Manaslu Expedition

This is the day to meet other team members, complete official and government formalities, and finalize gear check and load. Upon your interest, an optional Kathmandu sightseeing can be arranged on these days. We will have a trip orientation and your trip leader will give you a brief about your climb before we head on our journey.

After breakfast, it’s an early drive today for Philim. Along the way, we enjoy views of Nepal’s colorful rural landscapes along with the mountain scenery.

We start our hiking by descending a chain of stone steps to the river, then we climb a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where we can see the impressive Sringi Himal (7187m). The path splits, with the right-hand branch heading off towards the Ganesh Himal while crossing the river at Gata Khola. Our route continues upstream, through a gorge with tall walls. We cross the river thrice in the next two hours to avoid difficult valley sides and then climb up over a further steep spur to reach the village of Deng.

Today we cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb to Rana. We climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley. The trail also passes through forests and mani where we turn towards a corner that contours to Ghap. Despite an alternative route, we take the route through Prok village. Prok village has a viewpoint for a beautiful sight of Sringi Himal. The trail follows the river upstream through a dense forest. After crossing the river at an impressive spot where it gushes down a narrow gorge, the forest becomes less dense and the trail is all right again. The pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb, we reach the village of Namrung.

After leaving the village of Namrung behind, we follow the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. As we continue on the main trail, we soon reach the fields of Sama Gaon, 3500m. We reach Sama Gompa, 20 minutes beyond the village, and Samdo, which is close-up to the Tibetan border.

This is a day at Samagaon for rest and acclimatization. Today we get to discover some interesting things about Buddhist culture.

We will start our trek early in the morning. We will carry plenty of food and water. The trail from Samagaon takes us through the forest. We will ascend the steep slope above Samagaon to the north of the Manaslu glacier. It will take approx. 5 hours of uphill trek and 3 hours of decent to reach Manaslu Base Camp.

We take rest so that we can mentally and physically prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead of climbing Manaslu Mountain. Puja Ceremony will be organized according to the Sherpa ritual to ask for blessings for the successful ascend of the mountain.

We will make frequent attempts to high camps and return to lower camps which is an essential step towards increasing altitude. We will make a slow ascend through the steep sections of moraines and glaciers. We will prepare 4 camps before climbing to the summit.

Base Camp to Camp I (5700 m):

After a few days of acclimatization and training in Base Camp of Manaslu, we will make ascend to Camp I via the rugged path consisting of moraine and glacier. The trail stretches through crevassed glaciers and small ice steps to reach Camp I. The site offers epic views of the surrounding mountains. We can also view the route that we are going to follow to Camp IV.

Camp I to Camp II (6400 m):

Climbing from Camp I to Camp II is a bit technical in nature. The trail progresses through the longer sections of vertical snow and ice. We will move forward by cutting small ice steps and the expert Sherpas will set up fixed ropes on exposed sections for your safety. Climbing from Camp I to Camp II may take anywhere between 4 to 6 hrs.

Camp II to Camp III (6900 m):

The route from Camp II to Camp III is mostly straightforward. It takes 5 to 7 hrs of a moderately steep climb to reach Camp III from Camp II. We will proceed through small ice steps and slopes to reach the camp.

Camp III to Camp IV:

Another 5 to7 hrs of the strenuous climb from Camp III will be enough to take us to Camp IV. We will take proper rest and prepare for the final climb to the summit. Camp IV to Summit and return to Base Camp: Climbing to the summit is not technical but it demands great physical strength. Also, the increased altitude will propose additional challenges. Sherpas will fix the cables wherever necessary to ensure the successful ascend to the summit. Finally, we will climb on top of the eighth highest mountain in the world. We will capture the memories on camera and then prepare ourselves for a long descent to the Base Camp. We will celebrate the successful climb and stay overnight in Base Camp.

Today we arrange for proper disposal of the garbages that we had made at the Base Camp site and then we will retrace our route back to Samagaon where we will stay overnight.

Today we trek to Dharamsala or we can leave for Kathmandu by taking a helicopter flight back. We will take a scenic flight from Samagaon to Kathmandu. You will be transferred to your hotel after arrival in Kathmandu. Take leisure and soothe your aching limbs from a long and tiring expedition.

An early morning start is needed for what is to be a particularly tough and extended day. We start at approx. 4 am to avoid the gale-force wind which usually gains in strength after mid-day at the pass. After a long gradual climb alongside a moraine, we make a short descent to a glacial lake and reach the head of the moraine (4700m) which we cross to climb to the ridge top. Four frozen lakes lie below and then it is up to the crest of the Larkya La (5100m). The reward for these difficult trekking conditions is brilliant westerly views of Himlung Himal, Kangurru, and Annapurna II as well as the looming omnipresence of Manaslu. Well, the descent is hardly any easier; we drop around 650m in less than an hour.

Today is the last day of our trip as we hike down to the village of Dharapani at 1860 meters.

We take a bus to Kathmandu.

Free day to spend, perhaps doing shopping or sightseeing the heritages in or around the valley.

Our Airport Representative will drop you at the International Airport as per your flight schedule.