Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
We will meet you at Kathmandu airport and transfer you to your pre-trek hotel. Later you will attend a pre-trek briefing with your guide.
Day 2: Drive to Arughat Bazaar
The journey to Arughat Bazaar starts down the main Pokhara Highway before taking a turn down a rough road. It takes approximately 6 hours to drive to Arughat, which is a large prosperous trading town.
Day 3: Trek to Soti Khola
On our first day on the trail we head north, following the Budhi Gandaki. In this low country we are trekking through rice paddies and rural villages. After climbing briefly to Kyoropani, we descend once again to the river, where it meets the Sundi Khola, and our village for the night.
Day 4: Trek to Machha Khola
We cross a bridge and climb up onto a ridge above the rapids of the Budhi Gandaki. The trail continues, climbing over a big rock and crossing a log bridge, before it eventually descends back down to the banks of the Budhi Gandaki. We trek up again on a steep rocky trail clinging to the side of a cliff, then up and around to the Gurung village of Labishe (880m) and beyond to Machha Khola.
Day 5: Trek to Jagat
We cross the Machha Khola river and head upstream to the tiny village of Khola Bensi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The valley becomes steeper 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 Doan. Beyond this steep section, the route is much flatter and we will finally cross the river on a suspension bridge, and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat.
Day 6: Trek to Deng
- Elevation: 1340m to 1860m
After descending a long series of stone steps to the river, we climb a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where we can see Singri Himal, 7187m. 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 7: Trek to Namrung
- Elevation: 1860m to 2630m
As we leave Deng the valley is still steep-sided. We pass the village of Lama, and start to see Mani stones (prayers etched onto wayside rocks), a sign that we are entering a Buddhist region. After about four hours we reach the village of Ghap in the Tibetan area. As we gain altitude we move into alpine territory with great mountain views. There are more Mani stone walls and three more crossings of the Buri Gandaki on our route to Namrung.
Day 8: Trek to Shyala
- Elevation: 2630m to 3500m
Above Namrung 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, and get our first views of Manaslu North and then of Manaslu Main. 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, before arriving at Shyala.
Day 9: Trek to Samagaon
- Elevation: 3500m to 3520m
Leaving Shyala we follow the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. As we continue on the main trail, we reach the fields of Samagaon.
Day 10: Trek to Samdo Via Manaslu Base Camp
- Elevation: 3520m to 4400m to 3875m
We continue to follow the Budhi Gandaki surrounded by spectacular mountains on all sides. Manaslu is particularly impressive and we take a detour off the main path to visit Manaslu Base Camp. From here we drop back down to re-join the main route and descend to Samdo for the night.
Day 11: Trek to Larkya Phedi
- Elevation: 3875m to 4460m
Today we hike along the ever shrinking Budhi Gandaki river with towering mountains around us. We will find a stream that runs through Gya La, the gateway to Tibet and the remains of what used to be a trading hub. Finally we reach Larky Phedi and one of the best lodges we will have stayed in for many days!
Day 12: Trek to Bim Thang Via Larkya La Pass
- Elevation: 4460m to 5160m to 3590m
Not long after leaving Larkya Phedi we reach the northern face of the Larkya Glacier and climb steadily to the Larkya La pass, from where there are stunning views of Cho Danda, Annapurna II and Larkya Peak. We will then walk down to Tanbuche and from there down to Bim Thang
Day 13: Trek to Tilje
- Elevation: 3590m to 2300m
The trail descends into pine and rhododendron forest before following the Dudh Khola river. After we reach Karche, we make a steep climb onto a ridge, before descending again to the river bank at Goa. We continue through fields to Tilje, a large Gurung village.
Day 14: Trek to Jagat
- Elevation: 2300m to 1300m
Another day spent trekking the lowlands through mixed forest and paddy fields. After Dharapani, we join the Annapurna Circuit and follow this classic trek in reverse through the Marshyangdi valley to Jagat.
Day 15: Trek to Besi Sahar, Drive to Kathmandu
An easy morning’s walk brings us to Besi Sahar before our final drive to Kathmandu which takes about 7 hours. You stay overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 16: Depart Kathmandu
We will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Kathmandu Airport for your departing flight.
