Day 01: Kathmandu, 1360m
You arrive in Katmandu and are transferred to the hotel. A pre-trek briefing will be scheduled to discuss the trekking program and co-ordinate any last-minute arrangements.
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing
Today we explore Katmandu on an organized sightseeing tour. This will include a visit to the Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world. We also visit Pashupatinath, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River and home to the most famous Hindu temple in the country. Here we will see Hindu holy men (saddhus) and pilgrims performing ritual bathing, and occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the Ghats.
The early afternoon will be free to relax in the hotel garden or visit Thamel for last minute shopping. You will be supplied with your trek departure information in the afternoon.
Day 03 : Kathmandu – Gorkha (500m / 5hrs drive)
Drive towards Pokhara and turn to north from Khaireni Bazaar and overnight at an ancient town Gorkha. Or drive to Arughat Bazaar via Dhading two days shorter and camp over night.
Day 04 : Gorkha – Khanchok (950m / 6hrs)
Start trek up hill along steep stone step via Gorakhkali temple and walk along the ridge. Down to Alebhanjang and up hill along the ridge and down to Khanchok Bhanjyang with good views of Manaslu.
Day 05 : Khanchok – Arughat (530m / 4hrs)
This is short day walk along the river all way and camp along side of Burigandaki river beyond the Arughat Bazaar.
Day 06 : Arughat – Soti (1000m / 5hrs)
Trek head north, following the Burigandaki. In the low country path surrounded by rice paddies and picturesque hamlets. After climbing briefly to Kyoropani, path descends once again to the river and our campsite at the confluence with the tributary of Soti Khola. It is not a long day, and perhaps we have time for a refreshing swim sometime during the day for it is hot in the low country.
Day 07 : Soti – Macha Khola (1300m / 5hrs)
The country changes, the broad valley narrows and at times the trail is cut into the steep valley side, which is densely forested. We pass a number of small villages, tucked into the hillside, until we reach a widening of the valley, opposite the point where a large tributary stream enters the Burigandaki. The terraced farmland here belongs to the village of Lapu besi. Trek descends once again to the wide, sandy riverbed and follows a path, which runs below the steep, craggy valley side. At length, we have to climb up once again on a trail to Macha Khola. We camp outside the village, which has a number of teashops.
Day 08 : Macha Khola – Jagat (1360m / 5hrs)
We cross the Macha Khola- Fish Stream- and head upstream to the tiny village of Khola Besi and the hot springs at Tatopani (which I want to investigate). The valley sides steep until they are impassable 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 Doban. Above Doban, the Burigandaki descends an impressive series of rapids. Beyond this steep section, the river is much more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed. At Lauri, we recross the river on a suspension bridge and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat, where we camp.
Day 09 : Jagat – Deng (1800m / 5hrs)
After descending a long series of stone steps to the river, trek climb a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where we can see the impressive Sringi Himal, 7187m. Crossing the river again, at Gata Khola, the path splits, with the right–hand branch heading off towards the Mustang. 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, where we camp.
Day 10 : Deng – Bagar (2300m / 6hrs)
The valley is still steep- sided and most impressive. We cross to the village of Lana, and start to see mani stones, a sure signs that we are entering high country Buddhist regions. After only about four hours we reach our camping place at the village of Ghap, which straddles the river. We have entered the Tibetan areas and the cultural change is obvious, and the climate change is also obvious the trekking is pleasantly cool now, as we start to fain the altitude.
Day 11 : Bagar – Namrung (2550m / 7hrs)
We gain altitude to take us into alpine territory and increasing mountain views. There are more mani walls and 3 more crossing of the Burigandaki on our route to Namrung, where our permit is checked. Above this village the valley opens out and there are extensive pastures. Climbing climb gently now, and cross a large stream flowing down from the Lidanda Glaciers, and reach the Tibetan village of Sho, 3000m. We camp just above the village we get our first incredible views of the Manaslu North and then of Manaslu main ahead.
Day 12 : Namrung – Lhogaon (3180m / 4hrs)
Let the exploring start! We will discuss with locals what our best option is to get to the gompa. Our Sherpa reckon it could be a very nice walk to take the smaller direct trail…. We pass thru Lho, a large village at 3150m where there is a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens and manis. Looking back Ganesh I is visible. Leaving the village, we follow the Right Bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. At a fork in the trail, we take a detour to the left, which leads up to Honsansho Gompa and the Pungen Glaciers, from where there is a stunning view of Peak 29 and Manaslu. We will camp somewhere around here and explore and acclimatize for the next few days.
Day 13 : Lhogaon – Samagaon (3360m / 4hrs)
Surrounded by mountains in a peaceful forest, we take a rest day to acclimatize and relax. It is a good time to catch up on those book or wash clothes.
Day 14 : Samagaon-Samdu (3780m / 3hrs)
Now that we are more used to the altitude we take some time to have a good look around. We may camp higher in the valley.
Day 15 : Samdu (3780m)
Descending to the main trail via a direct route, we soon reach the fields of Samagaon, 3500m. We camp at Sama Gompa, 20 minutes beyond the village, or Samdu, near the Tibetan border.
Day 16 : Samdu – Larkya Bazaar (4390m / 4hrs)
The once large Burigandaki is now merely a stream as we continue to follow its course ever upwards. Everywhere you look are mountains, as spectacular as they get and Manaslu is particularly impressive. After crossing to the East bank of the river, we reach the last permanent settlement in the valley, which is called Samdu. Above the village we cross the stream which runs down the Gya La (pass), the pass to Tibet, and there is the ruins of another village here known as Larkya Bazaar. Presumably this village thrived on trade with Tibet over the nearby Gya La, a trade which is now much diminished. Nearing the Larkya Glacier, we reach a lodge at 4450m, which has been built to serve the travelers crossing the Larkya La.
Day 17 : Larkya Bazaar – Rest house (4460m / 4hrs)
Still climbing we take an easy day to admire the mountains. We camp by a lake.
Day 18 : Rest house – Bhimthang (3660m / 9hrs)
After a short climb above the lodge, we reach the ablation valley on the North side of the Larkya Glaciers. There are views of Cho Danda and then of Larkya Peak. Finally, we walk across the moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent, which becomes steeper only in the last section to the pass. From the pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. Initially, there is a steep descent over snow and then steep, to reach the ablation valley trail to Larcia Kharka. A further hour on a moraine ridge path leads to Tanbuche 3900m in pleasant forest. (Note that the Larkya La is normally quoted at 5115m or so, I have it from a surveyor that the correct altitude is more like 4910m)
Day 19 : Bhimthang – Dharapani (1860m / 6hrs)
The valley system here is huge and well worth exploring – or perhaps for the rest day.
Day 20 : Dharapani – Sangye (1060m / 7hrs)
Below us is Bhimthang, a broad and level ablation valley with a number of mani walls and deserted houses. Crossing this high pasture, we descend the valley of the Burdin Khola to the area of the Base camp for the West Side of Manaslu. From a ridge at 4150m, we have excellent views of Manaslu to the SouthEast and Annapurna II to the Southwest. Rhododendron forests and follows a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land in this valley at Karche, 2785 m.
Day 21 : Sangye – Bhulbhule (840m / 6hrs)
We climb through terraced fields to the Karche La, and can see ahead a green and heavily forested valley, dropping down to the distant Marsyandi River. At thonje village is our final restricted area checkpost. Here we cross the Marsyandi River and join the main Annapurna Circuit, and the hoards of trekkers.
Day 22 : Bhulbhule – Besisahar (760m) – Kathmandu (1300m / 4hrs)
Communities: The Gurungs are a distinctive and interesting ethnic group found mainly in the central hills. They provided the Gurkha army with many of its men and so occasionally your greeting of “Namaste” is returned in fluent English with a cheery “and a good morning to you”! Their religion is a combination of Hinduism, Buddhism and Animism. Wheat and maize form the main diet staple, which is “Dhero”. Sometimes you may see groups of men carrying ancient muskets hunting game to supplement their diet.
The people become more distinctly Buddhist as their links with Tibet increase. These are the Bhotia (from Tibet) who are similar to the Sherpa. Their flat roofed houses boast Gompas (monasteries) with embossed prayer wheels. Stone-built sacred monuments called Chortens often mark the entrances to villages. The last large village, Samagoan (also called Ro) is flanked by a long “Mani wall” carved with Buddhist prayers. (As a sign of respect for local beliefs always walk past, or round, Mani walls in a clockwise direction.
Day 24 : Kathmandu Departure
