Manaslu Lodge Circuit

The group flights depart London today.

Day 2

The group flight arrives today and those travelling on it will be met and
transferred to the hotel. Free arrival transfers are available for any
flight, provided you have supplied Exodus with your flight details in advance
and have requested a transfer. There are no planned activities today so if
making your own travel arrangements you may arrive at any time - however,
bear in mind that tomorrow is a long drive so it's better not to arrive too
late.

Upon arrival to the hotel please look out for an Exodus noticeboard with
details of where and when the welcome/trek briefing will be held this
evening. 

*Hotel Royal Singi* (or similar)

Day 3

We have an early start for the long drive to Arket Bazaar (approx 7hrs). We
drive out of the Kathmandu Valley and head west following the Trisuli River
towards Pokhara. At Dading we turn off the main road and drive into the hills
through Dading Besi and Arughat in the Buri Gandaki Valley. From Arughat we
continue on a rough road to Arkhet Bazaar (be prepared for an adventure).
From here we start walking and have a short (approx. 2hr) walk to Soti Khola.

*Teahouse *(*s*leeping altitude approx. 720m)

Day 4

The first few days of this trek are quite long in terms of hours walked due
to the lower altitudes and availability of decent lodges. It can, therefore,
be very hot, especially in the spring trekking season. Our route begins by
following the Buri Gandaki Valley north. There is a road being blasted out of
the hillsides and we try to avoid it where possible. From Soti Khola we drop
to the river and cross to the other side of the valley where the trail climbs
up steeply for a while through some forested areas and small villages and
then undulates through farmland and finally drops to cross the river again to
lunch at Lapu Besi. From Lapu Besi, we follow the undulating jeep track to
Machha Khola

*Teahouse *(*s*leeping altitude 875m)

Day 5

Another quite long day as the trail undulates throughout, sometimes by the
river and sometimes high above the river, passing several small hamlets and
farms. The valley narrows and there are some spectacular waterfalls. We start
off with a short climb followed by a descent to Khorla Besi. From here we
follow the wide track to Tatopani (which means 'hot water'). The water from
the natural hot springs here is funnelled through a few taps in the centre of
the village. Crossing the river by bridge, the trail wiggles its way to
Dovan, where we stop for lunch. We continue heading north and after an hour
we pass through Shyauli from where there are more ups and downs (some quite
steep sections) until we drop to the river at Yaruphant. The trail levels out
for a while and then we cross a suspension bridge after which the trail
undulates to Jagat, a well-kept paved village, where we start to see the
first signs of Tibetan Buddhism.

*Teahouse* (*s*leeping altitude 1725m)

Day 6

A long day due to the lack of decent lodges. From Jagat the trail continues
up the valley through the villages of Salleri, Sirdabas and Ghate Khola,
offering great views of the Shringi Himal ahead. We then drop down to the
river, cross a long suspension bridge and climb steeply up to lunch at Philim
(1565m). From Philim the trail undulates spectacularly with impressive
waterfalls on either side of the valley. Passing the small settlements of
Chisapani and Eklabatti we descend a little and cross the river by bridge. At
the bridge the trail splits, the trail on the right-hand side of the valley
leads to the remote Tsum Valley. We cross to the left and continue following
the Buri Gandaki, climbing up at first as the trail rounds the valley, which
becomes narrower. We cross the river twice more as we undulate up the valley
through forest to Phewa, and further on to the small village of Deng.

*Teahouse *(sleeping altitude 1870m)

Day 7

A shorter day today. From Deng, we descend to the river and cross by bridge.
After the river, our route climbs, steeply in places, up onto a spectacular
trail. We pass through some small settlements as we ascend the impressive
valley. We will see mani stones (prayer stones) carved into wayside rocks, a
sign that we are now in a Buddhist area. We pass through the small
settlements of Rana and Bihi Phedi. The trail continues ascending (sometimes
steeply) but at one point descends to cross the river. We will get to Ghap by
lunchtime and in the afternoon, there is an optional walk up the hill behind
the lodge for spectacular views across to Prok and of the whole valley.

*Teahouse* (sleeping altitude 2110m)

Day 8

Today is quite a strenuous day with a lot of ascent. The valley now becomes
wider and there is extensive farmland all around where we may see the
occasional look-out platform, built to ward off bears. From Ghap we cross the
river three times and have a long steady climb through the forest (look out
for langur monkeys), to Namrung. A short descent followed by another climb
brings us to Lihi, where we will have a simple lunch. Another descent to the
river and climb brings us to Sho, after which we climb further to Lho. We are
now passing through Tibetan style villages and we start to see the
magnificent mountain views all around. From Lho we get our first view of
Manaslu, Naike and Larkya Peak.

*Teahouse *(sleeping altitude 3170m)

Day 9

A short but magnificent walk as we continue up the valley and gain altitude.
The trail climbs out of Lho to the monastery, which we can visit. We then
follow the valley with great views of Manaslu ahead. The trail climbs for a
couple of hours to Shyaula village, from where we are surrounded by amazing
views. Manaslu is ahead and we can also see Himalchuli, Peak 29, Maike and
Larkya Peaks. Soon we reach the fields and stone houses of Samagaon (3,530m),
where we stay for the night. From the lodge, there are magnificent views of
Manaslu. We should arrive at Samagaon by lunchtime so there will be time to
explore the village and visit the monastery in the afternoon.

*Teahouse* (sleeping altitude 3530m)

Day 10

The trail crosses grazing areas and gradually climbs the valley. We have
fantastic views of the mountains especially Himalchuli behind us. We can also
see Baudha and Ngaddi Peaks and as we reach our destination Samdo Peak rears
up behind us. It’s an easy half-day walk to Samdo, the last permanent
settlement in the valley. This remote village is only a day's walk from the
Tibetan border. In the afternoon, there will be time for an acclimatisation
walk and time to explore the village. (Please note the lodges in Samdo are
basic).

*Teahouse (s*leeping altitude 3860)

Day 11

Leaving the village, we cross a stream (the last time we see the Buri
Gandaki) and climb steadily to the deserted Larkya Bazaar. Years ago, this
village thrived off trade with Tibet. Behind we can see Samdo Peak and as we
climb Manaslu comes into view to our left and we can see the whole
spectacular climbing route to the summit. Climbing all the time with a few
steep sections, we reach a very basic lodge at Dharamsala at 4,480m, which is
the last place to stay before the pass. Look out for Blue Sheep which often
come down to the small stream near the lodge. In the afternoon, the energetic
can climb a hill behind the lodge for even better views of the surrounding
mountains.

(Please note that the accommodation at Dharamsala is extremely basic. There
are three-person prefab huts and two-person tents. Mattresses are provided in
the huts and tents and there is a basic dining room and basic toilets).

*Teahouse *(sleeping altitude 4480m)

Day 12

An early start (usually in the dark). Today is a long day and if there is any
snow it can take us a long time to cross the pass, especially the descent.
The trail leaves Dharamsala and climbs steeply at first but then more
gradually by the side of the moraine of the glacier with great views of
Larkya Peak. The ascent is gradual most of the way and is easy if there is no
snow (if there is snow or ice it will take us much longer). As dawn nears
Hindu Peak glows orange with the first rays of the sun. It’s a long and
rocky ascent on the moraine with some short steeper sections all the way to
the top of the Larkya Pass (5,130m). The first area of prayer flags at 5,130m
is the official Larkya La from where the views are outstanding - a wonderful
panorama of peaks including Larkya Peak, Cheo Himal and Hindu Peak and in the
distance, we can see the tip of Annapurna 2. From the top, there is a 10
minute almost level walk to the second summit (which is a little higher and
is also marked with a few prayer flags). From here the long very steep
descent starts. We need to take care as the path is steep and narrow. It is a
sandy scree trail when there is no snow but if there is snow and ice we need
to take care on the descent. There is a landslide which we must cross
carefully. The steep part of the trail eventually eases off onto a path which
takes us down to the glacial moraine. The views are superb as we descend, and
we can just spot Pongkar Lake, a brilliant blue glacial lake amidst the three
glaciers below us. We stop for a well-deserved rest at the bottom of the
steep part of the descent surrounded by immense snow-capped peaks. The
descent now becomes a bit easier, but no less spectacular, as we descend the
valley to Bimthang, where we stay tonight at 3,700m. If it’s clear, we can
just see the summit of Manaslu high above.

*Teahouse* (sleeping altitude 3700m)

Day 13

A spare day to be used as and when required - if the weather is good and
everything runs to schedule then we will spend the day exploring the area
around Bimthang and resting after the pass. There is a half-day walk to a
beautiful glacial lake, Pongkar Lake, which we can do in the morning, then
return to the lodge for lunch and have a free afternoon to rest. 

If however there has been a delay earlier in the trek, the group needs more
acclimatisation or rest before the pass, or if there is poor weather, your
leader may decide to use the spare day earlier in the trek. Also if the
weather is bad at Bimthang your leader may suggest trekking down the valley
earlier. This is at the leader's discretion.

*Teahouse *(sleeping altitude 3700m)

Day 14

From Bimthang we cross high pasture land and have a magnificent walk down
into the valley of the Burdin Khola. The walk from Bimthang is one of the
most spectacular of the trek as a wall of mountains lies behind us and in
front of us. We pass the terminal moraine of the Cheo Himal and cross a small
wooden bridge. Ahead we have our last magnificent views of Manaslu. We now
descend into rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley
to Karche and the Soti Khola. A short climb past terraced fields brings us to
the Karche La from where we will be in sight of the Marsyangdi River below.
Descending through forest we come to Tilje, where we spend the night.

*Teahouse *(sleeping altitude 2,240m)

Day 15

From Tilje we walk through the village and cross the river by bridge. A small
footpath then leads away from the main trail and we follow this uphill
through the forest. A higher path takes us to a small monastery set amongst
pine forests. We get great views of Dharapani below and Annapurna 2 above. We
then descend past terraces to a suspension bridge which we cross The trail
then climbs up to Nache village (1940m). This beautiful old village rarely
sees trekkers and has beautiful traditional Gurung houses. We can also see
Manaslu and Himalchuli. We then descend quite steeply to the main Annapurna
trail at Korto. Staying on the same side of the river we follow the old trail
which climbs high above the river and undulates until we descend to Tal for
the night.

*Teahouse* (sleeping altitude 1700m)

Day 16

A short climb out of Tal brings us to a long descent to cross the Marsyangdi
by bridge followed by a short climb to Chyamje. From Chyamje to Jagat we can
climb above the road and follow the old trekking trail through the forest to
Jagat. From Jagat to Syange we have to walk on the jeep track for a short
while. After Syange we cross the river to Germu and have a final climb up to
Bauhundanda for our last night of the trek.

*Teahouse *(sleeping altitude 1290m)

Day 17

Leaving early, we have an easy 5.8km walk downhill to Ngaddi, from where we
meet our bus for the long drive to Kathmandu (approx. 6/7hrs). We should
arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon.

*Hotel Royal Singi* (or similar)

Day 18

Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu. You may wish to visit the monkey
temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world at
Boudhanath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at
Pashupatinath. We offer a full range of sightseeing tours, which can be
booked and paid for locally. Please see the Optional Excursions section of
the Trip Notes or the Exodus notice board in the hotel in Kathmandu.

*Hotel Royal Singi *(or similar)

Day 19

A group departure transfer to Kathmandu airport is included for
flight-inclusive passengers.