Lower Manaslu Trek - 5 Days

Trekking
Lower Manaslu Eco Trail Trek
Lower Manaslu Eco Trail Trek
Lower Manaslu Eco Trail Trek
Quick Overview
Duration5 Days
Trip GradeEasy
CountryNepal
Maximum Altitude32,00 m
Group Size1-20
StartsKathmandu
EndsKathmandu or Pokhara
ActivitiesTrekking
Best TimeSpring and Autumn

Lower Manaslu Trek Overview

The Lower Manaslu Trek is one of the most authentic and Hidden treks in Nepal. This trek is designed for travelers who want more than just mountain views. This​‍​‌‍​‍‌ trail leads you right into the living and breathing Manaslu foothills, a slow-moving lifestyle, villages that are charming, and trekking still being the interaction with people, culture, and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌nature.

This Lower Manaslu Eco trail trek follows the quiet trails through forests, terraced farms, and the beautiful Manaslu villages like Gumsipakha, Mamche, Thotneri, Sulikot, and Deurali. One of the main highlights of this trek is the walk to Darche Hill, where we will spend a night at a tent camp and enjoy the stunning sunrise views.  This Lower Manaslu Trek is a great example of eco-trekking and community-based tourism in Nepal, where visitors stay in local homestays and community lodges, giving them a chance to experience the real Gurung culture and the daily life of the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌village.

Lower Manaslu Trek has an easy to moderate level of trekking difficulty. It is definitely suitable for beginner trekkers, trekking with families, and cultural explorers. It is also a perfect alternative to Manaslu Trekking for those who are seeking a meaningful, sustainable, and immersive trekking experience in Nepal. 

Views during the Lower Manaslu Trek

Lower Manaslu Virgin Trek is a stunning place for beginners. This trek offers magical views of the different Mountains of Nepal. From places like Barpak, Mamche and the viewpoint at Darche Hill, you can enjoy the clear views of Mount Manaslu,Shringi Himal, Ganesh Himal, and many other mountains and hills.        

One of the highlights of this trek is the sunrise view from Darche Hill, where the early morning light slowly reveals mountain silhouettes, forests, and distant Himalayan peaks.

The trekking trail of the Lower Manaslu Trek passes through beautiful rhododendron, pine, and bamboo forests, where the atmosphere feels calm and peaceful. As the route continues towards Thulo and TalloThotneri, Sulikot, and Deurali, the landscape opens into terraced farmland, river valleys, small waterfalls and traditional villages. 

The Lower Manaslu Trek presents you with a perfect balance of mountain views, local villages, and untouched nature. So, the travellers who are looking for an authentic and rewarding trek, then the Lower Manaslu Eco Trail can be a good option. 

Lower Manaslu Trek - 5 Days Gallery

Lower Manaslu Trek - 5 Days Itinerary

Trip PlanExpand all
  • Driving Duration: 8-9 hours
  • Journey: Early in the morning, you’ll start your journey from Kathmandu. After a long but scenic drive through Dhading and Gorkha, you finally reach Barpak Village. It is a beautiful Gurung settlement, which gives a sense of calm and peace. Barpark Village has stone houses with fluttering prayer flags and smiling locals. In the evening, explore the village, interact with local people, and enjoy local cuisine.
Max Altitude: 1,920m / 6,299ft Meals: Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Homestay
  • Trekking Duration: Approx. 4 hours
  • Journey:

    After breakfast, we begin our trek from Barpak toward Darche Hill. The trail passes through forests and open ridges, offering peaceful surroundings and mountain views. On the way, we reach Mamche, a small settlement with hotels and teahouses. To reach Mamche from Barpak, we will take a local jeep ride.  We stop here for lunch, enjoy the stunning views, and take a short rest.

    The route also passes through Gumsipakha, a peaceful resting point offering beautiful natural scenery and fresh mountain air. From here, we will continue walking for around 4 hours to reach Darche Hill / Darche High Camp. Upon arrival, our team sets up a tent camp at the high camp. Enjoy a quiet evening in nature under a star-filled sky.
Max Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerAccommodation: Tent
  • Sunrise Walk: 15 minutes
  • Journey: Early in the morning, we take a short 15-minute walk to the viewpoint for a breathtaking sunrise from Darche Hill. After breakfast, we descend and trek toward Thulo Thotneri, passing traditional villages and terraced landscapes. We’ll have a packed lunch on the way. In the evening, we’ll reach Thotneri. Here you can enjoy a local cultural program before dinner. Overnight at a homestay.
Max Altitude: 1,800 m / 5,905 ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerAccommodation: Homestay
  • Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours
  • Journey: Today’s trek takes us from Thulo Thotneri toward Deurali, passing through the traditional village of Sulikot. Sulikot is known for its rural lifestyle and historical significance in the Gorkha region. Along the way, we also visit the natural copper mine locally called Tama Khani and stay overnight at a homestay in Deurali.
Max Altitude: 1,300m / 4,265ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerAccommodation: Homestay
  • Journey: After breakfast, we drive from Deurali back to Kathmandu or Pokhara, depending on your travel plan. This concludes the Lower Manaslu Eco Trail, a perfect mix of culture, nature, and quiet Himalayan trails.
Max Altitude: 1,400m / 4,593ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerAccommodation: Homestay
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Cost Details

Includes

Transportation

  • Ground transportation by local bus as per the itinerary
  • From Kathmandu to the trek start point and the trek end point to Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Accommodation

  • Accommodation during the trek in local homestays, community lodges, or teahouses, and one night in tent camp.
  • Clean rooms with basic bedding during trekking days

Meals

  • All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
  • Freshly prepared local meals, including dal bhat, rice, vegetables, lentils, and seasonal dishes

Guide & Staff

  • Experienced, licensed local trekking guide
  • Support and assistance throughout the trek

Permits & Fees

  • Required trekking permits
  • Local entry and conservation fees

Safety & Management

  • Basic first-aid kit
  • All government taxes and service charges

Excludes

  • International airfare to and from Nepal
  • Nepal visa fee
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses (snacks, drinks, laundry, charging, Wi-Fi, etc.)
  • Alcoholic and bottled beverages
  • Tips for guide and support staff
  • Any extra accommodation or meals in Kathmandu

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Essential Information

Best time for the Lower Manaslu Trek

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Lower Manaslu Eco Trail is most beautiful during spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) when the weather is pleasant, the skies are clear, and the views of the Himalayas are spectacular. These seasons bring you the most comfortable weather and the clearest sky, thus providing you with the best experience when the Manaslu villages, foothills, and landscape are illuminated, and you can admire nature at its ​‍​‌‍​‍‌best.

  • Spring: The forests bloom with colorful rhododendrons, and the trails are warm and pleasant.
  • Autumn: Autumn season brings Crisp air, and skies provide the most beautiful views of Mount Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and surrounding peaks. 
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): In this season, the weather is cold but less crowded, and best for the trekkers who love peaceful trekking. 
  • Monsoon (Jun-Aug): The monsoon season brings the landscapes lush and green but the trails can be slippery and wet. 

Lower Manaslu Eco Trail Trek Difficulty

The Lower Manaslu Trek is considered as an easy-to-moderate trek. It is suitable for the first time trekkers, who have a basic fitness level and some willingness to walk several hours a day. Unlike other high-altitude treks, this Lower Manaslu Eco trail stays at lower elevations, reducing the risk of altitude sickness and making the journey more comfortable. 

In this Lower Manaslu Trek, the walking hours per day are between 4 to 6 hours. The walking is mainly through the local villages, forests, and natural farms. This trail is a non-technical trekking route, and the pace of the hike can be kept slow so that there is enough time for cultural interaction and village ​‍​‌‍​‍‌exploration.

Lower Manaslu Trek is ideal for beginners, first-time trekkers, families with trekking experience, and cultural travelers who want an unexplored trekking experience in Nepal. Overall, the Lower Manaslu village Trek offers a rewarding balance of moderate walking, cultural immersion, and scenic landscapes. 

Accommodation and food during the Lower Manaslu Trek

Accommodation during the Lower Manaslu Trek is mainly in local homestays and small community lodges. The lodge offers clean rooms and warm hospitality. In remote areas, the facilities might be basic but comfortable enough for the trekkers. 

Foods on the Lower Manaslu Eco Trail is simple and freshly cooked, with meals like dal bhat, rice, lentils, vegetables, eggs, and local tea. The focus is on nutritious, home-cooked food that provides you with enough energy, while also supporting local communities and catering to the trekking lifestyle. 

Conclusion

The Lower Manaslu Eco Trail Trek makes an ideal trek for those who want to explore Nepal through a route that has not been explored much. This trek gives a tranquil experience away from the hustle and bustle, living a simple village life, enjoying the culture of Gurung, and the stunning Manaslu foothills that are a perfect combination of a memorable trip without reaching a high altitude level and having a crowd. Being an eco-friendly and community-based tourism trail, the Lower Manaslu Eco Trail is more than just a trek; it is a real means of visiting rural Nepal while helping the locals in a sustainable ​‍​‌‍​‍‌way.

Lower Manaslu Trek - 5 Days FAQs

The trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Barpak Village and ends at Deurali, from where you can drive back to Kathmandu or Pokhara.

The Lower Manaslu trek is rated easy to moderate. It is suitable for fit beginners, cultural explorers, and trekkers with basic fitness. Daily walking hours range from 4 to 5 hours, with gradual ascents and descents.

The highest point of the trek is Darche Hill / Darche High Camp, at approximately 2,700 meters (8,858 feet). Since the altitude is moderate, the risk of altitude sickness is low.

Accommodation is mainly in local homestays, offering simple rooms and authentic village hospitality. But trekkers will stay in a tent camp at Darche High Camp.

No special restricted permits are required for this trek. Only standard trekking permits are needed, which are arranged by the trekking company.

You can enjoy views of Mount Manaslu, Shringi Himal, and the Ganesh Himal range, especially from Barpak, Mamche, and Darche Hill, along with forests, terraced farms, and traditional villages.

Yes. The trek includes village interactions, Gurung culture, local lifestyle experiences, and a traditional cultural program at Thoulo Thotneri. You will also visit Tama Khani, a natural copper mine.

You should choose the Lower Manaslu trek because this trek is ideal for travelers who want a shorter, quieter, and culturally immersive experience without the crowds and high-altitude challenges of the Manaslu Circuit.

The standard itinerary of the Lower Manaslu Eco Trail is 5 days, starting with a drive from Kathmandu to Barpak and ending at Deurali, with a return drive to Kathmandu or Pokhara.

The Lower Manaslu Eco Trail is located in the Gorkha district of Nepal, in the lower foothills of the Manaslu region. It lies south of the classic Manaslu Circuit trekking route.