Manaslu Annapurna Circuit Trek

We start the Manaslu Annapurna Circuit Trek adventure on an amazing drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola including a ride of about 6 to 7 hours. It begins on a smooth highway that quickly turns into the rough mountain roads that eventually follow the Budhi Gandaki River. 

On the way, we walk through Arughat Bazar, which was an old trade center in the past where goods were traded from Nepal to Tibet. The trek ahead is set by the changing landscapes from bustling towns to terraced fields and the misty hills. By the time we reach Machha Khola you’ll already notice the change to a quieter and more remote part of the country. We are at a cozy guest house here, absorbing the cool mountain air, ready to start the trek.

The second day entails trekking from Machha Khola to Jagat for a full day. Our trail is a series of suspension bridges, dense forests and a number of small villages. Tatopani is also one of the highlights, as it offers natural hot springs, and a chance to dip your feet into warm, and mineral rich waters thought by the locals to have healing properties. 

We make our way through Dobhan and Yaru Bagar, and finally reach Jagat, a historic village that was once a tax collection post for traders. Here, you can see both the Hindu and Buddhist traditions blend together with a prayer flag or two flapping in the wind, and small shrines tucked on the trail. We rest for another rewarding day, staying tonight in a guest house.

On the third day we leave Jagat and the terrain behind us becomes high altitude and it takes a six to seven hours trek to Namrung. Salleri and Sirdibas are the villages through which the trail runs, and here we see the beginnings of Tibetan Buddhist culture. 

A farming community called Philim is surrounded by lush golden fields of barley and maize and when we reach the area, we stop to appreciate the tranquil scenery of the region. On our way passing Ekle Bhatti towards the mystical Tsum valley, we gradually climb up towards Deng, which informs us we entered the deep soul lands through prayer wheels and mani walls. The villages become more dramatic, and as we reach the village of Namrung, they welcome us with tremendous views of the Ganesh Himal and Himalchuli. A simple but hearty meal is what you taste while spending the night in a small but endearing guest house, where you can take some time to think about the day’s adventure.

The fourth day begins our trek into the depths of the mountains, namely from Namrung to Sama gaun with the most incredible scenery of the hike so far. A striking first view of Mount Manaslu (8,163m) that towers into the sky is seen along the way, as one drives by the Lho Village. 

Now we stop by the monastery and find ourselves in a peaceful alcove where monks carry out their daily rituals. As we continue trekking, it opens up to Shyala Village, where the views of the Himalayas, Ganesh Himal, Himalchuli and peak 29 are spectacular. 

Towards the end of the day, we reached the biggest settlement in the upper Manaslu region, Sama Gaun. Buddhist traditions run deep here as they had historically been a trading point for Tibetans and Nepalese merchants. 

From here you can take a chance to see Pungyen Gompa, a monastery in the hills with its spiritual and historical value to the region. Lots of people make the decision to spend a night or two in Samagaun to help acclimatise before the ascent. We rest tonight at a guest house with the noise of prayer chants and mountain winds.

On the fifth day we have a well deserved acclimatization day in Sama Gaun, allowing our bodies to adjust to the previously rising altitude before climbing higher into the mountains. Resting is important, but we do also have the opportunity to hike to either Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m) or Pungyen Gompa which are also highly rewarding experiences. 

The trek to the base camp is much more demanding, but does reward you with jaw dropping views over the Manaslu Glacier, that stretches for good as it traverses across the rugged terrain. For those who like their experience more cultural, Pungyen Gompa is a hidden secret, located in the hills, an ancient Buddhist monastery with a rich history and spiritual significance. 

The gompa is met with deep protective energy over the valley and locals believe that. Whether we take this route or the second route, we spend the night in Sama Gaun, in a comfortable guest house and readying ourselves for the next trek.

On day six we leave Sama Gaun and we trek to Samdo which is a short distance but an important one that should take about four to five hours. As we ascend, the forest thins and alpine eroded by glaciers becomes dramatic with fewer trees, and large glacier carved valleys. 

We see the yaks grazing by Kermo Kharka, which shepherds from Tibet have grazed for centuries. One of the last settlements in the area before the high mountain pass, Samdo itself sits at 3,875 meters. This village has an important history as an important stopping point on the salt route between Tibet and Nepal and even today, many locals have strong Tibetan roots. Once settled, we head out to explore the village with a short acclimatization hike, getting to know about the lifestyle of village life in such remote conditions and return back to our guest house for the night.

We continue our walk to Dharamshala (4,460m) or Larke Phedi on the seventh day, which is the basecamp for crossing Larke Pass. It is a five to six hours hike and the altitude makes it strenuous, but the scenery surrounding it provides motivation. 

The trail along the Larke River travels through bare rocky terrains with scenery consisting of stunning mountain views in all directions. Remnants of ancient pilgrimage routes along the way have prayer flags scattered in intervals. 

In fact, Dharamshala itself is a small, rather isolated, and offers only a couple of very basic lodges where trekkers rest before finally climbing over Larke Pass. At this point we are ready for the most difficult section of the trek so we’ll top off on some warm food ahead of an early night’s sleep.

The most difficult but fulfilling day of the trek is on the eighth day when we get up early and walk the highest point of the trek, Larke Pass (5,106m), and descend to Bhimtang (3,720m). It is a fairly easy 7 to 8 hour trip, starting with a gradual climb across the moraines, with the pass then being reached. 

It is simply breathtaking from the top with a sweeping panorama of Himlung Himal, Annapurna II, Cheo Himal, and Kang Guru. Standing on one of the highest points of the trek, we can feel the sense of accomplishment and take in the scale of the expanse that is the Himalayas.

The descent to Bhimtang is steep with freezing ridges, steep walking through the valley and various glaciers, but as you come to lower altitudes, the land becomes greener. Bhimtang gives the impression of a beautiful place to rest, with forests and meadows on all sides and beautiful views of Mount Phungi Himal. At a guest house, we spent the night celebrating the awesome achievement of crossing Larke Pass.

On the ninth day, our trek to Tilche from Bhimtang goes through some of the most stunning scenery of the trek. Leaving Bhimtang, the trail continues to descend through pristine rhododendron forest with grand views of Phungi Himal and Himlung Himal. 

We wind down from high-altitude wilderness through the crossing of glacial streams and alpine meadows, until they move into more settled villages. The way passes Surki Khola which is a perfect place for short rests and continues to Gowa, a small village with a plenty of Gurung culture. 

At the end of the day, we are swept up in Tilche, located at the border between Manaslu and Annapurna, that being a key moment in our trek. We spend the night here at a guest house and avail of the locals’ hospitality.

On the tenth day, we take a private jeep from Tilche to Manang, which will take almost six to seven hours by jeep. The way passes through the Marsyangdi Valley which is rich in deep gorges, high cliffs and remnants of old settlements. 

Although a rough road, it is a very beautiful one with wide views of Annapurna II and Gangapurna commanding the skies. Manang is one of the most culturally rich villages in the area and as you’re entering the village you see the traditional mud brick houses and the colorful prayer flags in the wind. 

Once a stopping place for traders traveling between Nepal and Tibet, Manang is still a hub for travelers. After settling in, we explore the village, Gangapurna Lake and historic Braga Monastery are a part of the exploring, which has centuries old Buddhist manuscripts preserved. With a warm meal, we spend the night in a guest house which we use as a starting point for preparing for the trek ahead.

We trek to Yak Kharka from Manang on the eleventh day and which takes four to five hour. It starts to get noticeably higher, the scenery opens up into open pastures where yaks graze and snow-covered peaks are seen in the background. Towards the end of the trek, we pass by Gunsang, a tiny settlement that provides spectacular views of the Annapurna range. It follows the Thorong River through barren cliffs and thin vegetation. And it’s becoming crisp and cold closer to Yak Kharka, an essential acclimatization stop before Thorong La Pass. Having settled into a guest house, we rest well in order to adjust to the altitude and continue further.

On the twelfth day, we trek from Yak Kharka to Phedi, which is known as Thorong High camp, the highest point from where we trek through Thorong La Pass. It ascends gradually but demands much, going over rocky terrain and sparse landscapes left by the cruel alpine climate.

We pass Ledar, an isolated settlement commonly stopped for trekkers to gaze upon the entire ridge lines that extend into the distance. The last piece between Phedi and us is a couple of glacial streams to cross through, and the route is dotted more and more with prayer flags. From Phedi, we move to a guest house, conversing with teammates and getting psyched up for the thrilling experience of crossing Thorong La Pass the next day.

Day thirteen gets us into some of the most challenging and rewarding part of the trek, we cross Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), descend into Muktinath. This seven or eight-hour trip begins early in the morning to make it past the diabolical winds that set in later in the day. The climb is steep, strenuous, and takes one through rocky terrain while being marked by prayer flags. 

Finally, after our struggle, as we reach the top of Thorong La we stop and the breathtaking wide view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Nilgiri can be seen on the horizon. Located high in the mountains, this pass has been an important road for traders and pilgrims for hundreds of years but links the districts of Manang and Mustang. 

Muktinath (3,800m) is a long descent to a beautiful place that has a changing landscape of barren rock formations to greener valleys. We arrive in Muktinath and we stay in a guesthouse, taking in the soothing spiritual energy of this holy place.

Fourteenth day is for visiting Muktinath Temple, Nepal’s most revered shrine for Hindus as well as Buddhists. It is the temple that has the everlasting flame of centuries as well as 108 stone water spouts from where devotees bathe in icy waters as a part of their religious rites. 

The site is considered as spiritually significant as it is believed to give moksha (liberation) to those who visit. We take a public bus from tailback temple grounds through Kali Gandaki gorge (world’s deepest gorge) to Pokhara, a stunning seven to eight hour drive. 

The route visits Jomsom, Marpha and Tatopani where you can catch a glance of apple orchards, traditional Thakali villages, and dramatic river valleys. When we reach Pokhara, we check into a decent hotel and feel the difference of watching rugged mountains into the serene water-body of the lake.

Fifteenth day is a leisure day in Pokhara, where we visit some of the landmarks. We first visit Pumdikot, from where you can have a splendid aerial view of Pokhara, Phewa Lake, and the Annapurna Range. It boasts a new Lord Shiva statue, another new attraction for the city. We go next to Davis Falls, a mighty waterfall underneath that vanishes deep into caves of mystery below, with all a natural wonder like Pokhara has to offer. The last stop is to Bat’s Cave, an underground cavern that houses hundreds of bats, making for a fun close to the day. As Pokhara is relaxed, lakeside cafés provide a pleasant setting to relax after the trek.

On the last, the sixteenth day we fly back from Here to Kathmandu, enjoying the views of mountain ranges and river valleys from the air. Once you land there’s time to reflect on the amazing experience you’ve gone on during the two most iconic trekking circuits of Nepal. The Manaslu Annapurna Circuit Trek, with its cultural richness and the dramatic landscapes of Annapurna will be an experience of a lifetime.