All in a row, the stages of the Manaslu Trail race 2023.
Days 1-3 – Kathmandu (4th arrive, 5th organise, 6th depart to start)
Welcome to Kathmandu! For the first time visitor, it will seem chaotic, dusty, noisy and intense. We’ll collect you from the airport and take you directly to the race hotel, and you can have your first experience of the city through the window of your vehicle. Of course, if you have visited Kathmandu before, welcome […]
Stage 1 – Sotikhola to Dhoban
Sotikhola sits on the banks of the Budi Gandaki river, which we’ll follow almost to its source. The first day used to be almost flat (Nepali flat), on good (if rough) trails with plenty of ups and downs. We’ll pass rice fields and run through small villages. This will likely be the warmest day of all being […]
Stage 2: Dhoban to Deng
Again today we’re following the course of the Budhi Gandaki river with many short climbs and descents. The rice paddy fields will disappear to be replaced by millet, barley and maize. We run through Jagat, a pretty village with a paved way through it (sadly soon to be a road), stopping briefly at a water […]
Stage 3 – Deng – Hinang Gompa
Today’s start will be fast and flat for the first minute. Then we descend steeply to cross the river over a suspension bridge (walking please!) and then it’s a steep uphill again to reach a high traverse that follows the river’s course. We’ll pass villages of Bihi, Ghap and then have a long, steady climb […]
Stage 4 – Hinang to Samagaon
Again there’s a downhill start to the day. We reach the village of Sho and the trail levels out. There is a short climb up to Lho, a village with a huge monastery and an awesome (first) view of Manaslu. We’ll make a climb up to Shyala (3,500m) for a water point before leaving the main […]
Stage 5 – Samagaun ~ Manaslu Base Camp ~ Samagaun
Anna Frost looked happy in 2013! Today is a bright an early start to marvel at sunrise on Manalsu (cloud dependent) and after a leisurely breakfast, comes the run. After a kilometre of fairly level but rising trail, we turn off to head towards Manaslu Base Camp. The height of the checkpoint will depend on […]
Stage 6 – Samagaon to Samdo
But not your run! In 2013 for the first time we organised the Sama mini-marathon, a race through the village for around 50 children from the Samagaon school. Amazing fun! We’ve continued to work with the school since and it is a lot of fun. Not showing, click here to open on Flickr. Prize giving […]
Active rest: Hike to Tibetan Border
Today is a partial rest day, at least a day off from running in this tough schedule. Those with the energy are invited to walk up to the border, the Rui La, at 4998m between Nepal and Tibet. It’s quite a long walk but we’ll take it easy. We may see a yak caravan on […]
Hike / run Samdo to Bimtang via Larkya pass
The views are incredible from this route and this is the last day up high. Previously we’ve walked this stage and continue with the decision not to race it. If you’re strong you can feel free to run it at your own pace, or in a group of similarly able runners. Equally, it is a […]
Stage 7 – Bimtang to Tilje
A final long day. From the gorgeous flat ground of Bimtang with its mountain views, we plunge along a technical forested trail with a lot of descent. The start is always cold in Bimtang. The place is surrounded by mountains and glaciers – the cold air sinks from the pass you crossed yesterday. The sun […]
Day 13. Return to Kathmandu (Drive)
An early 6:00am breakfast start for this 7:00am bus ride to reach Kathmandu before rush hour, with a very short lunch stop on the way. Once we arrive in Kathmandu, you will have time to wash, relax, unpack and perhaps do some souvenir shopping etc. before meeting for our final gala dinner in Kathmandu. The hotel […]
Kathmandu departure (14th day!)
This is the earliest day realistically that you can take a return flight. You’re welcome to stay longer however to enjoy the city’s sights. Back in 2015, much of the city, and many architectural treasures were damaged by the earthquake. (Please read the report made by our friend Roland Hunter about the condition of the […]