Description
Trek itinerary
Day 01. Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350 m)
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will be greeted by a representative of Sisne Rover who will drop us off at our hotel. We then check-in at the hotel, freshen up and take rest. You can also visit around Thamel (where our hotel will be located) and shop few items that you have missed to bring with you. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02. Kathmandu – Permit Preparation
On your second day in Kathmandu, take rest after a long flight from your home country and after breakfast, you can visit around Thamel (where your hotel will be located) and shop few items that you have missed to bring with you. We can add Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing tour on your request. We can have a tour to UNESCO World heritage sites – Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa and Bouddhanath stupa. In the afternoon, we will have a meeting with your guide and check the final preparation for the trek.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 03. Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (900 m): (9-10 Hrs.)
We set off early today and head towards the village of Soti Khola (710m) along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway. This drive will take us through small rural towns and grassy terraces. During the drive, we enjoy views of the Nepalese countryside along with the mountain sceneries. After around 7 hours, we will arrive at Soti Khola in the Bhudhi Gandaki Valley.
After having some rest in Sotikhola, we will take another transport and continue driving to Machhakhola. It is about 3 hours’ drive. Overnight in Machhakhola in a lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 04. Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat (1,410 m): (6-7 Hrs.)
The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Thado Khola and reach 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 Budhi 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 stone stairs and then descend to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Crossing the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat. Overnight in Jagat.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 05. Trek from Jagat to Deng (1,804 m): (6-7 Hrs.)
Today, we begin trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend 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 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 Budhi 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 bamboo forests to the Deng Khola. Upon crossing the Deng Khola, we reach tiny village of Deng. Overnight in Deng.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 06. Trek from Deng to Namrung (2,630 m): (6-7 Hrs.)
After a short walk beyond Deng, we cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb to Rana at 1910m. From the bridge, we climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi 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. Prok village has a viewpoint for a beautiful sight of Siringi Himal. We further cross the Budi Gandaki several times today and come across several monasteries 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 pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb we reach Namrung. Overnight in Namrung.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 07. Trek from Namrung to Samagaon (3,530 m): (6-7 Hrs.)
Namrung village is a good viewpoint for Siring and Ganesh Himal and from the village one 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. We further pass through Sho, Lho and Shyala villages before reaching Sama Village. We enjoy extraordinary 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 stands Ganesh Himal. Overnight in Samagaun.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 08. Acclimatization day.
We can spend the day at Samagaon for acclimatization leisurely or visit to Pungyen Gompa or hike to Manaslu Base Camp. On a little hill near the Sama village is an old Gompa (Pungyen Gompa), a monastery with great views of the glacier. We get acquainted with the rich Sherpa culture. We enjoy the sight of thousands of Mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures and the Sherpa women clad in traditional clothes and ornaments.
The hike to Manaslu Base Camp (4,400 m) is approx. 8 hours for the round trip and it is bit hard than visiting to Pungyen Gompa, but worth for hikers. Overnight in Samagaon.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 09. Trek from Samagaon to Samdo (3,860 m): (4-5 Hrs.)
Today, we descend to the Budhi Gandaki River, that has turned to the north and follow 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 Budhi 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 arrive Samdo. Overnight in Samdo.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 10. Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala/Larkya Base Camp (4,460 m): (4-5 Hrs.)
We continue the trek down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over Budi 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 (4,450 m), which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmshala, also known as Larke Phedi. The short walk today also leaves plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon. Overnight in Dharmashala.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 11. Trek from Dharamsala to Larkya La (5,160 m) then to Bimthang (3,720 m): (8-9 Hrs.)
Today, 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, Kang guru and the huge Annapurna II. It is a longer day than usual to Bimthang, but to walk into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in with Mt. Manaslu looming close by is an overwhelming experience. Overnight in Bimthang.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 12. Trek from Bimthang to Gho (2,515 m): (5-6 Hrs.)
Walk south below Bhimthang behind the moraine wall for some time before crossing the Bhimdang Glacier, which can be loose underfoot. Climb up the far moraine wall quickly to avoid stone-fall and enter some of the best forest in Nepal. If you are in rhododendron season, the mauves, reds, pinks and whites are stunning amongst the huge pines and the views of the back of Mt Manaslu are superb. Descend rapidly along the true right bank of the aptly named Dudh (‘milk’) Khola through a bhatti at Hompuk (3,420 m) in a forest clearing. Gentle riverside walking continues rapidly to Karche (2,700 m) for lunch after about 3.5hrs. This would be a great place to spend a night. In the next hour we will see many signs of a glacial flood, with tree trunks smashed and banks undermined, the track becoming quite rough. Climb steeply over a ridge and drop to Gurung Goa (2,560 m, Gho), the first real village since Samdo. There are new lodges being built here and also is comfortable for overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 13. Trek from Gho to Dharapani (1,860 m): (4-5 Hrs.) & Drive to Besisahar (760 m)
The valley becomes more agricultural as we pass fields and cropses of oak and rhododendron, staying on the north (true right) bank until Tilije (2,300 m). Pass under a stone arch, cross the Dudh Khola and descend rapidly towards the Marsyangdi Valley through scrubby forest. Cross back to the north bank just below Thonje (1,900 m) and climb up to join the main round-Annapurna trail, over the Marsyangdi Khola on a long suspension bridge. Turn left into Dharapani (1,860 m) and take rest in a restaurant until the lunch be ready. After lunch, we will escort on our jeep waiting for us and drive approx. 5 -6 hours to Besisahar. Overnight in Beshisahar in a lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 14. Drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu (1,350 m): (4-5 Hrs.)
The drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu offers an opportunity to enjoy both hill and mountain landscapes. The drive is often along the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli River. We also drive by some beautiful villages with farming terraces on both sides of the road.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch, Farewell Dinner
To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have farewell dinner and share the experiences about our trek.
Day 15. Final departure
Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today. A representative of Sisne Rover will escort us to the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
A Side Trip to Tsum Valley
There is an alternative of combining the Manaslu Circuit Trek with the Tsum Valley Trek. Fuse these two remarkable treks and make it a grand one! It will provide us a great opportunity to explore the Tsum valley where we will closely encounter the rich Tibetan culture. We just need to add one more week to our schedule to enjoy the side trip to Tsum Valley. Tsum Valley awaits with more wilderness and remoteness than the main Manaslu trail. The views in this valley are jaw-dropping and of course, the famous viewpoint above Mu Gompa is not to be missed.
We can customize this trip as per your schedule, budget and preferences. If you wish to discuss any aspect of this trip or your suitability for it please contact us.
