Am: After breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City. It includes visit to the Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu Durbar Square) – an ancient durbar (palace) with its numerous old palaces, temples and pagodas, the Temple of Living Goddess “Kumari”, and the Kasthamandap Temple, which is believed to be constructed from the wood of a single tree from which Kathmandu derives its name.

In addition also visit   the Boudhanath Stupa – an ancient colossal stupa and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world and the Pashupatinath Temple- the Temple of Lord Shiva situated on the bank of the holy Bagmati River.

Pm: After lunch drive up to the Swayambhunath Stupa situated atop a hill from where you could get a bird’s eye view of Kathmandu Valley. The Swayambhunath Stupa is also known as the “Monkey Temple”!!

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast start drive via Kathmandu – Pokhara Highway to Malekhu.  Leaving Highway continue to drive to Dhading Besi for lunch. After Dhading Besi bit rough to Arughat. We camp along side of Budigandaki River beyond the Arughat Bazar.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

Trek head north, following the Buri Gandaki. In the low country path surrounded by rice paddies and picturesque hamlets. After climbing briefly to Kyoropani, path descends once again to the river and our campsite at the confluence with the tributary of Soti Khola. It is not a long day, and perhaps we have time for a refreshing swim sometime during the day for it is hot in the low country.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

The country changes, the broad valley narrows and at times the trail is cut into the steep valley side, which is densely forested. We pass a number of small villages, tucked into the hillside, until we reach a widening of the valley, opposite the point where a large tributary stream enters the Buri Gandaki. The terraced farmland here belongs to the village of Lapu besi. Trek descend once again to the wide, sandy riverbed and follow a path, which runs below the steep, craggy valley side. At length, we have to climb up once again on a trail to Macha Khaola. We camp outside the village, which has a number of teashops.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

We cross the Machha Khola- Fish Stream- and head upstream to the tiny village of Khola Bensi and the hot springs at Tatopani (which I want to investigate). The valley sides steepen until they are impassable and the route then switches to the left bank by way of a suspension bridge. The trail is quite exposed and challenging in places. After a short section of forest path we reach the single tea house at Doban. Above Doban, the Buri Gandaki descends an impressive series of rapids. Beyond this steep section, the river is much more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed. At Lauri, were cross the river on a suspension bridge and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat, where we camp.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

After descending a long series of stone steps to the river, trek climb a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where we can see the impressive Sringi Himal, 7187m. Crossing the river again, at Gata Khola, the path splits, with the right–hand branch heading off towards the Mustang. Our route continues upstream, through a gorge section with towering walls. We cross the river three more times 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, where we camp.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

The valley is still steep- sided and most impressive. We cross to the village of Lana, and start to see mani stones, a sure signs that we are entering high country Buddhist regions. After only about four hours we reach our camping place at the village of Ghap, which straddles the river. We have entered the Tibetan areas and the cultural change is obvious, and the climate change is also obvious the trekking is pleasantly cool now, as we start to fain the altitude.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

We gain altitude to take us into alpine territory and increasing mountain views. There are more mani walls and 3 more crossing of the Buri Gandaki on our route to Namrung, where our permit is checked. Above this village the valley opens out and there are extensive pastures. Climbing climb gently now, and cross a large stream flowing down from the Lidanda Glaciers, and reach the Tibetan village of Sho, 3000m. we camp just above the village we get our first incredible views of the Manaslu North and then of Manaslu main ahead.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

Let the exploring start! We will discuss with locals what our best option is to get to the Gompa. Our sherpas reckon it could be a very nice walk to take the smaller direct trail…. We pass thru Lho, a large village at 3150m where there is a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens and manis. Looking back Ganesh I is visible. Leaving the village, we follow the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. At a fork in the trail, we take a detour to the left, which leads up to Honsansho Gompa and the Pungen Glaciers, from where there is a stunning view of Peak 29 and Manaslu. We will camp somewhere around here and explore and acclimatize for the next few days.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

Surrounded by mountains in a peaceful forest, we take a rest day to acclimatize and relax. It is a good time to catch up on that book or wash clothes.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

Now that we are more used to the altitude we take some time to have a good look around. We may camp higher in the valley.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

The once large Buri Gandaki is now merely a stream as we continue to follow its course ever upwards. Everywhere you look is mountains, as spectacular as they get and Manaslu is particularly impressive. After crossing to the East bank of the river, we reach the last permanent settlement in the valley which is called Sumdu. Above the village we cross the stream which runs down the Gya La (pass), the pass to Tibet, and there is the ruins of another village here known as Larkya Bazaa. Presumably this village thrived on trade with Tibet over the nearby Gya La, a trade which is now much diminished. Nearing the Larkya Glacier, we reach a lodge at 4450m which has been built to serve the travelers crossing the Larkya La.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

Still climbing we take an easy day to admire the mountains. We camp by a lake.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

Today we will skirt a moraine and climb up ridge, eventually ending up on top of the moraine at about 15,400 ft. Descends a bit, then make the final steep climb to the pass at 16,728 feet. From here the views are Tremendous example Himlung Himal (23,373ft), Cheo Himal (22,370 ft), Kang Guru (22,898ft), and Annapurna II (26,041ft), the descends follows, the top of the moraine to the west, then drops steeply and traverses scree slopes. We make a long shape of steep, rough switch back to cross the moraine there is a final long, steep, slippery decends and loose gravel to another grassy moraines at 14,596ft. Head down to a large meadow and a rest house at Vingtang 12,202ft. Situated in huge valley surrounded by high peaks this is a tough day which about 8~9hours of hiking.

Dinner and overnight at Camp

Descends through pine and rhododendron forests to Hompuk and down to a fork of the Dudh Khola, continue to Gho.

Dinner and overnight at Camp

The remainder of our trek follows the trail use on the first few days up the Classic Around Annapurna trek. Descends to the Marshyangdi River and cross the suspension bridge. Climb up and away from the river and Hike through a broad, flat valley to the village of Tal (5,494 ft), Situated at the foot of a large waterfall. Continue to Chyamje, re crossing the river once again descends through forest of Lali Guras and Salla to Syange.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

After breakfast meet a local public jeep and drive to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Beshishahar board into the waiting vehicle and drive to Kurintar for lunch. After lunch continue to Kathmandu.

Eve: Farewell dinner.

Dinner and overnight at Camp.

Free until final departure transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport.