Fourteen days from arrival to departure, setting out for each day the route, the time on foot, where you sleep and what you eat
After you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, a THG representative meets you and takes you by private transfer to your Kathmandu hotel, at 1,350 m (4,429 ft). Check in and rest, or visit the THG office. If you have energy, Thamel, the city’s tourist district, is a convenient place for a first walk and for souvenirs. You sleep at 1,350 m
Today is for getting ready. There is a brief pre-trip group discussion, followed by trek preparation at your hotel. Kathmandu is at 1,350 m (4,429 ft), the same elevation as last night, so there is no altitude change. Breakfast is included; other meals in the city are not. You sleep at 1,350 m.
You leave Kathmandu early and drive towards Machha Khola, 160 km (99 mi) away, with approx. 9–10 hours on the road. It is paved to Dhading Besi (1,050 m), then becomes rough from Dhading Besi to Arughat. After Arughat you continue alongside the Budhi Gandaki to Machha Khola. Countryside, rivers and hills pass the window. You sleep at 900 m (2,953 ft).
The narrow trail rises and falls along the Budhi Gandaki. You cross the Tharo Khola, pass a small hot spring at Tatopani and cross the river on a suspension bridge. Wide stone staircases, a landslide section and a ridge lead to Dobhan; more stairs follow, via Tharo Bharyang, before the final climb to Jagat. Walking is approx. 6–7 hours. You sleep at 1,410 m (4,626 ft).
The day begins with a climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri and a descent to Sirdibas. The trail continues upstream to a long suspension bridge at Philim, a large Gurung village, then crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti. It enters a steep, uninhabited gorge, crosses the Budhi Gandaki several times and passes through bamboo forest to the Deng Khola and the small village of Deng. Walking is approx. 6–7 hours. You sleep at 1,804 m (5,919 ft).
After a short walk beyond Deng, you cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb to Rana at 1,910 m, then head up the valley through forest and past mani walls. The route passes through Prok village, which has a viewpoint towards Siringi Himal, and crosses the river several times, passing gompas on the way. After a narrow gorge where the river thunders through, and a last steep climb, you reach Namrung. Walking is approx. 6–7 hours. You sleep at 2,630 m (8,629 ft).
From Namrung you climb steadily through forest to Lihi, a village with many chortens and barley terraces. The trail crosses a side valley, then passes through Sho, Lho and Shyala before reaching Samagaon. In clear conditions the peaks of the region, including Manaslu, Himal Chuli and Ganesh Himal, can be seen along the way, and Ribung Gompa can be explored. Walking is approx. 6–7 hours. You sleep at 3,530 m (11,582 ft), 900 m higher than last night.
You spend the day in and around Samagaon, resting and acclimatising at 3,530 m (11,582 ft). The village is known for thousands of mani stones carved with Buddhist texts and images. A hike leads to Pungyen Gompa, an old monastery on a small hill near the village, with views towards the glacier in clear conditions. Pungyen means bracelet, a name taken from Manaslu’s two peaks. You sleep again at 3,530 m.
You descend to the Budhi Gandaki, which has turned north, and follow it to a bridge over a side stream; the trail to the left leads towards Manaslu Base Camp. The Larkya La trail passes several mani walls as the valley widens, then follows an easy shelf above the river through the juniper and birch forest of Kermo Kharka. After a wooden bridge and a steep climb onto a promontory, you pass through a kani arch to reach Samdo. Walking is approx. 4–5 hours. You sleep at 3,860 m (12,665 ft).
You cross the wooden bridge over the Budhi Gandaki and climb steadily, crossing two streams and seeing the Larkya Glacier. The trail goes around the valley of the Salka Khola and climbs to the Dharamsala, a stone shelter rather than a lodge, also known as Larke Phedi. The walk is short, leaving the afternoon for rest and acclimatisation before the pass. Walking is approx. 4–5 hours. You sleep at 4,460 m (14,633 ft).
After a short climb to a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glacier, you walk across the glacier’s moraines on a gradual ascent that steepens only in the final section to the pass. From the Larkya La, Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and Annapurna II may be seen in clear conditions. A long descent follows to Bimthang, a low pasture below Manaslu. Walking is approx. 8–9 hours, with an early start. You sleep at Bimthang
From a ridge at Bimthang you descend, crossing the high pasture of Sangure Kharka and a bridge over the Dudh Khola. The trail runs through rhododendron forest and a narrow valley to Karche, 2,785 m, the highest cultivated land in the valley. After a steep climb over a ridge, a sweeping descent leads to the river bank at 2,580 m, then on past Gho to Tilije. Walking is approx. 5–6 hours. You sleep at Tilije, 2,300 m (7,546 ft)
You drive from Tilije to Kathmandu via Besi Sahar, with approx. 11–12 hours on the road. The route often runs beside the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers, past villages with farming terraces on both sides. In Kathmandu you are escorted to your hotel at 1,350 m (4,429 ft). The rest of the day is at leisure, perhaps for last-minute shopping. You sleep at 1,350 m.
After breakfast, a THG representative escorts you by private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure from Nepal. Breakfast is the only meal included today. The timing of your transfer depends on your flight. Kathmandu stands at 1,350 m (4,429 ft).
This itinerary is our standard plan. Weather, flights and trail conditions can change a day, and your guide will adjust it as needed.
