Manaslu Yoga Trek Highlights
- An adventure around Mt. Manaslu and its massif ranges of snow peaks.
- Walk from lower warm farm areas to cooler alpine hills of Upper Manaslu.
- Enjoy the dramatic diversity of landscapes, climate, vegetation and cultures.
- Manaslu Circuit with a difference from other normal trek with classic yoga.
- Yoga exercise amidst stunning backdrop of snow mountain ranges.
Overview
Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek, with MCT, is an exclusive adventure in Nepal. The pioneers and specialists of the Manaslu areas and Gorkha district make MCT quite different from other adventure companies.
Enjoy and experience Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trekking with the art of Yoga exercise. The higher regions of the Gorkha district around Manaslu, provide exciting locations for treks and Yoga exercise. The walk follows, from one lovely village to another nice settlement, enriched with age-old heritage and vibrant cultures.
Yoga Trek along Manaslu Circuit, interested people can enjoy the ancient arts of Yoga, as per one’s physical fitness time. As well as time permits on daily walks from one overnight stop to the next destination.
The Yoga exercise will be conducted by our expert Guru and instructor. The Yoga form of exercise should be practical, easy, and short, taking a maximum of an hour or less. The best is early morning time before breakfast and starting the walks, as well as in the evening.
Depend upon the distance of walking from one place to another, as well as heeding slowly. This will support avoiding altitude sickness and enjoying the glorious scenery of rolling hills and snow-capped peaks.
The adventure begins from Kathmandu taking a long and exciting drive, an opportunity to experience Nepal’s rural country life. As well, as beautiful scenery along the way as the journey enters the district of Gorkha.
It is located in the Mid-West and within Central Nepal in the close shadow of Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. The journey to reach Maccha-Khola, around the lower warm farm areas of Gorkha, starts the treks.
Follow the raging Budhi Gandaki River upstream through nice farm villages, and head uphill to Jagat Village. Jagat is a typical interesting hill village, from here entering the restricted areas since it opened in 1991.
The trail follows down and up crossing exciting bridges reaching cooler green hills, and into a serene alpine forest. After days of continuous walks with climbs and short descents, as well as having time for Yoga exercise.
Then entering the Upper Manaslu of strong Buddhist religion and cultures are adorned with rows of prayer walls and monuments. Make an impressive picture with the towering north face of Mt. Manaslu, Himal Chuli, and Bauddha Himal with massif Ganesh Himal.
The walk leads through the traditional mountain villages of Deng, Namrung, and Lo-Gaon, which stand beneath the towering Mt. Manaslu. From Lo Gaon into the heart of scenic Manaslu Valley, walk on the pleasant trail with a few ups and downs. Then, reaching Sama Gaon, the major village around Upper Manaslu, a great spot for rest and acclimatization days.
At Sama Gaon on rest days, enjoy extra activities exploring around places of cultural and religious interest. As well as hike to Birendra Tal, a glacial lake close to Manaslu base camp, or climb to old Pungyen Gompa.
After a wonderful rest in Sama-Gaon, the adventure continues towards the end of Manaslu Valley and Gorkha district. On reaching the last settlement at Dharmasala or Larke Phedi, the bottom of Larke-La Pass. The next, early morning, a steep climb on undulating uphill ridges takes you to the top of Larke-La Pass. Stand on the highest point of the adventure, surrounded by breathtaking scenery of giant mountain ranges.
The views include all of the Manaslu Himal range, with the peaks of the nnapurna Himalayas, including Damodar and Himlung Himal. As far as Ganesh Himal, towards the Far East, from the pass, a long descent to the bottom of Larke-La Pass. Then the walk leads back into the dense forest of rhododendrons, pines, oaks, and fir trees.
The area falls within the district of Manang, on reaching Bhimthang, slowly the adventurous walks then come to an end. The last leg of the journey follows downhill to the road-head at Dharapani Village.
Situated on the midways of the famous and popular Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit trekking routes. From Dharapani an exciting overland journey brings you to the hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu.
On reaching Kathmandu our great wonderful adventure Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trekking completes.
Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek Itinerary
Altitude: 1,350 m/ 4,428 feet (Kathmandu)
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu. Meals Includes: Welcome group dinner.
On first arrival in Kathmandu at Nepal International Airport received by our staff and guide, with warm Nepali traditional welcome. After, getting organized and then a short transfer to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu city.
At the hotel check into your lovely rooms with refreshing rest after a jet-leg. Then join in with other members of the group, for the trek briefing at meeting halls or garden.
Our guide and leader will provide you with useful information regarding the trek and yoga exercise. Including standard of lodge, foods and so on, if in doubt, can ask questions, after briefing enjoy the dinner in a typical Nepalese Restaurant.
Square, Swyambhunath Stupa.
Altitude: 1,350 m/ 4,428 feet (Kathmandu)
Meal Included: Breakfast. Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu.
Moring after a hearty breakfast, as per the time informed by our guide and staff our tour guide will meet. A short drive and walk in the heart of Kathmandu city, where the famous old Durbar Square located. An ancient palace and courtyard of earlier kings from Malla to former Shah Period. Interesting areas adorned with temples and old palace, as well with resident of famous Living Goddess the Kumari. Includes a temple of Kasthamandap, where Kathmandu name derived from, meaning a temple built from the wood of a single tree.
The temples and monuments of Durbar Square, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After an interesting tour, a short drive leads west of the city to another famous landmark of Nepal. The Swyambhunath Stupa of Buddhist monuments, located on a hillock, one can enjoy views of Kathmandu city and the valley.
The Stupa one of the oldest in Nepal and probably in the world of more than 2,600 years of history. After an impressive morning tour back to hotel, rest of the day preparation for Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek.
Altitude: 930 m/ 3, 050 feet. (Machha Khola)
Meal Includes: Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Lodge / Guesthouse.
Approx. 160 kilometres or 105 miles distance drives from Kathmandu.
Approx. 7-8 hours drives.
Early morning departures for wonderful adventure Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek, taking a private car, comfortable tourist standard bus, or coach.
As size of a group, a long drive takes you beyond Kathmandu valley towards the Gorkha district. Located Nepal Mid-West around Gandaki Zone, a country of low and mid-hills, heavily cultivated farm areas. The drive follows Nepal’s main busy highway for some hours and then diverts heading north to Arughat town.
Arughat town is situated on low farm areas close to the raging Buri Gandaki River. As the drive follows the dirt rough road to Soti-Khola, and towards Machha Khola. A moderate size farm village with a number of simple and basic lodges for an overnight stop. The name Machha Khola means a Fishing stream. As time permits if not tired from the long drive, can enjoy short yoga exercise before dinner.
The Cost Includes
- Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle.
- 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast.
- Domestic flights (Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu).
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
- Licensed and experienced English-speaking trekking guide.
- Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter).
- Park entry fee and TIMS card.
- Trekking map and group medical kit.
- All government and local taxes.
The Cost Excludes
- Nepalese visa fee.
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
- Travel and rescue insurance.
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
- Personal expenses (laundry, internet, phone calls, etc.).
- Tips for guides and porters.
- Costs arising from unforeseen events (e.g., flight delays, natural disasters).
A brief information on Yoga:
Yoga meaning Unity to be Oneness, derived from ancient Sanskrit word which means to join. The science of life, the integration of body, mind and soul!
What is Yoga?
A perfect union of the spirit to the divine, via tools left behind from rishis (hermits), ascetics and yogis of ages past.
The Eight Fold Path of Yoga (not to be confused with Buddha’s Eight Fold Path), from sage Patanjali s yoga sutra delves deeply into the morality of living and plunges into the human psyche.
Consists of Yama (self-restraints), Niyama (self-observances) Asana, Pranayama (breath techniques), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (identification with pure consciousness).
Yoga conjures up with images and postures (Asanas) to develop flexibility, general body health and of course awareness.
This is just the beginning, while yoga’s central theme remains the highest goal of the spiritual path; yogic practices can provide direct and substantial benefits to everyone regardless of their spiritual aims.
Best Time to do Manaslu Yoga Trek
Best Seasons:
The best seasons for Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trekking is in spring and
autumn, spring begins from March to May.
Autumn starts from September to November, the spring season with longer days with more sunlight hours.
Days are mostly bright with sunshine for clear views and pleasant walking
with yoga practice. But gets cloudy in the late afternoon with chances of
light rains, and snowfall around higher elevations sometimes.
The temperature drops in the early morning, late afternoon, and
night. During springtime, the green hills are bright with wildflowers in
bloom, especially the rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal.
The next best season is autumn from September to November, days are
much clear for views and walks. It gets dark by 5:30 pm, due to limited
sunlight hours, but pleasant and scenic walks with yoga exercise.
Cold freezing temperatures during morning, late afternoon, and night time,
chances of snowfall in higher areas sometimes.
Culture, Religion & History:
The lower warm areas of Gorkha district, where Manaslu High Valley is located, are of mixed tribes of hill people. Gurung, Magar, Hindu Bharamins, Chettries, and Newars with some Bhot migrated from high Manaslu and Tsum areas.
The culture and religions are mixed with Hinduism and Buddhism around low land to mid-hills till Jagat and Philim villages.
But from Jagat village onwards the natives of higher Manaslu valley till Dharapani in Manang are interwoven to strong Buddhism religion.
Follow the ancient heritage and culture similar to its Tibetan predecessor, as the border to Tibet is at a mere distance.
The people of higher Manaslu are known as the Bhotias people, of Tibetan origin. Most villages around higher Manaslu from Namrung onwards have a monastery, with many rows of prayer walls and spinning wheels.
The Manaslu region, where the ancient Trans Himalaya Salt Trade Route passed to and from Nepal/Tibet. Yaks and pack animals laden with goods passed through Manaslu Valley from both sides, of the borders.
The base of Larke-La pass at present known as Dharmasala or Phedi in the early days was called Larke Bazaar. Where traders, and merchants from Tibet, Gorkha, and Manaslu as far from Manang used to visit on the market day.
The Manaslu name comes from the Sanskrit word meaning Soul or mind of the god or holy spirits. Manaslu for the natives is Kutang, which means land that has been blessed, to raise livestock and a good farm field.
Mt. Manaslu stands, as the world’s 8th highest peak at 8,163 m and 26, 781 feet, the first ascent by Japanese Expeditions. It was conquered on May 9th, 1956 with the support of Nepalese guide Gyalzen Norbu Sherpa.
Since then it remained closed for outside visitors and flung its door open from 1992 onwards. Trekkers can enter and enjoy the walk around Manaslu on obtaining a special permit, as Manaslu is a restricted region.
Due to its close border with Tibet / China, as well as to control the main flow of trekkers. As well as to preserve the country’s pristine environment, the area is under the protection, of the Manaslu Conservation Area Project.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek is designed for all levels. Daily sessions are guided by experienced instructors, and beginners are welcome to participate at their own pace.
The trek typically lasts 16 days, including yoga and meditation sessions integrated into the itinerary. This covers acclimatization, cultural exploration, and crossing the famous Larke‑La Pass.
The package usually covers:
- Accommodation during the trek
- Daily yoga and meditation sessions
- Licensed trekking guide and yoga instructor
- Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Necessary permits (MCAP, ACAP, Restricted Area Permit)
- Airport transfers in Kathmandu
The Manaslu Circuit Yoga Trek is considered moderately challenging. Daily yoga helps with flexibility and recovery, but trekkers should be prepared for long walking days, altitude changes, and crossing the high Larke‑La Pass (5,106m).
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