Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu.
It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel. At the hotel, you will be briefed about your daily activities.
Day 02: Kathmandu Valley.
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two major neighboring cities have immense historical, cultural and religious significance. There will be a half day guided tour to the famous and biggest Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath, the 15th century Palace of 55 windows and Swayambhunath.
Day 03: Drive to Arughat Bazar.
We drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway for the first part of the day; we turn towards the hill bazaar of Gorkha. The road gets a bit rough after Gorkha. We will reach Arughat Bazaar after travelling for seven hours from Kathmandu.
Day 04: Arughat Bazaar- Sundi Khola.
On our first day on the trail we head north, following the Buri Gandaki. In the low country, rice paddies and picturesque hamlets surround us. After climbing briefly to Kyoropani, we descend once again to the river and at the confluence with the tributary of SundiKhola. It is a nice first day not too long, and perhaps we have time for a refreshing swim sometime during the day for it is hot in the low country.
Day 05: Sundi Khola – Machha Khola.
The country changes, the broad valley narrows and at times the trail is cut into the steep valley side which is densely forested. We pass a number of small villages tucked into the hillside, until we reach a widening of the valley, opposite the point where a large tributary stream enters the Buri Gandaki. The terraced farmland here belongs to the village of Lapbesi. We descend once again to the wide, sandy riverbed and follow a path, which runs below the steep, craggy valley side. At length, we have to climb up once again on a trail to MachhaKhola, which has a number of tea shops.
Day 06: Machha Khola - Jagat.
We cross the Machha Khola - Fish Stream - and head upstream to the tiny village of Khola Bensi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The valley becomes steeper until they are impassable and the route then switches to the left bank by way of a suspension bridge. The trail is quite exposed and challenging in places. After a short section of forest path we reach the single teahouse at Doban. Above Doban, the Buri Gandaki descends an impressive series of rapids. Beyond this steep section, the river is much more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed. At Lauri, we will cross the river on a suspension bridge, and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat.
Day 07: Jagat - Deng.
After descending a long series of stone steps to the river, we climb a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where we can see the impressive Singri Himal, 7187m. The path splits, with the right-hand branch heading towards the Ganesh Himal while crossing the river at Gata Khola. Our route continues upstream, through a gorge section with towering walls. We cross the river three more times in the next two hours to avoid difficult valley sides and then climb up over a further steep spur to reach the village of Deng.
Day 08: Deng – Ghap.
The valley is still steep-sided and most impressive. We cross the village of Lama, and start to see mani stones (prayers etched onto wayside rocks), a sure sign that we are entering a high country Buddhist region. After only about four hours we reach the village of Ghap, which straddles the river. We have entered the Tibetan area. There's a perceptible change in the climate and culture. It gets pleasantly cool, as we start to gain altitude.
Day 09: Ghap – Lho Village.
As we gain altitude, we move into alpine territory and terrific mountain views. There are more stone walls and 3 more crossings of the Buri Gandaki on our route to Namrung, where our special permit is checked. Above this village the valley opens out and there are extensive pastures. Climbing gently now, and crossing a large stream flowing down from the Lidanda Glaciers, we reach the Tibetan village of Sho, 3000m. We get our first incredible views of the Manaslu North and then of Manaslu main ahead from Sho. As we continue we come to Lho, a large village at 3150 metres where there is a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens and Manis. Looking back Ganesh I is visible.
Day 10: Lho Village –Sama Gaon.
Leaving the village, we follow the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. As we continue on the main trail, we soon reach the fields of Sama Gaon, 3500m. We reached Sama Gompa, 20 minutes beyond the village, and Samdo, near the Tibetan border.
Day 11: Sama Gaon – Larkya (Dharamsala).
The thundering Buri Gandaki trickles to a stream as we continue to follow its course ever upwards. We are surrounded by spectacular mountains from all sides. Manaslu is particularly impressive. After crossing to the east bank of the river, we reach the last permanent settlement in the valley, which is called Sumdu. Above the village we cross the stream, which runs down from the Gya La (Pass), the pass to Tibet. We come to the ruins of an abandoned village, known as Larkya Bazaar. Presumably this village thrived as a trading point, with Tibet lying over the Gya La. The commerce seems to have dried up leading to the migration of the settlers. Nearing the Larkya Glacier, we reach a lodge at 4450m, which has been built to serve the travelers crossing the Larkya La.
Day 12: Larkya– Tanbuche.
After a short climb above the lodge, we reach the ablation valley on the north side of the Larkya Glaciers. There are views of Cho Danda and then of Larkya Peak. Finally, we walk across the moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent, which becomes steeper only in the last section to the pass. From the pass, there are outstanding views of HimlungHimal, CheoHimal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. Initially, there is a steep descent over snow and then screed, to reach the ablation valley trail to LarciaKharka. A further on, a moraine ridge path leads to Tanbuche 3900m.
Day 13:Tanbuche - Karche.
Below us is Bimthang, a broad and level ablation valley with a number of Mani stone walls and deserted houses. Crossing this high pasture, we descend the valley of the BurdinKhola to the area of the Base Camp to reach the west side of Manaslu. From a ridge at 4150 meters, we have excellent views of Manaslu to the south-east and Annapurna II to the south-west. Beyond a bridge, over the headwaters of the DudhKhola, we descend into the rhododendron forests and follow a trail through a narrow valley, until we reach the highest cultivated land in this valley at Karche (2785m.).
Day 14: Karche -Dharapani.
We climb through terraced fields to the Karche La pass. A green and densely forested valley lies ahead, sloping down to the distant Marshyangdiriver. At Thonje village is our final restricted area check post. Here we cross the Marshyangdi river and join the main Annapurna Circuit with the hordes of trekkers and soon reach Dharapani.
Day 15: Karche – Dharapani.
An initially tight gorge briefly opens to Tal. The area here was formed when the valley was blocked by a landslide and a dam formed behind the lake. The lake has long dried up and now the village of Tal sits on the flat land. Over the next day and a half, we pass through the main Himalayan range, between Manaslu and the Annapurna range.
Day 16: Dharapani – Bahundanda.
Making our way down from Jagat we reach Syange, where we cross a suspension bridge to the east side of the MarshyangdiKhola and onto easier terrain. We have a short but stiff climb uptoBahundanda, followed by a descent to Ngadi and Bhule Bhule.
Day 17: Bahundanda – Bhulbhule.
Today we descended to Ngadi and Bhule Bhule. Rice and paddy fields carpet the landscape again.
Day 18: Drive back to Kathmandu.
It is approximately a seven hours drive to Kathmandu.
Day 19: Depart from Kathmandu.
The Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. On the other
