Manaslu Short Trek

Immediately after taking breakfast, you begin your journey to Soti Khola, the starting of Manaslu region trek by a private jeep. The driving along the Prithvi Highway is really a wonderful experience by observing the beautiful scenario of landscapes and trade centers. After a continuous journey of around 8 hours, you reach Soti Khola for the night stay. The stunning view of snowcapped peaks around Manaslu, Annapurna, Langtang and Ganesh Himal region welcomes you to the Budhi Gandaki Valley. Overnight stay at teahouse.

The epic trek around Manaslu region begins from Soti Khola to stop at Machhi Khola (Fish Stream) through the rugged trail. The path moves ahead by crossing gushing rivers, natural waterfalls and lush valleys full of paddy fields on the way. You have to cross a few suspension bridges over the Budhi Gandaki River to reach the night station. You go along a typical Gurung village, Labubeshi exposing its cultivation and intact culture and tradition.

The trekking trail today moves up and down along a few rustic villages in Manaslu region. You have to cross some suspension bridges over some rivulets like the Tharo Khola and the Yura Khola to continue the journey. By walking along a stone staircase, you reach Khorlabesi village and then Tatopani (hot water) where you can take a short break. This natural hot water is believed to heal some skin diseases after taking a bath in it. The Gurung Villages with their traditional housing style, lifestyle, culture and tradition are the attractions until you reach Jagat. Overnight stay at a teahouse by relishing local organic food items served at the best hospitality.

Today’s path goes along some lush subtropical forests, pastoral villages and cultivated fields to reach Deng for the night stay. You go through some villages like Salleri and Sirdibas before you cross the suspension bridge over the Ghatte Khola. Then, you reach Philim, one of the largest Gurung villages in Manaslu Circuit and move further across Ekle Bhatti area. By leaving the bamboo forests and wide valley behind, the trail takes you to Deng to spend the night at a teahouse.

The path passes along dense forests, alpine vegetation and remarkable hamlets full of rustic houses reflecting rich culture and tradition. The journey moves ahead offering you with the enchanting vistas of the major peaks of Manalsu region. You can reach Deng by following an alternative way via the village Prok which shows you the thrilling view of the Siringi Himal. You have to cross the Budhi Gandaki River several times by using the suspension bridges to keep going on. This alternative trekking trail of Manaslu region takes you through Manaslu Conservation Area, an in-situ for wildlife and vegetation.

The trail to Lho village introduces you with the typical lifestyle and Tibetan Buddhist influence in the Nubri Valley. Nubri Valley is one of the two major valleys in Manaslu region besides Tsum Valley, where majority of dwellers are Gurung. Lush forests of rhododendron and oak, deep valley and terraced land with variety of crops accompany the trail until it reaches mani walls of Lho. On the way, you can have an enthralling view of the Pungen Glacier that originates from Peak 29 of Manaslu area. Enjoy the eye-catching picturesque of the snowcapped peaks of Manaslu region unleashed at the fullest. You spend the night at Lho by enjoying the natural vistas and cultural uniqueness along with typical food items.

After the breakfast, stroll around Lho village to have a sunrise view of Mt. Siringi, Mt. Ganesh and Mt. Himalchuli. Don’t forget to take a short visit to Ribung Gompa while in Lho Village. The trail leads you through Lihi which is a beautiful village with monasteries and terraced farmlands with different crops. You go across three other villages naming, Sho, Lho and Shyala which are vantage point to Manaslu region peaks. During the course of the journey, the alluring view of Peak 29, Himal Chuli, Mt. Manaslu and large glaciers are exposing their beauty. You are going to spend the night at Samagaun, which is naturally and culturally attractive throughout Manaslu Circuit trek.

Since it is acclimatization day, you can sleep till late in the morning to recover from the trekking fatigue, if any. If you think you need to take a full day rest, no problem, stay right there around Samagaun! However, if you want to explore the Tibetan Buddhist culture and its influences in the region, you can take side trips.

You can take a short hike to Pungyen Gompa (Sama Gompa), close to Samagaun, which offers you an amazing view of Himalayan glaciers. You feel the peace of mind and heart by visiting the Buddhist monastery decorated with prayer flags, mani walls and chortens. You can meet the Sherpa people who (especially, women) are dressed in cultural clothes and ornaments and learn their history. 

You can take another hike to Birendra Lake which is one of the freshwater lakes in Manaslu Himalayan region. Spread in about 3 sq. kilometers, Birendra Lake is becoming more and more famous among the domestic as well as international trekkers to Manaslu Circuit.

Today’s trekking trail ascend towards the Budhi Gandaki River banks by letting you pass a few suspension bridges and mani walls. The path guides you through the villages reflecting Buddhism in the Himalayas taking you very close to Nepal-Tibet border. This trail used to be the trade route between Nepal and Tibet before other routes were not developed and you can find such practices even today. By crossing Kermo Kharka village among juniper and birch forests, you reach Samdo for the night rest at a teahouse.

After taking breakfast, you will walk past a seasonal Tibetan market of the region, also known as Larke Bazaar. The trekking trail then ascend to the Budhi Gandaki River giving you the stunning view of Larkya Glacier. Again, crossing the Salka Khola valley, you reach Dharmasala which is also known as Larkya Phedi (bottom of Larkya La Pass). You can take side trips around Larkya Phedi to acclimatize for crossing 5,160m high pass as the today’s journey was short.

Today is the most memorable day of Manaslu Short trek as you are going to cross the highest point of the route. Even though the trekking trail is a bit challenging, you won’t feel worried due to the offerings of the surrounding. The breathtaking vistas of snowcapped peaks, glacial lakes, pastoral hamlets and diverse flora-fauna keep on energizing you throughout the journey.

Travelling around the Larkya Glacial Valley rewards you with the miraculous sight of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. From Larkya La Pass (5,160m), you can have an unforgettable memories of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal and Annapurna II. While descending towards Bimtang, you can have a distant view of imminent Manaslu Mountain in the early sunset. You spend the night at a teahouse at Bimtang by enjoying the cuisines prepared and served by the Sherpa people.

You take breakfast at Bimtang and begin your trekking today by walking along a ridge having a wonderful mountain view.Enjoy the majestic view of snow-clad peaks of Manaslu, Lamjung, Himlung and Cheo until you cross the Dudh Khola River. Then the trail enters into a lush rhododendron forests and then cultivated land of Karche village. Following the trail that sometimes goes up and the other times down, you reach Tilche (Tilje) for the night rest.

Today you descend through the trekking route that goes past Thonje village walking along the stone-paved staircase. You meet the main trekking trail to Annapurna Circuit from Dharapani walking for about 2 hours. From there, you catch a private jeep to drive to Beshisahar, the entrance of Annapurna region trekking. Stay at a teahouse there. You can celebrate the accomplishment of Manaslu Circuit Short trek with your colleagues to make this journey more memorable. 

Today is the last day of Manaslu Round Short trek 15 days itinerary that you have already completed successfully. After having breakfast, you catch a private jeep to Kathmandu which takes 6 hours duration. Enjoy the stunning view of the surrounding landscapes and trade centers on the way to Kathmandu.