Welcome to the City of Temples.

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, the Art Nepal Treks team will greet you with a traditional warm welcome. A private transfer takes you to Hotel Roadhouse in Thamel. After checking in, take a stroll through the narrow alleys of Thamel, a vibrant hub for trekkers. In the evening, we visit Kathmandu Durbar Square to see the ancient Newari architecture and the home of the Living Goddess, Kumari. We conclude with a detailed trek briefing where your guide will check your gear and answer any last-minute questions.

A Spiritual Warm-up.

Before the physical strain of the trek begins, we feed the soul. This guided tour takes you to three UNESCO World Heritage sites:

• Pashupatinath: The most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal, located on the banks of the Bagmati River.
• Boudhanath: The largest spherical stupa in Nepal and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Kathmandu.
• Swayambhunath: Known as the “Monkey Temple,” this hilltop stupa offers a panoramic view of the entire valley.

The day ends with a Welcome Dinner hosted by Art Nepal Treks, featuring authentic Nepali cuisine and traditional folk dance.

Distance: 160 km | Time: 8–9 Hours.

We leave the city early in a private 4WD Jeep. The journey follows the Prithvi Highway before branching off toward the Budhi Gandaki River. The road becomes rugged as we pass through Arughat and Soti Khola. You’ll witness the changing landscape from urban sprawl to terraced hillsides and roaring waterfalls. Jagat is a beautiful stone-paved village where we register our restricted area permits for the first time.

Trek Time: 7–8 Hours | Distance: 19 km.

The walk begins by crossing the Budhi Gandaki on a long suspension bridge. We enter the Manaslu Conservation Area and climb a rocky ridge to Salleri, which offers views of Mt. Sringi. We pass through Philim, a prosperous Gurung village. The trail then narrows into a dramatic gorge. We cross and re-cross the river, surrounded by bamboo forests and towering cliffs, finally reaching Dyang.

Trek Time: 7–8 Hours | Distance: 20 km.

Today, the culture shifts toward Tibetan Buddhism. You will see your first Mani walls (stones carved with prayers) and colorful prayer flags. We pass through the village of Bihi and climb steadily through forests of fir and rhododendron. Namrung is famous for its viewpoint; from here, you get your first clear look at the Manaslu massif.

Trek Time: 6 Hours | Distance: 15 km.

As we gain altitude, the air becomes thinner and crisper. We pass through the village of Lho (3,180 m), where a massive monastery (Ribung Gompa) dominates the skyline. The view of Manaslu from Lho is arguably the best on the entire trek. We continue to Shyala, a village surrounded by 360-degree mountain views including Himalchuli, Ngadi Chuli (Peak 29), and Manaslu itself.

Trek Time: 4–5 Hours | Distance: 10 km.

Acclimatization is not just about resting; it’s about “climbing high and sleeping low.” We take a side trip to Pungyen Gompa, a monastery tucked away in a hidden valley. It was destroyed by an avalanche in 1953 and rebuilt. The silence here, broken only by the wind and the cracking of glaciers, is profound. We return to Samagaun, the largest and most culturally significant village in the region.

Trek Time: 6–7 Hours | Distance: 12 km.

This is a challenging, steep hike, but the reward is unparalleled. Standing at Manaslu Base Camp, you are at the doorstep of the eighth-highest peak on Earth. You’ll see the Birendra Tal (a turquoise glacial lake) far below and the massive icefall of the Manaslu glacier right in front of you. This is an emotional high point for most trekkers. We descend back to Samagaun for the night.

Trek Time: 4–5 Hours | Distance: 8 km.

A shorter day to help the body prepare for the pass. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki north, nearing the Tibetan border. Samdo is a village of Tibetan refugees who settled here in the 1950s. It is a stark, beautiful place of yak pastures and stone houses. In the afternoon, we take a short hike toward the Tibetan border for further acclimatization.

Trek Time: 9–10 Hours | Distance: 24 km.

The “Big Day.” We wake up at 3:00 AM to cold, starlit skies. We climb steadily to Dharamsala (4,460 m) and then upward to the pass. The final ascent to Larke La (5,106 m) is a test of willpower. Reaching the summit, marked by fluttering prayer flags, provides a view of Himlung Himal, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II. The descent is steep and long, leading us down to the beautiful valley of Bhimthang.

Trek Time: 7–8 Hours | Distance: 14 km.

After the frozen world of the pass, the return of trees and warmth feels like a miracle. We descend through massive rhododendron forests, crossing glacial streams. The oxygen levels rise, and the walking becomes easier. Gho is a quiet settlement nestled in the forest.

Trek Time: 3 Hours | Drive: 4–5 Hours.

A short trek takes us to Tilche, a village famous for its local apple brandy. We then reach Dharapani, where we join the main road. From here, we take a Jeep to Besisahar, leaving the high mountains behind and entering the lower hills of the Lamjung district.

Drive Time: 6–7 Hours.

We drive back to Kathmandu via the Prithvi Highway. The luxury of a hot shower at Hotel Roadhouse awaits. In the evening, Art Nepal Treks hosts a Farewell Dinner to celebrate your achievement and share memories of the trail.

After a final breakfast, we provide a private transfer to the airport. You leave with a heart full of memories and a soul touched by the spirit of Manaslu.