DAY 1 - KATHMANDU: ARRIVAL DAY
Nepal welcomes you, and we do as well! We’ll be waiting at Tribhuvan International Airport to pick you up and bring you to your hotel. Enjoy your first glimpses of the Nepalese capital, a city rich in history, culture, and loveliness.
DAY 2 - KATHMANDU: FREE DAY (PERMIT PROCESS)
This is a free day in Kathmandu and will give us time to process your permits as Manaslu requires a special restricted area permit. Afternoon and early evening bring a final briefing and preparations for trekking.
DAY 3 - KATHMANDU TO ARUGHAT TO SOTI KHOLA
8 Hour Bus Ride.
Your trekking guide will meet you at 7:00am to ensure you catch the bus to Arughat, from where our trek begins. It’s an eight hour drive overland, half of which is over bumpy dirt roads! The pavement ends after Dhading Bensi, opening up to the wilderness we'll soon be hiking!
DAY 4 - SOTI KHOLA TO MACHHA KHOLA
930m (6 to 7 hours hiking)
It's a journey between rivers today as we depart the Soti River and climb towards Almara. A wending forest trail alive with colorful blooms brings us to RidenGaon, and the valley of Lambesi. Here, we'll follow the riverbed of the Budhi Gandaki before arriving alongside the Machha River where we will spend the night.
DAY 5 - MACHHA KHOLA TO JAGAT
1410m (6 to 7 hours hiking)
We'll cross the Machha Khola as we leave camp, and then the Kharola Besi. The Tatopani hot spring, which comes next, is a popular stopping point with trekkers - a soak in the springs is a deliciously reinvigorating treat! The forest trails welcome us again as we walk towards Dovan, and then some raging rapids at Budhi Gandaki. The elevation is increasing quickly, and you'll notice the landscape changing accordingly.
DAY 6 - JAGAT TO DYANG
1860m (5 hours hiking)
The terraced hill of Saguleri, with its view of Shringi Himal, is our first challenge as we walk upwards today. Sirish Gaon is our first landmark as Gandaki valley narrows, and we tackle the precipitous footpaths leading us to Dyang.
DAY 7 - DYANG TO NAMRUNG
2660m (5 to 6 hours hiking).
Following the Deng River will bring us this morning to a miniature village - just four houses! A newly-constructed rock tunnel helps circumvent the steep climb to Ghap, where Tibetan culture is seen everywhere in the chortens and abundance of mani stones around you.
DAY 8 - NAMRUNG TO LHOGAON
3180m (4 Hours hiking)
Sho is the next village, and getting there affords tremendous views of Naike, Manaslu North, and Manaslu. The Pungen Glacier is an outstanding side trek from here, affording outstanding views of Manaslu in its snow-capped glory!
DAY 9 - LOW TO SAMA GOMPA
3520m (3 or 4 hours hiking)
We follow the lateral moraine of the glacier to reach the village of Sama, and then a bit longer to get to our campsite at Sama Gompa.
DAY 10 - SAMA GOMPA REST DAY
You'll have the chance to learn more about the people and culture of Stone Hut as we linger here for another day. The air is thin at this altitude, and a day of acclimatization is necessary to stave off altitude sickness. Rest, write, or explore the small village.
DAY 11 - SAMA GOMPA TO SAMDO
3690m and 4 hours hiking
Today, we descend to the Budhi Gandaki River, that 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. From a stone arch we can view a large white kani. Finally passing through the kani we find Samdo. Overnight in Samdo.
DAY 12 - SAMDO TO DHARMASHALA
4470m (4 to 5 hours hiking). Only one tea house in dharmashala tea house owner will set up tents when its busy.
Even today, we continue our walk 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 to the stone guest house (4450 m), which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmshala, also known as Larke Phedi. The short walk today also leaves plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon. Overnight in Dharmashala.
DAY 13 - DHARMASHALA TO BIMTANG
3720m and crossing the pass at 5160m. 8 hours hiking
After a short climb, we reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glaciers from where we can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Finally, we walk across moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent which becomes steeper only in the last section of the pass. From the pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. It is a longer day than usual to Bimtang, but to walk into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in with Mt. Manaslu looming close by is an overwhelming experience. Overnight in Bimthang.
DAY 14 - BIMTANG TO TILCHE
2560m and 5 hours hiking
We trek for five hours today, walking downstream along the river. The path is easy and the trekking is pleasurable - even more so given the views of Chamje village and Himalpani.
DAY 15 - TILCHE TO JAGAT
1300m and 6 hours hiking
We climb over a small ridge and enjoy the stone paved trail as it passes through a beautiful village. We then cross the bridge over Dudh Khola and climb up through a chorten-shaped arch, pass a mani wall and reach the Thonje village. At the village, we go through a police checkpoint and continue to Dharapani. We have entered the Annapurna circuit section from Dharapani.
DAY 16 - JAGAT TO BHULBHULE
The walking is pleasant and easy again at this point, with the trail winding downstream of the village of Naadi. We’ll follow the bank of the Marshyangdi River to the town of Bhulbhule.
DAY 17 - BHULBHULE TO KATHMANDU
Our entire party - trekkers, guides, porters, and staff - will hop a bus this morning for the long, bumpy ride back to the capital. Your journey is done, and all that's left is reflection and a bit of leisurely fun. We'll bring you to your hotel in the city, and take our leave so you can indulge in a hot shower for the first time in a couple weeks!
DAY 18 - KATHMANDU: DEPARTURE DAY
Farewell from all of us at Himalayan Wonders! It's our pleasure to bring you to the airport in time to catch your flight home, or bid you bon voyage as you depart for new adventures.
