21 Day Manasalu Trek
This 21 day trek is through a region home to the eighth largest mountain in the world. The region is characterized by high pastures and landscape similar to that of Ladakh and Tibet, and is home to a wide diversity of wildlife, including snow leopards and pandas. Trekking through this region starts at $1,470 for groups of 6 or fewer, and $1,365 per person in a group of 7 or more.
Day 1- Kathmandu to Gorkha
On this day your guide will greet you at your hotel in Kathmandu where you will then proceed by bus to the village of Gorkha. You will then be free to sight see around the Gorkha Bazaar, or take a guided tour of where the first Gorkha soldiers originated at the place of the Gorkha King.
*5 Hours Bus
*Camping
Day 2- Gorkha to Khanchowk
After breakfast, day two will consist of trekking through several villages where you will see much of the local culture. The trail leads towards to the Budi Gandaki River and then heads up to the Khanchowk bazaar.
*5 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 3- Khanchowk to Arughat
From the Khanchowk bazaar area, the mountain trail leads up and down with a scenic view of the Budi Gandaki River. We pass through several villages and then enter the village of Arughat at 760 meters. .
*5 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 4- Arughat to Sotikhola
Upon leaving Arughat, the trail slowly ascends and leads us through the villages of Magar and Gurung before entering Sotikhola.
*6 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 5- Sotikhola to Doban
After leaving Sotikhola, the trail continues to ascend and we climb along the mountain ridge until we reach Almara. After that, we get to experience more of the local culture by passing through the villages of Labubesi, Machha Khola, and Tatopani. The trail leads us through the bank of the Budhi Gandaki River where we may see the local villagers fishing or swimming. After these villages, the trail leads us into Doban at 1030 meters.
*7 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 6- Doban to Jagat
Day 6 will prove interesting as we trek uphill to Duman and then downhill into Yarukhola. We will cross a 93 meter long suspension bridge that offers a great photograph opportunity as you hover over the Yarukhola River. After the bridge, we trek through Thado Bhanjyang and final reach Jagat for the night.
*6 Hours of Trekking
*Camp
Day 7- Jagat to Ngyak
We leave Jagat and descend to the riverbed of which we hovered over just the day before. We will cross the river and ascend through the terraced, rice patty-covered hills of Saguleri before reaching Ngyak. Today will be a steep uphill trek as we ascend to 2300 meters.
*7 Hours of Trekking
*Camp
Day 8- Ngyak (Acclimatization Day)
Due to the sharp increase in elevation from the Day 7 trek, we will use this day as to acclimatize and rest. You may use this day to wander around the campsite to photograph the surrounding area as it is very beautiful and scenic.
Day 9- Ngyak to Ghap
From Ngyak, the trail leads up to the Stream of Deng River, a tiny village of only four houses. The trail will then be simple trekking to the village of Ghap at 2095 meters. At Ghap, we will experience traditional Tibetan culture and will see Mani stone’s, which are ancient stones inscribed with Buddhist mantras.
*7 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 10- Ghap to Lho Gaon
We leave Ghap and cross a wooden bridge over the Budi Gandaki River. Then, we walk through lush, cultivated fields before reaching Namru. Eventually, we will cross the Hinan River, which originates from the magnificent Linda glacier. When we reach Lho Gaon at 3150 meters, we are rewarded with views of the Manaslu North, Manaslu and other more visible mountains, as well. These mountains peak at 8150 meters and are a sight to behold.
*5 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 11- Lho Gaon to Sama Gompa
From Lho Gaon, the trail leads along the Mani stone wall of the village and allows for a very up-close view of Manaslu. After viewing Manaslu, we walk to a lateral moraine of the Pungen glacier and towards Sama Gompa.
*4 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 12- Sama Gompa to Samdo
After leaving Sama Gompa, the trail heads through the moraine to Karmo Kharka and Karmo Maman. Today, the trail climbs a terraced hill on the opposite bank of the Budi Gandaki River, and ascends towards the almost remote permanent settlement of Samdo. Tonight we camp at 4000 meters.
*4 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 13- Samdo (Free day for local excursion)
Here in Samdo, you are free to walk around and see the surrounding area. The terrain is harsh, but there are places to climb for some great photos of the local scene.
*Camping
Day 14- Samdo to Guest House
The trail descends down the mountain path from Samdo to Gyala Khola. From Gyala Khola, the trekking trail leads to the guest house where we will spend the evening at 4450 meters.
*6 Hours of Trekking
*Guest House
Day 15- Guest House to Larke Phedi
After leaving the guest house, the trail ascends to 5135 meters. We pass through Cho Canda and Larkya La, and then descend down to Larke Phedi at 4450 meters.
*6 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 16- Larke Phedi to Karche
From Larke Phedi, the trail descends through the beautiful Rhododendron Forest and puts us almost at Karche, at 2785 meters.
*7 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 17- Karche to Dharapani
The trail leads us up to and through Karcha La, and then descends through Dudhi Khola before joining the Marshyangdi River. The trail crosses the river and reaches Dharapani.
*7 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 18- Dharapani to Chamje
From Dharapani the trail leads through several ups and down before decending a large stone staircase and leaving the Manang district. here we pass the small village Tal(1675m) and a large waterfall before following the Marsyangdi River steadily downhill to Chamje.
*5 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 19- Chamje to Bhundanda
From Chamje, the trail ascends and then descends through several remote villages, which exposes us to much of the local culture. We will end up in Bhundanda at 1310 meters.
*5 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 20- Bhundanda-Besisahar
The trail leads us gently downhill to the flat area of Khudi. We will then ascend into Besisahar.
*6 Hours of Trekking
*Camping
Day 21- Besisahar to Kathmandu
Besisahar is our end destination, so from here we will drive back into Kathmandu.
*8 Hours of Driving6$$