Visits to locations with historical and religious significance, including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath & Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Hindu temples, old palaces (in and around Durbar Square Area), and inner-city market squares, are included in the guided tour of Kathmandu.

The bus travel from Kathmandu to Soti Khola in the Gorkha district takes ten hours. We will cross the Trishuli River en route to Dhading and Salyantar in the north. We will go on paved roads to Dhading, but the journey to Arughat will be difficult, despite the breathtaking views of Shringi and Ganesh Himals. A bit further on, we drive to Soti Khola, where we will spend the night. (Good camping spots and nearby teahouses are available.)

We hike through the stunning Sal forests after crossing the bridge, and then we ascend to a hill over the enormous rapids of the Budi Gandaki. After that, follow a trail that winds up and down before heading higher to the Gurung settlement of Lapubesi (2.5 hours). We walk openly to Nauli Khola, cross a suspension bridge, and then climb steeply for 1.5 hours to Khanibesi, where we have lunch. On the way to Machha Khola, which is located directly next to the riverbank, the rocky trail continues to climb and descend past a tall, tumbling waterfall. (Lodges are a little better than they were earlier.)

The entire day is spent strolling along the riverbank. Navigate a suspension bridge as you depart Machha Khola. On the way to Kholabesi, the rocky track crosses a stream in a rocky valley and has a few little ups and downs. More of the same until we come across three hot springs along the trail, where we may also have lunch. We take a 20-minute stroll from the hot springs to another suspension bridge that crosses Budi Gandaki. The track now heads east along the river, climbing over a ridge to Doban on a broad, well-designed stairway. (Simple lodges in the area.)

We ascend the stone stairs after traversing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, descend to the river, and then ascend additional stone stairs to reach Tharo Bharyang. We hike along the river, cross the west bank of the Budi Gandaki, rise over a mountain, and then ascend to the settlement of Jagat, which also has an MCAP checkpoint. More significantly, you can refuel your energy reserves with some delicious Nepali cuisine. The views of Shringi Himal become much more prominent after a 20-minute hike. After Salleri, the trail gradually climbs, and the final stretch after the bridge wears you out with a lengthy, steep climb to Phillim, a sizable Gurung village and the MCAP office headquarters (quite excellent lodges available)

After Philim, you begin to feel as though you are in the middle of the majestic Himalayas. On this day, the trail passes through a picturesque but steep gorge that is desolate. After crossing the Budi Gandaki and descending to the grassy land slopes, you continue trekking along the west bank for a bit before crossing to the east bank and returning again. The valley gets wider as you proceed down the trail, passing through bamboo trees on your way to Deng Khola. We arrive at the small settlement of Deng after traversing the Khola. Spend the night in Deng. (There are very simple teahouses available.)

We cross the Budhi Gandaki and ascend to Rana at 1910m after a short stroll beyond Deng. To reach a trail from Bhi, keep going for an hour along the zigzag path. Ahead, the path crosses a stream, climbs on stairs past a waterfall, and then descends to another stream. You reach the Shringi Khola suspension bridge by a series of winding pathways. We pause for lunch in the village of Ghap, which is surrounded by mani walls, after crossing the bridge and continuing on a trail that rises steadily for another thirty minutes. Cross meadows and enter a dense forest that is filled with monkeys and birds and full of large firs. The path ascends beside the river. to a cascade. After crossing a wooden bridge to reach the south bank, the trail climbs steadily through the forests for a considerable amount of time before reaching Namrung (2 hours). (Very picturesque campsites in the trees to the right of the trail, as well as simple teahouses)

Witnessing the lifestyles of Nubri people, you will start the day. Exploring their Tibet-influenced typical lifestyle you will walk past several mani walls, lush terraces and houses through Banjam to enter the fir, rhododendron and oak forest. The next big village, Lihi, is reached after a steepish ascent (1.5 hrs). A unique feature of this village is the closely packed stone houses which are grouped together like apartments and share a common roof and courtyard. Beyond Lihi, cross a wooden bridge then ascend back up to another cluster of stone houses of Sho village (1 hr). Manaslu North and Naike Peak are first seen on the hike up to Lho. Manaslu (8,156m/26,760ft) is known as the mountain of the spirit from the Sanskrit Manasa, which means "intellect" or "soul." It is the eighth highest peak. The trail continues on to Shrip after crossing a small valley, and then it climbs steeply to the ridge and the sizable settlement of Lho. The monastery in the large, clustered town of Lho is home to a Lama school with 80–90 resident scholars.

The day begins on a hard descent, passes Thusang Khola, and then gently ascends through damp forests before arriving at the settlement of Shyala (3330m, 2 hours), which has a spectacular scenery with views of Himalchuli, Peak 29, and Manaslu. A bridge across the Numla Khola, which drains the Pungyen Glacier from Manaslu, and a slope out of the stream valley that descends to a rock-strewn moraine are both crossed later on the trail. After clambering over the boulders, the trail reaches a peak with a view of Samagaon. You can eventually reach the numerous buildings and homes of Gompa by taking a leisurely stroll along a stream through the village (2 hours). The community is only five hours away from Manaslu Base Camp. We'll eat lunch in the village. (Better campsites/teahouses with a good assortment of cuisine)

A day of rest and acclimatization. You have the option of hiking to Pung-gyen Gompa or spending the day taking in Samagaon culture. An optional day trip that delves into some rich Sherpa culture is available for those who like to learn more. You may take in images of Sherpa ladies wearing traditional attire and decorations, as well as thousands of mani stones engraved with Buddhist teachings. An ancient gompa, Pungyen Gompa, is a monastery with stunning views of the glacier that may be reached by hiking up a small hill close to the Sama hamlet.

Crossing the Manaslu Glacier and continuing past a track that splits left in the direction of the Manaslu Base Camp marks the beginning of a quick and simple day's walk. After passing through a small woodland with birch, juniper, and rhododendron, the trail emerges onto a ridge. It then descends to a wooden bridge before climbing onto the headland and making a last push to Samdo. With the border only a day's walk away, Samdo is also known as a Tibetan refugee hamlet, making it easier for Tibetans to enter covertly. (Simple teahouses)

Continue down a wide path past Samdo, descending to the 3850m crossing of the greatly diminished Budi Gandaki. An ancient mani wall that signifies the beginning of the attack on Larkya La pass will soon be encountered. On the other side of the massive Larkya La glacier, the trail softly climbs through juniper and tundra. You will need to exert more effort as the trail becomes steeper after an hour of climbing up on the slope to the right on the now-obscured trail. The trail soon comes to a viewpoint at 4000m on the brink of a massive gorge. Scale to the Larkya Rest House by climbing in and out of the gorge. (Very little teahouse with little room to pitch tent).

Eat a substantial breakfast in Dharamsala because you will be embarking on a longer hike today. Despite being a more difficult trail, you will pass through several rural settlements, pristine glacial lakes, stunning valleys, a diverse array of plants and animals, and some noteworthy snow-capped summits. Start with a lengthy, slow climb next to a moraine, then cross a small ridge, descend briefly to a lake, and then continue climbing to the moraine's summit (4700m). As it traverses the moraine and leads to a ridge, the trail will become increasingly difficult and rugged. After descending to four frozen lakes, there is a final, difficult ascent to the pass at 5,100 meters (5 hours).

With the difficult days behind us, things become comparatively easier. Visit a nearby ridge for breathtaking views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal after breakfast in Bimthang. Continue along the trail, passing across a high grassland and then a bridge that spans the Dudh Khola River. From here, continue a trail through a small valley and through a forest of rhododendron until you arrive to Karche, the valley's highest cultivated area. Travel through verdant fields before climbing steeply over a mountain and then descending to the riverbed to reach the village of Gho, where you will be greeted by a delicious Nepali lunch. Stay on the north bank of the river and continue through fields interspersed with oak and rhododendron before entering a big Gurung settlement of Tilije.

After leaving the settlement, proceed along the river embankment till you reach a bridge over Dudh Khola. After that, the trail climbs past a mani wall to Thonje, crosses Dudh Khola once more, and descends through scrub trees into the Marsyangdi valley. Following the bridge over the Marsyangdi river comes the next settlement, Dharapani, where the Annapurna Circuit trail converges. It is not far away. (Excellent teahouses and camping areas near teahouses)

Day 17: Jagat-Besisahar (760m, 7 hrs)
A long but easy day’s walk begins with a gradual uphill (15 mins), then the trail flattens out for 20 mins before a relentless downhill to a suspension bridge over Marsyangdi river. Back again on a level-stretched trail through Marsyangdi valley before a brief climb (20 mins) approaching Bahundanda (3 hrs). After lunch at Bahundanda, the trail goes downhill again for about 1.5 hrs before easing into a flat track for the rest of the way through verdant terraced fields and colourful villages to Besisahar (4 hrs), where we spend the night partying and reveling on our achievement. (Good teahouses available)

Board a bus that is going in the direction of Kathmandu.

Transfer to airport by chartered vehicle.