Manaslu Trek - 16 days

Wake up early morning and drive to Arughat. Drive through the countryside and beautiful landscape rivers, mountains, small villages and many more things to see during the driving period. Drive Kathmandu valley is most busy with traffic after crossing Thankot, road will be less traffic and scenery is beautiful until you get to Arughat where you will spend the night. It is trek starting one of the beautiful villages. After arriving here we catch next bus or jeep to Soti khola another 2hrs. drive and over night at hotel.

Trekking times: 6 to 7hrs

After breakfast trek will start at the beginning we cross the bridge, and trek through the beautiful Sal forests, then climb onto a bridge above huge rapids on the Budhi Gandaki. We then reach to Khursane. The rocky trail then weaves its way up and down, past two tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff. It eventually makes its way down and past a few rice terraces, then up and around to the Gurung village of Labubesi. We further climb behind a rocky outcrop, where the valley opens and the Budhi Gandaki meanders among wide gravel bars. Dropping to the sandy river bed, we walk along rounded stones before climbing over a side ridge. We head down again to the river and traverse to Machha Khola village. Overnight at hotel. 

Trekking times: 7 to 8 hrs

The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola, flowing in a rocky ravine, then reaches Khorlabesi. After a few more walk ups and downs, there is a small trailside hot spring, from where we reach to Tatopani. From the Hot Spring we climb over another ridge, then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. At this juncture, we climb on a wide, well-crafted staircase, then across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan. Upon crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Crossing to the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat. Overnight at hotel. 

Trekking times: 7 to 8hrs.

Today at the beginning we climb over a rocky ridge to Seller, and then descend to Setibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. We further continue walking upstream to a long suspension bridge. While climb up to Philim we will be at a large gurung village. The trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays fairly in level as it traverses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti. Beyond Ekle Bhatti the route enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. At this moment, we descend to the grassy land slopes, cross the Budhi Gandaki, then trek along the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank and then back again. As we keep walking the valley widens through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola.  Upon crossing the khola, we reach at the tiny village of Deng. Overnight at hotel.

Trekking times: 6 to 7 hrs

After early breakfast trek will start by walk beyond Deng, we cross the Budhi Gandaki on to the north bank and then climb to Rana at 1910m. From the bridge we climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley. Making ups and downs in forests, we pass mani walls and then turn to a corner that contours to Ghap. Even though there is another route; we take route through Prok village. Prok village has a view point from where we see beautiful view of Siringi Himal. We further cross Budi Gandai several times today and come across several gompas en route. The trail follows the river upstream through dense forest. After crossing the river at an impressive spot where it thunders down a narrow gorge, the forest becomes less dense and the trail is fine again. The pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb we reach Namrung. Overnight at hotel.

Trekking times 4 to 5 hrs

Namrung villages is good viewpoint for Siring Himal and Ganesh Himal. There are also a MCAP office, health post, police station in Namrung. To the south rises, we will have the view of Himal Chuli, a huge peak. Climbing steadily in the shade of a forest takes us to Lihi, a fine village with many shortens and many barley terraces. We still have quite bit of trail to reach Lho. Ganesh Himal Rises high into the sky when we turn around.

The trail drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal. A chorten with detailed paintings announces Sho, another nice village with fine views up the open valley. We cross a stream short after leaving Sho and one final steep climb takes us to village with superb view of Mt. Manaslu. It is Lho Village where we explore the famous Ribung Gompa. Overnight at hotel. 

Trekking times: 4 to 5 hrs

The Budi Gandaki is far down but we follow a small tributary instead. Walking in the shady fir forest is very enjoyable. Upon a short climb to a plateau we will be at Shyala village. Our arrival at the village will be surrounded by huge mountains and those are Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead, other snow summits to the right, at the far end stands Ganesh Himal. From a large chorten we look down into a little dip where two rows of houses form the main part of Sama. At the far end of the village, overlooking the valley stands the well-known monastery of Sama. Overnight at hotel.

Hiking times: 6 to 7 hrs exploration

We spend the day at Samagaon rest and acclimatization. We pay our attention to ponder at the thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures. At this juncture we meet the village women in Samagaon who wear a nice silver spoon as jewelry. On a little hill near Samagaon is an old Gompa. We take a side trip to Pungyen Gompa, a monastery with great views of the glacier. It is named after Manaslu; Pungyen means bracelet, a good description of the two peaks. It was destroyed a year after the first unsuccessful Japanese attempt to climb Manaslu. The locals believed that the climb angered the gods, and when the Japanese came back a year they met so much resistance that they had to give up their attempt. They finally submitted the mountain in 1959. Overnight at hotel. 

Trekking times: 4 to 5 hrs

Early morning descending to the Budhi Gandaki River, that has turned north, we 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. From a stone arch we can view a large white kani. Finally passing through the kani we find Samdo. Over night at hotel. 

Trekking times: 4 to 5 hrs

After breakfast continue trek down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over Budi Gandaki and begin walking upward. Upon crossing two streams and witnessing the Larkya Glacier we go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again and come to the stone guest house (4450 m) which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmashala, also known as Larkya Phedi. Where we spend the night. 

Trekking times: 9 to 10 hrs

After a short climb, we reach the ablation valley on the North side of the Larkya Glaciers. Upon this moment we will have the 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 only in the last section to the pass. From the pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. At here, we enjoy the spectacular views from the top of the pass. It is a longer day then usual to Bimtang. But to walk into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in and Manaslu will be an experience not to be missed. Overnight at hotel. 

Trekking times 7 to 8 hrs

From a ridge at Bimthang, we will have very beautiful views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Him lung Himal, Cheo Himal. We further walk down and cross the high pasture (Sangure Kharka). Beyond a bridge over Dudh Khola, we descend into a rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land in this valley at Karche, 2785 meters. From here we cross a slide, then go across fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank at 2580m. A short distance beyond is the village of Gho.Over night stay at hotel and rest.

Trekking times: 5 to 6 hrs

after breakfast, we ascend over a small bridge to the stone - paved village and wind among the closely spaced houses of this large village. Upon leaving the village, we cross the Dudh Khola and trek along the river embankment. Crossing at a wooden bridge back to the northern side of the Dudh Khola and climbing up through a shorten-shaped arch and passing a mani wall, we will be at Thonje village. At the village of Thonje, we go through a police checkpoint and then continue to Dharapani. We have entered the Annapurna circuit section from Dharapani. Further down we come across Karte village and after quite a bit of walk we cross a bridge over Marshyangdi Khola. Further, we come across some Mani Walls before reaching village of Tal where there is ACAP office. Tal Village is situated at the foot of a large waterfall. Overnight at hotel. 

Trekking times: 6 to 7 hrs

Journey from Tal to Syange begins. At the beginning the trail continues on to Chyamje  the Marshyangdi Khola once again. The Marsyandi valley opens with its banks terrace fields and villages clung very high to the hillsides. The trail then descends through forests of rhododendron and pine to Syange where spend the night.

Syange to Bhulbhule (800m.) 

 Trekking time:  4 to 5 hrs

After breakfast last trek continuing follows the river passing some villages and crossing the river on the Suspension River. Take you through the local houses and some up and down hill grand terrace landscapes. This may have wonderful chances on the way of big waterfall and enjoy the scenic landscapes and last part takes you and 40 minutes steep climb up to the Bahundanda for the lunch stop then we firstly trek down and gentle walk up to the Bhulbule for over night stay. 

Driving distance: 6 to7 hrs.

After breakfast drive on the way back to Kathmandu along the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers offers splendid views of green hills, mountains, farming terraces and villages on both sides of road. And rest in Hotel in Kathmandu