Manaslu Beyul

Day 0 - early arrival

Arrive early to recover from long flights, shop and to sightsee.

Day 1 - Monday 13 October 2025 - Arrive Kathmandu

We meet you at Kathmandu airport, transfer to the hotel and now you can relax. If everyone has arrived then we have a briefing this evening.

2 - Kathmandu 1350m

The office gets the permits today while you have a morning sightseeing. Alternatively, we have a briefing this evening. Perhaps dinner at Bauddha?

3 - drive Barpak 2000m

Starting early, after a bumpy day of driving, we reach this village that few trekkers visit now. We stay in a simple guesthouse with attached bathrooms.

4 - drive Mamche, trek Singla 2285m 5-6 hrs

We begin with a rough 1 hour jeep drive up to the Mamche viewpoint, hopefully beating the clouds for a Himalayan panorama with the Manaslu and Ganesh peaks. Then the trekking begins through villages that see few trekkers. Perhaps an early lunch at Laprak, fuel for the coming strenuous hill and descents.

5 - trek Korla Besi 890m 4-5 hrs

Starting early, we descend and descend, use a trekking pole or two to be kind to your knees. We probably reach our guesthouse for lunch, so a shorter day's trekking, phew. It is steamy down here, reward yourself with a cold "sports recovery beverage" (beer).

6 - trek Salleri 1333m 7-8 hrs

Back on the main Manaslu Circuit, we start early and enjoy the shade, already out of sync with most groups. It is an action-packed day dodging a waterfall and crossing a side stream, then ducking off the jeep track to pass through pleasant villages on the other side of the Budhi Gandaki. Admire the sheer valley walls. Most trekkers stop as busy Jagat, we continue another half an hour to quaint Salleri.

7 - trek Nyak / Pewa 1870m 5 hrs

We soon cross to the other side, leaving the rough, as yet undriveable road behind. Partly in the shade, we pass through Philim and small settlements, crossing back only at the turnoff to the Tsum Valley. The real village of Nyak is a climb above the main trail so perhaps we stay at Pewa.

8-12 - Beyul

For this five day section, our itinerary is better not publicised although it is spectacular with broad vistas and mountain peaks, great primary forest, surprising trails, and one of the best experiences of the trek. We do have a rest day and should see some wildlife too!

13 - trek Lho 3180m

Back to the main trail, we stay at this lively, busy village.

14 - trek Shyala 3480m

Do wake early (5:30am or so) for the famed golden sunrise, conveniently watched from the lodge deck. Leaving, we climb to the gompa school and then it is only an hour to where we stay, so a day for some recovery while basking in the breathtaking mountain views. Alternatively (and we can split the team), trek up Pung Gyen 4030m to stay at the cute, basic teahouse there.

15 - trek Sama 3520m

On the main trail, Sama is less than an hour and a half away but don't miss the side trip to Pung Gyen with its in your face mountains (or alternatively stay there).

16 - rest Sama 3520m (/ trek Samdo 3875m)

As the many days trekking catch up with us, this can be a rest day, or check out Birendra Tal (Lake). Why not rest in Samdo instead? We are probably acclimatized enough that one night in cold Samdo or Larkya Bazar is enough and therefore a rest day in Sama might be more pleasant.

17 - trek Samdo 3875m / Larkya Bazar 3920m

This is a 3 hour walk but with the strenuous option of climbing up to Manaslu Base Camp (no lodge/teahouse or shop en route). Between Pung Gyen and Manaslu BC, I recommend Pung Gyen but if you have the energy, trek to both!

Samdo has an interesting history, an entire Tibetan village fled the Chinese invasion and settled here.

Most trek groups take a rest at Samdo and a few people trek up to one of the passes to Tibet, or at least try to get up there. They are strenuous day trips and I suggest Manaslu BC and Pung Gyen are better options.

18 - trek Dharmasala 4460m 3-4 hrs

We are really in alpine terrain and the mountain views continue. If you want to explore en route, take a packed lunch.

19 - trek Bimtang 3590m via Larkya La 5160m 8-9 hrs

Leaving early, the trail starts gently enough but is a long, tough and hugely rewarding day as we cross the pass.

20 - trek Gho / Karche / Tilje

While many groups hammer out, we can take our time on the descent by staying en route, probably at Gho.

21 - trek Tilje, drive Pokhara

We descend to the roadhead then jump in jeeps and drive to Besi Sahar. From here, we take the quick road to Pokhara and recover in the warmth there.

22 - Pokhara

We have a day for recovery, cleaning up, relaxing and shopping. (This is also a possible weather day, and could be used on trek instead.)

23 - fly Kathmandu

Do we catch the sunrise from nearby or just have a sleep in? We take an afternoon flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. You could risk flying out of Kathmandu late tonight. Note most Manaslu treks do NOT go via Pokhara, and instead drive all the way back to Kathmandu. Our Pokhara itinerary involves less driving and is Jo's preferred trip end.

Day 24 - Wednesday 5 November - depart

You are free to fly out any time today.

Annapurna Circuit extension

As the trek ends on the Annapurna Circuit, there is the option to continue over the Thorong La to complete the Annapurna Circuit. Discuss, if this appeals.