Manaslu Circuit Trek via Barpak Overview
The Manaslu Circuit Trek via Barpak is a 16-day trek that starts in Barpak. The route begins with a 6 to 8-hour drive from Kathmandu to Barpak (1,900m/6,234ft). Barpak is a historic Gurung village that was the epicenter of the 2015 earthquake.and from there, the trail winds through Larpak (2,200m/7,218ft), drops down to Khorlabeshi (1,232m/4,042ft), and follows the Budhi Gandaki River upstream through Jagat (1,400m/4,593ft) and Dyang (1,800m/5,906ft) before climbing into higher terrain.
You witness how the community recovered as you move through the rebuilt streets. This route offers a less crowded alternative to the Annapurna Circuit and links the subtropical foothills of central Nepal to the high-altitude glaciers near the Tibetan border. During the first few days, you climb steep ridges and move through thick forests with views of Ganesh Himal and Buddha Himal. After you visit Larpak, the trail meets the Budhi Gandaki River. As you ascend, the culture transitions from Hindu influences to the Buddhist traditions of the high Manaslu region. The landscape grows wilder as subtropical fields turn into rocky valleys at the foot of Mt. Manaslu.
Major Highlights of the Manaslu Circuit Trek via Barpak
- Visit Barpak to experience local Gurung culture and earthquake reconstruction.
- Cross the Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters for views of Manaslu and surrounding peaks.
- Explore Larpak village to observe traditional mountain resilience.
- View Mount Manaslu, the “Mountain of the Spirit,” from Sama Gaon.
- Walk through environments ranging from subtropical jungles to glaciers.
- Stay in Tibetan-influenced villages such as Namrung and Samdo.
- Relax in natural hot springs at Tatopani after the initial days.
- Discover hidden monasteries, chortens, and mani walls carved with prayers.
- Trek through the Budhi Gandaki River gorge and cross high suspension bridges.
- Connect with the Annapurna Circuit trail at Dharapani for the final leg.
From the Hills of Barpak to the High Mountains
You see rural Nepal away from major tourist hubs. You will walk through the stone steps in the forests to reach viewpoints. Larpak village sits on a ridge where Gurung residents maintain an agricultural lifestyle. You’ll find a connection to the land when you meet the locals and see their homes. As you move deeper into the Manaslu region, the air thins and the scenery becomes dramatic. After you pass Namrung, the lush rhododendron and oak forests disappear, replaced by the sparse scrub and dry, brown landscapes of the alpine zone.
The peaks no longer appear as distant white shapes; they stand as massive walls of rock and ice directly above you. In Sama Gaon, you explore the local monastery or hike toward the Manaslu Base Camp. This area carries heavy Tibetan influence, which is evident in the architecture, the clothing of the locals, and the peaceful atmosphere. You leave the warm farmlands of the Gurung people and enter the high-altitude domain of the Bhotia community. This change reflects in the crops, the animals, and even the sounds of the trail.
Crossing the Larkya La Pass
Crossing the Larkya La Pass requires the most heart as every step takes effort at 5,160 meters. Your summit day begins in the dark at Dharamsala. This early start ensures you reach the top and descend before the afternoon winds blow across the ridge.
On top of the pass, a massive circle of white peaks surrounds you, with Himlung Himal and the Annapurna range filling the horizon. Once you take in the view, the trail drops toward Bhimtang. This side of the mountain offers a total change of scenery. You leave the dry, frozen rocks behind and enter a world of ancient pine and rhododendron forests.
Why should I choose Manaslu Circuit Trek via Barpak over Manaslu Circuit Trek via the regular route?
The standard Manaslu Circuit Trek is already one of the finest long-distance treks in Nepal, but the Barpak variation gives you something the regular route simply doesn’t. Manaslu Circuit Trek via Barpak gives you a genuine cultural detour that most trekkers on the main circuit never experience. Barpak village at 2,160m (7,087ft) is one of the oldest Gurung settlements in the Gorkha district, and the trail through it adds a layer of historical and cultural depth that the standard route skips entirely in favor of moving straight up the Budhi Gandaki valley.
The via Barpak route also covers more diverse terrain overall, from the mid-hill ridgelines and terraced farmland around Barpak to the high alpine desert above Samdo, and compared to the standard circuit, which stays largely within the Budhi Gandaki river valley for the first half of the trek. If you are going to commit 16 days and travel all the way to this restricted region of Nepal, the Barpak variation simply gives you more for the same effort.
| Day |
Destination |
Sleep altitude |
Duration |
Distance |
Activities |
| 01 |
Kathmandu |
1,345 m / 4,413 ft |
30 min |
7km |
Airport transfer, hotel check-in, group briefing |
| 02 |
Kathmandu |
1,345 m / 4,413 ft |
Full day |
Explore |
Permit collection, town exploration, and guide briefing |
| 01 |
Barpak |
1,900 m / 6,234 ft |
6-8 hrs |
176 km |
Bus journey from Kathmandu to Barpak; visit the 2015 earthquake epicenter village |
| 04 |
Larpak |
2,200 m / 7,218 ft |
5-6 hrs |
15 km |
Stone step trails through forests; views of Ganesh Himal & Buddha Himal; Gurung villages |
| 05 |
Khorlabeshi |
1,232 m / 4,042 ft |
5-6 hrs |
16 km |
Suspension bridge crossing; Singla village views |
| 06 |
Jagat |
1,400 m / 4,593 ft |
5-6 hrs |
18 km |
Tatopani hot springs; uphill to Jagat village |
| 07 |
Dyang |
1,800 m / 5,906 ft |
6-7 hrs |
20 km |
Trek past farm villages; cross the bridge to Philim; bamboo forest to Dyang |
| 08 |
Namrung |
2,540 m / 8,333 f |
5-6 hrs |
19 km |
Enter the alpine region; riverside walk; Tibetan-influenced villages to Namrung |
| 09 |
Sama Gaon |
3,530 m / 11,581 ft |
6–7 hrs |
16 km |
Arrive at a large mountain village near Manaslu Base Camp |
| 10 |
Sama Gaon |
3,530 m / 11,581 ft |
Full day |
Rest |
Acclimatization; explore a Tibetan-style village; optional hike to Manaslu Base Camp |
| 11 |
Samdo |
3,850 m / 12,631 ft |
4-5 hrs |
9 km |
Climb to Samdo, the last village before Larke-La |
| 12 |
Dharmasala (Larke Phedi) |
4,450 m / 14,599 ft |
4–5 hrs |
7 km |
Cross the Budhi Gandaki River; trek via Larkya Bazaar |
| 13 |
Bhimtang |
3,700 m / 12,139 ft |
8–9 hrs |
24 km |
Cross Larke-La Pass (5,106 m / 16,752 ft); descend to Bhimtang |
| 14 |
Dharapani |
1,943 m / 6,375 ft |
7-8 hrs |
25 km |
Descend through pine & rhododendron forest; Marsyangdi River; join Annapurna Circuit trail |
| 15 |
Kathmandu |
1,345 m / 4,413 ft |
10–12 hrs |
230 km |
Drive back to Kathmandu; afternoon leisure/souvenir shopping |
| 16 |
International departure |
- |
30 min |
7 km |
Transfer to the airport; Departure |
Trip Details Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu then transfer to respective Hotels
- Distance : 7 Km
- Duration : 30 Minutes transfer to hotel
- Max. Altitude : 1345m.
On reaching Kathmandu via respective airlines well received by company guides and staff for a short drive in the hub of Kathmandu city where your hotels are located. After checking into your lovely rooms and getting refreshed join in at the Hotel lobby for a group briefing regarding treks and other useful information to make your stay in Nepal enjoyable and pleasant.
- Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
- Meals Include:
Day 02: Free day in Kathmandu to prepare the permits
- Distance : Explore day
- Duration : Full day
- Max. Altitude :1345m.
We will collect your passports and photos to prepare your immigration permits. Original permits are needed to collect Nepal immigration permits. You can explore the town on your own. We will have a trip briefing and introductory program with your guide after the permits are collected.
- Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
- Meals Include: Breakfast
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Barpak
- Distance : 176 Km
- Duration : 6 to 8 hours
- Max. Altitude :1900 m
An 6-8 hour bus journey from Kathmandu takes us to Barpak, Gurung village in the northern part of Gorkha. The Barpak village was the epicenter of the 2015 earthquake that struck Nepal, destroying lives and houses.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 04: Trek Barpark to Larpak
- Distance : 15 Km
- Duration : 5 to 6 hours
- Max. Altitude :2,200 m
Our trek starts with the countless stone step leading us through the forests and peaceful villages set serenely atop hillsides with views towards the Ganesh Himal and Buddha Himal in the distance. we are across the many Gurung village.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 05: Trek From Larpak to khorlabeshi
- Distance : 16 km
- Duration : 5 to 6 hours
- Max. Altitude :1,232m.
The way to Khorla Besi starts with a slow walk until we reach a suspension bridge and a trail that takes us on to Singla village. The Singla village has glorious views of the surrounding mountain ranges. We have our lunch and head downhill until we get to the Budhi Gandaki River.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 06 : Trek to Jagat
- Distance : 18 Km
- Duration : 5 to 6 hours
- Max. Altitude :1,400 m
From these fishing villages, the morning leads following the Buri-Gandaki River upstream for a few hours, as the walk leads past Khorla Beshi a small farm village, and on a winding trail to reach Tatopani village with natural “Hot Spring,” as per time permits enjoy the warm refreshing bathe then walk uphill to Jagat village for the overnight stop. This is a nice village with many shops and stores including a fair number of simple good lodges to stay in.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 07: Trek to Dyang
- Distance : 20 Km
- Duration : 6 to 7 hours
- Max. Altitude :1800m.
After the pleasant stop at Jagat, the journey continues the higher walking past a number of farm villages and then on a downhill to cross over a bridge to reach Nagjet and Philim, a large village with many scattered farmhouses. After Philim walks into farm terraces of golden fields of wheat and barley, then climbs on rocky ridge top into the bamboo forest area to our overnight stop at Dying Village.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 08: Trek to Namrung
- Distance : 19 Km
- Duration : 5 to 6 hours
- Max. Altitude :2540 m
A morning walk from Dyang leads to a cooler area where you can feel the rise in altitude, on entering the Himalayan alpine region, continue to walk downhill to a riverside to reach Bihi Bazaar a small village near a riverside. From here onwards encountering more villages of strong Tibetan culture, the walk leads on a gentle trail with few short ups and downs till Namrung village is reached for the overnight stop.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 09: Trek to Sama Gaon
- Distance : 16 Km
- Duration : 6 to 7 Hours
- Max. Altitude :3,530 m
After Lo Gaon tree lines fade only for a few short juniper bushes and some willow trees, walk leads on a nice path with views of peaks and finally, the day ends at Sama Gaon for the overnight stop, this is a large mountain village located on route Manaslu base camp, Larke-la pass and to Tibet border.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Rest day in Sama Gaon for acclimatization.
- Distance : Rest Day
- Duration : Full day
- Max. Altitude : 3,530 m
Rest Day in Sama Gaon, which is an ideal place for necessary acclimatization before the climb and to reach the high Manaslu base camp, Sama Gaon explores this interesting village similar to Tibetan culture and traditional way of life.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 11: Trek to Samdo
- Distance : 9 Km
- Duration : 4 to 5 hours
- Max. Altitude :3850 M
After a nice stop at Sama Gaon, where our route leads to a climb to Samdu and onward, the walk to Samdu is not too far and can be done in a few hours, due to the high altitude within dry air makes the walk slower. Our route slowly leads to Samdo village which is the last village before the Larke-la base and passes, at Samdu overnight in this interesting village of strong Tibetan influence due to its closeness to the border of Tibet, where trade still exists.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Trek to Dharmashala
- Distance : 7 Km
- Duration : 4 to 5 hours
- Max. Altitude :4,450 m
Our journey starts in the morning with a downhill trek up to Budhi Gandaki River. Then we cross the river and again march upward through Larkya Bazaar and Valley of Salka Khola towards Dharmasala which is not actually a lodge but an easy place to stay for a night. It is 7km away and will take about 4 hours to reach there on normal days. We have a high chance to see blue sheep. This place is also known as Larke Phedi. Stay overnight at Dharmasala.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 13: Traverse Larke pass at 5,106 m and descend to Bhimtang
- Distance : 24 km
- Duration : 8 to 9 hours
- Max. Altitude :5,106m.
Starting early morning to reach Larke-la Pass above 5,106 m, where the walk first heads with a gradual winding uphill, and then steep up to reach the highest point of the adventure on top Larke-La festooned with hundreds of Buddhist colorful prayer flags and marked with stones piles. From the top offers excellent views of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II, after a great moment along descent leads you over snow and screen, to reach a valley to Garcia. Further walk on moraine leads to Tambuche at 3,900m from here short walk to our overnight stop at Bhimtang, a lovely place on a wide valley with a number of good lodges to stay.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 14: Trek to Dharapani village
- Distance : 25 km
- Duration : 7 to 8 hours
- Max. Altitude :1,943m.
After a long day’s walk to Bhimtang the previous day, today is an easy trek from here onward to Dharapani past a thickly forested area of pines, and rhododendron trees with a view of snow peaks .from here the track leads downhill into the forest passing small summer settlement and then climb on a terraced field to Karcher La, and then down to Marsyangdi River. After a few hours’ walks reach Tilje village by following Dudh (milky) river downstream, the assigned number of villages, including Thonje. From Tilje an hour’s climb after crossing a bridge and then joining the main trail of the Annapurna circuit joins in Dharapani village. Dharapani a lovely large village will be a civilization after being in the complete wilderness, where one can celebrate with a beer and buy a hot shower from the lodge.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu and then transfer to your hotels
- Distance : 230 Km
- Duration : 10 to 12 hours
- Max. Altitude :1345m.
After a marvelous experience and adventure on high hills and mountains, where morning drive brings you back to Kathmandu, at Kathmandu where our wonderful adventure concludes, with an afternoon free at leisure or last day shopping souvenirs and handicrafts.
- Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
- Meals Include: Breakfast
Day 16: International Departure for Homeward Bound.
- Distance : 7 Km
- Duration : 30 Minutes drive to ariport
- Max. Altitude :
Last day in Nepal in the country of high Himalayan mountains with fascinating culture, after a memorable experience and great scenic adventure on Manaslu Circuit trekking, as per your international flight time our staff will transfer you to the airport for the flight homeward bound or to your next port of call and respective countries.
(The usual day for a trek: Every day, our guides will come to wake you up at around 7:00-7: 30 am. In case of special days like sunrise viewing days our guides will wake you up early in the morning at around 4-4: 30 am. A western breakfast like porridge, oats, toasts, etc. will be served at around 8:00-8: 30 am. The lunch will be served from a teahouse menu at about 12-1 pm. However, lunchtime can also be postponed on request. The dinner will be served at around 8:30-9: 00 pm. Your accommodation is arranged at a lodge or also in a tourist standard hotel (subject to availability) where we stop for overnight.
While you are walking, you can also request your guide to slow down and stop at the places where you want to take some snaps. After dinner and before going to bed your team leader will brief you regarding the next day’s schedule.)
- Accommodation:
- Meals Include: Breakfast
Wonderful winter Manaslu circuit Trek