Day 1 Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary is an outdoor activity that explores the natural surroundings. It offers many benefits, both physical and mental. Physically, it helps to stay away from various diseases that are rapidly increasing due to overeating, such as obesity.
Trekking helps to reduce various kinds of day-to-day stress. In brief, it is an activity that involves spending time in nature to escape the chaos of everyday life.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is in Nepal's Restricted Area. It is one of Nepal's most famous treks, taking you through the world's highest mountain, Mt. Manaslu, and the historical and cultural heritage site of the Manaslu Conservation Area.
Spectacular view on Day 1, Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary
During the first-day trek to the Manaslu Circuit itinerary, you can explore the beauty of nature, including a spectacular view of snow-capped mountains, glacier lakes, and dense forests where you can spot flora and fauna. You can primarily engage in the cultural activities of the people of the Manaslu Region, as they are hospitable and friendly.
Compared with other treks, including Everest and Annapurna, one of the Manaslu Circuit Trek's specialties is its relative lack of crowds and a more peaceful atmosphere. This helps visitors immerse themselves more widely in nature throughout the trek.
Transportation is on the day of the 1st Manaslu trek itinerary.
Two medium modes of transportation are available for the day 1 driving trip on the Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary: a public bus and a private jeep. Travelers can choose transportation based on their preferences.
By private jeep: If you select a private jeep over a public bus, your journey begins from Kathmandu to Machhakhola. However, you will leave after breakfast at the Kathmandu Hotel. You can also stop at several locations as desired. In brief, you can be selective about restaurants and rest stops throughout your journey.
By public bus: First, you must book tickets based on your group size. You don't have to worry about that, as Boundless Adventure will book it for you one day earlier.
You need to get up early and check out of the Hotel where you are staying. After that, you must take a cab from your Hotel to Macchapokhari Bus Park. Macchapokhari Bus Park is near the Balaju Bypass suburb.
If you stay at the Thamel Hotel, you must go through the ring road to reach Macchapokhari. As it is a public bus, it will stop at several points along the route to Kalanki to fill empty seats.
From Kalanki, the bus will continue to Thankot, passing through scenic surroundings and covering 8 km along the Mid-Hill Highway. After reaching Thankot, the bus will continue to Naubise, covering approximately 16 km.
The bus will stop in Naubise for 15-20 minutes to have breakfast. After you have had a warm breakfast in Naubise, your bus will continue along one of the busiest roads, the Prithvi Highway.
The road branches off the Malekhu Highway.
On your way from Naubise to Malekhu, covering 44 km, you will enjoy views of the Himalayan Range and the surrounding landscape. The road splits from the Malekhu. Your bus will continue north, crossing the Trishuli River to reach Dhading Besi. The bus must cover 20 km from Malekhu to Dhading Besi.
Most government offices are located in Dhading Besi, the district headquarters, at an elevation of 612 meters. Dhading is famous for pilgrimage sites, including Tripura Sundari Mai, Bhairabi Temple, Bimala Devi Temple, Sada Shiva, and Shesa Temple. One of the specialties of Dhanding Besi is that the inhabitants are hospitable and will welcome you warmly.
Condition of the road from Dhading Benshi
From Dhading, you will continue your journey through the Zick-Zack trail of Tari Besi via Jyamrung and Arughat road, covering approximately 18 km. On your way to Tari Besi from Dhading, you will see tiny houses of farmers and a beautiful view of the green fields, including rice, wheat, and maize.
When you reach the middle point of your journey from Dhading to Tari Besi, you will discover a vista of the Nepali Himalaya, including Mount Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Kalo Pokhari Himal.
After reaching Tari Besi, you will have a warm lunch in one of the simple but elegant restaurants of Tari Besi. Your bus will resume the journey to Salyantar after breakfast at the Tari Besi restaurant. Salyantar is the longest and most prominent tar in Nepal.
To get Salyantar while you are driving
Your bus will cross the Netrawati River on its way to Salyantar. Salyantar is 604 meters above sea level, a higher altitude than Tari Besi. Unlike Tari Besi, Salyantar's landscapes are plain and smooth.
The two main streams of Dhading, the Budhigandaki and Netrawati Rivers, flow on both sides of Salyantar. During your journey, you can explore the different ethnic cultures of the inhabitants. Brahmin, Newar, Kumal, and Darai are major castes living in Salyantar. Hindu pilgrimages, including Sri Nrshima Dham Kshetra, Bimala Devi Temple, Shesha Temple, and Sada Shiva, are famous temples in Salyantar.
After arriving in Salyantar from Taribesi, covering approximately 3.8 km via the Arughat road, your bus will continue to Arughat. On your way to Arughat, your bus will go through the bank of the Budhigandaki stream. Your bus will continue along Arughat Road and turn left upon arrival at Sanogau Chowk. The bus will now turn left and descend over the cliff.
Where is Arughat
Arughat is a small village in the Gorkha district located near the bank of the Budhigandaki stream. It is the quickest way to complete the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Check the post about the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Your bus will move forward to Soti Khola, covering approximately 12.9 km. Along the way, you will enjoy the stunning scenery of green hills and surrounding villages. From here, your bus will continue to pass through Arkhet Bazar, Keurini Pani, and Soti Khola before reaching Machhakhola.
Driving through Arughat to Soti Khola
The road from Arughat to Soti Khola is gravel and stony. Soti Khola is 730 meters above sea level. After arriving at Soti Khola, your bus will continue for approximately 14.7 km to Machha Khola, at 930 meters above sea level.
Machha Khola is known as the starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Machakhola village is located near the confluence of the Budhigandaki and Machhakhola streams. We will stay at a small guest house in Machhakhola village overnight.
Option: You can also take a helicopter for the Manaslu Circuit Trek from Kathmandu to Machha Khola. For most people, riding in a helicopter is best for time-constrained trips.
If you travel by helicopter, it will take off from Kathmandu Airport and land at the helipad near Arughat, near Machhakhola Village. For more inquiries, you can email or WhatsApp at +977 9851033819.
Conclusion: We recommend taking a private four-wheeled jeep over a public bus because it will be more convenient and you won't have to follow the bus schedule. Secondly, Four-Wheeled transportation is more suitable because, as mentioned above, the road from Kathmandu to Malekhu is blacktop, but after reaching Arughat, the road to Machhakhola is gravel, which may be uncomfortable. However, you have not yet reached the entrance of the Manaslu Conservation Area check post.
However, selecting a jeep will be slightly more costly than the bus, but it will be worth it as long as you are comfortable during Day 1 of the Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary. You will be settled overnight at the Hotel in Machhakhola.