Annapurna to Manaslu Trek

On arrival at Tribhuvan International airport, our representative will be awaiting you to cordially welcome with great hospitality.  The representative will be displaying the “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” placard outside the airport terminal. You will be then escorted and transfer to the hotel in our private vehicle. Further details and short preliminary briefing will be provided after transferring to the hotel. You will have leisure time to relax and freshen up.

After early breakfast, we will start our fresh morning by wandering Ason and Indrachowk marketplaces to get a glimpse of traditional Nepalese life. You’ll witness the bustle of the market, see how locals purchase the products and haggle for a bargain. Whilst walking around enjoy the lively and vibrant atmosphere this local market has to offer.

We walk through a narrow alley and see people rushing. Observe the first hand the local produce people from Nepal actually purchase. You will also take in the sights and smells of the market. Your friendly tour guide will explain in full detail all the products and procedures you will see. There is plenty of opportunities to buy something for your selves and lots of photo opportunities to capture in your camera.

Next, we head towards Kathmandu Durbar Square, also called Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, and used to be the residence of the Nepali royal family and administrators. These ancient sites situated in the traditional heart of Kathmandu that incorporates an architecturally extraordinary complex of ancient palaces, temples, courtyards, and shrines dating from the 15th to the 18th century.

The most revered places of Kathmandu Durbar Square is the three-storied temple named Kumari Bahal. The structured like a typical Newari Vihara. In this house lives Kumari, a girl who is respected as the living goddess. During the festival of Indra Jatra, the Kumari is paraded around the square in a custom-built gilded chariot and worshipped by the people.

The tallest temple of Kathmandu valley ‘Taleju Bhawani’ built-in 1549 AD. This temple is deliberated to be the most outstanding work of art in the Durbar square and considered to be the royal goddess.

Jagannath temple built in the 16th century is well-known for erotic carvings, and the Hanuman Dhoka (the royal palace) is situated in Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Kalbhairav is considered to be the destructor form of Lord Shiva. Built-in the 17th century, this, 10 ft. high stone statue of terrifyingly portrayed Kal Bhairav is sited near Jagannath temple.

Temple of Shiva Parvati, rectangular in shape enshrines Nava Durga, a group of goddesses on the ground floor. It has a wooden image of Shiva and Parvati at the window of the upper floor looking out at passerby in Durbar Square.

Swayambhunath:

You are then taken to Swayambhunath (monkey temple) which is the magnificent ancient religious architecture and center faith of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its lofty white dome and dazzling golden spire are visible from far and wide. Upon arriving at the top, you can hear the Buddhist songs “Om Mani Padme Hum” resound everywhere. The candles and the aromatic fragrance of incense that burns constantly create a serene vibe and we can turn the enormous prayer wheels which encircle the stupa.

Boudhanath:

Buddhist shrine of Boudhanath, one of the largest stupa in Nepal as well as the sacred Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. You will observe the monk chant in the prayer hall while people lighting butter lamps and reciting mantras. You can see the vibrant prayer flags tied to the stupa that conveys mantras and prayers into the universe while fluttering in the wind. Traditionally, prayer flags come in sets of five, one in each of five colors. The five colors signify the elements and the Five Pure Lights.

Pashupatinath:

Further, we visit Pashupatinath temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the bank of Bagmati River. You can see elaborately dressed holy men meditating outside the temple and pilgrims placing offerings at the shrines. You can also observe people performing the religious ritual and funeral pyres burn at open-air cremation.  After visiting fascinating cultural heritage sites, you will transfer back to the Hotel. The evening can either be spent strolling the marketplaces in Kathmandu or resting at the hotel.

We fly to Pokhara early in the morning. We can catch stunning views of the Himalayas from the right side of our airplane. Upon our arrival in Pokhara, the beautiful lake city, we are rewarded with superb views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, the five peaks of Annapurna and others. Stay overnight in Hotel.

We will have an early breakfast and then be transferred to the airport from where we will take a flight to Jomsom. You can see the spectacular scenery onward from Jomsom. It looks like dessert though encircled by the snow-capped Himalayas on either side.

We start off our short hike to Dumba Lake, a hidden gem of Mustang. We traverse the wooden bridge there to reach the left side of the airstrip. You will see a signboard directing towards the way to Dhumba Lake/Thini Village. The first landmark of the trek will be Thini Village which is approx. 5 km from Jomsom. The next half kilometer trek will take you to Dhumba Village and subsequently to Dhumba Lake.

A short walk along Kaligandaki to Eklebhatti and to the Bon town of Lupra. The trip is accompanied by the beautiful Himalayan pheasants and blue sheep that are seen on the trail at times.

There is a cave at the base of the river, approximately fifty meters above it, before crossing to the Lupra side. The cave is used for long term meditation that could last from thirty days to six months or even more. A young monk named Yong who was schooled in India serves as a caretaker of the cave and prepares it for other’s meditation. The cave has a balcony with a seating area for meditation, a small cooking area and sleeping quarters with shelving, however, the upper level where the heavy-duty isolated meditation takes place includes a very small area with a four-foot ceiling, three feet deep and even less across. Also, a slot to insert food and drink for the monk is there and the monk who had meditated here once for thirty days accepts never wanting to do it again.

The newly renovated gompa a little above the main road across the river to Lupra is also one of the major attractions here. The Bon religion is said to predate Buddhism.

After lunch we commence our trek walking along the ridge with unparalleled sights of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Nilgiri Peak (7061m), Tilicho Peak (7,134m), Annapurna I (8091m), and so on. Ascending along the bare hills on a sandy path to Muktinath.

Today is also a rest day; we stay back in Muktinath. After a decent breakfast, we can either rest or explore the area. We can visit the temple and 108 waterspouts at Muktinath are sacred to Hindus and form part of the cultural history of Nepal. Hindus consider Muktinath temple to be a source of the celestial energy.

After breakfast, we trek to Lethdar by crossing Thorong La Pass. The pass is situated on a trail that links the village of Manang in the Manang District to the east, with the temple of Muktinath and the adjacent village of Ranipauwa, in the Mustang District to the west. Stay overnight at Lethdar.

After breakfast, we leave Lethdar behind and trek towards Manang. Manang comprises Gangapurna Lake, the turquoise glacial lake from the Gangapurna glacier. We can also hike above the lake where there is a Chongkor viewpoint which offers spectacular mountain views and the majestic Gangapurna Lake itself.

After breakfast, we trek to Chame a district headquarter of Manang with a bank, police headquarters, district administration. There is a hot water spring at Chame that will make you relief from pain. On the way to Chame, we will see the renowned Dudh Khola pouring from the south face of Mt Manaslu.

Today after breakfast, we leave Chame behind and head towards Surke Khola on the Manaslu circuit. The trail continues through a stone arch, cross the Dudh Khola and follow along its embankment ascending through the scrub forest to Tilje, a large Gurung village, from here we walk through fields and intermittent stands of rhododendron and oak to arrive at Surki Khola for overnight.

The river rises from the Suti Glacier one of the several glaciers that flow south from the enormous curve of ice giants along the Tibetan border that tower over the Ponkar Lake region. Today’s trail meanders up the Dudh Khola Valley through the wonderful varied forest. We further trek to some steep sections comprising the final ascent to Sangura Kharka (a yak pasture, 3 020m). Then we proceed up the forest trail to Hompuk (3 430m), a rock shelter and Goth (herder’s hut). Ahead is the lower end of the Bimthang Glacier. Leaving the forest onto its moraine and descend on wobbly gravels to traverse the glacier. The ascent on the far side is easier, the trail then follows the eastern bank as it rises gradually to Bimthang. Stay overnight in Bimthang.

After breakfast, we traverse over Larkya La pass and trek towards DharmaSala.Larkya la Pass is one of the highest point (5106 m) in Manaslu trekking region. It is located between Bimthang and /Dharmasala. Crossing this pass in the most audacious task in Manaslu trekking and the trekkers.

Today we leave Dharmasala behind and trek to Lho. Lho is an important village with a monastery and a Lama school along with the majestic view of Manaslu and Kutang Himal. Once you arrive at Lho you can visit Ribang Gompa, stupas, Mani walls, and Kani doorway.

Today we leave Dharmasala behind and trek to Lho. Lho an important village with a monastery and a Lama school along with the majestic view of Manaslu and Kutang Himal. Once you arrive at Lho you can visit Ribang Gompa, stupas, Mani walls, and Kani doorway.

We start our trek after breakfast through the forest of fir and rhododendron trees which bloom every spring season. Along the way, you can see the picturesque woodcraft house and the fields. At Ghap, the Tibetan culture begins with Mani stones and chortens all around.

After breakfast, we trek down to Philim, the popular Gurung Village in the region. Today we walk through few ups and downs through the forests and traverse Buri Gandaki.  Further, we cross the suspension bridge over Shringi Khola. Along the way, we traverse the wooden bridge, past waterfalls, Deng Khola to bamboo forests and the villages like Deng and Serson all the way to Philim.

After breakfast, we cross the suspension bridge and past the stone houses of Ghattu Khola. Then the trail ascent to Setibas passing beautiful Mani walls (prayers engraved into wayside rocks). Further, when you reach the ridge you can see the superb views of Shringi Himal. Then you will take a decent trail to Jagat, Thado Bharyang. You will be passing landslide area, teashops at Duman, and Dhoban. Then, we cross the suspension bridge over Buri Gandaki and reach Tatopani. Tatopani is a hot spring where you can enjoy the bath and unwind for a while enjoying the nature around. From Tatopani, we take a steep descent to Machakhola for overnight.

After breakfast, we take a decent trail all the way to Soti Khola. You can see the glimpse of the southern slopes of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang Himal.

After breakfast, we take 8 hours long scenic drive back to Kathmandu.

After having breakfast at the hotel; you have leisure time to take relax or explore around marketplaces to shop the souvenir for loved ones.

It is time to fly back to home keeping all the terrifying experiences of Nepal in mind.

The representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to TIA airport where you should check-in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight.