This Challenging Trek Goes Around the 8th Highest Mountain of the World

Nepal is a paradise for trekking enthusiasts. This little Himalayan country has some of the best Himalayan trekking routes. Manaslu Trek is one such trek in Nepal that is far less crowded than other classic treks that the country offers. The trekking trail has epic scenery on offer, a spectacular suspension bridge, a subtropical forest, river gorges and most importantly, bleak, yet striking snowfields.

About Manalsu Peak

The Manaslu Peak is the world’s eighth highest peak, standing tall at 8163 m. The trek takes you around Mt. Manaslu through the Larkya Pass which towers at over 5100 m. Just imagine the feeling of accomplishment when you look at the mighty Manaslu peak standing before you.

Compared to the other treks in Nepal like the Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek, Manaslu trek is less crowded, yet the beauty is similar. This challenging trek has a wild beauty to it that can only be understood if you embark on the trail.

Kathmandu – Soti Khola (8 hours)

Take a bus from Kathmandu Gongabu Bus Park towards Arughat. The road is quite dusty and bumpy, but definitely scenic. From Arughat, a major town, take a car towards Sotikhola. You have to stay overnight at Sotikhola in one of the tree houses.

Sotikhola – Maccha Khola (9 hours)

Trekking starts from this day. After having your breakfast at the tree house, start your trek. The trail from Soti Khola to Machha Khola is quite narrow and rocky. On the way, you will pass through forests where you can stop for sometime for a quick rest. You will also encounter waterfalls, rivers on the way and some towering cliffs. The trail is uneven with uphills and downhills. Finally you will reach Maccha Khola after crossing a suspension bridge. Stay at the tree house for the night.

Maccha Khola – Jagat (8 hours)

Start your trek following the twisting road on the banks of Buri Gandaki River. After that, you will enter the forest area where you will encounter a number of monkeys and langurs. After the forest area, you will cross a few Gurung villages on the way till you arrive at Tatopani, a small hot spring. This is a good place to take a break.

After this, you have to cross another suspension bridge over the Budi Gandaki River. After that, there are a series of staircases and suspension bridges until you cross to the west bank of the river. Climb up to a ridge, trek along the river and finally reach Jagat, the stop for the day.

Pewa – Namrung (7 hours)

After breakfast, start trekking through an ascending winding trail. Today also, you have to cross a suspension bridge. The trail passes through Ghap which is a landslide prone zone. So please be careful and pay heed to the instructions of your guide. After about one hour into the uneven trail, there is an uphill way to Namrung. This is a beautiful village with some of the best teashops, restaurants and rest houses on the trek.

Namrung - Lho (5 hours)

Namrung has Tibetan influence. You will encounter a number of prayer flags and Mani walls on the way. You will also see most of the locals dressed in Tibetan attires. It is a different world altogether. Walking across the rocky hillside routes, you will finally reach Lho. From here, you will get stunning views of Manaslu (8163 m) and Manaslu North (7157 m). This day, you will gain a lot of height. So be careful and take things slow.

Lho - Sama Gong (4 hours)

This day, the trek route is short. This is so because time is needed for acclimatisation. The trail is an easy one through pine and rhododendron forests to Shyapla. The picturesque view of Mt. Manaslu will accompany you in some parts of the trail. After Shyapla, another hour of trekking will take you to Sama Gaon, the stop for the day.

Sama Gong – Samdo (4 hours)

This day is also a short trek, but remember you will be in higher altitude. First you descend to the Buri Gandaki River and follow it to a bridge. Next you have to cross a wooden bridge and then climb up a steep path till the Samdo village. The mountain views along this route are quite amazing.

Samdo – Dharamshala (4 hours)

Start your hike and cross the Larke Bazar, a local Tibetan market and then descend towards the Buri Gandaki River. You have to cross the wooden bridge and then hike uphill, crossing two streams. You will see the Larkya Glacier from here. The uphill trail will gradually take you to Dharamshala.

Dharamshala – Bimthang via Larkya Pass (10 hours)

This is the most important day of the trek as you are going to cross the highest point of the trek, the Larkya Pass. Start early this day as it is going to be a challenging day. You will encounter a number of rustic villages, clear lakes, beautiful valleys and a number of flora and fauna on the way.

After a short climb, you will reach a valley from where you will get great views of the Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Following the glacial moraine, there is a steep ascent to the Larkya Pass. After a few hours of trek, you will get the spectacular sights of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II. The descent to Bimthang from the pass is quite steep and slippery, but the hike through the low pastures is quite rewarding.

Bimthang – Tal (9 hours)

This is the final day of trekking in the Manaslu region. The downhill trail follows through the beautiful forest trail full of rhododendron, pine and oak. The final stretches of the trail goes through agricultural land and fields until you reach Tal.

Tal – Syange (8 hours)

Start from Tal, follow the trail downhill to the village of Chyamje crossing the beautiful Marsyangdi Khola via a suspension bridge. The trail then descends further through picturesque rhododendron and pine forests to the village of Syange where you'll stay the night.

Syange – Kathmandu

Take a car from Syange to Kathmandu through the winding roads passing through picturesque villages.