Soti Khola, the starting point for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, can be reached via an 8-hour jeep ride from Kathmandu. While the road distance is only 80 miles (126 km) from Kathmandu, the bumpy roads make this drive a fitting start to a great adventure. While it's possible to reach Soti Khola from Kathmandu by public bus, this isn't recommended. You'll be much safer, be more comfortable, and reach your destination much faster by taking a private vehicle. A Jeep is advisable, as parts of the road can be pretty rugged, especially after Arughat.
The first part of the journey follows the Prithvi Highway, the road that connects Kathmandu and Pokhara. Although traffic can be a problem leaving Kathmandu, the quality of the road is about as good as it gets in Nepal. After turning off to Dhading, the landscape becomes even more rural and remote, and the road quality progressively deteriorates, but the views of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang Himal should make up for the discomfort.
If there's still a lot of rain about, such as if you're trekking at the tail-end of the monsoon in September, you may even need to leave your vehicle behind at Arughat and trek from there. The trek between Arughat and Soti Khola takes about a day.
Soti Khola to Lapubeshi (Half a Day)
Although the distance in the map between Soti Khola and Lapubeshi is much shorter than Arughat to Soti Khola, don’t be mistaken – walking this part is much slower, as the trail goes into a rough part of the Budhi Gandaki, goes up and down and with numerous rocky parts. In rainy periods there are several waterfall crossings requiring shoes removal (or walking with sandals).
Some parts of the trail are particularly narrow and suffer from landslides and require extra care especially when mule convoys are around. At least one of the waterfalls that “decorate” the trail is tempting for washing. In Liding, on the way, there is a camping site.
* Lapubeshi (880m)
The village of Lapubeshi is spread on several hills along the trail, and it takes some walking time from the moment you enter the village till you get to the area where 2 lodges are located, at the northern part of the villages. Both these accommodation options are similar.
Lapubeshi to Machhakola (Half a Day)
Yet another day of ups and downs, and slippery rocks if rainy. Tropical vegetation adds its charm, together with the thrilling suspension bridges that start to be a regular attraction in this trek.
Machhakola (930m)
This is a pleasant village built on the slopes of the hill with several lodging options and a notable lodge development. We had lunch in “Everest Guest House” on the upper part of the village. This village can definitely be a convenient stopping place for the night. There’s also a “Birthing Clinic” in the village and when the doctor’s here you can get some basic medicine and treatment if needed.
