Around Manaslu Trek

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu [1,300m/4,264 ft]

Upon our arrival in the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, we will be greeted by a representative from Nepal New Generation Team who will drop us off at our hotel. After checking in, we take a rest or visit Nepal New Generation Teamoffice. We may also stroll in the streets of Thamel, a tourist hub in Kathmandu for some souvenir shopping. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Himalayan Glacier. For dinner, you will be served excellent Nepalese cuisine which will introduce you to the country's authentic food culture. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Included meals:Dinner

Day 2: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation

Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. Some of these landmarks including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambhunath) and Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath) which is one of the largest stupas in the world are listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There will be a brief pre- trip group discussion followed by trek preparation during late afternoon at Nepal New Generation Team office in Thamel around noon. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Included meals:Breakfast

Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Sotikhola [710m/2328 ft] 8 - 9 hours

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 Dhading Bensi, district headquarter of Dhading (1050m)but the drive from Dhanding Bensi to Arughat will be on a rough road.  Upon reaching Arughat, a major town in the region we drive further towards Sotikhola. Overnight in Soti Khola.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 4: Soti Khola - Maccha Khola [900m/2952 ft]: 6 - 7 hours

At the crossing of the bridge, we trek through the beautiful Sal forests, then climb onto a ridge above huge rapids on the Budhi Gandaki. 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 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 cross another suspension bridge to reach Machha Khola village. Overnight in Machha Khola.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 5:  Maccha Khola -Jagat [1410m/ 4625 ft]: 6 - 7 hrs

The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola 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 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 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 in Jagat.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 6:  Jagat - Deng [1,804m/5917 ft]: 6 - 7 hrs

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 Ghatta Khola. 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 Ekle Bhatti. The route now enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. At this point, 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 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.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 7: Deng - Namrung [2630m/8626ft]: 6 - 7 hrs

After a brief walk beyond Deng, we cross the Budhi Gandaki and 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. 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 Siringi Himal. 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.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 8:  Namrung – Samagaon [3530m/11,578 ft]: 6-7 hours

Namrung village is a good viewpoint for Siring and Ganesh Himal and from the village one can also see Mt. Himal Chuli 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 Simnang Himal with Ganesh Himal always close by. We further pass through Sho, Lho and Shyala villages before reaching Sama Village. We enjoy extraordianary views of Mt. Manasly from Lho village and also explore the famous Ribung Gompa. In Shyala village we will be surrounded by high mountains like Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) 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.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 9:  Samagaon - Pungyen gompa - Samagaon: 6 - 7 hours exploration

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 (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 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.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 10:  Samagaon - Samdo [3860m/12,660 ft]: 4 - 5 hours

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.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 11: Rest Day in Samdo

This is another day set aside for proper acclimatization. There are two options for us today. The option that we highly recommend is a hike, up the valley directly at the back of the Samdo village. This hike will take us to one of the trade passes to Tibet for excellent views of Mt. Manaslu along with other Himalayan ranges including Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye Peak, Cheo and possibly Kang Guru behind the pass.  En route to these viewpoints we pass many seasonal herding settlements called doksas and sight some beautiful mountain birds like the Lophophorus (the national bird of Nepal), Lammergeyer and Himalayan Griffin soaring high above us. Another option for today could be a trip to the Gya La ('large pass') to the north of Samdo, a more frequently used trading route to Tibet. But, this is a rather longer hike (whole day) and hence could be a little tiring. Overnight in Samdo.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 12:  Samdo - Dharamsala/Larkya B. C. [4460m/14, 628 ft]: 4 - 5 hours

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.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 13:  Dharamsala - Larkya la [5160m/16, 924 ft] - Bimthang [3720m/12, 201 ft]: 8 - 9 hours

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.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 14: Bimthang - Tilije [2300m/7544ft]: 5 - 6 hours

From a ridge at Bimthang, we can enjoy great views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal. We descend further and cross a high pasture (Sangure Kharka) followed by a bridge over Dudh Khola. 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 Nepal New Generation Teamrecommends we stay at Tilije. Overnight in Tilije Village.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 15:  Tilije - Tal [1700m/5576 ft]: 5 - 6 hours(1700)

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

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 16:  Tal - Syange [1080m/3542 ft]: 6 - 7 hours

We follow the trail to Chyamje village crossing the Marshyangdi Khola once again. The Marsyandi valley opens with its terrace fields and villages clung very high to the hillsides. The trail then descends through rhododendron and and pine forests to Syange. Overnight in Syange.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 17: Syange - Kathmandu: 8-9 hours

The drive from Syange to Kathmandu via Besi Sahar offers one an opportunity to enjoy both hill and mountain landscapes. The drive is often along the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. We also drive by some beautiful villages with farming terraces on both sides of the road. In Kathmandu, we will be escorted to our hotel. The day in Kathmandu can either be spent in leisure or perhaps we catch up with some last minute shopping. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner in the evening.Overnight in Kathmandu.

Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 18: Final departure

Your adventure comes to an end today. There is nothing to do but we trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. A representative from Nepal New Generation Teamwill escort you to the airport approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight.On our way to home, we will have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.

Included meals:Breakfast

Important Note

Your safety is of paramount concern while traveling with Nepal New Generation Team. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails travelling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

* All Price is Per Person Price

Included in the Cost

• All airport/hotel transfers
• Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
• Accommodation in a 3-star hotel Yatri Suites & Spa or similar in Kathmandu with breakfast
• Guesthouse accommodation during trekking in the mountains
• Breakfast in Kathmandu and all meals during trek
• All ground transportation as per the itinerary by private vehicles
• All necessary staff with experienced leader (guide), assistant guide( 4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
• All necessary paper works; trekking permits (ACAP, special permit for Manaslu)
• Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, Himalayan Glacier duffel bag, Himalayan Glacier t-shirt, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)
• Travel and rescue arrangements
• Welcome and farewell dinner
• Exclusive Medical Kit Bag
• All government and local taxes

Not Included in the Cost

• Nepal Visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs)
• International airfare to and from Kathmandu
• Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
• Altitude chamber (PAC) or oxygen
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, heater, etc.)
• Optional trips and sightseeing if extended
• Tips for guides and porters

The Trekking Group

For this trek, there will be one leader, assistant leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and Sherpa porters for carrying luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter). Other helpers will be served as per necessity depending upon the group size. This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group get sick, the trip can still go ahead as planned. We can run this trip for at least a group of two to a maximum of twelve people which we believe is an optimum range for a successful trip. However, if you would like to make a group booking for more than twelve visitors together, we can arrange this too.

Accommodations

We will be accommodated in  Yatri Suites & Spa or Similar in Kathmandu and tea houses during the trek. Note that the Manaslu region is a newly developed trekking destinations therefore the facilities in the teahouses will be very basic.All accomodations are on twin-shared basis. Single supplement is available and will cost an additional amount of USD 290.

Meals

All Meals on full board basis will be served during trekking whereas only breakfast will be served in Kathmandu. During trekking, three meals a day will be served from the tea house or lodge menus or local homes. Each day's dinner and breakfast are taken in the same place that we stay the night. Lunch will be taken in a tea shop on the way to the destination. Please know that the Manaslu region does not have a well-established tourist infrastructure as in the Annapurna or Everest region (and this is the main attraction of this region). Therefore, a variety of foods will not be available or possible. We mainly eat Tibetan bread, dal bhat, tsampa porridge and other simple local foods. Himalayan Glacier suggests we be ready for a remote experience.