Manaslu Short Trek 2026

An early start from Kathmandu by local jeep or bus. The road follows the Prithvi Highway west, then turns north at Dhading Besi to Arughat on the Budhi Gandaki River.

After Arughat the road becomes a rough dirt track through Soti Khola to Machha Khola. Expect a bumpy 8 to 9 hours. A private vehicle is available at extra cost and saves some time.

Machha Khola (930 m), whose name means “fish stream”, is a small farming village with simple lodges. Tonight is your first night in a teahouse.

• 6 hours walk
• Accommodation: Teahouse (twin share)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinnerOvernight: Jagat

The first walking day stays low and warm. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki upstream past rice terraces, waterfalls and the first of many suspension bridges.

At Tatopani there is a natural hot spring next to the trail. Stop for a soak if time allows, then continue via Dovan to Jagat.

Jagat (1,345 m) is a stone-paved village and the checkpoint for the Manaslu restricted area. Your guide shows the permits here.

From Jagat the trail climbs past Salleri and Sirdibas, then crosses the river to Philim, a large Gurung village with terraced fields of millet and maize.

Beyond Philim the valley narrows into a deep gorge. Just past Ekle Bhatti the trail to the Tsum Valley branches off; you stay on the main circuit toward Pewa.

Pewa (1,625 m) is a small stop with a few lodges, set in the forest above the river.

• 6 hours walk
• Accommodation: Teahouse (twin share)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinnerOvernight: Namrung

Today you leave the gorge and enter Nubri, the Tibetan Buddhist part of the valley. The trail passes Deng and Bihi, and the first mani walls and chortens appear around Ghap.

From Ghap you climb steadily through forests of pine, fir and rhododendron. This is the first big gain in height on the trek.

Namrung (2,630 m) has some of the best lodges on the route and your first close views of the high peaks.

• 7 hours walk
• Accommodation: Teahouse (twin share)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinnerOvernight: Sama Gaun

The longest climb of the trek. You walk through Lihi and Sho, where barley fields, prayer flags and long mani walls line the trail.

At Lho (3,180 m) Manaslu appears in full view above Ribung Gompa. This is where the full Manaslu Circuit spends a night. On the short trek you keep going, through Shyala to Sama Gaun.

Sama Gaun (3,520 m) is the main village of the upper valley. You sleep here for two nights. Take it slowly this afternoon and drink plenty of water.

• Rest day or 3 to 5 hours hike
• Accommodation: Teahouse (twin share)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinnerOvernight: Sama Gaun

A rest day to help your body adjust before you go higher. The rule is to climb high and sleep low, so most people take a short hike and come back to Sama Gaun for the night.

Birendra Tal, a glacial lake below the Manaslu Glacier, is an easy walk of about an hour each way. Pungyen Gompa is a harder half day with close views of Manaslu. Fit walkers can push on toward Manaslu Base Camp, a long and steep day.

Your guide chooses the hike with you based on how you feel. You can also rest and explore the village and its monastery.

• 4 hours walk
• Accommodation: Teahouse (twin share)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinnerOvernight: Samdo

A short day on purpose. The trail follows the upper Budhi Gandaki through open yak pastures, and the trees give way to juniper and low shrubs.

Walk slowly, because you are now gaining height above 3,500 m. A short steep climb at the end brings you to Samdo.

Samdo (3,875 m) is a Tibetan village of about forty houses, the last settlement before Larkya La. If you want an extra acclimatization night, this is where to add it.

• 4 hours walk
• Accommodation: Teahouse (basic)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinnerOvernight: Dharmasala

You cross the Budhi Gandaki one last time and climb gradually toward the head of the valley. On the way you pass the site of Larkya Bazaar, an old market where traders from Tibet and Manang once met.

Dharmasala, also called Larke Phedi (4,460 m), is the base of the pass. It is a cluster of basic lodges and is often full in peak season.

You arrive around lunchtime. Rest, eat well and go to bed early. Tomorrow starts before dawn.

• 8–9 hours walk
• Accommodation: Teahouse (twin share)

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinnerOvernight: Bhimthang

The biggest day of the trek. After an early breakfast and with a packed lunch, start the climb before dawn on the rocky path above the lodges of Dharmasala.

The trail winds steadily uphill past glacial moraine to the top of Larkya La Pass, marked with prayer flags and a signpost. From the pass you see Manaslu and the Annapurna peaks, including Himlung, Cheo Himal and Kang Guru.

A long, steep descent brings you down to the Manang side of the pass, then through grassy meadows to Bhimthang for the night, a lovely spot surrounded by forest and high peaks.

• 7 hours walk
• Accommodation: Teahouse (twin share)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinnerOvernight: Dharapani

An easier day, almost all downhill. From Bhimthang the trail drops through pine and rhododendron forest along the Dudh Khola, with views back to Manaslu and Himlung.

You pass the small villages of Gho and Tilije, then reach the Marsyangdi River and the Annapurna Circuit route.

Dharapani (1,963 m) has good lodges and longer menus. It is your last night on the trail.

A long travel day. A shared jeep takes you down the rough road along the Marsyangdi to Besisahar, the headquarters of Lamjung district.

From Besisahar you continue by jeep or bus on a paved road to Dumre, then east along the highway to Kathmandu.

Expect 8 to 9 hours in total and to arrive in the late afternoon or evening. Kathmandu hotel nights are not part of the package, but we can book one for you.