Manaslu Circuit Trek

Your Manaslu Circuit adventure begins as you check in for your international flight from Zurich, bound for Kathmandu, the vibrant capital of Nepal. Depending on your routing, the journey may include a layover, giving you time to relax before the trek ahead.

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,400 m/4,593 ft) and transfer to your 4-star hotel. With the rest of the day free, take time to rest after your flight, meet your trekking guide, review the days ahead, and do any last-minute shopping for trekking gear in the Thamel district. Since this is a restricted-area trek, your guide will also confirm permit arrangements at this stage.

Set off on a long but scenic 8 to 10-hour drive by private tourist vehicle from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (869 m/2,851 ft) via Soti Khola (710 m/2,329 ft), following winding roads out of the Kathmandu Valley and into the hills of the Gorkha region, with the terrain becoming increasingly rural as you approach the starting point of the Manaslu trail.

Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat (1,340 m/4,396 ft), a 6 to 7-hour walk that follows the Budhi Gandaki River along a dramatic gorge, crossing several suspension bridges and passing through small settlements as the trail climbs steadily deeper into the Manaslu Conservation Area. Jagat is a key checkpoint village where your restricted area permit is verified.

Trek from Jagat to Deng (1,860 m/6,102 ft), a 6 to 7-hour walk continuing along the Budhi Gandaki gorge through forest and terraced farmland, with the valley growing increasingly narrow and remote as you leave the more populated lower villages behind.

Trek from Deng to Namrung (2,630 m/8,629 ft), a demanding 7 to 8-hour walk that marks the entry into the upper Manaslu region, where the culture shifts noticeably toward Tibetan Buddhist traditions, with prayer flags, mani walls, and chortens becoming a regular feature of the trail.

Trek from Namrung to Lho (3,180 m/10,433 ft), a shorter 3 to 4-hour walk through pine and rhododendron forest, with the first dramatic views of Manaslu itself beginning to appear as the trail climbs toward this picturesque village, home to an impressive monastery and gompa.

Trek from Lho to Samagaon (3,520 m/11,549 ft), a 3 to 4-hour walk that brings you into one of the most culturally rich and visually spectacular villages on the entire circuit, set directly beneath the towering south face of Mount Manaslu, with Tibetan Buddhist traditions still strongly preserved among the local community.

Spend a full acclimatization day at Samagaon, with a hike to the turquoise waters of Birendra Lake and up to Manaslu Base Camp (4,895 m/16,060 ft) and back, a rewarding 7 to 8-hour round trip. This excursion offers an extraordinary close-up view of Manaslu's glaciers and summit, and is an important step in preparing your body for the significantly higher altitudes to come over the following days.

Trek from Samagaon to Samdo (3,875 m/12,746 ft), a shorter 3 to 4-hour walk through increasingly open, high-altitude terrain. Samdo is one of the last permanent settlements before the Tibetan border, offering a genuine glimpse into the remote, traditional way of life in the upper Manaslu region.

Trek from Samdo to Dharmasala (4,460 m/14,632 ft), a 4 to 5-hour walk that crosses open, wind-swept high-altitude terrain, arriving at this basic but essential overnight stop that serves as the launching point for tomorrow's crossing of Larkya La Pass.

The most demanding and rewarding day of the trek: trek from Dharmasala to Bimthang (3,590 m/11,781 ft) via the crossing of Larkya La Pass (5,160 m/16,929 ft), a long 8 to 9-hour trekking day. Setting off early, you'll climb steadily to the pass, the highest point of the entire circuit, before descending into the Annapurna region on the other side, with dramatic views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and the surrounding glaciated peaks along the way.

Trek from Bimthang to Goa (2,515 m/8,251 ft), a 5 to 6-hour walk descending through forest as the landscape becomes noticeably greener and warmer after the high-altitude crossing of Larkya La.

Trek from Goa to Taal (1,700 m/5,577 ft), a 3 to 4-hour walk continuing the descent into the Marsyangdi valley, with the trail rejoining the more established routes of the Annapurna region.

Trek from Taal to Jagat (1,300 m/4,265 ft), continuing down the Marsyangdi valley and marking the final trekking day of this remarkable circuit around the Manaslu massif.

Drive from Jagat to Bandipur, a 5 to 6-hour journey by road that brings you to this beautifully preserved Newari hilltop town, known for its traditional architecture, cobbled streets, and panoramic views over the surrounding hills and, on clear days, the distant Annapurna and Manaslu ranges.

Drive from Bandipur to Kathmandu (1,400 m/4,593 ft), a 5-hour journey back to the capital. Arrive in the afternoon and check in to your 4-star hotel, with a well-earned hot shower and comfortable bed waiting after a demanding and rewarding trek around the Manaslu Circuit.

Spend a well-earned rest day in Kathmandu, with time to explore the city's rich cultural heritage, including landmarks such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, or Pashupatinath, or simply relax and reflect on your trek at your own pace before departure.

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport in good time for your international flight home, bringing to a close an extraordinary journey around Mount Manaslu, crossing Larkya La Pass and through some of the most remote and culturally rich villages in the Himalayas.

Arrive back in Zurich, marking the end of your Manaslu Circuit Trek adventure, with the memory of Larkya La, the villages of Samagaon and Samdo, and the quiet grandeur of the Manaslu region staying with you long after the journey ends.