Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek – 22 Days

You land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Our representative meets you outside the arrivals terminal and transfers you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day resting or walking around the local markets to prepare for the trip.

In the evening, attend a brief meeting with your guide to review the equipment and route details.

You depart Kathmandu early in the morning for a scenic drive toward the starting point of the trail. The road winds along the Prithvi Highway parallel to the Trishuli River before heading north toward Dhading Besi and Arughat.

You follow the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River past rural villages and terraced hillsides until you reach the settlement of Maccha Khola for your overnight stay.

Your mountain walking begins today as you follow the narrow river valley upstream. You pass through Khorlabesi and reach Tatopani, where natural hot springs flow from the hillsides.

After crossing several suspension bridges over the rushing river, you climb the stone steps of Thado Bharyang to reach the stone-paved village of Jagat, the entry checkpoint for the Manaslu Conservation Area.

You leave Jagat and climb a rocky ridge to Salleri before descending toward Sirdibas. The valley opens up as you cross the river to reach the large Gurung village of Philim.

Moving north past rural farms, the trail passes through deep bamboo groves and a narrow canyon before arriving at the tiny village of Deng.

The path climbs steadily through thick pine and rhododendron woods today. You cross the Budhi Gandaki River multiple times and pass several traditional mani walls and Buddhist shrines.

A final steep climb brings you to the beautiful village of Namrung, which offers your first sharp views of the surrounding high peaks.

You enter the upper Nubri region today, where local culture displays strong Tibetan ties. The trail passes through Lihi and Lho villages, where you see local farmers working in barley fields and children dressed in traditional clothes.

You continue ascending past ancient monasteries to reach the wide settlement of Shyala, surrounded by an incredible circle of peaks including Mount Manaslu.

A shorter walking day allows your body to adjust to the rising high altitude. You descend slightly from the ridges before walking through a wide, flat glacier valley that leads directly to Sama Gaun.

This large, stone-built village serves as the main hub for regional trade and mountain expeditions.

You remain in Sama Gaun for a full day to allow your lungs to adapt to the thin mountain air. You can take a scenic side walk up to the ancient Pungyen Gompa monastery, sitting directly below the massive eastern face of Mount Manaslu. Alternatively, a hike to the shores of Birendra Tal glacial lake offers excellent high altitude training.

The trail follows the thinning Budhi Gandaki River as you ascend above the tree line into cold alpine territory. You walk past massive stone walls carved with Buddhist prayers and climb a gentle ridge to reach Samdo.

This remote village sits very close to the Tibetan border and acts as the final permanent human settlement on this side of the pass.

You cross a wooden bridge over the river and begin a steady, slow climb across bare rock fields. The path takes you past the ruins of an old marketplace before ascending toward the stone shelters of Dharmasala, also known as Larkya Phedi. You spend the afternoon resting and hydrating to prepare for the early morning mountain pass crossing.

You wake up before dawn to begin the long climb up the lateral moraine of the glacier. Walking over steep snow and rock sections, you reach the prayer flags marking the top of Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters.

After enjoying views of Himlung Himal and Kang Guru, you follow a steep, slippery descent down to the green meadows of Bimthang.

The trail drops rapidly out of the cold high mountains into dense forests of pine, oak, and rhododendron. You follow the Dudh Khola River down to the village of Tilije, passing quiet pastures and terraced farmland.

A final short walk across a suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River brings you to Dharapani, where you join the main Annapurna Circuit.

Walking along the Marsyangdi River, you head upstream into the Manang district through steep forest valleys. You pass through Bagarchhap and Timang villages, enjoying excellent views of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna Two.

The trail leads directly into Chame, the administrative headquarters of the district, which features hot springs and modern shops.

You cross the river and walk through a deep pine forest as the trail climbs a dramatic rock wall known as Paungda Danda. The valley opens up significantly as you enter the dry rain shadow zone of the Himalayas.

You ascend a steady hillside path to Upper Pisang, where traditional stone houses look out directly at the massive northern peaks.

You choose the high upper route through the traditional villages of Ghyaru and Ngawal today to gain better views and acclimatization. This scenic path provides wide vistas of the entire Annapurna ridge before dropping back down to the main valley floor. You pass Braga village and its ancient monastery to reach the bustling mountain town of Manang.

You spend a necessary rest day in Manang to prepare your body for the immense height of Thorong La Pass. A short morning walk up to Gangapurna Lake or the high viewpoints helps maintain your physical training.

You can spend the afternoon resting, visiting local bakeries, or attending a high altitude health lecture at the local aid post.

The trail exits Manang and climbs steadily out of the main valley, heading north toward the Jarsang Khola. You leave the last trees behind and enter wide alpine pastures where local herders graze yaks and mountain goats. You cross a wooden bridge over a small stream to reach the quiet cluster of lodges at Yak Kharka.

You walk along a steady, rising path before crossing a suspension bridge to the eastern bank of the river. The trail traverses a steep scree slope that requires careful footing due to loose rocks.

A final push brings you to Thorong Phedi, the busy base camp sitting directly below the giant mountain wall, where you rest early for the upcoming pass crossing.

Starting long before sunrise, you tackle the steep, frozen switchbacks up toward the highest point of the trip. After hours of steady breathing and walking over snowfields, you arrive at the prayer flags of Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters.

You capture views of Dhaulagiri and the Kali Gandaki valley before embarking on a long, steep knee-jarring descent to the holy temples of Muktinath.

You visit the sacred 108 water spouts of Muktinath temple in the morning before boarding your private van. The vehicle descends through the deep gorges of the Kali Gandaki River, driving past Jomsom, Marpha, and Tatopani.

The long road trip brings you out of the dry mountain valleys back to the lush, warm lakeside city of Pokhara for a comfortable evening.

You travel back to the capital city today, taking either a scenic drive along the highway or a short domestic flight over the central Himalayan ranges. Once you arrive in Kathmandu, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day buying souvenirs or resting.

In the evening, gather with our team for a celebratory farewell dinner to mark the completion of your journey.

Your 22-day Himalayan expedition concludes today. Our representative picks you up from your hotel and drives you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight back home.

You leave Nepal with incredible memories of crossing two historic high mountain passes.