Today after breakfast you start a guided tour to in Kathmandu. You will visit two World Heritage Sights declared by UNESCO. They are Swoyambhunath, one of the most glorious Buddha temple in the world located on top of Hillock is also famous by the name of monkey temple, and Kathmandu Durbar Square, the historic royal palace of Nepal where you see the old unique art and architecture, temples and old heritage monuments. Evening preparation for trek. Overnight at a hotel.

Our trekking guide will meet you at the hotel before 6 am and he takes you to the bus station for the journey to Arughat. You will be driving on a paved road from Kathmandu to Dhading Besi, district headquarter of Dhading (1050m) but the drive from Dhanding Besi to Arughat will be on a rough road.  After reaching Arughat, a major town in that area you will drive further towards Sotikhola. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today you trek through beautiful sal forests then climbs onto the ridge above the Budhi Gandaki River. Then trail leads to you Khursane, a big Gurung settlement. Then the rocky trail weaves its way up and down and passes two waterfalls. It traverses few rice terraces then up and down arrives at Labubesi village. The path gradually moves upwards then it descends to the sandy river bed. Head down again to the river and arrives at Machha Khola. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

The trail makes some minor ups and downs often dropping onto gravel bar alongside the river. It eventually crosses the Tharo Khola (stream) then reaches Khorlabesi village. It climbs over a small ridge then makes another steep climb and descent. After more ups and down there is a small trailside hot spring then the route reaches Tatopani village. From Tatopani, the trail climbs over another ridge and crosses the Budhi Gandaki River on a suspension bridge and then arrives another village Doban.  After that, it crosses a long suspension bridge and further climbs ridge and descends to Yaru Khola (stream). After that, it ascends to Tharo Bharyang. Thus after few climbs up and down it reaches to beautiful village Jagat. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today the trail climbs over a rocky ridge to Salleri, a small village. From here you get good views of Mt. Sringi. Then it descends to Setibas where several mani walls indicate that the trek is now entering Tibetan influence region. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to the stone houses of Ghat Khola (stream). The trail continues upstream to a long suspension bridge. Crossing that bridge it climbs up to Philim, a large Gurung village. Then trail traverses millet fields and reaches Ekle Bhatti. Subsequently, the route enters a steep uninhabited gorge of the Budhi Gandaki River. After crossing the river it climbs few ridges and descends the river. Here you can see the Shar Khola and Tsum valley joining the Budhi Gandaki on the opposite bank. The trail makes its way up the western side. It passes through bamboo forests and reaches Deng, the village of Buddhist people. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Few minutes walking from Deng the trail recrosses the Budhi Gandaki River and climbs to Rana village. It again climbs a bit and heads west up the Budhi Gandaki Valley. It passes a waterfall and follows the stream. After passing some houses of Bhi it crosses Budhi Gandaki River. Then it climbs steeply and traverses above the Budhi Gandaki. The trail makes more ups and downs in forests passing mani wall then turns to Ghap. The mani wall in Ghap has elegant carvings that depict the Buddha in various meditative poses. After Ghap it moves a head through a forest of big firs where you see colorful birds including impeyan pheasant, the national bird of Nepal. In the middle of the forest to walk on wooden bridge make you more exciting by mist rising up from the valley. Then the trail makes along climb through bamboo and rhododendron forests finally entering Namrung. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

After Namrung you trek to upper Nupri (Tibetan Buddhist influence region). The trail climbs passing mani wall and the many fields and houses then up through a forest of firs, rhododendrons, and oaks. Then it reaches Lihi village which exhibits unusual architecture. Leaving this village it enters to another village Sho. From here the spectacular view of Mt Manaslu and Naike Peak starts at the head of the valley. Passing Kani (Buddhist stupa), prayer wheel the trail reaches Lho big village with a gompa and huge mani. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

After Lho the trail drops down to stream and it follows stream up for a long distance through damp forests and arrives plateau at Shyaula with a wide vista of Mt. Himalachuli, Ngadi Chuliand Manaslu. After that, the trail crosses the ridge come to Samagaon, the village with extensive pastures and fields. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Birendra Tal (3450m/11316ft): Walking 2 to 3 hours

Birendra Tal is a turquoise lake at the foot of the Manaslu glacier. Those of you who like to wash bath in distant waters will find it pleasant to dip in its chilly ice water. The lake can be visited on the way from Samagaon to Samdo, as it is a relatively short diversion from the main trail.

Phungen Gompa (Around 4050m/11316ft): Walking 5 to 6 hours

It is a day trip that starts in a branch of the trail between Shyala and Samagaon. From the branch it takes about an hour to reach a Yak pasture area and additional one and a half hours to reach the Gompa, which is located at the end of a vast grassy plateau surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. This is one of the best places to get a view of Mount Manaslu and its surroundings. The Gompa includes a small prayer hall and some monk dormitories built into the mountain.

Manaslu Base Camp (4900m/16072ft): Walking 7 to 8 hours

From Sama Gaon hiking to Manaslu Base Camp takes full day for round. The steep climb from Sama Gaon takes about 4-5 hours. The trail has a short start in the forest then becomes exposed on the steep slope above Samagaon north of the impressive Manaslu glacier. As you gain altitude the scenery becomes more and more spectacular – the glacier just nearby, the turquoise lake beneath, and mountains as far as the eye can see. The last part of the climb is the steepest on a slippery trail on a narrow moraine. After visit of MBC, descend to Samagaon.

After breakfast, you descend to the Budhi Gandaki and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. Today it’s an easy trail on a shelf above the river past juniper and birch forests and stone huts of Kermo Kharka. Then the trail drop off the shelf, cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. Then you see a large Kani (Buddhist Stupa). The trail follows the Kani. After passing that it reaches Samdo village. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

After breakfast, you follow gentle trail passing many fields to a large mani wall and stone archway. Then it descends to the river. After crossing the bridge it climbs through tundra and juniper. You see huge Larkya Glacier that drops from Manaslu North. Then the trail climb in and out of the gorge and arrives at Dharmashala, is also known as Larkya Phedi. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today the trek starts climbing up the ridge in front of Dharmashala. It descends a bit to a lake and keeps climbing the ridge until the top of the moraine at 4690m. Then it crosses the moraine to the south of steep, grassy slopes. You see few cairns and prayer flags. After that, it descends to four frozen lakes. Eventually, it makes the steep climb to the Larkya La (5160m/16929ft). It takes three to five hours from Dharmashala to the Larkya La pass. It is best to make an early start in order to cross the pass safely. It can be extremely cold and windy during the climb. From Larkya La pass you see the tremendous view of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Garu Peak and Annapurna II. The descent begins along the top of moraine to the west and drops steeply to Dangboche Kharka. Then the trail becomes easier descending along the grassy moraine to a small meadow and a spring at 4080m. Then the trial turns a corner, the valley becomes larger, the trail heads down to a large meadow with a mani wall and rest house. This place is called Bimthang. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

From Bimthang the trail drops and crosses a glacial stream. It climbs over the side of the moraine and descends into a forest of pine and rhododendron to Hompuk. From here the trail follows Dudh Khola (stream) through forests. The trail crosses a landslide then goes across fields before making steep climb over a ridge decorated with prayer flags. The trail comes off the ridge and down to the river bank near a few houses. This is Gho village. The trek continues through fields, rhododendron and oak forests then it enters to Tilje village. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

After breakfast you climb over a small ridge and enjoy the stone paved trail as it passes through a beautiful village. You then cross the bridge over Dudh Khola and climb up through a chorten-shaped arch, pass a mani wall and reach the Thonje village. At the village, you go through a police checkpoint and continue to Dharapani. You have entered the Annapurna circuit section from Dharapani. From Dharapani, you drive to Besi Sahar by jeep. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today morning you drive from Besi Sahar to Kathmandu. The drive is often along the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. You also drive by some beautiful villages with farming terraces on both sides of the road. In Kathmandu, you will be escorted to you hotel. The day in Kathmandu can either be spent in leisure or by last minute shopping. In the evening we offer you farewell dinner at typical Nepalese Restaurant with cultural show. Overnight at a Hotel.

The trip concludes today. Our tour officer will drop you at Kathmandu International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.

All foreign nationals except Indian Nationals are required to arrange a visa in order to enter Nepal. A Nepalese Visa can be obtained either prior to your arrival at a Nepalese embassy abroad or on arrival time in Kathmandu at the airport. But nationals from Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia cannot secure the Nepalese Visa upon arrival. The Visa can be also taken at entry points at Nepalese borders. For Nepalese Visa it requires your passport with at least six months validity, recent digital photo (size: 1.5″ x 1.5″) and the following fees either in USD dollars cash or the equivalent local currency:

We would offer you the meeting and greeting service in Kathmandu International Airport on your arrival time. For this, you need to pass us your International flight details at least 2 days before your arrival date in Kathmandu. After you get down from the aircraft you just pass on the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see our tour officer standing with your name card. He will greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to the hotel.

In Manaslu Trekking there are available of lodges along the trail. Lodges typically offer a room with a wooden bed with a simple mattress or foam pad, a cotton pillow, and a blanket or quilt. A few have electric lights and all have a spacious dining room-lounge. We will accommodate you and your group in local lodge available each day. We send a porter ahead of us to book the required rooms for you (here rooms cannot be booked in advance).

In the case of Kathmandu, we offer you tourist standard hotel under 3-star categories unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice.

In Manaslu trekking, it’s commonly available for Authentic Nepali meal: Dal Bhat (rice with lentils soup and seasonable vegetables), noodles, pasta, chapatis, eggs, French fries, porridge, and muesli. The restaurant of lodges also serves Tibetan foods like momo, thukpa, chowmein, along with pizza, spring rolls, pancake and another continental as well as Indian foods.

Tea and hot lemon are traditionally the main drinks on the trail though coffee is found everywhere. Bottled soft drinks, bottled water, and even beer are common along the route but the price of each bottle rises each day when you move upward.

The trekking team who will go with you is the most significant thing that makes your Manaslu trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable. We would provide you skilled, experienced, courteous, knowledgeable and helpful trekking guide and porters. The trekking guide leads you on the trail and brief you all the about this route and porters carry your luggage. Our all trekking guides are carefully selected in terms of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and their knowledge about local culture, ecosystem, geography, flora and fauna, and history. With aim of sustaining local communities, we only employ local people as trekking guide and porter. Our all trekking guides are certified by Nepal Government, Ministry of Tourism. We manage trekking team such a way that one trekking guide in each group and porters like one porter for two trekkers.

During the trek, your main luggage will be carried by porters or pack animals (usually yaks or cross-breeds). You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sunscreen, spare jacket, etc. – a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotel’s locker room in Kathmandu for free of charge.

Every morning, first of all, packing your bags and then have a hearty breakfast at the lodge restaurant. Then set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours you all stop for lunch in local restaurant. Then continue walking to your destination. After lunch, it’s the only couple of hours walking. You usually arrive at your destination in the time of afternoon tea. Check in at the lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure. At the free time, you may explore surrounding village, do a bit of washing or simply relax by reading books and writing a diary. On some days you will arrive at your destination by lunch time and entire afternoon will be free. Most people also spend free time by playing cards and other games reliving the day’s adventures. Then in the evening have a dinner and you will be briefed by your trekking guide about your next day’s walking and then go to your bed for well-earned sleep.

Manaslu trekking is moderate/ fairly strenuous trek suitable for any passionate walkers who able to walk at least 5-7hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination, you can do this trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no compulsorily required for this trip. It is vital for participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases to consult their doctor before taking the trip.

At high elevations, the combination of reduced oxygen and lower atmospheric pressure can produce a variety of unpredictable effects on the body, known collectively as Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is also commonly known as Altitude Sickness. Everyone who treks over 3500 m experiences some mild symptoms of AMS like slowness, dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, racing pulse, disturbed sleep and swelling of the hands and feet but serious cases are very rare. The golden rule of prevention from Altitude Sickness doesn’t walk too fast at altitude, drink plenty of liquids, eating well, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding alcohol. If in case you feel any mentioned symptoms the simple cure is to move down (descend) and you shouldn’t ascend further until you start feeling better. To treat AMS there is also available medication Acetazolamide (better known under the brand name Diamox). The dosage is 250 mg every twelve hours. Diamox improves respiration at altitude and can, therefore, accelerate acclimatization. Some doctors recommend a preventive dose (125 mg twice a day) for people trekking at high elevations. At the time of trekking our trekking team always guides you to prevent from Altitude Sickness and they always have Diamox along with first aid kit.

We believe casualty and a serious sickness will not happen on the trip. If it happens we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since all the expenses incurred in evacuation liable to you please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.

We strongly advise you to take travel insurance before joining a tour which should cover medical expenses, emergency repatriation and helicopter evacuation at high altitude places and loss of your luggage. We would request you to bring your insurance documents when you come to Nepal.

The following list is a guideline to help you pack for your trekking. The weight limit for your luggage is 15 kg or 33 pounds. Remember that your luggage will be carried by our porter. However, you are required to carry a small day- pack with your valuables or anything important. We advise you pack only what is necessary.

Important Items : Airline tickets; Valid passport; 2 extra passport size photos; Photocopy of your passport; Insurance paper; Dollars, Pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying at restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks and to purchase your own drinks and gifts; Credit Card (Visa/ Mater Card) for withdrawing cash from cash machines if needs.

For Head: Sun Hat; Bandana or head scarf; Headlamp with extra batteries; Sun Glasses with UV protection.

For Upper Body: Shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves); Lightweight thermal tops; Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater; Wind Cheater jacket; Down Jacket

For Lower Body: 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms; 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers; 1 pair of waterproof shell pants and 1 pair of hiking trousers.

For Hands: 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves and 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.

For Feet: 2 pairs of thin inner socks; 2 pairs of poly or wool socks; 1 pair of Hiking boots (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support); 1 pair of running shoes and/or sandals.

Other Useful Items: 1 sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); Rucksack and Travel Bags; 1 large duffel bag *; A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables; Small padlocks for duffel- bags; 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional); Digital camera; 2 water bottles (1 liter each); disposable rubbish sacks; Toiletries: 1 medium-sized quick drying towel; Toothbrush/paste; Multi-purpose soap; Deodorants; Nail clippers; Face and body moisturizer; Tissue /toilet roll; hiking poles, snack food (chocolate/ biscuits); umbrella; reading book or pack of cards (for leisure time during trekking).

Medical: Your daily taking medicine if any; small personal first aid kit; Aspirin, plasters (band-aids); Sunscreen; lip balms; Anti-diarrhea pills; Anti-headache pills; A cough and/or cold medicine; Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide; Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin.

The itinerary for each trip should be taken as a guideline only. Depending on the situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trip ending should always coincide with the original itinerary.

Kindly keep in mind that sometimes unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.

Naturally Manaslu Region is so beautiful but equally, it is fragile as well. Increasing population density and numbers of trekkers threaten the very beauty of this area. We at Silver Himalaya Adventures are extremely conscious about protecting its beautiful natural environment and preserving the fascinating local culture. We are doing our level best to minimize our impact as much as possible. Our all trekking guides and porters are well trained and motivated to following guidelines of responsible tourism and eco-friendly tourism. In trekking, they also advise you do’s and don’ts to minimize your impact on the local environment.

In addition to your Trekking trip, you can join in various side Trips in Nepal like a cultural tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Jungle Safari in National Park,  White Water Rafting in Himalayan Rivers, Golfing, Adventure activities like Bungee Jumping, Altra Light Flight, Paragliding, Jeep flyer etc. You also can extend your trip to neighboring Himalayan Countries: Bhutan, Tibet, Sikkim (India) which seems more appealing to you. On your request, we will give you the detail of the side trips.