Manaslu Trek

Manaslu Trek

Manaslu (8,156m) is the world’s eighth highest peak. From the Hindu middle hills culture to the Tibetan high-country dwellers, the Manaslu Circuit trek in the heart of the Nepal Himalaya is a cultural trek par excellence, without a doubt one of the best treks in Nepal. Manaslu, ‘The Mountain of the spirit’ and from upper Nubri must be one of the most beautiful ones; the spectacular mountain scenery has to be seen to be believed.

We trek the classic high trek around Manaslu from the historic town of Gorhka, with its wonderful ‘durbar’, or palace, to Kutang in lower Manaslu and on to upper Nubri, where trade with Tibet continues as it has for hundreds of years. We experience incredible mountain panoramas after the first few days, and add extra day’s at the most beautiful villages before the Larkya La (pass).
The diverse Tibetan culture, spectacular scenery and snow peaks of the Manaslu Himal Circuit make it one of the most interesting, as well as one of the most challenging, treks in Nepal.

Trip Highlights

Kathmandu – Walking tour of the old city. Optional Everest flights and Bhaktapur excur-sion.
Manaslu Massif – A 16-day challenging trek across some of the world’s most stunning landscapes.
Larkya La Pass – Crossing the heights of the Larkya La Pass.
Tibetan Villages – A chance to experience the rich Tibetan culture of the upper Buri Gandaki Valley.

Trip facts
Itinerary
Include/ excludes
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Day 1.Kathmandu drive to Arughat Bazaar (570m)

Day 2.Arughat to Soti Khola (530m.) :-
Today we are going upstream the Buri Gandaki. we will ascent once through the rice paddies and farm fields and pass through small hamlet Kokethar. We come across to huge rock to your left and again walking down will come to cross the Amas Khola, we move again through the rice fields, pass through the forested area. After a while we reach to Kyoropani from here repeating ascents and descents you will be traversing until you come down close to the shores. We keep on moving along the river and soon come to Soti Khola .

Day 3.Soti Khola to Machha Khola (890m.):-
Starting with rocky path, streams with small slope and crossing rice fields we come to the terraced field and Lapbesi (840 m). From Lapbesi we keep on walking farm fields and rice fields again and come to a village, later on the valley begins to widen and we can see Sringi HImal (7087) also known as Chamar far beyond the valley. The path gets down to the shore, after short descent you will reach Kani Gaon, big village with houses scattered. Crossing the village, again the path goes down to the shore and climb back on to the flank. In about an hour we come to sandy bed of Machha Khola. 6 hours walk.

Day 4. Machha Khola Trek to Jagat (1350m.):-
We leave early in the morning as today’s journey is a long one. The cultivated area ends because the slopes become too steep and the rare remained fields are poor. We walk upstream the river caught between two cliffs till Tatopani, hot springs. The trail climbs up over another ridge then cross the Buri Gandaki on a suspension bridge. Now on the eastern side of the river the trail climbs on a wide well crafted staircase, then across a landslide area over a ridge to Dovan (1000 m), a village that have few small shops. Soon after Dovan cross the Dovan Khola using the suspension bridge and move on repeating ascents and descents. Continue traversing the slope, huge cacti, gaining altitude steadily, the Buri Gandaki here is a torrent that rushes down. We pass the steep ascent, the valley widens and the Buri Gandaki can be seen through the large sandy river shore. We keep on moving with level path, and come to Yaru Khola (1330 m), we cross the 93 m long suspension bridge over Yaru Khola and ascend a wide set of stone stair case, descent to the river and then climb again up more stone stairs to Tharo Bhanjyag. We cross the west bank of the Buri Gandaki, climb a ridge trek along the river and come to the close housed village of Jagat at 1410 m. Jagat has a check post (ACAP) office and few small inns. 8 hours walk.

Day 5. Jagat to Philim (1700m.):-
Climb up over the rocky ridge to Salleri (1440 m)and the good view of “Shringi Himal”.is seen as you continue walking the side of the cliff. The trail then descends where several mani walls indicate now the region is entering to the Tibetan influence area, though Gurung are the dwellers around. We come to Ghatta Khola where several mills (Ghatta in Nepali) can be found. We cross the suspension bridge and climb up to the village of Philim, a Gurung village. Manaslu Conservation Area Project head quarter office is also in this large village. We camp here for the day. 4 hours walk.

Day 6. Deng to Deng (2095m.):-
The trail ahead turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays fairly level as it traverses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti (Serson) at 1600 m. there is alternative route to reach Ekle Bhatti, by passing Pangsing, climbing Ngyak village and descent & ascent over another ridge before rejoining the new trial. Now the trail descends, Buri Gandaki soon narrows to 5 meters wide , we cross the bridge , traversing around pine forest on the flank and you will see Shar Khola joining the Buri Gandaki on the opposite bank. We continue moving on repeating the ascents & descents and also with some of the banks of the river. The trail makes its way up the western side and the valley finally widens, offering a nice and pleasant walk through bamboo forests to the Dhing Khola. We cross Dhing Khola and reach Dhing Village where few numbers of houses are only built ,this is the village of Gurung, but it seems to have a strong Tibetan influence. The camp site will be at flat land around the houses. 5.30 hours walk.

Day 7. Deng to to Namrung (2900m):-
We start walking with small ascent, down the river shore, and again ascent little while along the Buri Gankdaki and cross the suspension bridge to the opposite bank. We will make short steep ascent and reach Rana village with few houses but no shops around. Now the trail becomes gentle ascent. We pass Unbae with a kanni and mani stones, the trail now goes down to the riverside. Ascent little bit on to the river terrace, and you will pass below the village Bhi. After Bhi, the trail crosses of two ravines and climb high above the river before dropping into the Sringi Valley, and Sringi Khola 91990 m) is opposite to the valley, we cross the river through suspension bridge, follow the level path of the flank for a while and you will reach the hamlet of Pur. As you are traversing through the forest, you are gradually approaching the Buri Gandaki and we come to the farm land and go through Kanni. Finally you are in Ghap (2095 m). We keep on walking by the banks and see Tom (Tum) Khola, which flows in a deep gorge form Tibet. The trail climbs along side the river past two mani walls to waterfall. We climb a large rock, enter the rhododendron forest, in the middle of the forest there is wooden bridge over Buri Gandaki. The trail now climbs on the northern side to a big rock cave, then cross the river again through the wooden bridge again. We continue climbing making a long ascent through bamboo and rhododendron forests and finally enter the Namrung village through a stone archway at 2700 m. village with lovely stones and with check post controls the access to the upper part of the valley. The campsite is down the small school house to the Thorang Khola. 7.30 hours walk

Day 8. Namrung to Lhogaon (3100m.):-
The trail enters upper Nupri where Tibetan influences are obvious like wearing dress called Chubas, a Tibetan style wraparound cloak. We climb up many meadows and houses to Barsam village, then through the forests, rhododendrons, the path passes through stone arched, closely built houses of Lihi (2900 m), Lihi has a Gompa on the side of the trail. The trail again goes through a kani and path goes around heading for the Hinan Khol. Cross the Hinan Khola through the bridge, will come across another kani, go through it and you are in Sho Village (2960 m). Now the views open up and Naike Peak, Manalsu North (7157 m) and long waited Manaslu (8163 m) appears at the head of the valley. The trail crosses a small ravine to a big prayers wheel in the middle of the trail. After a while you will be in neighboring village Lho (3180 m), a large village with many houses, with a Gompa, rough stone archway at the entrance and a Tibetan style chorten and huge mani wall at the western end. The spectacular eye catching of view of Manaslu from the kani above Lho is marvelous. We camp for the night here. 4.30 hours walk.

Day 9. Lhogaon to Samagaon (3390m.):-
Descent down to the Damonan Khola, cross the wooden bridge near some mills, the start ascending again., you will see the peak 29 ahead of you. The trail heads along the stream and the path will fork into two. We take the trail to Sama via Honsanho Gompa. We cross the stream, forested area and after 3 minutes of ascent, we will reach Honsanho Gompa, the views from here are Manaslu North, Manaslu and peak 29. It takes 2 hours to climb Pungen Galcier, but it is highly recommended to those who are quite physically fit and can challenge this one unless well experienced guide is with you for this trip. Now you will be descending for some time coming to meadows and crossing form one Chorten to another. You will also see many potato fields before reaching Sama Gompa (3500 m).

Day 10. Acclimatization day:-
Explore around Sama Gompa like visiting chortens, Gompas and some holy lake. Or as said earlier one can try to Pungen Glacier, again if you are physically fit and determined to accomplish it, also if the guide is quite knowledgeable. It is about 5 to 6 hours circuit.

Day 11.Samagaon to Samdo (3690m.):-
After Sama Gompa stay, we walk through flat land, meadows and bushes with some alternation of time. We soon descend by the shore of Buri Gandkai crossing the wooden bridge over the stream that comes from Manaslu Galcier. We even can hike for an hour to reach Manslu Glacier climbing over the stream and if we climb the ridge-like moraine we come up to cliff, overlooking the glacier lake. The amazing view of Manaslu from the glacier lake is magnificent. We enter in the meadows from the path of river shore and you will reach Krmo Kharka, looking up Manaslu right in front of you. Cross the Kharka, descend again to the river shore, cross the wooden bridge and climb up the steep slope to the terrace, go through the kanni, move on for a while and you reach Samdo, nestled behind the ridge at 3900 m. This village has a police check post but the concerned official may be headed to warmer place in winter. 3 hours walk.

Day 12. Samdo to Larkya La Phedi (4460m.):-
Continue our walk down the gentle flank, cross the wooden bridge over Buri Gandaki and begin walking upward. We cross two streams and witness the Larkya Glacier. We go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again and come to the stone guest house (4450 m) which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called “Daram Shala”, also, know as Larkya Phedi. We camp here today and have a rest to prepare for tomorrows assault of crossing the famous and most awaited Larkya Pass. 3 hours walk.

Day 13. Larkya –La Phedi to Bimthang (3590 m.):-
It starts with a gentle and long climb from the Dharamsala, looking at Cho Danda in front on the right and Cho Dhana on the left.. Cross a small ridge, cross the side of the glacier lake and descend to the glacier. We gain the height from here climbing the ridge until you reach the top of the moraine at 5135 m. This is the top of the Larkya pass where the color prayer flags are flapping in the wind. The views of Cheo Himal (6820 m), Nemjung (7140 m), Gyaji Kang (7038 m) and Kang Guru (6981 m) are so clear and magnificent. Now the steep down descend starts from the top on the snow covered slope. After passing the scree section and then entering the ablation valley, you will reach Larcia, from here, keep on going down the path on the side of the moraine, andyou will come to Tanbuche (4450m), grassy moraine of small kharka. We continue to make descent from the kharka to the ablation valley, the trail becomes better and easier and heads down to a large meadow a mani walls and small rest house. This is Bimthang (3800 m). The Panoramic views of West Manalsu face and Phungi (6398 m) are in front of The village. On the opposite side Nemjing stands and looks gorgeous during evening & morning time. 8 hours walk.

Day 14. Bimthangto Tilji (23600m.):-
During a few hours we don’t know where to look: the Peri Himal massif, the huge west side Manaslu cirque... amazing! A fairy atmosphere through the forest: rhododendrons, very big trees, branches covered with leaches, glaciers on the background and the Dhudh Khola, an impetuous torrent, we are walking along. Camp in the playground of the Tilje school. 6 hours walk.

Day 15.Tilji to Jagat (1800m):-

Day 16. Jaget to Bulbule (500m.)

Day 17.Drive to Kathmandu by Private Jeep or Local