Before the trek began, we flew into Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, a city that hits all your senses at once. Narrow alleys, colorful prayer flags, honking taxis, and the smell of incense make it feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. But it didn’t take long to feel the rhythm of the place.
Since the Manaslu region is a restricted area, you can’t trek independently, and you’ll need special permits. We had already chosen a reliable local trekking company, who took care of everything for us permits, guide, transport, everything. We just had to provide our passport and some passport-sized photos. It made things so much easier.
We spent one day in Kathmandu for this process, and also to get over our jet lag and do a little last-minute shopping in Thamel (the main tourist hub). You can find almost anything there, warm gear, trekking poles, sleeping bags, energy bars, even if you forget something.
Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola (710m) — 7-9 hrs
An early start. We pile into a jeep and leave the city chaos behind. The road to Soti Khola is wild — winding cliffs, dust clouds, waterfalls tumbling beside us. This isn’t just a transfer, it’s an adventure in itself. Expect bumpy rides, local tea stops, and surreal views as we enter the Budhi Gandaki gorge.
⏱ Tip: Motion sickness tablets might come in handy.
🥾 No trekking yet, just get used to village life, river sounds, and your backpack.
Day 2: Soti Khola to Machha Khola (900m) — 6 hrs
Boots on. The trail begins along the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River. We pass rice paddies, suspension bridges, and shady Sal forests. It’s humid and green — this is lower Manaslu’s tropical face. Water buffalo block the trail sometimes. The pace is gentle, but it’s a good warm-up for the tougher days ahead.
🎒 Highlights: Waterfall crossings, steep cliffs, quiet hillside villages
🍛 Meals: Dal Bhat power for lunch and dinner (get used to it — you’ll love it)
Day 3: Machha Khola to Jagat (1,340m) — 6-7 hrs
Today’s trail cuts through narrow paths hugging the gorge. We pass Khorla Besi and take a breather at Tatopani — a hot spring spot (a rare treat in the wild). Then it’s uphill into cooler terrain, stone staircases winding up toward Jagat, a village with Tibetan-style stone houses.
🧘♂️ Tip: Stretch your calves — these stone stair sections are no joke.
🌙 Jagat is the official entry point to the Manaslu Conservation Area.
Day 4: Jagat to Deng (1,860m) — 7 hrs
The forest gets denser and wilder. We cross thrilling suspension bridges and feel the river’s force below. The trail passes charming villages like Salleri and Philim — where children wave from schoolyards. Things feel more remote now. Deng feels like a frontier — quiet and misty.
🥾 You’ll feel the altitude creeping in today, but it’s still manageable.
💬 Start picking up basic Nepali phrases — locals appreciate the effort.
Day 5: Deng to Namrung (2,630m) — 6-7 hrs
It’s one of the most beautiful trekking days. The trail passes pine and rhododendron forests, landslide zones, and ancient mani walls. As you gain elevation, you begin to sense Tibetan influence — in the architecture, the prayer wheels, and the faces.
📸 Don’t miss the view of Shringi Himal from Bihi.
🍵 The tea in Namrung hits differently after a day of steady climbing.
Day 6: Namrung to Lho (3,180m) — 4-5 hrs
Today is shorter and sweeter. We walk through alpine forests and barley fields. The first big reward: a view of Manaslu North. Lho is a peaceful village with a large monastery and a surreal mountain backdrop — this is where the trek starts to feel Himalayan.
🌄 Sunset over Manaslu is absolutely magical from the ridge.
🧎♂️ Visit the monastery before dinner — monks often welcome quiet visitors.
Day 7: Lho to Samagaun (3,530m) — 4-5 hrs
A gentle climb takes us into yak pasturelands. By now, we’re trekking above 3,500 meters. Samagaun feels like a hidden world — a big village surrounded by glaciers and peaks. The air is thinner. The sky feels closer. You’ll see yaks, spinning prayer wheels, and hear the faint flutter of flags.
🛑 Acclimatization is key from here onward — take it slow, drink lots of water.
🏔 You’ll spot Manaslu, Naike Peak, and glaciers all around.
Day 8: Acclimatization Day in Samagaun (Hike to Manaslu Base Camp or Pungyen Gompa)
This is your body’s day to adjust. You can either hike to Manaslu Base Camp (4,800m) — a challenging climb with stunning glacier views — or to Pungyen Gompa, a scenic and spiritual detour with a grand view of Manaslu.
🧗♂️ Base Camp option is tough but epic — do it if you’re feeling strong.
📿 Pungyen is quieter and cultural — you might spot blue sheep on the cliffs.
Day 9: Samagaun to Samdo (3,860m) — 4 hrs
The trail to Samdo is wide and airy. You’ll feel the altitude more with every step. The tree line is behind us now — only scrubland and wind remain. Samdo is a tiny village just a few kilometers from the Tibetan border, where life runs by yak herding and seasonal trade.
🎒 Don’t rush this walk — let your lungs and legs sync with the thin air.
📍 From Samdo, you can hike up a nearby ridge for a panoramic mountain view.
Day 10: Acclimatization Day in Samdo (Optional Hike to Tibetan Border or Ridge)
This is your final acclimatization day before the high pass. Many choose to rest, while others take an exploration hike toward the old trade route leading to Tibet. It’s stark, windy, and quiet — but breathtaking.
🏔️ Bonus: The viewpoint above Samdo offers incredible sights of Manaslu, Samdo Peak, and the valley you’ve just walked through.
🧤 Wear layers — the wind here is no joke.
Day 11: Samdo to Dharmasala (Larkya Phedi, 4,460m) — 4-5 hrs
Short in distance, but not easy. The air is thinner, the wind stronger, and the trail feels otherworldly — icy blue rivers, snowy scree, grazing yaks. Dharmasala is not a village but a single teahouse outpost. Accommodation is basic, and nights here can be freezing.
🥶 Expect a rough night — low oxygen and cold combo.
🍲 Soup and garlic are your best friends. Sleep early. Tomorrow is the big one.
Day 12: Cross Larkya La Pass (5,160m) — Trek to Bimthang (3,590m) — 8-10 hrs
The biggest day of the trek. Start before dawn with a headlamp. The trail climbs slowly across rocky moraines and past frozen lakes. After 3–4 hours, prayer flags flap at the top of Larkya La — you’ve made it! The view is unforgettable: Himlung, Kang Guru, Annapurna II all in one sweep.
The descent to Bimthang is steep and long but stunning — you’ll walk over glacial basins and into pine forests again. Relief and pride hit hard at Bimthang.
🥇 The pass is a tough mental game — slow, steady steps win it.
📸 Celebrate with photos at the summit prayer flags, then descend carefully.
Day 13: Bimthang to Dharapani (1,960m) — 7-8 hrs
It’s a long but mostly downhill walk. From icy peaks to rhododendron forests, terraced farms, and warm air — the world transforms in just one day. Cross wooden bridges, sip tea in Gho village, and eventually reach Dharapani — where the trail connects with the Annapurna Circuit.
🌳 The green feels unreal after days of barren rock and snow.
📶 Dharapani has Wi-Fi and a cold beer — both feel well-earned.
Day 14: Drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu — 9-10 hrs
Your trek ends here. A bumpy jeep ride takes you back through the Marsyangdi Valley to Besi Sahar, then onward to Kathmandu. The first few hours are rough off-road, then it’s smooth (kind of). Expect tired legs and a full heart.
🚌 It’s a long ride — audiobooks or downloaded music help.
🍽️ Dinner in Kathmandu feels like a five-star meal, even if it’s momo and dal bhat again.
Real Experience & Final Suggestions
Looking back, the Manaslu Circuit Trek was one of the most powerful journeys I’ve done in Nepal — remote, wild, and beautifully raw. What made it truly special was the silence of the mountains, the kindness of the people in stone houses, and how the scenery shifted every single day.
Here are a few things I wish someone had told me before I started:
- Go slow — especially above 3,500m. It’s not a race.
- Stay hydrated, even if it’s cold. It really helps with altitude.
- Layer up — mornings and nights can be freezing, even in autumn.
- Don’t skip the acclimatization days — they’re not “rest” days, they’re survival days.
- Carry some snacks, especially for high camp and the pass day. Energy bars saved me more than once.
- Enjoy the small villages — don’t just walk through them. Grab a tea, chat with locals, breathe it in.
If you’re looking for a company to arrange this trek, I personally used Dream Heaven Adventure, and I couldn’t be happier with the service. Everything from permits to guides to the logistics across remote areas was smooth and professional. My guide was not just knowledgeable but felt like a friend by the end of the journey.
👉 You can check them out at https://dreamheavenadventure.com/ , they’re based in Kathmandu and very responsive.
Honestly, if you’re someone who wants an off-the-beaten-path trek that still gives you Himalayan scale, cultural richness, and true peace, skip the crowds of Everest and Annapurna, and go for Manaslu. You won’t regret it.
