Manaslu Photo Tour

A representative from the agency will meet you at the airport and assist with the transfer to your hotel. Keep your camera ready as you head to your hotel, as the drive offers incredible opportunities for candid photography, with colorful scenery, temples, and local markets.

In the evening, we will arrange a welcome supper, during which the trekking guide joins the group. This meeting set clear expectations for the days ahead and provided time to discuss the route, weather, and photography plans. It is also a good moment to check the gear and prepare for the journey into the Manaslu region.

The journey begins early from Kathmandu and follows a long route through Malekhu, Dhading Besi, and Arughat before reaching Machhakhola. The first part of the road is smooth, but the second half is rough, narrow, and dusty. Do request a seat on the right side (when heading away from Kathmandu) for the best views of the Trishuli and Budhi Gandaki rivers. 

You can capture the interactions between the conductor and drivers, or children waving from roadside villages. Use a fast shutter speed (1/500s or higher) camera to counteract the bus vibrations. And also protect your sensor from the dust. Keep your camera inside a sealed dry bag or a plastic wrap. Only take it out for specific shots.

Today, you’re moving deeper into the Budhi Gandaki gorge. The first settlement you’ll reach is a beautiful Gurung village (Khorlabesi). Look for traditional honey hunting gear or locals processing crops that are great for documentary-style photography. 

Further ahead, near Yaru Bagar, the route crosses a cantilever bridge attached to a cliff. It is also an example of great engineering work in Nepal. After that, the trial reaches Tatopani, known for its natural hot springs, where steam rises from stone taps where locals and trekkers wash their feet. 

The day ends at Jagat, a clean, flagstone-paved village known as the entry point into the Manaslu restricted area. It feels like a gateway in your photo story as well. 

You begin another stunning day of hiking and photography after breakfast by traveling along the recently built jeep route. After a short walk, the road ends, and you’ll cross a suspension bridge. Trails then take you uphill to the Philim settlement. You can capture the chorten (Buddhist stupa) at the entrance and the terraced fields that look like a big green staircase from above.

This is the MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Project) checkpoint for tourists. We proceed by registering our permissions here. After arriving at Ekle Bhatti and walking for another 30 to 40 Minutes, you will stop for a delectable lunch. The next stage of our Manaslu Photo Tour continues through deep bamboo forests and the narrow gorge of the Budhi Gandaki River before reaching Deng.

On Day 05, you’ll officially enter the Nupri region, where the culture is purely Tibetan Buddhist. Mt Shingiri comes into view when you depart from Deng Village in the morning. You will be able to see the locals honing their craft in the fields and mules carrying the supplies during the day.

After a short trek, you’ll pause for lunch at Gyap, a charming village halfway through the journey. Following lunch, the pathways take you to Namrung Village across a rhododendron forest. As you go through the forest, you can see several birds, other creatures, and mountains such as Himal Chuli (7,893 M) and Ganesh Himal (7,422 M).

People in Namrung wear traditional Tibetan dress. Their weathered faces reflect the life in the mountains. Always ask “Photo chhap?” (May I take a photo?) A smile and a nod are usually a sign of permission.

This is the day Mount Manaslu (8,163 M) will finally come into your frame. The first clear photo you can take is from Lihi village. Famous for its chortens and mani walls, the village is divided into upper and lower sections, and the upper section offers a fantastic “look-back” view of the Ganesh Himal range. 

The next is Lho village. This is a “bucket list” photography spot, known for the Ribung monastery. It is located above the hill, and photographers love capturing the monastery with the double peak of Manaslu rising right behind it.

Syala Gaun is the destination for the night. Many trekkers push to Samagaon, but Syala is the superior photography spot to capture Manaslu, Himal Chuli, Ngadi Chuli, and Peak 29 in one shot.

Instead of the direct route, you head to the Pungyen Glacier before descending to Samagaon for a visit to Pungyen Gompa. This monastery was destroyed by an avalanche in the 1950s (locals believed the mountain god was angry) and later rebuilt. You can capture the old grey stone of the Gompa and the Manaslu East Face using a wide-angle lens (16-24 MM).

From the monastery, you’ll descend back to the main trail and enter Samagaon. The village is a maze of stone houses. You can capture the “Kani” (entry gate), which is decorated with colorful ceiling paintings of Mandalas.

This is your “Culture & Livestock” photography day because the hiking time is low today. The trail moves close to the Tibetan border, and the surrounding begins to resemble the look of the Tibetan plateau. This route is known for yak caravans that carry goods between villages. Samdo Peak (Samdo Ri), in the background, adds another layer of beauty. 

Soon after trekking for 1 – 2 Hours, you’ll reach Samdo again. Go for a walk with the camera around the village and capture the flat rooftops covered with drying juniper, yak dung (used as fuel), and the unique stone houses that you may not have seen in other villages along the way.

On Day 10, your Manaslu Photo Tour trek takes you from Saamdo to Dharmasala, also referred to as Larkya Phedi, an important stop before crossing the formidable Larkya La Pass. This is the most remote-feeling day because the trees disappear entirely and are replaced by scrub juniper. On the way to Larkya Bazaar from Samdo, you can take a picture of beautiful Naike Peak (6,211 M) and Larkya Peak (6,249 M).

Soon after a few hours’ trek, you’ll reach Salkhu Khola Valley, where you’ll trek on the edge of the Larkya Glacier and enter Dharmasala. This is not a village, but a high-altitude shelter. It completely relies on solar power and is overcrowded. Do not count on charging here; keep all your batteries inside your down jacket or sleeping bag.

The day begins very early, around 3:00 to 4:00 AM, with a climb over rough moraine and frozen ground. You definitely need a headlamp for this part of the trek. Do follow your guide carefully until you reach the top of Larkya La Pass. Once you arrive, it will surely be the proudest moment of your entire trek. You can capture chorten draped in thousands of prayer flags with Annapurna II (7,937m) and Himlung Himal (7,126 M) in the background.

After spending a good time up there, you’ll descend towards Bhimthang, also called the “Valley of Rock.” The descent can be risky because of loose gravel and snow, so move carefully and watch your step. Looking back at the West Face of Manaslu and Phungi Himal (6,524 M) from Bhimthang. This is arguably the most beautiful sunset spot of the entire trip

This is a spectacular day for photography as you leave the high-alpine rock and ice behind and plunge into some of the old and lush rhododendron forests of Nepal. Just outside the village after leaving Bhimthang, the trail offers a high vantage point overlooking the Ponkar Glacier. You can capture its grey rock and blue ice as well.

You follow this glacial river all day until you reach Habu (Old Gho) & Tilije villages. These are beautiful Gurung villages famous for apple orchards and apple brandy. You can take a rest here and sample the brandy, or buy some as souvenirs.

From there, you’ll cross a large suspension bridge where the Dudh Khola meets the Marsyangdi River, and then continue on to Dharapani for an overnight stay.

The final day is a long journey that shifts from the mountain tracks of the Annapurna region back to the Kathmandu valley. You’ll start the drive early from Dharapani and head towards Besisahar, where you can see some of the tallest waterfalls in Nepal. Keep your camera ready for quick shots of water cascading hundreds of feet directly next to the road.

From Besisahar, the road is fully paved. You’ll follow the Marsyangdi River for the first half of the journey to Muglin, and then continue to follow the Trishuli River all the way to the entrance hill of Kathmandu. On the way, there will be a short stop for refreshments and lunch at a local restaurant, which gives you a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy some delicious Nepali cuisine.