MANASLU CIRCUIT TREK

We will meet your arrival flight at the Kathmandu International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. You will have time to rest or enjoy strolling around on your own to see some of the local sights while we complete your trek permits and preparations.

Half day sightseeing around UNESCO Bhaktapur / Kathmandu where your guide will escort you on a tour of Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions. There is time to explore the city’s many places of interest on your own or take a rest while trekking permits are finalised. In the evening sample a delicious traditional Nepali dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.

An early departure from Kathmandu travelling by road via the Prithvi highway After a few hours, before Malekhu we turn north taking the single track road for Dhading Besi and beyond to Arughat. From Arughat there is now a road to Soti Khola where we continue onwards. Along the way we pass Arket Bazar. Arkhet Bazar (620m) is interesting for its old main bazaar road and the gushing Arkhet Khola where the local children bathe. We stay overnight in Soti Khola and prepare for a first day of walking the next morning.

Soon after leaving Soti Khola the trail goes into a rougher part of the Budhi Gandaki, and goes up and down and with numerous rocky parts. In rainy periods there are several waterfall crossings, and we’ll see larger waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley.

Some parts of the trail are particularly narrow or we must cross landslides requiring extra care, especially when mule supply convoys are around.

After reaching the cliff-side village of Lapubesi about half way to our overnight destination we cross a very long suspension bridge, and then more ups and downs to and from the river bed. Tropical vegetation adds its charm, together with the thrilling suspension bridges that are regular attraction on this trek.

Machekhola (“fish river”) is a pleasant village built on the slopes of the hill where there is a comfortable guest house. (5-6 hrs.)

We continue trekking up and down the valley walls along the western side of the Budhi Gandaki until reaching Tatopani, a tiny village of a few houses on the narrow trail between the gushing Budhi Gandaki and a tremendous cliff.

Another hour or so hiking takes us to Dobhan (1070m), a small village with a good teahouse where we can stop for lunch.As we pass Doban and approach Jagat the valley opens up into a broad expanse with plenty of room to walk along the river bed in most seasons.

Jagat is a very picturesque and tidy Gurung village with slate-paved streets. We’ll stop at the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) Office here to register our trekking permits,, and will be able to learn about MCAP activities in the region. (5 hrs)

The trail from Jagat descends to the pleasant village of Salleri. It also has a slate paved main street and friendly villagers. Immediately after Salleri you reach Paimo. This village was recently affected by a huge landslide.About 2 and half hours from Jagat you reach Sirdibas (1430m), a compact village with nice stone houses and slate roofs.

We then pass the small village of Ghote Khola before crossing the Budhi Gandaki on one of the longest suspension bridges of this trek, followed by a steep climb to Philim.

Above Philim the sheer scale and the feeling of being truly amongst the mighty Himalaya is evident at every turn. We cross the Budhi Gandaki yet again, the trail hugging the cliff-side, up and over ridge backs then down again to the river where the Shar Khola cascades into the Budhi. The trail flattens out, winds through bamboo forest to Deng Khola and into the Deng settlement itself. (5 – 6 hrs)

Leaving Deng we again use the course of the Budhi Gandaki, recrossing the river and following an uphill trail to Rana, before zigzagging past the little monastery (gompa) of Shringi and the religious motifs carved on mani walls by the Shringi Khola suspension bridge, to Ghap – a pleasant lunch stop.
Cutting across fields we start to head west and enter a dense mixed forest of conifers and juniper with birdlife and monkeys. The trail stays high above the rive and includes another waterfall and serious climb through woods to finally reach Namrung. (6- 7 hrs)

There is a marked sense of Tibetan influence in this area with closely packed stone houses sharing a common flat roof and courtyard. Climbing alongside a mani wall, through fields and past first the village of Barchham then Lihi. We then climb to Sho village – another cluster of stone houses. With altitude, the mountain views become more dramatic – Manaslu, Manaslu North, Himalchuli, Saula Himal and Dwijen Himal rise either side of the trail. After a small ravine we enter Lho, with a fabulous view of Manaslu. The trek resumes with a steep descent and a crossing of yet another rock-strewn torrent, the Thusang Khola. Manaslu and Himal Chuli dominate the entire landscape. Further on, across the glacier-fed Numla Khola the valley drops away to a moraine while we follow the ancient trans-Himalayan trail now just a very few kilometers from Tibet. We then arrive in Samagaon, one of the region’s classic lama settlements with monastery and mani walls and all things totally Tibetan. (7 hrs)

We will take a a rest and acclimatization day here with an optional hike to Pung-gyen Gompa, or the day can be spent immersing oneself in the daily life of Sama Gompa.

Passing by the foot of the great, white slide that is the Manaslu Glacier we pass the trail that branches off to Manaslu Base Camp. Our path enters a woodland where we might see marmots in the birch and juniper bushes, before a final steep ascent brings us to the charming village of Samdo. The village has a well-established Tibetan refugee community –with Tibet being only a morning’s walk away. (3-5 hrs)

This is another day to acclimatize your body for the thin air as you go higher. It’s important that your body blends in with the heights as this will prevent mountain sickness of any kind; perhaps what’s more essential is you will feel more comfortable at higher altitudes. We have two options today. The first option we much recommend is a hike up the valley directly at the back of Samdo village. This walk will take us to one of the trade passes to Tibet for excellent views of Mt. Manaslu along with other Himalayan peaks that include Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye Peak, Cheo and possibly Kusum Kanggaru behind the pass. En route to these vantage points we pass many seasonal herding settlements called doksas and will get to see some beautiful mountain birds like the Lophophorus (the national bird of Nepal), Lammergeyer and Himalayan Griffin soaring high above us. The 2nd option for today could be a trip to the Gya La (‘large pass’) to the north of Samdo, a more often used trading route to Tibet. But, this is a rather lengthy hike (almost the whole day) and should only be done if you are feeling very strong.

After an easy first part today we cross the Budhi Gandaki for a final time before the trail gradually rises through juniper and tundra with a viewpoint overlooking the Larkya La glacier. Climbing further we arrive at the Spartan Larkya Rest House. (3-5 hrs)

An early morning start is needed for what is to be a particularly tough and extended day. A pre-dawn start to avoid gale force wind which usually gains in strength after mid-day at the pass.

After a long gradual climb alongside a moraine we make a short descent to a glacial lake and reach the head of the moraine (4,700m) which we cross to climb to the ridge top. Four frozen lakes lie below and then it is up to the crest of the Larkya La (5,100m).
The reward for these difficult trekking conditions is brilliant westerly views of Himlung Himal, Kangurru and Annapurna II as well as the looming omnipresence of Manaslu.

On the steep descent we drop around 600m in less than an hour. Our trail then levels off onto yak pastures before finally reaching Bimtang, a collection of typical summer kharkas .(8-9 hrs)

Today, from a crest at Bimthang, we get to savor lovely views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal. We descend further and cross a high meadow (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, at 2785 meters. We pass across fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big, sweeping circle to a river bank at 2580m. A brief distance beyond is the village of Gho.

Keeping to the west bank of the river, the afternoon is one of gradual descent to the Gurung settlement of Tilije which is famous for its apple brandy. Leaving Tilije we cross to the eastern side of the Dudh Khola and match the gradient of the river down to Dharapani. Here is Dudh Khola’s confluence with the Marsyangdi and also our meeting with the Annapurna Circuit trail which is ascending towards Manang. We will have lunch here and then continue by jeep to Besi Sahar where we will sleep for the night. Walk (3-4 hrs) Jeep (3 hours)

Today we return to Kathmandu by bus. For those with extra time it is also possible to take a busy to Pokhara from here. Please speak with your iTREK representative if you’d like to extend the trip to Pokhara.

After breakfast and depending on the time of your departure flight you can enjoy shopping or sightseeing in Kathmandu before transfer to the international airport.