Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
You'll arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and get a private car ride to your hotel for some rest after the long flight. Later in the day, head over to Himalayan Planet Adventures headquarters where you'll meet your trek guide and the management team. They'll walk through the Manaslu Circuit Trek details with you, and then there's a special welcome dinner with Nepali cuisine and a cultural program before you head back to sleep.
- Start point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Main Gate)
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with Nepali cuisine and cultural program)
Included Activities
- Visit Himalayan Planet Adventures headquarters
- Meet trek guide and management team
- Welcome dinner with cultural program
- Day 2
Kathmandu
You'll see three of Kathmandu Valley's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites today. Start at Pashupatinath, the holiest Hindu site in Nepal with nearly 500 temples on the Bagmati River banks where pilgrims are cremated. After that, check out Boudhanath, which is the largest Buddhist stupa in Asia. Finish the afternoon in Bhaktapur exploring the ancient city with its temples and old royal palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Pashupatinath temple complex
- Visit Boudhanath stupa
- Tour ancient city of Bhaktapur
Landmarks Pashupatinath Boudhanath Stupa Bhaktapur - Day 3
Kathmandu to Arughat Bazaar
Breakfast early, then transfer by private vehicle to Arughat Bazaar, which sits on the Budhi Gandaki River banks. This 7-hour drive takes you out of the Kathmandu Valley through scenic switchbacks into the Trisuli River Valley. You'll pass through small villages and farms in the lower Ruby Valley region. You'll stay overnight in Arughat, a big bazaar village where locals come to buy supplies.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Budhi Gandaki River - Day 4
Arughat Bazaar to Lapu Besi
You'll trek northward along the west side of the Budhi Gandaki River, following its wild currents through fishing villages. The road ends at Soti Khola, so from there you'll cross a narrow suspension bridge and continue through terraced farmland on steep hillsides as the valley narrows. By day's end you'll reach the tiny village of Lapu Besi where Mt. Manaslu comes into view for the first time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Mount Manaslu Soti Khola - Day 5
Lapu Besi Trek
Trek at lower elevation than Kathmandu through subtropical forest with unique plant life. Each day you'll climb higher following the river, crossing it twice on long suspension bridges. Listen for brass bells signaling donkey trains carrying goods through the mountains, and stay to the hillside as they pass. You'll meet local people using these mountain routes as highways. This leg takes about 7 to 8 hours of trekking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6
Trek to Philim
Trek through mountain country as you pass through villages and climb to Philim, which sits at the same elevation as Kathmandu Valley. You'll pass Buddhist mani-walls carved with Lord Buddha's teachings from hundreds of years ago. Stop at Tatopani to see the unique hot spring, walk through Jagat with its flagstone streets, and try the fish and yak cheese momos in Machhakholagaon. Cross the Budhi Gandaki to reach Philim, the last major village north of Arughat. Plan for 6 to 7 hours of trekking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Tatopani Jagat Machhakholagaon 
- Day 7
Philim to Deng
Enter remote, lightly traveled Himalayan countryside with very few villages around. Watch for eagles circling on thermal currents and listen for hawk cries. Pass through tiny Salleri with views of Mt. Sringi Himal at 7,187 m. At a trail fork, take the left path following the Budhi Gandaki toward the Syar River bridge. Travel through a deep rock cut into cliff walls and continue to Deng, the first Tibetan village. This day takes about 6 to 7 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Mount Sringi Himal Tsum Valley - Day 8
Deng to Namrung
The landscape starts to feel like Tibet as you enter territory settled by Tibetan people over 1000 years ago. After 3 to 4 hours you'll pass through Bih, then move into a narrow valley. Stop for lunch at Ghap on the Budhi Gandaki's narrow section spanned by a wooden bridge. Mt. Manaslu at 8,163 m and snowcapped peaks over 7000 meters dominate the skyline. You'll camp overnight in Namrung village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Mount Manaslu 
- Day 9
Namrung to Sama Gompa
Continue climbing to Sama Gompa while traveling on the old salt road that once brought salt from Tibet. Pass through Sama Gaun, one of the largest villages in the region, and visit its beautiful Buddhist monastery. See how the local people keep their ancient Tibetan culture and lifestyle going while staying untouched by modernization. This trek to Sama Gompa takes about 7 to 8 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Fantastic traditional Tibetan cooking)
Included Activities
- Visit Sama Gaun Buddhist monastery (gompa)
Landmarks Sama Gaun Sama Gaun Buddhist Monastery 
- Day 10
Sama Gompa Acclimatization
You'll take an acclimatization day at Sama Gompa after crossing the 3000-meter elevation mark. The thinner mountain air requires your body to adjust to prevent Acute Mountain Sickness. Explore the large Tibetan village and enjoy traditional Tibetan cooking. Take an easy day hike to a vantage point for views of Mt. Manaslu, called 'Spirit Mountain' by locals who worship it as a deity. Spend the day taking in the beauty of the Manaslu region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Fantastic traditional Tibetan cooking)
Included Activities
- Day hike to viewpoint of Mt. Manaslu
Landmarks Mount Manaslu - Day 11
Sama Gompa to Samdo
Trek slowly due to higher elevation and extremely dry air, gaining altitude while taking in the Himalayan skyline. Reach Samdo, one of Nepal's most remote villages with around 200 people involved in local agriculture. Climb through terraced farms connected by narrow trails, showing Tibetan creativity in making farmland on difficult terrain. The Budhi Gandaki has narrowed to a large stream. You'll find basic accommodation and hardy food at a tea house. Samdo is the last village before Larkya-La pass.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Samdo 
- Day 12
Samdo to Larkya La Guest House
Leave Samdo behind and enter wild Himalayan countryside beyond civilization. Pass through wind-swept ruins of abandoned Larkya Bazaar, which was thriving when merchants traveled to Tibet for salt but now sits empty. Continue climbing past Larkya Glacier, whose melting waters create the Budhi Gandaki. Trek slowly at high elevation to reach the Larkya La Guest House, a lodge built for trekkers crossing the pass. Get a good night's sleep and hot meal before tomorrow. This day takes about 4 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Larkya Bazaar Larkya Glacier - Day 13
Larkya La Pass Crossing
Trek from Larkya Phedi on a gradual winding trail to Larkya-La pass summit, where you'll see the Manaslu range in one direction and the mighty Annapurna Mountains with Mt. Annapurna I in the other. Pass the glacier moraine and enter the Ablation Valley on the north side. Stop often to take in the snow-capped peaks dominating the view. After the pass, descend into Bimthang at 3,700 m/12,136 ft, a broad level valley with mani-walls and deserted houses too harsh for permanent settlements.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Larkya La Pass Mount Annapurna I Mount Manaslu Bimthang 
- Day 14
Bimthang to Dharapani
You'll start to see trees again as you descend below the tree line. Trek through fragrant forests of pine, fir, and rhododendron with summer pastures where men and their sons bring goats and sheep to graze. Enjoy nice outcroppings with pleasant alpine views and meadows full of wildflowers in many colors. Continue down past Goh summer settlement, then encounter terraced farms reminding you civilization returns at lower elevations. Visit small villages and end at Dharapani, which connects to the main Annapurna Circuit trail.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Dharapani - Day 15
Dharapani to Beshishahar
Your trekking is finished. At Dharapani, pick up a vehicle to reach Beshishahar where you'll spend the night. Travel by local transportation on rough mountain roads, not fast but at least you don't have to walk. You'll drop significantly in elevation passing through local villages along fast-flowing streams moving southward through the Annapurna region. Travel by jeep, though availability may be limited during summer monsoon season. This vehicle journey takes about 5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Beshishahar 
- Day 16
Beshishahar to Kathmandu
Return toward the main road between Pokhara and Kathmandu as roads improve. Head eastward to reach Kathmandu, meeting the Trisuli River once more at Mugling where you'll cross a suspension bridge with whitewater rafters passing below. Follow the paved road winding through mountain passes back to Kathmandu and your hotel. Take a hot shower, then enjoy a farewell dinner with friends from Himalayan Planet Adventures to toast your success over the last 16 days. Share photos and memories with your guide and staff.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner with Himalayan Planet Adventures team)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner with Himalayan Planet Adventures team
Landmarks Trisuli River Mugling - Day 17
Departure from Kathmandu
Your time in Nepal comes to an end. Local people say the Himalayas are gods whose spirits call you to return. You've only seen a small part of this land. Before departing, talk with your friends at Himalayan Planet Adventures about planning a return trip, whether for Mt. Everest, the Terai region with Royal Bengal Tigers, or trips to Tibet, Bhutan, or beyond. Nepal and its mountains are calling you back.
- End point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Departure gate.)
