Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
A representative will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport and drive you to your hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from travel. It's a good time to settle in and adjust to the time difference before your adventure starts.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner)
- Day 2
Kathmandu
You'll take a guided tour through Kathmandu's UNESCO sites. First, head to Pashupatinath temple where you can see Hindu ascetics, then move on to Bouddhanath with its prayer flags. From there, climb up to Swayambunath, also called the Monkey Temple, for views across the Kathmandu Valley. The temple sits high enough to give you a real sense of the surrounding landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Kathmandu World Heritage Sites
- Visit Pashupatinath temple
- Visit Bouddhanath temple
- Visit Swayambunath (Monkey Temple)
Landmarks/POIs Pashupatinath Bouddhanath Swayambunath - Day 3
Kathmandu to Soti Khola
Leave Kathmandu and drive northwest toward Soti Khola, heading out of the valley. Along the way you'll see the landscape change with terraced hillsides and small roadside towns. This drive marks the transition from the city into the trekking region where your adventure really begins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4
Soti Khola to Machha Khola
Your first trekking day takes you along the river to Machha Khola. The village gets its name from the small stream running below it and has a reputation for good fishing. The walking itself is straightforward as you get used to the trekking rhythm and the local terrain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5
Machha Khola to Jagat
Trek upstream with a mix of short climbs and descents to reach Khola Bensi and Tatopani, where hot springs come right up from the rocks. After that, climb a stone staircase to Doban at the confluence where two rivers meet. Continue on to Jagat where you'll officially enter the Manaslu Conservation Area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6
Jagat to Deng
Walk through terraced hillsides on rolling trails with ups and downs. You'll cross the Nagjet River using a suspension bridge, then climb to Nyak. After that, head to Deng, a Gurung village at 1860m/6,100ft that sits in a great spot for viewing the Shringi Himal peaks to the northeast. The views from here are particularly nice.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7
Deng to Namrung
Start by descending to the river and crossing to the east bank. The gorge section here is dramatic and the trail winds through it with real character. You'll reach Ghap at 2040m/6,690ft, then cross to the south bank and continue hiking to Namrung at 2630m/8,630ft. That's a good altitude gain for the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8
Namrung to Lho
Now you're entering the region with stronger Buddhist influence as you climb into the alpine zone. You'll get your first views of Manaslu North. The trek takes you through forest to Lihi where Ganesh Himal comes into view, then you descend to Lho and make a steep push up to the campsite on a ridge. That final climb is the tough part of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Manaslu North Ganesh Himal - Day 9
Lho to Samagaon
Walk under shady fir trees with snowy peaks all around you. After passing through Shala village, you'll reach Sama Gaon at 3520m/11,550ft. This Tibetan-inhabited village sits right at the base of Manaslu. The Sama monastery here is well-known and from it you can see Manaslu, Himal Chuli, Peak 29, and Ganesh Himal all at once.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Sama Gompa (Monastery) Manaslu Himal Chuli Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) - Day 10
Samagaon to Samdo
Head down to the Budhi Gandaki river and follow it northward. You'll pass several mani walls as the valley opens up. Later you'll trek through juniper and birch forests at Kermo Kharka, cross a wooden bridge, and climb to Samdo, a village tucked behind a ridge. In the afternoon, a short walk to viewpoints on Pana Danda or Samdo Peak gives you the best views of Manaslu from this area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Optional afternoon walk to viewpoints for Manaslu views
Landmarks/POIs Pana Danda Samdo Peak - Day 11
Samdo
This is a rest day in Samdo at 3875m/12,710ft to help your body adjust to the altitude. You can wander through the village at your own pace or simply stay at your lodging and prepare. Taking it easy here makes a real difference for the harder trekking days ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12
Samdo to Dharamshala
Continue down the ridge and cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge, then walk upward while crossing two streams. You'll see the Larkya Glacier and trek around the Salka Khola valley before climbing to a stone guesthouse called a Dharmshala at 4450m/14,600ft. Spend the night here and rest up, as tomorrow brings the big pass crossing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Larkya Glacier Larkya Phedi (Dharamshala) - Day 13
Dharamshala to Bimthang
Start before dawn and walk across glacier moraines with a gradual climb that turns steep near the end. Reaching Larkya Pass at 5160m/16,930ft gives you views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru, and Annapurna II. After that, descend through low pastures to Bimthang as evening mist rolls in. This is the most challenging day of the trek.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cross Larkya Pass
Landmarks/POIs Larkya Pass Himlung Himal Annapurna II - Day 14
Bimthang to Tilije
Descend a significant distance through the Burdin Khola valley with rhododendron forests surrounding you. You'll reach Karche, which is the highest place where people farm in this valley. Keep going to the village of Gho, staying on the north bank of the river before heading into Tilje.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 15
Tilije to Tal
Now you're on trails from the first part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Head down to the Marsyandi River and cross it using a suspension bridge. Climb away from the river and hike through a wide, flat valley to reach Tal at 1,675m/5,490ft. This village sits at the foot of a large waterfall, which is something to see.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 16
Tal to Syange
Trek to Chyamje, then walk up and down along the river to Jagat. After that, a steep trail descends from Jagat through the Marshyangdi valley. You'll cross the Marshyangdi River at Syange, which is where your trek officially ends. From here, it's back to regular travel instead of trekking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 17
Syange to Kathmandu
Drive back to Kathmandu and head to a traditional Nepalese restaurant for your final evening. This is when you and your group share stories from the trek, exchange photos and contact information, and reflect on everything you've experienced over the past couple of weeks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell Dinner at traditional Nepalese restaurant)
- Day 18
Departure from Kathmandu
Have breakfast at your hotel and keep the rest of the morning free. Someone will drive you to the airport at the time your flight departs. By this point you'll have plenty of trekking memories and stories to take home with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
