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 of the Manaslu Circuit trek. The day involves walking and taking the bus.
Early in the morning, with a warm breakfast at the Tilje Hotel, you'll start packing your belongings to return to Kathmandu and then to your home country. After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to Tilje village and descend towards Dharapani. The last trekking destination on the Manaslu Circuit trek is the final leg from Tilje to Dharapani, which takes you through rhododendron forests, terraced fields, and the region's beautiful settlements.
Along the way to Dharapani, you'll pass through the Gurung settlement and a 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 trek concludes at Dharapani; from there, you'll take a public bus to 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 at the Besisahar Hotel, then take a bus back to Kathmandu. Nonetheless, if you prefer a private jeep, let us know, and we'll arrange one from Besisahar to Kathmandu.
The drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu is a beautiful journey, offering views of Nepal's diverse 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 on the trek from Tilje to Dharapani is 7.8km / 4.9 miles. To cover the distance, you must walk for 2-3 hours. However, the specific time depends on 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 Manaslu district of Nepal. The town is a well-known gateway to the Annapurna and Manaslu Circuits. Dharapani is the trekking route to the 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 visually spectacular. Several mountain peaks, including those in the 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 people from diverse groups live, attracts travelers seeking 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 crossing Larkya La Pass, trekkers are encouraged to continue their journey on the Annapurna Circuit, crossing Thorung La Pass, and then continue towards the Annapurna Circuit from Dharapani. However, most trekkers check out of Dharapani and take a Jeep to Besisahar.
Local culture during the Trail
Throughout the journey from Tilje to Dharapani, and from Trailrapani to Besisahar, you can see different ethnic groups. From Tilje to Dharapani, you'll encounter Gurung communities. But as you set foot in the Dharapani, you'll be welcomed by the ethnic diversity.
Brahmins, Chhetris, Gurungs, Magars, and Ghales 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.
The treks from Tilje to Dharapani and from Dharapani to Besisahar showcase Nepal's cultural diversity. Even though different ethnic groups live in different parts of Nepal, there is harmony among the people. One respects the other's culture and participates in each other's festivals. Likewise, locals in Dharapani and Besisahar love and respect each other's cultures. Throughout the Dharapani and Besisahar journey, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in local communities with diverse 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 Dharapani, you'll see the biodiversity and agricultural practices by visiting different wildlife and crops. 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. Bird species, 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 in altitude. 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 pea 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 are 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, traditions, religion, and different ethnic groups add to the village's charm.
Besishahar is the administrative hub of Lamjung district, with government offices and infrastructure. The village is a developing region with modern facilities and a business hub for locals and travelers. You can find various accommodation options in Besishahar, ranging from hotels to guesthouses and lodges.
Besisahar offers essential modern amenities, including ATMs, medical centers, and transportation. Different ground transportation options are available from Besisahar. One can go to Kathmandu and Pokhara from Besishahar.
On the Manaslu Circuit, trekkers return to Kathmandu by ground transportation 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 of the Manaslu Circuit trek, you'll walk from Tilje to Dharapani. However, from Dhrapani, you'll drive by bus and won'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 that you can take a trip to Pokhara from Besisahar.
If you return to Kathmandu from Besisahar, you will cover a longer distance than if you return from Pokhara. The distance between Besisahar and Kathmandu is 175.6km / 109.12 miles via the Prithvi Highway. The time to reach Kathmandu from Besisahar depends on the mode of transportation, road conditions, and traffic. However, the drive generally takes 6-7 hours.
If you want to visit Pokhara, the tourist hub, from Besisahar, you can take a bus or a jeep. The distance between Besisahar and Pokhara is less than the distance between Kathmandu and Besisahar. Taking the 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 road conditions.
Condition of Road
The condition of the road differs from Dharapani to Besisahar and from 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 travel from Besisahar, the road is well-maintained, and all sections 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 will be in Kathmandu's hotels. In Kathmandu, you'll have a wide range of options for accommodations, ranging from star to non-star hotels. One can choose their accommodation point based on their preferences and budget.
In Kathmandu, you can find hotels ranging from 5-star to non-star. The Hotel's facilities vary by star rating. 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 vice versa.
Another budget-friendly accommodation option is guesthouses/lodges. Numerous guest houses/ lodges are available across Kathmandu. The guesthouse offers clean rooms with 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 whatever food you like, wherever you like. It is not like you have to get food at the Hotel you are staying at. Instead, you can choose your food point and what you want.
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 a variety of cuisines. Bara (fried lentil patties), Yomiuri (steamed dumplings filled with sweetened sesame seed paste), and kwaito (a mixed-bean soup) are popular Newari foods to try in Kathmandu.
There are several International restaurants in Kathmandu. If you want to try cuisines from other regions, you can. Indian, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, and American cuisines are commonly available in different hotels in Kathmandu.
Street food is also a popular option 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.