Manaslu Circuit Trek

Today we drive around 8 hrs drive to Soti Khola to start our trip. Your tour to Manaslu Circuit begins from Kathmandu. To start, you can take a direct bus at 6 am and 8 am, from Gongabu Bus Park, Kathmandu to Arughat. Or, you can take the bus to Dhading or to Malekhu on the Prithvi Highway and take the local bus or jeep thereafter.

Today, we start trekking in the morning. And after crossing the bridge, the trek climbs up onto a ridge above the huge rapids of Budhi Gandaki and reaches to Khorsaani. Then, the trail gets a bit precarious as it passes over a big rock and crosses a stream. The rocky trail then goes up and down through a large stand of nettles, passes tropical waterfalls, and again backs down to the bank of Budhi Gandaki.

After a few more ups & downs, we reach to Tatopani. From the hot spring climb on over a ridge to Dobhan. Crossing a suspension bridge over the Dobhan Khola, the trail climbs on a rugged trail to Duman. we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Trek along the Budhi Gandaki river then climb towards the village of Jagat.

The day begins by following the river bank again for the first hour up to Ghata Khola. We then cross to the eastern bank before ascending to Philim, one of the few large settlements on this route and home to the Manaslu Conservation Area Project office.

The trek takes us through a heavily forested area in a narrow valley until we reach the little settlement of Dang. We then cross the Budhi Gandaki River where the valley opens and we begin our ascent to Rana. The trail then proceeds to Ghap through several landslide zones. At this point, you must be extra careful as you walk. Plus, you must be attentive to your guide’s instruction to maintain physical safety. After the landslide zone, you will follow the trail up to Namrung.

Slowly and gradually we gain altitude and enter into alpine territory. We also have increasing mountain views. On the way to Manrung, we find more Mani walls and three more crossings of the Budi Gandaki. Finally, we reach Lho where we will stay overnight. Form the place, you can catch the stunning views of Manaslu (8163m) and Manaslu North (7157m). On this day, you will gain a quite high altitude, so you must walk slowly and check your body signs.

Today, we resume the trek with a steep descent and a crossing of yet another rock-strewn torrent called Thusang Khola. You will realize that Manaslu and Himalchuli dominate the entire landscape. Then on, across the glacier-fed Numla Khola, the valley drops away to a moraine while we follow the ancient trans-Himalayan trail now just a few kilometers from Tibet. Sama Gaon is the principal village of the Nubri people which holds a large gompa, many shops, a health post, heliport and telephone/wifi access, etc.

Samagaon – Samdo Descend to the Budi Gandaki, which has turned north, and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. The trail to the left leads to the Manaslu Base camp. The Larkya la Trail passes several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river passing the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. We drop off the shelf, cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge and climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river(3738 m) 5 hours GuesthouseOnce at the hilltop, you will get the enticing views of Manaslu. Nearby, you will see many Himalayan Thars and Yaks grazing.

Today, we will have full-day acclimatization at Samdo. We can explore the surrounding areas of Samdo today and stay here tonight. You will notice extended yak pastures up a broad valley with long mani walls, with a variety of birds.

From there, you will leave the tree line and climb to a ridge across the wooden bridge of Buri Gandaki before you reach white Kani. It is a neighboring village to Samdo, a very picturesque village dedicated to yak herding.

Once at Samdo, you can explore the nearby villages or you can hike to Samdo Peak. The Larkya La trail is on the left above the valley.

Today’s walk starts easily enough. We cross Budhi Gandaki for a final time and pause at the old stone wall of mani inscriptions bidding us well for progress over the pass. The trail gradually rises through juniper and tundra with a viewpoint overlooking the Larkya La Glacier. Further climb will bring us to the memorable Spartan Larkya Rest House.

An early morning start is needed for what is to be a particularly tough and extended day. We start at approx. 4 am to avoid the gale-force wind which usually gains in strength after mid-day at the pass. After a long gradual climb alongside a moraine, we make a short descent to a glacial lake and reach the head of the moraine (4700m) which we cross to climb to the ridge top. Four frozen lakes lie below and then it is up to the crest of the Larkya La (5100m). The reward for these difficult trekking conditions is brilliant westerly views of Himlung Himal, Kanguru and Annapurna II as well as the looming omnipresence of Manaslu. Well, the descent is hardly any easier; we drop around 650m in less than an hour.

The toughest days on the trail are behind us. We descend through meadows and through pine and rhododendron forest to reach Hampuk and then after dropping further following the course of the Dudh Khola we arrive at Karche and then onto the village of Gho. Keeping the west bank of the river, the afternoon is one of the gradual descents to the Gurung Settlement of Tilije which has a certain notoriety for apply brandy. We stay overnight in Tilije (2300m) at a local lodge.

Trek goes along the Dudh Khola, a tributary of the Marsyangdi River, before arriving at the confluence in DharapaniToday the trail runs gently downstream of the river passing the village of Syange where we stay overnight. The valley becomes more agricultural and lush as you pass fields and copses of oak and rhododendron, staying on the north (true right) bank until Tilije. From there, you will continue your stroll towards Dharapani and continue to syage.

After completing this wonderful Manaslu Trek, we today drive back to Kathmandu. If you feel extreme tiredness, you can take a jeep from Tilje to Besi Sahar. From there, you can take a ride back to Kathmandu. Or, you can take a bus back to Kathmandu from Tal. After the 7-8 hours drive, you will get to rest in one of the sophisticated hotels in Kathmandu.