Manaslu Circuit Trek is a newly emerging, off-beaten trekking trail in Nepal. Situated in the central north of Nepal, this trek circumference around Mount Manaslu, the world’s 8th tallest mountain, gives us a wonderful mountain trekking experience in Nepal. Despite being very exciting, the Manaslu circuit trek distance is equally challenging and demanding.
How many kilometres is Manaslu? This 13-day walk in the Gorkha district of Nepal is about 180 km. Among the 13 days, you will walk only twelve days, while two days of the journey will be for the drive. This article is based on the 13-day Manaslu Circuit trek Itinerary by the Himalayan Masters.
Let’s learn about the Manaslu circuit trek distance in detail.
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 Soti Khola. This is where the trek to Machha Khola begins. Or, one might also get to Machha Khola in a jeep. From here, you move 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 Pass, before we reach Bhimtang. Stepping down from Gho and Dharapani, we join the Annapurna Circuit Trek route. From Dharapani, we drive to Kathmandu.
This route has been used for the Manaslu circuit trek for more than two tickets. 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 21 days long.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Distance
1st day: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola
First, we drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then head towards Arughat. Arughat Bazar (608m) is 138 km from Kathmandu. From here, we go into Soti Khola, which is only 13 km away. This total drive of 150 km is 7-9 hours long.
2nd day: Soti Khola to Machha Khola
As we start the trek, we walk 14 kilometres ( 9 miles) to Machha Khola. This walk for 6-7 hours from the ridge above the Budi Gandaki River is an exciting start to our trip.
3rd day: Machha Khola to Jagat
The distance from Machha Khola to Jagat is 22 kilometres, with some very demanding uphill and downhill walks on the trail. It takes us 7 to 8 hours to get to Jagat, as we also stop at Tatopani and ThadoBaryang.
4th day: Jagat to Deng
Now on, we trek into the Manaslu Conservation Area. After getting the Jagat permit, we walked 21 kilometres to Deng. With a stop at beautiful Ghatta Khola and Deng Khola, this is about 6 hours of walking.
5th day: Deng to Namrung
This is another long day as we walk from Deng to Namrung, about 19.4 kilometres. It takes 5 to 6 hours for us to reach Namrung. The path involves steep climbing on the zigzag ridges.
6th day: Namrung to Lho
Now, the 6th day is relatively calm and relaxing, as we get to Lho in less than 4 hours from Namrung. It is about 11 kilometres of walking along the Budhi Gandaki River and the sub-tropical forest.
Read about other Manaslu Trek Nepal.
7th day: Lho to Samagaon
It’s an exciting day of walking from Samagaon to Lho, about 18 km. If you want to extend your trip, you will enjoy a calm walk to Shyala village. Here, we can see the Pungyen monastery and beautiful Chortens on the path to Samagaon.
8th day: Rest day at Samagaon
We might visit Manaslu Base Camp, a few kilometres from Samagaon. Or, we can see it on the 9th day while walking to Samdo.
9th day: Samagaon to Samdo
On the 9th day of our Manaslu Circuit Trek, we walked 17 kilometres to Samdo when we crossed Manaslu Base Camp along the route. The walk over several suspension bridges and a forest junction takes about 4 hours.
10th day: Samdo to Dharmasala
Today, we walked 14 kilometres from Samdo to Dharmasala. While some people also trek to Larkya Phedi, we stop at Dharmasala after about 4 hours of walking.
11th day: Dharmasala to Bimthang via Larkya Phedi
Today’s the longest of our Manaslu Circuit trek distance. From Dharmasala, crossing Larkya Phedi and walking to Bimthang is about 24 kilometres. This journey is about 8 hours, and we reach Bimtang only at night.
12th day: Bimthang to Tilije
From Bimthang to Tilije, it is about 26 kilometres. Although the distance is long, the trail is mostly downhill and level, thus making it easy to walk. This is about a 6-hour walk to the famous Gurung village of Tilije.
13th day: Tilije to Dharapani
It’s a relaxing day as we walk about 8 kilometres from Dharapani to Tilije. This is about 3 hours of walking to the Annapurna Circuit Trek starting point, i.e., Dharapani. We can either stay in Dharapani or drive to Besisahar, which takes about 5 hours on the bumpy, hilly road.
14th-day: Dharapani to Kathmandu
Dharapani to Kathmandu is about 250 km long and takes about 10 hours. If we had stayed at Besisahar the previous day, the ride to Kathmandu would have been only 186 kilometres, 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 Soti Khola. So, If possible, you can drive for a long distance so that you have to climb less
The Himalayan Master’s Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary has been so designed that even when you stroll and rest, you will reach your destination by evening. So, don’t make your body 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 tea houses midway.
Drive from Dharapani to Besishaar on the 13th day so that your final day will be more relaxed.
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 complex.
Trekking 15 to 20 km each day for 6-7 hours isn’t very pleasant, but as you stroll, savouring the beauty of nature fully, it becomes relaxing. The most challenging part of the Manaslu trek is crossing Larkya Pass, which stands 5125 meters 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.
Distance is a big part of the Manaslu trek’s difficulty. 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
How to get from Kathmandu to Manaslu? This question may arise in many people mind. If measured in a straight line, the Manaslu trekking is around 140 Manaslu kilometres from Kathmandu. 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-hour drive from Kathmandu.
The road experience takes you through the green countryside. Each reveals glimpses of Nepali rural existence.
How many kilometres is Manaslu? The Manaslu Circuit trek covers 177 km 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.
Manaslu Circuit trek Distance from Pokhara
How far is Manaslu? The Manaslu Circuit trek is about 155.7 kilometres 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 a great sense of achievement and unforgettable experiences in Nepal’s Himalayas nature.
Manaslu Circuit trek Distance from Gorkha Bazar
How far is Manaslu Circuit trek? The Manaslu Circuit trek is approximately 57.1 kilometres 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.
Conclusion
So that was all about the Manaslu trek distance we could cover. Do you want to know anything else about the Manaslu Circuit trek? Remember to have a Manaslu Circuit trek partner with you. You can check this fore more Manaslu Partner details.
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