As this trek’s name implies, we’ll hike around the Manaslu massif: its crown jewel being the 8,163 m / 26,781’ Manaslu—the 8th highest mountain in the world.

Scenery will change throughout the journey, ranging from high alpine to lush bamboo forest; from turquoise glacier rivers to their gray silted flows near the source.

A highlight of this trek is crossing Larke La—an alpine pass that stands nearly 3,000’ higher than the summit of Mt. Whitney. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience high altitude in an incredibly accessible way with no technical skill or experience required.

This entire trek is supported by tea houses—colorful alpine lodges that adorn each village along our route. The tea houses are owned and operated by Nepalese people who serve up delicious hot meals, many of which are made with fresh, locally-grown ingredients. We’ll sleep in comfortable beds every night; eat a hot meal for breakfast every morning; and as their name suggests—there is always plenty of tea to be had.

Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Each slow-cooked meal is prepared from scratch by the teahouse staff—with fresh vegetables picked from local gardens at every stop.

Most options are vegetarian, but they’re absolutely delectable, with dishes specific to the culture and region.

Perhaps our favorite part of the trip, this farm stay was created by Lakpa Dhundup Lama—inspired by the apple tree that grew outside his home village in nearby Namrung.

Pick apples from the orchard, taste apple brandy, visit the aromatic apple cellar, and stargaze from a viewing deck.

It’s true what they say, people make the place. This trip will be no exception. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with Chris and the Transcendent Expeditions staff, as well as other like-minded adventurers—bonding together throughout the multi-week journey. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our wonderful Nepali guides, as well as friendly folks in villages and tea houses along the way.

Much of the Annapurna Circuit has been forever changed by the construction of roads. We’ll travel these same rugged, cliffside passageways—traipsing over creeks, through waterfalls, and along sweeping vistas for our journeys both into and out of the mountains.

Bring Dramamine—and your sense of adventure.

For the first time ever, Chris is curating adventure experiences for others, as a means to provide unparalleled access to his wealth of knowledge and expertise. Post-booking video chats; pre-expedition consultations; and gear recommendations are all included leading up to the trip—and Chris personally leads this expedition.

The right physical and mental preparation is paramount when embarking on a committing mountain journey, especially one that reaches high altitudes. That’s why Transcendent Expeditions group trips include a specialized, easy-to-follow training plan from Summation Athletics, specifically designed to remove one variable from the complex equation required to efficiently move through the mountains day-after-day.

We’ve dialed in the details so you don’t have to. Personalized, pre-trip video consultations will ensure that you know exactly what to expect. Arrive in Nepal; we’ll take care of the rest. Once you exit the airport in Kathmandu after clearing customs, pretty much everything for this trip is covered: Trekking permits and porters. Food and lodging. Transportation and guides. See our policies for a detailed breakdown of everything that is and the few things that aren’t.

Transcendent Expeditions has partnered with one of the most experienced and well-connected Nepalese-owned tour operators in the industry. Though Chris will curate and lead each expedition, the expert Nepali staff will provide logistical support pre-departure; guidance and risk mitigation throughout the journey; as well as cultural insight into the Manaslu region.

Throughout your journey together, Chris will host “fireside chats” where he will share his approaches to living boldly; planning and carrying-out adventures and expeditions; working as a creative in the outdoor industry; training for alpine objectives; and more—followed by Q&A sessions.

Have you ever looked at those incredible images on Instagram and thought, “I wish my vacation pictures looked like that!” Well, your time has come. We’ll be joined by a professional adventure travel photographer who will capture amazing moments from throughout your expedition; each party member will receive high-resolution images from the group’s experience after the trip.