayambhunath Stupa
- Visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Visit to Basantapur Museum
- Visit to Kumari Temple (home of Living Goddess Kumari)
- Trekking staff briefing session
Landmarks/POIs Pashupatinath Temple Complex Bouddhanath Stupa Swayambhunath Stupa Kathmandu Durbar Square Basantapur Museum Kumari Temple - Day 3
Kathmandu to Sotikhola
You drive from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi, taking in countryside and mountain views along the way. From there the road gets rougher as you continue to Arughat, then head to Sotikhola where you'll stay overnight at a local hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Dhading Bensi - Day 4
Sotikhola to Machha Khola
Your first trekking day covers 15km from Soti Khola to Machha Khola through Sal forest and along the Budhigandaki River. You'll walk rocky trails, pass through Khursane and rice terraces, then climb around the Gurung village of Labubesi before following the river trail to Machha Khola. Expect about 6 to 7 hours of walking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Sal forest
- Trek along Budhigandaki River
- Pass through Khursane
- Trek around Labubesi Gurung village
Landmarks/POIs Budhigandaki River Labubesi - Day 5
Machha Khola to Jagat
Trek 22km from Machha Khola to Jagat, moving through the gorge alongside the river for roughly 6 to 7 hours. You'll pass through villages like Khorlabesi, Tatopani, Dovan, and Thulo Dunga, with an option to stop for a hot spring bath along the way. Jagat sits at 1,340m elevation where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Gorge
- Hot spring bath stop
- Trek through Khorlabesi village
- Trek through Tatopani village
- Trek through Dovan village
- Trek through Thulo Dunga village
Landmarks/POIs Jagat - Day 6
Jagat to Deng
This 6 to 7 hour trek takes you from Jagat to Deng. After crossing a river about 40 minutes in, you'll go through Salleri and Sirdibas, continuing along the valley to Ghatta Khola. The route passes the large Gurung village of Philim, then Chisapani, Naykphedi, and Pewa before crossing two suspension bridges to reach Deng.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Salleri
- Trek through Sirdibas
- Trek through Ghatta Khola
- Trek through Philim Gurung village
- Trek through Chisapani
- Trek through Naykphedi
- Trek through Pewa
- Cross suspension bridge (first crossing)
- Cross suspension bridge (second crossing)
Landmarks/POIs Philim - Day 7
Deng to Namrung
Start early for the 6 to 7 hour trek from Deng to Namrung, beginning with downhill walking to Budhi Gandaki River then climbing uphill to Rana Gaon for river views. You'll reach Bihipedi after 45 minutes, then trek through dense forests to Suksum before climbing to Namrung where Tibetan culture becomes more visible and you can see Saula Himal and Himalchuli Range.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Rana Gaon
- Trek through Bihipedi
- Trek through dense forests
- Trek to Suksum
- Trek to Namrung
Landmarks/POIs Saula Himal Himalchuli Range - Day 8
Namrung to Samagaun
Trek from Namrung to Samagaun passing through Banjam, Lihi, Sho, Lho, and Sayla, with several Buddhist monasteries along the route. From Lihi you'll see Ganesh Himal, north Himchuli, and Naike Peak. After 1 hour 30 minutes from Sho to Lho, continue 2 hours to Sayla for panoramic views of North Himalchuli, Nadi Chuli, and Manaslu before reaching Samagaun about an hour later.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Banjam
- Trek through Lihi
- Trek through Buddhist monasteries
- Trek through Sho
- Trek through Lho
- Trek through Sayla
Landmarks/POIs Ganesh Himal Naike Peak Manaslu - Day 9
Rest Day in Samagaun
You'll stay in Samagaun for a rest day to acclimatize to the higher altitude. Spend time resting or take short hikes around the area to help your body adjust. Optional activities include visiting Birendra Tal (3km away), the basecamp, or Pungen monastery depending on how you're feeling.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Short hike to Birendra Tal (3 km from Samagaon)
- Short hike to Basecamp
- Short hike to Pungen monastery
- Short hike to Basecamp and Pungen monastery combined
Landmarks/POIs Birendra Tal - Day 10
Samagaun to Samdo
A shorter hike taking about 3 hours of steep uphill and flat trekking to reach Samdo. You'll see views of Syaula Peak, Naike Peak, Manaslu, Himchuli, Larke Peak, and Cho Peak along the way. The route crosses the Buddhi Gandaki River on a wooden bridge and climbs steeply alongside two rivers before reaching the small remote settlement of Samdo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cross Buddhi Gandaki River on wooden bridge
- Trek to small remote settlement of Samdo
Landmarks/POIs Syaula Peak Larke Peak Cho Peak - Day 11
Samdo to Dharmasala
Trek 4 to 5 hours from Samdo to Dharmasala on a slightly rocky trail that leads upward through spectacular mountain scenery. You'll cross the east bank of the river and reach Sumdu, a small permanent settlement, then continue as the trail rises high above Larky Khola to Dharmasala for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Sumdu settlement
Landmarks/POIs Sumdu - Day 12
Dharmasala to Bimtang
This strenuous day involves crossing Larkya Pass, so you'll start early. After a short climb to a small valley on the north side of Larkya Glaciers with views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak, you descend steeply to the moraine of Salpudanda Glacier. Then trek along the moraine parallel to Bimtang Glacier toward Bimtang with views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Gyaji Kung, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cross Larkya Pass
- Trek along Larkya Glaciers
- Trek past Salpudanda Glacier
- Trek along Bimtang Glacier
Landmarks/POIs Larkya Pass Himlung Himal Cheo Himal Annapurna II - Day 13
Bimtang to Tilije
Trek 5 hours from Bimtang to Tilije at 2,300m elevation. This is a shorter day compared to the pass crossing, offering more relaxed trekking close to nature as you get closer to the end of your journey. Stay overnight at a tea house.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 14
Tilije to Chemcha
Cover 7 hours trekking from Tilije to Chemcha, departing from this scenic spot and completing an extensive trek with rest stops along the way. You'll stay overnight at a tea house where you can recover from the day's walking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 15
Chemcha to Kathmandu
After breakfast in Chemcha, take a public jeep followed by a tourist bus to return to Kathmandu at 760m elevation. The trek concludes when you arrive in Kathmandu, and from there you can head home or continue to your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Besisahar - Day 16
Departure from Kathmandu
On your final day, staff help with last-minute preparations before transferring you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight to wherever you're headed next after completing the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Landmarks/POIs Tribhuvan International Airport
