Itinerary
- Day 1
Drive to Machhakhola
Your driver picks you up and takes you to Machhakhola, where the trek begins. You're starting at 930m elevation, so this is mainly a travel day to get you to the base. It's a good time to settle in, meet your guides, and get organized for the days ahead.
- Start point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Airport)
Included Activities
- Drive to Machhakhola (930m)
- Day 2
Machhakhola to Jagat
Starting early, you'll head out on your first trek from Machhakhola toward Jagat. The walk takes about 6-7 hours as you gain elevation to 1410m, hiking through the Manaslu region. You'll notice the landscape changing as you climb, and by evening you'll reach your first overnight stop.
Included Activities
- Trek from Machhakhola to Jagat (1410m) - approximately 6-7 hours walk
- Day 3
Jagat to Lokpa
From Jagat, you trek to Lokpa over 5-6 hours, ascending significantly to 2240m. The path takes you deeper into the Manaslu area, and the altitude starts becoming more noticeable. After arriving at Lokpa, you'll have time to rest and adjust to the elevation.
Included Activities
- Trek from Jagat to Lokpa (2240m) - approximately 5-6 hours walk
- Day 4
Lokpa to Chumling
Today's trek from Lokpa to Chumling takes 4-5 hours and brings you to 2863m. You're climbing higher now, so the terrain becomes steeper and the air thinner. The views around you expand as you gain elevation, and Chumling serves as a good rest point for acclimatization.
Included Activities
- Trek from Lokpa to Chumling (2863m) - approximately 4-5 hours walk
- Day 5
Chumling to Chhekampar
Leaving Chumling, you trek to Chhekampar in 4-5 hours, reaching 3030m. The altitude is getting more serious here, and you'll feel it in your breathing. The landscape becomes more sparse and high-altitude as you continue climbing through this section.
Included Activities
- Trek from Chumling to Chhekampar (3030m) - approximately 4-5 hours walk
- Day 6
Chhekampar to Nile
The trek from Chhekampar to Nile spans 4-5 hours and takes you to 3360m elevation. You're now in high-altitude terrain, and the environment becomes noticeably different from lower sections. Nile is your base for the acclimatization hike happening tomorrow.
Included Activities
- Trek from Chhekampar to Nile (3360m) - approximately 4-5 hours walk
- Day 7
Mu-Gumba Hike
This is your acclimatization day, and you'll do a full day hike from Nile up to Mu-Gumba at 3800m and back. The round trip takes 7-8 hours total. Going higher and returning to sleep at a lower elevation helps your body adjust, so you'll head up during the day and return to Nile to rest.
Included Activities
- Day hike from Nile to Mu-Gumba (3800m) and back to Nile - approximately 7-8 hours walk
- Day 8
Nile to Chumling
From Nile, you trek back down to Chumling over 5-6 hours, descending to 2863m. After all that climbing, the downhill movement gives your legs a different kind of workout. You're retracing your steps but heading toward the western part of the circuit now.
Included Activities
- Trek from Nile to Chumling (2863m) - approximately 5-6 hours walk
- Day 9
Chumling to Philim
Today takes you from Chumling to Philim in 5-6 hours, descending to 1590m. The terrain changes as you lose elevation, and the vegetation becomes greener. By evening you'll reach Philim, having made significant progress on the descent.
Included Activities
- Trek from Chumling to Philim (1590m) - approximately 5-6 hours walk
- Day 10
Philim to Dovan
Trekking from Philim to Dovan takes 5-6 hours, and you'll drop to 1070m elevation. You're getting back to lower altitudes now, and the air will feel thicker and easier to breathe. The landscape starts looking more like the foothills of the Manaslu circuit.
Included Activities
- Trek from Philim to Dovan (1070m) - approximately 5-6 hours walk
- Day 11
Dovan to Machhakhola
Your final trekking day brings you from Dovan back to Machhakhola in 4-5 hours, returning to 930m where you started. This shorter day wraps up your circuit, and you'll likely arrive with plenty of daylight left to relax and reflect on the trek.
Included Activities
- Trek from Dovan to Machhakhola (930m) - approximately 4-5 hours walk
- Day 12
Machhakhola to Kathmandu
A jeep picks you up from Machhakhola for the 7-8 hour drive back to Kathmandu, where you finish at 1333m elevation. You'll have time to clean up, eat a proper meal, and start unwinding from your trek experience before heading home or continuing your travels.
- End point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Airport)
Included Activities
- Drive from Machhakhola to Kathmandu (1333m) - approximately 7-8 hours by jeep
