Manaslu Circuit Trek

Since Kathmandu has plenty of historical monuments, a day is not enough. But we will cover some of the important places and afternoon is the time for buying trek gears, other stuff required for the journey.

After leaving Kathmandu, the serpentine road will lead you towards your destination. On the way, you take a break at Papla Bhanjyang for lunch. A view of the entire Manaslu Trek and Annapurna range is visible. Then we move on to Arughat bazaar heading north upstream along the Budhi Gandaki river. The route passes below some slender waterfalls and a major climb to Machha Khola, where you halt for the night and prepare for the next day.

The day begins by crossing the Maccha Kola river and hiking upwards to the village of Khorlabesi. From here, the trail heads into a narrow ravine, where gorgeous steep-sided cliffs at the water edge and lush vegetation are seen. As we continue northward, you reach Tatopani(Natural Geysers), and then you head into a forest area. After a while, you go to Doban, a small settlement beyond Doban enormous rapid lies in Budi Gandaki. A suspension bridge has to be crossed at Lauri and move up the valley to Jagat. Time for rest after the long day's walk.

After breakfast, you descend to the river. The trail is amazing, passing through fields sown with maize and millet. It's an undulating course but thrilling and enjoying with plenty of spectacular views. Then you reach Salleri, after crossing the place, walking upward, catching the views of Shringi and Langju peak and a distant glimpse of Phillim. Hiking almost an hour and a half, we reach Phillip and take a break for lunch. A custom check post is located in the village, checking and levying taxes on the imported goods from Tibet. Leaving Phillim, the track passes through some beautiful waterfalls and a narrow gorge of Buri Gandaki, heading towards Manaslu Circuit Trek. Meandering high above the river, you reach a stone 'arch' or Kani passing under it. You reach the welcoming lodges of Deng(1860m) by the end of the day.

The day starts with a similar pattern to the previous day. Hiking downhill for a while, crossing the bridge and the trail climbs steeply. The road is zigzag for a few minutes till Rana, a small village, ahead the trail continues up and down. A wet path lies on the way where you can observe a watermill existing for ages. Then you enter a village called Bihi Phedi. You move on to Ghap with zeal as the scenery will captivate and enthrall you. Finely carved mani wall features along this trail. Today's final lap takes you through the pine forest, rhododendrons, and bamboos, a habitat for resident monkeys. After exiting the forest, we eventually reach Namru.

The clear view of Manaslu Circuit makes you spellbound. Here the people are mostly of Tibetian origin with a unique Sino-Tibetian dialect. A very different and incredible picturesque place awaits you. There are some interesting villages along the way, like Banjam, which spaces out the place of fields and flat areas. To the east, Ganesh's peak gradually starts to emerge. After a while of the hike, we reach a settlement called Lihigaon, where you find pine shingles and a monastery. Besides, Sho village is the first ideal viewpoint of Manaslu Trek in Nepal. The route now ascends and traverses to the Kani gateway. In a bit distance, you come across another bridge and a marvelous view landscape that will enthrall you. Ultimately we reach Lho, where we spend the night. There are colorful new stupas from where you will observe a breathing-taking sunset towards the end of the day.

A very beautiful sunrise begins the day. After leaving Lho, the route drops steeply down before ascending back above the braided streams to the west. After passing through a stone gate, and mani wall, much of the way is through trees. Similarly, Ngadi Chuli peak (7871m) is a fleeting view towards the north. The trail climbs slightly from Shyala village and drops down following the lateral moraine of the Pungyen glacier. An afternoon hike is a bit of acclimatization as the elevation increases further over the next few days. The trip to Pungyen Monastery is about 3/4th hour from Shyala. From here, it's mostly downhill to Samagoan, surrounded by stonewalls that the people of this place have made to delineate their fields. An old village for night halt.

Heading north, the views of Manaslu Circuit Trek behind gets even better and bigger. At this elevation, even the smallest hillocks seem an effort. Alpine birch and rhododendron cast shadows along the path for a while. The route soon crosses a wooden bridge where mani walls mark the trail. The trail continues to climb, passing various Kharka shelters. After following the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, the river is finally crossed. A Steep climb appears for a few moments, followed by a gentle one before entering Samdo. At that altitude, it is a sizeable village, but the environment is harsh, and especially during winters, it is hostile.

This is a day to adapt and prepare for the high crossing passes.

Leaving Samdo, the trail goes through fields and drops to cross Budhi Gandaki for the last time before heading west. Again a steep ascent occurs, which appears to be easier than it is. The route climbs in and out of a small stream where you might find ice. There are a couple of massive sandstone canyons along the way. Try to walk at a pace where breathing is controlled and regular. The landscape bears thorny berberis, and juniper and yaks are seen grazing close to glaciers. As the climb goes further, the path reaches Larkya Phedi, where you can capture a different perspective after sundown.

An early morning start is necessary because the icy wind usually blows up mid-morning. Walk slowly to conserve energy and appreciate the scenery. The high pass on the route enables you to make a further move, initially climbing Cho Canda and slowly heading steeply uphill. There are magnificent views of the mighty Himalayas in all directions and peaks, including Himlung Himal(23,379ft/7,126m), Kang Guru(22,998ft/7,126m), and Annapurna II. It is a steep descent again on the other side of the pass,, which must be walked through with much care. Fortunately, the slope soon eases and follows the base of the Ponkar glacier, which has now merged with the Salphudanda glacier. But by the end of the day, a warm meal awaits you at the Bimthang pass.

Bimthang means 'plain of sand.' The trail heads south beside the moraine, leaving the meadows with mind-blowing views of mountains, pine, and rhododendrons forest. Again it climbs over a small moraine to the main bridge over the fledgling Dudh Khola river. The trail climbs high over the Dudh Khola river with more panoramic views until it ends in a river bed at the hamlet of Karcha. Then with the gentle climb through the terraced fields towards a small pass, we reach Tilije. Dudh Khola is crossed alongside the river to reach the Thonje check post. From here, popular, the Annapurna Circuit trek is joined. Following the trail downstream, the village of Dharapani is reached.

Finally, after many days of the hike, it is time to drive back to Kathmandu. Your trek memories will make you fall in love with the mountains.

That will be your last day in Nepal. Early morning, we will organize a farewell breakfast for you. After that, our representative will take you to the airport from where you will depart from Nepal.