A representative from Manaslu Tours will welcome you upon your arrival in Kathmandu and drive you to your hotel. To start your journey on a high note, we will host a welcome dinner in the evening featuring authentic Nepalese cuisine and a warm welcome drink.

• SWOYAMBHUNATH , also referred to as the monkey temple, is accessible by a steep set of steps and offers stunning views of Kathmandu.
• BOUDHANATH STUPA has many traditional gompas hung with strings of multi-colored prayer flags; it attracts many Sherpas and Tibetans for the circumambulations of the stupa (koras).
• PASHUPATINATH is a Hindu temple with burning ghats on the banks of the Bagmati River.
• KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE, which is one of the old capitals of the Kathmandu valley, has a blend of Hindu and Buddhist temples

After a nutritious breakfast, set off on a 5-hour drive to Gorkha Bazar. During the journey, marvel at the picturesque landscapes, cross over sparkling streams, and follow the winding banks of the Darundi Khola. In the evening, embark on an excursion to the historic Gorkha Durbar on a hilltop. From this vantage point, take in panoramic mountain views and bask in the warm glow of a breathtaking sunset.

After having a big breakfast this morning, drive along the Darundi Khola and Ranglung Khola to reach Barpak village. The drive from Ranglung Khola to Barpak is steep, but the destination is worth it. Barpak is a stunning village on a green ridge with stunning views of the misty valley below. You can attend a cultural performance in the evening that the villagers have organized, with the proceeds going toward improving the village. The towering Bouddha Himal, a high snow-capped peak, provides a beautiful backdrop for sunrise and sunset photos.

An early morning ascent in Barpak with Bouddha Himal as a stunning background begins. Three hours later, the peak of Pushu Dada (2,950m), which separates Laprak and Barpak, is reached and offers panoramic mountain views and sheep grazing on the hillside. The breathtaking sight spans the Bauddha Himal, Sringi Himal, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang ranges across the horizon. The surroundings are dotted with rhododendron forests in shades of pink and red, providing excellent photo opportunities with snow-capped peaks in the background. The journey ends at the NRNA-built New Model village of Gupsi Pakha.

Today, the journey continues along the ridges towards Rupina La, with challenging climbs and descents along the way. However, the stunning views throughout the day help to alleviate the physical strain. The night is spent in Nirtse Kharka.

Rupina La Phedi is a base camp located at the bottom of a vast circus, reached by crossing several torrents and following a rocky path along the Seko Khola. This location serves as a stopping point for trekkers preparing to cross a mountain pass, and spending the night here allows for proper acclimatization before continuing the ascent the next day.

This morning, the group embarked on a difficult hike, crossing a high-altitude pass (4,710 meters) for the first time. The climb up the pass was steep and challenging, with a poorly marked path, but upon reaching the top, the group was greeted with a stunning panoramic view of the Himal Buddha, Khutang, Shringi, and Ganesh Himal mountain ranges. The descent was even more difficult, particularly for the carriers, as it involved navigating down a steep slope and crossing alpine peat bogs. The group spent the night camping under tents.

This passage describes a day of trekking towards the Buddhi Gandaki valley in Nepal, with the Ganesh Himal range becoming increasingly visible to the east. The trek involves crossing part of the Chilung Glacier and following a path alternately between climbs and descents. The day ends with the arrival at Gay Kharka, a small settlement in the area.

This passage describes a trek along a path that leads to the bottom of a valley. The trekker stops at the Nyak Gompa, located at an altitude of 2,300 meters, which provides a peaceful respite from the outside world. The most rugged part of the trek ends at this point. The trekker rejoins the main route other groups have taken after navigating one more rocky section and sets up camp for the night under a tent.

We switch back steeply to the small and impoverished village of Lana, where the women often have their looms set up. After trekking through beautiful pine woods and crossing a small bridge, we reach Bihi Phedi, with its good shop and views of the Kutang Himal. We start to see "mani stones" (prayer inscriptions on rocks), which indicate that we are entering one of the small Tibetan communities that dot the high Himalayas. We have three to four hours of trekking ahead of us, crossing the Budi Gandaki River twice and smaller tributary streams twice. We will remain mostly high, with many ascents and descents as we move through the gorge, enjoying the spectacular views. Finally, we will reach Ghap and set up camp for the night at the house of some friendly villagers.

Today's trek is a magnificent adventure. We depart from Ghap and ascend for an hour through a dense, cool forest, crossing the Budi Gandaki River via a wooden bridge and climbing smooth stone steps until we reach Namrung, located at an altitude of 2540 meters. As we continue to climb, we enter alpine terrain and are rewarded with sweeping mountain views. Tibetans who speak a western Tibetan dialect live in the region of Nubri, which starts with Namrung village. A few hours later, we arrive at Lihi, a village located at 2840 meters above sea level, which houses an ancient gompa and is surrounded by fields of barley guarded by "bear watches.". Our trek continues at a gentle pace, and we soon cross a large stream flowing from the Lidanda Glaciers to reach the picturesque Tibetan village of Sho, located at 3000 meters, where we stop for lunch. After an hour, we will reach Lho, where we are greeted with stunning views of Manaslu.

As we walk through the upper reaches of Lho, with the majestic peaks of Manaslu in the distance, we come across the new gompa and then ascend through a light forest next to a small river to reach the idyllic Tibetan settlement of Shayla, where the villagers are often working in the fields. A few more hours of trekking through classic alpine scenery takes us past Tibetan grazing settlements, with the trail to Pung Gyan Gompa branching off to the left. We eventually reach Sama Gaon, passing through checkered fields of barley and potatoes. The people of Sama Gaon are descendants of Tibetans who settled here over 500 years ago. The Tibetan villages in this region of Manaslu are characterized by their distinctive entrance gates (manes). They maintain active trade with their Tibetan co-religionists over several nearby high passes. On a clear day, you may see village women weaving wool from Tibet into gowns, then trading back to Tibet. Spend the afternoon exploring the old Gompa settlement above the town and wandering the streets of the intriguing Samagaon village.

Hike to Birendra lake and Manaslu Base Camp (2–3 hours walking)

Another day of breathtaking mountain views awaits us as we embark on a leisurely three-hour trek to Samdo, passing through the rugged birch forests of the Himalayas. On the way, we come across the long mani walls at Kermo Kharka and eventually spot the entrance chorten of Samdo, perched high on a bluff. After descending to the Bhudi Gandaki and crossing a small bridge, we face another brief ascent to reach the "kane" entrance of Samdo. In the last village, we can visit a small home gompa, located in a house, where several reincarnated lamas are performing a puja. The evenings can be chilly, so we recommend stopping by the tea house next door to our campsite for a cup of warming salt-butter tea to combat the cold.

We set out from Samdo and followed the old trade route toward Tibet. After crossing a bridge, we ascend through the remnants of Larkya Bazaar, a once-thriving trade market. As we climb for three hours past glaciers, the panoramic views become increasingly stunning. Our destination is the campsite at Dharamsala, the high camp for the Larkya La pass. Here, we take a lunch break and savor the breathtaking vistas. The altitude and cold can be intense, so we suggest taking it easy in the afternoon and staying warm. We will have an early dinner to prepare for our journey over the Larkya La Pass tomorrow.

After ascending from Dharamshala, we arrive at the ablation valley on the north side of the Larkya Glacier. Here, we can see Cho Danda and Larkya-La. We traverse the glacier's moraines, often through snow, with a gradual climb that becomes steeper towards the pass. The journey to the summit should take around four hours. The view from the top is breathtaking, with a panoramic view of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru, and the massive Annapurna II. Both sides of the pass offer equally stunning views. After hanging Tibetan prayer flags, we embark on a steep and sometimes slippery descent to a trail along the glacier's moraines. We'll take a lunch break on smooth rocks below the pass before continuing our descent, which will take another three hours to reach our campsite. The rocky descent eventually leads us to Bhimtang, making the journey well worth it.

The hardest part of the journey is over. We leave the Bhimtang valley, cross the river, and descend through the pine and rhododendron forests. One of the most beautiful transitions on the track.

Today marks the conclusion of our trek. We arrived at Tilije, a sizable community where the brave Gurung people live and serve in elite units of the British and Indian armies, after a 1.5-hour journey. Despite their military background, the Gurung are peaceful and grow delicious apples. Then, we descended for another 1.5 hours along the Dudh Khola River until it converged with the Marsyangdi River in Dharapani. After a 2-hour journey, we reached the charming village of Tal, where we will spend the night.

The drive from Tal to Kathmandu is an exciting and scenic journey that takes you through a range of landscapes. Starting from Tal, you'll descend down narrow roads, passing by small villages and farmland. The landscape gradually changes as you head towards Besisahar, the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit trek. The road then follows the Trishuli River, passing through the towns of Mugling and Narayanghat. After crossing the Trishuli River on a suspension bridge, the road climbs up towards the Kathmandu Valley, passing through suburbs and residential areas before arriving in the heart of the city. This journey covers a distance of around 200 km and takes around 9–10 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Along the way, you'll have ample opportunities to take in the stunning scenery and experience the diverse cultures and landscapes of Nepal.''.

Today, we have a free day to explore the vibrant city of Kathmandu on our own. You may want to spend the day indulging in some souvenir shopping, wandering around the colorful streets and bazaars, or enjoying the local cuisine. You could also visit some of the popular tourist attractions in the city, such as Bhaktapur or Patan, which showcase Nepal's rich cultural and historical heritage. Alternatively, you could engage in other activities like hiking, biking, or adventure sports, or simply relax and rejuvenate in one of the city's many spas and wellness centers. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to soak up the unique sights, sounds, and flavors of this wonderful city.

Today, we will transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for our departure. After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we will gather our belongings and make our way to the airport. We will ensure that we reach the airport well in time to complete all the necessary formalities and board our flight. Before we bid farewell to this enchanting country, take one last look at the breathtaking views of the Himalayas and take a moment to appreciate the warm hospitality and kindness of the Nepalese people. This marks the end of our tour, and we hope you had a memorable and enjoyable time in Nepal.