Manaslu Circuit Trek with Serang Gompa - 16 Days

Your adventure into the heart of the Gorkha District begins with an early morning bus ride from Kathmandu. The day starts at the Gongabu Bus Park, where you’ll likely find your luggage being hauled onto the rooftop of a colorful local bus—a true rite of passage for any trekker in Nepal.

As you travel the valley, the initial 9-hour journey is a fascinating study in transitions; you’ll see terraced rice fields and vibrant green hillsides that define the rural landscape. The drive follows the winding Prithvi Highway, alongside the banks of the Trishuli River, where you can catch a glimpse of rafters paddling through the white water far below.

After a stop in Dhading Besi, where, on a clear day, you’ll get your first teasing view of Mount Manaslu. Eventually, the bus stops for a lunch break in Jyamire to fuel up and stretch your legs after the long ride. Moving on, the road ahead winds through the dramatic cliffs of the Budi Gandaki river valley, and leads us to settlements including Tari Beshi, Soti Khola, Lapu Beshi, and Arughat.

By the time you pass through Nauli and Khani Beshi, the river water takes on a stunning "bright blue" hue. Your day concludes at Machha Khola (870m), a settlement perched right on the sandy banks of the Budi Gandaki, where the sound of the rushing water adds to the ambiance of your stay in a cozy riverside teahouse.

Today marks the official start of your Manaslu Serang Gompa Trek. As you leave the riverside settlement of Machha Khola behind, you’ll follow the powerful Budhi Gandaki River as it carves through steep, emerald gorges. The journey itself is a sensory feast, beginning with a walk along the riverbed that leads you to the village of Khorla Beshi.

An important part of the journey is stopping at Tatopani, which means ‘hot water’ (and these hot springs have deep cultural significance). They are believed to help you ‘cleanse’ your body and soul before you begin your climb up into the higher, more sacred peaks. Eventually you will walk through the cobbled streets of Jagat, which is where it is located near the entrance to the restricted area.

The terrain shifts from lush forests to dramatic rocky sections as you pass through Dobhan and the wide lunch spot at Yaruphant. The final stretch involves climbing ancient stone steps and crossing high bridges before arriving at the neat, flagstone-paved streets of Jagat. Here at the official checkpoint, your permits are verified, signifying your transition into the pristine, protected wilderness of the Manaslu Conservation Area.

Guide’s Insights: The spring sun in the Budhi Gandaki gorge can be surprisingly fierce, even when the air feels cool. I always tell my trekkers to apply high-SPF sunscreen early and keep a buff or light scarf around their neck.

The challenge in today’s hike lies in a series of climbs and descents on ancient stone steps. While the 6 to 7 hours of trekking will certainly test your stamina as you gain nearly 520 meters of elevation, the rewards are deeply immersive. Every time you catch your breath, the sight of a new waterfall cascading down a vertical cliff or the first striking glimpse of Shiringi Himal (7,161 m).

The journey begins by winding through the stone-paved streets of Salleri and Sirdibas. After crossing a high suspension bridge over the turquoise, rushing waters of the Budi Gandaki, you reach the large Gurung village of Philim for a permit verification. From here, the trail narrows and plunges into dense bamboo and pine forests.

After you eat your lunch (Dal Bhat) in Chisapani, you will walk over rocky pathways until you get to the Ekle Bhatti (junction). Then the landscape of the area and the high altitude (1860 m, 6102 ft) will start to look more like Nepal, with traditional Tibetan stone houses, which mark your arrival in the very culturally rich Nubri region.

Guide’s Insight: You’ll encounter your first major Mani walls (prayer stone walls) today—always remember to pass them on your left (clockwise) out of respect for local Buddhist traditions.

As you trek further into the Manaslu region you will notice how the weather begins to transition from hot humid low lands, to cool shaded high mountain areas. This manageable 5-hour journey involves a series of steady climbs that serve as the perfect introduction for the treks to come. The reward for your effort is a sense of "stepping back in time" as you enter the Nubri region. The journey itself is a sensory masterpiece, winding through dense, primeval forests of pine, fir, and rhododendron.

The path opens into vibrant terraced fields of barley and buckwheat, where yaks graze in open pastures near the Rana village. As you navigate the patchwork of stone steps, you’ll pass traditional mani walls—stones intricately carved with Buddhist prayers. This final stretch into Bihi grants you your first clear views of the lower flanks of Mt. Manaslu, the "Mountain of the Spirit".

Guide’s Insight: When you see a pack of mules approaching you, always move to the uphill side of the trail. It ensures you aren't accidentally bumped toward the steep, exposed edge of the river gorge.

Leaving the main Manaslu circuit route behind at Bihi Phedi, you’ll head toward the Kyimolung Valley, a sacred "Beyul" or Hidden Valley of Happiness blessed by Guru Rinpoche. It’s a day that truly tests your stamina with a significant 970 m elevation gain over roughly 6 hours. But the hike is equally rewarding, reaching Serang Gompa (3,100 m), a 500-year-old sanctuary officially known as Sancen Rabten Norbuling.

The journey begins with a crossing of a long wooden bridge before the trail shoots upward through a dense tapestry of pine, juniper, and rhododendron forests. Since there are no teahouses on this rugged ascent, you'll find a quiet spot in the wilderness to enjoy your lunch before tackling the final push. As you arrive at the monastery guesthouse, you’ll have the rare chance to sit in on evening prayers with the crimson-robed monks.

Guide's Insight: Join the monks for their 4:00 PM salt butter tea, and listen to local stories about the monastery’s founder, Chokyi Gyaltsen.

Your morning begins with a quiet breakfast in the Serang monastery dining hall. The trail winds through dense, fragrant stands of pine and the chance to spot Himalayan tahr perched on the rugged cliffs above. With the Shiringi Himal standing guard in the distance, the path provides a constant panorama of lush green hills and the deep river valley below.

The change in scenery is from quiet woodlands down to a series of glacial streams connected by the traditional wooden and bamboo bridges. After the remote settlement of Kwak, the trail rejoins the main river for two final hours of walking. You will arrive in Ghap (2,170 m) in the late afternoon where an excellent local lodge is available to you for the night.

As you ascend from Ghap, the landscape transforms into a dramatic corridor of nature, as you follow the Budhi Gandaki River through a steep, narrow gorge. The trail leads you across swaying suspension bridges and into the heart of ancient oak and bamboo forests. This stretch is a haven for wildlife, so keep a sharp eye out for the Himalayan monal or the grey langur monkeys.

Upon reaching the checkpoint at Namrung, the horizon widens to reveal the towering peaks of Shringi and Ganesh Himal, marking your official entry into the Upper Nubri region. Continuing deeper, you’ll wind through the terraced fields of Lihi and the traditional stone architecture of Sho village, where the jagged silhouettes of Ngadi Chuli and Manaslu North dominate the skyline.

Your journey today ends at 3,180 meters in Lho, a village steeped in Tibetan spirituality and adorned with intricate mani walls and chortens. After checking in your teahouse, take a short ten-minute stroll up to the Ribung Monastery viewpoint just before sunset. On the walk back to your hotel, the sight of yaks grazing peacefully against the backdrop of Naike Peak offers a final, perfect glimpse into the timeless rhythm of Himalayan life.

If the weather is on your side, the first light of dawn hits the massive snowy pyramid of Mount Manaslu, turning the golden roofs of the hilltop Ribung Gompa into glowing beacons. Today is a shorter stretch, technically, about 4 hours of walking, but it’s an emotional and physical threshold. While the distance isn't grueling, you are now moving past that 3,500 m (11,483 ft) mark, where you will begin to experience the effects of high altitude.

The reward for this slow, steady ascent is Shyala, a picturesque herding settlement that serves as a massive 360-degree amphitheater for the Himalayas. Standing there, surrounded by ice-clad giants, you finally understand the deep spiritual gravity that has pulled pilgrims to these valleys for centuries.

Leaving the stone-paved alleys and ancient mani walls of Lho, the trail draws you back into the cool, shaded embrace of a forest thick with blue pine and rhododendron. Just as you reach the village of Lho, you are greeted by the views of Himalchuli (7,893 m) and Ngadi Chuli (7,871 m) to the east.

After making your way down from Sereng Gompa on a relatively straight trail, you will find that you are entering the high-altitude plains of Shyala. This section alone will give you a 360-degree view of Ngadi Chuli, Himalchuli and Ganesh Himal. Furthermore, the open alpine meadows where the Yaks graze peacefully are populated by the Bhotia people. These native people are distinguished by their traditional woolen chubas and a lifestyle that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

As you walk towards Nubri, you will encounter numerous stone mani walls which have the Buddhist prayer carved into them. By mid-afternoon, you arrive in Samagaun, the cultural hub of the Manaslu Circuit. After settling into this bustling Tibetan village, you’ll embark on a breathtaking detour to Pungen Gomba (4,000m). Located at the foot of Nagdi Chuli and Manaslu, the hike takes you across glaciers and moraine fields to an ancient shrine surrounded by soaring, snow-capped peaks.

After soaking in the spiritual atmosphere and the massive scale of the Manaslu Glacier, you’ll return to the stone-paved streets of Sama village. With the evening air getting cooler, it’s the perfect time to retreat to your lodge, zip into a heavy-duty sleeping bag, and rest for the night.

Today is dedicated to active recovery and deep rest to ensure your body adapts to the thinning Himalayan air. You will start the morning with a gentle trek to Birendra Lake, which is a beautiful blue lake which receives its water directly from the Manaslu glacier. The trail winds through rocky ridges, where you might hear the thunderous crack of shifting ice or spot local wildlife such as marmots and blue sheep.

Reaching the lake takes about an hour, offering a perfect spot to watch the emerald waters mirror the surrounding peaks. It’s a vital step in staying healthy and avoiding altitude sickness before the trek continues upward. For those feeling strong and energized, the day offers an optional, more challenging ascent to Manaslu Base Camp.

This is a full-day commitment, roughly 8 to 9 hours round-trip, pushing through snowy paths to reach the foothills of the world's 8th-tallest mountain. Whether you choose the demanding climb or a peaceful afternoon exploring Samagaun’s stone-paved streets and ancient mani walls, the goal remains to stay active and acclimatize. The day ends at your teahouse, sharing a cup of traditional butter tea with the Nubri people, and the serene atmosphere of this high-altitude sanctuary.

From Samagaun, the scenery changes completely to the dry, high-altitude trans-Himalayan landscape. Following the flowing Budhi Gandaki River to eventually reach a narrow stream, you will encounter ancient prayer-engraved mani walls and cross over solid wood bridges. Once above 3,800m, you will begin to see lush trees replaced by hardy junipers or other bushes along the wide pastureland.

Finally, after a little while you will pass through a Kani, which is a traditional white gate, and eventually arrive at Samdo. This stone-built village, founded by Tibetan refugees in the 1950s, feels like a living museum of the old salt trade routes. It serves as the final permanent settlement before the formidable Larke Pass. Spend your evening soaking in the quiet mountain atmosphere, perhaps chatting with the locals or watching yak caravans arrive.

Prioritizing your well-being at this altitude is the secret to a successful trek. Today is all about "climbing high and sleeping low" to prepare your lungs for the Larke Pass challenge. To ensure the body acclimatizes properly, we recommend a scenic hike toward the ancient Tibetan border trade route.

Not only does this offer a front-row seat to some of the most dramatic mountain panoramas in the Manaslu region, but it also gives you a great chance to spot Himalayan blue sheep. Once you’ve soaked in the views, head back down to the village to lean into the slower pace of mountain life.

The afternoon is yours to spend, whether that means reading a book, swapping stories with fellow trekkers over steaming cups of butter tea, or simply observing the local lifestyle of Samdo. Remember to stay hydrated and eat well; these quiet moments of recovery are exactly what will keep you feeling strong and energized for the high-altitude days ahead.

Beginning with a hearty breakfast at our mountain home of Samdo, we walk away from the comforts of this village and cross a suspension bridge over glacial waters that flow out from the Tibetan border towards Larkya Bazaar. It is a historically significant trade area previously used by Himalayan merchants and over the years has now become an important staging point before moving onto an area that is considerably more rugged.

The 9 km trek follows an open, moraine-filled path that rises steadily through a landscape where the air grows thin, and the greenery fades into hardy junipers and dwarf rhododendrons. Every step toward the 4,460 m mark requires a steady pace, offering a meditative pace against the backdrop of staggering mountain vistas and the vast, icy expanse of the Larkya Glacier.

Expect a four-hour trek that feels increasingly raw and isolated as we approach Dharamsala, also known as Larkya Phedi. This isn’t a permanent village, but a high-altitude base camp consisting of simple stone lodges and tented shelters designed for one purpose: preparing for tomorrow’s pass crossing.

The atmosphere here is profound and quiet, occasionally greeted by the distant chime of yak bells or the sight of a Himalayan tahr scaling the rocky slopes. As the final stop before we tackle the formidable Larkya La Pass, the evening in Dharamsala is all about rest and soaking in the majestic views of Himalayan peaks under the starry sky.

In the predawn hours of 3:00 AM, you prepare for the final segment of your expedition—the climb to the top of Larkya La pass. You'll use your headlamp to guide you across frozen moraines and trek around jagged edges of Larkya Glacier, passing multiple high-altitude lakes. You’ll notice the air growing thinner as you maintain a rhythmic, steady pace toward the Larkya La Pass (5,106 m).

Reaching the summit at sunrise, as the sun is just beginning to rise above the eastern horizon, will be a spiritual experience. The burning sun will illuminate the peaks of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and Annapurna II—and the fluttering prayer flags will provide a beautiful backdrop to this celebration of accomplishment and hard work during this exact moment. This 18-kilometer journey is physically demanding but rewards you with the most profound sense of achievement.

After soaking in the panoramic views at the summit, the journey back is a dramatic 1,500-meter descent that requires careful footing over scree and patches of snow. As you drop lower, the stark, glacial landscape softens, revealing the turquoise Ponkar Lake nestled between massive ice flows.

The descent eventually leads you into the lush green vegetation of Bimthang (3,720 m), where pine forests and wide meadows replace the high-altitude terrain. After 7 to 10 hours on the trail, the relief of the comfort of a warm lodge at the foothills of Manaslu provides the perfect end to your hardest day of trekking.

The primary challenge today isn't the ascent, but the massive 1,730-meter (5,675 ft) descent over roughly 20 kilometers (12.4 miles). As you might have to frequently catch your breath, your knees will also certainly feel the constant downward pressure on the trail. So, we suggest you maintain a steady pace, taking several breaks along the way. As you leave the "Hidden Valley," take a final look back at the north face of Mount Manaslu—its twin peaks often glow with a sharp, silver light in the early morning.

The journey follows the banks of the Dudh Khola, also known as the "Milk River" for its frothy, glacier-fed white waters. You’ll have to walk through a patchwork of ancient stone steps and winding earth tracks that lead you from alpine meadows into some of the most beautiful forests in the Gorkha district. As you move through lush alpine meadows, you will be surrounded by forests filled with native rhododendrons, pines, and oaks.

At midday, you will reach Tilje, a tidy village of stone houses known for its apple orchards and deep Gurung heritage. The final stretch takes you across a metal suspension bridge over the thundering Marsyangdi River to enter Dharapani (1,860 m / 6,102 ft). Here, the solitude of the Manaslu Circuit officially meets the bustling energy of the Annapurna Circuit, marking the end of your remote wilderness trek.

Guide’s Insight: As you descend the steep stone steps near Kharche, use your trekking poles to reduce the strain on your ankles and knees.

The transition from the rugged serenity of the high Himalayas to Kathmandu is a sensory roller coaster that most trekkers aren't quite ready for. After leaving Dharapani, the Marsyangdi River remains your constant, roaring companion as the trail dips into lush, sub-tropical forests.

This section of the trek ends at Besisahar and is known for its very rough, muddy jeep trails. But the views of the cascading waterfalls, which often mist the windows of your vehicle, offer a final, refreshing goodbye to the wild. You’ll notice the air getting warmer and the temperature rising, marking the definitive end of the high-altitude leg and the beginning of the long, winding drive back toward the capital.

The final push from Besisahar to Kathmandu takes anywhere from 6 to 8 hours, depending on the inevitable "Nepali traffic" and road conditions near Mugling. While the drive can be grueling, stopping at roadside hotels for a final plate of authentic, local dal provides a necessary break and refreshment.

After arriving in Kathmandu, you’ll be escorted to a designated hotel, where you can unpack your belongings and enjoy the evening after a relaxing hot shower.