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Begin the trek from the historic centre of
Gorkha after a 6-7 hrs drive from Kathmandu.
The trail heads up the valley of the Buri
Gandaki River through wild and unexplored
country inhabited mainly by members of the
Gurung ethnic group.
The trail circumvents interesting Manaslu
peak [8156m.] crossing Larkya pass at 5100
meter and finally emerges onto the
Marshyangdi river valley along the main
trail of Annapurna circuit. You will have
two options as where to conclude your trek.
OPTION 1: trek further to Jomsom at Kali
Gandaki river valley crossing which is
another high and arduous hike through
Thorung la pass at 5416 meter and conclude
the trek by flying down to Kathmandu via
Pokhara, or you can also avoid a flight by
walking down to Pokhara from Jomsom
following the Annapurna trail in 4-5 Days.
Along the way you will be rewarded with
magnificent views of the Annapurna Massifs
and Dhaulagiri peaks.
OPTION 2: continue descending along the
Marshyangdi river valley through the
rhododendron & oak forests and finally
conclude the trek at Besi Sahar and Drive to
Kathmandu.
Any physically fit person can do this trip
anytime from Mar to May [spring season] and
Sept to Nov [autumn season].
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Facts of The Trekking |
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Trip duration: 22 days / 23 days
Grade: Strenuous
Activity: Sightseeing & trekking
Starts in: Kathmandu
Ends in: Kathmandu
Trek type: FOT
Transportation: Flight optional,
private car or tourist bus
Accommodation: Hotel & camping
Meals:
Trek: AP/Hotel: BB
Maximum altitude: 5416m |
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Itinerary of Manaslu Trek in
Detail |
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Day 01 :
Arrival in Kathmandu
It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a
clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks
sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic,
beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences
that stay with you for a long, long time. A
representative and driver from our office will meet
you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The
representative will help you check into your
designated hotel. At the hotel, you will be briefed
about your daily activities. |
Day 02 :
Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of
Nepal and has been a popular destination for
tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to
visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of
Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in
the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two major
neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural
and religious significances. There will be a half
day guided tour to the famous and biggest Hindu
shrine of Pashupatinath, the largest Buddhist stupa
in Nepal Boudhanath, the 15th century Palace of 55
windows and Swoyambhunath. |
Day 03 :
DRIVE TO ARUGHAT BAZAAR
We drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway for the
first part of the day; we turn towards the hill
bazaar of Gorkha. The road gets a bit rough after
Gorkha. We will reach Arughat Bazaar after traveling
for seven hours from Kathmandu. |
Day 04 :
TREK TO SUNDI KHOLA
On our first day on the trail we head north,
following the Buri Gandaki. In the low country, rice
paddies and picturesque hamlets surround us. After
climbing briefly to Kyoropani, we descend once again
to the river and at the confluence with the
tributary of Sundi Khola. It is a nice first day not
too long, and perhaps we have time for a refreshing
swim sometime during the day for it is hot in the
low country.
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Day 05 :
MACHHA KHOLA
The country changes, the broad valley narrows and at
times the trail is cut into the steep valley side
which is densely forested. We pass a number of small
villages tucked into the hillside, until we reach a
widening of the valley, opposite the point where a
large tributary stream enters the Buri Gandaki. The
terraced farmland here belongs to the village of
Lapbesi. We descend once again to the wide, sandy
riverbed and follow a path, which runs below the
steep, craggy valley side. At length, we have to
climb up once again on a trail to Machha Khola,
which has a number of teashops. |
Day 06 :
JAGAT
We cross the Machha Khola - Fish Stream - and head
upstream to the tiny village of Khola Bensi and the
hot springs at Tatopani. The valley becomes steeper
until they are impassable and the route then
switches to the left bank by way of a suspension
bridge. The trail is quite exposed and challenging
in places. After a short section of forest path we
reach the single teahouse at Doban. Above Doban, the
Buri Gandaki descends an impressive series of
rapids. Beyond this steep section, the river is much
more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed.
At Lauri, we will cross the river on a suspension
bridge, and then climb on a high path to the fields
of Jagat. |
Day 07 :
DENG
After descending a long series of stone steps to the
river, we climb a terraced hill to Saguleri, from
where we can see the impressive Singri Himal, 7187m.
The path splits, with the right-hand branch heading
towards the Ganesh Himal while crossing the river at
Gata Khola. Our route continues upstream, through a
gorge section with towering walls. We cross the
river three more times in the next two hours to
avoid difficult valley sides and then climb up over
a further steep spur to reach the village of Deng.
Today we trek for a longer time i.e.7 hours. |
Day 08 :
GHAP
The valley is still steep-sided and most impressive.
We cross the village of Lama, and start to see mani
stones (prayers etched onto wayside rocks), a sure
sign that we are entering a high country Buddhist
region. After only about four hours we reach the
village of Ghap, which straddles the river. We have
entered the Tibetan area. There's a perceptible
change in the climate and culture. It gets
pleasantly cool, as we start to gain the altitude. |
Day 09 :
LHO VILLAGE
As we gain altitude, we move into alpine territory
and terrific mountain views. There are more mani
stone walls and 3 more crossings of the Buri Gandaki
on our route to Namrung, where our special permit is
checked. Above this village the valley opens out and
there are extensive pastures. Climbing gently now,
and crossing a large stream flowing down from the
Lidanda Glaciers, we reach the Tibetan village of
Sho, 3000m. We get our first incredible views of the
Manaslu North and then of Manaslu main ahead from
Sho. As we continue we come to Lho, a large village
at 3150 metres where there is a lovely little
monastery and numerous chortens and Manis. Looking
back Ganesh I is visible. |
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| Day 10 :
SAMA GAON
Leaving the village, we follow the right bank of the
river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. As we continue
on the main trail, we soon reach the fields of Sama
Gaon, 3500m. We reach Sama Gompa, 20 minutes beyond
the village, and Samdo, near the Tibetan border. |
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| Day 11 :
REST DAY
Surrounded by mountains in a peaceful forest, we
take a rest day to acclimatize and relax. It is a
good time to read that unfinished book or wash
clothes. |
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| Day 12 :
LARKYA LODGE (DHARAMSALA)
The thundering Buri Gandaki trickles to a stream as
we continue to follow its course ever upwards. We
are surrounded by spectacular mountains from all
sides. Manaslu is particularly impressive. After
crossing to the east bank of the river, we reach the
last permanent settlement in the valley, which is
called Sumdu. Above the village we cross the stream,
which runs down from the Gya La (Pass), the pass to
Tibet. We come to the ruins of an abandoned village,
known as Larkya Bazaar. Presumably this village
thrived as a trading point, with Tibet lying over
the Gya La. The commerce seems to have dried up
leading to the migration of the settlers. Nearing
the Larkya Glacier, we reach a lodge at 4450m, which
has been built to serve the travelers crossing the
Larkya La. |
Day 13 :
TANBUCHE
After a short climb above the lodge, we reach the
ablation valley on the north side of the Larkya
Glaciers. There are views of Cho Danda and then of
Larkya Peak. Finally, we walk across the moraines of
the glacier, making a gradual ascent, which becomes
steeper only in the last section to the pass. From
the pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung
Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna
II. Initially, there is a steep descent over snow
and then screed, to reach the ablation valley trail
to Larcia Kharka. A further on, a moraine ridge path
leads to Tanbuche 3900m. |
Day 14 :
EXPLORING FROM TANBUCHE
The valley system here is huge and well worth
exploring. But if you wish you can rest the whole
day. |
Day 15 :
KARCHE
Below us is Bimthang, a broad and level ablation
valley with a number of mani stone walls and
deserted houses. Crossing this high pasture, we
descend the valley of the Burdin Khola to the area
of the Base Camp to reach the west side of Manaslu.
From a ridge at 4150 metres, we have excellent views
of Manaslu to the south-east and Annapurna II to the
south-west. Beyond a bridge, over the headwaters of
the Dudh Khola, we descend into the rhododendron
forests and follow a trail through a narrow valley,
until we reach the highest cultivated land in this
valley at Karche (2785 metres). |
Day 16 :
DHARAPANI
We climb through terraced fields to the Karche La
pass. A green and densely forested valley lies
ahead, sloping down to the distant Marshyangdi
river. At Thonje village is our final restricted
area check post. Here we cross the Marshyangdi river
and join the main Annapurna Circuit with the hoardes
of trekkers and soon reach Dharapani. |
Day 17 :
JAGAT
An initially tight gorge briefly opens to Tal. The
area here was formed when the valley was blocked by
a landslide and a dam formed behind the lake. The
lake has long dried up and now the village of Tal
sits on the flat land. Over the next day and a half,
we pass through the main Himalayan range, between
Manaslu and the Annapurna range. |
Day 18 :
BAHUNDANDA
Making our way down from Jagat we reach Syange,
where we cross a suspension bridge to the east side
of the Marshyangdi Khola and onto easier terrain. We
have a short but stiff climb upto Bahundanda,
followed by a descent to Ngadi and Bhulebhule. |
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| Day 19 :
BHULEBHULE
Today we descend to Ngadi and Bhulebhule. Rice and
paddy fields carpets the landscape again. |
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| Day 20 :
TREK TO BESI SAHAR
With barely a hill on the way, this is an easy day's
walk. We might take the little-known east bank route
from Bhulebhule to Besi Sahar. |
Day 21 :
DRIVE TO KATHMANDU
It is approximately seven hours drive to Kathmandu.
We will have lunch at a good roadside restaurant. |
Day 22 :
Depart Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the
airport for your flight home. On the other hand, if
you prefer to stay longer you can go for short tours
such as games, drive at National parks, rafting,
Tibet tours, mountain biking etc. |
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