Manaslu Lodge Circuit

This spectacular and isolated circular trek skirts around the eighth highest

mountain in the world, the formidable Mount Manaslu (8,163m). We follow the

mighty Buri Gandaki River as it narrows into a spectacular gorge, passing

through tiny villages perched on the valley sides. Eventually the gorge opens

out into alpine meadows which are inhabited by a cluster of Tibetan

communities below Manaslu's north face. Crossing the Larkya Pass (5,130m) we

see the snow-capped peaks of Himalchuli, Manaslu, Cheo Himal and Himlung

Himal, before descending through forest to join the main Annapurna Circuit

route.

Thirteen nights on trek are spent in teahouses/lodges, one night in Dharamsala is in basic three-person prefab huts, and there are three nights in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu.



In Kathmandu, we usually stay at the Hotel Royal Singi, located within walking distance of the buzzy Thamel district. There is a restaurant, bar and an outdoor courtyard, plus free wifi in the lobby and login codes for the rooms are available at reception. There is an Exodus desk in the hotel reception area and an Exodus representative is usually available daily in the mornings and evenings.



The teahouses are basic (especially the ones in Samdo and Dharamsala) but adequate; please be realistic about what to expect in the mountains. In Dharamsala, we use three-person prefab huts. Mattresses are provided in the huts and there is a basic dining room and basic toilets.



The hub of the teahouse is the dining room, usually decorated with colourful traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Some tea houses above 9,845ft (3,000m) may not be heated due to local environmental restrictions. Occasionally, kerosene burners can be used to heat common areas if requested. We recommend against using these due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and your leader will not offer this to you. Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost all lodges have electricity, but it is not wholly reliable, and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch (flashlight) is essential. Electrical charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room, charged at approximately 150-350 Nepalese rupees (US$1.15/US$2.65) per hour per device. Many of the lodges use solar power so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. A few of the lodges on this trek have wifi – in some areas it works well but in others it is slow and temperamental.



The bedrooms are now almost all twin-share (although very occasionally during peak seasons you may be asked to share with three to a room for the odd night). Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are unheated and can get cold at night, so you need to bring or hire a sleeping bag.



Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually Asian squat style; although some lodges have now installed seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided, so bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it in the waste can provided – do not put it in the bowl). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty (or frozen) please either refill it or ask the lodge to.



Some lodges now have hot showers, charged at approximately 250-500 rupees (US$1.90- US$3.80) per shower. Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water and not a shower head.



Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand-sanitiser gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks, mealtimes and after handling money. As a rule, the higher you go, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services become.



Extra accommodation



If you would like to extend your stay, speak to your sales representative about booking extra nights before or after the tour in Kathmandu – please enquire at the time of booking.



Single supplements



If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara only (subject to availability). While in the tea houses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival to a teahouse, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis.