Arrive in Kathmandu

Upon your Arrival, we will welcome you in the terminal hall in Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu. We will transfer you to your  hotel and introduce you to your trekking guide, and together you can enjoy a hot cup of masala tea and have an in depth discussion about your trek, including the trekking route, anything you need, the necessities for the trek, and any general suggestions for preparing for your upcoming adventure. 

Sightseeing & trek preparation in Kathmandu

Today you will take a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu with our appointed City Guide! Kathmandu is rich with Hindu and Buddhist history, so with an early morning start, you will visit places such as: the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the Buddhist shrine of Boudhanath, the “city of fine arts - Patan Durbar Square, Krishna temple, Kumbeswore Temple, Golden Temple, the 2000 year old “Monkey Temple” - Swayambunath Stupa, and Basantaur Durbar Square - home to the living goddess Kumari. In the afternoon you can get acquainted with the local area around Thamel market, as we help you finish your final trek preparations with a spot of gear hire and/or shopping. In the evening we will officially greet you with a Welcome Dinner serving traditional authentic Nepali food in Kathmandu. 

Kathmandu (1,350m) to Soti Khola (720m: 8 hours)

After breakfast, we’ll head westwards on an eight hour tourist bus drive to Arughat, along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway. Pass through rice paddies, small towns, and green hills to reach Arughat. There is another one hour drive towards Soti Khola with stunning views of Annapurna, Langtang Himal, and Manaslu on the way.

Soti Khola (720m) to Machha Khola (930m: 6-7 hours)

The morning calls for an adventure that starts with a rocky, barren, and narrow road to Macha Khola. It’s a mesmerizing journey with countryside views all along the trail. Traverse through mystic Sal forests, where we’ll come across several waterfalls and ridges until we reach Nyali Khola. 

At Nyali Khola, you’ll discover a rocky edge that’s sometimes crowded with people. It is a  tradition by the locals to pay tributes to the deities for their safety on the trail. Leaving the sandy waterbed and moving up towards the paved stone way, we’ll find our way alongside a steep hill. This is the best part of this day, as we have charming views on the side and you may be left wondering where the path is leading us. As we cross another low hanging suspension bridge, we’ll come into the village of Maccha Khola, where we’ll take our rest for the night.

Machha Khola (930m) to Jagat (1,440m: 7-8 hours)

Today the trek leads into a narrow terrain that continues up to the Maccha River. Climbing over a ridge through a forested area and over suspension bridges to cross Dovan Khola, we’ll reach Budhi Gandaki Valley. You’ll be surprised how the terrain changes itself with elevation, and thick greenery appears with naughty langurs. After many ups and downs, we’ll get a chance to soothe ourselves at the hot springs of Tatopani. We’ll continue on to our accommodation at Jagat for an overnight stay.

Jagat (1,440m) to Deng (1,865m: 6-7 hours)

Prepare for today’s adventure exploring panoramic landscapes amidst countless small rivers, rural villages, and subtropical forests. We’ll begin by trekking over a rocky ridge to Salleri to descend towards Sirdibas. From there, the terrain widens as we approach the Ghatta river.

Crossing the river via a narrow, long suspension bridge for a steep ascent towards Philim, magnificent waterfalls will await our arrival in the valley. Once we reach Ekle Bhatt the trail will widen until we get to a bamboo forest. Traverse through it and cross Deng Khola to reach the small settlement of Deng, where we will stay for the night.

Deng (1,865m) to Namrung (2,560m: 6-7 hours)

We’ll begin our day with a spectacular descent to cross the river. Climbing through the mesmerizing valley and crossing several small ethnic settlements. Come face-to-face with Mani stones as a welcome gesture into Tibetan territory. We’ll cross Budi Gandaki several times to reach a thick forest, which is the Manaslu Conservation Area entrance, from where Namrung is one steep climb ahead.

Namrung (2,560m) to Lho Ghaun (2,957m: 4-5 hours)

From Namrung, as we trek further towards our next destination, many peaks start to unveil themselves, which is bound to be quite a captivating sight. As we walk through the stretched Mani stone walls in the village of Lho, you may want to take a relaxing walk to the Pungen glacier for more insightful views of Manaslu. We’ll continue our way on to our overnight accommodation at Lho Guan.

Lho Ghaun (2,957m) to Samaghaun (3,500m: 4-5 hours)

Starting off with Ganesh Himal, Siring, and Himal Chuli looming towards our South, today the trail climbs through glacial moraine and forests to reach the small village of Lihi, which is famous for its stupas. We’ll stop here for a while to indulge ourselves in their heritage.

Then prepare for a descent that crosses the valley of Simang Himal while Ganesh Himal is in sight. We’ll proceed through the villages of Sho, Lho, and Shayal before reaching Sama Village. Our accommodation for the night will have Manaslu directly in front looking over your journey while Ngadi Chuli and Himal Chuli rest to your sides.

Acclimatization and rest day in Samaghaun (3,500m)

Acclimatisation is an important part of every successful trekking adventure, and today is an opportunity for you to relax and stretch your legs. The idea of an acclimatization day is to trek high during the day and then return to sleep at a lower altitude, so your body can acclimatize thoroughly. 

After some early morning wandering, and perhaps gossiping with the locals as you visit mani stones with inscriptions on them, we’ll hike towards the heavenly Birendra Lake, where you can seek sunshine on its banks, or click some amazing photos with your group. Our other option is to head towards Manaslu Base Camp (4,800m).

Samaghaun (3,500m) to Samdo (3,865m: 4-5 hours)

After a relaxing breakfast, you’ll start your short day hike descending to Budhi Gandaki River and passing across a bridge where the valley widens and yak pastures begin to show. We’ll travel alongside mani walls and you’ll be mesmerized by mountainous landscapes as we approach the Tibetan border.  After crossing the wooden bridge that follows a ridge hike and making our way through the two forks of the river, we’ll reach Kani. As we continue on the stony path we’ll reach our overnight destination at Samdo. You can explore the village or even go for a short hike to Samdo Peak (5,177m).

Samdo (3,865m) to Larkye Phedi/Dharmasala (4,460m: 4-5 hours)

We’ll be moving closer to the chain of the Himalayas with each step we take towards Dharamsala. Starting at the periodical market of Larke Bazar, we’ll make another descent to Budi Gandaki River. After crossing a wooden bridge, the terrain begins to elevate. Take firm steps as we approach Larkya Glacier, then go around the valley of Salka Khola and push for our final ascent towards Dharamsala, where countless ornate monasteries will await to host us for the evening.

Larkye Phedi/Dharmasala (4,460m) to Larkye Pass (5,106m) then Bimthang (3,590: 10 hours)

Prepare for a demanding leg exercise as we push to the highest point of this trail. Starting early with a satiated tummy, we’ll reach Larkye Pass before afternoon. There you can amuse yourself playfully in the company of the clouds that drift beneath you. Or sip on tea while also soaking up the peaceful enlightenment from this heavenly place. Be captivated by promising views of Himlung (7,126m), Annapurna II (7,937m), and Kang Guru (6,981m) before we move downwards towards Bimthang. Hiking through steep and slippery terrain, massive icefalls, and surrounding hills like Pongkar Tal that take us through foggy pasture lands, we’ll reach our overnight accommodation and a well deserved hot meal in Bimthang. 

Bimthang (3,590m) to Goa (2,515m: 4-5 hours)

Say goodBye to Manasulu Peak as we approach a 4-5 hour rugged descent towards Karche (2,700m). You may feel like having lunch there, but there won’t be a proper place to eat, per your expectations, so we’ll need to push on. As Manaslu starts to fade away, a subtropical jungle will unveil itself with herds of livestock and farmers busy in their routine work. We’ll pass through the settlement to reach our overnight stay at Goa.

Goa (2,515m) to Besi Sahar (760m: 6-7hours)

Embark on our descent towards Dharapani as you bid farewell to snow-capped scenery, lush mountains, and local villages. After 2-3 hours walking, we’ll continue our journey with a 3-4 hour bumpy road ride to Besi Sahar, via public jeep, offering you your final views of Manaslu and Annapurna II.

Besi Sahar (760m) to Kathmandu (1,350m: 9 hours)

Our journey concludes after 8-9 hours of traveling via tourist bus towards Kathmandu. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you’ll certainly like to share your tale with friends and acknowledge the hard work of your guide. With an afternoon in Kathmandu to yourself, you can choose to wander the bustling tourist district of Thamel to finish up your souvenir shopping, or rest up in your hotel. Join us for a final meal together, as we enjoy a Nepalese farewell dinner with traditional live music and dance.   

Drop off at the airport

As today is your last day in the country we appreciate your decision to choose us as your travel companion. We are honored to be a part of your beautiful memories and hope that we met your expectations. We will accompany you to the airport for a traditional Nepal farewell, and we wish you a safe flight back home.