Manaslu Circuit Trek

Trekkers follow the riverside road through dense green forest on the first day of the journey.

Terraced farm fields and stone houses cling to the hillside above the valley.

A suspension bridge sways high above the fast-moving river below.

The trail hugs the riverbank on the approach to Machhakhola.

The trail follows the wide Budi Gandaki River through a valley flanked by towering green mountains.

The small houses of Machhakhola Village cluster along the riverbank.

A waterfall cascades down grey rock faces into the river below.

A suspension bridge hangs high above the churning white water of the Budi Gandaki.

A trekker traverses a metal walkway fixed into the sheer rock face of the gorge.

The snow-covered summit of Sringi Himal (7,161m) comes into view for the first time.

Morning sunlight spills into the deep green valley as the river winds far below.

A narrow trail winds toward a small village tucked among the towering peaks.

A girl concentrates on her schoolwork while a young boy plays nearby in a quiet village courtyard.

Trekkers cross a high suspension bridge with a snow-capped peak rising in the distance.

The river winds through a deep green valley, seen from high on the trail above.

A hiker passes stone houses with bright blue roofs in the small village of Thangurmu.

A tall waterfall plunges toward the river as the trail hugs the cliffside.

Hikers follow a narrow path carved into the rock above the blue river rushing through the steep canyon.

The village of Deng rests on a flat plain, encircled by towering mountains and distant snowy peaks.

A hiker follows a wildflower-lined path toward the settlement of Rana, with massive peaks rising behind.

A traditional stone and timber house stands weathered against the mountain elements.

The bright turquoise river cuts through a valley of high green hills.

A mule train carries supplies along the trail between remote mountain villages.

Local women weave colorful textiles by hand outside their homes in Ghap.

Natural stone steps wind upward through a peaceful forest ablaze with autumn colors.

A colorful Buddhist chorten and strings of prayer flags mark the entrance to a mountain village.

Bright, hand-painted mandalas and sacred symbols decorate the ceiling of a mountain shrine.

Mules graze near stone houses, a reminder of the traditional way supplies move through these mountains.

Stone houses and terraced fields of Sho village nestle in a deep, forested valley.

A bright blue guesthouse stands framed by golden autumn trees.

Farmers harvest crops by hand in the golden terraced fields at high altitude.

The ornate wooden facade of Lho Gumba monastery, framed by orange marigolds.

Stone-walled pastures and grazing livestock seen from above, a patchwork of high-altitude farming.

Blue-roofed guesthouses stand beside a field of ripening golden barley.

An intricately carved stone stupa adorned with colorful Buddhist symbols and sacred motifs.

A group of trekkers pauses for a photo against a backdrop of massive, snow-covered peaks.

A peaceful stone village perched at the foot of the high Himalayas.

Hikers cross a long suspension bridge with a spectacular view of the white glaciers beyond.

Horses rest in a sunlit mountain meadow near Sama Gaon.

A weathered stone chorten with painted Buddha Eyes gazes out over the snowy peaks.

Yaks graze in a high-altitude valley beneath the snowy peaks surrounding Sama Gaon.

Hikers cross the wide glacial moraine under the massive ice ridges of the Manaslu massif.

The summit of Mt. Manaslu reflects perfectly in the still waters of glacial Birendra Tal.

Trekkers cross the flat, open valley floor on the approach to Samdo.

Two hikers traverse the vast, barren landscape beneath steep, snow-dusted slopes.

Trekkers walk along the turquoise glacial waters of Birendra Lake beneath towering Himalayan slopes.

The trail follows the rushing white water of the Budi Gandaki beneath towering mountain peaks.

A rustic wooden and stone bridge spans a mountain stream along the trail.

The remote stone houses and wind-swept fields of Samdo village, seen from above.

Shaggy Himalayan yaks graze in the sparse high-altitude pastures near the trail.

A merchant displays traditional jewelry and souvenirs for passing trekkers at Larke Bazar.

A row of green tents and stone shelters at the high camp beneath snowy peaks.

A herd of Himalayan blue sheep (Naur) graze on the rocky slopes near Dharamsala.

A narrow trail winds upward toward the snow-covered heights of Larkya La.

A hiker picks their way across the rocky, stone-covered terrain with walking poles.

Elated trekkers celebrate at the Larkya La Pass sign, 5,160 meters above sea level.

Fresh snow blankets the ground beneath a clear blue sky and soaring peaks.

Two hikers descend a steep trail with the vast mountain range stretching before them.

The evening sky turns pink and orange over the blue-roofed houses of Bimthang.

Jagged, snow-capped peaks gleam in the sunlight against a deep blue sky.

Massive white glaciers and steep rock faces form an imposing wall of ice and stone.

The trail follows a steep slope overlooking a bright, milk-blue river flowing straight from the glacier.

A farmer plows a field with oxen in the mountain village of Gho, towering peaks rising behind.

A village of painted rooftops sits between steep hillsides and a winding river.

A well-built stone trail follows the edge of a rushing, clear mountain stream.

A young girl from a mountain village smiles while cradling her fluffy puppy.

Snow-covered peaks tower above the lush green forest canopy below.

A small village with colorful roofs nestles between deep green mountain slopes.

A waterfall tumbles into the rushing Marsyangdi River, framed by colorful wildflowers.