Nepal’s Himalayas are home to the most famous trails in the world. Mt. Everest and Annapurna are two well-known peaks. On the other hand, the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek offers a new chance of hiking in these mountains. People can see a magnificent sight, small local cultures, and some peaceful places through it. A 12-day hiking spell can discover remote communities and the high Larkya La pass (5,160m). Now, we have planned an amazing trip for 2025-2026.
Why Choose the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The short 10-day trip includes the most exciting parts of the longer trek is the biggest part. It shortens the pathway and fast-tracks to the most incredible areas. Those trekkers, who are not allowed to spend several days, can see high-reaching mountains and learn about local culture in less time. It suits the people who wish to travel from work to spend their holidays.
Trek Highlights:
- Different views: Trees, fields, grasslands, and glaciers are the treasures of the earth that can be seen.
- A few villages: To add to the list of the villages that you can find in Manaslu, are Gurung, Nubri, and Tibetan. You will also see Lho, Samagaon, and Samdo villagers.
- Sacred sites: For instance, the religious culture of Tibetans, evidence like prayer flags, special walls, religious buildings, old monasteries, etc, surrounds.
- Larkya La Pass (5,160m): It has such tough conditions that only some can do it, but the experience of being at the top of some giant mountains can be simply life-changing.
- Cause and effect: Because there are not many visitors, saying ‘Howdy’ to the people and dancing among the sunflowers would be fun.
Route Overview (10 Days)
Day 1: Kathmandu to Sotikhola
Drive for 8 hours across massive hills and ancient villages to take you to Sotikhola, the embarkation point from where this journey starts.
Day 2: Sotikhola to Machha Khola/Khorlabesi
Walk for 5 hours along the left bank of the Budhi Gandaki river. If forests, waterfalls, and Gurung villages are your thing, then you’re in luck, as you will be treated to all of these.
Day 3: Machha Khola to Jagat
6 hour trek. Afterwards, be prepared to pass hot springs, cross bridges, and climb stairs until you reach the village of Dovan. There-after enter freely into Manaslu Conservation Area.
Day 4: Jagat to Deng
Hiking for 7 hours. Pass by green fields, thick forests and cross over bridges that seem incredibly small to reach Deng, a quaint yet vibrant place.
Day 5: Deng to Namrung
We hiked for only 6.5 hours?; well, that sounds like a walk in the park, right? Right, we were hiking through pine forests, and there were a few mountain villages in between. Namrung, which offers stupendous high peaks, we were out of there by noon.
Day 6: Namrung to Samagaon
The gross of the time was devoted to a moderate walk through the villages with the most beautiful views of the mountain. We had to complete the route in Samagaon, which is a very picturesque place with ancient buildings and temples.
Day 7: Samagaon to Dharamsala
While trekking for 7 hours through the forests, Dharamsala, a place for rest and climb or can say stopove before 4,450m altitude pass, had been finally arrived.
Day 8: Dharamsala to Bimthang via Larkya La Pass
The hardest day was obviously the challenge of climbing for 7.5 hours to Larkya La Pass. The altitude of 5,160 meters just added extra dor to this challenge. Furthermore, after the magnificent display, proceedings would be climaxed by extreme altitude and then descent to Bimthang.
Day 9: Bimthang to Dharapani
Go down for 7.5 hours through forests and farms to reach Dharapani, which is among the busiest trekking spots in the whole Manaslu circuit.
Day 10: Dharapani to Kathmandu
Go back to Kathmandu thus marking the end of this mountainous trip.
Best Time for Short Manaslu Circuit Trek
Trekkers like this trek most in:
- Autumn (September-November): This season is known as the post-monsoon season. It is really pretty, the weather is clear, and the most popular trekking season
- Spring (March-May): I like this trek in spring because the flowers are blooming, and the sun finally rises. The weather is warm & symbolically lively everywhere
- Winter too much snow. (December-February). The images of the beautiful landscapes with snow. Fun to walk it but sometimes hard and painfully snow and freezing cold are the only things you get there.
Accommodation & Food
Trekkers begin their journey in teahouse cabins that are inconspicuous, but with all the basic amenities it feels like home. Two-person rooms with basic beds (a bedset) are the most common. Different eating places are heated by yak-dung stoves. Private bathroom is quite rare, and hot showers must be paid extra.
People can enjoy various meals at their lunchtime and some of them are nourishing, tasty, and good for vegetarians. Typical meals also include:
Breakfast:
- Tibetan bread
- Porridge
- Scrambled eggs
- Pancakes
- Muesli
Lunch/Dinner:
- Dal bhat (rice with lentil soup and vegetables)
- Noodles
- Momo dumplings
- Pasta
- Soups
- Tibetan bread with curry.
Snacks:
- Tea
- Coffee
- Biscuits
- Seasonal fruits (sometimes)
Hikers have to ingest 3-4 liters of water per day. Tablets or filters should be used to clean water at local taps or streams.
Permits & Rules
It is important to reinforce this statement that the Manaslu Circuit is a special one. Hikers need the necessary documents, such as the following:
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
How Hard Is It?
However, the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek is moderate to arduous. The walkers are going to cover 5-8 hours daily while ascending steep, rocky trails and also crossing high altitudes. The most difficult part is going over Larkya La Pass. It is necessary to get used to the lack of air while the power is being developed. Clearly, in a tourist’s point of view, this trek is good for people who have hiked before (my route is the proper one) or fit beginners who like long walks in mountains. I, it should be mentioned, must set aside time for (or in) working out of my body to get or remain in shape.
Culture on the Trail
It is wonderful how the route is connected to the villages with the Gurung and Tibetan-Nubri culture. Hikers will encounter:
- Remains of ancient structures such as Ribung Gompa located in Lho that can be seen from a distance
- Visual images with Buddhist prayers on them that are found on some walls
- Farmers working like rice terraces in the mountains with tools that have been used since last century
- People putting on Tibetan clothes, rotating the prayer wheel, and respecting the traditional culture
A lot of tourists on their way through the trail find the vibrant culture around the Manaslu Circuit very attractive compared to other treks of the same kind.
Safety & Preparation
Purchase insurance that deals with the case when you are saved by helicopter in the high mountains.
- Get used to high altitude gradually with meals that include a lot of water intake.
- Take clothes that are warm, walking sticks, a sleeping bag, firm boots, and medicaments
- Ask a guide and porter to navigate the trails for you and tell you about the culture of the region.
Why Trek in 2025–2026?
Manaslu Circuit is growing in popularity in Nepal. It has the best and enjoyable hotels there as well as the nearest distance to the hiking locations, but still, it exists as a wild region. Going on a trek in 2025–2026 offers you the chance to see it before the place becomes too crowded.
The 10-day Short Manaslu Circuit Trek (10 Days) is still a perfect choice of walk, even if it lasts for a short period of time. Different views are encountered each day, the route goes from green, hot areas to high passes.
