ManasluCircuitExpedition
Trip Description
Your daily schedule
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Our representative will pick you up from the airport. After settling in at your lodge, spend the evening exploring the neighborhoods of Patan, home to the spectacular Durbar Square. This area contains a beautiful collection of temples, statues, palaces, and opportunities to buy souvenirs and local crafts.
Day 2: Kathmandu
Spend the day exploring the Kathmandu Valley. Shake the jet lag with a visit to Swayambhunath, the “Monkey Temple”. Take in the views of the city from atop one of the most important Buddhist stupas in Nepal. Return around 1pm to spend the afternoon exploring the city on your own. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Day 3: Kathmandu to Machha Khola
Today you will head to the Manaslu region of Nepal to begin your trek. Travel 9-10 hours by private jeep through the beautiful Nepalese countryside. The natural beauty of the area makes this journey well worth it. Spend the evening resting and preparing for the start of your trek. You will spend most nights in Nepali tea houses, but if the trail becomes busy, tent camping will be offered as a backup option.
Day 5: Machha Khola to Jagat
Today, the trail meanders up and down before reaching a small hot spring. Continue across the ridge, up the stone stairs and continue along the Budhi Gandaki river to the village of Jagat.
Day 6: Jagat to Deng
Begin your trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri and descend to Sirdibas. Beyond Sirdibas, the valley widens as the trail continues to Ghatta Khola. In the afternoon, the route becomes steep then descends into the grasslands before reaching the small village of Deng.
Day 7: Deng to Namrung
During your trek see the carved stone tablets that make up the Mani walls and several Buddhist monasteries called Gompas. As you continue to the village of Namrung, keep an eye out for the Danphe, Nepal’s colorful national bird.
Day 8: Namrung to Samagaon
Continue your 3,000 ft. ascent to Samagaon and take in the many spectacular mountain views, Buddhist monasteries, and prayer wheels along today’s journey.
Day 9: Samagaon > Manaslu Base Camp > Samagaon
Start the day with a visit to the famous Birendra Tal Lake before making your way to Manaslu Base Camp high above the clouds! After some time resting at base camp, begin your hike back to Samagaon. On the way, learn about the Sherpa culture, their traditions, and visit the oldest Gompa (Monastery) in Samagaon.
Day 10: Samagaon to Samdo
After breakfast, descend towards the Budhi Ghandaki River. Follow the river through the juniper and birch forests of the Kermo Kharka. Climb steeply between two forks of the river to reach Samdo.
Day 11: Samdo
Relax and enjoy a acclimatization day in Samdo with excellent views of Mt. Manaslu and other Himalayan peaks including Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye, and Cheo. Take an optional hike to nearby viewpoints to see these spectacular mountains. Pass by many seasonal herding settlements and spot beautiful mountain birds like the Lophophorus, Lammergeyer, and Himalayan Griffin soaring high above.
Day 12: Samdo to Dharamsala
Hike out on the trade route to Tibet that descends down to the river. Continuing hiking up the trail after crossing a wooden bridge. Pass more Mani Walls and trek through tundra and juniper as you take in the views of Larky Glacier. Continue around the Salka Khola Valley before reaching Dharamsala.
Day 13: Dharamsala to Bimthang
Rise early and hike up and over the Larkya La pass (16,924 ft / 5160m). It may be a cold and windy this morning as you trek over the pass, but the views of 23,000+ ft peaks Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Gyaji Kung, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II are amazing! Descend along the top of a moraine to the west, then drop steeply and traverse to a long set of steep, rough switchbacks. Make your way to Bhimthang for the night.
Day 14: Bimthang to Tilije
Descend across a high pasture and cross the Dudh Khola River. Continue your descent into a beautiful pine and rhododendron forest. The trail crosses over a past landslide and across several fields before a steep climb over a ridge decorated with prayer flags.
Day 15: Tilije to Tal
Trek across a small ridge and along stone paved trails to cross the Dudh Khola river once again. Climb through a stupa-shaped arch as you pass another Mani wall to reach the Village of Thonje. From this point the trail is generally downhill to Tal. Enjoy the picturesque waterfall in the village of Tal where you will stay for the night.
Day 16: Tal to Syange
Enjoy your final day on the trail as you trek through the Marsyandi valley with terraced fields and villages clinging to the steep hillsides. The trail descends through rhododendron and pine forests to the village of Syange.
Day 17: Syange to Kathmandu
Take a private jeep back to Kathmandu and join your fellow expedition members for a farewell dinner.
Day 18: Kathmandu
Time to say goodbye! Our representative will take you by private car to the airport for your flight departure.