Welcome to Nepal, the country that epitomizes the perfect combination of cultural and natural diversity. Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Airport, you’ll meet up with us. Following the exchange of warm greetings, you’ll be escorted to your hotel where you can freshen up as well as loosen up the tired muscles, enjoying the amenities offered by the hotel. At evening, you can wander around the radiant marketplace of Thamel and get familiar with the new surroundings and people.

The second day of the escapade is allocated as “Free Day” during which; you can independently explore the time-honoured valley of Kathmandu. Of course, we are there to provide you with the necessary pieces of information and directions to the major landmarks of the Valley. The Valley is made up of three cities i.e. Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Traverse these sister cities, which are home to individual Durbar Square Complex, the ancient Nepalese architectural marvel. You can also visit the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and Changunarayan or the Buddhist stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath. All of these monuments and buildings are listed as UNESCO cultural world heritage site. Witness the magnificent architecture as well as the artistic skills of medieval craftsmen.

After some healthy breakfast early in the morning, we’ll set off from Kathmandu to Dhading Besi via public vehicle on a paved highway. The continuous drive leads to a rock-strewn and bumpy path, which eventually arrives at Jyamire and then prolongs to Machhakhola (930m): the organic village of Nepal. Along the way, we’ll get glimpses of picturesque countryside embracing verdant valleys, terraces, paddy fields, raging rivers and green hills. You’ll also observe rustic villages settled alongside the highway and catch sight of the traditional way of life.

Leaving Machhakhola, we’ll commence our trekking venture. We’ll pursue the serpentine mountain pathway that makes an uphill ascent along the Budhi Gandaki River. With some ups and downs, the taper route gradually proceeds across the Tharo Khola and makes it to Khorlabesi. After a handful of more ups and downs, the trail reaches Tatopani and then ascends over another ridge to traverse Budhi Gandaki via a suspension bridge. We’ll now find the wide, well-crafted staircase along the trail. Advancing over a ridge again, we’ll get to Doban. We’ll eventually make our way along the rugged trail beyond Dobhan Khola, Duman, Yaru Khola to Tharo Bharyang. As we cross to the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, we’ll climb uphill and then carry on alongside the river to Jagat (1,340m).

Resuming our trek, we’ll conquer a rocky ridge to land up at Salleri (1,440m). From here, we can savor the spectacular vistas of Sringi Himal. We’ll then move down to Setibas (1,430m) and stay with the route to Ghatta Khola. Subsequently, ascend to Ngyak past Philim and Ekle Bhatti. The settlement is one of the largest we can find along the journey. Accompanied by the outlook of Mt. Lapuchun (5,950m), we’ll arrive at the office of Manaslu Conservation Area Project office. Along the trail, we’ll descend through the lush slopes and dense woodland thriving in a narrow valley. The valley opens up offering a nice walk via the bamboo forest to Deng (1,800m).

We’ll forge ahead to the north and press on beyond the tiny settlement of Ranagaon (1,980m) to Bihi Phedi (1,985m) with some noteworthy vistas of the Budhi Gandaki gorge en route.  Eventually, we’ll end up at Prok (2380m), a beautiful village with traditional houses, large fields, welcoming residents and a Gompa. Descending to Ghap, the trail goes into dreamy woodland then traverses Budhi Gandaki twice on wooden bridges above splendid gorges to Namrung (2,630m). This lovely village offers some sublime outlooks of Himalayan summits encompassing Himal Chuli (7,893m) and Ganesh Himal (‎7,422m).

The route navigates across the small yet beautiful Bhanzam plateau where you can discover barley fields and stone houses. We’ll then reach Lihi Village. At its entrance, you can find a small flat area to the right that extends an exquisite panorama of the surroundings.  After negotiating with the other side of Hinang Khola, we’ll first emerge in Sho village and then keep on with the pathway to Lho.

Ascending across beaten woodland, we’ll initiate our step in the direction of Shyala (3,520m). Snowy mountain scenery from this spot is one the best in the trek.  We’ll keep on with the path which later crosses the slope draining Pungen glacier the heads to Samagaon (3,520m).

This very day, we’ll take a rest at Samagoan.  Since it is the closest village to Manaslu Base Camp and other beautiful tourist attractions such as Birendra Lake; we’ll explore these places and again return back to the village. Options can be discussed with your guide depending on your fitness and requirements. Birendra Tal is a turquoise lake at the foot of the Manaslu glacier. You can take a dip in its pristine water and enjoy the scenery around. If you intend to set your foot at the foothills of an eight-thousander, you can hike up to Makalu Base Camp. On the way to the Base Camp, the landscapes become more and more spectacular as the elevation increases with a turquoise lake underneath, the glacier close by, and snow-capped mountaintops as far as the eye can look at.

As our journey proceeds further to the north, the trekking pathway heads to the upper part of the Budhi Gandaki. It then negotiates uphill towards Samdo (3,860m). This adorable settlement is overlooked by the majestic Samdo peak (6,335m) and the frozen Samdo Glacier. Just prior to gaining access in the village’s territory; we’ll come across the spot where the Budhi Gandaki literally begins – at the conflux of Larke Khola and the river originated from Samdo Glacier.

Leaving behind Samdo, we’ll wander over the Athahra Saya Khola and trek along the side of Larke Khola. Succeeding a gradual climb, we’ll arrive at Dharamshala (4,460m) aka Larke Phedi. Dharamshala is a vast moderate mountain slope with campsite and a lodge accommodating many double rooms and a well-equipped kitchen. Ignore the previous awful stories you heard about this place. In the present time, it is the best place to rest before facing the toughest challenge of this adventure.

We’ll progress on the way to Larke La (5,160m) ahead of the sunrise. This is the back-breaking and strenuous journey to make. The route becomes wearisome as it ascends on several rocky glacial moraines, dominated by hills and snowy ridges. We’ll come across numerous small shallow lakes, before the final ascent to the prayer flags indicating the top of the pass. We’ll then happily commence our descent along the trail towards the moraine of Salpudanda glacier. Adjacent to Bhimtang glacier, the trail gradually makes it to Bhimthang (3,590m). Rejoice in the delightful scenery around you during your stay in this village.

This stretch of trail is lush and colorful. We’ll pass by the foot of the Bhimtang glacier, observing elegant scenery. Beyond the spell-binding landscapes adorned with prayer flags, we can grasp the wonderful sight of mountains around us, with the Manaslu Range to the south-east. Pursuing the trail, we’ll move through the mystical fir woods to Yak Kharka. Navigating to the other end of the woodland, we’ll reach the settlement of Gho (2,560m). Past the lovely village of Tilche (2,300m); the trail steers over the Dudh Khola via a long suspension bridge and appears at Thonche, which marks the official ending of the Manaslu trail. We’ll finally move on the bridge spanning over the Masryangdi River to Dharapani (1,960m).

We’ll now meet up with the popular Annapurna Circuit Trail. Through a police checkpoint, we’ll trek past the waterfalls as well as the settlements of Karta and Tal to Chamje Village from here we can take a jeep to Pokhara. If you are tired, the jeep services are available directly to Pokhara from Dharapani. Alternatively, we may drive to Kathmandu from Pokhara via a tourist bus. This blissful drive on Prithvi Highway will take us along the riverside of Masryangdi and Trishuli during which, we can gaze at the scenic terrain including green hillocks, flourishing forests, local villages, and verdant cultivated fields. Once at Kathmandu, you can provide a reward to your tired body in the form of rest or massage therapies. Remember to go for a souvenir shopping trip at the local marketplaces!