Below is our itinerary for hiking to Manaslu base camp with children in Nepal, including our journey from the UK and time in Kathmandu. We traveled with Elite Exped.
Our original plan was to visit base camp before continuing over Larkya La Pass and completing the Manaslu Circuit. However, the weather changed our plans. After reaching base camp, snow and storms meant we returned down the valley instead.
We have divided the itinerary into two parts: our journey to Manaslu Base Camp and the return journey we actually completed. We have also given you the planned route below for a comparison of what we did to what we planned.
Distances, altitudes and walking times are approximate. Altitude changes describe the difference between the start and finish of each stage, rather than the total climbing along the trail.
(Part 1) Hiking to Manaslu Base Camp with children
Day 1 – Fly from the UK to Kathmandu via Turkey
We left the UK and flew via Turkey to Kathmandu with IndiGo, ready for our next family Himalayan adventure.
Day 2 – Arrive in Kathmandu
After arriving in Kathmandu, we had some time to sleep before a BBC interview (to discuss hiking to Manaslu Base Camp with children), an equipment check and our welcome dinner. It was a busy arrival day, getting ourselves and our kit ready before leaving for the mountains the following morning.
Recommendation – An extra night in Kathmandu before setting off would give you more time to recover from the journey and sort out any last-minute equipment. We did not do this due to UK school holidays restrictions.
Day 3 – Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola
The drive took us around 8 hours due to poor road conditions and times can be even longer. Kathmandu sits at approximately 1,400 metres, while Machha Khola is around 900 metres. This is a full travelling day, with the road becoming rougher as you approach the trailhead. The journey takes you out of Kathmandu and into the river valleys, passing rural settlements before reaching Machha Khola for the night.
Recommendation – Keep snacks, water and anything you need for the journey within reach. Allow the whole day for the drive.
Day 4 – Hike from Machha Khola to Jagat
Allow approximately 8 hours of walking. Published distances vary considerably, from around 14–22 kilometres (we believe it was around 16KM), depending on the starting point and trail used. The route rises from approximately 900 metres to 1,410 metres, a net altitude gain of around 510 metres.
The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki valley, with suspension bridges, riverside paths and plenty of climbing and descending along the way. Jagat is an important permit checkpoint on the route that your guide will have to sort.
Recommendation – This is a substantial first walking day. The difference in altitude between the villages does not show how much uphill and downhill walking is involved.
Day 5 – Hike from Jagat to Deng – approximately 20 kilometres
This stage typically takes around 8 hours, rising from approximately 1,410 metres to 1,860 metres, a net altitude gain of around 450 metres.
The route continues through the valley, passing settlements including Philim before heading towards Deng. There are more suspension bridges and sections of trail above the river as the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous.
Day 6 – Hike from Deng to Namrung – approximately 20 kilometres
Allow around 8 hours of walking. Deng sits at approximately 1,860 metres, with Namrung at around 2,660 metres, giving a net altitude gain of approximately 800 metres.
The trail passes through forest and smaller settlements, with mani walls and Buddhist features becoming more prominent. There are repeated climbs and descents before the final approach to Namrung.
Recommendation – Keep a steady pace and allow plenty of time. This is another long walking day with a significant increase in sleeping altitude.
Day 7 – Hike from Namrung to Lho – approximately 11 kilometres
The hike typically takes around 5 hours, rising from approximately 2,660 metres to 3,180 metres, a net altitude gain of around 520 metres.
The route passes through Lihi and Sho before reaching Lho. Stone houses, cultivated terraces and Buddhist monuments line the route, while the mountain views become increasingly impressive.
Lho is known for its monastery and views towards Manaslu when the weather is clear.
Day 8 – Hike from Lho to Shyala – approximately 4 kilometres
This is a shorter stage, typically taking around 3 hours. The route climbs from approximately 3,180 metres to 3,500 metres, a net altitude gain of around 320 metres.
The trail descends and climbs through woodland before opening out towards Shyala. The village is surrounded by high mountains and provides a spectacular setting for an overnight stop.
We stayed in Shyala rather than continuing to Samagaon that day (but we wish we had pushed on).
Day 9 – Hike from Shyala to Samagaon, climb to Manaslu Base Camp and return to Samagaon
Part a – Shyala to Samagaon
The direct route is approximately 6 kilometres, depending on the exact start and finish points, and generally takes around 1.5–2 hours.
Shyala is at approximately 3,500 metres and Samagaon at around 3,530 metres, so there is little overall change in altitude between the villages.
We stopped for an early lunch in Samagaon before continuing towards base camp.
Part b – Samagaon to Manaslu Base Camp and back
The base camp excursion is approximately 13 kilometres return, generally taking around 8 hours, with conditions and pace making a considerable difference.
From Samagaon at approximately 3,530 metres, the climb reaches Manaslu Base Camp at around 4,800 metres. That is approximately 1,270 metres of ascent, followed by the descent back to Samagaon, where we stayed overnight.
Combined with the walk from Shyala, this was a substantial mountain day. Due to the weather and having a slower pace than adults our day was 12+hours day (19KM) which was too much for all of us. Reaching base camp was the main objective of our trek, but we still had the long descent ahead of us which was incredibly hard going.
Recommendation – Treat the base camp excursion as a full mountain day. For a family itinerary, consider staying in Samagaon beforehand so you can start the climb early, with time allowed for acclimatisation, breaks and changing conditions.
(Part 2) A change of plan: our return journey
Our original intention was to continue beyond Samagaon and cross Larkya La Pass to complete the Manaslu Circuit.
However, the weather meant we changed our plans. We had reached Manaslu Base Camp, but instead of continuing towards the pass, we headed back down the valley. The following days describe the route we actually walked.
Day 10 – Hike from Samagaon to Sho
The approximate distance is 13 km with a hiking time of 5 hours. Snow delayed our departure from Samagaon, so we set off later than planned, retracing our route through Shyala and Lho before continuing down to Sho. The trail took us from around 3,530 m to 2,950 m, passing through mountain villages and forest along the way. With the weather setting the pace, we decided to stop for the night in Sho.
Recommendation – Leave flexibility in your itinerary. Mountain weather can change both the route and the distance you are able to cover each day.
Day 11 – Hike from Sho to Bihi Bazar
The approximate distance is 21 km with a hiking time of approximately 8 hours. We continued down the valley from Sho to Bihi Bazar, retracing our route through Lihi, Namrung and Ghap. It was a long day of walking, leaving the higher mountain landscapes behind and returning to wooded slopes and the Budhi Gandaki valley.
Although we were losing altitude overall, it was far from downhill all the way, with plenty of climbs between the descents before we reached our overnight stop in Bihi Bazar.
Day 12 – Hike from Bihi Bazar to Philim
The approximate distance was 22 km, with a hiking time of around 7 hours. We continued our return journey from Bihi Bazar, retracing our route through Rana, Deng and Pewa before reaching Philim. Following the Budhi Gandaki valley, we passed through wooded slopes and crossed suspension bridges, with plenty of climbs between the downhill stretches. We stopped for the night in Philim, with two more days of walking ahead.
Day 13 – Hike from Philim to Keruja village
The approximate distance was 20 km, with a hiking time of around 7 hours. Leaving Philim, we continued through Sirdibas, Salleri and Jagat before heading towards Yaru and our overnight stop in Keruja village. The route took us through the river gorge, along rocky paths and past smaller settlements as we returned to the lower valley. This was our final full trekking day before reaching Machha Khola the following morning.
Day 14 – Hike from Keruja village to Machha Khola, then drive to Kathmandu. The approximate hiking distance was 12 km, taking around 4 hours. This was followed by a drive of approximately 170 km, which took around 9 hours.
Our final morning on the trail took us from Keruja village through Tatopani and Khorlabesi to Machha Khola, completing our trek. From there, we began the long drive back to Kathmandu, following winding roads through river valleys and terraced hillsides. It was a full day of walking and travelling, bringing the trekking part of our Manaslu adventure to a close.
Recommendation – Combining the final walk and the drive makes for a long travelling day. An overnight stop before the drive is worth considering if you have the time.
Day 15 – Explore Kathmandu
A day in Kathmandu after returning from the mountains, with time to explore and recover from the trek.
Day 16 – Explore Kathmandu
A second day to enjoy Kathmandu before flying home.
Recommendation – Keep some time between the end of your trek and your international flight. These days give you flexibility if weather or transport delays affect your return.
Day 17 – Fly home
Hiking to Manaslu Base Camp with children: Quick overview
| Day | Journey or activity | Overnight stop |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fly from the UK via Turkey. | In transit |
| 2 | Arrive in Kathmandu, rest, complete the BBC interview and equipment check, and attend the welcome dinner. | Kathmandu |
| 3 | Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola. | Machha Khola |
| 4 | Hike from Machha Khola to Jagat. | Jagat |
| 5 | Hike from Jagat to Deng. | Deng |
| 6 | Hike from Deng to Namrung. | Namrung |
| 7 | Hike from Namrung to Lho. | Lho |
| 8 | Hike from Lho to Shyala. | Shyala |
| 9 | Hike from Shyala to Samagaon, stop for early lunch, then climb to Manaslu Base Camp and return to Samagaon. | Samagaon |
| 10 | Leave Samagaon after a snow delay and hike to Sho. | Sho |
| 11 | Hike from Sho to Bihi Bazar. | Bihi Bazar |
| 12 | Hike from Bihi Bazar to Philim. | Philim |
| 13 | Hike from Philim to Keruja village. | Keruja village |
| 14 | Hike from Keruja village to Machha Khola, then drive to Kathmandu. | Kathmandu |
| 15 | Explore Kathmandu. | Kathmandu |
| 16 | Explore Kathmandu. | Kathmandu |
| 17 | Fly home. | — |
Hiking to Manaslu base camp with children: Our Planned itinerary.
Below is what was our planned 17-day trip completing the Manaslu Circuit over Larkya La Pass, including UK travel, would look like this. Exact stops vary between operators and many wont have a plan for hiking to Manaslu Base Camp with children.
| Day | Journey or activity | Overnight stop |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fly from the UK to Nepal. | In transit |
| 2 | Arrive in Kathmandu and check equipment. | Kathmandu |
| 3 | Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola. | Machha Khola |
| 4 | Hike from Machha Khola to Jagat. | Jagat |
| 5 | Hike from Jagat to Deng. | Deng |
| 6 | Hike from Deng to Namrung. | Namrung |
| 7 | Hike from Namrung to Lho. | Lho |
| 8 | Hike from Lho to Samagaon via Shyala. | Samagaon |
| 9 | Acclimatisation day and hike to Manaslu Base Camp. | Samagaon |
| 10 | Hike from Samagaon to Samdo. | Samdo |
| 11 | Spend an additional acclimatisation day in Samdo. | Samdo |
| 12 | Hike from Samdo to Dharamsala. | Dharamsala |
| 13 | Cross Larkya La Pass and descend to Bimthang. | Bimthang |
| 14 | Hike from Bimthang to Dharapani. | Dharapani |
| 15 | Drive back to Kathmandu. | Kathmandu |
| 16 | Explore Kathmandu, with this day also providing a buffer for delays. | Kathmandu |
| 17 | Fly home. | — |
