Duration: 17 days
Cost: USD 1260
Trip Type: Hotel/Lodge
Grade: Medium-Hard
Altitude: 5,100 m
Destination: Nepal
Activities: Sightseeing/Trekking
Best Month: Mar-May & Sep-Dec
The Manaslu conservation area in Gorkha district provides ideal opportunity to experience the village tourism, pristine mountain view and typical Tibetan culture. This region is a home to 20 species of birds and 29 species of animals including snow leopard, musk deer and Himalayan Tahr.
Manaslu Trekking was officially opened to tourist from 1991 but first mountaineering expedition to Mt. Manaslu(8156m) was done by Japanese in 1956. Hence it is also called as Japanese mountain. This trek is geographically spectacular and culturally fascinating. The inhabitats of this area are typical tibetans who are direct descendants of Tibetan immigrants who settled here in early 1600s. The culture, history, landscape , lifestyle and traditions are exclusively Tibetan and interesting. This trek started as camping trek at the beginning but now there are some guest houses over the region and hence it is getting popularity as tea house trekking.
Manaslu trek starts from Arughat after we ride a bus from Kathmandu. The trek starts following the narrow trail along the bank of Budhi Gandaki River until Lapubesi. Passing through the local Gurung village, terraced field of tobacco, potato, millet and corn you will reach Tatopani where you can take a natural hot water shower to release the muscular and body pains. The trekking trail takes you further ahead as you will be entering the Manaslu Conservation Area. You can see mane wall, Stupa, Chorten and monasteries during your trek in this region. Many mountains views adds it value duirng the course of the trekking. You can see Shringi Himal, Manaslu, Manaslu North, Himalchuli and others during the trekking in this region.
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Day 01: Arrival to Kathmandu
Representatives from our office will welcome you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and bring you to your hotel room. You can visit our office or take a rest for the remainder of the day.
Day 02: Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley
Early in the morning after the breakfast, staff from our office will visit you at your hotel lobby where he will brief you about the trekking. Then after that you will go for a guided tour around the Kathmandu Valley to see some of the cultural and historical monuments. You will visit Pashupatinath Temple, Swoyambhunath, Bouddhanath and Patan Durbar Square. Return ealry from the sightseeing so that you will have enough time to prepare for the trekking which starts from the next day.
Day 03: Kathmandu to Arughat (570m)
Driving time: 7 hours
A trip to Arughat provides good starting point to Manaslu trekking compared to the trek from Gorkha as it saves few days of walking. Arughat lays at the bank of the Bhudi Gandaki river. The trip starts by taking public bus to Arughat from Kathmandu. If you wish we can arrange private vehicle to Arughat on your own cost. The highway to Arughat is zig-zag and bumpy however your trip will be satisfying as you can see nice landscape, river view, green valley, hills and some mountain view. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Arughat to Lapubesi (880m)
Walking time: 6-7 hours
Your first day hike starts today, try to walk at your own pace. You can also take a bus till Sotikhola and start walking from there to Lapubesi. From sotikhola the narrow trail follows the bank of Bhudi Gandaki River. The rocky trail goes up and down through the forest till Lapubesi. You will find herds of mules passing by, so please be careful and try to stay by the lap of hill and let the mule pass. You can see Waterfalls, Mountain peak(Sringi Himal 7187m), local Gurung village, farming land and huge Sal forest.
Day 05: Lapubesi to Tatopani (990m)
Walking time: 6 hours
After breakfast follow the narrow trail that makes minor ups and downs and sometimes drops to the sandy gravel bank of Budhi Gandaki river. You will pass through the gurung village, terrace fields of tobacco, buckwheat, potato, millet and corn along your way. After getting to Tatopani do not forget to take natural hot water shower which is believed to release muscle and body pains. Stay overnight here.
Day 06: Tatopani to Philim (1590m)
Walking time: 6 hours
Today too you need to follow the trail that goes uphill through forest by the bank of Budi Gandaki river. Cross the suspension bridge and ascend uphill to reach the compact village Jagat where we will make entry of our trekking permit. Today you entered the Manaslu conservation area. You will see mane wall, Stupa, Chorten & monastery around this area. Rest of the trail goes slightly uphill to the large Philim village mostly inhabited by Gurungs. Stay overnight here.
Day 07: Philim to Dyang (1800m)
Walking time: 5 hours
Wake up early today, if the weather is good you can see nice view of Sringi Himal also known as Buddha Mountain. Today you need to follow the right hand side trail by the bank of the Budhi Gandaki River passing through the narrow canyon valley. From Lungwa Khola you need to cross the bridge and follow left trail leaving behind the trail to Tsum Valley at right. The trail passes through the pine forest and grasslands slighly uphill until you reach the tiny village Dyang. Chances to see mountains, mani walls, rivers flowing between vertical rock walls, landscape and wildlifes.
Day 08: Dyang to Namrung (2660m)
Walking time: 6 hours
Trail goes slightly uphill following Budhi Gandaki river alike to previous trail till Namrung village. Most of the way you have to walk through the forest where you can see wild animals like monkeys and musk deers and different variety of birds including Nepali national bird colorful pheasant - Danphe. After getting to Namrung try to visit Bhuddhist Monastery nearby and make entry of your permit to police check point.
Day 09: Namrung to Samagaon (3530m)
Walking time: 6.5 hours
Today too the trail ascends slightly uphill to wide open valley through the forest of thorny plants and pine trees , green pastures, farming lands and apple orchards. You have to pass many local villages like Bharjang,Ligaon,Syogan,Lhogaon, Syalagaon and Samagaon. From Namrung the route ascends steeply up till Ligaon, then follow the moderately up and flat trail till Lho gaon and ascend 2 hours steeply uphill to Syalagaon then follow easy trail to Samgaon. This area is inahbitated by the typical indigeneous tibetan tribes. Today from the beginning you can see mountains like Shringi Himal, Himalchuli, Manaslu, Manaslu North, Naike peak & Larke peak. On the way, you can visit the popular monsatery on the ridge of the hill situated at Lho gaon from where you can view the beautiful mountains and valleys. Overnight at Samagaon.
Day 10: Samagaon to Samdo(3690m)
Walking time: 4.5 hours
Today you do have option for buffer day. Either continue your hikie to Samdo village or stay at samagaon. However we advise you to hike to Samdo and take buffer day as you can see better view from here. If you stay at Sama gaon try to visit Birendra Lake Manaslu Base camp which takes about 6.5 hours walking time. If you wish to hike to Samdo, try to follow left hand side easy trail by the bank of river slightly uphill until Samdo. Today you will leave tree line behind. From Samdo village you can go to Tibet border too. You will see spectacular mountain view, mane wall and buddhist graveyards.
Day 11: Acclimatization day
You have option to hike to Tibet border or hike to Samdo hill, choice is yours. It takes 7 to 8 hours to hike to Tibet border (up and down) and it takes 4 to 5 hours to hike to Samdo hill. We recommend you to hike to Samdo hill where you can see one of the best panoramic Mountain views on your whole trip. You will see mounatins like Manaslu, Samdo peak, Larke peak,Pangpoche Himal, Himal chuli & many more peaks.
Day 12: Samdo to Dharamshala (4470m)
Walking time: 4 hours
You are close to your final goal point. Trail goes slightly uphill, try to hike slow in a constant pace today as there will be less oxygen due to altitude. Be prepared mentally and physically. You will have opportunity to see blue sheep, Marmot, yak grazing on meadow, Mani wall, rocky land, alpine landscape, windy valley, snowing peak, glacier & mountain view along the way.
Day 13: Over the Larkepass(5106m) & Bimtang(3720m)
Walking time: 7 to 8 hours
Today the trail to Larke la is gradually up-hill. It is best to make a start early to cross the pass safely. You might experience some problem of altitude sickness as you move higher up, hike slow in a constant pace and drink as much water as you can. It might be extremely cold and windy. After 4.5 hours hike you will reach to your final destination - The Larke La. You will see Avalanche, hear crackling sound of glacier on the way. From the pass you can enjoy the breathtaking mountain views such as - Annapurna II(7937m), Hindu Himal, Himlung HImal(7210m), Nike, Cheo Himal(6820m), Gyaja khng(7030m), Kang Garu(6981m) and Pongkar Himal. Drop down slowly till the glacier as the trail is steeply downhill and rest of the trail is gradually downhill to Bimtang. From Bimtang you will see magnificent view of Manaslu, HImlung. Stay overnight at Bimtang.
Day 14: Gho(2560m)
Walking time: 5 hours
Today is the last day to get a close view of mountains so wake up early today before sunrise and take a final look of the panoramic mountains and hilly view. After breakfast we need to hike down to Gho. Descend gradually downhill and cross the glacier stream, again step slowly downhill through the pineforest along the bank of Dudh Koshi river till Gho. Stay overnight at Gho.
Day 15: Gho to Dharapani(1860m)
Walking time: 3 hours
Follow the bank of Dudh Koshi river gradually downhill for 3 hours to reach Dharapani. From Dharapani you have three options to choose from:
We suggest you to take Jeep to Besi Shahar if jeep is available else stay overnight at Dharapani and take a jeep next day.
Day 16: Kathmandu or Pokhara
If you wish you can go to Pokhara on your own from Besi Sahar or you can return back to Kathmandu by local bus along with your ttrip guide.
Day 17: Departure
Drop off at Airport and bid farewell.
Mandatory Items
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Krishna has to be one of the best guides in Nepal.I was very fortunate to have his company on the Manaslu trek. Higly recommended!
