Manaslu Circuit Trekking

Our representative will meet at the arrival gate with a signboard for Mandala Holidays. Then you will be escorted to your selected hotel. The rest of the day can be spent at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.

Today is the auspicious day of our tour. We visit some of the cultural UNESCO world heritage sites of Kathmandu valley. Swayambhu, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudha and Pashupatinath would be our touring destinations today. These heritages are the live reflector of the religious integrity and architectural wealth of Nepal. After the time you will get brief about the tour. Overnight at Hotel.

Today our journey begins with a 6 to 7-hour trip from Kathmandu to Gorkha by bus or car with a stop for lunch. We will stay overnight at Arughat

Today we have a 3 to 4-hour trek from Arughat to Soti Khola. Before the earthquake of 2015, you could take a bus to Soti Khola. This may still be possible but will depend on road conditions. Tonight we will stay in Soti Khola

Today we have a 5 to 6 hours trek ahead of us, at first following a mule track up a steep hill before descending to Lapubesi (880m) and then continuing to Nauli Khola (river) and cross a long suspension bridge across the river. The trail continues to Buri Gandaki River and Machha Khola (900m) where we will stay the night.

Ahead of us today is a 6 to 7-hour trek following the river to the original route follows the river to Khorla Besi and the therapeutic hot springs at Tatopani (930m). After leaving Tatopani we follow the trail along the east bank of the continuing on the eastern bank of the Buri Gandaki to reach Doban, Thulo Dunga, and Yara Bagar (1370m). The trail frequently crosses back and forth over the river on suspension bridges before entering the main entrance to the Manaslu Conservation Area and finally Jagat (1410m). At this point, the office will check our area permits. Overnight at Tea House.

After breakfast in the village of Jagat, you'll make your way through various landscapes and dense sub-tropical forests, as well as small rivers and rustic villages to get to your final destination.
Begin the trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues to the Ghatta Khola river. You'll continue walking upstream to a long suspension bridge in Philim, a large Gurung village. From here, the trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays on a fairly level trail as it crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti.
The route now enters a steep, uninhabited gorge where you'll descend to the grassy slopes, and then cross the Budhi Gandaki river. Trek along the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank before you return to the west side again. The trail widens through the valley and you'll pass through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola river. Upon crossing, you'll reach the tiny village of Deng. Overnight at Tea House

After breakfast in Deng, you'll start one of the most important and culturally significant sections of the trek. First, cross the Budhi Gandaki river and climb up to the bridge, where you'll climb a bit further to join a trail from Bhi. Then head west up the valley passing through lush forests, alpine vegetation, and quaint villages housing ethnic groups of the Manaslu region, with major peaks starting to appear in the distance
Even though there is another route, you will take the trail through Prok. This village has a beautiful vantage point of the snowcapped Siringi Himal. Take a break here and then continue to cross the Budi Gandaki several times today running into several gompas along the way. The trail then follows the river upstream through a dense forest and leads to a narrow gorge. Keep going until you notice the forest becomes less dense. This rewarding part of the walk is a magnificent way to experience the Manaslu Conservation Area. You'll eventually reach one last steep climb to get you to the village of Namrung. Overnight at Tea House

After breakfast in Namrung, you can walk around the village for a good viewpoint of Siring, Ganesh Himal, and also Mount Himal Chuli to the south. Once on the trail, you'll first climb steadily and pass through forests to reach Lihi, a fine village with many stupas and barley terraces. The trail then drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal with Ganesh Himal always close by.
Further along, you'll pass through the villages of Sho, Lho, and Shyala before reaching Sama Village. You can enjoy extraordinary views of Manaslu from Lho and also explore the famous Ribung Gompa. In Shyala village you'll be surrounded by high mountains like Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead. Other snowcapped peaks can be seen to the right, and at the far end stands Ganesh Himal. Today’s journey ends in Samagaon where you'll spend the night.

Today is an acclimatization day, so sleep in and relax. Enjoy a refreshing breakfast and then spend the day at Samagaon getting some rest.
For those who want to explore, there's an optional day hike that explores some rich Sherpa culture. You can enjoy the sight of thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts, as well as photos of Sherpa women clad in traditional clothes and ornaments. If you hike up to a little hill near the Sama village, you'll find an old gompa—Pungyen Gompa—a monastery with great views of the glacier. Overnight in Samagaon.

After breakfast in Samagaon, you'll descend to the Budhi Gandaki River and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. You'll pass several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. The mountain views along this route are amazing and get you close to the Tibetan border.
This is an easy trek on a shelf above the river that passes juniper and birch forests in Kermo Kharka. Drop down and cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge, and then climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. You'll come to a stone archway and continue walking until you find the village of Samdo. Overnight at Tea House.

Today is another day set aside for proper acclimatization. After breakfast, you can either rest in Samdo or choose between two hiking options:
Option 1
Take an easy trail up the valley directly behind Samdo to one of the trade passes headed for Tibet. This route has excellent views of Manaslu along with other Himalayan ranges including Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye Peak, Cheo, and possibly Kang Guru behind the pass. En route to these viewpoints, you will pass many seasonal herding settlements called doksas and see some beautiful mountain birds like the Lophophorus (the national bird of Nepal), Lammergeyer, and Himalayan Griffin soaring above.
Option 2
A more challenging route is the trek to the Gya La (large pass) north of Samdo—a more frequently used trading route to Tibet. This is a longer full-day hike and not advised for those seeking a little rest.

After breakfast in Samdo, you'll pass a seasonal Tibetan market called Larke Bazaar and descend to the Budi Gandaki River. Cross the wooden bridge and begin walking upward, crossing two streams while witnessing the Larkya Glacier. You'll head around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again to Dharamsala, also known as Larke Phedi. Along the route, you'll see many traditional monasteries.
Today's shorter hike leaves time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon.

Today you'll set out on a longer hike so eat a hearty breakfast in Dharamsala. Though it's a more challenging trail, you'll encounter several rustic villages, clear glacier lakes, beautiful valleys, and a wide range of flora and fauna, not to mention some notable snowcapped peaks.
After a short climb, you'll reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glacier from where you can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. You'll walk across moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent, which becomes steeper in the last section of the pass. From here, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and the massive Annapurna II. You'll finish with a rewarding walk into misty low pastures in the early evening with Mount Manaslu looming in the distance.

After breakfast in Bimthang, head out to a nearby ridge where you can enjoy great views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal. Keep descending on the trail and cross a high pasture followed by a bridge over the Dudh Khola River.
From here, walk through a rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until you reach the highest cultivated land of the valley at Karche. Pass through lush fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank. A short distance beyond is the village of Gho where some trekkers choose to stay the night, but you'll continue walking until you get to Tilije.

After breakfast in Tilije, you'll continue your descent starting with a climb over a small ridge where you can enjoy the stone-paved trail. Then, cross the bridge over the Dudh Khola River and climb up through a stupa-shaped arch and past a mani wall before you reach the village of Thonje. Here, you'll go through a police checkpoint and continue to Dharapani. At this point, you have now exited the Manaslu Conservation Area and entered the Annapurna Conservation Area of the trek.
Further down, cross a bridge over the Marshyangdi Khola River. There will be some mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, situated at the foot of a large waterfall. This is a more commercialized area with lots of teahouses and trekkers.

After breakfast in Tal, follow the trail down a sometimes steep trail to the village of Chyamje crossing the beautiful Marsyangdi Khola (once again) via a suspension bridge. The valley of the same name opens with its terrace fields while villages clung very high to the hillsides.
The trail then descends further through picturesque rhododendron and pine forests to get to the village of Syange where you'll stay the night. This is your last night on the trail! Before dinner, make sure to check out Syange's magnificent waterfall.

Wake up with breakfast in Syange and perhaps take one last walk around the village before you hit the road. The drive from Kathmandu via Besi Sahar offers an opportunity to enjoy both hill and mountain landscapes often coming into direct view with the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. You'll also drive by some beautiful villages with farming terraces on both sides of the road. Upon reaching Kathmandu you will be escorted to your Hotel. In the evening our office representative will come to pick you at your hotel for your Farewell Gala Dinner at a Nepali Restaurant. Overnight at Hotel.

Our office representative will escort you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your International Departure. If you prefer to stay longer, you can go for short tours such as jungle safari at National parks, rafting, mountain biking etc.