Ravern Koh

Manaslu Circuit Trek 2026

Joined some friends for a hike in the Manaslu Conservation Area of Nepal. Starting from Machha Khola, we hiked approximately 130km over 10 days, crossing the Larkya La Pass at an elevation of 5,106m and ending at Tilje.

Places based on my trip notes and photo geotags. Route line is approximate. Hillshade tiles by Esri.

The photos are grouped by their capture dates in Nepal time. Daily stages and start/end elevations below are approximate, based on photo locations and the reference itinerary, with village elevations as a guide.

Day 1: Machha Khola to Jagat

May 28, 2026 | Approx. 870m - 1,340m

A yellow basin beside the trail.
A yellow basin beside the trail.
Clouds gathering above the rocky valley.
Clouds gathering above the rocky valley.
A suspension bridge stretching across the gorge.
A suspension bridge stretching across the gorge.
Fresh fruit at the end of the day.
Fresh fruit at the end of the day.

Day 2: Jagat to Deng

May 29, 2026 | Approx. 1,340m - 1,860m

Following the river into the mountains.
Following the river into the mountains.
The river winding through a cloudy valley.
The river winding through a cloudy valley.
Green hills above the river.
Green hills above the river.
A narrow bridge across the valley.
A narrow bridge across the valley.
Looking down the suspension bridge.
Looking down the suspension bridge.
Steep rock walls along the river.
Steep rock walls along the river.
The gorge beneath an overcast sky.
The gorge beneath an overcast sky.
Prayer flags above the river.
Prayer flags above the river.
Crossing a suspension bridge.
Crossing a suspension bridge.
A bridge linking the steep valley sides.
A bridge linking the steep valley sides.
The trail beneath the trees.
The trail beneath the trees.
A narrow path cut into the rock.
A narrow path cut into the rock.

Day 3: Deng to Namrung

May 30, 2026 | Approx. 1,860m - 2,630m

A glimpse of the peaks through the forest.
A glimpse of the peaks through the forest.
Following the trail along the hillside.
Following the trail along the hillside.
Blue-roofed houses and a village shrine.
Blue-roofed houses and a village shrine.
A trail marker beside the path.
A trail marker beside the path.
The river far below the trail.
The river far below the trail.
A stone gateway on the trail.
A stone gateway on the trail.
Another suspension bridge across the valley.
Another suspension bridge across the valley.
Village rooftops beneath the hills.
Village rooftops beneath the hills.
A quiet path between the lodges.
A quiet path between the lodges.
A hot meal along the way.
A hot meal along the way.
Clouds filling the valley.
Clouds filling the valley.

Day 4: Namrung to Shyala

May 31, 2026 | Approx. 2,630m - 3,500m

Blue skies over the river valley.
Blue skies over the river valley.

Day 5: Shyala to Samagaun via Pungyen Gompa

Jun 1, 2026 | Approx. 3,500m - 3,520m

Morning light on the snowy peaks.
Morning light on the snowy peaks.
A monastery beneath the mountains.
A monastery beneath the mountains.

Day 6: Birendra Lake from Samagaun

Jun 2, 2026 | Approx. 3,520m - 3,520m

Mountain views near Samagaun.
Mountain views near Samagaun.
The turquoise water of Birendra Lake.
The turquoise water of Birendra Lake.

Day 7: Samagaun to Samdo

Jun 3, 2026 | Approx. 3,520m - 3,875m

Carved stones beside the trail.
Carved stones beside the trail.
Firewood stacked on the hillside.
Firewood stacked on the hillside.
Open grassland and snowy peaks ahead.
Open grassland and snowy peaks ahead.
Mountain lodges at Samdo.
Mountain lodges at Samdo.

Day 8: Samdo to Dharamsala

Jun 4, 2026 | Approx. 3,875m - 4,460m

Walking toward the high mountains.
Walking toward the high mountains.
Clouds above the alpine valley.
Clouds above the alpine valley.
A rocky riverbed beneath snow-covered peaks.
A rocky riverbed beneath snow-covered peaks.
The lodges at Dharamsala.
The lodges at Dharamsala.

Day 9: Dharamsala to Bhimtang

Jun 5, 2026 | Approx. 4,460m - 3,590m

Crossing Larkya La Pass at 5,106m.

An early start in the high valley.
An early start in the high valley.
A trail sign beneath the morning sky.
A trail sign beneath the morning sky.
Morning light over the snow-covered mountains.
Morning light over the snow-covered mountains.
Clouds lifting above the snowy valley.
Clouds lifting above the snowy valley.

Day 10: Bhimtang to Tilje

Jun 6, 2026 | Approx. 3,590m - 2,300m

A sign beside the descending trail.
A sign beside the descending trail.
Motorbikes at the roadside below the mountains.
Motorbikes at the roadside below the mountains.