Itinerary

1. Day 1- Arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu

   • Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our airport representative will come to receive you at the airport, and he will transfer to the hotel where you will be spending the night. Meanwhile, you can further inquire about any information regarding the program.

   • Overnight at the hotel.

2. Day 2- Drive from Kathmandu to Soti khola (710 m/2328 ft) Distance: 140 kms, Duration: 8 hours

   • Set off early today for Sotikhola. During the drive, we enjoy views of the Nepalese countryside along with the mountain sceneries. We will be driving on a paved road from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi, the district headquarter of Dhading (1,050 m) but the drive from Dhanding Bensi to Arughat will be on a rough road.  

   • Upon reaching Arughat, a major town in the region we drive further towards Sotikhola for an overnight stay.

3. Day 3- Soti Khola to Machha Khola (900 m/2952 ft) Walking Distance: 14.2 Kms/8.8 Miles

   • At the crossing of the bridge, we trek through the beautiful Sal forests, then climb onto a ridge above huge rapids on the Budhi Gandaki. We then reach Khursane upon which the rocky trail weaves it's way up and down, past two tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff. It eventually makes its way down and past a few rice terraces, then up and around to the Gurung village of Labubesi. We further climb behind a rocky outcrop, where the valley opens up and the Budhi Gandaki meanders among wide gravel bars. Dropping to the sandy river bed, we walk along rounded stones before climbing over a side ridge.

   • Head down again to the river and cross another suspension bridge to reach Machha Khola village for overnight stay.

4. Day 4- Machha Khola to Jagat (1340 m/4395 ft) Walking Distance: 22.2 Kms/13.8 Miles, Duration: 5-6 Hours

   • The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola and reaching Khorlabesi. After a few more ascends and descends, we come across a small hot spring in Tatopani. From the hot spring, we climb over another ridge, then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. At this juncture, we climb on a wide, well-crafted staircase, then across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan.

   • Upon crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang.

   • Crossing the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat for an overnight stay.

5. Day 5- Jagat to Deng (2095 m/6871 ft) Walking Distance: 20 Kilometers/12.4 Miles, Duration: 8-9 Hours

   • Begin today’s trek by climbing over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend to Sirdibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. We further continue walking upstream to a long suspension bridge in Philim, a large Gurung village. The trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays on a fairly level trail as it crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti. The route now enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. At this point, we descend to the grassy land slopes, cross the Budhi Gandaki, then trek along the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank and then back again. As we continue through the trail the valley widens and we pass through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola. 

   • Upon crossing the Khola, we reach the tiny village of Deng for an overnight stay.

6. Day 6- Deng to Namrung (2900 m/9512 ft) Walking Distance: 19.4 Kms/12 Miles, Duration: 5-6 Hours

   • After a brief walk beyond Deng, we cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb to Rana at 1910m. From the bridge, we climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley. The trail also passes through forests and mani where we turn towards a corner that contours to Ghap. Even though there is another route, we take the route through Prok village. Prok village has a viewpoint for a beautiful sight of Siringi Himal. We further cross the Budi Gandaki several times today and come across several gompas en route. The trail follows the river upstream through a dense forest. After crossing the river at an impressive spot where it thunders down a narrow gorge, the forest becomes less dense and the trail is fine again. The pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb, we reach Namrung for an overnight stay.

7. Day 7- Namrung – Samagaon (3530 m/11,578 ft): 6-7 hours

   • Namrung village is a good viewpoint for Siring and Ganesh Himal and from the village, one can also see Mt. Himal Chuli in the south. We climb steadily and pass through forests and reach Lihi, a fine village with many chortens and barley terraces. The trail drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal with Ganesh Himal always close by. We further pass through Sho, Lho and Shyala villages before reaching Sama Village.

   • Enjoy extraordinary views of Mt. Manaslu from Lho village and also explore the famous Ribung Gompa. In Shyala village, we will be surrounded by high mountains like Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead, and other snow summits to the right, and at the far end stands Ganesh Himal.

   • End today’s journey in Samagaon where we spend the night.

8. Day 8- Acclimatization Day at Samagaun

   • Spend the day at Samagaon both for rest and acclimatization. Today, we get acquainted with the rich Sherpa culture. We enjoy the sight of thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures and the Sherpa women clad in traditional clothes and ornaments. On a little hill near the Sama village is an old Gompa (Pungyen Gompa), a monastery with great views of the glacier. It is named after Manaslu, Pungyen means bracelet, a good description of the two peaks. It was destroyed a year after the first unsuccessful Japanese attempt to climb Manaslu. The locals believed that the climb angered the gods, and when the Japanese came back a year later they met with a lot of resistance that they had to give up their attempt. They were finally successful in 1959.

   Overnight in Samagaon.

9. Day 9- Samagaon to Samdo (3690 m/12103 ft), Walking Distance: 8.1 Kms/5.03 Miles, Duration: 3-4 Hours

   • Descend to the Budhi Gandaki River, that has turned north and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. The trail to the left leads to the Manaslu Base camp. The Larkya La Trail passes several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river passing the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. We drop off the shelf, cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge and climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. From a stone arch, we can view a large white kani.

   • Finally passing through the kani, we will reach Samdo for overnight stay.

10. Day 10- Samdo to Dharmasala (4450 m/14596 ft) Walking Distance: 6.6 Kms/4.10 Miles, Duration: 4-5 Hours

    • Even today, we continue our walk down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over Budi Gandaki and begin walking upward.

    • Upon crossing two streams and witnessing the Larkya Glacier we go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again to the stone guest house (4450 m), which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmshala, also known as Larke Phedi. The short walk today also leaves plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon.

    Overnight in Dharmashala.

11. Day 11- Dharamsala to Bhimtang(3590 m/11,775 ft) Via Larkya La Pass (5220m/17122ft) Walking Distance: 24.5 Kilometers/15.22 Miles, Duration: 8-9 Hours

    • After a short climb, we reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glaciers from where we can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Finally, we walk across moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent which becomes steeper only in the last section of the pass. From the pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. It is a longer day than usual to Bimthang, but to walk into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in with Mt. Manaslu looming close by is an overwhelming experience.

    Overnight in Bimthang.

12. Day 12- Bhimphedi to Tilje (2300 m/7544 ft) Walking Distance: 26 Kilometers/16.1 Miles, Duration: 8-9 Hour

    • Enjoy great views of Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal and Cheo Himal.

    • Descend further and cross a high pasture (Sangure Kharka) followed by a bridge over Dudh Khola. We walk through rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land of the valley at Karche, 2785 meters. We pass across fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank at 2580 m. A short distance beyond is the village of Gho. Due to yesterday's tiredness we might take an overnight rest at Gho but better lodges are available at Tilije. 

13. Day 13- Tilije - Tal (1700 m/5576 ft): 5 - 6 hours

    • Climb over a small ridge and enjoy the stone paved trail as it passes through a beautiful village. We then cross the bridge over Dudh Khola and climb up through a chorten-shaped arch, pass a mani wall and reach the Thonje village. At the village, we go through a police checkpoint and continue to Dharapani. We have entered the Annapurna circuit section from Dharapani. Further down, we come across Karte village and after quite a bit of walking, we cross a bridge over Marshyangdi Khola. We also come across some mani walls before reaching the village of Tal, situated at the foot of a large waterfall.

    Overnight in Tal.

14. Day 14- Tal - Syange (1080 m/3542 ft): 6 - 7 hours

    • Follow the trail to Chyamje village crossing the Marshyangdi Khola once again. The Marsyandi valley opens with it's terrace fields and villages clung very high to the hillsides. The trail then descends through rhododendron and pine forests and takes us to Syange for overnight stay.

15. Day 15- Syange - pokhara: 7- 8 hours

    • Drive from Syange to Pokhara via Besi Sahar that offers an opportunity to enjoy both hill and mountain landscapes. The drive is often along the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. We also drive by some beautiful villages with farming terraces on both sides of the road.

    • Spend the day in Pokhara either in leisure or perhaps we catch up with some last minute shopping. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner in the evening.

    Overnight in Pokhara.