Manaslu Circuit

Airfare is not included on this tour, so you are responsible for getting to and from Nepal on your own. The first day is not scheduled, so you are free to arrive in Kathmandu throughout the day. After your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu), the group will meet up at our charming hotel in the historic trekking district of Themal. Here you will be met by the guide and greet the rest of the group. If you arrive early, you are free to explore the city during the day.

After a good night's rest and our first tasty Nepalese breakfast, we head out to explore Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa for days sightseeing around the beautiful capital city of Kathmandu. There will be a guide throughout the city tour. You'll also have some free time to wander the narrow shopping streets of Themal district, where you can pick up any last-minute trekking supplies you might need. This district is known around the world to be a shopper's dream for outdoor enthusiasts!

After breakfast, we set off on an early departure for Soti Khola. We travel in good 4-wheel vehicles and eventually transition from urban landscapes out into the countryside. Quickly after leaving Kathmandu we can catch a glimpse of the Himalayas with Ganesh Himal in the distance. This is a long travel day, but we take breaks along the way and it provides a good opportunity to experience a bit of life along the country road. After approx. 8 hours (the last on a relatively tough road) we arrive at Soti Khola.

Today we take the first steps on the mighty Manaslu trek. We cross our first suspension bridge and walk through beautiful Salskogen, up over ridges and have the large river plains of Buri Ghandaki below us. We stop for lunch along the way before the rocky path continues up and down, and further into the valley. We pass small rice terraces and above us on both sides, far up the mountainside, we see smaller villages. We cross the river before arriving at Maccha Khola where we spend the night.

Today the path takes us to more interesting farm villages and we see a slow change in the landscape. We only now move into the Manaslu National Park itself, we cross over large and small suspension bridges before we reach the small village of Kholabesi and the hot springs in the cozy village of Tatopani. Stone prayer shrines, several mani (holy walls) with stone tablets and well-built stone houses with paved streets eventually meet us. Down by the river is the small village of Jagat where we spend the night.

We press onward, ascending the rugged ridge and venturing deeper into the majestic embrace of the Himalayas. Our journey winds through quaint villages, each unveiling snippets of local life, until we reach Philim, a hidden gem nestled in the mountains. Here, in this enchanting Gurung village steeped in culture and tradition, we'll rest for the night, immersing ourselves in its captivating charm.

We start the days hike after a hot breakfast and invigorating cup of Nepalese tea. Today's section of the trek meanders through picturesque rice fields and ascends into the lush embrace of densely packed pine forests. As we ascend higher, the air becomes crisper and cooler, invigorating our senses. By afternoon, we'll reach the quaint village of Deng, nestled amidst the stunning mountain landscape, where we'll rest for the night, enveloped by nature's tranquility.

After several days of trekking, we've found our stride, settling into our morning routines seamlessly. While dense forests still envelop us, the snowy peaks loom ever nearer on the horizon. With each passing day, the crisp mornings and evenings serve as reminders of our ascent in altitude. Our path leads us further up the Shringi Valley until we reach Ghap, our resting place for the night.

Today, we set out early, eager for a full day of travel ahead. As we ascend gradually, we meander past quaint houses and lush fields, eventually reaching a checkpoint to validate our trekking permits. Along the journey, we catch glimpses of Manaslu, standing majestically as the world's eighth-highest peak at 8,163 meters. Crossing the 3,000-meter mark, we adjust seamlessly to the altitude, relying on steady pacing, ample hydration, and positive spirits to combat any signs of altitude sickness.

The green-clad hillsides have now given way to a somewhat more barren landscape and pointed Himalayan peaks. We are as close to Manaslu as we can get, and the thin air now makes it a little harder to walk. Perhaps there are also some patches of snow here and there, in some periods it can actually be almost full winter up here. Samagaon is the largest village in this region and the afternoon can be spent strolling around the narrow streets.

Finally a quiet day where we can sleep a little longer and maybe let the equipment air out and dry a little. We explore the area with a trip to the nearby monastery or perhaps a walk to Manaslu Base camp where we pass the beautiful Birendra Kund lake, which is a couple of hours walk away.

Today's trek offers a relatively easy journey as we venture deeper into the valley towards Samdo. Towards the end of our route, we encounter a gentle ascent before reaching the Tibetan village, established by refugees in the 1960s. Samdo provides a pleasant atmosphere for leisurely strolls or admiring the captivating views leading up to the Larkya La pass.

We are planning another acclimatization day in Samdo to better prepare for the high pass ahead. Today we will spend our time exploring the Tibetan border area so that we can acclimatize to the altitude and fully immerse ourselves in the unique atmosphere of life on the roof of the world.

We once again cross the Buri Ghandaki river and continue upwards towards Dharamsala, or Larke Phedi as it is also called. This place really only consists of two stone houses and the accommodation here is quite spartan. But this is the last settlement before we set off on the long leg over the Larkya La pass and down the other side. Before we arrive in Dharamsala we can also catch a glimpse of the north face of Mt. Manaslu.

Today marks a challenging and lengthy journey. We start the day early with a hearty breakfast before embarking on our trek at dawn, around 4:00 - 5:00. With headlamps aglow and layered in our warmest attire, we begin our ascent towards the renowned Larkya La pass, famed for its breathtaking vistas of the Himalayas, it is often described as one of the most dramatic mountain passes in the Himalayas. While not the loftiest pass in Nepal, it presents unique obstacles, a demanding 8-10 hours of trekking, including 4-5 hours at high altitudes through rugged and exposed terrain. Following the arduous climb, a steep descent of 1,600 meters awaits, leading us to the Annapurna side, traversing moraine fields before reaching the vast, flat expanse where Bhimtang awaits.

As we descend to lower elevations, the terrain becomes gentler, and the weather warms up, allowing us to shed our winter layers. Along the way, we'll meander past lush fig and rhododendron trees, tracing the path of the river downstream until we reach Dharapani. Here, the teahouses boast superior quality, offering a chance to unwind outdoors with a refreshing beverage.

After a nice finish in the mountains, we say thank you and goodbye to all our porters and the local team. After breakfast we start the long but scenic return journey to Kathmandu. Tonight we are finally rewarded with a good shower, change of clothes and a delicious dinner - the comforts of Kathmandu.

After a good and long breakfast at the hotel, we can explore more of what colorful Kathmandu has to offer. Perhaps you want to do a bit of shopping, wander through the many back streets of Thamel or get a good and well-deserved massage. Tonight the group gathers for their final farewell dinner, sharing cherished memories, enjoying each other's company, and reminiscing about the amazing experiences they've had together.

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Nepal and all the new friends we have made along the way. The participants are now free to head for the airport for their return journey, or to extend their stay in this exciting country.