Manaslu Circuit & Base Camp Trek

You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 4.30-5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. This evening we will head out for dinner, this is a perfect opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members. Overnight: Radisson Hotel

Today you have a full day to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square.Overnight: Radisson Hotel

We travel west from Kathmandu towards Pokhara, following the winding road over the valley rim and down alongside the Trisuli River. After crossing Trisuli River, we enjoy clear views of the Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal as we pass through numerous villages before reaching our camp in a small village above the river at Liding. Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

Today we follow a road track of constant ups and downs through forest as we continue to head upstream along the Buri Gandakhi. We descend to the wide, sandy riverbed for lunch then continue along a winding mountain path overlooking the river. After crossing many suspension bridges, we stop in small village of Khorlabesi.Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

The Buri Gandakhi gorge is narrow with sheer cliffs on either side and the morning’s trail begins by following a cliff path along the east bank before passing hot springs at Tatopani and then crossing the Dodan Khola. Today we enter inside Manaslu Conservation area and we camp in a Rocky Valley above Buri Gandakhi. Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

Today will be an easy walk to Chisapani following the trails alongside scenic views of natural waterfalls and rustic villages.Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

Continuing on, we occasionally have to trek high above the river to skirt around narrow gorges that prohibit a path. Today we also have chance to meet a mules on the very narrow trail. The trail takes us through pine forest scattered with rhododendron. Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

We climb initially and then descend to cross a suspension bridge to the opposite bank. There are more riverside undulations and mani walls and chortens may be seen, signs of the distinctly Tibetan territory into which we are entering. The valley trail keeps to the northern bank below the village of Bih. Bih is known for its family of master stone carvers and along the trail today we see flat stones carved with intricate figures and stupas. Just past Bih we catch glimpses of the Shringi Himal and continue along the northern bank of the Buri Gandakhi until we reach the dominantly Tibetan village of Ghap for lunch. We then continue up through the forest densely vegetated with pine and birch to our jungle camp amongst the trees just before Namrung.Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

We descend to cross the Damonan Khola then ascend again along a narrow path through the forest to Namru then continue through the forest path past small Tibetan villages towards Ligaon. It is likely that we will encounter our first yak today and there is also a troop of monkeys who often come down to the river here to drink. We have uninterrupted views behind us of Ganesh and Baudha Himal range and to our right the Kutang Himal stands high as the natural border between Nepal and Tibet. Before us our first real mountain panorama opens up with the peaks of Himalchuli (7893m), Peak 29 (7871m) and finally Manaslu (8163m).Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

Pungyen Gompa is one of the best spots on the trail, offering breathtaking views of Manaslu. The walk from Shyala takes approximately 3-4 hours and while the trail is mostly easy the first half of the trek with see us ascending. As we reach the top of the ascent, we see a small mani with prayer flags. From here we begin our descent into the valley where we reach Pungyen Gompa, situated in a beautiful glacial valley surrounded by mountain peaks. Located near the base of Mt Manaslu, the gompa is a significant site for the local Nubri people.Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

The walk today starts with a descent as we make our way to the other side of the Pungyen Khola. After about an hour we arrive in a beautiful flat pasture which leads us to the picturesque village of Samagoan, after a look around the town we will continue another half an hour to reach our campsite at Kermo Kharka.Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

Today has been set aside for acclimatisation. There is an optional walk up the ridge below Manaslu to base camp (4500m), approximately 1500ft, in snow, to gain spectacular views of Manaslu, glaciers and lakes.Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

The trail takes us out of the grasslands and into wilder territory as we skirt around some glacial moraine then descend to the riverbed. Excellent views of the peak of Manaslu today. We soon reach the Tibetan Refugee village of Samdo, a wild place with a substantial village of some 200 permanent residents.Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

After a couple of stream crossings, the Larkya Glacier appears on the opposite bank. We steadily climb, skirting around the Sarka Khola to camp at a small brick hut at the base of the Larkya La (pass).Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

Soon after setting off today the unique shape of Larkya Peak becomes visible. The trail upwards is very gradual but at this altitude we take our time. It takes us approximately 5 hours to reach the pass, with the last section becoming quite steep but it is well worth the effort. The mountain vista to the west is incredible - Himlung Himal (7126m), Chap Himal, Gyaji Kang, Kang Guru (6981m) and Annapurna II (7937m). The descent from the pass is very steep across ice and scree as we follow the glacier. Progress is slow and careful but eventually we enter the valley of the Burdin Khola and continue to Bimtang and our camp for the night. We'll enjoy a rest day here following our long day over the pass.Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

The trail now basically follows the Marsyangdi downstream, before entering a pristine forest of pine and rhododendron which during the spring months puts on a brilliant display of color. Keep your camera handy today as the views of the Himlung and Manaslu Himal are again spectacular.Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

After a morning walk of 3-4 hours, we will reach Dharapani and meet our vehicle at the roadhead for the drive onwards to Besisahar where we will spend the night. The village is set in the Marsyangdi valley on a plateau high above the river.Overnight: Wilderness camp or eco-lodge

Today after breakfast we will drive to Kathmandu, joining the Kathmandu to Pokhara highway at the bustling town of Dumre. On arrival the rest of the day is free to relax.Overnight Radisson Hotel.

After breakfast arrangements cease unless further arrangements have been made. Those people travelling by aircraft to further destinations will be transferred to the airport.