Manaslu Trek

We start our day early by driving all the way to Sotikhola from Kathmandu through a very scenic route, which may take roughly around 9 hours. The drive starting from Kathmandu passing several small towns on the banks of Budhi Gandaki River. The river also connects Dhading and Gorkha districts. The road starts getting rough as we reach Soti Khola, which will be our stop for the night.

We start to walk through a trail that is quite narrow and rocky and is unlike other trekking trails. As you walk past the bridge through the sal Forest, you climb onto a ridge above the rapids of Budhi Gandaki River. Amazing scenic views and the uneven roads are what we are on the first day of the trek. We then follow the forest trails with the views of the waterfalls towering cliffs and villages of the Gurung and Ghale inhabitants of the region, reaching Khursane. We then start heading down past rice terraces to the village of Labubesi and then climb behind a rocky outcrop, where the valley opens up and the Budhi Gandaki meanders among wide gravel bars. Dropping to the sandy river bed, we walk along with rounded stones before climbing over a side ridge. We head down again to the river and cross another suspension bridge to reach Machha Khola village.

Our walk starts through the narrow trails of Machha Khola. These trails are to be crossed carefully as a huge number of overloaded mules are seen to be crossing the same. The trail has many ups and downs until we cross the Tharo Khola and reach the Khorla Besi. as we cross the Khorla Besi, we proceed few more ascends and descends to cross a small hot spring in Tatopani. After walking through a ridge leading us to a suspension bridge crossing the Budhi Gandaki, we head towards Dobhan. The trail towards Dobhan is wide with well-crafted staircase. We will also be crossing a landslide to reach Dobhan. We yet again cross another suspension bridge to head towards the Tharo Bharyang. The suspension bridge crosses Yaru Khola. Crossing the west bank of the Budi Gandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat. Jagat welcomes you with large cliffs on both side. We stay in Jagat for the night.

We start our day climbing over rocky ridges and crossing few more suspension bridges over high tide rivers. Our first stop from Jagat will be Salleri and then Sirdibas. The trail starts to widen up as we forward to Ghatta Khola. We then proceed to Philim, a village with a large population of Gurungs. The trails then head towards Ekle Bhatti crossing millet fields all around till you can view the area. We now start descending to grassy land slopes as we cross a steep uninhabited gorge. We trail along the Budhi Gandaki the river’s western bank. As we continue through the trail the valley widens and we pass through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola.  Upon crossing the Khola, we reach the tiny village of Deng.

Along with the view of the mountains accompanying you throughout the trek, we will come across many monasteries through the trail. As we start our day from Deng, we cross the Budhi Gandaki and start climbing to Rana. we then head west up to the Budhi Gandaki valley after crossing a bridge and climbing to join a trail to Bhi. from this point we take a different route through Prok Village, which offers a stunning view of Siringi Himal. We cross Budi Gandaki several times throughout the trek. Today the river takes us upstream through a dense forest, to a spot that heads down a narrow gorge with thunders that play like music. These components through the trail make it a pleasant walk and we reach our stop for the day to Namrung after crossing the last steep.

As you wake up at Namrung, the Sriring Himal, Ganesh Himal and the Himal Chuli at the south greet you with the beautiful view of the sunrise. The morning vibes are surely a booster for you. Our walk today starts easy and steady as we pass through a forest reaching Lihi. the views of the Ganesh Himal and Simnang Himal will accompany you throughout until you reach the Lho Village.

We start our day with an easy walk through the pine and rhododendron forest climbing steadily to reach Syala Village. The villages surround us with a 360° view of 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. We reach Samagaon, where we will be spending the night.

Get ready to acclimatize yourself today as we spend the day in Samagaon itself. A little variation from walking and adapting the climate for the further journey is what’s in store today. Apart from acclimatizing, we will also get up close to the Sherpa culture. We hike up to Pungyen Gompa, a monastery with the lovely view of the glacier. Pungyen means bracelet was named after Manaslu describing both these well. 
Fun fact: The monastery was destroyed a year after the first unsuccessful Japanese attempt to climb Manaslu. The locals believe 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.

Today's walk is relatively a shorter one as we descend to the Budi Gandaki River. As the river turns north and is followed by a bridge over side steam, we encounter many chortens and mani walls. After crossing the bridge the trail towards the left leads to Manaslu Base Camp. the trail then starts to widen as we pass the Larkya La. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river passing the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. As we descend off the shelf, cross the Budi Gandaki by 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 reach Samdo.

We continue our easy walk from Samdo. We cross a wooden bridge over the Budi Gandaki and start ascending. As we start crossing the streams, we witness Larkyay Glacier. As we continue to climb, we walk the path crossing the Salka Khola heading towards a guest house which is not a lodge but a shelter namely Dharmashala. The short and easy walk today gives us plenty of time to acclimatize for tomorrow and further.

After enjoying short and easy walks for the past two days, we gear up today for the most challenging day of the whole trek. A short climb at the beginning and the spectacular view of the Larkya Peak and Cho Danda will certainly boost you up for the day. As we walk across the moraines of the glaciers, the trail gradually ascends and steeps as we approach the last section of the pass. Climbing this tough steep you reward yourself outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru 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. You need to be careful that some sections while descending are too steep and icy, you are advised to put on your crampons.

Bimthang today rewards you by greeting you with the spectacular views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal after your most challenging day yesterday. We start the day by descending towards a high pasture; Sangure Kharka and crossing over the Dudh Khola. From this point, dense rhododendron forests and green fields come to sight. 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. We pass across fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank at 2580m. Beyond a short distance is the village of Gho, you might just want t stay back at Gho due to a tiring day yesterday. But better lodges are available at Tilije, so it is recommended to walk a little further and stay at Tilije.

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 MarshyangdiKhola. We also come across some mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, situated at the foot of a large waterfall.

Early in the morning after breakfast drive from Tal to Besishar.The trail runs gently downstream of the river passing the village of Naadi. From here the trail takes you to the bank of Marshyngdi River and the town of Bhulbhule, Khudi all the way to Besisahar. Overnight in Besisahar.

We head towards where we started today. A drive through beautiful rivers, hills and Nepalese settlements at intervals, we head back to Kathmandu. Once you reach the capital and are transferred to your hotel, you can enjoy a leisurely afternoon for a stroll around Thamel and Durbar Marg for some shopping. Please make sure you keep yourself free for the evening as we will be there to bid you farewell over dinner.