Manaslu Circuit Trek

Today, we will start our sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley. The tour includes excursing the cultural heritage sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List, which includes Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Swayambhunath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa and the Pashupatinath Temple. These heritage sites present a sense of nostalgia because of their unique architectural integrity. Enjoy the artistically opulent palaces, cultural quintessence, old priceless paintings, sculptures and a brief history of Nepal. Overnight at the hotel, breakfast included.

Your guide will pick you up at 8:00 am. Then, we will start our 8 hours’ drive to Arughat. The first four hours to Dhading Bensi, the district headquarters of Dhading (1050m), is on paved roads, but for the section to Arughat, we will be driving on a rougher surface. From Arughat, we will drive for another 1.5 hrs to Soti Khola by public jeep. We will stay overnight at a guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

Today’s walk follows a constantly undulating trail mainly through woodlands as we continue to head upstream along the Budhi Gandaki. We will then descend to the wide, sandy riverbed and then continue along a winding mountain path overlooking the river. Stay overnight at a guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

After crossing the Machha River and Khrolabesi, we will pass through the hot springs at Tatopani. The trail follows a forested area until we cross Dovan Khola. We will then make our way to the Budhi Gandaki Valley. As the elevation increases, the scenery undergoes a complete transformation, with white sandy areas along the riverside. Stay overnight at a guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

Our trek relatively easy undulations. The trail continues to Jagat, a well paved village, and the trek up the valley to Sirdabas, offering great views of the Sringi Himal. We then drop down to the river, cross a long suspension bridge and climb steeply up to Philim. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the village and surrounding hillsides. Stay overnight at guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

Here, the trail will fascinate you with impressive waterfalls on either side of the valley. We will pass Eklebhatti; head towards the river and cross it twice over suspension bridges. Then, we will pass Euwa, traverse along a small campsite and continue through the valley until we reach the village of Deng. Stay overnight at a guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

Today, we will scramble steeply up onto a spectacular trail before descending to cross the river. We will pass through some small settlements and then climb to an impressive valley. There we will encounter Mani stones (prayer stones) carved into wayside rocks – a sign that we are entering Tibetan territory. In the afternoon, we will take a side excursion to the small settlement of Prok – a two hour round trip. Stay overnight at a guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

We’ll pass the stone gate and the long Mani stone wall of the village of Lho, with an astounding view of Peak 29 ahead. You can take a side excursion to the Pungen Glacier in order to get a very close-up view of Manaslu from here. The trial follows a lateral moraine of Pungen Glacier towards Sama. It takes a further 20 minutes to reach Sama Gompa for our night halt. Stay overnight at a guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

This day has been set aside for acclimatization and you can opt for a full or half day walk. The full day walk is towards the Manaslu Base Camp (approximately 6-7 hour round trip). Alternatively, there are half day walks either to the glacier across the valley or to Birendra Ta. Stay overnight at the guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

The Manaslu Circuit Trek now crosses pasture areas and gradually ascends to the valley. Fantastic views of the mountains, especially Manaslu, are ahead of us as we reach Samdo (3860m), a Tibetan refugee village. This remote village is only a day’s walk from the Tibetan border. In the afternoon we will explore the village and the surrounding hills. Stay overnight at a guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

After crossing a couple of streams, we’ll reach the Larkya Bazaar. This is a village which thrived from trade with Tibet years ago. After a steady climb, we will arrive at our lodge at 4450m. It is the last overnight stay before the pass. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

From Dharmashala, we will trek to Bhimphedi (3590m/11775ft) via Cross Larkya La pass (5220m/17121ft), walking for approximately 8-9 hrs.

We will then climb Cho Chanda and then slowly head uphill towards the steep snow covered pass. The panorama from the top is truly magnificent. You will see Himlung Himal (7126meter), Cheo Himal (6820meters), Gyagi Kung, Kang Koru (6981meters) and Annapurna II (7937meters). The descent is steep as we pass through moraines to Bhimphedi. Stay overnight at a guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

With a gentle climb through paddy fields, we will head towards the small Karche La pass. The trial descends through fig trees and rhododendron forests to Tilje. Stay overnight at a guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

We’ll climb over a small ridge and enjoy the stone paved trail as it passes through a beautiful village. We will then cross the bridge over Dudh Khola and climb up through a Chorten-shaped arch, pass a Mani wall and reach the village of Thonje. Here, we will need to go through a police checkpoint before continuing to Dharapani. We have entered the Annapurna circuit section from Dharapani. Further down, we will come across the Karta village and later cross a bridge over Marshyangdi Khola. We can examine the Mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, situated at the foot of a large waterfall. There is now a short descent to Chamje village. Stay overnight at a guesthouse (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included).

We have reached the end of the Manaslu Trek and a local jeep will take us to Beshisahar. We will then drive to Kathmandu in a private car. Stay overnight at the hotel (Breakfast and Lunch Included).

Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, a representative from the Nepal Hiking Team will take you to the airport and bid you farewell. You will depart, hopefully taking with you wonderful memories of a truly outstanding experience.