Manaslu Circuit Side Trips

Upon arrival at the international airport, our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the airport, assist you, and transfer you to the hotel.

Trekking preparation and permits organize the day. We need your passport and Visa copy and 3 pp size pictures. Please check your insurance details and have a copy of your travel medical insurance policy with you.

Our guide will come to your hotel in the morning, according to the last-day information. Then we are heading to Machhakhola via Gorkha and Arughat Bazaar by bus or Land Cruiser (depending on group size and requirements) scenic drive for about 9 to 10 hours. There are two direct bus services available from Kathmandu to Machhakhola; one bus leaves at 6:45 AM, and the night shift bus leaves in the evening. While passing the ridge of Kathmandu Valley, you catch a glimpse of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang Himal's magnificent views, terraces, and green hills. There are some options to get to Arughat Bazaar: drive through the Dhadingbesi or from Benighat Siurintar. The road is tricky because of the grubby road after Arughat. The Arughat Bazaar is divided into two parts by the Budhigandaki River: the Gorkha Bazaar and Dhading. Arughat Bazaar is large, clean, and prosperous, with hotels and shops selling cloth, food, and hardware. If you are not taking a direct jeep, then drive Kathmandu to Arughat Bazaar and again drive a local Jeep to Machhakhola through the Gurung villages, past fields, and cascading waterfalls, till we reach Machhakhola. Stay in the tea house overnight.

After having breakfast, begin to walk to Jagat (1320 m)  along the Budhigandaki River Bank with the Khorlabeshi, Totopani (a natural hot spring), Dobhan, Thulo Dhunga (a big stone), and Yaruphanth. This is a nice walk through the forest, waterfall, isolated rural area, and farm terrace. Often you will hear the sound of rivers ranging below the trail; sometimes the trail is scary through the rocky edge. The trail led to the Yaruphant (1170 m) village before Gajat (1340 m). Then, finally, get to Jagat village for an overnight stay. This is the Manaslu trekking check post for restricted area permits and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP), where we need to enter all the permits, entry guides, and other stuff as well. 

The trail starts off gently, meandering along the riverbank through the Salleri (1335 m) and Sirdibas (1420 m). After crossing the suspension bridge, the trail abruptly climbs to Philim (1570 m) at Ghatte Khola (Water Grinding Mill). If the weather is clear, you can see the beautiful mountain view and the amazing Bhudhigandaki Valley view below Philim. After breakfast, your day trip starts through a small settlement, Ekle Bhatti (a single pub) and Chisapani (cold water). In thirty units, you will get to the wonderful waterfall before the junction of the Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit main trails. Don't be confused about the trail; the right trail goes heading for Tsum Valley but for the Manaslu, you need to drop down to cross the bridge and continue to follow the river bank with narrow gorges. You will stay overnight at Nayak (2,340 m). 

Today, it is just a quick stroll along the Budhigandaki River Bank—three or four houses—to the Bihi Phedi. Walk through the dense green vegetation to the Pewa (1765 m) at the lodge (Manaslu & Rubinala Hotel & Lodge). Then the walk continues stiffly uphill to the Deng (1860 m). The trail goes through the valley across the bridge twice and switches back steeply up to the small traditional village of Rana. After more climbing through lovely pine woods, we reach Bihi Phedi village, an elevation of 1990 m with views of Kutang Himal, and start to see Mani stones, a sign of the tiny Tibetan footholds mark in the high Himalayan places. Some trekkers heading to Tsum Valley from Rana Village are blocked between Lokpa and Chumling. 

The side trip to Serang Gumba begins in Bihi Phedi after having breakfast and taking some packed lunch and enough drinking water due to no tea house available between. The stairs trail ascends through the forest and rugged terrain, crossing cantilever bridges and glaciers, to the sacred, serene Serang Gumba (3050 m) with a 5- to 6-hour walk. Serang Gumba is known as Nubri Gumba, which is situated just beneath the Siringi Himal. It is surrounded by towering peaks, including Pama Himal (6300 m), Chamar North (6165 m), and Chamar (7161 m) in the chain of the Shiringi Himal, as well as the beautiful springs of the Himalayas. The side trip to Serang Gumba is an exciting but rewarding walk in the Manaslu region. Stay overnight at a tea house that Serang Monastery manages. The cost of overnight stays, including all meals and hot drinks, is USD 40 per tourist and 2,500 NPR for every guide and porter per day. Stay overnight and enjoy Mother Nature and spiritual vibes from monks and nuns. 

Serang Gumba is a sacred place, situated in the lap of the Siringi Himal, out of the human settlement, with a calm and enchanting atmosphere. This is one of the best places for spiritual practice, where one can re-call their past with deep mutation. The mesmerizing mountain views and playful wild animals, especially the Himalayan Goat (Jharal), come to the yard of the monastery. The herd of wild goats comes into the grounds of Serang Gumba as a pet animal, even if you can touch them. This is an example of “how spiritual belief balances the eco-system and environment.”. Likewise, Himalayan birds, pica, and marmots can be seen around the monastery. You have a chance to explore the monastery, talk with the resident monks, and meditate for self-realization. Stay overnight at a monastery, enjoying the natural beauty.

Taking breakfast and enjoying the monastic atmosphere, trek down through the jungle and pasture land to the small settlement at Kwak Village, about a 4 to 5-hour walk, where you will have a simple lunch (Dalbhat, Noogle soup, fried rice, potatoes, tea, don't expect variety item food here), and the walk continues to the Prok Village (2397 m) across the bridge on the Budhigandaki River via Ghap Village. Pork is also another remarkable side trip in the region. Here, you will rarely see more than a few trekkers. This is the best way to avoid the crowd. Look around the ancient village and glimpse into the traditional Tibetan culture and architecture, with its stone houses, prayer flags, and Buddhist stupas. Stay overnight at Homestay.

Today is your side trip day to the Kal Tal, known as Kal Chhuman Lake, situated at 3,474 meters above sea level. This is a day trip, so you need to bring with you some packed lunch, energy bars, enough drinking water, and warm clothes. According to the local community role, a group of trekkers must hire a local guide (Rs. 1500–2500) from Prok village to provide the right information about the lake and other activities around here. Your visit to Kal Tal will help the neighborhood generate revenue for its students' education. This is the most amazing walk through the Virgin Trail ever visited by a few tourists and mountain scenery. We went back to Prok village for an overnight stay at a tea house.

Today is a wonderful trekking day: through the dense forest, crossing Budhi Gandaki Bridge, ascent gently up to a Tibetan-run lodge, and views of mountains. Then the trail goes to extensive pasture land to the ancient Lihi village (2920 m). Normally, other trekkers go further than us to Lho village for the overnight stay but as we are going to explore Himal Chuli base camp, we stay overnight at Lihi village.

The trail goes to extensive pasture land to the ancient Lihi village and flows down the Hinang Khola right side to the Hinang Glacier. On the way to Himalachuli Base Camp (4220 m) and Hinang Gompa (3100 m), you have spectacular views of Simnang Himal, Ngadi Chuli, Himalchuli, and Rani Peak. For this side trip, you need an experienced guide with good equipment and some packed meals and water. This would be another memorable trip. We went back to the tea house for an overnight stay.

After having breakfast, we start our day trip to Shyala (3500 m) via Sho,  Shrimp, and Lho (3180 m) Village. On the way to Lho, the spectacular views of Ngadi Chuli and Manaslu itself; are quite an impressive. Lho Village, a sprawling village decorated with many prayer flags, is in the yard of a small lodge and Gomba. If you are staying at Lho, the Sunset and sunrise views of Golden Manaslu from the tea house are wonderful. There is a praying ceremony every morning and evening in the Lho Monastery, You may participate in the ceremony to make your soul peaceful. People here are similar to Tibetans; most of the house roofs use wood, and their clans are known as Sherpa, Lama, and Bhote. The trail leads us from the new Gomba and then ascends to the idyllic Tibetan settlement of the Shayla, with amazing mountain panoramas. Dzongka Dzong (fortress) at the border of Tibet, a few day's walk from Sama Gaon, as late as the 1940s until it was taken over by Gorkhas in the late 19th century. Later, a shelter built by Tibetan guerrillas was closed for the treks until 1992 Stay at Tea house.

After breakfast, the day-side trip to the Pung Gyen Gumba (3870 m) began with a packed lunch and water. Pung Gyen Gumba was known as the old Manaslu Base Camp during the previous time, and all the unsuccessful expeditions were conducted from Pung Gyen Gumba. The treks through the classic alpine lead us to Pung Gyan Gomba, then we walk to Samagaun for overnight stays. The mountain scenery is amazing during the day hike. Our guide will make sure the trail to Samagaun/Ro from Pung Gyen Gumba is open or not. During heavy snowfall, the trail might be closed, and you will need to reback to Shyala for Samagagaun.

We have a rest day in Sama Gaon acclimatization, where you will explore the village and monasteries—a little piece of old Tibet. This is also an extra day in case anyone is having trouble acclimating. A great excursion is to hike towards Manalsu Base Camp (4400 m) for a 3- to 4-hour single-way walk, where we'll have stunning views of the lake, glacier, and valley. On the way to MBC, you will enjoy the beautiful, tranquil Birendra Lake. From mid-September to October in autumn and spring, there are several expedition groups at MBC.

We trek through the alpine trail, which leads us through fields to the 500-year-old settlement Sama Gaon, or Ro, with unique architecture and two wooden 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 the town and wander the streets of the fascinating Sama Gaon village. There is Wi-Fi service for most of the tea houses at Sama Gaun and the entire Manaslu trip.

Another day of incredible mountain views, past the long Mani wall and Chorten at Kermo Kharka, then descend to the Bhudi Gandaki, an old herding settlement of Samdo inhabitants who are Tibetan and were ceded the land by the king of Jumla over 500 years ago. This was the trading point between China and India a long time ago. Get out and take a walk around the village, where the inhabitants live an essentially Tibetan lifestyle, herding their yaks, sheep, and goats, training their horses, and planting barley. Staying overnight at the tea house.

This is our most important day-side trip to Rui La. You will be curious about the Tibet border and its circumstances. As it takes about 4 to 5 hours one way from Samdo, you need to pack some food, and water, and be well-equipped to make your body worm. The whole Manaslu area was closed to foreigners for many years due to its closeness to Tibet, but it was secretly opened in 1991 and it took several years before trekkers caught on. Rui La is only an easy-access border between Nepal and Tibet, which is why it has been used as a business transit point for many centuries. The trailhead is north of Samdo, following the Athahra Saya Khola (1800 rivers) until it heads west, then the trails head eastwards and upwards to the Rui La Pass (4998 m). Further past, there is a road link to the Tibet village. It is quite a long walk-day trip but you won’t feel bored while seeing amazing mountain scenery and high Himalayan pasture land. Where the yaks and wild goats (Jharal) are grazing around you. Bunches of marmot gangs are often appearing on the ground. You can find several Shaligram (fossils) around the Rui La; hence, according to Hindus, fossils are known as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. We went back to Samdo for an overnight stay.

The trail leads us to the old trade route towards Tibet, crosses a bridge, and climbs 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 by breathtaking mountain scenery and blue sheep territory, grazing nearby on the barren hillsides. 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.

The trail heads to the north side of the Larkya Glaciers after breakfast every morning, providing views of Larkya Peak and Cho Danda. Then, after walking for about four hours, we will get to the top of Larkya La (5,160 m), which offers a offers a view of wonderful panoramic mountains: the Himlung Himal (7126 m), Cheo Himal (6820 m), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6981 m) and the Annapurna II (7937 m), all equally stunning from both sides. The descent is steep, through moraines, towards Bhimtang. After praying to God and yelling 'Ki ki so so lha gyalo' (may the Gods be victorious), get ready to drop the often slippery trail following the glacial moraine finally to the Bimtang, where 'Three Sisters Hotel', is where the evening clouds gather and turn pink behind the surrounding peaks. It's all worthwhile now.

The trail descends along the fig tree and rhododendron fortes, through the rocky riverbed and sliding hillsides, to several small green villages. Eventually, after a long but very scenic day, we reach the large village of Tilje (2300 m) via Goa (2515 m), Kharche (2700 m), and Yak Kharka (30320 m), inhabitants of a mix of Manang (of Tibetan descent) and Chettris (Hindus), which have a unique architecture and culture and eat mixed foods: Dal Bhat, Buckwheat Dhido, Tsampa, and Tibetan salt tea. It's an easy trekking day following the Dudh Khola through bamboo forests, about a 1½ to 2 hour walk down. We see ahead marks of the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) board at Dharapani 2130 m. Now we are on the Annapurna Circuit Trekking main trail, an atmospheric Tibetan village with prayer flags fluttering at the Gomba in Thongje. We will stay overnight at the teahouse in Dharapani.

From Dhrapani, the road has been built; you may drive from here to Besisahar by jeep or bus. We'll have a bumpy drive to Besisahar. Again, we will go back to Kathmandu/Pokhara 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!

On this pleasant day, you may have a full day at leisure either relax at the hotel or explore the around Thamel. Today is the day of ending your journey, so we would like to offer you farewell dinner in a Nepali typical Restaurant and hand over your Trip Certificate, Trekking Permit, and TIMS Card for the memory of the Nepal trip. Today is free or last-minute shopping for souvenirs or gifts for your family, friends, or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive. Our assistance will be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onward destination, taking with you the memory of a lifetime.