The total trek distance in the Gorkha district of Nepal is about 180 km (112 miles). You will be trekking for several days, with two driving days. Let’s discuss in detail the Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary with Himalayan Masters.
Manaslu in the Map of Nepal
Mount Manaslu, the world’s 8th highest mountain, stands tall at 8163 meters (26,781 ft). Manaslu is located in the Gorkha District of Nepal, in the Himalayas of Nepal, close to the Tibetan border.
It is associated with several treks in the Himalayas, such as the Tsum Valley Trek and Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Route
Full of exciting slopes and rocky edges, the Manaslu Circuit trek has a defined Manaslu distance. From Kathmandu, a bus takes you to Machha Khola, or you might also travel to Machha Khola in a private jeep with some additional charge. From here, you trek to Jagat, Deng, and Namrung villages. A final push brings you to Samagaun, where we visit the Manaslu Base Camp.
Or, we might get to Gompa for some insight into Buddhist culture. Then, we walk down to Samdo to see the Tibetan border. Then, it’s all about walking down to Dharmasala. Here, we approach the most challenging part of the trek, i.e., climbing to Larkya La Pass, before we reach Bhimtang. Stepping down from Gho and Tilje, we join the Annapurna Circuit Trek route. From Tilje, we drive to Kathmandu.
This route has been used for the Manaslu circuit trek for more than two decades. The journey takes you to the TSUM valley of Manaslu. A side trip to Manaslu adds 50 to 70 km to your classic itinerary, making your journey 20 days long.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Distance and Time as per Itinerary
The Manaslu Circuit trek covers around 180 km (112 miles) in distance and takes 13-16 days to complete, depending on the itinerary and the speed of a walker. Along the way, the trail rises through the depths of remote villages and forests of various trees and passes high mountains that are surrounded by the beauty of the magnificent peaks of the Himalayas.
1st day: Drive distance and time from Kathmandu to Machha Khola
First, we drive from Kathmandu and then head towards Arughat via Dhading Besi. Arughat Bazaar (570 m/1870 ft) is 138 km (85.7 miles) from Kathmandu. From here, we go into Soti Khola, which is only 13 km away. Then, with around 10 km drive, we can reach Machha Khola. This total drive of 160 km is 7-8 hours long.
2nd day: Trek distance and time from Machha Khola to Jagat
The distance from Machha Khola to Jagat is around 20 km (12.4 miles), with some very demanding uphill and downhill walks on the trail. It takes us 6 to 7 hours to get to Jagat, as we also stop at Tatopani and Thado Dhunga.
3rd day: Trek distance and time from Jagat to Deng
Now on, we trek into the Manaslu Conservation Area. After getting the permit for the conservation area in Jagat, we walked 22 km (13.7 miles) to Deng/Dyang. With a stop at beautiful Ghatta Khola and Deng Khola, this is about 7-8 hours of walking.
4th day: Trek distance and time from Deng to Namrung
This is another long day as we walk from Deng to Namrung, about 19.4 kilometres (12 miles). It takes 6 to 7 hours for us to reach Namrung. The path involves steep climbing on the zigzag ridges.
5th day: Trek distance and time from Namrung to Shyalla Village
Now, the 5th day is relatively calm and relaxing as we get to Namrung in about 6 hours. It is about 19 km (12 miles) of walking along the Budhi Gandaki River and the sub-tropical forest.
6th day: Trek distance and time from Shyalla to Samagaon
It’s an exciting day of walking from Shyalla village to Samagaon, about 16.5 km (10.25 miles). If you want to extend your trip, you can enjoy a calm walk in Shyala village. Today, you will be trekking via Pungyen monastery and beautiful Chortens on the path to Samagaon.
7th day: Rest day at Samagaon
It is essential that we give rest to our body and acclimatize to the increase in elevation. So, day 7 of the Circuit Trek is a rest day.
Today, we can visit Manaslu Base Camp, a few kilometres from Samagaon. Or, we can see it on the 8th day while walking to Samdo.
8th day: Trek distance and time from Samagaon to Samdo
On the 8th day of our Manaslu Circuit Trek, we need to walk 5.1 km (3.2 miles) to Samdo, where we cross Manaslu Base Camp along the route. The walk over several suspension bridges and a forest junction takes about 2-3 hours.
9th day: Hiking distance and time from Samdo to the Tibetan Border
Day 9 of this trek is exciting. Today, you will be hiking to the Tibetan Border, which takes around 8-9 hours, for a round trip. A round trip is around 19-20 km (12 miles) long.
10th day: Trek distance and time from Samdo to Dharmasala
Today, we need to walk 6.1 km (3.8 miles) from Samdo to Dharmasala. While some people also trek to Larkya Phedi, we will reach Dharmasala after about 4 hours of walking.
11th day: Trek distance and time from Dharmasala to Bimthang via Larkya Phedi
From Dharmasala, crossing Larkya Phedi and walking to Bimthang is about 16 km. This journey is about 8 hours, and we reach Bimtang only at night.
12th day: Trek distance and time from Bimthang to Tilije
From Bimthang to Tilije, it is about 20 km (12.4 miles). Although the distance is long, the trail is mostly downhill and level, thus making it easy to walk. This is about a 5-6 hour walk to the famous Gurung village of Tilije.
13th day: Drive distance and time from Tilije to Kathmandu
Tilje to Kathmandu is about 200 km (124.3 miles) long and takes about 8-9 hours. If we had stayed at Besisahar the previous day, the ride to Kathmandu would have been only 170 km (105.6 miles), i.e., 6 hours, on the bank of the Trishuli River and terrace farms.
Tips to reduce the difficulty due to Manaslu Trek distance
- The road network has started to go even beyond Machha Khola and up to Jagat. So, if possible, you can drive long distances so that you don’t have to trek as much.
- The Himalayan Master’s Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary is designed in such a way that even when you stroll and rest, you will reach your destination by evening. So, don’t rush and take your time to walk.
- If you feel like covering the distance is impossible, you might change the itinerary and stay in the available teahouses midway.
Is Distance a Major Factor in Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty?
The trekkers often ask, “How hard is the Manaslu Circuit trek?” The difficulty of the Manaslu trek has been a huge issue. However, you should know that this trek is moderately difficult.
Trekking 15 to 20 km each day for 6-7 hours isn’t very pleasant, but as you stroll, immersing in the beauty of nature fully, it becomes relaxing.
The most challenging part of the Manaslu trek is crossing Larkya Pass, which stands 5106 meters (16,751 ft) above sea level.
This trek involves many uphill and downhill climbs, including some walks on steep and narrow ridges. Even then, with the proper preparation, Manaslu Trek’s difficulty would not be a big issue.
However, many other things, like altitude, weather, remoteness, accommodation in Manaslu, etc., can make your trip hard. Distance becomes a big issue for the beginner trekker who isn’t used to walking continuously for hours. And this is why proper preparation before the trip is necessary.
Manaslu Circuit trek Distance from Kathmandu
If measured in a straight line, the Manaslu trekking is around 300 kilometres (186.4 miles) from Kathmandu, including driving and walking.
The approximate walking distance shown on the map is less because winding mountain paths are longer than marked ones. Usually, the itinerary starts at the town of Arughat, which is an 8 to 10 hours drive from Kathmandu.
The road experience takes you through the green countryside. Each reveals glimpses of Nepali rural existence.
Manaslu Circuit trek Distance from Pokhara
The Manaslu Circuit trek is about 155.7 km (97 miles) away from Pokhara. This trek is famous for its beautiful views and chances to learn about different cultures.
It takes you through forests and rough paths, offering amazing sights of snowy mountains, calm lakes, and villages.
Though it’s challenging with high altitudes and far-off trails, you can finish this trek, which gives you a great sense of achievement and unforgettable experiences in Nepal’s Himalayas.
Manaslu Circuit trek Distance from Gorkha Bazaar
The Manaslu Circuit trek is approximately 57.1 km (35.5 miles) away from Gorkha Bazaar. This renowned trekking route offers a mesmerizing journey through the rugged Himalayan terrain.
You can see breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks, lush forests, and quaint villages. With its challenging yet rewarding trails, the Manaslu Circuit trek is a favourite among adventurers seeking an unforgettable experience.
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Distance
The Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek can be reached via several other routes.
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek via Gorkha Bazaar
One easy and exciting route is via Gorkha Bazaar. To trek to Manaslu Tsum, you first need to drive to Gorkha Bazaar.
Gorkha is an important historical town in Nepal, where the unification campaign, led by Late King Prithivi Narayan Shah, started. Trekkers can add 1 or 2 days to visit the Gorkha Museum and Gorkha Kalika Temple, visit Bhimsen Park, and maybe go swimming in the Daraudi River or an exciting Ziplining nearby.
Then, the next day, you will continue driving to the Arughat Bazaar and continue on the standard Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary.
Manaslu Region Trekking via Barpak
Barpak is a significant commercial village in Gorkha district of Nepal. If you are looking for an alternative trekking route, then trekking via Barpak could be a good option. There are two routes from Barpak to Tsum Valley.
With a day’s drive from Kathmandu, you can reach the beautiful village of Barpak. From there, the next day, you can trek up to another beautiful Ghale people’s village, Laprak. Then, with an additional 2 days’ trek, you can reach Jagat village via Khorlabesi village. We will then continue to trek on a classic Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek route from Jagat.
Another challenging and thrilling route from Barpak is via Rupinala Pass. It is a totally off-the-beaten trek route. There are no proper teahouses on the way. So, we must carry all the camping gear and food for around 7 days of camping. After 7 days of trekking and camping in the wild, we will reach Deng village and continue the usual Manaslu Circuit Trek route.
