Manaslu Circuit Trek

Outline Itinerary:

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu: 1300m/4265ft: 

Arrival in Kathmandu greeted by Basanta Adventure representative and transferred to Hotel which is usually a walking distance to any good restaurants and shops. We will be given a short briefing on hotel facilities and safety as well as a short introduction to the area.  Next day there will be a comprehensive trip briefing. O/N in Hotel at Kathmandu (BB)

Day 02: Trek briefing in the morning and sightseeing tour of world heritage sites:

After breakfast, trek briefing will take place around 9 am. All aspects of gear and conditions are discussed to make sure you are fully prepared for the trip, introduce guide and any last-minute questions would be answered. We then visit Boudhanath, also known as little Tibet. Then we visit Pasupatinath one of the revered holy temple of the Hindus, this temple is also known for its cremation ceremonies that take place next to the holy river Bagmati. O/N in Hotel at Kathmandu (BB)

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Sotikhola (710m/2328 ft), 8 – 9 hrs:

We drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway for the first part of the day; we turn towards the hill bazaar of Gorkha. The road gets a bit rough after Gorkha.  Upon reaching Arughat, a major town in the region we drive further towards Sotikhola. O/N at Lodge in Sotikhola (EP)

Day 04: Trek Soti Khola - Maccha Khola (900m/2952 ft), 6 – 7 hrs:

The country changes, the broad valley narrows and at times the trail is cut into the steep valley side which is densely forested. We pass a number of small villages tucked into the hillside, until we reach a widening of the valley, opposite the point where a large tributary stream enters the Budi Gandaki. The terraced farmland here belongs to the village of Lapbesi. We descend once again to the wide, sandy riverbed and follow a path, which runs below the steep, craggy valley side. At length, we have to climb up once again on a trail to Machha Khola, which has a number of teashops. O/N at Lodge in Machha Khola (EP)

Day 05: Trek Maccha Khola -Jagat (1410m/ 4625 ft), 6 – 7 hrs:

We cross the Machha Khola - Fish Stream - and head upstream to the tiny village of Khola Besi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The valley becomes steeper until they are impassable and the route then switches to the left bank by way of a suspension bridge. The trail is quite exposed and challenging in places. After a short section of forest path we reach the single teahouse at Doban. Above Doban, the Budi Gandaki descends an impressive series of rapids. Beyond this steep section, the river is much more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed. At Lauri, we will cross the river on a suspension bridge, and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat. O/N at Lodge in Jagat (EP)

Day 06: Trek Jagat - Deng (1,804m/5917 ft), 6 - 7 hrs:

After descending a long series of stone steps to the river, we climb a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where we can see the impressive Singri Himal, 7187m. The path splits, with the right-hand branch heading towards the Ganesh Himal while crossing the river at Gata Khola. Our route continues upstream, through a gorge section with towering walls. We cross the river three more times in the next two hours to avoid difficult valley sides and then climb up over a further steep spur to reach the village of Deng. Today we trek for a longer time i.e.7 hours. O/N Lodge in Deng (EP)

Day 07: Trek Deng - Namrung (2630m/8626ft), 6 - 7 hrs:
After a brief 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 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 pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb we reach Namrung. O/N at Lodge in Namrung (EP)

Day 08: Trek Namrung – Samagaon (3530m/11,578 ft), 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 always close by. We further pass through Sho, Lho and Shyala villages before reaching Sama Village. We enjoy extraordianary views of Mt. Manasly 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. Today’s journey ends in Samagaon where we spend the night. O/N at Lodge in Samagaon (EP)

Day 09: In Samagaon: Acclimatization day:

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 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. O/N at Lodge in Samgon (EP)

Day 10: Samagaon - Samdo (3860m/12,660 ft), 4 – 5 hrs:

After breakfast in Samagaon, we'll descend to the Budhi Gandaki River and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. We’ll pass several Mani walls as the valley begins to widen. The mountain views along this route are amazing and get you close to the Tibetan border. This is an easy trek on a shelf above the river that passes juniper and birch forests in Kermo Kharka. Drop down and cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge, and then climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. We'll come to a stone archway and continue walking until we find the village of Samdo. O/N at Lodge in Samdo (EP)

Day 11: Rest Day in Samdo:

This is another day set aside for proper acclimatization. There are two options for us today. The 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, Larkye 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. Another 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. O/N at Lodge in Samdo (EP)

Day 12: Trek Samdo - Dharamsala/Larkya B. C. (4460m/14, 628 ft), 4 – 5 hrs:

After breakfast in Samdo, we'll pass a seasonal Tibetan market called Larke Bazaar and descend to the Budi Gandaki River. Cross the wooden bridge and begin walking upward, crossing two streams while witnessing the Larkya Glacier. We’ll head around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again to Dharamsala, also known as Larke Phedi. Along the route, you'll see many traditional monasteries. Our Guide will organize a prayer and offer Lungta (Prayer flag) for good health and happiness for all the members. O/N at Lodge in Dharmasala (EP)

Note: Offer Lungta or prayers flag (printed prayers for the peace and good health/happiness) together with our Guide. Offering prayer flag in high passes and sacred sites is believed to bring good fortune and long life in Buddhist culture.

Day 13: Trek Dharamsala - Larkya la [5160m] - Bimthang (3720m/ 12,202 ft), 8 – 9 hrs:

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 Bimtang, but to walk into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in with Mt. Manaslu looming close by is an overwhelming experience. O/N at Lodge in Bimthang (EP)

Day 14: Trek Bimthang - Tilije (2300m/7544ft), 5 – 6 hrs:

After breakfast in Bimthang, head out to a nearby ridge where we can enjoy great views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal. Keep descending on the trail and cross a high pasture followed by a bridge over the Dudh Khola River. From here, walk through a rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land of the valley at Karche. Pass through lush fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank. A short distance beyond is the village of Gho where some trekkers choose to stay the night, but we'll continue walking until we get to Tilije. O/N at Lodge in Tilije (EP)

Day 15: Trek Tilije - Tal (1700m/5576 ft), 5 – 6 hrs:   

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 through 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 Marshyangdi Khola. We also come across some Mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, situated at the foot of a large waterfall. O/N at Lodge in Tal (EP)

Day 16: Trek Tal - Syange (1080m/3542 ft), 6 – 7 hrs:

After breakfast in Tal, we’ll follow the trail down a sometimes steep trail to the village of Chyamje crossing the beautiful Marsyangdi Khola (once again) via a suspension bridge. The trail then descends further through picturesque rhododendron and pine forests to get to the village of Syange where we'll stay the night. Before dinner, make sure to check out Syange's magnificent waterfall. This will be our last night with trekking crew except trekking Guide, this is best time to tip the staff (not compulsory but it’s a customary), an impromptus little ceremony and always enormous Sherpa smiles. Then something of a party is inevitable. Try local drink called “Rakshi”, please be aware; it does not taste good and is very strong. O/N at Lodge in Syange (EP)

Day 17: Drive Syange - Kathmandu, 8 – 9 hrs:

Wake up with breakfast in Syange and perhaps take one last walk around the village before you hit the road. The drive from to Kathmandu via Besi Sahar offers an opportunity to enjoy both hill and mountain landscapes often coming into direct view with the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. We'll also drive by some beautiful villages with farming terraces on both sides of the road. O/N Hotel in Kathmandu (BB)

Day 18: Holiday extension or transfer to airport for final departure:

Today holiday extension for another tour or transfer to the airport for final departure. Tour concludes.