Manaslu Lodge Circuit

The tour starts at the hotel in Kathmandu. Free arrival transfers are available for any flight, provided you have supplied Exodus with your flight details in advance and have requested a transfer. There are no planned activities today so you may arrive at any time; however, tomorrow is a long drive so it's better not to arrive too late.

Upon arrival at the hotel, look out for an Exodus noticeboard with details of where and when the welcome/trek briefing is held this evening. Stay: Hotel Royal Singi (or similar).

We have an early start for the long drive to Arket Bazaar (approximately seven hours). We drive out of the Kathmandu Valley and head west following the Trisuli River towards Pokhara. At Dading, we turn off the main road and drive into the hills through Dading Besi and Arughat in the Buri Gandaki Valley. From Arughat, we continue on a rough road to Arkhet Bazaar (be prepared for an adventure). From here, we walk (approximately two hours) to Soti Khola. Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: approximately 2,360ft/720m) (B).

The first few days of this trek are quite long in terms of hours walked due to the lower altitudes and availability of decent lodges. It can, therefore, be very hot, especially in the spring trekking season. Our route begins by following the Buri Gandaki Valley north. There is a road being blasted out of the hillsides and we try to avoid it where possible.

From Soti Khola, we drop to the river and cross to the other side of the valley where the trail climbs steeply for a while through forested areas and small villages and then undulates through farmland and finally drops to cross the river again to lunch at Lapu Besi. From Lapu Besi, we follow the undulating jeep track to Machha Khola Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 2,870ft/875m) (B).

We have another quite long day as the trail undulates throughout, sometimes by the river and sometimes high above the river, passing several small hamlets and farms. The valley narrows and there are spectacular waterfalls. We start with a short climb followed by a descent to Khorla Besi. From here, we follow the wide track to Tatopani (which means hot water). The water from the natural hot springs here is funnelled through a few taps in the centre of the village.

We continue up to Dovan and then to Shyauli, where we have lunch. From there, we face more ups and downs (some quite steep sections) until we drop to the river at Yaruphant. The trail levels out for a while and then we cross a suspension bridge, after which the trail undulates to Jagat, a well-kept paved village, where we see the first signs of Tibetan Buddhism. Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 4,495ft/1,370m) (B).

We have a long day due to the lack of decent lodges. From Jagat, the trail continues up the valley through the villages of Salleri, Sirdabas and Ghate Khola, offering great views of Chamar ahead. We then drop down to the river, cross a long suspension bridge and climb steeply up to lunch at Philim (5,135ft/1,565m). From Philim, the trail undulates spectacularly with impressive waterfalls on either side of the valley. Passing the small settlements of Chisapani and Eklabatti, where we have lunch, we descend a little and cross the river by suspension bridge.

The trail splits at the bridge, the right-hand side of the valley leads to the remote Tsum Valley. We cross to the left and continue following the Buri Gandaki, climbing up at first as the trail rounds the valley, which becomes narrower. We cross the river twice more as we undulate up the valley through forest to Phewa, and further on to the small village of Deng. Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 6,135ft/1,870m) (B).

A shorter day today. From Deng, we descend to the river and cross by bridge. After the river, our route climbs, steeply in places, up onto a spectacular trail. We pass through small settlements as we ascend the impressive valley. We see mani stones (prayer stones) carved into wayside rocks, a sign we are now in a Buddhist area.

We pass through the small settlements of Rana and Bihi Phedi. The trail continues ascending (sometimes steeply) but at one point descends to cross the river. We get to Ghap by lunchtime; in the afternoon, there is an optional walk up the hill behind the lodge for spectacular views across to Prok and of the whole valley. Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 6,925ft/2,110m) (B).

Today is quite a strenuous day with a lot of ascent. The valley widens and there is extensive farmland all around where we may see the occasional lookout platform, built to ward off bears. From Ghap, we cross the river three times and have a long steady climb through the forest (look out for langur monkeys) to Namrung.

A short descent followed by another climb brings us to Lihi, where we have a simple lunch. Another descent to the river and climb brings us to Sho, after which we climb further to Lho. We are now passing through Tibetan-style villages and we start to see the magnificent mountains all around. From Lho, we get our first view of the Manaslu and Naike peaks Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 10,400ft/3,170m) (B).

A short but magnificent walk as we continue up the valley and gain altitude. The trail climbs out of Lho to the monastery, which we can visit. We then follow the valley with great views of Manaslu ahead. The trail climbs for a couple of hours to Shyaula village, from where we are surrounded by amazing views. Manaslu is ahead and we can see Himalchuli and Naike peaks.

Soon we reach the fields and stone houses of Samagaon, where we stay for the night. From the lodge, there are magnificent views of Manaslu. We should arrive at Samagaon by lunchtime so there is time to explore the village and visit the monastery and Birendra Tal, a glacial lake, in the afternoon. Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 11,580ft/3,530m) (B).

The trail crosses grazing areas and gradually climbs the valley. We have fantastic views of the mountains, especially Himalchuli, behind us. We can also still see Manaslu. As we reach our destination, Samdo Peak rears up behind us. It's an easy half-day walk to Samdo, the last permanent settlement in the valley. This remote village is only a day's walk from the Tibetan border.

In the afternoon, there is time for an acclimatisation walk and to explore the village. Please note, the lodges in Samdo are basic. Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 12,665ft/3,860m) (B).

Leaving the village, we cross a stream (the last time we see the Buri Gandaki) and climb steadily to the deserted Larkya Bazaar. Years ago, this village thrived off trade with Tibet. Behind we can see Samdo Peak and, as we climb, Manaslu comes into view to our left and we can see the whole spectacular climbing route to the summit. Climbing all the time with a few steep sections, we reach a very basic lodge at Dharamsala, which is the last place to stay before the pass. Look out for blue sheep, which often come down to the small stream near the lodge.

In the afternoon, the energetic can climb a hill behind the lodge for even better views of the surrounding mountains. Please note, the accommodation at Dharamsala is extremely basic due to limited properties in this location. There are three-person prefab huts or, where available, tents are provided for those that do not wish to triple-share. Mattresses are provided in the huts and there is a basic dining room and basic toilets. Stay: Three-person huts (sleeping altitude: 14,700ft/4,480m) (B).

We have an early start (usually in the dark). Today is a long day and if there is any snow it can take us a long time to cross the pass, especially the descent. The trail leaves Dharamsala and climbs steeply at first but then more gradually by the side of the moraine of the glacier with great views of Larkya Peak. The ascent is gradual most of the way and is easy if there is no snow (if there is snow or ice it takes much longer). As dawn nears, Hindu Peak glows orange with the first sun rays. It's a long and rocky ascent on the moraine with some short steeper sections all the way to the top of the Larkya Pass.

The first area of prayer flags at 16,830ft (5,130m) is the official Larkya La from where the views are outstanding – a wonderful panorama of peaks including Larkya Peak, Cheo Himal and Hindu Peak and, in the distance, we can see the tip of Annapurna 2. From the top, there is a 10-minute almost-level walk to the second summit (which is a little higher and is also marked with a few prayer flags). From here, the long, very steep descent starts.

We need to take care as the path is steep and narrow. It is a sandy scree trail when there is no snow but if there is snow and ice, we need to take care. There is a landslide we must cross carefully. The steep part of the trail eventually eases off onto a path, which takes us down to the glacial moraine.

The views are superb as we descend, and we can just spot Pongkar Lake, a brilliant-blue glacial lake amid the three glaciers below us. We stop for a well-deserved rest at the bottom of the steep part of the descent, surrounded by immense snow-capped peaks. The descent now becomes a bit easier, but no less spectacular, as we descend the valley to Bimthang, where we stay tonight. If it's clear, we can just see the summit of Manaslu high above. Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 12,140ft/3,700m) (B).

A spare day to be used as and when required – if the weather is good and everything runs to schedule, we spend the day exploring the area around Bimthang and resting after the pass. There is a half-day walk to a beautiful glacial lake, Pongkar Lake, which we can do in the morning, then return to the lodge for lunch and have a free afternoon to rest.

If, however, there has been a delay earlier in the trek, the group needs more acclimatisation or rest before the pass, or if there is poor weather, your leader may decide to use the spare day earlier in the trek. Also, if the weather is bad at Bimthang, your leader may suggest trekking down the valley earlier. This is at the leader's discretion. Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 12,140ft/3,700m) (B).

From Bimthang, we cross high pastureland and have a magnificent walk down into the valley of the Burdin Khola. The walk from Bimthang is one of the most spectacular of the trek as a wall of mountains lies behind and in front. We pass the terminal moraine of the Cheo Himal and cross a small wooden bridge. Ahead, we have our last magnificent views of Manaslu. We now descend into rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley to Karche and the Soti Khola. A short climb past terraced fields brings us to the Karche La, where we are in sight of the Marsyangdi River below. Descending through forest, we come to Tilje, where we spend the night. Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 7,350ft/2,240m) (B).

From Tilje, we walk through the village and cross the river by bridge. A small footpath then leads away from the main trail and we follow this uphill through the forest. A higher path takes us to a small monastery among pine forests. We get great views of Dharapani below and Annapurna 2 above. We then descend past terraces to a suspension bridge, which we cross. The trail then climbs up to Nache village. This old village rarely sees trekkers and has beautiful traditional Gurung houses.

We can also see Manaslu and Himalchuli. We then descend quite steeply to the main Annapurna trail at Korto. Staying on the same side of the river, we follow the old trail, which climbs high above the river and undulates until we descend to Tal for the night. Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 5,580ft/1,700m) (B).

A short climb out of Tal brings us to a long descent to cross the Marsyangdi by bridge, followed by a short climb to Chyamje. From Chyamje to Jagat, we can climb above the road and follow the old trekking trail through the forest to Jagat. From Jagat to Syange, we have to walk on the jeep track for a short while for our last night of the trek. Stay: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 3,545ft/1,080m) (B).

Leaving early, we take a local private bus to Besishar on a rough road for approximately 2hr 30min. From here, we meet our next transfer for the long drive to Kathmandu (approximately five to six hours). We should arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon. Stay: Hotel Royal Singi (or similar) (B).

Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu. You may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world at Boudhanath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. We offer a full range of sightseeing tours, which can be booked and paid for locally. Please see the Optional Excursions section of the Trip Notes or the Exodus notice board in the hotel in Kathmandu. Stay: Hotel Royal Singi (or similar) (B).

The trip ends after breakfast. Free departure transfers are available for any flight, provided you have supplied us with your flight details in advance and have requested a transfer (B).