Women Only Trek to Manaslu Circuit

Warm Welcome to the Women-Only Manaslu Circuit Trek

Your adventure begins as you land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where a friendly representative from Himalayan Dream Team will greet you with a traditional Nepali flower garland. From there, you'll be privately transferred to your hotel for some well-deserved rest after your journey.

Once you're settled in, feel free to explore the nearby surroundings at your own pace and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the capital. In the evening, we invite you to a special welcome dinner at one of Kathmandu’s finest local restaurants—an ideal way to introduce you to Nepali flavors and warm hospitality.

After breakfast, the day continues with a guided cultural tour of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu for your second day in Nepal.

The first visit is Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), which is a famous ancient Buddhist site that sits on top of a hill, offering amazing city views. It holds immense religious value for Buddhists and Hindus.

Then you are going to visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, the most revered Hindu Temple in Nepal. Its located by the Bagmati River. You will observe traditional cremation ceremonies and the serene worship of the saffron-robed sadhus.

Lunch is served at a restaurant close to Kathmandu Durbar Square, you will enjoy a charming heritage setting while savoring traditional Nepali dishes.

After lunch, you will visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is a medieval Newari palace complex. It has a lot of lively courtyards, and intricately carved temples.

End your day with an energizing walk around the local spice and vegetable market, where you can experince the heart of Kathmandu life.

Your Women Only Trek to Manaslu Circuit offically begins today. A guide and private vehicle will wait for you at your hotel in Kathmandu around 8 in the morning. Once you exit the Kathmandu valley, you are sure to be captivated by the transition from the busy metropolis to the serene hills and rivers of the rural parts of Nepal.

Marking the popular stop at Malekhu and following the Trishuli River, the drive is more scenic and romantic than it is during the rest of the trip. While coming from Dhading, you are met with rustic roads alongside breathtaking views of terraced villages and the Ganesh Himal. If luck is on your side, you may even witness the sunset from Manaslu, Machapuchare, and surrounding peaks making for a spectacular introduction to the Himalayas.

The roads can sometimes be dusty and bumpy, but the view more than makes up for the trouble with plenty of tea and lunch spots for a break. Come evening, you are set to arrive at Machha Khola, a quaint riverside town where you will be spending the night at a local tea house. Make sure to explore the area as it is peaceful, a nice break before the treks which await the next day.

The Manaslu Circuit Women Only Trek is customized for women and today is the first day of the trek. After your day starts with breakfast, you will begin your trek by moving down a flight of stone steps all the way to the Budhi Gandaki River. There is also a suspension bridge, providing scenic views during the crossing.

Following your riverbank walk, you will be treated with stunning glimpses of verdant valleys, steep cliffs, and snow-capped Buddha Himal and Sirangi himal sparkling on the far horizon. With the combination of changing landscapes along with the sound the river makes, this trek feels both relaxing and refreshing.

Later in the day, you will have officially entered the very scenic Manaslu Conservation region which is famous for its rich culture and diverse biodiversity. To mark this trip, you will relax at a teahouse in the village of Jagat. Tomorrow is planned to be more adventurous, so relax and prepare yourself to head deeper into the mountains.

The journey begins today with an ascent along a rocky ridge with stunning views which takes us to the village of Salleri. After reaching this place, we continue to the charming village of Sirdibas, where the landscape becomes greener and Tibetan culture begins to dominate the region.

We now move towards the Philim Village which is a vibrant settlement. Here we register our special permits at the checkpost. A quick break and then we head out to Ekle Bhatti which is a picturesque area surrounded by forests and makes for a perfect lunch spot. The trek takes us through serene Bamboo forests and spans across a beautiful stream. After crossing another high suspension bridge, we reach Deng which is a small culturally rich village where we settle for the night.

Our day begins with breakfast, and we will be following the trail upstream along the river from Deng towards the tiny village of 4 houses. From here we walk through a newly built rock tunnel, avoiding the steep traditional climb. At Ghap, Tibetan culture begins to influence our trail, as there are many mani stones and chortens scattered around. Mani stones are stone plates, rocks and/or pebbles inscribed with the six syllabled mantra of Avalokiteshvara (Om mani padme hum, hence the name “Mani stone”) as a form of prayer in Tibetan buddhism

Today is one of the most beautiful trekking days of the Women-Only Manaslu Circuit Trek. After breakfast, we continue our journey through peaceful forests filled with pine and rhododendron trees while gradually gaining altitude toward the upper Nubri Valley.

The trail passes through small traditional villages influenced by Tibetan culture, decorated with colorful prayer flags, mani walls, and chortens. Along the way, we cross several suspension bridges over the Budhi Gandaki River and enjoy incredible mountain scenery.

After reaching Namrung, we stop for tea and enjoy our first impressive views of the higher Himalayan peaks. As we continue climbing, the valley opens up with breathtaking panoramas of Himal Chuli, Ganesh Himal, and Mount Manaslu.

Passing through the beautiful villages of Lihi and Sho, we finally arrive at the charming village of Lho. This traditional Tibetan-style settlement is known for its stunning sunset and sunrise views over Mount Manaslu. The peaceful atmosphere, mountain scenery, and fluttering prayer flags make Lho one of the highlights of the trek.

Today is one of the most scenic and rewarding days of the trek. After breakfast in Lho, we begin our walk with beautiful morning views of Mount Manaslu shining above the valley.

The trail gradually leads us through forests and open landscapes toward the peaceful village of Shyala, where the views of Manaslu and surrounding peaks become even more impressive. This is one of the best viewpoints of the entire trek, with wide mountain panoramas and a calm Himalayan atmosphere.

From Shyala, we take a scenic side trip to Pungyen Gompa (4000 m), an ancient monastery located below the Manaslu Glacier. Surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery, the gompa offers a quiet and spiritual setting, making it a special highlight of the day.

After enjoying some time at the monastery, we continue trekking toward Samagaun. As we approach the village, you will notice strong Tibetan influence in the culture, with traditional stone houses, mani walls, and colorful prayer flags.

Today is an important acclimatization day in Samagaun (3,530 m), allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude while enjoying the natural beauty of the region.

For those looking for a more active day, there is an optional hike to Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m). This rewarding hike offers incredible close-up views of Mount Manaslu, along with surrounding glaciers and dramatic high-altitude landscapes. It is a challenging but unforgettable experience for strong trekkers.

For a more relaxed option, you can take a gentle walk to Birendra Lake, a stunning glacial lake located just below the village. Often partially frozen, the lake’s turquoise color and peaceful setting make it a perfect place to enjoy the scenery and rest.

You may also spend time exploring Samagaun village, observing local life, visiting monasteries, or simply relaxing and preparing for the higher elevations ahead.

After your chosen activity, we return to the lodge in Samagaun.

Today after breakfast, we start with an easy 3-hour trek. We pass the long mani walls at Kermo Kharka, from where we spot the entrance chorten of Samdo high up on a bluff. From the viewpoint we descend back to the Budhi Gandaki and cross a small bridge followed by a short climb to the ‘kane’ entrance of Samdo. Look back down the valley for great views. The villagers of Samdo crossed over the border from the village of Riu after 1959 and built their new village here at their old herding settlement. Samdo village is a collection of houses and lodges at 3850 meters, and most trekkers from the heat of a week ago while we are huddled around the stove and a wind from Tibet is battering the windowpanes. Get out and take a walk around the village, where the inhabitants live an essentially Tibetan yak, sheep and goat herding, horse training and barley planting lifestyle.

This day we will be following the old trade route to Tibet and we will continue to hike through the remnants of Larkya bazaar; one of the markets that flourished in trade. After two hours of climbing through glaciers, which is accompanied by stunning views, we reach the campsite at Dharamsala where we feast on lunch and admire the views. The altitude and cold will definitely be felt here; hence we recommend a more relaxed afternoon, ensuring warmth.

The most memorable highlights of the trip are perhaps unto today, when we go to the highest point of the trek. After a moderate climb from the campsite, we arrive at the ablation valley on the North side of the Larkya Glaciers where we first see Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. We traverse the moraines of the glacier where we do a gentle climb which only becomes steeper toward the end of the pass. The panoramic views from the pass are magnificent. Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the gigantic Annapurna II range are all in the line of vision. The region is a habitat for Bharal (Blue Sheep) and Snow Cock, and with new snow on the ground there might be Snow Leopard tracks from the night before. And I mean the views literally, the height of the Larke La Pass is 5,106 m and they are simply mind-blowing.

As we hang the Tibetan prayer flags and chant ‘Ki ki so so lha gyalo’ (may the Gods be victorious), we prepare for a trail with a steep slope followed by a glacial Moraine. There’s an ‘ankle bothering’ drop that is slippery if snow covered, so ensure you have your ‘Yak Tracks’ ready. Trekking poles are a must. The descent is boulder-strewn so make appreciate the views around you as they lead to Bimtang. This brings us to our overnight stop at Bimtang. Every now and then you can catch a glimpse of Manaslu in the distance succumbing to the evening mist. It's a sight that I couldn't get enough of.

We will start our day rough in a ridge in Bhimtang which gives us stunning views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal. After a break, we move down through high pastures (Sangure Kharka) and cross a bridge over the Dudh Khola. The ‘Rhododendron’ forest is one of the featured spots on the trekking trail along with a narrow valley which guides us to Karche at 2,785 meters, the highest cultivated land in the valley.

We make our way passes to fields and make a steep climb over a ridge which descends in a sweeping arc to the river bank at the altitude of 2,580. As we approach Dharapani, we spot a police check point, a town developed in the Annapurna Circuit. We are now able to view the snowcapped mountains and can stay overnight here.

Today marks the final day of your unforgettable Women-Only Manaslu Circuit Trek adventure. After breakfast at the lodge, we say goodbye to the mountains and begin our scenic drive back to Kathmandu by private Jeep.

The journey first follows a rugged mountain road from Dharapani to Besisahar, passing through beautiful villages, waterfalls, terraced fields, and green river valleys. From Besisahar, we continue along the Prithvi Highway toward Kathmandu on a more comfortable paved road.

During the drive, you can relax and enjoy the changing landscapes of rural Nepal — from high Himalayan valleys to rolling hills, rivers, and traditional countryside life. There will be several stops along the way for lunch, tea, and short breaks.

After approximately 8 to 9 hours of driving, we arrive back in Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel where you can rest, enjoy a hot shower, and celebrate the successful completion of your incredible Himalayan journey with your fellow women trekkers.

After your incredible adventure in the Himalayas, today is free for you to relax and enjoy Kathmandu at your own pace. This is the perfect opportunity to rest your body, reflect on your unforgettable Women-Only Manaslu Circuit Trek, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Nepal’s capital city.

From your hotel, the lively streets of Thamel are within easy walking distance. As you explore the area, you will discover colorful handicraft shops, traditional singing bowls, pashmina shawls, prayer flags, local artwork, trekking gear, and many beautiful souvenirs at bargain prices.

This is also a wonderful chance to buy meaningful gifts and memories from Nepal - small reminders of the mountains, culture, friendships, and experiences shared during your journey.

You may also choose to relax at a local café, enjoy a cup of authentic Nepali tea or coffee, taste delicious local cuisine, or simply wander through the charming streets and hidden courtyards of Kathmandu.

Today marks the end of your unforgettable Women-Only Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. Depending on your flight schedule, a representative from Himalayan Dream Team will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu for your onward journey.

As you leave Nepal, we hope you carry with you wonderful memories of the Himalayas, beautiful mountain landscapes, rich local culture, and the special friendships created during this adventure.

Thank you for traveling with Himalayan Dream Team. We sincerely hope to welcome you again for another adventure in Nepal and the Himalayas in the future.