Mount Manaslu Expedition

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Arriving at Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport After completing the necessary visa procedures and retrieving your luggage from the airport, kindly make your way to the arrivals hall exit. Just outside the arrivals area, your trip leader will be waiting to greet you and accompany you to your hotel in Kathmandu. Watch for a sign that reads Alpha Adventure Treks and Expeditions.

Day 02: Documents and Climbing Preparation

These two days have been reserved for final Climb preparation in Kathmandu. Meet the rest of the team, finish all the legal and government formalities, and then load the last of the stuff. These days, an optional sightseeing tour of Kathmandu can be planned based on your interest. Before we begin our trek, we will have a trip orientation during which your trip leader will educate you on your ascent.
Meal: Breakfast

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola | Altitude: 710m/2,330ft  | Drive: 6-7 Hrs

Today, we left early for Sotikhola. We take in vistas of the Nepalese farmland and alpine scenery as we travel. From Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi, the district headquarters of Dhading (1050m), we will travel on a paved road, but the trip from Dhading Besi to Arughat will be on a rocky road. We continue driving towards Sotikhola after arriving at Arughat, a significant town in the area. In Soti Khola, spend the night.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 04: Trek to Macha Khola | Altitude: 900m/2,953ft | Trek: 6-7 Hrs

The trail starts out slowly lowering until you start to ascend up a mountain crest to Almara. After there, take a forest trail to the settlement of Riden Gaon. Here, a valley enters Budhi Gandaki from the other bank of the river. The trail then descends to the sandy Budhi Gandaki riverbed at Lambesi.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 05: Trek to Jagat  | Altitude: 1,410m/4,626ft | Trek: 6-7 Hrs

The short trail briefly ascends and descends before crossing the Tharo Khola and leading to Khorlabesi. After a few more climbs and descents, we reach Tatopani's tiny Hotspring. From the hot spring, we ascend over another mountain before descending onto a suspension bridge to cross the Budhi Gandaki. At this point, we climb a broad, well-built stairway, cross a landslide, and finally ascend a ridge to reach Dobhan. We climb the stone stairs after passing the suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, descend to the river, and then climb some more stone stairs to reach Tharo Bharyang. As we hike down the river's west bank and then rise towards the settlement of Jagat, we cross the Budhi Gandaki. Spend the night at Jagat.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 06: Trek to Deng | Altitude: 1,804m/5,919ft | Trek: 6-7 Hrs 

The spectacular Sringi Himal may be seen from Saguleri, where we ascend a terraced hill after descending a staircase of stone stairs to the river (7187m). While crossing the river at Gata Khola, the trail divides, with the right branch diverging in the direction of the Ganesh Himal. As we travel upstream, we pass into a gorge with high cliffs. In the following two hours, we cross the river three times to avoid severe valley sides before ascending over one more steep spur to arrive at the village of Deng.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 07: Trek to Namrung | Altitude: 2,630m/8,629ft | Trek: 6-7 Hrs

We continue on after Deng for a short distance, pass the Budhi Gandaki, and climb to Rana at 1910m. We ascend a little from the bridge to join a track that leads to Bhi, then we move west along the Budhi Gandaki valley. Additionally, the trail travels through mani and woodlands until turning around a corner that conforms to Ghap. We choose the path through Prok village even if there is another option. A viewpoint near Prok hamlet offers a stunning view of Siringi Himal. More than once today, we will cross the Budi Gandaki, passing a number of gompas along the way. The forest becomes less dense and the track is once again in good condition after crossing the river at a spectacular location where it thunders down a tight gorge. After one last hard ascent, we reach Namrung as the enjoyable stroll continues.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 08: Trek to Samagaon | Altitude: 3,530m/11,582ft | Trek: 6-7 Hrs

With views of Peak 29 in front of us as we follow the right bank of the river after leaving the settlement of Namrung. We soon arrive at the 3500m Sama Gaon fields as we continue on the main track. Twenty minutes after leaving the village of Samdo, which is close to the Tibetan border, we arrive at Sama Gompa.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 09: Acclimatization Day 

At Samagaon, today is a day for relaxation and acclimatization. We get to learn some fascinating stuff about Buddhist culture today. Thousands of mani stones bearing Buddhist verses and images as well as people wearing traditional garb and jewelry are a sight to behold. An ancient Gompa (Pungyen Gompa), a monastery with magnificent glacier views, is located on a small hill close to Sama village. Pungyen means bracelet, which is a fitting description of the two peaks, and it is named after Manaslu. A year after the first unsuccessful Japanese effort to ascend Manaslu, it was demolished. When the Japanese returned a year later, they encountered so much opposition that they were forced to abandon their endeavor because the people thought that the ascent had enraged the gods. In 1959, they finally achieved success.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 10: Trek to Manaslu Base Camp | Altitude: 4,700m/15,421ft | Trek: 7-8 Hrs

To get to Manaslu Base Camp, we will hike uphill for around 5 hours and descend for 3 hours. We'll go out on our walk first thing in the morning. We'll have a ton of food and water with us. The base campsite is congested with tents, guides, porters, and climbers during the busy season. We travel through a forest on the Samagaon trail. To the north of the Manaslu glacier, we will climb the steep slope that is above Samagaon. The sharpest ascent is found in the last leg, which is comprised of a treacherous route on a tapering moraine. We will take in the expansive vistas of the mountains nearby. Stay in Manaslu Base Camp for the night.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 11-33: Summit Manaslu and Back to Base Camp | Altitude: 8,163m/26,783ft

22 days were spent ascending Mount Manaslu (Tented camp). Depending on the weather and the need for acclimatization days at different elevations, the climbing leader will decide how long it takes to reach the summit. Climbers spend a lot of time hiking up to high camps during acclimatization days before returning to lower elevations for the night. The entire climbing team will return to the base camp and spend the night there after more than three weeks of climbing and a successful ascent of Mt. Manaslu. Stay the night in base camp.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Diner

Day 34: Trek back to Samagaon

After eating breakfast in the tent, we set out again on the same route that we had taken previously to travel from Samagaon to the base camp. Even though it can be fairly slippery, going downhill takes less time, and we once more get to enjoy the breathtaking view of the glacier and the turquoise lake. In just over three hours, we reach Samagaon after gradually losing height as we descend and move down the forest-lined trail. Sleep in Samagaon.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 35: Trek to Samdo

The Budhi Gandaki River has shifted north today, so we descend to it and follow it to a bridge over a sidestream. The Manaslu Base Camp is accessible by the trail to the left. As the valley widens, the Larkya la Trail goes over multiple mani walls. It is a simple trail that passes by Kermo Kharka's juniper and birch woodlands as it runs along a shelf above the river. We descend from the shelf, travel across the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge, and then ascent steeply onto a promontory situated between two river forks. We can see a substantial white Kani from a stone arch. After finally navigating the Kani, we arrive in Samdo. Spend the night at Samdo.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 36: Trek to Dharmasala

To this day, we proceed to stroll along the ledge before crossing the wooden bridge over the Budi Gandaki and starting to climb. After over two streams and viewing the Larkya Glacier, we circumnavigate the Salka Khola Valley before ascending once more to the stone guest house (4450 m), also known as Larke Phedi and Dharmshala. Dharmshala is not a lodge but rather a type of shelter. Due to today's short hike, there will be plenty of time for afternoon relaxation and acclimatization. In Dharmashala, spend the night.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 37: Trek to Bhimthang

After a little ascent, we arrive at a valley on the Larkya Glaciers' northern flank, from which we have stunning views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. Last but not least, we traverse glacial moraines as we ascend gradually to the final stretch of the pass. Outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru, and the massive Annapurna II can be seen from the pass. It takes longer than usual to get to Bimtang, but it is an incredible experience to walk into these low pastures as the dusk mist rolls in and Mt. Manaslu looms nearby. Sleep in Bimthang.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 38: Trek to Tilije

We can see Mount Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal clearly from a ridge in Bimthang. As we continue to descend, we pass through Sange Kharka, a high grassland, and then cross the Dudh Khola on a bridge. We travel through a rhododendron woodland and along a narrow valley until we arrive at Karche, the highest point of cultivation in the valley at 2785 meters. Before climbing steeply over a ridge, we walk through a field. The trail leaves the peak in a wide, sweeping arc and descends to the 2580m river bank. The settlement of Gho is just beyond that. Due to our exhaustion from yesterday, we may choose to spend the night at Gho, but Himalayan Glacier suggests that we remain at Tilije because there are better lodgings there. In Tilije Village, spend the night.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 39: Trek to Tal

Today after breakfast, we ascend a little peak and take pleasure in the stone-paved trail as it goes through a lovely community. We then cross the Dudh Khola bridge, go through a chorten-shaped arch, go by a mani wall, and arrive at the settlement of Thonje. We pass a police checkpoint in the village before moving on to Dharapani. From Dharapani, we entered the Annapurna circuit part. After a considerable amount of traveling, we reach Karte village and cross a bridge over Marshyangdi Khola. Before arriving in the settlement of Tal, which is located at the base of a sizable waterfall, we also come across some mani walls. Thaw out in Tal.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 40: Drive Back to Kathmandu

You may take in the hill and mountain scenery as you travel from Tal to Kathmandu through Besisahar. The Marsyangdi and Trishuli Rivers' banks are frequently traveled along during the journey. Along the way, we pass several picturesque villages that have farming terraces on both sides of the road. We will be driven to our accommodation in Kathmandu. The day in Kathmandu might be leisurely spent or it could be used to finish off some last-minute shopping. We shall enjoy a farewell supper in the evening to commemorate the successful conclusion of our adventure. Spend the night in Kathmandu.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 41: Departure Day

Today marks the end of the adventure across Nepal's Himalayas. Finally, around three hours prior to our scheduled departure, an AAT representative drives you to the airport. Farewell…
Meal: Breakfast

Route Map

Useful Information