Detail Itinerary for Manaslu Circuit Trek - 21  Days

Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)
Namaste & welcome to Himalayan Planet of Nepal. While you landed at the Tribhuvan intl. airport Himalayan Planet Adventures representative welcomes you with your name and assists to transfer in your hotel in Kathmandu. After time to get refreshed, bring you at head office and briefing about the program and evening we’ll pick up you for welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurant with cultural program in the heart of Kathmandu and overnight at Hotel.
(Welcome dinner & deluxe hotel accommodation included)

Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
After your breakfast to head on for our guided day trip to world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley and visit the highlights of Kathmandu and the surrounding areas. We take you to visit the pilgrimage sites of Hindus temple Pashupatinath, one of the most important shrine of Shiva temples on the subcontinent which is place of thousand of devotees, Saddhus (holy men/Baba), and can be seen the cremating body most of the times in the holy riverbank of Bagmati. Hundreds of monkeys are giggling with you and take a time to exploring surrounding area and visit Bouddhanath stupa an another pilgrimage centre which is most popular and important place for Buddhist. You can explore with rounding prayer wheel and flattering colorful flag with melodious chanting noise. After visiting Bouddhanath stupa we’ll drive to the City of Devotees (Bhaktapur). This traditional and traffic free town is the third biggest town in the Valley. We’ll explore the medieval like squares, courtyards and temples of this vibrant town. After a stop for lunch at restaurant in Bhaktapur it’s time to drive back to Kathmandu and meet up with your travel consultant & fellows to prepare for next day and overnight at the hotel. Alternatively, the same group may have option to choose same 3 sightseeing place inside Kathmandu valley instead of these given place.
(Breakfast & deluxe hotel accommodation included).

Day 03: Kathmandu to Arughat (550m/1,804ft)
This morning after breakfast we’ll start our journeys with drive through the beautiful river view & Nepalese countryside to reach at Arughat, on the footsteps of Manasalu. Arughat Bazzar is clustered on both sides of the River Budi-Gandaki linked by a suspension bridge, this is the largest settlement in the valley and it is also a junction to various important places. The path from here across the River leads to Dhading & Trisuli Bazaar and our route from here leads north. We will have time for a visit to the village or for the cool splash in the Budi Gandaki River and overnight at camp.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 04: Arughat to Soti Khola (750m/2,461ft)
Today, as our continuing journey onwards we follow the Budi-Gandaki river upstream, the trail from Arughat are much narrow passing through more rural farm villages and terraced fields with numerous streams to cross in between, the path follows the right bank of Budi Gandaki, passing through cultivated land, with many scattered farmhouses and hamlets reaching the village of Mordar, Simre and then to Arket. This low trail, which sometimes takes to the river bed, is not possible during the monsoon season. After climbing briefly to Kyoropani, then descending once again to the river for the overnight camp at the confluence with the tributary Soti Khola after 6-7 hrs walk, with time to for a wash in the nearby fresh water stream.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 05: Soti Khola to Machha Khola (890m/2,920ft)
Today, the path from here at times cuts into the steep valley, which is densly forested, passing through a number of small villages tucked into the hillside, till we reach a widening of the valley, opposite the point where a large tributary stream enters the Burhi Gandaki river. The terraced cultivated fields belong to the upper village of Lapubesi. From here our path descends to the wide, sandy riverbed which follows a trail meandering below the steep, craggy valley side. We have last climb up to brings you at near villages where is some teashops and nearby we’ll camp for overnight after long day 7-8 hrs walk.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 06: Machha Khola to Jagat (1,350m/4,429ft)
The trail leads to more interesting farm villages and fields as the vegetation changes slowly, after crossing bridge and heading upstream to the tiny village of Kholabesi and the hot springs at Tatopani. From here the valley sides becomes steeper, until the path becomes impassable the route then switches to the left bank of the river by way of suspension bridge. We have a short section of forest path coming to some teahouses at Doban. Above Dobhan the Burigandaki River flows down in an impressive torrent rapids. Beyond this steep section, the river becomes calmer, meandering across a broad gravel bed. On reaching Lauri we cross the Vana River on a suspension bridge from here leading to a climb on a high path, and then descending into open valley at place known as Yara Khola. Here, there many good camping spots depending upon the hours of walk and the condition of the trail. Our journey continues on (if not camping here) for another hour to the village of Jagat for overnight after 6-7 hrs walking, which is a big village after Arughat with a mixed community.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 07: Jagat to Deng (1,960m/6,430ft)
Firstly we descends to a long series of stone steps to the river,from here the path climbs a terraced hillside to Saguleri, overlooking distance view of Sringi Himal 7,187m from this spot, the walk follows ups and down trail as we reach to the bridge over Budi-Gandaki, after crossing the bridge from Ghata-khola, the path winds up towards Philim village. From here the trails climbs slowly along the hillside passing through small settlements of Aga, Lokwa. After Lokwa it’s a downhill to camp at a small place Eklaibhati near Shiar khola with great views looking over the valley towards Pangsing. An hour walk after Eklai-bhatti, we cross to the east side of the river. The path follows up and down in some section the trail is cut into the sheer cliff walls, after this dramatic portion the track finally improves as the walk leads to Deng village for the overnight. This takes 6-7 hrs walk.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 08: Deng to Ghap (2,380m/7,808ft)
From Deng the houses and terrains completely changes into more Tibetan like from here onwards. The people here are of Tibetan origin along with their ancient culture. Villagers of this areas cultivates buck wheat, wheat, barley and potatoes as staple crops, beside this since trekking became popular around this area, spinach, carrots and cabbages are also grown. After 3-4 hours of walk brings you at Bih, our journey continues for another two hours on this steep sided and impressive valley, coming across Mani prayer stone and finally at Ghap village for the overnight camp which straddles the river across a short wooden bridge. There is a strong Tibetan influence at this village.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 09: Ghap to Namrung (2,700m/8,858ft)
We onwards the trekking is pleasantly cool as we begin to gain height and enter the alpine forest. The walk continues steeper up as the valley opens out with quite extensive pastures with more steady climb then crossing a large stream flowing down from the Lidana Glacier, with magnificent view of the snow peaks on the north Kutang Himal range with Pang Phuchin 6,335m, and Saula Himal 6,235m and other unnamed peaks of over 6000m. On the southern lies the Manaslu Himal and Simang Himal range with its array of over 7000m peaks. The walk is pleasant; with gradual uphill the altitude gains slowly as you reach at farm villages Namrung passing the fir and rhododendrons forest and overnight at camp.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 10: Namrung to Sama Gompa (3,360m/11,024ft)
Today we pass the few small villages and bring us to Lho, a large village with a lovely little monastery and numerous chorten and Mani walls. We continue trek further with a many snow caped mountain view passing some small villages. A couple of hours further lead us to Sama gaun village, with superb view of Mt. Manaslu. Samagaun, one of the biggest village of this region, the people are mostly farmers growing what they could in this harsh terrains and cold climate, like buck wheat, barley are the main crops, potatoes and few varieties of vegetables grow in this soil. The people like their ancestors descended from Tibet as early as 300 years back, the culture and their living style is very much like they predecessor. The people of this area still trade with Tibet taking 2 or 3 days to week. The border to Tibet is a day walk for the locals. It is one of the old salt trade route from Nepal to Tibet. We’ll camp at near Gompa and explore the surrounding area and visit Monastery which is a biggest one in the area.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 11: Acclimatization day at Sama Gompa
Today is full day rest and relax at the camp for acclimatization or you can spend the day hike up the lake, monastery or by relaxing and exploring Sama Gompa village. This is big Tibetan community. You will see fabulous view of Manasalu and stroll back to camp for overnight stay.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 12: Sama Gompa to Samdo (3,780m/12,402ft)
After acclimatization at Sama Gompa, today's trek climbs slowly towards Samdo and beyond. Actually the walk to Samdo is not too far can be done within 3-4 hours but due to the increase in altitude and the dry air makes the walk a little slower than previous days, we need to gain the height slowly taking time and enjoying the view around as we come to the village of Samdo. From the campsite we cross a high plateau and skirt around the ridge of lateral moraine heading towards Karmo Kharka and Kermo Mamam, as the trek advance near to Samdo village we then climb a terraced hillside on the opposite bank of Budi Gandaki reaching one of the most remote permanent settlements in Nepal, at Samdo. It is quite a sizable village of some 40 houses with 200 villagers who live in this most severe condition. This is the last village before Larkya-la. Camp is made near the village.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 13: Samdo - Larkya Guest House (4,200m/13,780ft)
From Samdu the track leads to more barren areas, walk begins on the wild mountain path crossing the Gyala Khola, then ascending to the ridge where there is a ruins of a village known as Larkya Bazaar. Presumably this village once thrived on trade with Tibet over the nearby Gya La, a trade which at present has diminished. Our walk nearing the Larkya Glacier reaching Duwang, where there is a lodge, built to serve travellers crossing the Larkya -La which lies now just ahead. Overnight camp is just around this place on the clearing.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 14: Larkya Guest House to Larkya La (5,135m/1,843ft) to Bimthang (2,200m/7,218ft)
The walk from Larkya phedi (bottom) towards the top of Larkya-la at 5,135m is gradual winding climb. We make an early morning start to prepare for the crossing of the highest pass on this trek, a short climb above the lodge, we reach the ablation valley on the north side of the Larkya Glacier with magnificent views of Cho Danda and then of Larkya Peak. Finally, we walk across the moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent which becomes steeper in the last section to the top of the pass. From the pass, outstanding views of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II can be seen. After a wonderful moment on the highest spot, a long descend follows over snow and scree, to reach the valley trail to Larcia. A further hour on a moraine ridge path leads to Tambuche at 3,900m and with a short distance walk from here to camp at Bhimthang a lovely place on a broad and level valley with a number of mani walls and deserted house. We will surely arrive tired in camp after a long, hard satisfying day.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 15: Bimthang to Forest camp
After the long days walk to Bhimthang, the walk from here to Dharapani will be pleasant through the forest of pines, rhododendron and summer pastures with occasional view of the nearby snow peaks. From Bhimthang after crossing this high pasture, we descend the valley of the Burdin Khola to the area of the base camp of the west side of Manasalu. From a ridge we have excellent views of Manasalu to the south east and Annapurna II to the south west. Beyond a bridge over the headwaters of the Dudh Khola, we descend and follow a trail through narrow valley and into serene forest and camp on the meadows amidst the forest surrounding in perfect tranquility after 4-5hours of easy walk to near or after Karche 2,785m for the overnight.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 16: Forest camp to Tilje village (1,943m/6,373ft)
From here the track leads downhill through the forest passing through a small summer settlement at Goh and then after an hour or more of gradual walk, we climb through terraced fields to the Karche La, and can see ahead a green and heavily forested valley, dropping down to the distant Marsyangdi River, after few hours of walk coming to the village of Tilje following the Dudh (milky) river downstream. We pass a number of villages, including Thonje, where there is a check post. We will overnight at Tilje at camp.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 17: Tilje to Jagat village (1300m/4,264ft)
From the Tilje, an hour climbs to cross the bridge and then coming to where the main trail of Annapurna circuit joins at Dharapani village. After Dharapani we trek downstream follow the Marshyangdi river passing though the Tal and Chamje village with few steps up and down hill through the rive deep gorge and brings you at Jagat village for the overnight at camp.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 18: Jagat to Khudi, (790m02, 591ft)
Today, as a continuing follows the river passing some villages and get arrive at Sange village where from we can have a jeep drive up to Khudi and overnight. (This Jeep drive may not available during the Summer season).
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner & tented accommodation included).

Day 19: Drive from Khudi to Kathmandu
Today, we drive back to Kathmandu through the scenic view of the countryside and passing through headquarter of the Lamjung called Besishahar which is a starting point of Annapurna Circuit trek. We back to Kathmandu and check in to hotel. Rest and relax at the hotel and overnight.
(Breakfast, lunch & deluxe hotel accommodation included).

Day 20: Leisure at Kathmandu
This pleasant day you may have full day at leisure at your own or can be extends your extra trip with us on additional cost or time to explore the Thamel for last day shopping and evening company will meet you for the farewell dinner and overnight at hotel.
(Breakfast, farewell dinner & deluxe hotel accommodation included).

Day 21: Departure from Kathmandu
Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you’ll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.
(Breakfast included).