Trip Duration
11 Days
Group Sizes
2-16 People
Transportation
Bus
Destination
Nepal
Max. Altitude
5,106m. / 16,752ft.
Nature of Trip
Trek
Best Season
Autumn, Spring
Activities
- Trekking
Difficulty
Moderate
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Start & End Point
KathmanduTrip Highlights
- Cross the 5106-meter-high Larkya La Pass, offering stunning views of many peaks and the entire Manaslu region.
- Acclimatization hike to Birendra Lake, Manaslu Base Camp, or Pungen Monastery.
- Visit many traditional villages and experience their daily lives first-hand.
- Get to taste local dishes of different cultures, traveling from one charming village to another.
- Experience the preserved nature of the Manaslu Conservation Area and trek through beautiful forests.
Overview of Short Manaslu Trek
Located in the Gorkha region of Nepal, the Short Manaslu Trek also touches parts of Manang, one of the most beautiful highlands of Nepal. For the most part, we will be within the Manaslu Conservation Area, stretching 1663 sq. km. After its establishment in 1998, the region has been very well preserved and maintained for trekkers and travelers to enjoy the true nature of the Manaslu highlands.
We will start the trek following the historic trade route between Tibet and Nepal. Back then, trading salt was the most important business, as Nepal could not produce its own. At present, this region is a restricted area, which requires a special permit to enter and explore. You will also require the company of a licensed guide and a group of at least 2 or more trekkers to do this trek.
Featuring one of Nepal’s highest mountain passes, the Larkya La Pass, this trek offers many scenes of the northern Himalayas, including the Manaslu, Himlung, Cheo, Kang Guru, Annapurna II, and more. En route, you will also experience the authentic countryside of Nepal with striking traditions and daily practices. The Tibetan Buddhism-influenced villages in the region are charming, and the locals are very welcoming.
Most of the villages en route are dominated by Gurung, Magar, and Thakali communities. These people are known for their easy-going nature and their beautiful culture. You might also get to join a couple of cultural programs that include traditional live music with dance. Their traditional dishes are something we highly recommend trekkers try at least once. To learn more about this amazing trek, stick with us till the end, as we will discuss the routes and every little detail you need to know.
Itinerary of Short Manaslu Trek
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola
The first day of the Short Manaslu Trek features an 8-hour drive to Machha Khola, the starting point of this trek. Starting from Kathmandu, we will drive over the Prithvi Highway, reaching Malekhu, and taking a right turn from there. After arriving at our destination of the day, we will check in at our accommodation for the night.
Duration
8-hour
Accommodation
LodgeDay 02: Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat
Day 2 of the Short Manaslu Trek is our first day of trekking. We will start the day with a filling breakfast and hit the road shortly after. Today’s trek distance is 22 km, with an estimated trek duration of 6 to 7 hours. The elevation gain of the day is 470 meters. Starting the trek, we will follow a river upstream, passing by forests, and crossing many bridges.
En route, we will take rest breaks at settlements like Khorla Besi, Tatopani, Dobhan, and more. Our lunch will be served at one of the eateries on the way. If you have any dietary restrictions or preferences, let us know, and we will do our best to arrange it.
Distance
22 Km
Activity
6 to 7 hours trek
Accommodation
LodgeDay 03: Trek from Jagat to Deng
Today’s trek features a trek distance of 20 km, which can be covered in about 7 to 8 hours, including lunch breaks and refreshment breaks. At the end of the day, we will gain over 500 meters of elevation. Starting off, we will descend to the Budi Gandaki River and ascend shortly after, following the riverbank. This path leads us to the village of Salleri.
After about 2 hours of trekking, we will cross a suspension bridge and reach Philim village, where we will rest for a bit. Continuing the trek, we will get to Chisapani after about an hour and stop for lunch. From there, we will trek to Chisapani, followed by Nyak Phedi, also known as Pewa. This will be our last stop before we reach Deng.
Distance
20 km
Activity
7 to 8 hours trek
Accommodation
LodgeDay 04: Trek from Deng to Namrung
On the fourth day of the Short Manaslu Trek, we will cover over 19 km and gain 770 meters of elevation to get to Namrung village. This trek will have us on the trail for about 6 to 7 hours. Leaving Deng, we will cross the Budi Gandaki River and climb a sharp ascent to the village of Rana. From there, we will pass by a lush forest and reach Bihi Phedi.
Moving on, we will shortly reach Ghap, our lunch stop of the day. After lunch, we will head towards Prok with a view of Siringi Himal. After about two hours, we will finally reach our destination of the day.
Distance
19 km
Activity
6 to 7 hours trek
Accommodation
LodgeDay 05: Trek from Namrung to Samagaun
Today is yet another ascending day on the itinerary. Trekking to Samagaun will gain us around 900 meters of elevation with an estimated trek duration of 6 to 7 hours. Leaving Namrung after breakfast, we will start this 17 km trek to Samagaun. The initial section of the trek takes us to Lihi, followed by Sho and Lho villages. En route, we will get to see a grand view of the Manaslu peak, along with Ganesh Himal, Ngadi Chuli, and Himal Chuli.
From Lho, we will cross a forest and reach Shyala village, the last stop before we reach our destination of the day.
Activity
6 to 7 hours trek
Accommodation
LodgeDay 06: Acclimatization Day at Samagaun - Birendra Lake or Pungen Monastery, or Manaslu Base Camp
Day 6 of the Short Manaslu Trek is an acclimatization day, meaning we will be spending the day adapting our bodies to the Himalayan environment. Our activities for the day include exploring the village and going on an acclimatization hike. We have a couple of different hiking options available.
First, we can go on a 3 km hike to Birendra Lake, which takes about 2.5 hours to complete. Second, we can hike to Pungen Monastery, a 4-hour trek, reaching up to 4000 meters above sea level. Lastly, we could hike to the Manaslu Base Camp, reaching 4800 meters above sea level. This will take about 6 to 7 hours round-trip.
You are free to choose your preferred destination for an acclimatization hike. After completing the hike, we will spend the night in Samagaun.
Accommodation
LodgeDay 07: Trek from Samagaun to Samdo
Today’s trek is greatly laid back compared to the previous trekking days. We will cover just 8 km of distance throughout the day and gain about 350 meters of elevation. This trek can be done in just 4 to 5 hours. Starting off, we will trek a gentle trail going through alpine meadows and forests. Passing by Mani walls, we will see the Budi Gandaki River in the distance. After about 2.5 hours of trekking, we will reach a confluence of two rivers.
From there, we will go over a gentle ascent, which shortly turns into rocky terrain and gets steeper. This is the final leg of today’s trek. After reaching Samdo, we will explore a local stupa and the village before heading to bed.
Distance
8 km
Activity
4 to 5 hours trek
Accommodation
LodgeDay 08: Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala
From Samdo to Dharamsala, we will trek for 4 to 5 hours with a net elevation gain of 600 meters. We will get to our destination of the day after covering just 11.5 km. Leaving Samdo, we will cross the Budi Gandaki river over a wooden bridge and head towards Larkya Bazaar. This local market is seasonal, meaning it will only be open during the peak travel seasons. From there, we will get to enjoy a beautiful scene of the Larkya Glacier Valley, including its moraines and icefalls.
After a short rest there, we will ascend a long way to get to Dharamsala, also known as Larkya Phedi. This village also offers a great view of glaciers, including the Syacha glacier and the Larkya glacier.
Distance
11.5 km
Activity
4 to 5 hours trek
Accommodation
LodgeDay 09: Trek from Dharamsala to Bhimthang via Larkya La Pass
Today is a long trekking day since we have to cover 23 km, which will take us 8 to 9 hours. This trek features a 4-hour ascent to Larkya La Pass, followed by a 4 to 5-hour descent all the way to Bhimthang. Throughout the day, we will ascend over 700 meters, and at the end of the day, we will lose 1440 meters of elevation. We will start the day before the break of dawn and ascend through a moraine.
The trail gets steeper as we cover some distance. Crossing many glacier streams, we will finally reach the summit of the pass and get to see an amazing 360-degree view. This scene includes Manaslu, Himlung, Kang Guru, Annapurna II, Cheo, and a couple more peaks. After some time at the summit, we will begin a shart descent to Bhimthang.
Distance
23 km
Activity
8 to 9 hours trek
Accommodation
LodgeDay 10: Trek from Bhimthang to Tilche
Day 10 features the longest trek distance of the journey; we will be covering over 26 km to get to Tilche. This trek is 7 to 8 hours long with a net elevation loss of over 1000 meters. Leaving Bhimthang, we will first descend gently to Yak Kharka. After that, we will trek through a forest with waterfalls to get to Hampuk Cave. Following that, we will pass by Kharche and arrive at Gho village, our lunch spot of the day.
Post-lunch, we will cross a suspension bridge and pass by terrace farmlands to reach Tilche village. The last part of today’s trek is a gentle descent following a riverbank.
Distance
26 km
Activity
7 to 8 hours trek
Accommodation
LodgeDay 11: Drive from Tilche to Kathmandu
Our trekking days have come to an end, and so has the Short Manaslu Trek. After breakfast, we will get on a jeep that will take us all the way down to Besi Shahar, from there, we will get on a comfortable tourist bus to Kathmandu.
Accommodation
HotelTrip Information - Good to Know
Add-Ons
Accommodation in Kathmandu
Generally, we do not arrange accommodations for trekkers during their time in Kathmandu, but if you prefer the convenience, we will arrange your preferred type of stay. There are many options to choose from; the standard ones are 3-star hotels, while you can also upgrade to 4-star or 5-star hotels.
How does our trip start?
The Short Manaslu Trek starts with a drive to Machha Khola from Kathmandu. This drive is going to cover 160 km, which will take us about 8 hours to complete. Machha Khola is the starting point of this trek, and we will spend the first night of the journey there.
Difficulty
On a scale of 10, the Short Manaslu Trek is around a solid 8, as per our trek experts and guides. The itinerary we will take for this trek is physically demanding, with many steep ascents that will tire you out for sure. The high altitude we will traverse also plays a big part in making the trek difficult. For instance, the lower concentration of oxygen in the air makes us tired quicker.
Best seasons
In general, spring and autumn are the best seasons to do the Short Manaslu Trek. These seasons are the most preferred time of the year since they have the optimal traits for trekking and other outdoor activities. In addition to that, spring and autumn seasons offer the best views of the landscape with clear skies, great visibility, and very low chances of rainfall.
Can a beginner join this trip?
No, a beginner should not join the Short Manaslu Trek since they are not physically ready to go on this difficult journey. You should at least have gone on a handful of treks before deciding to do this journey.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude Sickness is generally a major issue in short treks, but if you follow all the preventive measures and spend an acclimatization day, you are good to go. Moreover, we will not be spending much time at considerable elevations, which keeps us safe from altitude sickness.
Accommodation, Food and Drink
Accommodations are arranged on a twin-sharing basis; we will be spending our nights at tea houses or lodges throughout the trek. Meanwhile, your food and drink options are a mix of local, cultural, and Western dishes. Local and cultural food should be your priority; if you do not like it, you can also opt for Western dishes. However, this trek package does not cover any kind of beverages.
Transportation
Every bit of transportation required by the itinerary we are taking is a part of the standard trek package. You do not have to pay a penny for them.
Permit
A Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) are required to do this trek. The trek package will cover all the permit fees.
Cost & Budget
The cost of our Short Manaslu Trek is USD ______ per person. This package will cover the daily wages of the guides and porters, daily accommodation expenses, permit fees, local taxes, transportation expenses, daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and more.
Gadgets charging & Internet
While electricity is available at every stop, the highland villages are prone to power outages. This means that you might not get to charge your devices anytime you want to. You can use a power bank to avoid this issue. Also, internet services are available at most villages but they are not very reliable.
Your Extra expenses
Expenses such as extra meals, extra night stays, tips for the crew members, visa fees upon arrival, emergency medical expenses, evacuation services, and anything not mentioned as inclusive are your extra expenses.
Things to Remember Before Trekking The Short Manaslu Trek
- Make sure that you follow all the preventive measures of altitude sickness to avoid any altitude-related complications.
- Avoid drinks or food that dehydrate you, and make sure to drink lots of water daily.
- Sleeping bags, sunglasses, a beanie, warm socks, gloves, trekking poles, etc., are essential for this trek.
- Power banks or solar chargers are highly recommended for ease of access to charging.
- Water purification tablets are highly recommended as well; you should not drink the untreated water from the villages since it might upset your stomach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the standard Manaslu Circuit Trek and the short version?
The standard Manaslu Trek typically takes around 14 to 18 days to complete, depending on the itinerary you choose to take, covering around 160 to 180 km in the process. Our shortened version lasts for 11 days, covering about the same distance, but skipping certain stops. However, we will not skip any of the highlights of the trek to make it shorter.
Does the Short Manaslu Trek include the Larke Pass crossing?
Yes, we will climb the Larka La Pass on this journey to Manaslu. We will reach its summit on the 9th day of the trek, reaching 5106 metres above sea level.
How much time do we spend above 3,000 meters during the short trek?
During the entire Short Manaslu Trek itinerary, we will spend a total of 5 nights and 6 days over an elevation of 3000 meters. This starts from the 5th day and lasts till the 10th day.
What is the highest point reached during the Short Manaslu Trek?
The highest point of this trek is 5106 meters above sea level at the top of the Larka La Pass.
How physically fit should I be to complete the Short Manaslu Trek comfortably?
On average, we will be trekking about 5 to 6 hours daily during the trekking days, so you must be physically fit enough to do it without any issues. We will also be traversing high passes and ascents, which are equally physically demanding. We recommend a training period of 12 to 14 weeks, wherein you should focus on cardio and endurance building.
Is altitude sickness common on the shorter version, and how is it handled?
Altitude sickness can be common on shorter versions of treks, but with proper acclimatization and preventive measures, we are in safe hands. The trek guide will measure your oxygen levels before bed and after you wake up, to look for any early signs of altitude sickness. Pills such as Diamox can easily cure altitude sickness in lower regions.
Are there steep ascents or technical sections on this shorter route?
The route we have discussed above includes many sharp ascents and descents along the way, but there are no technical sections. However, you will have to traverse rocky and slippery trails at times.
Does this trek have enough time for proper acclimatization?
Yes, a full day of acclimatization is enough for the Short Manaslu Trek. We will take a break at Samagaun to help our bodies adapt to the highland environment.
Can I trek solo on the Short Manaslu route?
No, entering the Manaslu region without the company of a licensed guide is strictly prohibited by the law. This region is a protected and restricted area, bordering Tibet.
Is a guide mandatory for the Short Manaslu Trek?
Guides are mandatory for every trek that goes through protected and restricted areas; this trek is no exception. Your guide is the one who knows the trail and helps you communicate with the locals. He is also the one who will help you in emergency situations.
Are the guides and porters trained for first-aid and high-altitude emergencies?
Yes, our guides have received formal training for things like navigation, first aid, emergency procedures, and more. While our porters are more focused on the heavy duty, the guides will be the one who initiates the procedures.
What is the guide-to-trekker and porter-to-trekker ratio?
A group of 7 will be assigned a single guide; if the number of trekkers increases, we will assign additional guides as needed. On the other hand, we will assign one strong porter for every two trekkers in the group.
How are emergencies (like evacuation or illness) handled on this route?
If you have to be evacuated urgently, we will call the emergency evacuation services, and a helicopter will take you to the nearest hospital. This will not be an expense covered by the Short Manaslu Trek package.
Are there private rooms available in all overnight stops?
Yes, private rooms can be arranged for the entire trek, but you will have to let us know during the booking phase. This will come at an additional price.
Is vegetarian or vegan food available along the trail?
While vegetarian food is available throughout the trek, vegan options are limited to city areas. In fact, we recommend trekkers keep away from meaty items as they might not be properly frozen.
Is a sleeping bag necessary, or do lodges provide blankets?
While blankets are provided by lodges and tea houses, the nights can get really cold, which calls for a warm sleeping bag.
What is the recommended backpack weight for this trek?
The recommended backpack weight is 8 kg per person. If your luggage exceeds this limit, you will be charged extra, as per the additional weight.
Do I need crampons or microspikes for the Short Manaslu Trek?
No, you do not necessarily need crampons and microspikes for this trek.
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800 US$
Group Discount Price
-
1 -
1 person
US$ 900
-
2 -
6 people
US$ 800
-
7 -
14 people
US$ 700
-
15 + people
9999
US$ 650
Total Cost:
US$ 900
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