The Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the best off-the-beaten-path treks in Nepal. The most prominent of the peaks are Baudha Himal, Gorkha Himal and Himal Chuli. the area is bordered by two major river systems. To the east Budhi Gandaki and to the west Marshandi Khola. The biggest attraction of this trek is the views of the Manaslu range and the Annapurna ranges, combined with the forest and animal life along the ridge. The route starts from Gorkha. The route follows the rugged gorge of the Budhi Gandaki river through the native Gurung country. A number of large Buddhist monasteries are to be seen in the upper reaches of the Budhi Gandaki.
The range of geographical and climatic regions has led to a diverse variety of flora and fauna within this region. These parts of area are heavily cultivated and the landscape, therefore, largely consists of terraced paddy fields and rolling hills. The area is also famous for its winter crops of oranges, which can be purchased fresh from the trees along the trails in the foothills. As you progress higher up into the hills the natural vegetation changes from the tropical species to more temperate stands of forest trees including oak, beech and rhododendron. These finally give way to coniferous forests of pine and, ultimately, juniper just below the tree line. In the rain shadow, to the north of the mountains, the landscape is quite barren being an extension south of the Tibetan plateau.
The higher up in the hills the natural vegetation changes from the tropical species to more temperate stands of forest trees including oak, beech and rhododendron. There is a variety of animals that can be spotted, including the barking deer and Himalayan marmots above the tree line. Pheasants may be seen in the jungles just below the tree line as well as all of the usual alpine birds including ravens, coughs and various birds of prey.
