This trek is truly one of the most beautiful in the Himalayas. Its clear advantage is that it is far less frequented than the famous super-treks to Everest or around the Annapurnas. It is both ethnically and scenically very diverse, passing from the romantic villages of the Gorkha people all the way to the border with Buddhist Tibet. Steep valleys with high waterfalls give way to the dusty plains of the forgotten and, until recently, inaccessible Tsum Valley, and to the rocky, sometimes snow-covered Larke Pass, at just over 5,000 m above sea level. From the village of Samagaon, we will take an acclimatization hike to the base camp of the 8,000-meter Manaslu.

The trek begins in the tropical rainforest of the Buddhi Gandaki River Valley at an altitude of about 500 m above sea level, in the valley of Nepal’s Gorkha region. The route gradually ascends through villages and paths above the deep valley of the Budhi Gandaki River. On the Manaslu Circuit trek, the landscape changes practically every day. From tropical rainforest with banana trees and monkeys, we will make our way up to a high Himalayan pass covered with eternal snow. Just like the landscape, the people and their culture will also change along the way.

We start in Hindu villages, which gradually give way to the beautiful colors of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. Near the village of Lokpa, we turn into the ancient Tsum Valley, which stretches toward the border with Tibet through its mountain passes. The valley is very little affected by tourism; just a few years ago, entry for visitors was prohibited. We will visit the cave of the famous Buddhist scholar Milarepa, where he spent years meditating in seclusion. At the end of the valley, we can visit an old Buddhist monastery and enjoy views of the wild, 7,000-meter Ganesh Himal massif.

The trek continues with a return to the Budhi Gandaki River and gradually ascends into the wide valley at the heart of the region - the village of Samagaon - where the strong influence of Tibet and its vibrant Buddhism is unmistakable. Ancient Buddhist stupas and monasteries with their unique patina alternate with views of the iconic peak of Manaslu and its seemingly twin summit, the East Pinnacle.. 

From the village of Samagaon, the center of the entire valley, we will take an approximately 6-hour acclimatization hike to the climbing base camp of Manaslu - incidentally, the 8th highest mountain in the world. Beyond the village of Samdo, we will cross the Larke Pass, just over 5,000 m in elevation, and descend to the village of Dharapani, which marks the starting point of the trek around the neighboring Annapurnas.

The Manaslu trek is not considered difficult and can be managed by an averagely fit hiker. Acclimatization takes place slowly and effectively. Accommodation throughout the trek is in tourist lodges of basic Nepali standard, while in Kathmandu it is in a hotel of European standard. After the trek, we will explore historical Buddhist and Hindu monuments in the Kathmandu Valley and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

The entire trek (departure/arrival) lasts 21 days and will be undertaken in the company of an international UIMLA mountain guide and Slovak Himalayan climber Michal Gabriž. We will also be accompanied by the required local guide. It is possible to hire a local porter, although on the trek we will need only minimal personal equipment. The trekking group is limited to a maximum of 10 people.

After the trek, there is the option to spend a few days relaxing and on safari in the Chitwan.