About this trip
The Manaslu Circuit is one of Nepal's quieter treks, tracing the Budhi Gandaki river gorge through Gurung villages and up into the shadow of Manaslu itself. It's a genuine circuit rather than a there-and-back trail, with the route shifting constantly as you climb.
You start from Gorkha and follow the river valley up through terraced paddy fields and orange orchards, with the forest changing from subtropical growth to oak, beech, rhododendron and eventually pine and juniper as you gain height. Buddhist monasteries appear in the upper valley, a sign you're entering more Tibetan-influenced country.
Above the treeline the landscape turns barren, an extension of the Tibetan plateau, with views opening up across both the Manaslu and Annapurna ranges.
What you'll do
- Follow the Budhi Gandaki gorge through traditional Gurung villages
- Visit Buddhist monasteries in the upper valley
- Take in views of the Manaslu and Annapurna ranges
- Walk through changing forest zones from subtropical to pine and juniper
- Spot wildlife such as barking deer, Himalayan marmots and pheasants
- Pass through terraced farmland known for its winter oranges
- This is a remote, off-the-beaten-path route rather than a busy trekking highway
- 15 days of trekking with significant altitude gain, so a reasonable level of fitness is needed
- Landscape and climate shift dramatically from lowland terraces to barren high-altitude terrain
Worth it if you want remote mountain scenery and solid local guides. Think twice if you need comfort or luxury accommodation.
- Guide Rudra and porter Kanza excel at balancing support with privacy, and owner Rana customizes trips to your fitness level.
- Accommodation is very basic throughout; no luxurious alternatives exist on this route, so manage expectations.
- Trek stays genuinely off-the-beaten-path with Tibetan and Nepalese cultural sites, high glacier lakes, and Annapurna views.
- Operator Adventure Himalayan Travels handles pre-trip correspondence well and builds flexible, personalized itineraries for first-time trekkers.
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Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Kathmandu · 26 Jul – 27 Jul
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