Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
A Sherpa Expedition representative meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. If time allows, they'll walk you through Thamel and help you pick up any trekking gear you need. In the evening, there's a welcome dinner and a briefing about the trek with time for questions.
- Start point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (we will pick you up from the airport)
Optional Activities
- Explore Thamel district
- Purchase trekking equipment in Thamel
- Day 2
Kathmandu to Soti Khola
After an early breakfast, you drive to Soti Khola by Land Cruiser, following the Budhi Gandaki River northward through Morder and Simre villages. The rough, winding dirt road takes approximately 7 to 8 hours. You'll stay overnight at Soti Khola.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Budhi Gandaki River - Day 3
Kathmandu to Machha Khola
The drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola via Dhading Beshi and Arughat gets increasingly rough and bumpy as you go. In the afternoon, you start trekking through woods along the Budhi Gandaki River with frequent views down to the river from the mountains. You'll stay overnight at a guesthouse in Machha Khola.
Included Activities
- Trek along Budhi Gandaki River
Landmarks Budhi Gandaki River - Day 4
Machha Khola to Jagat
You cross the Machha Khola River and pass through Khorlabesi at 920m before reaching Tatopani, which is known for its therapeutic hot springs. The trail continues through forested areas along the Budhi Gandaki Valley to Dovan Khola and upward through changing vegetation to Jagat Village. You'll stay overnight at a guesthouse there.
Included Activities
- Trek to Tatopani hot springs
- Trek through Budhi Gandaki Valley
Landmarks Tatopani Hot Springs Khorlabesi - Day 5
Jagat to Lokpa
This 6-hour trek starts with views of Mount Sringi from Salleri, then descends to Sirdibas, a traditional Buddhist village. From there, the trail passes through Ekle Bhatti and Lokpa Village north of Philim, climbing through pine forests to a ridge where you turn toward Tsum Valley. You'll stay overnight at Lokpa.
Included Activities
- Trek to Salleri with views of Mount Sringi
- Visit Sirdibas traditional Buddhist village
- Trek through pine forest to Tsum Valley trail
Landmarks Mount Sringi Sirdibas - Day 6
Lokpa to Chumling
A 5-hour trek into Tsum Valley leads downward past Chumling Village with the first views of the valley appearing. You climb to Ripchet and then reach the authentic Buddhist village of Chumling, which has an ancient monastery, traditional Tibetan-style houses, prayer flags, mani walls, and stone-paved streets. You'll stay overnight here.
Included Activities
- Trek into Tsum Valley
- Visit Chumling village and ancient monastery
Landmarks Chumling Village Chumling Ancient Monastery Tsum Valley - Day 7
Chumling to Chokhangparo
A 5-hour trek begins by crossing a suspension bridge with great views of the Ganesh Himal. The trail passes Rainjam and Seru Khola before reaching Gho Village. After 5 to 6 hours of trekking total, you arrive at Chokhangparo Village with views of Himalchuli at 7893m and Ganesh Himal at 7140m. You'll stay overnight here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cross suspension bridge with Ganesh Himal views
- Trek past Rainjam and Seru Khola
Landmarks Ganesh Himal Himalchuli Gho Village - Day 8
Chokhangparo to Nile
A 6 to 7-hour trek follows the trail to Rachen Gompa and along Shir Khola river. After leaving the river, you pass Phurbe and Pangdun villages before arriving at Nile for an overnight stay. Mu Gompa, the largest monastery in the region and the highest point in Tsum Valley, lies along this route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Rachen Gompa
- Trek past Phurbe and Pangdun villages
- Visit Mu Gompa monastery
Landmarks Rachen Gompa Mu Gompa Shir Khola River - Day 9
Nile to Chhokangparo
From Gompa, the descent begins through a forested area. You descend to Rachen Gompa, then continue to Chhule and Phurbe, eventually reaching Chhokangparo. Rachen Gompa lies in the border area of Nepal and Tibet, surrounded by towering mountains.
Included Activities
- Trek down through forested area to Chhokangparo
Landmarks Rachen Gompa - Day 10
Chhokangparo to Chumling
After breakfast, you descend from Chhokung Paro reaching Gho, where you cross a suspension bridge. The trek continues forward to Rainjam Village. From Rainjam, you descend to Tsum Valley and finally reach Chumling for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Descend to Gho with suspension bridge crossing
- Trek to Rainjam Village
- Descend to Tsum Valley
Landmarks Gho Rainjam Village - Day 11
Chumling to Deng
A 6 to 7-hour trek descends from Chumling to Lokpa after crossing a suspension bridge. The trail follows a rocky ridge with great views of Sringi Himal, then passes through Ghatta Khola with farms growing maize, millet, potatoes, and vegetables. The trek continues along the Budhi Gandaki through bamboo forest to the Deng River where you'll stay overnight.
Included Activities
- Cross suspension bridge from Chumling
- Trek along rocky ridge with Sringi Himal views
- Trek through bamboo forest to Deng
Landmarks Sringi Himal Ghatta Khola Deng River - Day 12
Deng to Namrung
Starting with a steep climb, the trail descends back to the Budhi Gandaki River through the valley and past several small settlements. As you near Namrung, you'll see mani stones carved with Tibetan mantras. In the afternoon, there's an optional short detour to Prok village (2-hour round trip) before continuing to Namrung for an overnight stay at a guesthouse.
Included Activities
- Trek through Budhi Gandaki valley
Optional Activities
- Short detour to Prok village (approximately 2-hour round trip)
Landmarks Prok Village - Day 13
Namrung to Samagaun
Walking between the mani stone walls of Lho Village feels like stepping back in time, where few signs of modernity exist. From Lho, you can see the snow-capped peak of Ngadi Chuli at 7871m (also called Peak 29). An optional short detour takes you up to the Pungen Glacier for close-up views of Mt. Manaslu. You'll stay overnight at a guesthouse in Samagaun.
Included Activities
- Walk through Lho Village with Mani stone walls
Optional Activities
- Short detour to Pungen Glacier for views of Mt. Manaslu
Landmarks Lho Village Ngadi Chuli (Peak 29) Pungen Glacier Mt. Manaslu - Day 14
Acclimatization Day
At this higher altitude, acclimatization is necessary before attempting climbs to even higher altitudes. Health specialists recommend staying active rather than sitting idle. You can explore the gompa at Pugyen at 4070m (a one-day hike from the trail between Syaula and Sama), or continue up the valley to the rugged Pugin glacier if time permits. Alternative options include hiking to Birendra Tal lake at 3450m or attempting the demanding ascent to Manaslu Base Camp at 4900m, where Milarepa's Cave is believed to be located north of Birendra Tal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore gompa at Pugyen (4070m)
- Trek to Pugin glacier
- Trek to Birendra Tal lake (3450m)
- Ascent to Manaslu Base Camp (4900m)
- Visit Milarepa's Cave
Landmarks Pugyen Gompa Pugin Glacier Birendra Tal Manaslu Base Camp Milarepa's Cave - Day 15
Samagaun to Samdo
The trail descends to the Budhi Gandaki River, passing the junction toward Birendra Tal and Manaslu Base Camp. The valley expands before reaching Kermo Khadka and continuing to the white Kani Gateway signaling the entrance to Samdo at 3860m. If time permits, trek to the peak above the village for impressive views of Mount Manaslu. If further acclimatization is necessary, there's a 6 to 7-hour trek climbing 640m to the moraine of the Fukang Glacier for far-reaching views of several passes used by locals to cross into Tibet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Samdo (3860m)
Optional Activities
- Trek to peak above Samdo village for Mount Manaslu views
- Trek to Fukang Glacier moraine (6 to 7 hours, 640m climb)
Landmarks Kani Gateway Samdo Fukang Glacier - Day 16
Samdo to Dharmashala
A relatively short day involves descending through fields before starting your climb toward the Larkya-La Pass. The trek offers dazzling views of Manaslu and the Syacha Glacier, with a likelihood of spotting Himalayan blue sheep. You'll reach Dharmashala at 4480m/14,700 ft, the last safe haven before the pass. This sector is often subject to snowfall and from mid-December to mid-March, snow typically blocks the Larkya-La Pass.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek toward Larkya-La Pass with Manaslu views
Landmarks Larkya-La Pass Mt. Manaslu Syacha Glacier - Day 17
Dharmashala to Bhimthang via Larkya-La Pass
A challenging day takes you via Larkya-La Pass at 5106m/17,121 ft to Bhimthang. You climb first to Cho Chanda, then up the steep snow-covered pass. The views from this high altitude are exceptional, with peaks like Himlung Himal at 7126m, Cheo Himal at 6820m, Gyaji Kung at 7030m, Kang Koru at 6980m, and Annapurna II at 7937m clearly visible. After crossing, you descend a steep trail across moraines to Bhimthang Village where you'll stay overnight at a guesthouse.
Included Activities
- Cross Larkya-La Pass (5106m)
Landmarks Larkya-La Pass Cho Chanda Himlung Himal Cheo Himal Gyaji Kung Kang Koru Annapurna II Bhimthang Village - Day 18
Bhimthang to Dharapani
You descend from high pasture land and cross the Dudh Khola river on a suspension bridge. The trail continues through rhododendron forests (flowering in spring) and oak forests. After 6 to 7 hours of trekking, you reach Dharapani in the Annapurna region, a common gateway to the Annapurna circuit trek. You'll stay overnight at a guesthouse in Dharapani.
Included Activities
- Cross Dudh Khola suspension bridge
- Trek through rhododendron and oak forests
Optional Activities
- Extend trek along Annapurna trail
Landmarks Dudh Khola River Dharapani - Day 19
Dharapani to Kathmandu
This is the final day on the trail of the Manaslu Circuit trek. After crossing the river, you take a local jeep to Besisahar and then a bus back to Kathmandu where you'll be taken back to your hotel.
Landmarks Besisahar - Day 20
Kathmandu Departure
You'll leave Nepal after an unforgettable adventure. A Sherpa Expedition and Trekking representative will drop you off at the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight.
- End point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (We will drop you at airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
