Your holiday starts at the hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the immediate vicinity of the hotel and get acclimatised to this bustling city. Alternatively, you may prefer to recover from your journey by relaxing beside the hotel pool. Your guide will take dinner with you and will provide an informal briefing about the days ahead.

A day to recover from our journey and an opportunity to see the sights of the Nepal capital. In the morning we have arranged a guided tour of some of the city's most important and colourful sights. Kathmandu is a fascinating mix of Hindu and Buddhist religions where an ancient and traditional culture provides an anchor for the emerging modern Asia. Those of us who have previously visited Kathmandu may wish to reacquaint themselves with particular places or to wander through the bazaars. The afternoon is free for further independent sightseeing or to buy those last minute items of equipment from the plethora of gear shops in Thamel or to simply relax in the gardens of the hotel. In the meantime our office staff will be completing the final paperwork for the group's trekking permits.

After breakfast in the hotel we board our bus for the drive through the foothills of the Himalaya following the Trisuli River to its confluence with the Burhi Gandakhi where we turn north to reach large village of Arughat Bazaar (670m). Clustered on both sides of the river, and linked by a suspension bridge, this is the largest settlement in the valley. Continuing northwards on a dirt road alongside the river we pass through several villages enroute to our overnight lodge at Macchu Khola (900m).

We cross the tributary river that gives its name to Machha Khola and head upstream to the tiny village of Kholabensi and the hot springs at Tatopani, where it is possible to stop for a wash. The valley sides become steeper and steeper, until they are impassable and the route then switches to the true left bank of the river by way of a suspension bridge. After a short section of forest path we reach some tea-houses at Doban, a good place to stop for lunch. Above Doban, the Burhi Gandaki descends an impressive series of rapids. Beyond this steep section, the river is much more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed. We have a short, sharp climb to Louri, where we cross the Vana river on a suspension bridge and in a further hour we reach our next lodge in the pretty village of Jagat (1410m) with its paved street and lots of colourful flowers.

Our trekking permits are checked in Jagat, before we descend a long series of stone steps to the river and then climb a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where we can see Sringi Himal (7187m) in the distance. At Gata Khola, we cross the river on a large suspension bridge and climb steeply to Philim which we should reach after 3 hours trekking. In a further hour we reach Chisopani which is a good place to stop for lunch. The trail now proceeds across the hillside on a contouring path with stunning views to another bridge with a nearby waterfall. We are now entering a more alpine zone with pine trees in evidence. The trail passes the junction for the steep trail to Nyak on the left and shortly after enters a dramatic section of gorge where the trail climbs up and down across the vegetated walls of the canyon. In places, the trail is cut into the sheer cliff walls and it is cooler now, with occasional views of Ganesh lV. Crossing to the northeast side of the river we have a short climb before an easier contouring stage to the next bridge where we cross back to the southwest and climb up through Phewa to the lodges of Deng (1900m).

From Deng we descend for around 20 minutes to the river and steeply climb again for a further 20 minutes to Rana. An hour further, with a fair amount of up and down, we arrive at Bihi. Beyond the village we cross the Serang Khola and climb again on a trail which rises high above the main Burhi Gandakhi. The valley is still steep-sided and most impressive and we begin to see mani stones (prayers etched onto wayside rocks), a sure sign that we are entering an area influenced by Buddhism. After approximately 2.5 hours walking from Bihi, we reach village of Ghap (2040m), which straddles the river across a relatively short wooden bridge. For the first time, we can see that there is a strong Tibetan influence at this village. The trekking is pleasantly cool now, as we start to gain height and enter the alpine forest of pines and juniper with the occasional clearing giving glimpses of snowy mountains. The valley is now becoming steeper with ravines and water cascades. We cross the river again and begin a long climb with some steep staircases up to the village of Namrung (2630) which we should reach in approximately 3 hours from Ghap.

After a couple of long days we now have a shorter one, trekking as far as Lho where we are above the 3000 metre contour and therefore need to restrict our daily altitude gain. Beyond Namrung the valley opens out and there are quite extensive barley fields and pastures as we trek through the village of Banjam. Climbing quite steeply, we reach the picturesque village of Lihi (2920m). We cross a large stream flowing down from the Lidanda Glacier, and pass through the Tibetan village of Sho. Just above this village we get a splendid view of Manaslu North and then of Manaslu itself straight ahead. We should reach our destination Lho (3150m) after approximately 3 to 4 hours of trekking and we will probably opt to take lunch in our destination lodge today. Lho is a large village with a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens, mani walls and a very ornate white stupa. The twin peaks of Manaslu now dominate our view but Ganesh 1 is also visible looking back the way we have come and to the northeast is a most impressive wall of rock rising to the snow capped summit of Saula (6235), part of the Kutang Himal. We can take the afternoon as a well earned rest day or it is possible to climb to a viewpoint above the village for unobstructed views of Manaslu, Manaslu North and Naike Peak.

Leaving Lho, we follow the right bank of the river, with views of Ngadi Chuli ahead. A couple of hours climbing through the forest with occasional stream crossings on log bridges brings us to the village of Shala which commands a superb panorama of Phungi, Manaslu and Himal Chuli. Descending the main trail, we cross the outflow from the Punggen Glacier and than climb beside the torrent to a ridge. We now have the luxury of downhill trekking for a while but soon we reach the fields of Sama Gaon and in a further 20 minutes we arrive at impressive Sama Gompa (monastery). There are breathtaking views from here of the granite pyramid of Manaslu. The altitude at Sama is 3520 metres and this is as far as we shall go today. It will take around 3 to 4 hours to reach here from Lho so as yesterday, we will most likely wait until we reach our lodge here before taking lunch. The afternoon is again free to relax, catch up on diaries or for a walk above the village.

Samagoan is a good place to spend two nights. A day here will boost our state of acclimatisation and we have the option to take a hike above the village for improving views of Manaslu's striking summit pinnacle.

The Burhi Gandaki is now quite small compared to the raging river we followed at the beginning of the trek. Leaving Sama Gaon, we continue to follow its course ever upwards heading north once again and there are now excellent mountain prospects around every turn of the trail. Manaslu which is now behind us, is particularly impressive from the meadows at Kermo Kharka which also marks the start of the trail to Manaslu Base Camp. After crossing to the east bank of the river, we reach Somdu (3860m), the last permanent settlement in the valley. This very remote village was established in the 1950's by refugees from Tibet and is only a day’s walk from the border over the Lajyang La. Just 3 hours walking but an altitude gain of 340 metres is as much as we want to do for comfort and so we check into a lodge here.

We have scheduled a second acclimatisation day of the trip here at Somdu. The next stop on the trail after Somdu is at 4450 metres and spending a couple of nights at 3860 metres will prepare us for this height gain. Spending the day at Somdu also gives us the opportunity to explore the village, its gompa and the surrounding area. In general it is good for our acclimatisation to climb high during the day and then come back down to sleep and there is a terrific, but steep and strenuous, climb up the ridge behind the village which, depending how far you go, gives an increasingly impressive panorama of the area.

Leaving Somdu we cross the stream which runs down from the Gya La, another pass crossing into Tibet. We pass the ruins of another village here (known as Larkya Bazaar) which once had a thriving trade with Tibet over the nearby passes. Nearing the Larkya Glacier, we reach Duwang (4450m) also known as Dharamsala, where there is a small and quite basic lodge (at 4450m). This place is also referred to as Larkya Phedi which means the 'foot of Larkya' and this is where the climb to the Larkya La begins. We check into the lodge but we may also opt to stay in tents here and eat in the lodge. It is less than 6 kilometres of walking today but at this altitude we need to take things slow and it will take 3 to 4 hours to reach our overnight stop.

An early (pre-dawn) start for the longest day of the trip. There is an initial, short climb above the lodge to reach the ablation valley on the north side of the Larkya Glacier and from here it is a steady plod upwards. We pass small frozen lakes and there are views of Cho Danda and then of Larkya Peak. We cross boulder fields and crest several ridge lines making for frustrating 'false tops' until finally after around 4 hours of ascent from the lodge, we see the summit cairn and its lines of fluttering prayer flags. If you have any breath left at this point, the view will take it all away. The incredible panorama of Himalayan peaks include Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II. There is usually a chill wind blowing at this altitude (5135m) and so we are unlikely to want to stop long here. Initially, there is a steep descent which is likely to be over snow and then scree, to reach the ablation valley trail leading to Dangboche Kharka, a good place to stop and rest before continuing the descent to the welcome lodges of Bimthang (3700m), located in a broad and level ablation valley. A long, hard but ultimately rewarding day's trekking in the Himalaya.

Crossing the high pasture of Bimthang, we now descend the valley of the Burdin Khola to the area of the basecamp for the west side of Manaslu. From a ridge at 4150 metre, we have excellent views of Manaslu to the south-east and Annapurna II to the south-west. Beyond a bridge over the headwaters of the Dudh Khola, we descend into a beautiful forest of cedar, birch and rhododendron and follow a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land in this valley, at Karche. Then, beyond the low ridge of the Karche La, we can look ahead into a green and heavily forested valley which drops down to the distant Marsyangdi River. We descend through more forests of fir and rhododendron through the villages of Gho (2515m) and Tilje (2300m). Crossing the stream beyond Tilje we now walk on a dirt road with Dharapani in the Maryangdi Valley - the end of our long day's walk - in sight below. Beyond Thonje village we drop down to cross the Marsyangdi River then climb a series of stone steps to the bustling town of Dharapani (1900m) on the Annapurna Circuit and check into one of the many lodges. Most people staying here will be just beginning their trek around the Annapurnas and we will look a very wild bunch to these clean low-land trekkers!

The road which is steadily being pushed up the Marsyangdi Valley has reached Dharapani but travelling by jeep from here would be not much faster and infinitely less comfortable than walking. We follow an alternative trail down to the village of Tal (1700m), which is the last Buddhist settlement in the valley located in a unexpectedly flat plain where the rushing river pauses before plummeting headlong again down the valley. Beyond Tal we follow an old trail on the east bank while the road takes the west bank. Arriving at Chamje trail and road come together for the final steep section down to Jagat (1300m) which marks the end of our trekking. We check into a lodge here and will no doubt have an end of trek celebration this evening.

We make the return drive to Kathmandu, first descending the Marsyangdi on the jeep road in 4X4 vehicles to the start of the paved road at BesiSahar. Here we change to more comfortable transportation, boarding our bus or minibus to continue the journey. We travel on winding roads down the Marsyangdi Valley to its confluence with the Trisuli River where we meet the main Pokhara to Kathmandu road. Arriving in Kathmandu in the late afternoon we check into the hotel and have free time for relaxing or independent sightseeing before heading out to the bars and restaurants of Thamel for another celebration dinner.

Your holiday ends after breakfast. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. To extend your holiday in Nepal, why not pre-book a day's sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a multi-day excursion to the wildlife reserve at Chitwan. Contact our office for details.