Manaslu Expedition (8,163 M)

Altitude: 1400m

On the first day, you arrive in Kathmandu via Tribhuvan International Airport. Our representatives will be there to welcome you and escort you to your hotel. On reaching the hotel, which is generally a 3 star or a 5-star hotel, you can get some rest as you may be having jet lag. If that’s not the case, you can go around for a short walk by yourself and see some places in Kathmandu. You will also be served with delicious Nepali cuisine for dinner.

Highlights

• 3-star or a 5-star hotel for accommodation
• Taste the delicious and authentic Nepali cuisine

Altitude: 1400m 

This day you can explore the city or do any last preparations for your expedition. Enjoy your breakfast, and you can go sightseeing around some of the world heritage sites. Or, if you have any shopping to do for your expedition, you can visit Thamel and its surrounding market to get such equipment.

In the evening, you will be accompanied by your guide for dinner. After dinner, you will have a briefing session where you will get all the insights regarding your day plans. Our guide will address all your queries.

Highlights

• Explore around the world heritage sites like Durbar Square, Swyambunath, Pashupatinath, and many more in Kathmandu.
• Visit the old market area in Kathmandu.
• Witness modern life in perfect blend with the traditional architecture

Special Information

The briefing and interaction session is a useful session for you to get introduced to the team. It will help you know your team better. All of you will receive your permits after the briefing session. Thus, do not forget to gather in the evening.

Altitude: 950 m

A short drive in a four-wheeler from Kathmandu takes you the starting point of your trek. Arughat in the Dhading district of Nepal is the starting point of the trek. While on the ride, you move along on the spiraling Prithivi highway passing through hilly roads just outside Kathmandu. The views of small villages and the constantly flowing Trishuli river just by the side of the road makes for a pleasant experience.

On reaching Arughat, you will unload your backpacks and call it a day off. You will be staying in a hotel in Arughat.

Highlights

• Comfortable private vehicle for the ride.
• Enjoy the pleasant view of the Trishuli river and the nearby villages.
• Glimpses of the rural life of Nepalese people.

Overnight in Arughat.

Altitude: 1165 m

This day we finally begin our trek. After an early breakfast, we begin our walk through the graveled roads, eventually leading us to a foot trail.

The walk on this day may not be the best part of the trek. It is undoubtedly satisfying to walk alongside the rivers while enjoying the views of lush green forests and peaks like Ganesh, Manaslu, Annapurna, and Langtang in the backdrop.

You pass through villages that are home to people from different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicity. These include Brahmins, Chhetris, Gurungs, and such. Walking is easy on this day. Make sure you wear thin layers of clothes as the temperature is a bit warm in the lower regions.

Highlights

• Splendid views of Annapurna, Ganesh, Manaslu and Langtang peaks.
• Experience the diversity in culture and warm hospitality of people.
• Walk alongside the Soti Khola, enjoying the greenery around.

Overnight in Soti Khola

Altitude: 1330 m

After a warm breakfast early in the morning, you will start your walk through the narrow and rocky trails. You will notice the lifestyle of people here is a bit laid back. The views of fields and rivers flowing by give a joyful feeling of being in the countryside.

As you move ahead, you will notice the presence of the Gurung and Ghale community increasing. Passing through sal forests, rivers, and multiple ascending and descending trails, you reach Nyali Khola and, in turn, Machha Khola, which is our destination for the day.

Be careful walking on those narrow trails as you will frequently encounter lots of mules.

Highlights

• Walk alongside rivers and forests through narrow trails.
• Enjoy the diversity in culture and tradition.

Overnight in Machha Khola.

Altitude: 1350m

The walk on this day starts through the twisting trails alongside Budhi Gandaki river before entering the dense forests. On the other side of the forest are Gurung settlements like Khorlabesi.

You will come across a hot spring named “Tatopani” which translates to “hot water” in Nepali. If you feel like it, you can rest your tired body for a short while here.

After crossing Yaruphant, cross the wooden bridge to avoid the torturous uphill climb. Finally, you arrive at Yaru, where you need to walk through the only cantilever bridge in Nepal to reach Jagat. Check-in at the checkpost with your permits as you will be entering the restricted region from here on.

Highlights

• Dive in at the natural hot spring and relax.
• Enjoy the turquoise beauty of Budhi Gandaki.
• Walkthrough picturesque villages and dense forests.

Overnight in Jagat.

Altitude: 2300m

The walk on this day includes passing through multiple villages while walking along the river. You can see the Buddhist influence prevailing in these higher regions. Several gompas wrapped up with Buddhist prayer flags decorate this land in colors.

There is a check post in Philim where you need to check your permit. Once that’s done, you can continue your walk along the western bank of the river. A dense forest filled with rhododendron, pine trees takes you to the point that separates Tsum valley and the Manaslu region.

Finally, after crossing Pewa village and the bamboo forests that follow, you reach Dang, your destination for the night.

Highlights

• Frequent encounters with ancient gompas, chhorten, and mani walls
• Walkthrough forests of bamboo, pine, and rhododendron trees.

Overnight in Dang.

Altitude: 2550m

This day marks one of the tougher walks through the trails. It is tough because you will be walking through a landslide-prone area. So be extra careful while walking through this area and follow your guide’s instructions carefully.

Crossing the suspension bridge, you reach Rana and Bihi Phedi. Walking further for about an hour, through the uneven rocky trail, you reach Namrung. Namrung is a village that is advanced compared to others on the trail. You will find coffee, restaurants, and well-managed hotels here.

Highlights

• Walkthrough one of the deadliest trails.
• Well-facilitated hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops.

Overnight in Namrung.

Altitude: 3150m

Your walk on this day is mostly through Tibetan culture influenced villages like Lihi and Sho. Mani walls and Gompas here depict the rich culture and tradition of this place. People and their lifestyle here is noticeably different with a higher influence of Buddhism.

Views of peaks like Manaslu and other peaks of the Manaslu range shine in absolute glory. The views of peaks also indicate the significant gain in altitude. As you’re already above 3000m mark, it is advised to take it slow from here.

Highlights

• Exquisite view of peaks of Manaslu range.
• Rich Tibetan culture and tradition.

Overnight in Lho.

Altitude: 3780 m

The walk on this day is a relatively short one. That’s because of the altitude. Walking slowly for a short time reduces the chance of getting altitude sickness.

From this day onwards, Manaslu remains in sight constantly to give you company and keep you motivated for the walk. You will walk through forests of rhododendron and pine trees, rivers, and streams.

In no time, you will arrive in Sama Gaun, which is one of the major villages on the trail with plenty of side trip options. This village is important for the Nubri people in religious context too. You can get some of the luxuries you have been missing, like WiFi here.

Highlights

• Short and satisfying walk.
• The constant view of Manaslu before entering Sama Gaun.
• Rocky landscape with yak pastures gives a rustic feeling of being in the mountains.
• Facilities like WiFi, shops, health posts, etc. available.

Overnight in Samagaun.

Altitude: 3780 m

This day will be for acclimatization. Since Sama Gaun has multiple options to keep you engaged, spending a day here is fun and enriching. You can choose to get out for short side trips like Birendra Taal, Serang Gompa, and many more. You can also observe the lifestyle of locals or get along with the community and live it yourself.

Special information

While acclimating, your priority should always be to get proper rest. However, resting does not mean sleeping. Sleeping has negative effects on acclimatization. That is why we encourage you to be engaged in some activities like short hikes. You can still rest and relax, but do not fall asleep.

Overnight in Sama Gaun.

Altitude: 4700m

From Samagaun, the next day, you start walking towards the north. You come across some blissful sights like the Pema Choling Monastery and Birendra Lake. Both of these places are gorgeous and blissful. The surrounding environment is truly magical.

You continue walking through the forest filled with fir and pine trees. If you’re lucky enough you may get to see some exotic wildlife and birds too. A few hours of a steep climb through the forest takes you to the Manaslu Glacier and finally to the Manaslu Base Camp. During the expedition season, you can see some fellow climbers camping in the base camp.

Our friends and locals from Sama Gaun help you set up camps in Manaslu Base Camp, which is home for a month. On reaching base camp, you can enjoy the majestic views of the Manaslu peak, Naike Peak, and the surrounding. Manasu Base Camp is truly a little piece of paradise.

Highlights

• Feel the calmness and spiritual energy in the local monastery
• Enjoy a quick dip in Birendra Taal to refresh your body and soul.
• Walkthrough the beautiful and picture-perfect forest of fir and pine trees.
• Enjoy the view of Manaslu Glacier, Manaslu Base Camp, and surrounding peaks.

Altitude: 8163m

Once you reach the base camp, it is an exhilarating experience from onwards. You will spend several days doing climbing exercises and acclimatizing. The Sherpas in our team pre-set different camps at different altitudes for your convenience.

Altogether, there are 5 camps, including basecamp, which serves as headquarters. You will constantly be ascending and descending through different camps. It will help in acclimatizing with the altitude. It will also test your physical and mental strength.

Throughout the expedition, your guide will help you in any situation, ensuring your safety. These world-class sherpa guides are known for their never-quitting attitude and ability to make quick decisions in the mountains.

On reaching the top, a profound sense of accomplishment will fill your heart with joy. Enjoy the view of a lifetime with mountains and high mountain valleys in all directions. With a tired body and a heart full of pride and happiness, descend, and get proper rest in the Base Camp. You might as well celebrate and rejoice with fellow climbers.

Highlights

• Stand atop at the world 8th highest mountain Mount Manaslu.
• Breathtaking views of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Himalchuli, Kangru, and other peaks
• Safely climb to the top and get back with the help of our professional guides.
• Celebrate the glory of climbing an 8000er.

Altitude: 4700 m

The very next day after you return from the expedition, you spend the day in the base camp. In a way, this will be your rest day after the tiresome expedition for more than a week.

Since you will be leaving base camp the next day, this is also the day for preparation. Before leaving the base camp, you must clean up the basecamp and all the mess you have made there (if any).

Altitude: 3541m

After the successful expedition, you and your team will clean up all your waste in basecamp and get back on the trail. Tracing the footsteps of your earlier climb through glaciers, you will climb down through forests and picturesque landscapes to Sama Gaun.

This time walking down becomes as easy as it can get. Also, this particular trail has a different energy that offers tranquility, unlike anywhere else.

Highlights

• Walk down with ease and comfort through beautiful forests.
• Enjoy the calmness of the surrounding landscape, unlike anywhere else.

Overnight in Samagaon.

Altitude: 2670m

The walk on this day is comparatively easy. Walking down from Samagaun, you will come across several rivers and suspension bridges like Therang river, Hinal Khola, and such. The sound of the river and forest in harmony will do its magic to make your walk easy and delightful.

Small settlements with mane walls and gompas appear every once in a while. You will pass through villages like Barchham, Lihi, and Sho. Heartwarming views of peaks like Manaslu and Himalchuli will keep you entertained throughout the walk until you arrive at Namrung.

Namrung is a charming village with pretty stone houses. On arriving at Namrung, you need to check-in at the police station.

Highlights

• Experience the traditional Tibetan- influenced lifestyle of people in the high Himalayas.
• Enjoy views of peaks like Manaslu, Himal Chuli, etc.
• Pass through several rivers and streams over suspension bridges.

Overnight in Namrung.

Altitude: 1606 m

Since you are descending in altitude, walking from Namrung to Philim is easy too. You will notice greater Buddhist influence while walking through this part of the trail. Mani walls and chhortens decorated with Prayer flags are a common view.

Villages like Ghap and Ekalbhatti can be the perfect rest spot for you. Views of peaks like Kutang and Siring will keep you company while on the trail. You will pass through the intersection between Tsum valley Trek and Manaslu valley Trek before finally arriving at Philim.

Highlights

• Fascinating views of Kutang and Siring Himal.
• Rich cultural presence.

Overnight in Philim.

Altitude: 883m

By now, you will be walking in the lower hilly region. So, the walk is mostly comfortable besides some uphill climb. You will come across villages like Siridibas, Salleri, and Jagat on this day. Frequent encounters with rivers and suspension bridges will fuel you up for the walk.

Budhi Gandaki river flowing by your side gives you comfort and freshness on the trail. If the weather is clear enough, the view of Siring Himal is quite extraordinary.

Highlights

• Easy and comfortable walk.
• Frequent encounters with rivers and suspension bridges.

Special information

You will come across Tatopani, which is a natural hot water spring on this day. If you wish to, you can take a relaxing bath in the hot spring. It will relieve your muscle pains and freshen you up. Remember, this can cause some changes in your regular itinerary.

Overnight in Macha Khola.

Altitude: 606m

This day is the final day of your trek. On this day, you will be following the trail alongside Budhi Gandaki river and walking through the forested landscape. The walkthrough terraced fields, waterfalls, and small Gurung communities. It is an easy and comforting walk to end the trek.

Highlights

• Experience authentic Gurung lifestyle
• Walkthrough waterfalls, forests, villages, and rice fields.

Overnight in Arughat.

Altitude: 1400m 

Finally, this is the day when you and the team head back to Kathmandu. After early morning breakfast, you will leave Arughat Bazar for Kathmandu in a 4 wheeler.

Highlights

• Ride along the scenic Prithivi Highway
• Views of rivers, fields, and villages will keep you engaged.
• Comfortable ride

Altitude: 1400m

This day you can spend some quality time in the capital city of Kathmandu. You can choose to book a tour or wander around on your own. There are plenty of world heritage sites that you can visit in Kathmandu. Besides these sites, you can enjoy some music with delicious food in Thamel, which is the major tourist hub in Kathmandu. Try out local Nepali food, wander around the old market in the middle of the city or simply rest, the day is all yours.

Highlights

• Quality time for yourself
• Treat yourself in a good restaurant and enjoy delicious Nepali cuisine.
• Get yourself some local Nepali products from the traditional local market.

Our representative will help you drop you at the airport on the final day of departure and ensure you reach the airport on time. We wish you luck and depart our ways.