18-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek from Kathmandu via Larkya-La Pass

• Today, upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our representatives will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel.

• With the help of our experienced tour guide, you will spend the whole day sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley. The main places will be Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Bauddhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Patan Durbar Square, among others.

• On this day, we will drive to Soti Khola from Kathmandu Valley either by local express bus or private vehicle. The vehicle depends on the number of trekkers.

• Today, we will start trekking in the morning. After crossing the bridge, the trek climbs up onto a ridge above the huge rapids of the Budhi Gandaki and reaches Khorsaani.
• Then, the trail gets a bit precarious as it passes over a big rock and crosses a stream. The rocky trail then goes up and down through a large stand of nettles, passes tropical waterfalls, and again heads down to the bank of the Budhi Gandaki. The trek goes up again on a steep rocky trail, then down and up around to the Gurung village of Labu Besi, where we rest overnight.

• From Labu Besi, we will move onwards today, following the trail gradually uphill to Jagat.
• We will reach Jagat via Doban.

Stay at Jagat overnight.

• The day begins by following the riverbank again for the first hour up to Ghata Khola.
• We will then cross to the eastern bank before ascending to Philim, one of the few large settlements on this route and home to the Manaslu Conservation Area Project office.
• From here, you can view Mt. Lapuchun (5,950 m).

Overnight, we will stay at the guest house.

• The trek takes us through a heavily forested area in a narrow valley until we reach the little settlement of Dang.
• We will then cross the Budhi Gandaki River, where the valley opens and we begin our ascent to Rana. The trail now takes us high above the river, giving us views of the Manaslu Massif before descending to Ghap.

We will stay overnight at a guest house in Ghap.

• Today, we will trek from Ghap to Lho village (3020 m). It is a distance of about 6 to 7 hours of normal walking. Slowly and gradually, we will be gaining altitude, and with the increase in altitude, we enter alpine territory and accordingly enjoy increasing mountain views.
• On the way to Manrung, we will find more mani walls and three more crossings of the Budi Gandaki.
• Finally, we will reach Lho, where we will stay.

• Today, we will resume the trek with a steep descent and a crossing of yet another rock-strewn torrent called Thusang Khola. You will realize that Manaslu and Himalchuli dominate the entire landscape. Then, across the glacier-fed Numla Khola, the valley drops away to a moraine while we follow the ancient trans-Himalayan trail, now just a few kilometres from Tibet.
• We will then reach Samagaon. Samagaon (3390 m) is one of the classic Lama settlements in the region, with a monastery, mani walls, and an entirely Tibetan atmosphere.

• Today will be a rest and acclimatization day in Samagaon. You can have an optional hike to Punggyen Gompa, or the day can be spent immersing yourself in the daily life of Sama Gompa.

• Today's walk starts easily enough. We will cross the Budhi Gandaki for a final time and pause at the old stone wall of mani inscriptions, bidding us well for progress over the pass. The trail gradually rises through juniper and tundra, with a viewpoint overlooking the Larkya La Glacier.
• The further climb will bring us to the memorably Spartan Larkya Rest House. We will now reach Dharmashala (4460 m) for our overnight stay.

• Today, we will have a full day of acclimatization at Dharmashala. We can explore the surrounding areas of Dharmashala today and stay here tonight.

• An early morning start is needed for what will be a particularly tough and extended day.
• We will start at approximately 4 am to avoid gale-force winds, which usually gain strength after midday at the pass.
• After a long gradual climb alongside a moraine, we make a short descent to a glacial lake and reach the head of the moraine (4700 m), which we cross to climb to the ridge top. Four frozen lakes lie below, and then it is up to the crest of the Larkya La (5100 m). The reward for these difficult trekking conditions is brilliant westerly views of Himlung Himal, Kanguru, and Annapurna II, as well as the looming omnipresence of Manaslu.
• Well, the descent is hardly any easier; we drop around 650 m in less than an hour. Our trail then levels off onto yak pastures before finally reaching Bimtang (3590 m), a collection of typical summer Kharkas.

• Now, the toughest days on the trail are behind us. We descend through meadows and through pine and rhododendron forest to reach Hampuk, and then after dropping further following the course of the Dudh Khola, we arrive at Karche and then onto the village of Gho.
• Keeping to the west bank of the river, the afternoon is one of gradual descent to the Gurung settlement of Tilije, which has a certain notoriety for apple brandy.

We will stay overnight in Tilije (2300 m) at the local lodge.

• The trek goes along the Dudh Khola, a tributary of the Marsyangdi River, before arriving at the confluence in Dharapani.
• From here, we will continue on to Tal, where the river appears like a lake.

We will stay at Tal tonight.

• Today, the trail runs gently downstream along the river, passing the village of Syange, where we stay overnight.

• After completing this wonderful Manaslu Trek, we will drive back to Kathmandu today.
• Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will enjoy our farewell dinner party in the evening.

• Today, after having breakfast, we will accompany you to the airport for your return flight. We bid you farewell at the airport, hoping to see you again.