Day 1 Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary

Day 1 Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary is an outdoor activity that explores nature and its surroundings. It has lots of benefits, including both physical and mental. Physically, it helps to stay away from various diseases that are rapidly increasing due to overeating, like obesity.

Trekking helps to reduce various kinds of day-to-day stress. In brief, it is an activity that involves being close to nature to escape from chaotic everyday life.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is in the Restricted Area of Nepal. It is one of Nepal’s most famous treks that takes you through the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Manaslu, and the historical and cultural heritage site of Manaslu Conservation Area.

Spectacular view at 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 mainly involve yourself in the cultural activities of the inhabitants of the Manaslu Region as they are hospitable and friendly.  

Compared to other treks, including Everest and Annapurna, one of the specialties of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is that it is less crowded and peaceful. 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 driving trip on day 1 of the Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary: a public bus and a private jeep. Travelers can select transportation according to 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. Also, you can stop in several places as you desire. In brief, you can be selective regarding restaurants and resting points throughout your journey.

By public bus: Firstly, you must book a ticket according to the number of your groups. You don’t have to worry about that, as Boundless Adventure will book it for you one day earlier.

You have to get up early in the morning 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 suburb of Balaju Bypass.

If you stay at the Thamel Hotel, you must go through the ring road to reach Macchapokhari. As it is public transportation, the bus will stop in several places inside the valley for passengers on the way to Kalanki to fill the empty seats.

From Kalanki, the bus will continue to drive to Thankot, taking in the beautiful scenery of the surroundings, covering a distance of 8 km via Mid-Hill Highway. After reaching Thankot, the bus will continue its ride to Naubise, covering a distance of approximately 16 km.

The bus will rest in Naubise for at least 15-20 minutes to have breakfast. After you have had a warm breakfast in Naubise, your bus will continue to drive through one of the busiest, Prithvi Highway.

The road splits from the Malekhu highway.

On your way to Malekhu from Naubise, covering a distance of 44 km, you will enjoy the view of the Himalayan Range and the beautiful surroundings. The road splits from the Malekhu. Your bus will continue driving to the north, crossing the Trishuli River to reach the Dhading Besi. The bus has to cover a distance of 20 km to get to Dhading Besi from Malekhu.

Most government offices are in Dhading Besi, the headquarters of the Dhading district, at an altitude 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 Himalayan, 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 start again on the journey to Salyantar after breakfast in the restaurant of Tari Besi. 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, Budhigandaki and Netrawati River, run 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 a distance of approximately 3.8 km via Arughat road, your bus will continually drive to Arughat. On your way to Arughat, your bus will go through the bank of the Budhigandaki stream. Your bus will continue to drive via Arughat Road and take a left after arriving at the Sanogau Chowk. Now, the bus will turn left and descend over the clip.

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 cross the Arkhet Bazar, Keurini Pani, and Soti Khola to reach 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 to drive approximately 14.7 km towards Machha Khola, 930 meters above sea level.

Machha Khola is known as the starting point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Macchakhola village is near the confluence of two streams, Budhigandaki and Machhakhola. We will stay at a small guest house in Machhakhola village for the night.

Option: You can also take a helicopter for the Manaslu Circuit Trek from Kathmandu to Machha Khola. For most people, riding a helicopter is best for a time-bounded trip.

If you travel by helicopter, your helicopter will take off from the Kathmandu Airport and land in the helipad around the Arughat near Machhakhola Village. For more inquiries, you can email or WhatsApp at +977 9851033819.

Conclusion: We recommend you take a private four-wheeled jeep over a public bus because it will be more convenient and you won’t have to follow the schedule as a public bus. Secondly, Four-Wheeled transportation will be more suitable because, as mentioned above, the road from Kathmandu to Malekhu is black-top, but after reaching Arughat, the road to Machhakhola is gravel, which may be uncomfortable. However, you have still not arrived at 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 the Day 1 Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary. You will be settled overnight at the Hotel in Machhakhola.