17-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek

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Your guide will pick you up from your hotel after breakfast for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. You'll visit Swyambhunath Stupa also known as Monkey temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur), Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath Stupa. You'll have lunch at Bouddha and return to Hotel Moonlight before dinner. In the evening, you'll prepare your trip to sort out the things you may need during this Nepal trekking route.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Arughat, the starting point of the trek, via Dhading Besi. The road up to Tari Besi is a comfortable drive and from Tari Besi to Soti is through a winding dirt road. The road follows the Budhi Gandaki River to reach Arkhet Bazaar via Mangaltar and Simara through the river banks. And ascending road brings you to Soti Khola where we stay for the night. On a flat path, we reach Armala and through the forest trail you will reach Lapubesi then the trail follows down to the riverbank of Budhi Gandaki, which will be on the Machha River.

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Today, you'll cross the Macha Khola (Fish Stream) and head upstream to the tiny village of Khola Besi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The valley sides steep 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. At Lauri, you'll recross the river on a suspension bridge and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat, where you'll camp.

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After descending a long series of stone steps to the river, the trek climbs a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where you can see the impressive Sringi Himal, at 7187 metres. Crossing the river again, at Gata Khola, the path splits, with the right–hand branch heading off towards the Mustang. Your route continues upstream, through a gorge section with towering walls. You'll cross the river three more times to avoid difficult valley sides until you reach the village of Deng, where you'll camp.

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The valley is still steep-sided and most impressive today. You'll cross to the village of Lana, and start to see mani stones, a sure sign that you are now entering high country Buddhist regions. After only about four hours, you'll reach your camping place in the village of Ghap, which straddles the river. You have entered the Tibetan areas and the cultural change is obvious, and the climate change is also obvious the trekking is pleasantly cool now, as you start to fain the altitude.

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Today, you'll gain altitude to take you into alpine territory and increasing mountain views. There are more mani walls and three more crossings of the Burigandaki on your route to Namrung, where your permit is checked. Above this village, the valley opens out and there are extensive pastures. You'll camp just above the village you get your first incredible views of the Manaslu North and then of Manaslu main ahead.

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You'll leave Namrung after breakfast and trek to Lho during the day, you will pass through Lho, a large village at 3150 metres where there is a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens and mani and Ganesh I is visible. The trail continues toward Honsansho Gompa and the Pungen Glaciers, from where there is a stunning view of Peak 29 and Manaslu. You'll arrive at Lho, check-into tea-house after lunch and explore around the village.

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You will check-out of the teahouse after breakfast and trek to Samagaun. You will walk through the trail Surrounded by mountains in a peaceful forest, passing a small typical local village called Syala and beautiful pine and rhododendron forest. You will arrive at Samagaon for lunch and check-into tea-house. You'll explore the village in your free time.

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After breakfast at your teahouse, you will hike to Birendra Taal as an acclimatisation activity. Birendra Taal, named after the late King Birendra of Nepal, is a turquoise lake at the foot of the Manaslu glacier. You may wish to wash bath in distant waters will find it pleasant to dip in its chilly ice water. It can be reached by a 45-minute walk from Samagaon. You'll head back to the teahouse for lunch and then have the afternoon to explore.

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Today the trail gradually climbs uphill all the way to Samdo along the deserted trails of the windy valley. You will have 3-4 hours of pleasant walking to reach Samdo, four kilometres north of the Tibetan border. You will enjoy the view of Mt. Manaslu, Samdo (Pang phuchuli), Nagdi Chuli, Simnang Himal, Manaslu glacier, Manaslu ice fall and more. You'll arrive in Samdo in time for lunch.

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The once large Burigandaki is now merely a stream as you continue to follow its course ever upwards. Everywhere you look are mountains, as spectacular as they get and Manaslu is particularly impressive. After crossing to the east bank of the river, you'll reach the last permanent settlement in the valley, which is called Samdu. Nearing the Larkya Glacier, you'll reach a lodge at 4450 metes, which has been built to serve the travelers crossing the Larkya La.

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Today is the main goal of your trek, so you will wake up early and have quick breakfast and then, you will trek to Bimtang through Larkya La pass (5160 metres) where you will enjoy the spectacular view of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. The trek then descends to Bhimtang stopping somewhere on the way for a packed lunch and drink.

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Now the route gets easier and you are descending to 2200 metres from 3900 metres. You'll start the day with a gentle climb to the ridge of Bimthang (Bhimtang) from where you can enjoy the amazing view of high mountains including Manaslu and you descend to Tilje (Tilche Village). You'll walk through rhododendron forest and high land pasture passing some small villages on the way.

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You'll leave Tilche after breakfast and trek down to Jagat passing Dharpani and Taal, you will enjoy the view along the way. you'll stop at Taal for lunch and continue your trek to approach Jagat where you'll check into your teahouse. Today is the last day of your trek, so you may invite the trekking staff for a last day party as you celebrate your trip!

After breakfast, you will depart from Jagat by private jeep, stopping at Besishahar for lunch on the way. You'll continue your drive to Kathamndu by private car, stopping on the way for a tea break. You'll reach Kathmandu in the late afternoon. You'll check into your hotel and then freshen up for your traditional Nepalese dinner with a local family.