Manaslu Circuit Trek - 12 Days

Your adventure begins as you arrive in Kathmandu, the vibrant capital city of Nepal. Upon landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, you’ll be greeted by our friendly representative who will assist with your transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city. After checking in, take some time to relax and settle in after your journey.

In the evening, you’ll meet your trekking guide and fellow trekkers for a detailed briefing about the trek ahead. This is a great opportunity to ask any last-minute questions and go over essential information regarding the trek. Later, you can explore the lively streets of Thamel, a bustling area filled with shops, restaurants, and cultural sites, before enjoying your first night in Nepal.

Begin your adventure with a scenic 35-minute flight to Lukla. Upon arrival, the trek starts with a gentle descent to the village of Phakding. The trail winds through pine forests and along the Dudh Koshi River.

Rise early for a quick breakfast before heading to the domestic terminal for your flight to Lukla. The 35-minute flight itself is an adventure, offering stunning aerial views of the Himalayas. Upon landing at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, the excitement begins as you set foot in the Everest region, the starting point of your trek.

After meeting your porters and finalizing your gear, you’ll begin your trek with a gentle descent towards Phakding. The trail takes you through charming villages, with traditional Sherpa houses and mani stones etched with Buddhist prayers lining the path. You’ll cross several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River, which flows from the glaciers of Mount Everest, before reaching Phakding. This first day of trekking is a relatively easy walk, designed to help you acclimatize gradually. You’ll spend the night in a cozy teahouse in Phakding, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the village.

Today's trek takes you through the Sagarmatha National Park. Cross suspension bridges, climb through forested trails, and witness your first views of Everest before reaching Namche Bazaar, the bustling Sherpa town.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll continue your trek towards Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital and the most significant town in the Everest region. The trail today is more challenging, involving both ascents and descents, but it rewards you with spectacular scenery. You’ll cross the Dudh Koshi River multiple times via suspension bridges, including the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge, which is adorned with prayer flags fluttering in the wind.

As you enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, you’ll have your permits checked before continuing through dense pine forests. The trail gradually becomes steeper as you approach Namche Bazaar. Along the way, if the weather is clear, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Mount Everest in the distance, a sight that fills every trekker with excitement and motivation. The final push to Namche is a steep climb, but the arrival in this bustling town, nestled in a natural amphitheater, makes it all worthwhile. Here, you’ll find a variety of shops, cafes, and even internet access, providing a mix of modern comforts and traditional culture. You’ll spend the night at a teahouse in Namche Bazaar.

To adjust to the increasing altitude, spend a day acclimatizing in Namche. Explore the town, visit the Sherpa Museum, or hike to Everest View Hotel for panoramic mountain vistas.

To aid in acclimatization, you’ll spend an extra day in Namche Bazaar. Acclimatization is crucial to your success on this trek, allowing your body to adjust to the thinner air at higher altitudes. Although it’s a rest day, staying active is important, so you’ll take a short hike to nearby viewpoints.

One popular hike is to the Everest View Hotel, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramas of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. Along the way, you can visit the Khumjung Village, home to the famous Khumjung Monastery, which is said to house a yeti scalp. Another highlight of the day is visiting the Sherpa Culture Museum and the

The trail to Tengboche offers magnificent views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Upon arrival in Tengboche, visit the famous Tengboche Monastery, one of the most important spiritual centers in the region.

After breakfast, you’ll set out on the trail towards Tengboche, one of the most spiritual locations on the trek. The trail begins with a gentle climb, offering magnificent views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. As you walk along the ridge, you’ll pass by several small villages and settlements, with the peaks towering majestically in the background.

The trail then descends sharply to the Dudh Koshi River, passing through forests of rhododendron, birch, and pine. After crossing the river, the path climbs steeply again to Tengboche, a small settlement that is home to the largest monastery in the Khumbu region, the Tengboche Monastery.

Tengboche Monastery is a significant cultural and religious site for the Sherpa people. Upon arrival, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the monastery, where you might witness a prayer ceremony with the resident monks. The monastery is set against the stunning backdrop of Everest, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam, making it one of the most picturesque spots on the trek.

Spend some time exploring the monastery and learning about its history, or simply enjoy the serene atmosphere of this remote mountain sanctuary.

As you continue your ascent, the landscape changes, becoming more barren as you approach Dingboche. This village offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and is an important acclimatization stop.

Today’s trek takes you higher into the Khumbu region, as you make your way from Tengboche to Dingboche. The trail initially descends through lush forests filled with rhododendron and juniper trees, eventually leading to the small village of Deboche. Here, you’ll cross a suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River, with the towering Ama Dablam providing a stunning backdrop.

As you continue along the trail, the landscape begins to change. The forests gradually give way to more barren, alpine terrain as you gain altitude. You’ll pass through the village of Pangboche, the highest year-round settlement in the region. Pangboche is home to another significant monastery, where it is believed that the scalp and bones of a Yeti are kept as relics.

Beyond Pangboche, the trail continues to ascend, and you’ll notice the effects of the altitude as the air becomes thinner. The landscape becomes more rugged, with fewer trees and more rocky terrain. You’ll arrive in Dingboche, a picturesque village surrounded by stone walls that protect the crops from the cold winds. Dingboche is also a popular acclimatization stop for trekkers on their way to Everest Base Camp.

Spend another day acclimatizing to the altitude. Optional hikes include a trek to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 meters) for superb views of Makalu and the surrounding peaks.

Today is another crucial acclimatization day, helping you prepare for the higher altitudes ahead. Dingboche, located at 4,360 meters, offers several acclimatization hikes that allow you to climb to higher elevations and return to sleep at a lower altitude.

One of the popular hikes is to Nangkartshang Peak, which stands at 5,083 meters. The hike is steep but rewarding, offering incredible views of Makalu, Lhotse, and the massive Ama Dablam. From the top, you can also see the Imja Valley and the beautiful glacier-carved landscapes that define this region.

After the hike, you’ll return to Dingboche for lunch and have the rest of the day to relax. You can explore the village, chat with fellow trekkers, or simply rest and enjoy the panoramic mountain views. Dingboche is known for its expansive yak pastures, and you might see these hardy animals grazing in the fields.

Today's trek takes you past the memorials of climbers who lost their lives on Everest, followed by a challenging climb to Lobuche. The view of the Khumbu Glacier as you approach Lobuche is awe-inspiring.

Leaving Dingboche behind, the trek today takes you closer to Everest Base Camp as you head towards Lobuche. The trail initially climbs gently out of Dingboche, providing spectacular views of Tawache, Nuptse, and Cholatse. As you ascend, the terrain becomes more rugged, with fewer signs of vegetation and more rocky landscapes.

You’ll trek past the tiny settlement of Thukla, where you’ll stop for a brief rest before beginning the challenging climb up the Thukla Pass. This section of the trail is steep and demanding, but the rewards are worth the effort. At the top of the pass, you’ll come across a memorial site dedicated to climbers who have lost their lives on Everest. The stone cairns and plaques offer a poignant reminder of the challenges of mountaineering in this extreme environment.

After spending some time at the memorial site, you’ll continue along a relatively flat trail to Lobuche, a small village nestled in a valley below the towering peaks of Lobuche East and Nuptse. As you approach Lobuche, the views of the surrounding mountains and the Khumbu Glacier are truly awe-inspiring.

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! Trek along the Khumbu Glacier to reach Everest Base Camp, where you can stand at the foot of the world's tallest mountain. After soaking in the views, return to Gorak Shep for the night.

Today is one of the most exciting and challenging days of the trek as you finally reach Everest Base Camp. The day starts with an early morning departure from Lobuche, as you make your way towards Gorak Shep, the last settlement before Everest Base Camp. The trail to Gorak Shep is rocky and barren, with the massive Khumbu Glacier to your right.

Upon reaching Gorak Shep, you’ll take a short break to refuel before continuing your journey to Everest Base Camp. The trail to Base Camp is rugged and can be challenging, with sections of loose rocks and ice. However, the anticipation and excitement of reaching Base Camp will keep you motivated. As you approach Base Camp, you’ll be surrounded by towering peaks, including Pumori, Nuptse, and Khumbutse.

Finally, after hours of trekking, you’ll arrive at Everest Base Camp, the starting point for summit expeditions. Standing at the base of the world’s highest mountain is an emotional and exhilarating experience. Take time to soak in the views, capture photographs, and celebrate this incredible achievement. Depending on the time of year, you might see expedition teams preparing for their summit attempts, adding to the sense of adventure.

After spending time at Base Camp, you’ll retrace your steps back to Gorak Shep, where you’ll rest and reflect on the day’s accomplishments.

Wake up early for a pre-dawn hike to Kala Patthar, where you'll be rewarded with stunning sunrise views of Everest and other peaks. After descending, trek down to Pheriche.

Today begins with an early morning hike to Kala Patthar, one of the most famous viewpoints in the Everest region. You’ll set out before dawn to catch the sunrise over the Himalayas. The climb to Kala Patthar is steep and demanding, but the views from the top are truly spectacular. From this vantage point, you’ll have panoramic views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and the surrounding peaks, with the Khumbu Glacier sprawling below.

The sight of the sun rising over Everest, casting a golden glow on the mountain, is a moment you’ll never forget. After taking in the views and snapping plenty of photos, you’ll descend back to Gorak Shep for breakfast.

After breakfast, you’ll begin your descent to Pheriche. The trail retraces your steps back to Lobuche and then continues down the valley. As you descend, you’ll notice the air becoming richer in oxygen, making the trek easier. Pheriche is a small village located in a broad valley, and it’s known for its wind-swept terrain and the Himalayan Rescue Association’s aid post, which provides medical assistance to trekkers.

Retrace your steps back to Namche Bazaar, enjoying the downhill trek and taking in the last close-up views of the Himalayas.

The trail from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar is mostly downhill, with a few short climbs along the way. You’ll retrace your steps through Pangboche and Tengboche, enjoying the easier pace as you descend. The return journey offers a different perspective on the landscape, as you see the mountains from a new angle and appreciate the vibrant colors of the rhododendron forests and the rushing rivers below.

As you approach Namche Bazaar, you’ll once again be greeted by the bustling energy of this Sherpa town. After days of trekking in remote areas, the relative comfort of Namche will feel like a luxury. You’ll have time to relax, visit the local shops, or enjoy a well-deserved hot shower.

On the final day of trekking, continue descending to Lukla, where you'll celebrate your accomplishment with your trekking team.

Today marks the final day of trekking as you make your way back to Lukla. The trail descends steeply from Namche Bazaar to the Dudh Koshi River, crossing several suspension bridges along the way. You’ll pass through the villages of Jorsalle, Monjo, and Phakding, where you can reflect on the journey and the incredible experiences you’ve had over the past days.

The trail to Lukla is relatively easy, and as you approach the village, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment for completing the trek. In Lukla, you’ll have the chance to celebrate with your trekking team, sharing stories and memories of the adventure.