Trek from Tilje to Dharapani

Trek from Tilje to Dharapani, Manaslu Trek: Day eleven trek to Dharapani and a drive back to Kathmandu. As the day takes you to Kathmandu, the eleventh day is the final day on the Manaslu Circuit trekking. The day involves walking and driving by the bus.

Early in the morning, with a warm morning meal at the Tilje Hotel, you’ll start packing your accessories to return to Kathmandu and then to your home country. After breakfast, saying goodbye to the Tilje village, you’ll descend towards Dharapani. The last trekking destination on the Manaslu Circuit trek is the final trek from Tilje to Dharapani, which takes you through the rhododendron forest, terraced fields, and the beautiful settlement of the region.

Along the way to Dharapani, you’ll pass through the Gurung settlement and Tibetan-influenced village. As you leave Tilje, you’ll cross a suspension bridge over Marsyangdi Khola, then get to Thoche village at 1900m/ 6233ft. Before reaching Thoche village, you’ll explore the ancient monastery, Thoche Gumba. 

The trail from Toche village to Dharapani is beautiful, as each step provides a different perspective of the region. You’ll pass through different monasteries, chortons, hospitals, and schools before reaching Dharapani from Thoche village. Before reaching the day’s destination, you’ll pass another suspension bridge after Thoche village. 

The trekking journey concludes at Dharapani; from Dharapani, you’ll take a public bus and drive towards Besishahar. The drive from Dharapani to Besisahar takes you through Nepal’s beautiful and distinctive landscape. Upon reaching Besisahar, you’ll see the stunning traditional villages of Nepal, rice fields, and majestic peaks of the Himalayas from the comfort of your bus seat.  

Kharte (1850m/ 6069ft), Tal (1700m/ 5577 ft), Chyamche (1430m/ 4691ft), Jagat (1300m/ 4265ft), Syange (1100m/ 3608 ft), Ghermu (1130m/ 3708 ft), Bahundanda (1310m/ 4298 ft), and Nadi Bazar (930m/ 3051 ft) are the prominent villages you’ll see along the drive to Besisahar. Moreover, the Marsyangdi River will accompany you throughout the journey. 

As you reach Besisahar, which is a beautiful drive from Dharapani, you’ll take a moment to rest there. You’ll have a delicious lunch at the Besisahar Hotel. You’ll relax and recharge your body at the Besisahar Hotel, and then you’ll take a bus to return to Kathmandu. Nonetheless, if you prefer a private jeep, let us know, and we’ll manage jeep service for you from Besisahar to Kathmandu. 

The drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu is a beautiful journey that allows you to see the beauty and diversity of Nepal’s landscape. If the weather is clear, you can see majestic snow-capped peaks. And especially in the winter, the views of the mountains on the way from Besisahar to Kathmandu are spectacular. The drive passes through Muglin. The farmland, traditional mud houses, and dense forest along the way add to the drive’s beauty.

Hiking Distance 

On the eleventh day’s journey on the Manaslu Circuit trek, you’ll walk and cover a shorter distance than on other days you have trekked. The tentative distance you’ll cover throughout the trek to Dharapani from Tilje is 7.8km/ 4.9 miles. To cover the distance, you must walk for 2-3 hours. However, the specific time depends upon your walking speed. Moreover, if you take any side trip along the way, the distance and time taken vary. 

Elevation of Dharapani

Dharapani, at an elevation of 1860m/ 6102 ft, is a naturally and culturally prosperous village in the Manang district of Nepal. The town is a well-known route of the Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu Circuit trek. Dharapani is the trekking route to Annapurna Circuit. On the Manaslu Circuit trek, the village is the concluding trekking point. 

The lush green hills, terraced fields, and stone houses with beautiful architecture make the village a visually spectacular town. Several mountain peaks, including Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges, are mind-blowing from Dharapani. 

The river Marsyangdi flows alongside the village, creating a peaceful environment. The sparkling water and soothing sound enhance the village’s natural beauty and create a serene ambiance. 

The region’s rich biodiversity, where inhabitants from different groups live, attracts travelers who want to learn about each group’s unique lifestyle and culture. The kind and hospitable locals of Dharapani also add to the village’s charm.

Many trekkers also choose to go for the Annapurna Circuit after reaching Dharapani. After passing Larkya La Pass, trekkers are encouraged to pass the Thorung La Pass of Annapurna Circuit and desire to continue their journey towards Annapurna Circuit from Dharapani. However, most trekkers check out and take a bus to Besisahar from Dharapani. 

Local culture during the Trail

Throughout the journey from Tilje to Dharapani and Dharapani to Besisahar, you can see different ethnic groups along the way. From Tilje to reaching Dharapani, you’ll experience the Gurung communities. But as you set foot in the Dharapani, you’ll be welcomed by the ethnic diversity. 

Brahmin, Chettri, Gurung, Magar, and Ghale live harmoniously in Dharapani village. Like Dharapani, Besisahar is also home to diverse ethnic groups. Throughout the drive to Besisahar, you can see the settlements of the distinctive ethnic groups. 

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The trek from Tilje to Dharapani and Dharapani to Besisahar showcases the cultural diversity among the people of Nepal. Even though different ethnic groups live in Nepal in each part, there is harmony among people. One respects the other’s culture and participates in each other’s festivals. Likewise, the Dharapani and Besisahar locals also love and respect each other’s culture. Throughout the Dharapani and Besisahar journey, you’ll get an opportunity to immerse yourself with locals with different lifestyles, cultures, and ethnic groups. 

Crops and Wild Animals along the way to Trek from Tilje to Dharapani

Throughout the trek to Dharapani from Tilje and the drive to Besisahar from Dhrapani, you’ll see the biodiversity and agricultural practices by visiting the different wild animals and crops being grown. You won’t see wild animals during the drive from Dharapani to Besisahar. However, you can see grain crops all over your journey. 

The route from Tilje to Dharapani passes through the Annapurna Conservation area, where trekkers can see unique wild animals. The most common wild animals you can see during the trek from Tilje to Dharapani are Barking deer, Wild bears, and Langur monkeys. The species of birds, including pheasants, eagles, vultures, and owls, are commonly seen. However, you may see monkeys among the wild animals along the drive to Besisahar. 

The crops along the journey from Tilje to Dharapani and Dharapani to Besisahar vary altitude-wise. As for the upper part, generally at Tilje, you’ll pass barley and wheat fields. Also, buckwheat and different types of beans are popular in the upper parts, including at Tilje. You can commonly see peas farming among various beans during the trek. 

As you descend to low altitudes, including Dharapani and Besisahar, rice cultivation is common. From Dharpani to Besisahar and Besisahar to the route of Kathmandu, you’ll see beautiful land covered with rice, wheat, and corn. 

Furthermore, fruit farming is also common in Tilje, Dharapani, and Besisahar. While Apple farming is common in Tilje, orange and banana farming is common in Dharapani and Besisahar.  

Besisahahar  

Besishahar is the district headquarters of Lamjung in Gandaki province. It lies 760 m (2,490 ft) above sea level. Besisahar is a well-known area of Nepal, as it serves as the gateway to the popular trekking destination, Annapurna Circuit. Lamjung is an attractive area with scenic views of mountain ranges, green hills, rivers, waterfalls, and ancient settlements. The culture, tradition, religion, and different ethnic groups add to the village’s charm.

Besishahar is the administrative hub of the Lamjung district, which has government offices and infrastructure. The village is a developing region with modern facilities and a business hub for locals and travelers. You can find different accommodation points in Besishahar, from hotels to guesthouses and lodges.

Besisahar offers essential modern facilities, including ATMs, medical centers, and transportation facilities. Different ground transportation options are available from Besisahar. One can go to Kathmandu and Pokhara from Besishahar. 

On the Manaslu Circuit journey, trekkers return by ground transportation to Kathmandu from Besisahar. However, you can stay there for a while. If you are hungry, you can have lunch there or explore the surrounding areas of Besisahar, including nearby villages, temples, and natural attractions. 

Driving distance 

On the first stage of the eleventh day on the Manaslu Circuit trek, you’ll walk from Tilje to Dharapani. However, from Dhrapani, you’ll drive by bus and don’t walk or hike. From Dharapani, you’ll take a bus and get to Besisahar. The distance from Dharapani to Besisahar is 34.8km/ 21.62 miles. The exact time may vary depending on road conditions and traffic jams, but the drive from Dharapani to Besisahar generally takes 3 hours. 

After arriving in Besisahar, you’ll have the option to return to Pokhara or Kathmandu. Per our itinerary, we’ll return to Kathmandu, but our package is customizable so you can take a trip to Pokhara from Besisahar. 

If you return to Kathmandu from Besisahar, it covers a longer distance than Pokhara. The distance between Besisahar and Kathmandu is 175.6km/ 109.12 miles through the Prithvi highway. The time to get to Kathmandu from Besisahar depends upon the type of transportation, road conditions, and traffic. However, in general, the drive takes 6-7 hours. 

If you want to visit the tourist hub, Pokhara, from Besisahar, you can take a bus or jeep. The distance between Besisahar and Pokhara is less than between Kathmandu and Besisahar. Taking a route to Chame highway, you’ll get to Pokhara from Besisahar, covering 106.5km/ 66.12 miles. Getting to Pokhara from Besisahar takes approximately 4-5 hours. However, the time varies depending on the route taken and the condition of the road. 

Condition of Road

The road condition differs from Dharapani to Besisahar and Besisahar to Kathmandu and Pokhara. From Dharapani to Besisahar, the road is gravel and needs to be well-established. Heavy rainfall makes the road more complex during the monsoon season. However, in the other seasons, you’ll avoid problems. 

But as you take transportation from Besisahar, the road is well maintained, and all parts are blacktop. However, traffic jams are a significant concern in the city. Whether you go to Kathmandu or Pokhara, the roads are well-established. You’ll have a comfortable journey on good road conditions throughout the route to either Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Accommodations options 

On the eleventh day, you’ll arrive in Kathmandu, and your accommodation point is in Kathmandu’s hotels. In Kathmandu, you’ll have a wide range of options for accommodations ranging from star to nonstar hotels. One can choose their accommodation point based on their preferences and budget. 

In Kathmandu, you can find 5-star to nonstar hotels. The hotel’s facilities vary depending on the star. If you want to stay in a 5-star hotel, you’ll find every facility you want. Likewise, a 4-star hotel offers something less than five stars and respectively. 

Another budget-friendly accommodation option is guest houses/ lodges. Numerous guest houses/ lodges are available across Kathmandu. The guesthouse offers clean rooms, attached bathrooms, and communal dining areas. 

In recent years, boutique hotels have become famous. These hotels have fewer than 100 rooms and provide more personalized service.

We are ready to arrange hotels, but you are responsible for your accommodation in Kathmandu. If you prefer, you can also select your accommodation. 

Food Options

You can find various food options in Kathmandu, from local cuisine to International dishes. You can have food whatever and wherever you like. It is not like you have to get food at the hotel where you are staying. Instead, you can choose your food point and what you want to have. 

Newari cuisine is most prevalent in Kathmandu. Newari cuisine is mainly available in the New Road areas of Kathmandu. However, some restaurants and hotels in Kathmandu also offer newer cuisines. Bara (fried lentil patties), Yomiuri (steamed dumplings filled with sweetened sesame seed paste), and kwaito (a mixed bean soup) are popular Newari foods one should try in Kathmandu. 

There are several International restaurants in Kathmandu. If you want to taste cuisines from other regions, you can do so. Indian, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, and American cuisines are commonly available in different hotels in Kathmandu. 

Street foods are also famous food options in Kathmandu. They provide you with a local way of life experience. Samosa, MOMOs, Chapati, and Panipuri are the standard and renowned street foods around Kathmandu Valley. Street food is delicious and budget-friendly.