Manaslu Circuit Trekking - 18 Days

Your second day is more relaxed, starting with breakfast in your hotel. Kathmandu, which has many UNESCO World Heritage Sites to explore: this day will allow you to see a few. Thamel is the famous trekking gear and souvenir shop area where you can buy any last minute items before starting your trek. Spend the day strolling around tiny narrow streets full of vibrant shops, ancient temples and cozy restaurants. Come back to your hotel in the night and do a final check of your trek preparation. You will then go to bed early because after that the real fun begins…the next day.

Today your journey really begins with a scenic drive to Soti Khola. After leaving in the early morning to avoid traffic, style protection 07:00 am from Kathmandu you will driving on winding mountain roads with beautiful panoramic view of more hills, river and local villages. You will have lunch on the way in a simple roadside restaurant serving typical Nepali Dal Bhat (rice with lentil soup and veg) The scenery starts to shift around you as you near Soti Khola — with rolling green hills dotting the landscape and looming across the bank on far side of the Budhi Gandaki River. A small village of Soti Khola, surrounded by terraced fields and hills, a peaceful evening for last overnight. Your accommodation will be in one of the few local guesthouses and you can enjoy decent meals like noodle soup or fried rice at their place.

The trek which starts early around 7:00 AM after breakfast—from Soti Khola to Machha Khola winds through Sal forests close to the river. The trail is often rocky with many ups and downs, as well as bridges that are made up of rope and metal. After hiking for 14 km, through dense forests and sporadic glimpses of towering cliffs you walk. You will even break for lunch at a tea house serving momo (dumplings), fried rice, and other similar Nepal-Tibet specialties around midday. Pushing on, the terrain turns into terraced rice fields and tiny traditional villages. In late afternoon you will arrive at Machha Khola, a small Gurung village by the river in the same valley, where we spend the night in a basic lodge and enjoy a hot meal.

It is an all-day walk that starts at sunrise after breakfast, around 7:00 AM. When we are done with breakfast we will move out for our next destination. After a few gentle descents and ascents through the forest, you will descend into and ascend out of several narrow gullies via steps built from rocks before resuming on a dirt trail that follows the Budhi Gandaki River. Tatopani — home of the famous hot spring, a welcome relief which trekkers often stop over to have their muscles rejuvenate. Surrounded by forests-covered hills and with some mighty waterfalls adds to this small town a sense of glamour which is further enhanced by acres of terraced land giving sight to young crops. Lunch at Dovan, one of the riverside villages you pass by on your way to lunch. In the afternoon, you finally get to Jagat -- a town famous for its Tibetan architecture and stone streets. Since this is a controlled area, you will also display your trekking permits here. Have a hot meal, relax at a guesthouse then spend the night.

After an early breakfast we start trek to Pewa it is 16 kms from here and we cross several narrow canyons as well as along side of Budhi Gandaki river. The trail take you through little villages and some suspension bridges with awe inspiring views of the rolling green hills and cascading waterfall from the cliffs above. It is a bit of a pushy walk but there are some straight same walks and you can hear the lovely quite river. Midday lunch in a delightful countryside village town stop Dal Bhat ( local food) or Tibetan bread. In the afternoon when you reach Pewa, soon the scenery changes to thick forests. A tranquil night in a local lodge with a home-cooked meal is possible for this small peaceful village full of greenery.

From Pewa you depart today early to the beautiful changing scenery stream on a gentle slope up. You climb higher still through rhododendron and pine forests, the trail steeper. It included going through a couple of the typical villages and having the picturesque views of the mountains around. A midday break is needed, some simple Tibetan tea served in a local food house, before the trail climbs higher into more rugged terrain. By the afternoon, you arrive at Namrung a picturesque village with stone houses and stupas. You can start to see the Tibetan influence here becoming more prevalent. Spend the night in a local guesthouse and unwind with traditional Tibetan dishes such as thukpa (noodle soup) after a long day.

Today the trek will be shorter and after breakfast you can start at 8:00 AM. Approaching Manaslu, the trail ascends gently and there are the first views of Mont Manaslu. The scenery opens up as you proceed the hike, here are some of the wildflower fields and small villages along the way. On the way, you will also walk to Lho Gaun height altitude tibetian village. NOV) Around 10km in an easy walk today, so you have enough time to appreciate the sight of the snow-covered peaks. We stop in a village called Lho Gaun for lunch where you can trek around the village and visit to the monastery as well to know about the history and culture of local people. The night is spent in a local lodge where warm hospitality and traditional food await you.

Today you climb higher as it ascends slowly up to Sama Gaun, a remote village on the lap of the mountains. Between 8:00 AM after breakfast this trail leads through the alpine meadows and offers breathtaking views of The Manaslu and peak surroundings. The trek is 8 km and lunch will be had on the way in a local village. Chortens and prayer wheels alongside an obvious influence of the Tibetan Buddhism in the region as you approach Sama Gaun. It is a big village that you can visit, and learn about their local lifestyle and the way they survive.Sama Gaun has its monastery which you can go to explore with: And also some friendly inhabitants to interact. Overnight in a Guesthouse where you will have dinner which is common Tibetan styles dish.

You will wake up leisurely in this idyllic village of Sama Gaun surrounded by the mighty Manaslu, before starting your day. In the morning, enjoy breakfast in your guesthouse and choose from Tibetan bread, porridge, eggs, and tea. Today is acclimatization day so it basically involves getting used to the altitude, and you get two choices for side trips—you can hike over to Pungyen Gompa or trek upwards towards Manaslu Base Camp.

If you have planned to visit Pungyen Gompa the trek starts after breakfast, best if it is around 08:00AM. The trek is a total of about 4 to 5 hours in total and is considered quite easy when compared with the base camp trek. You ascend gently through alpine meadows & after making the walk you can see panoramic view of Manaslu & its surrounding peaks. Situated on a hill over the valley is also Pungyen Gompa, a peacefull buddhist monastery. The gompa may have some historical and cultural importance as well, you could feel this spiritual aura by the fluttering of prayer flags. Here, with the local people — most of them are Tibetan descendants, they are leading a life depending on farming and animal husbandry. So you will have time to arrive at Sama Gaun in the early afternoon and join fellow trekkers for a simple lodge meal ( Dal Bhat, Tibetan noodle soup or momos are standard lunches)

Or you can take 6-7 hours of round trip to Manaslu Base Camp, the adventurous option. You will begin early, around 07:00 AM,you trek forward on the steep track climbing up by 1000 Meter and walk to base camp. The journey takes you through glacial rivers, rocky landscapes and towards the end of the day, spectacular views of Mt Manaslu at 8,163 meters. At the base camp, you can enjoy a breathtaking view up close to glaciers and peaks. You will also meet climbers on acclimatization before heading up Manaslu. After enjoying the sights, we descend back to Sama Gaun for a late lunch and rest. Have a nice hot dinner in the evening, and begin relaxation for bed.

After a peaceful night get up and be fresh have your breakfast then you will leave Sama Gaun at around 7:00 am to Samdo (a village on high altitude. The path gradually climbs, accompanying the winding Budhi Gandaki River until it turns into a deep gorge between two ridges. It is an 8 km walk that takes around 4-5 hours, giving you time to amble along and appreciate the stunning vistas of the Himalayas as you gain elevation.

During the trek, you will walk past numerous alpine meadows and yak pastures where you can spot yak flocks grazing. As you approach Samdo, the terrain becomes more and more barren and isolated. You will have lunch at one of the lowland tea houses with very simple meal like fried noodles or potato soup.

Early afternoon, you reach Samdo(a Tibetan refugee community) which is one of the highest settlements in this region. A blend of stone houses and terraced fields, the village is heavily influenced by the Tibetan culture. The inhabitants of the village lead a simple lifestyle, supported mainly by agriculture,animal husbandry and trade with Tibet which was just a days trek away. Also, offer you an exclusive opportunity to explore and do village walk, a chance to interact with the local community. You will have dinner in the lodge and you will only have a good night of sleep to rest for the following day.

Today It Will Be Another Free Day To Acclimatize, You Will Do An Amazing Full- day Trip To The Tibet Border. Here you will start with breakfast at around 6:00 AM, and go on an 7-8 hour trek. Trades lead steeply to the pass which is also known as a passport and from there you have great views on all walls of snow capped peaks and the naked desert around. As you trek, witness ancient trade routes which were actually used by caravans to transport merchandise between Nepal and Tibet.

The side trip is strenuous but also cultural, ferreting you through yak herders' camps and Tibetan traders along the way. The rugged beauty of the area, dominated by towering mountains and great unpopulated valleys is breathtaking. It roughly 15 km return walk, but plenty of time for photos and to enjoy the view. Basically it will be packed lunches that contains Tibetan bread, boiled eggs and some fruit as there are no any villages or tea houses on the way.

In the late afternoon, you will be back in Samdo utterly exhausted and glad to re-embrace your weary self that just saw the last wild frontiers. Return to the lodge for dinner and your final night in this remote village.

Breakfast will be early and you will leave Samdo by 7 am for Dharmasala (Larke Phedi). The trail first winds ahead along the valley ground, it is easy gaining elevation amidst little flora but barren views of rubble and dry plant growth. The 5 km hike was spread out over 4-5 hours, depending on how long the guide stops to let you take in your surroundings and snap a few photos, of course! You will trudge through yak pastures, along moraines with Larkya Peak and various other surrounding peaks looming larger in your views.

The first halt is at a tea house where you will have lunch, typically a light meal such as noodle soup or fries meant to replenish your energy for the trek up in high altitude. As you near Dharmasala, the morphology will change and snow-capped peaks will replace the panorama and air will be lighter.

Dharmasala is a rudimentary village with only two or three guesthouses specifically for trekkers. Accommodation is basic and communal, as everyone gears up for the day. You'll have an early dinner and go to bed early, preparing for the long and hard hike over the pass tomorrow.

This is the hardest day of the trek as well as probably the one that will give you the mos satisfaction. We wake up before dawn at 4 a. m. for some coffee and then begin our gradual ascent towards Larkya La Pass The trail was a steep and rocky one, slowed down even more by the altitude. Today involves a total of approximately 24 km of walking — since you also walk up to the pass. The surrounding mountains, including Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal and Annapurna II, stand sentry as the morning sunlight casts its first rays on them.

Expect to get to the Larkya La Pass late in the morning after 4 to 5 hours of trekking. The reward of completion is a wonderful sensation, standing 5,160 meters high looking out at the surrounding peaks and glaciers. Then a long 4-5 hours descent to Bhimtang 28990 Notes While that descent is treacherous and will have you carefully stepping down to avoid a slip.

In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Bhimtang — a charming village of broad beauty beneath a circle of impressive mountain peaks. Well developed after the longest day ever, you will eat a delightful food and chill at the lodge to reach your accommodation later on.

You will start the day around 7 AM after a peaceful night, descending slowly from Bhimtang Today the trail. is more gentle as you walk through beautiful rhododendron and pine forests. You will get a nice view of the Manaslu and other mountain of distance which comes far reach. The 12 km trek and you have lunch on the way at tea house.

In the early afternoon, you will reach Tilije—a beautiful village surrounded by hills. Here, you can cosy up with a hot meal and in front of the fireplace knowing that you have shelter for the night.

After your breakfast will move out to start our last day walking trek to Dharapani then drive to Besisahar. This path from Tilije to Dharapani provides a relatively less difficult and charming walk so the trip takes you ahead. During This section of trekking which usually take 2-3 hours trekkers will see a gradual descend through nice alpine nature, mixed with wonderful views on farms and villages. This prominent and easier last part of the trek is well marked allowing you to enjoy your surroundings taking a moment to reflect back on your adventure, as we make our way down.

As you will be walking to Dharapani down to the terraced fields & the lovely settlements, it provides an opportunity for guest interaction with a local community full of warmth & hospitality. The ambience here is much quitter and sort of serene, with the massive mountains slowing thinning out into smaller heights which signifies that your altitude walking adventure will soon be over.

Trekking ends at Dharapani, which is a nearby Village that links Manaslu Circuit and popular Annapurna Circuit where you will get in to the vehicle for driving to Besisahar (760 m). It takes hours to get from Kathmandu to Besisahar on a crazy mountain road with a few pit stops and nice views along the way. Climbing down, the weather gets warmer, and you pass by the green valleys of Nepal with lower Himalayas. It will offer you a chance to relax, slow down and soak in the last sights of those mountains and all the different landscapes that you’ve been exposed to for four days.

Once you reach Besisahar, you will check in the local guesthouse for overnight. Besisahar comes as a busy town which heralds the end of the Manaslu Circuit and a major starting or ending point for trekkers. In others, you will have earned a chance to relax and dig into some home comforts and let it sink in that your trek was successfully completed. With most of the town trekkers who travel around the Annapurna Conservation Area visiting, Ghasa provides basic services and has a energetic feel to it.

These final kilometers once again encapsulate the transitions from harsh, high-altitude into milder and more hospitable surroundings at lower elevations of the Himalayas Author: This marks the end and completes a beautiful series on an incredible journey of Manaslu Circuit Trek. Overland Trek Nepal carefully presents the entire trip so that both your feet and wheels travel comfortably through each leg of journey ensuring a sprawling memory lane showing an aggressive offering of different mountainous regions.

The final full day of the trek is one that starts early so try for a dawn wake time (around 6 or 6:30 AM). You start your day after taking early breakfast at the guesthouse in Besisahar. You will now take transport around 6-7 hours from Besisahar to Kathmandu which is about 176 kms in distance and this leg of your journey covers mostly follows the Marsyangdi River downstream then Trisuli River. passing through charming views where you will have the opportunity to contemplate small villages, terraced fields until lush forests. As you near Kathmandu, however, the road gets crowded and soon you feel the life of the city after spending days in silence amongst the mountains.

Depending upon the Check into your hotel and relax for the evening upon arrival. Because after days of hiking, a really hot shower and a warm soft bed can feel like the ultimate extravagance. No shortage of dinner options in Kathmandu, you have a choice of many restaurants in Thamel where you can adopt Nepali,Tibetan or chose international cuisine. After having done such an amazing trip through the Annapurna region, you will probably feel drained but at the same time proud. Then at evening will go out for Farewell dinner to share all sadness and happiness then will eand our trip with great memory.

Your last day in Nepal can be anything from a rest day to another memory-making adventure. You will be departing from the Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport if you have a flight scheduled. International flights are typically in the afternoon or evening departure so that leaves you a short morning to savour an unhurried breakfast (if not included), and perhaps some last minute packing or shopping.

Kathmandu offers a lot of things around to do if you have more time prior to your flight. Easily visit divinely-templed sacred Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, as well as around ancient Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan and the city's multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites. There is one consolation though: these sites are both a rich part of history, fascinating architecture, and spiritual significance, making them an excellent way to finish off your trip.

Or you can spend the day Shopping in the colorful markets of Thamel and collects some souvenirs like handicraft, jewelry or trekking stuff. Or go for something more chill and give into that spa action — book a massage at one of the numerous spas all around town to flush those sore muscles post trek. And if you can´t still have enough of the mountains, probably a flying over the Himalayas will come to you a nostalgic and majestic good bye before returing back home.

A final day for some last wanderings in Kathmandu, and then prepare to head off to the airport as you think back over your trekking memories in Nepal, and the spiritual culture of this amazing country before you fly back home or on for other adventures.