Manaslu Circuit Trek

We set off early today for Sotikhola. During the drive, we enjoy views of the Nepalese countryside along with the mountain sceneries. We will be driving on a paved road from Kathmandu to DhadingBensi, district headquarter of Dhading (1050m)but the drive from DhandingBensi to Arughat will be on a rough road.  Upon reaching Arughat, a major town in the region we drive further towards Sotikhola.

 Overnight in SotiKhola.

At the crossing of the bridge, we trek through the beautiful Sal forests, then climb onto a ridge above huge rapids on the BudhiGandaki. We then reach Khursane upon which the rocky trail 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 up and the BudhiGandaki 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 cross another suspension bridge to reach MachhaKhola village. 

Overnight in MachhaKhola.

The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the TharoKhola and reaching Khorlabesi. After a few more ascends and descends we come across a small Hotspring in Tatopani. From the hot spring, we climb over another ridge, then cross the BudhiGandaki on a suspension bridge. At this junction, 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 YaruKhola, we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to TharoBharyang. Crossing the west bank of the BudhiGandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat. 

Overnight in Jagat.

We begin today’s trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to GhattaKhola. We further continue walking upstream to a long suspension bridge in Philim, a large Gurung village. The trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays on a fairly level trail as it crosses millet fields to EkleBhatti. The route now enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. At this point, we descend to the grassy land slopes, cross the BudhiGandaki, then trek along the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank and then back again. As we continue through the trail the valley widens and we pass through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola.  Upon crossing the Khola, we reach the tiny village of Deng. 

Overnight in Deng.

After a brief walk beyond Deng, we cross the BudhiGandaki and climb to Rana at 1910m. From the bridge, we climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the BudhiGandaki valley. The trail also passes through forests and mani where we turn towards a corner that contours to Ghap. Even though there is another route, we take the route through Prok village. Prok village has a viewpoint for a beautiful sight of SiringiHimal. We further cross the Budi Gandaki several times today and come across several gompas en route. The trail follows the river upstream through a 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 in Namrung.

Namrung village is a good viewpoint for Siring and Ganesh Himal and from the village one can also see Mt. HimalChuli in the south. We climb steadily and pass through forests and reach Lihi, a fine village with many chortens and barley terraces. The trail drops and crosses the side valley of SimnangHimal with Ganesh Himal always close by. We further pass through Sho we reach LohVillage. We enjoy extraordianary views of Mt. Manasly from Lho village and also explore the famous RibungGompa.

 Overnight in Lho.

In Shyala village we will be surrounded by high mountains like HimalChuli and Peak 29 (NgadiChuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead, and other snow summits to the right, and at the far end stands Ganesh Himal. Today’s journey ends in Samagaon where we spend the night.

Overnight in Samagaon.

We spend the day at Samagaon both for rest and acclimatization. Today, we get acquainted with the rich Sherpa culture. We enjoy the sight of thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures and the Sherpa women clad in traditional clothes and ornaments. On a little hill near the Sama village is an old Gompa (PungyenGompa), 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 later they met with a lot of resistance that they had to give up their attempt. They were finally successful in 1959.

 Overnight in Samagaon.

Today, we descend to the BudhiGandaki 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 KermoKharka. We drop off the shelf, cross the BudhiGandaki 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.

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 SalkaKhola 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 LarkePhedi. The short walk today also leaves plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon. 

Overnight in Dharmashala.

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 HimlungHimal, CheoHimal, 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.

From a ridge at Bimthang, we can enjoy great views of Mt. Manaslu, LamjungHimal, HimlungHimal and CheoHimal. We descend further and cross a high pasture (SangureKharka) followed by a bridge over DudhKhola. We walk through rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land of the valley at Karche, 2785 meters. We pass 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. Due to yesterday's tiredness we might take an overnight rest at Gho but better lodges are available at Tilije, so Himalayan Glacier recommends we stay at Tilije. 

Overnight in Tilije Village.

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 DudhKhola 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. Further down, we come across Karte village and after quite a bit of walking we cross a bridge over MarshyangdiKhola. We also come across some mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, situated at the foot of a large waterfall.

 Overnight in Tal.

Early in the morning after breakfast drive from Tal to Besishar .The trail runs gently downstream of the river passing the village of Naadi. From here the trail takes you to the bank of Marshyngdi River and town of Bhulbhule, Khudi all the way to Besisahar. Overnight in Besisahar

Drive and Free day at Kathmandu

End of Trip