Manaslu Budget Trek

Day 01 : Drive from Kathmandu to Arughat Bazaar (535m) -5 to 6 Hours , and again drive Arughat to Soti Khola (720m) -1 ½ to 2 Hours, stay overnight at TeahouseOur Guide and Potter come to in your hotel in the morning. Then we are heading to Arughat, by bus or Land cruiser (depending on group size and requirements) scenic drive about 5 to 6 hours. While passing ridge of Kathmandu Valley, you catch a glimpse of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Langtang Himal magnificent view and terraces and green hills. There are some options to get in Arughat Bazaar; drive through the Dhadingbesi or Gorkha Bazaar or through the Benighat Siurintar. The road is tricky because of the grubby road after Dhadingbesi. The Arughat Bazaar divides in two parts by Budhigandaki River, Gorkga and Dhading. Arughat Bazaar is large, clean and prosperous with hotels and shops selling cloth, food and hardware. Again drive by local Jeep to the Sotikhola through the Gurung and Magar villages, past fields and cascading waterfalls, till we reach Soti Khola. Stay in Tea house for overnight.

Day 02 : Trek Sotikhola to Kashigaun (1800m) – 7 to 8 Hours, having Lunch at Yarsa village (1877m) –to avoid the road construction taking alternative trail. As road has constructed farther than Sotikhola, to escape from the dusty road and un-natural trail, we are taking alternative trail to the Kashigaun via Manabu Village and Yarsa. The trail goes through the village s and cultivated land traces after cross suspension bridge at Sotikhola. Due to recently developed Manaslu alternative trail, you cannot expect much more comfort accommodation and verity of meals in this route. This is kind of home stay trip, you need to staying at local house and having meals with local. You have new experience about Nepalese real life hood. You may participate with farmer for the farming activities as well. Today after pass Manabu village you will have lunch at Yarsa village. Walk another an hour to two hours to the Kashigaun for overnight stay.

Day 03 : Trek Kashigaun to Rimchet - 8 to 9 Hours, Having Lunch at Karauja (2074m) Today, after having breakfast at tea house, we start to trek to the Rumchet via Karauja. This trekking route offers amazing panoramic views of Mt. Ganesh, Sringi and Manaslu Himalaya ranges. Ghale Gurung is main ethnic group inhabited of this area, who settlement dating back to centuries. We will have lunch at Karauja and walk to the Rumchet for the day destination. We are not suggesting for larger group than four people for this trail due to limitation of accommodation this day. Stay overnight at Home stay or Tea house.

Day 04 : Trek from Runchet to Dobhan (1070m) - 5 to 6 Hours The trail involves some steep descents to the Doban. The trail gives the glimpses of diversity of flora & fauna, and beautiful waterfall. The alternative trail catch Manaslu Circuit main trail at Tatopani (Hot spring). While taking lunch at Tatopani, you havechangce to enjoy Natural hot Spring. Then walk to Dobhan for day destination. Dobhan means confluence of the stream, where Shiar Khola comes from the east, and the Sarpu khola meet from the west. We set our camp here or stay overnight at tea house.

Day 05 : Trek Doban to Philim (1,570 m) -5 to 6 Hours The trekking leads today, on a high beautiful trail through a narrow dramatic gorge section with towering walls, past a thundering waterfall just above us and cross the suspension bridge, ascend gradually along a wide hillside. After trekking through dense forest the small village of Deng, lower Nubri region called Kutang, where the people are ethnically pure Tibetans. We have views of Lumbo Himal as well as Lapuchen and Dwijen Himals. We camp nearby village, and get fresh greens from owns the land. It starts to feel like a piece of old Tibet at last.

Day 06 : Trek Philim to Ghap (2165m) - 5 to 6 Hours stay overnight at Teahouse If weather is clear, you can see beautiful mountains view and amazing Bhudhigandaki Valley view below Philim. After breakfast, your day trip starts through a small settlement Ekle Bhatti. In thirty unites you will get in wonderful waterfall before junction of Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit main trail. Done be confuse for trail; the right trail goes heading for Tsum valley but for the Manaslu you need to drop down to cross the bridge and continue follow the river bank with narrow gorges. Probably you will have meals at Nayak or Pewa. Today you need cross three times same river Bhudhigandaki. Again the trail follows the river bank and finally gets in Dang. The trail goes through the valley with across the bridge twice switchback steeply up to the small, poor village of Rana, after more climbing through lovely woods of pine and we reach Bihi Phedi, views of Kutang Himal and start to see Mani stones, sign of the tiny Tibetan footholds mark in the high Himalayan places. Some trekkers heading to Tsum Valley from Rana Village is blocked between Lokpa to Chumling. Again trek through dense forest crossing Budhi Gandaki wooden bridge, ascent gently up to Tibetan-run lodge Namrung, views of mountains. Then the trail goes to extensive pastures land to the ancient Lihi village and flowing down the Lidanda Glaciers reach the picturesque Tibetan village of Sho at 3000. On the way to Lho, the spectacular views of Ngadi Chuli and Manaslu itself; is quite an impressive afternoon. We set up camp in Lho, sprawling village decorated with many prayer flags, in the yard of a small lodge and Gomba. Sunset and sunrise from the campsite are wonderful.

Day 07 : Trek Ghap to Lho (3180m) – 5 to 6 HoursToday is a wonderful trekking day through dense forest crossing Budhi Gandaki wooden bridge, ascent gently up to Tibetan-run lodge Namrung, views of mountains? Then the trail goes to extensive pastures land to the ancient Lihi village and flowing down the Lidanda Glaciers we reach the picturesque Tibetan village of Sho at 3000m. On the way to Lho, the spectacular views of Ngadi Chuli and Manaslu itself makes for quite an impressive afternoon. We set up camp in Lho, a sprawling village decorated with many prayer flags, in the yard of a small lodge and monastery. The sunset and sunrise from the campsite are wonderful.

Day 08 : Trek Lho to Sama Gaon (Ro) (3525m) - 5 to 6 Hours After breakfast the trail leads us from the new monastery and then ascends to the idyllic Tibetan settlement of Shayla with amazing mountain panoramas. Then we trek through the alpine trail which leads us through fields to the 500 years old settlement Sama Gaon, or Ro, with unique architecture wooden two monasteries. Dzongka Dzong (fortress) is at the border of Tibet, a few days walk from Sama Gaon. Take the afternoon to hike up to the old Gomba settlement above town, and to wander the streets of the fascinating Sama Gaon village.

Day 09 : Acclimatization Day in Sama Gaon , may explore Manaslu Base Camp or Phungen Gumba We have a rest day in Sama Gaon to explore the village and Gombas; a little piece of old Tibet. This is also an extra day in case anyone is having trouble acclimatizing. A great excursion is a hike towards Manalsu Base Camp and Birendra Lake where we'll have stunning views of the lake, amazing glacier and valley. If you are looking for magnificent Mountain View in sacred place, batter to visit Pung Gyen Gompa, at 3870 meters, explore around unique natural beauty. According to our experience and clients feedback best day hike to Pung Gyen Gomba. Back to Samagaun for overnight stay.

Day 10 : Trek Sama Gaun to Samdo (3850m) - 4 to 5 Hours After having breakfast, the trail leads us breathtaking mountains scenery and blue sheep territory, grazing nearby on the barren hill-sides. Perhaps, this will be one of the best trekking days on whole trip, regarding the view and walking. After 3 to 4 hours walking you will get in Samdo, where more than four teahouse for your accommodation. Still Samdo is best for view and cultural activities. If you have still energy then you may hike up to the view point about 1 ½ to 2 hours. This is best for the acclimatization as well.

Day 11 : Trek Samdo to Dharamsala High Camp (Larkya Phedi) (4460m) - 4 to 5 Hours The trail leads us to the old trade route towards Tibet, cross a bridge, and climb through the trade markets of Larkya bazaar. After about three hours of climbing past glaciers, with increasingly overwhelming panoramas, we come to the campsite at Dharamsala, the high camp for the Larkya La pass, where we have lunch surrounded breathtaking mountains scenery and blue sheep territory, grazing nearby on the barren hill-sides. You'll really feel the altitude and the cold here, so enjoy a more leisurely afternoon and keep warm. We'll have an early dinner in preparation for our pass crossing tomorrow...

Day 12 : Trek Dharmashala to Bimtang (3590m) via Larkya La (4930m) – 8 to 9 Hours After very morning breakfast, the trail goes to North side of the Larkya Glaciers where we have views of Cho Danda and then of Larkya Peak. Then walking about four hours we will get on the top of the Larkya La (4930m), view of wonderful panoramic mountains; Himlung Himal (7126meter), Cheo Himal (6820meters), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6981meters) and the Annapurna II (7937meters) equally stunning from both sides. The descent is steep, through moraines, towards Bhimphedi. After praing the God and yelling 'Ki ki so so lha gyalo' (may the Gods be victorious), get ready drop often slippery trail following the glacial moraine finally to the Bimphedi, where 'Three Sisters Hotel' , is the evening clouds gather and turn pink behind the surrounding peaks. It's all worthwhile now.

Day 13 : Trek Bimtang to Dharapani (1963m) - 7 to 8 Hours stay overnight at Teahouse The trail descents along the fig tree and rhododendron fortes, through the rocky river-bed and sliding hill-sides to several small green villages. Eventually, after long but very scenic day, we reach the large village of Tilje, inhabitants of mix of Manangis (of Tibetan descent) and Chettris (Hindus), so have a unique architecture and culture, and eat mix foods - Dal Bhat, buckwheat Dhido, Tsampa and Tibetan salt-tea. We will stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 14 : Drive Dharapani to Besisahar (825m)-3 to 4 hours & drive Besisahar to Kathmandu -5 to 6 hours It's an easy trekking day following the Dudh Khola through bamboo forests about 1½ to 2 hours walk down, we see ahead marks of ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) board at Dharapani. Now we are in Annapurna Circuit Trekking main trail, an atmospheric Tibetan village with prayer flags fluttering at the Gomba in Thongje. Drive Dhrapani to Besisahar 2 to 3 hours by jeep or bus. Again drive Besihar to Kathmandu 5 to 6 hours with our scenic driving, so we'll try to head off early and stop for lunch en route back. It is a different world back in the Nepali hills, and the gentle light sends us on our way back to the bustle of Nepal's capital city Kathmandu. A celebration is definitely in order tonight!