Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit – 21 Days

Fly to Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel. Spend time resting, get used to the new environment, and ready for the trek. You will meet your guide, have a briefing about the trek, and check your gear.

Tips:

• Remember to drink water while you travel.
• Sleep to shake off your flight.
• Convert your local currency into Nepali Rupees either at the airport or banks in Nepal.

After breakfast, we drive to Soti Khola from Kathmandu (approx. The road goes through beautiful country villages, terraced paddies, and majestic rivers before arriving in Soti Khola.

From Soti Khola, our trek is toward the Machha Khola. The trek starts with a leisurely stroll through thick woods and verdant flora. Moving onwards, we pass a suspension bridge and continue the trek along the Budi Gandaki River. The trail is a bit rocky in places, but the gorgeous views of the adjacent hills and valleys make the pay off. On the way, there are small villages like Lapubesi where we catch glimpses of the rural life of the Gurung people. After a couple of ups and downs, we arrive at Machha Khola, a small village named for the fish (Machha) commonly found in the river here.

We arrive in the evening and stay the night at a local teahouse, listening to the quiet of the village. Most importantly, especially as your altitude increases, be sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.

Today’s trek will pass through Machha Khola to Jagat, where we will arrive at a small village located at the foot of the Manaslu region. The trek begins with a suspension bridge crossing the Machha Khola River before a series of steep uphill climbs. The trail winds through beautiful forests, terraced fields, and small villages where locals are working in their fields. We finally end up in the village of Khorla Bensi, which we pass through, with tremendous views of the river valley and peaks around us. The ascent to Jagat can be quite difficult, but the village is very rewarding in visual and peaceful views.

At Jagat we have a deserved rest, it is just the beginning for us, tougher days to come. This village is a good place to relax and acclimatize, as we slowly increase our elevation. We try out the warm hospitality of the region’s inhabitants by spending the night in a local teahouse.

We hike onward toward Deng. The trek is beautiful as we will be walking through the heart of Manaslu Conservation Area, an area famous for its rich biodiversity. The jungle is filled with rhododendrons with sightings of wildlife like langur monkeys and green pine on this trail and with luck more exotic types, such as a snow leopard. We pass through small villages, including Philim, where we see Tibetan Buddhist culture in the stupas and prayer flags decorating the road.

Once we continue up the path past the suspension bridge, the trail becomes rockier and steeper, and we catch glimpses of the Manaslu range in the distance. After that we arrive to Deng village which is quite secluded but full of natural beauty and the geben struggle local Tibetan influenced culture. The villagers are very nice and there are some good photo spots around. We take refuge in a teahouse, weary from the day.

Today we walk further into the mountains. Following a hearty breakfast we start with a descent to the tributary Budi Gandaki River, then follow the winding trail as it climbs to the village of Namrung. The trail leads us across verdant woods and riverbanks, and eventually we start seeing more Tibetan-influenced elements of culture — prayer wheels, stupas, monasteries. The glorious vista of the towering Manaslu monolith, and its neighbours, emerges bit by bit, as we set off.

Namrung is a beautiful small town in the valley, surrounded by magnificent snow-covered hills. This region is filled with Tibetan Buddhist culture, and you might be able to visit local monasteries and talk to monks. Namrung's teahouses provide an ideal resting place with a friendly atmosphere and a warm welcome.

Our trek today will take us to Samagaon, a higher-altitude village closer to the base of Manaslu. The trail provides spectacular views of Manaslu and other nearby peaks. The hike, which takes you through alpine meadows and grazing areas for yaks and goats, is relatively easy. We cross a few small streams and climb steep banks, finally reaching Samagaon, a large Sherpa village.

Samagaon is unique because it is located at the base of Manaslu, with trekkers treated to great views of the mountain. After we arrive at Samagaon, we’ll spend a day resting in order to acclimatize and prepare for ever higher altitudes. The village has a wealth of Buddhist culture, and prayer flags and stupas can be seen all around.

It is an acclimatization day today. You must also allow your body to acclimatise to the increased altitude before continuing on your trek. You can hike up a little to the Manaslu Base Camp or take a stroll to the nearby Birendra Lake, which is a lovely place to get pictures. Today is an excellent time to rest, sort through gear and make sure you are ready to head out for the trail.

Our hike today dives deeper into the mountains, as we leave Samagaon and make our way to Samdo. It is a steep-lonely hike that makes a slow ascent with stunning views of surrounding peaks, including Manaslu. We cross many streams, pass through several sparse villages, and climb through rocky terrain and alpine meadows. We will meet local herders along the way as we see their yaks grazing in high-altitude grazing land. As we reach Samdo, the atmosphere becomes even more Tibetan with typical Tibetan stone houses and Buddhist shrines.

Samdo, a small, tranquil village near the Tibetan border, is its remoteness fascinating spot for trekkers. The altitude here is elevations are higher, so we will take the day slow to avoid altitude sickness. We rest in a local teahouse after spending a long day trekking on our feet.

Today, we resume our journey to Larkya Phedi, the base camp for passage over the Larkya Pass. As we climb into the mountains, the trail gets rougher. We hike through rocky ground and pass by some small Tibetan-style villages with stone houses, and the local people live a simple and traditional life. We cross the bridges over the fast flowing river along the way, and as we approach Larkya Pass, the landscape gets more dramatic.

At an altitude of roughly 4,460 meters, Larkya Phedi has some of the finest views of Manaslu, Himlung, and other snow-capped peaks. It is thin up here, so we will spend the afternoon resting and letting our bodies acclimatize for the Larkya Pass crossing tomorrow. We overnight at Larkya Phedi in a teahouse.

It is one of the toughest days of the trek, we make our way over Larkya Pass (5,160 meters), by one of the highest points on the trek. We get up early and start climbing steep rocky hills toward the pass. The trail may be snowy and icy as it’s not a well-tread trek. However, this is worth every effort, as the treks leads to outstanding panoramic view of towering peaks, such as Manaslu, Himlung, and the Annapurna range.

Once we cross the pass we descend towards Bimtang, a bizarrely grounding contrast from the pass, riddled with snow and world most treacherous terrain, into lush, rolling green hills. It can be a demanding descent, however the spectacular sights of neighbouring mountains and valleys make up for it. By the late afternoon, we arrive at Bimtang, where we rest to recuperate from our long day. The village represents a tranquil place for those to meditate on the day’s victories.

Having a harder day yesterday going over the Larkya Pass we begin to descend today to Dharapani. The trail drops back down through pine and rhododendron forests, and the high-alpine landscapes slowly give way to more temperate territory. We walkthrough small villages, terraced fields, and the vibe becomes more vibrant as the altitude decreases. I call a halt in the approach to one of its steepest parts: it is green, green, green, lush this hill on top of the ridge, a nice change from the rocky landscape.

Dharapani is a key stage in the Annapurna Circuit and has more modern amenities than surrounding villages, including guesthouses and shops. We will use the time to relax and sample the local cuisine. First, of course, we will descend overall, one way easy, just adjusting to our lower elevation.

Today we will trek from Dharapani to Chame which found in the middle of Annapurna Circuit. Today, it is through well-kept pine woods and all the beautifully situated houses that we have breathtaking views of the Annapurna range. Chame, the administrative center of Manang District, provides stunning views of the peaks of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and another dexterous mountain.

The path leads trekkers through the wonderfully picturesque Marsyangdi River Valley where they are able to view the local culture and way of life. Chame is a bustling village with decent teahouses, so it's a great place to break up the journey. We will overnight here as we prepare for the final leg of our journey.

The trail continues to rise from Chame along the Marsyangdi River through forest and small villages. You will see the vegetation thins out as we ascend, changing to rugged land. The views of the surrounding mountains, like Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal, grow increasingly dramatic.

Pisang is at higher altitude at 3300 m and offers magnificent views of the Annapurna range. Village of Tibetan-style architecture, this trail passes Buddhist prayer wheels and stupas. We spend the night here in a warm, cozy teahouse, getting ready for the next stage of the trek.

Today we travel from Pisang to neighbouring Manang — one of the largest villages on the Annapurna Circuit. The views of the Annapurna range as we walk are spectacular and the terrain becomes increasingly barren as we gain altitude. We will hike through several villages where we will be able to stop to rest, and watch the local life of the region. Manang is known for its culture of Tibetans and you can explore monasteries and the typical construction of the area.

We freeze in Manang, resting and acclimatizing for the last step to Thorong La Pass. We overnight here, getting out for a wander around the village and to drink in the enchanting setting.

We then walk to Yak Kharka, a common stop on the way to Thorong La Pass. The path steadily climbs through alpine meadows and rocky terrain with stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Annapurna III and Gangapurna. The terrain here gets increasingly dry, so you’ll see fewer trees and more open, rocky fields as we rise.

A couple small settlements and grazing pastures for yaks also pass by, lending Yak Kharka its name. The village felt a little remote but the scenery was stunning with Annapurna IV and other peaks high in the distance. After we arrive at Yak Kharka, we’ll take a break and rest. Definitely you can’t go fast. The altitude here is about 4,000 meters, so we have to gradually acclimatise and avoid the altitude sickness.

Today’s hike from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi brings us one step closer to crossing the Thorong La Pass, one of the highest points on the Annapurna Circuit. The ground gets rougher as we near the bottom of the pass. The path climbs gradually, and we pass through a few alpine meadows and grazing land where you may see yaks and other grazing animals.

Thorong Phedi, at about 4,450 meters, is the last stop before the attempt to cross the pass the following day. Its dramatic landscapes come with views of the snow-covered peaks. We use the night in a teahouse to rest for the long and challenging day of Thorong La. It’s important to relax and save energy because tomorrow’s crossing is going to be physically taxing.

This is perhaps the most exciting and physically demanding day of the trek. We set out early in the morning to traverse Thorong La Pass: 5,416 meters. Trying to navigate the often snow-covered and rocky path. The ascent is steep, and you must pace yourself to avoid altitude sickness. After several hours, we ascend and reach the top of the pass with views you would only believe, if you could see the immense beauty of the mighty Himalayas.

After a short break and celebration at the summit we descend along the trail to Muktinath, a holy pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists alike. Descending from Thorong La is long and arduous, but it’s softened by the lovely views, including of the Mustang region. Muktinath is renowned for its temple complex and spiritual importance, providing trekkers with a tranquil and culturally enriching place to contemplate their journey. We Stay overnight in Muktinath satisfied that we have conquered the pass.

After a difficult day at Thorong La Pass we now walk towards Jomsom. Today is primarily downhill as we walk through farms and small villages, where we see the striking contrast of the barren mountains to the verdant valleys. The trail is picturesque, with the Dhaulagiri range to one side and the Annapurna range to the other.

Jomsom is larger than most of the other towns along the trek and is often considered the entrance to lower Mustang. It’s also a favorite stop for trekkers seeking flights onward to Pokhara or Kathmandu. The elevation of the village is lower, thus it provides an opportunity to acclimatize and rest. We also have options to tour around the surroundings and engage in some meal for a feast in any of the restaurants.

You fly from Jomsom today to the lakeside city of Pokhara, tucked in the foothills of the Himalayas. The flight offers breathtaking views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges which allows us to witness the beauty of the region from top. As you arrive in Pokhara, you are welcomed by the fresh greenery and the calmness of Phewa Lake.

Pokhara is actually a perfect city to rest and to recap on the journey as well. You may visit several sites like the world peace pagoda, sarangkot or a leisurely boat ride on phewa lake. It’s also a great place to kick back, with lots of restaurants and cafes. This is a day to bask in the pride of completing the Annapurna Circuit after a long and satisfying trek.

On our last day of the trek, we drive or fly back to Kathmandu. This journey allows you to admire the countryside and think of the trip of a lifetime you just had in the Himalayas. After arriving in Kathmandu you will have time to relax. You may tour the city, buy for souvenirs or even get in one last meal in Nepalese Restaurants.

You have reached the end of your epic journey on the Annapurna Circuit. The experience is one you will never forget and you will come away with memories of breathtaking scenery, cultural understanding and the joy of completing one of the greatest treks in the world.