Namaste from the land of prayer flags, yak cheese, and heart thumping Himalayan views!
I’m Angela, just a regular girl with big dreams and a not so regular idea of “vacation.”
And guess what I decided to do? Yep, the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal.
Spoiler alert: It was tough, breathtaking, and hilarious. Let me take you along.
Day 1: Kathmandu — The Warm Welcome
The moment I landed at Tribhuvan International Airport, I was greeted with warm smiles, colorful chaos, and traffic that moved like a game of Tetris. After checking into a comfy hotel in Thamel, I met my guide for a trek briefing and then joined a cultural dinner- think dancing, daal bhat, and a whole lot of fun.
Pro Tip: Always say yes to momo.
Day 2: Kathmandu to Machha Khola (870m) — Road Trip Royalty
Let me tell you, Nepali Roads are not for the faint of heart or weak of bladder. We drove for nearly 10 hours, bouncing through hills and valleys until we reached Machha Khola. I’ve never bonded so quickly with a jeep seat before.
Day 3: Trek to Jagat (1,340m) — Legs Meet Hills
We officially started trekking and my knees were like, “Umm, excuse me?” The trail twisted through narrow gorges, past waterfalls and tiny villages that looked like they were painted by nature.
Highlight: Entering the Manaslu Conservation Area made me feel like I had entered a sacred world. Also, I saw a goat with better trekking skills than me.
Day 4: Jagat to Deng (1,860m) — Meet the Himalayas
This day was full of quiet ascents, fluttering prayer flags, and epic views of Shringi Himal. We passed Philim, crossed a few sketchy-looking bridges (yes, I screamed internally), and made it to Deng, a quiet little village where the stars at night looked unreal.
Day 5: Deng to Namrung (2,630m) — Forests and First Glimpses
Today was magical. We hiked through lush green forests, passed traditional Gurung villages, and finally saw our first clear view of Mt. Manaslu. I may or may not have cried. Okay, I did.
Also, my thighs were officially burning by now. Like “where’s my yak taxi?” level of sore.
Day 6: Namrung to Samagaon (3,530m) — Walls, Chortens & Wow
This trek felt deeply spiritual. We passed mani walls, chortens, and stepped deeper into a Tibetan-influenced world. And Samagaon? Wow. A stunning village that looked straight out of a movie except it had yaks instead of Ferraris.
Day 7: Acclimatization in Samagaon — Rest or Hike?
We rested… kind of. I hiked to Birendra Lake, which was turquoise magic, and saw brave souls heading to Manaslu Base Camp. Not me though I chose warm tea and mountain views.
Also me: Why is my nose sunburnt but my hands are freezing?! Mountain logic, I guess.
Day 8: Samagaon to Samdo (3,875m) — Yaks and Smiles
We walked for just 4-5 hours, but the views!
Rolling hills, yak pastures, and snow-capped dreams. Samdo was quiet and cozy, like the mountain version of a secret hideout.
Day 9: Samdo to Dharmasala (4,460m) — Prepping for Glory
The air was thin, the excitement was high, and my snacks were dangerously low. We reached Dharmasala, the last stop before crossing Larkya La Pass. I spent the evening staring at the stars and nervously sipping ginger tea.
Confession: I wore three pairs of socks that night.
Day 10: Larkya La Pass (5,160m) to Bimthang (3,720m) — The Big Day
Holy. Mountain.
We left before dawn, and the trek up to Larkya La Pass was no joke. Windy, steep, cold but when I reached the top, my heart exploded. We had 360-degree views of Manaslu, Himlung Himal, Annapurna II, and more.
The descent to Bimthang was long (I mean LONG), but the view? Absolutely worth every sore muscle.
Day 11: Bimthang to Tilije (2,300m) — Downhill Dreaming
Ah, downhill! My knees were crying, but in relief this time. We trekked through meadows, pine forests, and crossed cute little bridges. Tilije had that cozy-village vibe, with the best apple pie I’ve had in Nepal. Yes, really.
Day 12: Tilije to Jagat (1,300m) — Back to Civilization
We followed the river valley, slowly trading alpine views for subtropical green hills. It felt like saying goodbye to an old friend — the mountains. We reached Jagat again, but this one had more smiles and less shivering.
Day 13: Drive to Kathmandu — Back to the Buzz
After almost two weeks of mountain life, I was both excited and sad to return to Kathmandu. The 9-hour drive was full of memories, tea stops, and one very dramatic chicken trying to cross the road.
Day 14: Departure — But Not Goodbye
As I sat at the airport, backpack full of dust and heart full of stories, I realized: this trek wasn’t just a challenge it was a life shift. Manaslu gave me humility, strength, and a new appreciation for hot showers.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for a raw, real, and rewarding Himalayan trek without the crowds of Everest or Annapurna, Manaslu is your mountain.
Adventure Himalaya Nepal, made my journey smooth, safe, and filled with laughter. If you want your own Manaslu story, you know who to call.
