Photo: Ganesh Adhikari ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Around an 8,000er, away from the crowds.
The circuit around Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak on Earth, is what the Annapurna Circuit was thirty years ago: the tight gorges of the Budhi Gandaki, the Tibetan villages of Sama and Samdo, the Pungyen monastery and the Larke La at 5,106 m with views of Himlung and Annapurna II. It is a restricted area requiring a special permit and a guide, so the trail stays quiet. Sixteen days lodge to lodge from Kathmandu. For those who want a long Himalayan trek without the queues.
- The Larke La pass, 5,106 m
- Manaslu, 8,163 m, above Sama village
- The Budhi Gandaki gorges and Tibetan villages
- A restricted area with few trekkers
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Preparation
Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu at 1,400 m and a meeting at the hotel. Permit photos, gear check, dinner with the guide.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 2 · Transfer 160 km
Jeep to Machha Khola
Eight to nine hours by jeep via Dhading Besi and Arughat to Machha Khola at 870 m. A dusty road with fine views over the terraces.
Overnight: Lodge in Machha Khola - DAY 3 · 22 km, 7 hours
Jagat
Along the Budhi Gandaki past the Tatopani hot springs and suspension bridges to Jagat at 1,340 m, where the restricted area permit is checked.
Overnight: Lodge in Jagat - DAY 4 · 20 km, 7 hours
Deng
The gorge narrows and the trail is cut into rock above the river. Via Philim and bamboo forest to Deng at 1,860 m.
Overnight: Lodge in Deng - DAY 5 · 19 km, 770 m of ascent
Namrung
Via Ghap and forest with langur monkeys to Namrung at 2,630 m. Tibetan culture begins: mani walls, chortens.
Overnight: Lodge in Namrung - DAY 6 · 11 km, 550 m of ascent
Lho
Via Lihi and Sho to Lho at 3,180 m. In the evening Manaslu shows itself in full above the Ribung monastery.
Overnight: Lodge in Lho - DAY 7 · 8 km, 4 hours
Samagaon
A short walk via Shyala to Samagaon at 3,530 m, the village beneath the Manaslu glaciers. Birendra Lake in the afternoon.
Overnight: Lodge in Samagaon - DAY 8 · Acclimatisation to 4,400 m
Acclimatisation: Pungyen gompa
A walk to the Pungyen gompa at 4,000 m beneath the east face of Manaslu, or to Manaslu Base Camp at 4,400 m. Back to Samagaon.
Overnight: Lodge in Samagaon - DAY 9 · 8 km, 350 m of ascent
Samdo
A gentle valley trail to Samdo at 3,875 m, the last village before the pass and three hours from the Tibetan border.
Overnight: Lodge in Samdo - DAY 10 · 7 km, 600 m of ascent
Dharamsala
Up to Dharamsala at 4,460 m, the only lodge below the pass. Early dinner; departure at 3:00.
Overnight: Lodge in Dharamsala - DAY 11 · Pass 5,106 m, 9–10 hours
The Larke La
Four to five hours over moraines to the Larke La at 5,106 m. Himlung, Cheo and Annapurna II ahead. A long, steep 1,400 m descent to Bimthang at 3,720 m.
Overnight: Lodge in Bimthang - DAY 12 · 16 km, 1,200 m of descent
Down to Goa
Through rhododendron forest and the village of Kharche to Goa at 2,515 m. Legs rest from the altitude; the air is thick and warm.
Overnight: Lodge in Goa - DAY 13 · 12 km, 5 hours
Dharapani and the Annapurna Circuit
Down to Tilche and Dharapani at 1,860 m, where our trail joins the Annapurna Circuit. The ACAP permit is stamped at the checkpoint.
Overnight: Lodge in Dharapani - DAY 14 · Transfer 230 km
Jeep to Besisahar and Kathmandu
Four hours by jeep on the dirt road to Besisahar and another six to Kathmandu. Arrival by evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 15 · Reserve, sightseeing
Reserve day in Kathmandu
Buffer for delays on the route. If all went to schedule — Bhaktapur or Boudhanath.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 16 · Transfer
Flight home
Transfer to Tribhuvan airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Hotel in Kathmandu, 3 nights
Lodges on the trek, 12 nights
Three meals a day on the trek
Licensed guide and a porter per two participants
Manaslu restricted area permit, MCAP and ACAP
Jeep Kathmandu — Machha Khola and Dharapani — Kathmandu
Airport transfers
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Meals in Kathmandu
Hot showers, charging and wifi in lodges
Single supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
You need the fitness for 6–8 hours of walking daily and one long pass day. No technical skills required. Ivan sets a twelve-week plan with long hill days at weekends.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Footwear and warm layers for the specific mountain and season
- Sunglasses, gloves and spare mittens
- A headtorch and personal equipment from the guide's list
- For Kazbek: agreed crampons, harness and ice axe
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.