Manaslu Circuit - 18 Days

Upon your arrival in Nepal to embark on the Manaslu trek, our Spiritual Expedition team eagerly awaits you at Kathmandu's international airport. We extend a warm welcome with a traditional Nepali ceremony and offer blessings to all our visitors! Following the ceremony, we provide transportation to your pre-booked hotel located in the bustling tourist hub of Thamel, where you'll find a myriad of hotels, restaurants, shops, and trekking gear outlets. After checking in, we'll arrange to meet the next day at the hotel reception after breakfast. For your first evening in Nepal, we highly recommend sampling local delicacies at one of the nearby restaurants and taking a leisurely stroll to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the area. Rest comfortably overnight at your reserved hotel.

Good morning! Welcome to your first morning in Nepal, where an exciting day awaits you! As we arrange your Manaslu trek permits, you'll have the morning to relax and enjoy some leisure time after breakfast. In the afternoon, our experienced guide will meet you at the hotel reception to discuss every aspect of the Manaslu trek itinerary and ensure that you have all the necessary trekking gear prepared for the journey ahead! Enjoy your overnight stay in Kathmandu.

After a good breakfast at your hotel, we gather at the reception and get ready to start your journey. Our first stop? Sotikhola, the starting village for the Manaslu trek! While the roads in Nepal, especially in Kathmandu, have recently been improved, providing a smooth and scenic beginning to our adventure, the terrain gets a bit rougher as we leave DhadingBesi, the main village of the Dhading district. Despite the bumps, the views of the hilly countryside are stunning! Once we reach Arughat, another important village in the area, we continue driving until we reach our final destination, Sotikhola. We check into a local teahouse and enjoy a delicious dinner and spend our first night out of the city.

Good morning! Welcome to your first day in the Nepalese lower Himalayas! Start your day with a warm beverage and a delicious breakfast at the teahouse as we embark on the Manaslu trail today. Our journey begins by crossing a bridge and trekking through a lush Sal forest, followed by a brief climb along a ridge above the roaring waters of the BuriGandaki River below. Passing through the village of Khursane, we navigate a rocky trail that winds up and down along a cliff ridge, offering stunning views of two waterfalls along the way. Descending through lower rice farms, we ascend once more to reach the village of Labubesi. The final leg of our trek takes us to Machhakhola, as we continue along a rocky trail following the sandy bed of the BuriGandaki River. Crossing a suspension bridge brings us straight into the village! Enjoy a hearty dinner and spend the night at the teahouse.

It's the second morning of our Manaslu trek, and you might feel a bit tired from yesterday's walk. But don't worry, a good breakfast will help! Today is going to be a beautiful day. We'll start by walking on a narrow path to Khorlabesi after crossing the TharoKhola. Then we'll go up and down some more until we reach Tatopani, a village with its own hot spring! After that, we'll cross another bridge over the BuriGandaki River and be careful as we pass through a landslide area. We'll follow the rules for safety and listen to our guide. We'll walk past Dobhan village and cross the YaruKhola River, then climb some steps to TharoBharyang. Finally, we'll walk along the river until we reach Jagat. Dinner and a place to sleep will be waiting for us at the teahouse.

Today, we're heading to the village of Deng. After breakfast, we leave Jagat and follow a rocky trail over a ridge until we reach Salleri. Then, we descend to Sirdibas. As the valley opens up, the trail leads us to the GhattaKhola River. We continue upstream and cross a large suspension bridge into the Gurung village of Philim. Passing through the village and heading towards a path above the lowest houses, we continue northward. Crossing millet fields, we reach Ekle Bhatti, a small farming village. Continuing through a gorge and descending further towards a grassy area, we cross the BuriGandaki River several times and enter a bamboo forest near the Deng Khola River. The village of Deng is just across the river! Dinner and overnight accommodation await us at the teahouse.

After breakfast, we take a short tour of Deng village before continuing our trek. Today's destination is Namrung, and we have quite a bit of elevation to gain. We begin by crossing the BuriGandaki River and ascending about 100m/328ft to Rana village. Heading west in the BudriGandaki Valley, we pass through lush forests and by multiple Mani Walls on our way to Ghap. The trek involves crossing the BuriGandaki River a few more times. Along the way, we encounter a couple of Buddhist Gompas as we continue upstream. As we ascend higher, the forest thins out, and we face a final climb towards Namrung. Dinner and overnight accommodation await us at the teahouse.

Upon waking up in Namrung, step outside to witness breathtaking views, especially of Mt. ShringiHimal (7,083m/23,238ft), Mt. Ganesh Himal (7,422m/24,350ft), and Mt. HimalChuli (7,893m/25,896ft). After breakfast, we continue the Manaslu trek, steadily ascending along the trail. Passing through the forest, we arrive at the barley fields of Lihi village, adorned with multiple Chortens for us to explore. Descending slightly, we pass through the villages of Sho and Lho, where you'll catch your first glimpse of Mt. Manaslu (8,163m/26,781ft). Continuing our trek, we reach Shyala, where we have the opportunity to visit the Ribung Buddhist Gompa amidst stunning mountain scenery. The village is surrounded by towering peaks, with Mt. Manaslu and massive glaciers to the right, and Mt. HimalChuli (7,893m/25,896ft) and Peak 29, also known as NgadiChuli (7,871m/25,823ft), to the left. Taking in the breathtaking views, we trek onward until reaching the village of Samagoan. Dinner and overnight accommodation await us at the teahouse.

Today, we're focusing on getting used to the altitude and exploring as we head towards the famous high mountain pass, Larkya La, which stands at 5,160 meters (16,929 feet). It's crucial to avoid ascending too quickly to reduce the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), so we're staying an extra day at Samagoan. We'll take the opportunity to explore the village and hike up to the PungyenGompa, a monastery with its own fascinating legend. In the village, we'll observe the local Sherpas going about their daily tasks, wander among the Mani Stones, and soak in the breathtaking views. In the evening, we'll go over the itinerary for tomorrow and cherish our last evening in Samagoan. Dinner and overnight lodging will be provided at the teahouse.

Having acclimatized to higher elevations, we leave Samagoan after breakfast and head towards Samdo. The initial part of today's trek descends to the familiar BuriGandaki River. After crossing a small bridge over a side stream, the trail forks into two directions. The left path leads to Manaslu Base Camp, while we continue on the Larkya La trail, passing by several Mani Walls. Trekking above the river, we enter beautiful birch and juniper forests as we make our way to KermoKharka. Descending from the upper elevated trail, we cross the river once more. After a short steep climb, we reach a large Kanji symbol on a stone arch. Samdo village is just a bit further ahead. Dinner and overnight accommodation await us at the teahouse.

This day of the Manaslu trek is all about preparing for the Larkya La Pass, with a second day of acclimatization. We have two options for today's acclimatization. Option 1: We suggest a hike behind Samdo village, following an old trade route between Nepal and Tibet. This hike offers stunning views of Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Simrang, Mt. Hiunchuli, Ngadi Peak, and Larkya Peak. Along the way, you'll pass by herding stations and may even spot some unique birds like the Himalayan Griffin! Option 2: Another option is a longer hike to the Gya La Mountain Pass, north of Samdo village. This hike will take the whole day but offers equally breathtaking views. Whichever option you choose, today's focus on acclimatization ensures you're ready for the journey ahead. In the evening, we'll enjoy dinner and spend the night at the same teahouse.

We're in for an exciting day as we journey to Dharamasala, the foot of the Larkya La Pass. Our trek begins by crossing the BuriGandaki River once more and ascending upwards. Along the way, we cross two smaller streams and follow the trail as it bends around the SalkaKhola Valley. As we progress, the Larkya La Glacier comes into view. From this point onwards, it's a steady ascent until we reach a stone shelter known as Dharamasala or LarkyaPhedi. After checking in, we take a short trip to visit the nearby Larkya Base Camp. Since we have an early departure tomorrow, we ensure to retire to bed early. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided at the teahouse.

We wake up early and have breakfast to ensure we start our journey as soon as possible. It's important to leave early to avoid the strong winds! We begin with a short climb north of the Larkya Glaciers into a valley, offering stunning views of Mt. Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Crossing over the glacial moraines, the trail starts to ascend, with the last section being quite steep. After a gradual ascent, we've reached the summit of the pass, adorned with prayer stones, colorful flags, and a prominent board displaying the words "Larkya La".We take some well-deserved selfies and enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. HimlungHimal, Mt. CheoHimal, Mt. Kangguru, and the towering peaks of Mt. Annapurna II! The descent from the pass is longer than the ascent, and we make our way downhill to Bimthang. As the sun sets and the views shift to the Annapurna region, it's a truly scenic trek today. Dinner and overnight accommodation await us at the teahouse.

We have a wonderful morning in Bimthang, soaking in the breathtaking views of Mt. LamjungHimal, Mt. HimlungHimal, Mt. CheoHimal, and of course, Mt. Manaslu! Our journey begins with a descent and crossing of a pasture called SangureKharka. From there, we cross the DudhKhola River and trek through a stunning rhododendron forest. Continuing onwards, we traverse a valley, ascending slowly until we reach Karche. Crossing more fields, we embark on a steep ridge climb. The trail then bends towards the riverbank, leading us to Gho village. Depending on our energy levels from yesterday's pass crossing, we may choose to stay here for the night. However, it's advisable to push on a bit further to Tiljie, where better accommodation and service are available! Dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided at the teahouse.

Today we make our way into the Annapurna Conservation Area. After breakfast, we leave Tiljie or Gho behind and start with a small ridge climb, followed by an easy stroll along a stone-paved path through a smaller village. Crossing the DudhKhola River, we begin ascending near a Chorten-shaped arch, passing by a Mani Wall before entering Thonje. Here, our ACAP permits are checked as we enter the Annapurna region. Continuing on, we reach Dharapani, where the trail gets busier as we intersect with the popular Annapurna Circuit trek. Heading south, we pass through Karte village and trek onwards to cross the Marshyangdi River. Finally, the trail leads us directly to Tal village, nestled peacefully below a scenic waterfall! Dinner and overnight accommodation await us at the teahouse.

On our final day of trekking the Manaslu trail, we indulge in a hearty breakfast before bidding farewell to Tal. We begin our trek by making our way to the village of Chyamje, crossing the MarshyangdiKhola River. As we continue, the valley opens up, offering breathtaking views of terrace fields and small village clusters scattered across the higher hills. Descending further, we enter a pine and rhododendron forest. Eventually, we reach Syange, our last Himalayan village. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided at the teahouse.

It's the last morning in the Himalayas. After enjoying breakfast and taking in some final views, we begin the journey back to Kathmandu. The drive is long, approximately 8 to 9 hours, but equally scenic. Most of today's route follows the Marshyangdi and Trishuli Rivers. We pass through the bustling town of Besisahar and make several stops along the way to admire the scenery. Lunch will be served at one of the roadside restaurants offering buffet meals for travelers. Upon our return to Kathmandu, we'll transfer you to your booked hotel for check-in and relaxation. Later in the evening, Spiritual Excursion invites you to a thank-you and farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your Manaslu trek in Nepal! You'll spend the night at your booked hotel.

On this last day of your Manaslu trekking package, we'll start with breakfast at the hotel followed by check-out. Then, we'll shuttle you to the airport for your onward destination. Spiritual Excursion sincerely hopes you've had an enjoyable experience during the Manaslu trek and wishes you a safe flight!