Mt. Manaslu (8,163m) Expedition -38 Days

Our journey to Manaslu begins in Kathmandu, so you will have to arrive in Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will pick you up and drive you to the hotel, where you will stay overnight. The drive will only take 20-30 minutes. Then, you will check into the 4-star category hotel and get refreshed from jet lag.

After some rest, we will convene to discuss the Mount Manaslu Expedition itinerary and other essential tips for successful climbing. You will also meet crew members and other climbers who will be joining you on this climbing expedition. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with everyone in the hotel hall.

Day 2 is the preparation day: equipment checks and preparations for the expedition. Because an expedition is both long and challenging, we ensure you have the right trekking and climbing equipment, proper fittings, and all the essentials you’ll need for a safe and successful journey. After checking your gear and doing the final packing, we will take you on a half-day UNESCO Heritage sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.

We’ll first visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of Nepal’s holiest Hindu sites. Here, you’ll get to explore the temple complex, see the sacred Bagmati River, and observe the spiritual traditions that take place around the temple, including open-air cremation. Afterward, we’ll head to Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), a peaceful hilltop shrine known for its prayer flags, expansive views of Kathmandu Valley, and resident monkeys.

After exploration, we will return to the hotel in the afternoon. You can shop for any missing gear or personal items before the adventure officially begins. Many shops in Thamel sell trek and expedition gear and equipment. Overnight in Kathmandu.

After an early breakfast in Kathmandu, we will begin our long drive toward Besisahar. The journey takes about 7 hours and follows the Prithvi Highway. The drive passes through several major landmarks such as Swayambhu, Kalanki, Thankot, Naubise, Mugling, Dumre, Paundi, Turture, and Bhoteodar before finally reaching Besisahar.

As we travel, you can enjoy beautiful views of terraced fields, green hills, and flowing rivers. The good weather, the greenery, and clear skies make the journey even more enjoyable. We will stop somewhere along the way for lunch. Most of the road from Kathmandu to Besisahar is in good condition. That being said, about 25% can be off-road with winding sections.

We may also encounter traffic delays around Naubise and Mugling, especially during festival seasons such as Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath. Further, during the monsoon (June-August), some parts of the road may be prone to landslides, but outside the rainy season, the drive is usually smooth. After we reach Besisahar, we will check into a guesthouse, have dinner, and rest overnight.

In the morning, we will leave Besisahar and take a local jeep to Dharapani. The road from Besisahar to Dharapani is rough and bumpy. The drive takes about 4 hours and passes through villages like Nagdi, Bhulbhule, Sange, and Chame. We will reach Dharapani around lunchtime. From Dharapani, we will officially begin our trek towards the Manaslu region. After lunch in Dharapani, we will start our trek to Goa (also called Gho).

Before leaving Dharapani, we will register our Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit and Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit at the checkpost. Then we cross a bridge and begin trekking along the wide Manaslu Circuit Trail toward Goa. We will walk along the forest areas, small villages, and peaceful natural surroundings away from the city’s noise and pollution.

Along the way, we will also see beautiful views of Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli), Himal Chuli, Lamjung Himal, and other mountain peaks. This means the start of the trek will already start to surprise you, and many more surprises are awaiting. After a pleasant hike, we will finally reach Goa, where we will stay overnight in a cozy teahouse.

After an early-morning breakfast in Goa, we will continue our trek in the Manaslu region, heading to Bimthang. Bimthang is the base of the Larkya Pass. The trail from Goa to Bimthang takes us through subtropical forests and small rural villages where locals farm and raise livestock. Along the way, we may see herds of sheep, cows, and yaks grazing on the hillside. The first major village we reach is Toemro, where we can get a clear view of Mount Manaslu.

From there, we will continue walking alongside the flowing river. Then we will reach Karche and Yak Kharka. As we near Bimthang, the trail steepens and becomes more strenuous, so it can be tough on your legs. Once we arrive at Bimthang, we will rest at the teahouse and have dinner. Make sure to sleep early.

Day 5 is our first acclimatization day on the Manaslu climbing itinerary. Acclimatization helps our bodies adjust to higher altitudes. After breakfast, we will carry only personal gear and water and explore the trails around Bimthang. We will hike from Bimthang toward Larkya Pass (5,106 meters) as far as we can, then return to Bimthang for our second night at the teahouse. This hike is essential to reduce the risk of altitude sickness before tomorrow’s long trek over Larkya Pass.

We will also explore the nearby areas of Bimthang. Bimthang is known for its stunning natural beauty and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Locals often call this place “Bowl of Silver” because of the white mountains that encircle it. After exploring, we will return to the teahouse where we are staying and relax.

Today is going to be a tough day and involves long walking hours. We will cross the Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters), one of the high-altitude mountain passes. From Bimthang, we will start very early to avoid strong winds. The ascent to Larkya La is long and demanding. We will traverse the valley floor and gradually climb toward the pass’s base. The final section is a steep, slow climb up the ridge and snow slopes that leads to the prayer-flag-adorned summit.

From the top of the Larkya La, we will have spectacular views of Himlung Himal, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II. Later on, we will descend to Samdo. The path passes through a moraine wall and over rough, rocky terrain for a few hours. Then, it follows the Salka Khola valley, which feeds into the Budhi Gandaki River. It will be an easy downhill walk across open meadows and yak pastures.

Before we reach Samdo, we will pass Larkya Bazaar, the old trading hub. After 9/10 hours of walking, we will eventually reach Samdo, where we will rest overnight. Samdo is a historically important Tibetan refugee village where one can enjoy views of Manaslu and Samdo Peak.

Following the Mount Manaslu Expedition itinerary, on day 8, after an early morning tea, we will trek towards Samagaun. It is the last day of the trek before reaching Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 meters). Today’s walk is easy and descends slightly from Samdo. Samagaun is a traditional village with ancient monasteries, Mani walls, and chortens. These chortens are believed to protect the village from evil spirits.

From Samagaun, we get a close-up view of the majestic Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world. The villagers here grow crops like buckwheat and potatoes as staple foods. When we arrive at Samagaun, we will visit Sama Gompa Monastery, where we can learn about the spiritual practices and traditions of the area. After exploring the village and monastery, we will settle in at a teahouse in Samagaun for an overnight stay.

On day 9, we will reach Manaslu Base Camp, which is the midpoint of the Manaslu expedition. We will gain significant altitude this day. The path opens up to wide, exposed slopes as you walk higher from Samagaun. The trail climbs above the forested slopes of Samagaon and moves toward the northern side of the Manaslu Glacier. It becomes steeper towards the end and passes along the Manaslu Glacier.

Once at the Base Camp, we will settle into camp for the night. Here, you can relax, enjoy the scenery, and soak in the unique atmosphere of being at the base of the world’s eighth-highest mountain. Overnight stay is at Manaslu Base Camp.

Over the next few days, we will stay at Manaslu Base Camp to rest, acclimatize, and prepare for the higher sections of the expedition. We take short walks around the area to help our bodies adjust to the high altitude.

These days give you a chance to enjoy the stunning mountain views, observe the glacier up close, and get ready for the next stage of the expedition. Even while staying at Base Camp, the scenery and high-altitude environment make this a truly memorable part of the journey.

Days from 13 to 31 are allocated for the Manaslu climbing attempt, which includes acclimatization rotations, load carrying, route fixing, summit attempt, and descent. During this period, we focus on moving safely between camps to adapt to high altitude and changing mountain conditions. The trail continues through hanging glaciers and icefalls. We will dedicate the first few days to the rotation of camps. Rotation of camps is necessary to properly acclimatize us to high altitude. We will set up four high camps before we reach the summit.

Base Camp (4,800m) to Camp I (5,700m)

After proper acclimatization, we begin our first rotation toward Camp I. The trail is slippery as we need to walk through the Larkya glacier. We may need to fix ropes at a few points to cross crevasses. Camp I is located in a sheltered area protected from the wind. It takes about 4-5 hours to climb through the quite broken glacier to Camp I. From here, climbers can clearly see the route ahead toward the upper camps.

Camp I (5,700m) to Camp II (6,400m)

After proper acclimatization, we begin our first rotation toward Camp I. The trail is slippery as we need to walk through the Larkya glacier. We may need to fix ropes at a few points to cross crevasses. Camp I is located in a sheltered area protected from the wind. It takes about 4-5 hours to climb through the quite broken glacier to Camp I. From here, climbers can clearly see the route ahead toward the upper camps.

Camp II (6,400m) to Camp III (6,800m)

This is a shorter but physically challenging section due to altitude. The climb from Camp II to Camp III usually takes 2–3 hours, gaining about 400 meters in elevation. The route follows snow shelves and moderately steep slopes before reaching Camp III, which is set on a broad snow col.

Camp III (6,800m) to Camp IV (7,400m)

From Camp III, the route climbs directly up the steep northeast face, passing through short ice sections before reaching a long upper snow slope. This section takes 5–7 hours and is physically demanding. Camp IV is established at around 7,400m and serves as the summit camp. Due to extreme altitude and exposure, climbers spend minimal time here before attempting the summit.

Camp IV (7,400m) to Summit (8,163m)

Summit day begins very early. The route follows rolling snow slopes with several steep sections, often involving deep snow. After 5–6 hours, climbers reach a resting point just below the true summit, where oxygen systems and ropes are checked. From here, fixed ropes are used to climb the final narrow and corniced ridge. Reaching the summit of Mount Manaslu (8,163m) is the ultimate reward.

Return to Base Camp (4,800m)

After a successful summit, climbers descend carefully back to Camp IV, usually within 1–2 hours. If conditions allow, the descent continues to Camp II on the same day. The following day, we returned to Base Camp. An additional 1–2 days are required to clear the mountain and remove all high camps. Once Base Camp is fully dismantled, preparations begin for the trek back.

Today, we will leave Manaslu Base Camp and follow the same trail back down to Samagaun that we took earlier. The walk is much easier than the climb up, and the path offers beautiful views of the glacier, valley, and surrounding mountains. As we descend, the air becomes thicker and makes the walk comfortable.

After a 5-hour hike, we will return to Samagaun. This familiar village feels welcoming after many days in the high mountains. We will settle into a teahouse, enjoy a warm meal, and rest for the night.

Attractions of the Day: Back to Kathmandu, Thamel streets
We will take about 4 days to return to Kathmandu from Samagaun. Most of the return is downhill, so the trek feels comfortable. We will retrace the familiar trail through forests, villages, and river valleys until we reach the road-access point that is Dharapani or Besisahar.

Then, from either Dharapani or Besisahar, we will take a long drive back to Kathmandu. If we return through the other route, we may drive out via Aarughat instead. For those who have arranged a helicopter, there is also the option to fly directly from Samagaun to Kathmandu, which takes only a short time. After reaching Kathmandu, we check into a 4-star hotel and get some rest after completing the long expedition.

This is a flexible buffer day in Kathmandu. Spend the day as you like. You can relax at your hotel. You can go shopping in Thamel, where you can buy souvenirs and handicrafts. If you are interested, we can also arrange a guided sightseeing tour of UNESCO World Heritage sites. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with the expedition team to celebrate the successful completion of the expedition. Share the experience you get to feel throughout the expedition as well. Overnight at the hotel.

Depending on your flight time, we will transfer you to the airport. Our team will assist with your departure and wish you a safe journey home. We hope to welcome you back to Nepal again.