Manaslu Trek - 21 Days / 20 Nights

This is a fascination course which visits the three peaks of Manaslu, known as "The Japanese Peaks". It is a well-loved trek from Gorkha to the Budhi Gandaki, Passing through a huge precipitous valley to the contrasting world of Sama, crossing snow-covered Larkya La, and descending to the Marshyangdi river. Sama, before you cross the pass, is ideal for this, you can enjoy strolling about the glacial lake and Pungen Glacier there.

Day 01:
KATHMANDU/GORKHA
Drive approximately 4-5 hours to reach Gorkha. In the afternoon sightseeing around Gorkha bazaar and the palace of Gorkha King where firstly brave Gorkha solidiers originated from.

Day 02:
GORKHA/KHANCHOWK (956 M.) 6-7 HRS
The trail separates from here north-east toward Budhi Gandaki river. We follow the right trail toward Khanchowk bazaar for the night halt. Khanchowk commands good view of Gorkha himal.

Day 03:
KHANCHOWK/ARUGHAT (530 m.) 5-6 HRS
Continue on to Arukot. The trek today involved little bit of up and little bit of down toward Budhi Gandaki. Arughat is the largest village of this river basin.

Day 04:
ARUGHAT/SETI KHOLA (750 M.) 6-7 HRS.
Follow the river Budhi Gandaki toward its point of origin. We pass the village of Morder and Simre to reach Arkhat river. After Arkhat we ascend slowly toward Kyoropani. Camp today near the confluence of Seti river - an ideal place to take a fresh water bath.

Day 05:
SETI KHOLA/MACHHA KHOLA (890 M.) 6-7 HRS.
The trail descends slowly until you climb again to mountain ridge to Almara. Pass the forest trail to arrive at Riden Gaon. The valley here cuts into another side of the river to enter Budhi Gandaki. At Lambesi, the trail follows down to the sandy river bed of Budhi Gandaki. Camp tonight at Machha river.

Day 06:
MACHA KHOLA/JAGAT (1350 M.) 6-7 HRS.
Cross Machha river and head upstream along the river's edge. After crossing Khola besi, there is a hot spring called "Tatopani". The trail follows forested area after this toward Doban. Below Doban, there is a huge rapid at Budhi Gandaki. As the elevation increases, the rapids and the scenery undergoes a complete trasformation. At Jagat, there is a police check-post where your trekking permit will be checked.

Day 07:
JAGAT/NGYAK (2300 M.) 7-8 HRS.
Descend to the riverbed again. After crossing the river, ascend to a terraced hill of Saguleri. Sringi Himal (7177 m.) can be seen from here. At Ghatte river, cross the river Budhi Gandaki to continue toward Sirish Gaon. Gandaki valley narrows from herewith soaring precipitous walls.

Day 08:
NGYAK
Free for the local excursions.

Day 09:
NGYAK/GHAP (2095 M.) 6-7 HRS.
Follow the trail upstream of Deng river - a tiny village of 4 houses. We walk through a newly built rock tunnel from here, thus avoiding the traditional steep climb. At Ghap, the Tibetan culture begins with Mani stones and chortens all around.

Day 10:
GHAP/ LHO GAON (3150 M.) 5-6 HRS.
Cross the wooden bridge over Budhi Gandaki to follow the path lined with houses interspersed with cultivated fields. At Namru, there is a police check post again. After Namru, across the Hinan river originating from Linda Glacier and continue on to Sho. Naike peak, Manaslu north (9774 m.) and Manaslu (8150 m.) is visible from here. Camp near a spring at Lho gaon - a small village.

Day 11:
LHO GAON/SAMA GOMPA (3500 M.) 4-5 HRS.
Pass the stone gate and long Mani stone wall of the village after Lho with full view of Peak 29 ahead. You can make a side excursion to Pungen Glacier from here to get a very close up view of Manaslu. Follow the lateral moraine of Pungen Glacier toward Sama. From the village of Sama, it takes another 20 minutes to reach Sama Gompa for night halt.

Day 12:
SAMA GOMPA/SAMDO (4000 M.) 3-4 HRS.
Trek along the level table land and skirt around the ridge like lateral moraine heading to Karmo Kharka and Kermo Maman. Climb a terraced hill on the opposite bank of Budhi Gandaki from here toward a most remote permanent settlement - Samdo. Here amid the most sever condition of nature live some 200 villagers in forty houses check-by-jowl. Camp tonight here.

Day 13:
SAMDO
Free day for local excursion.

Day 14:
SAMDO/GUEST HOUSE (4450 M.) 5-6 HRS.
Descend a mountain path from Samdo and until you cross Gyala Khola. Ascend again to the ridge overlooking the remains of a thriving Lyarke bazaar. cross two small streams before Larke Glacier appears before you. Ascend from here to stirringly built buildings called "Guest House".

Day 15:
GUEST HOUSE/LARKE PHEDI (4450 M.) 5-6 HRS
Early morning tea and prepare for the pass. Climb slowly toward Cho Canda and continue on to further ascending steep uphill heading to Larkya la (5135 m.). Magnificent view of Himlung Himal (7126 m.), Cheo Himal, Gyaij Kang, Kang Guru (7010 m.) and Annapurna II are visible from here. It is steep descent again on the other side of the pass covered with full of snow. Tired & exhausted camp at the foot of Larke pass called Phedi.

Day 16:
LARKE PHEDI/KARCHE (2785 M.) 6-7 HRS.
Descend again to Larcia and to a hill called Pangal. Excellent view in the background from here. At Tangbuche, you descend again toward Bimtang. Climb the lateral moraine for a while until moraine ends to a riverbed. Descend again through Rhododendron forests to Hompak toward cultivated field to arrive at Karche for the night halt.

Day 17:
KARCHE/DHARAPANI (91943M.) 6-7 HRS.
Ascend through the paddy fields toward Karche La. From the pass the track descends through numerous fields to Tillije. Cross Dudhkhola from here to reach Thonje check post. You will join Marshyangdi valley from here. Camp to night at Dharapani.

Day 18:
DHARAPANI/CHAMCHE (1433 M.) 5-6 HRS.
Follow the trail down stream of Marshyangdi river, passing through the scattered villages to reach Chamche village for overnight camping..

Day 19:
CHAMCHE/NGATTI (846 M.) 7-8 HRS.
Ascend gently to Bahun Danda until descend again to Nagatti for the overnight halt.

Day 20:
NGATTI/BESI SAHAR (823 M.) 6-7 HRS.
The trail runs gently down stream of the river passing the village of Bhulbhule. Camp at Besi Sahar.

Day 21:
BESI SAHAR/DUMRE/KATHMANDU
After early breakfast, drive for about 7-8 hours back to Kathmandu.