Short Trek to Manaslu Trek

Your 10/12 days Manaslu short trekking experience begins with a thrilling and participative jeep tour from Kathmandu to Machha Khola, the gateway to majestic Manaslu country. Leaving the traffic jammed capital behind, our journey takes us through Kalanki and Thankot and opens up into rolling expanses along the Trishuli River valley. The road gets better from smooth highways to unpaved mountain routes as we drive towards Dhading Besi, a glimpse into country Nepal.

We now enter the mixed ethnic Gorkha district, passing through busy towns like Arughat, with the initial views of the Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and Annapurna ranges beginning to instill a sense of awe. We then pass through charming villages like Maltar, Shante, Arkhet, and Kyoropani, reaching Sotikhola, the old traditional start of the Manaslu Circuit.

We continue along with tight woodland and mountain stream walking in scenic villages like Khursane and Labu Bensi. We then reach the peaceful riverside village of Machha Khola, where we overnight and get ready for the thrilling Short Trek to Manaslu.

The day is our first full day of trekking on our memorable Short trek to Manaslu. Boots tied, hoods up, we say farewell to Machha Khola and move along the scenic trail that clings to the shores of the mighty Budhi Gandaki River. The din of the churning river is our guide as the path twists its way through green landscapes and peaceful settings.

As we undertake our easy ascent, breathtaking views of the mountains become available to us. Ganesh Himal, Shringi Himal (7,155 m), and Manaslu looming over us unveil a glimpse into the Himalayan glory yet to be revealed by us throughout the duration of the 10 days Manaslu short trek.

Later, after nearly an hour’s journey on foot, we arrive at Khorla Bensi, a riverside village. The trek from there leads us to the peaceful natural hot springs of Tatopani, a perfect resting place to cool off in the heat before marching ahead.

From there, the trek gets more challenging. We take a rockier, steeper path on scree covered terrain until we reach an impressive suspension bridge over the Dobhan Khola. The trek continues through dense forest until it leads us to a stunning 92 meter long hanging steel bridge, one of the most iconic attractions of the trail.

After crossing this bridge, we arrive at Jagat in no time, a lively, strategically positioned village serving as an entrance to Manaslu Conservation Area. Jagat is not a checkpoint by itself, but a culture center of historic stone houses, prayer flags, and an atmosphere of welcome, which makes it an absolute must visit in the 10 days Manaslu short trek.

At dawn in Jagat, we began another rewarding day of our Short Trek to Manaslu with crisp mountain air and expansive views across surrounding ridges. The trail climbs steadily up to the hill village of Salleri and then descends to the tranquil village of Sirdibas, where prayer flags whip in the breeze and ancient stone buildings line the path.

We walk across another standard Nepali high metal suspension bridge and arrive in Philim, a lively Gurung village renowned for its rice paddies in terraces and friendly inhabitants. One of the Manaslu short trek’s cultural gems, you will be able to encounter the local people and observe their everyday lives in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Further, we pass Lokwa and move on to Ekle Bhatti, a small halt at 1,600 meters. The path then enters a thicket of bamboo grove, with the sounds of birdsong and leaves rustling, taking us to the serene villages of Nyak Phedi and Peva.

As we travel to Deng, the landscape begins to shift, Buddhist Mani walls, stone carved tablets, and chortens indicate the growing Tibetan influence in the region. This picturesque village, nestled between cliffs and riverbanks, is a unique cultural transition and peaceful respite on your Manaslu short trekking journey.

Today still propels us forward in our trekking as we leave Deng and further Himalayan country life. We skirt the sullied waters of the Budhi Gandaki River and turningly lead us to Bihi Phedi, a country village surrounded by hill forests. We also trek past the Serang Khola, a tributary of the Budhi Gandaki, then trek above a great canyon that has been cut through the mountains.

The path inclines quite steeply as we climb to Ghap, a peaceful village nestled in the dense forest. From here, our quite short walk to Manaslu takes us along dense forests of bamboo, with prayer flags and hidden mani stones on the path indicating the area’s strong Buddhist influence. We pass through the pretty village of Prok, with its stunning views of the surrounding peaks.

One of the day’s highlights is the royal sight of Lidana Glacier, glinting in the distance as we make our final climb up to Namrung. This picturesque mountain village is one of the jewels of the Manaslu short trek, set amongst the giant peaks of Manaslu, Pang Phuchin (6,335 m), Saula Himal (6,235 m), and a crown of wild, unnamed summits rising like frozen waves above the gorge.

Namrung also marks the cultural crossover into the Tibetan-influenced regions of the trek, and the architecture, language, and traditions shift, providing more cultural diversity to your short trek to Manaslu.

After a good breakfast at Namrung, we have one of the prettiest sections of the short trek to Manaslu. With 6 to 7 hours of trekking ahead of us, we are rewarded with the breathtaking alpine view of the Nubri Valley while trekking towards the serene and culturally fascinating village of Samagaun.

Our Short Manaslu trek ascends through ancient stone villages and antique forest, climbing steadily higher to the village of Lho. We pause and are rewarded with our initial panoramic photo of towering Mount Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest mountain. Its white top stands phenomenally tall above surrounding ridges, a contrast to the might of the Himalayas.

Continuing on, we arrive in Syala, a tranquil village which offers another stunning view of Manaslu and the surrounding mountains. The massive shape of the peak, lined with pines and open horizons, is a view not quite real. Moments of unforgettability such as these are one of the draws of the 10 days Manaslu short trek, not just physical labor but total immersion in nature’s finest views.

Finally, reach Samagaun, a standard Tibetan style village at the foot of Mount Manaslu. With its ancient monasteries, grassing yaks, and flying prayer flags, Samagaun is a blend of nature and cultural encounter, an unseen place in this Himalayan trek.

As morning sun spills over the towering Himalayas, we set out on a peaceful yet dramatic part of our short trek to Manaslu. The trail snakes through vast alpine meadows where mountain cows and yaks silently graze under a broad sky, with snow capped giants in the background. Tower above them all, magnificent, toweringly high is Mount Manaslu, a humbling monument to nature, pure power and beauty.

Descending gradually into a hidden valley, the path leads us further towards the Tibetan border, and below it, concealed from sight, lies the hidden village of Samdo. The mountain settlement, originally established by Tibetan refugees, is a testament to resilience, identity, and existence lived in harmony with some of the earth’s most unforgiving landscapes. Its stone houses and fluttering prayer flags seem timeless.

Afternoon hours leave us with opportunity to slowly soak into the Himaylayen aura. It is possible to take the rocky climbs of narrow Samdo’s trails, head to surrounding villages on foot, or climb nearby ridges for aerial sightings. These peace-filled hours with distance from contemporary existence’s angst and turmoil remain among the top 10 days Short Manaslu Trek highlight.

This hike, carefully organized and accompanied by the skilled specialists from Hill Sherpa Trekking, is a step over trekking, it’s an exploration of the high-altitude culture and rough beauty of the Manaslu region.

Today, a short trek to Manaslu takes us above the 4,000 meters level, a significant milestone along our journey to the high Himalayan frontier. While the elevation gain is significant, we approach it slowly and patiently, allowing our bodies time to adjust as we make a gradual ascent through open alpine meadows and rocky terrain.

As the country unfolds, we are presently greeted by the breathtaking view of the Larke Glacier, a shining river of ancient ice between great mountains. From here, the path travels upstream through a rough, storm torn valley where nature seems untamed and wild, following the serene path of the Salka Khola.

After several hours of walking, we eventually arrive at Dharamsala, also known as Larkya Phedi, which serves as the staging area from which we will cross the well known Larkya La Pass. Locals call it Duwang, the altitude village outpost that was originally a temporary village for Tibetan refugees, and evidence of that legacy still lingers in the rock shelters, an air of morose, pensive atmosphere the place now embodies.

Trekkers are more familiar with Dharamsala as the Refugee Camp, but it is much more than just a place to sleep. The vistas are spectacular here, with Larke Peak, Samdo Himal (6,335 m), Manaslu, Naike Peak, and the snow-covered sweep of the Syacha Glacier all in breathtaking proximity. It’s the perfect place to acclimatize, physically and mentally, for one of the most exciting experiences of the 10 days Manaslu short trek.

Begin a memorable short hike to Manaslu with the most challenging but most rewarding section in front, crossing the renowned Larke Pass. As part of the 10 days Manaslu short hike, the high-altitude crossing is a true test of strength and willpower.
We begin the day early from Dharmasala and ascend up along the bumpy east rim of the Larke Glacier. The ascent is persistent but gentle gradient over snowed trails and rock moraines, demanding physical endurance and mental resilience. Even though the trek is not technical, its 4 to 5 hours uninterrupted ascent is exhausting but exhilarating.
Approaching the last 100 meters of Larke Pass, care is needed. The top of Larkya la provides one of the most stunning panoramic views in the Himalayas, with great peaks of Himlung Himal, Cheo Peak, Nimjung, Gyaji Kang, Annapurna II, and Kang Guru. All the scenes are humbling and uplifting, a highlight of the entire journey.
Having drunk in the view, the trail then plunges 600 meters some way, peacefully, into Larke Kharka’s scenery and makes its way along Tanbuche (3,900m), to eventually reach Bhimthang. During this drop, the climbers are rewarded for soaking up Ponkar Lake’s untamed scenery deep in the Himalayas.
This part of the 10 days Manaslu short trek is not just the most challenging but also the most rewarding part, unleashing the best of adventure in the Manaslu region.

As our memorable short trek to Manaslu is nearing its end, we set out on the final leg of our journey today, contemplative but with silent wonder. The journey might be ending, but it is the memories will echo through the valleys we have walked.

Behind us remains the empty, high alpine vastness, and we wind down through glaciers sculpted trails, their gentle power guiding us on. Harsh, dramatic ice terrain finally gives way finally to a hot, green world as it welcomes us with thick forest and banana groves, palm trees, and lush tropical vegetation that flowers along the Dudh Khola River banks.

We move through the amiable welcome of Hambuk, Puktu, and Phute villages to reach Gho (2,560m), a peaceful village which lures us to stop and finally look back at towering Manaslu and Phungi Himal (6,524m). Their white tops seem to bid adieu as we begin to climb up to the humble Karche Pass.

The road slowly comes down from the pass, and awe-inspiring scenery and an ever changing landscape unfold. Eventually, we reach Tilje, where the glacial stream of Dudh Khola joins harmoniously with the Marshyangdi River, a fabled confluence marking the transition from the high and remote mountains to the Nepalese valleys below.

Our last village on day nine is Dharapani, the last mountain village on this wonderful adventure. It’s here that we conclude the 10 days Manaslu trek, a trek short in days but big in experience. The rural landscape we have walked through, the mountains we have gazed at, and the people we’ve met are the heart and soul of this short trek to Manaslu, and they leave us changed, enriched, and wanting to return.

This morning marks the final chapter in our short pilgrimage to Manaslu, one that has taken us along timeless trails, glacial valleys, and into the shadow of Himalayan giants. As we prepare to depart the mountains, the poignancy of the experience begins to set in, this bittersweet combination of achievement, nostalgia, and reflective stillness.

Our return trip to Kathmandu begins on the picturesque road duplicating the beauty of the trek just completed. No matter how you travel by the regular sized local bus (8–9 hours) or splurge a bit more on the jeep smooth and fast ride (6–7 hours), the highway winds its way through mid-hill wooded terrain, terraced cultivation, and typical hillside villages.

Along the way, we pass by tumbling streams, misty ridges, and views of the high peaks that had accompanied us through the trek, mute sentinels of the Himalayas now slowly falling behind us.

Trekking with Everest Alpine Trekking Teams and being supported every step along the way by your guide and porter, this has been so much more than a trek. It has been a deep experience of connection with the country, culture, and its inhabitants. Your local team not only ensured your safety and comfort levels but also gave genuine insight into life in these remote mountain villages.

The journey back to Kathmandu is not a return but a time to relive the highlight moments of the 10 days Manaslu trek, envy the simplicity of the village life, the strength of the culture, and the awe inspiring views that have left an indelible mark on your heart.

As Kathmandu city lights gradually come into view before our eyes, we carry with us stories of adventure, new friendship created, and a strong feeling of fulfillment, proof that one can build lasting memories even after a short trek to Manaslu.