Manaslu Circuit Trek 15 Days

Breakfast at the hotel, today is a free day for trek preparation and packing. On request, we can organize a full day sightseeing tour of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu including legendary durbar square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, Soyambhunath also popularly known as Monkey temple and Buddhist Shine (Bouddhanath) which is one of the largest stupas in the world are listed as the UNESCO world heritage sites. In the evening, there will be a brief pre-trip group meeting in the lobby of the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meals: Bed and Breakfast
• Place: Kathmandu
• Maximum Altitude:1,350m

We set off early today for Sotikhola. During the drive, we enjoy views of the nice countryside along with the mountain sceneries. We will be driving on a paved road from Kathmandu to Dhading Besi, district headquarters of Dhading but the drive from Besi to Arughat will be on a rough road. Upon reaching Arughat, a major town in the region we drive further towards Sotikhola. Overnight at a local guesthouse in Sotikhola.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Sotikhola
• Maximum Altitude:710m

At the crossing of the bridge, we trek through the beautiful Sal forests, then climb onto a ridge above huge rapids on the Buri Gandaki. We then reach Khursane upon which the rocky trail weaves its way up and down, past two tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff. It eventually makes it's way down and crosses a few rice terraces, then up and around to the Gurung village of Labubesi. We further climb behind a rocky outcrop where the valley opens up and the Buri Gandaki meanders among wide gravel bars. Dropping to the sandy river bed, we walk along with rounded stones before climbing over a side ridge. We head down again to the river and cross another suspension bridge to reach Macche Khola village. Overnight at a guest house in Macche Khola.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Macche Khola
• Maximum Altitude:900m

The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola and reaches Khorlabesi. After a few more ascends and descends we come across a small hot spring in Tatopani. From the hot spring, we climb over another ridge, then cross the Buri Gandaki on a suspension bridge. At this juncture, we climb on a wide, well-crafted staircase, then across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan. Upon crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Crossing the west bank of the Buri Gandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat. Overnight at a local guesthouse in Jagat.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Jagat
• Maximum Altitude:1,420m

We start today’s trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri and then descending to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. We further continue walking upstream to a long suspension bridge in Philim, a large Gurung village. The trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays on a fairly level trail as it crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti. The route now enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. At this point, we descend to the grassy land slopes, cross the Buri Gandaki, then trek along the west bank for a while then cross to the east bank and then back again. As we continue through the trail the valley widens and we pass through a bamboo forest to the Deng Khola. Upon crossing the Khola we reach the tiny village of Deng. Overnight at a local guesthouse in Deng.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Deng
• Maximum Altitude:1,805m

After a brief walk beyond Deng, we cross the Buri Gandaki and climb to Rana at 1900m. From the bridge, we climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Buri Gandaki valley. The trail also passes through forests and mani where we turn towards a corner that contours to Ghap. Even though there is another route, we take the route through Prok village which has a viewpoint for stunning views of Sirngi Himal. We further cross the Buri Gandaki several times today and come across several gompas en route. The trail follows the river upstream through a dense forest. After crossing the river at an impressive spot where it thunders down a narrow gorge, the forest becomes less dense and the trail is fine again. The beautiful walk continues and after a last steep climb, we reach Namrung where we will spend the night in a local guest house.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Namrung
• Maximum Altitude:2,640m

Namrung village is a nice viewpoint for Siring and Ganesh Himal and from the village, we can also see Mt. Himal Chuli in the south. We climb steadily and pass through forests and reach Lihi, a fine village with many chortens and barley terraces. The trail drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal with Ganesh Himal always close by. We further pass through Sho, Lho, and Shyala village before reaching Sama Village. We enjoy superb views of Mt. Manaslu from Lho village and also explore the famous Ribung Gompa. In shyala village we will be surrounded by high mountains like Himal Chuli and peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead and other snow summits to the right and at the far end stand Ganesh Himal. Today’s walking ends in Samagaon where we spend the night in a local guest house.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Samagoan
• Maximum Altitude:3,525m

We spend the day at Samagaon both for rest and acclimatization. Today we get acquainted with the rich Sherpa culture. We enjoy the sight of thousands of Mani stones with Buddhist texts on it and pictures and the Sherpa women clad in traditional clothes and ornaments. On a little hill near the Sama village is an old Gompa (Pungyen Gompa), a monastery with great views of the glacier. It is named after Manaslu, Pungyen means bracelet, a good description of the two peaks. It was destroyed a year after the first unsuccessful Japanese attempt to climb Manaslu. The locals believed that the climb angered the gods, and when the Japanese came back a year later they met with a lot of resistance that they had to give up their attempt. They were finally successful in 1959. Overnight at a guest house in Samagaon.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Pungyen Gompa – Samagaon
• Maximum Altitude:3,525m

Today we descend to the Buri Gandaki River, which has turned north and follows it to a bridge over a side stream. The trail to the left leads to the Manaslu base camp. The Larkya La trail passes several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river passing the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. We drop off the shelf, cross the Buri Gandaki on a wooden bridge and climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. From a stone arch, we can view a large white Kani. Finally passing through the kani we find Samdo. Overnight at a guest house in Samdo.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Samdo
• Maximum Altitude:3,860m

This is another day set aside for proper acclimatization. Today, we have two options, the first option that we highly recommend is a hike up the valley directly at the back of the Samdo village. This hike will take us to one of the trade passes to Tibet for excellent views of Mt. Manaslu along with other Himalayan ranges including Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkya peak, Cheo and possibly Kang Guru behind the pass. En route to these viewpoints, we pass many seasonal herding settlements called doksas and sight some beautiful mountain birds like the Lophophorus (the national bird of Nepal), Lammergeyer and Himalayan Griffin soaring high above us. The second option for today could be a trip to the Gya La (large pass) to the north of Samdo, a more frequently used trading route to Tibet. But, this is a rather longer hike (whole day) and hence could be a little tiring. Overnight at a guest house in Samdo.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Samdo
• Maximum Altitude:3,860m

Even today, we continue our walk down the edge and cross the wooden bridge over Buri Gandaki and begin walking upward. Upon crossing two streams and witnessing the Larkya Glacier we go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again to the stone guest house (4450m), which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmashala, also known as Larke Phedi. The short walk today also leaves plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon. Overnight in Dharmashala.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Dharamasala – Larkya Base camp
• Maximum Altitude:4,450m

Today is a heavy day, after a short climb we reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya glaciers from where we can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Finally, we walk across moraines of the glacier making a gradual ascent which becomes steeper only in the last section of the pass. From the pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. It is a longer day than usual to Bimthang, but to walk into these low pastures which the evening mist coming in with Mt. Manaslu looming close by is an overwhelming experience. Overnight at a guest house in Bimthang.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Larkya la – Bimthang
• Maximum Altitude:5,160m - 3,720m

From a ridge at Bimthang, we can enjoy great views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal. We descend further and cross a high pasture (Sangure Kharka) followed by a bridge over Dudh Khola. We walk through rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land of the valley at Karche, 2780m. We pass across fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big sweeping arc to the river bank at 2600m. A short distance beyond is the village of Gho. Due to yesterday’s tiredness, we might take an overnight rest at Gho but better lodges are available at Tilije, So Alpine Eco Trek recommends we stay at Tilije. Overnight at a guest house in Tilije Village.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Tiliji
• Maximum Altitude:2,300m

We climb over a small ridge and enjoy the stone-paved trail as it passes through a beautiful village. We then cross the bridge over Dudh Khola and climb up by a chorten-shaped arch, pass a mani wall and reach the Thonje village. At the village, we go through a police checkpoint and continue to Dharapani. We have entered the Annapurna circuit section from Dharapani. Further down, we come across Karte village and after quite a bit of walking we cross a bridge over the Marshyangdi River. We also come across some Mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, situated at the foot of a large waterfall. Overnight at a guest house in Tal.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Tal
• Maximum Altitude:1,700m

We follow the trail to Chyamje village crossing the Marshyangdi Khola once again. The Marshyangdi valley opens with its terrace fields and villages clung very high to the hillsides. The trail then descends through rhododendron and pine forests to Syange. Overnight at a guest house in Syange.

• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Meals: BLD
• Place: Syange
• Maximum Altitude:1,080m

The scenic drive from Syange to Kathmandu via Besisahar offers an opportunity to enjoy both hill and mountain landscapes. The drive is often along the banks of the Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers. We also drive by some beautiful villages with farming terraces on both sides of the road. In Kathmandu, we will be escorted to our hotel. In the evening, we get to enjoy a farewell dinner meant to celebrate your successful completion of Manaslu Circuit trek. Overnight at hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meals: Bed and Breakfast
• Place: Kathmandu
• Maximum Altitude:1,350m

Your great adventure comes to an end today. A representative from our company will escort you to the airport approximately three hours before the scheduled flight. We wish you have a safe and sound flight. See you next time again in Nepal.