Manaslu Expedition - 36 Days

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, members are received by the Expedition Himalaya team and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day is kept free to rest after international travel or take a short walk nearby.

Today your climbing permits and official documentation will be completed, and you attend a detailed expedition briefing covering the route, acclimatization plan, safety procedures, and climbing period. You also visit selected UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Swayambhu Nath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. These sites reflect Nepal’s Hindu and Buddhist traditions, ancient art, and history. In the afternoon, you can visit Thamel, the main trekking market, for final equipment checks and last-minute shopping.  

You begin the journey to the west by private vehicle. The drive takes you along rivers, terraced farmland, and hill towns. As you move away from Kathmandu, the landscape becomes quieter and more rural. Besisahar is a busy town and the main gateway to trekking routes in this region.

The drive continues on mountain roads following river valleys and forested slopes. You pass small villages and waterfalls along the way. As altitude increases, the air becomes cooler. Dharapani sits at the meeting point of the Manaslu and Annapurna regions and marks your entry into the high mountain environment.

Today you will begin trekking. The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River, crossing suspension bridges and walking through pine and rhododendron forests. Stone houses, prayer flags, and mani walls appear along the route, showing strong Tibetan Buddhist influence. The day is steady and helps your body begin adapting to altitude.  

The trail climbs higher into alpine terrain. Forests slowly thin out, and open valleys appear. You begin to see snow-covered peaks and glacial landscapes. Bhimthang is a wide glacial basin surrounded by mountains and is an important place for acclimatization. The environment here feels remote and powerful.

You spend the day acclimatizing. Short walks to nearby ridges help your body adjust to the altitude. The rest of the day is spent resting, hydrating, and preparing for the higher sections ahead. This day is important for your safety and overall performance during the expedition.

This is one of the most demanding days of the trekking days. You start early and climb gradually toward Larke Pass, the highest point of the trekking route. From the pass, you see wide views of Manaslu, Himlung Himal, and surrounding peaks. After crossing the pass, you descend carefully to Samdo. Samdo is a traditional Tibetan-style village near the Tibetan border.  

You follow a gentle trail across open valleys and yak pastures toward Sama Gaun. This village is one of the most important settlements in the region. You will see monasteries, Mani walls, and prayer flags throughout the village. Manaslu’s massive north face dominates the landscape above Sama Gaun/

The trail climbs gradually over rocky ground and glacial moraines. As you approach Base Camp, the terrain becomes more rugged and alpine. Manaslu Base Camp is set beneath the north face of the mountain, surrounded by glaciers and icefalls. This is where the expedition settles in and prepares for the climbing phase.

During this phase of the expedition, your time is focused on acclimatization rotations, load carrying, route preparation, and climbing activities. You move progressively between Base Camp and the higher camps to allow your body to adapt safely to extreme altitude while building familiarity with the route.

From Manaslu Base Camp (4,700 m), you carry loads to Camp I, then return to rest. As acclimatization improves, rotations extend higher, with overnight stays at Camp I and Camp II. This process strengthens your ability to function at altitude and prepares you for the final ascent.

Between each rotation, rest days are taken at Base Camp to allow recovery, hydration, and monitoring of health. Snow conditions, weather patterns, and individual performance are continuously assessed. Fixed ropes are installed on steeper and more technical sections of the route to secure ascent and descent.

A summit attempt is planned only when weather forecasts, snow stability, and team health align. The final ascent typically begins from Camp IV during the night or early morning to take advantage of stable conditions. Throughout the climbing period, decisions are made conservatively, with safety taking priority over summit objectives.

After completing the climb, you descend from Base Camp back to Sama Gaun. The lower altitude helps with recovery, and the familiar village provides comfort after time spent on the mountain.

You continue descending through forested trails and traditional villages. Namrung is known for its stone houses, Buddhist culture, and views of Manaslu and nearby peaks.

The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki River, passing waterfalls, suspension bridges, and terraced farmland. The climate becomes warmer as you lose altitude. Philim is a lively village with strong local character. 

This is the final trekking day. You walk through lower valleys and villages before reaching Machha Khola, where road access begins. The trek officially ends here.

You drive back to Kathmandu by private vehicle. One full day is kept as a leisure day to rest, explore the city, or enjoy personal time after the expedition.

Expedition Himalaya arranges your airport transfer for international departure. As you leave Nepal, the journey concludes with time to reflect on weeks spent in remote valleys, high camps, and on the slopes of Mount Manaslu. The expedition comes to a close with lasting memories of the mountain, the people, and the experience of climbing one of the world’s highest peaks.