Manaslu Trek – 19 days

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At a glance

Trekking Destination: Manaslu Trekking 
Grade: adventures
Transportation: Private(four wheel drive) and public vehicle
Trekking hour: 5-8 hours each day
 

Description

Manaslu (mountain of the spirit) rises in the scenically superb region above the foothills of the Gorkha District west of Kathmandu. These villagers are Gurungs, a Tibeto-Burman people who practice Buddhism; with influences of Hinduism in the lower hills. The entire region has been largely ignored by development, so remains poor, yet culturally rich. 

A scenic drive through the Middle Hills leads to the trailhead beyond Arughat at Soti Khola. The route then follows the fast flowing Budhi Gandaki Nadi to its source below the Larkya La. The river is deeply incised into the landscape frequently forcing the narrow trail to cling to cliffs as it undulates upwards over side-tributary ridges. It passes through a mix of farmlands and forests of bamboo, rhododendron, oak and pine for the first eight days. At Deng, the trail enters the Kutang – Nupri valleys (the western mountains: part of Tibet until the 1840s); peopled by an old Tibetan community with its own distinct customs and language.

A rest and exploration day is set for Samagaon to visit the large Kargyu-Pemba Chholing Gompa of the Nyingma-pa Buddhist sect; whose priests are allowed to marry. The Pungyen Nunnery is built on a ridge, south of the village, with superb views of Manaslu. A climb to the high Manaslu Base Camp may also be possible. 

The crux of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is the two-day climb through tundra and scrub-juniper from Samagaon to the Larkya Phedi Dharmasala Lodge and then to the Larkya La summit (5,160m/16,930ft).  The scenery along the way, and particularly from the summit, is magnificent. 

The descent across scree slopes is steep at first, becoming more gentle. The trail then descends into the dense forests of the Marsyangdi River, crossing onto the Annapurna Circuit Trail that leads to Tal for the jeep/bus back to Kathmandu.  

Outline Itinerary

1 Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu.

You are welcomed by hospitable meeting with your airport representative and then you will be transferred to hotel. Our airport representative will explain briefly the program upon arrival. Overnight at hotel. B.B

2 Day 02: Trek Preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour.

Sightseeing of world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley including, Kathmandu Darbar square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Pasupatinath Temple. Overnight at hotel. B.B

3 Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Arughat (640meters) 8 hours.

Your Trekking staff will come to your Hotel early in the morning to pick you up; Arughat, the trekking point is about 9hrs journey. From Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi (The district headquarter of Dhading1050m) for 4 hours is comfortable drive on black top road from there to Arugat is another 5 hours we will be driving through the gravel /rough road. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

4 Day 04: Arughat to Soti Khola (775meters) 6 hours.

Along the Budhi Gandaki River toward its point of main source. We pass the village of Morder and Simre to reach Arkhat River. After Arkhat we go up slowly toward Kyoropani. Camp today nears the confluence of Seti River - an ideal place to take a fresh water bath. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

5 Day 05: Soti to Machha Khola (900meters) 5.30 hours.

Trail descends slowly until you climb again to mountain ridge to Almara. Pass the forest trail to arrive at Riden Gaon. The valley here cuts into another side of the river to enter Budhi Gandaki. At Lambesi, the trail follows down to the sandy river bed of Budhi Gandaki. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

6 Day 06: Machha Khola to Jagat (1340meters) 6 hours.

After crossing Machha River and Khrola besi, there is a hot spring called "Tatopani". The trail follows forested area after this toward Dovan. Below Dovan, there is a huge rapid at Budhi Gandaki. As the elevation increases, the rapids and the scenery undergoes a complete transformation. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

7 Day 07: Jagat to Ngyak (2310meters) 6 hours.

After ascending to a terraced hill of Saguleri and view of Sringi Himal (7177 meters) we continue towards Sirish Gaon, Gandaki valley narrows from herewith soaring precipitous walls. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

8 Day 08: Ngyak to Ghap (2100meters) 6 hours.

Follow the trail upstream of Deng River - a tiny village of 4 houses. We walk through a newly built rock tunnel from here, thus avoiding the traditional steep climb. At Ghap, the Tibetan culture begins with Mani stones and Chortens all around. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

9 Day 09: Ghap to Lho (3200meters) 6 hours.

After crossing the wooden bridge over Budhi Gandaki we follow the path lined with houses these are scattered with fertile cascade fields with traditional production of mountain people. At Namru, there is a police check post again. After Namru, across the Hinan river originating from Linda Glacier and continue on to Sho. Naike peak, Manaslu north (7774 meters) and Manaslu (8150 meters) are visible from here. Tonight we camp near a spring at Lho gaon - a small village. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

10 Day 10: Lho to Samagompa (3500meters) 6 hours.

You will pass the stone gate and long Mani stone wall of the village after Lho with full view of different types of mountain peaks ahead. You can make a side excursion to Pungen Glacier from here to get a very close up view of Manaslu. Follow the lateral moraine of Pungen Glacier toward Sama. From the village of Sama, it takes another 20 minutes to reach Sama Gumpa for night hold. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

11 Day 11: Acclimatization and exploration day.

We will spend one more days for acclimatization and village tour. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

12 Day 12: Trek to Dharmasala (4450meters) 6 hours

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. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

13 Day 13: Trek to Bhimphedi (3590m) via Cross Larkya La pass (5215m) 8 hours.

We first climb towards Cho Chanda and then slowly head steeply uphill towards the snow-crapped pass. From the top the panorama it looks magnificent: Himlung Himal (7126meter), Cheo Himal (6820meters), Gyagi Kung, Karan Kuru (6981meters) and the Annapurna II (7937meters). The descent is steep, through moraines, towards Bhimphedi. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

14 Day 14: Bhimphedi to Tilco (3900meters) 5 hours.

We start with a mild climb through paddy fields towards the small Karcha La pass and descend through fig tree and rhododendron forests to Tilco. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

15 Day 15: Tilco to Tal (1725meters) 5 hours.

Follow the trail downstream of Marshyangdi River, passing through the scattered villages to reach Tal village for overnight stay. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

16 Day 16: Tal to Syange (1300meters) 6 hours.

Today the trail descend downstream of the river passing the village of Chamje,Himal pani and Jagat We will have overnight stay at Syange. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

17 Day 17: Syange to Kathmandu (720m) 8 hours.

Today is our final day of the trekking we catch private/public transport to get back to Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel.

18 Day 18: Relaxation day in Kathmandu.

Relaxation day in Kathmandu.

19 Day 19: Transfer to the International Airport for your home departure. “Farewell”

Transfer to the International Airport for your home departure. “Farewell”

Trip Facts

Cost Includes:

  • Airport pick up & transfer by private car / van
  • Two nights accommodation with breakfast at a star category hotel in Kathmandu
  • Meals on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) prepared by our expert cook
  • Twin sharing tented accommodation during the trek
  • An experience guide (trained by Ministry of tourism), required number of porters, their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipments
  • Manaslu and Annapurna conservation entry fees and TIMS card
  • Trekking equipment (two men tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, table with chairs, kitchen utensils, and other necessary equipments during the trek)
  • Manaslu trekking special permit fee (Manaslu region is in restricted zone, we need special permit to visit this area)
  • Surface transfer Kathmandu to Arughat by jeep and Besisahar to Kathmandu by bus
  • First aid medical kit bag.
  • All government and local taxes.
  • Office service charge.

Cost Excludes:

  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Travel insurance
  • International airfare
  • Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
  • All cold drinks such as: alcoholic beverages, mineral water, Coke, Fanta, juice, etc.
  • Hot and cold showers during the trek
  • Personal trekking equipments
  • Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is appreciated but it is not mandatory)

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Useful Info

Upon Arrival 

When you arrive at Tribhuban International Airport, our staff will greet you and transport you to your accommodations. After resting, the next day you will have a sightseeing tour of the city's most influential cultural landmarks. Before departing for your trek, we will review your itinerary, introduce you to your guide and help with the final preparations for your journey.

Meals and Drinking Water

We provide quality food in sufficient quantities (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from guesthouses chosen from a menu . Tea or coffee is also included with meals. While Everest Base Camp Trekking, your guide will help with menu selection and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive due to the extreme locations. Most teahouses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate and soft drinks and in some areas you will find fresh fruit in season. You can buy bottled mineral water from local lodges and shops en route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills.

Our Trekking Guides and Staff

Your guide's role is to ensure that all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He will share his local knowledge, and provide advice on how to fill your free time as well as co-ordinate the day-to-day running of the tour - although occasionally he may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your guide know so that steps can be taken to correct the situation.

We are a well-established adventure company and we employ professional trekking guides with comprehensive knowledge of English and all required supplementary crew members (everyone has basic communication skills). We also provide training for our staff, thus enhancing their work efficiency. Our guides are intimately familiar with all local castes and customs along the trails and will share with you many cultural insights that are not covered in any guide book. You will have many chances to learn Nepali phrases and other cultural aspects throughout your trek. All of our team/ guides receive training in the following courses.

  • Trekking Guide Training &licensed- Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management & Tourism Training Centre
  • Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
  • Intensive Wilderness First Aid KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
  • English Language KEEP
  • Conservation and Biodiversity TAAN
  • Rock, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (Climbing leaders) Nepal Mountaineering Association

Acclimatization

We are experts in operations at high-altitude. Every trip we run has a sound acclimatization program. We created the Tsum valley Trekking itinerary to allow for gradual height gain spread over a number of days. There is no way of predicting who will suffer from altitude, but for the vast majority of people, a slow ascent will produce minimal effects. Acclimatizing takes time and there are no safe shortcuts. For all trips to altitudes in excess of 3,000 meters, our guides carry medicines essential to the treatment of altitude illness; they are trained to track symptoms as well as administer medications.

Travel Insurance

To be adequately protected in terms of insurance, you will need specialized travel insurance for participation in hazardous activities. A travel insurance policy that covers emergency evacuation, trip injury, lost baggage, theft, liability, medical treatment and expenses is strongly recommended. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as trekking and climbing. Our agency can arrange for the appropriate policy based on your trek.

Climate and Weather

The climate of Nepal is as varied as its geography. The low-lying Terai has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate. The Himalayan foothills, where most of our treks take place, are best in the cool dry season from September to May. The traditional trekking season in Nepal is late September to December, with October and November generally recognized as having the best weather. Spring is also a popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom. The visibility is good and days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters.

The Tsum valley Trekking is likely to have a wide range of temperatures depending on the altitude and the time of day. In the mountains up to 3,500m the nights will be cool, normally around 5 degree C, and during the day temperatures sometimes rise to 25 degree C. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 20 degree C to -15 degree C.

Group Size

We bring together a small group of likeminded people to give them a memorable and insightful travel experience with an invaluable opportunity to interact in a fun-filled environment. Our travel group generally comprises a maximum of 12 members. We need a minimum of 2 participants to run our fixed departure dates. For individualized trips, no minimum or maximum applies. If you would like to travel independently or with your friends, families and colleagues, you are invited to choose any of the trips at your convenient time frame for any number of people.

Responsible Travel

The beautiful environment of the Himalaya is also an extremely fragile one. At Himalaya Message Adventure, we are extremely conscious about the environment and aim to minimize the detrimental impact as much as possible. As deforestation is one of the greatest environmental threats, we do not have campfires and we use kerosene as cooking fuel. We also discourage trekkers from using wood-fuelled hot showers in lodges along the way. Many lodges, however, now provide solar energy, a far more eco-friendly alternative.

Garbage disposal is another major problem. Some of the busier trails are at times strewn with litter and garbage thrown by irresponsible trekking groups. Our staff members are well motivated towards eco-friendly practices. We carry the non-biodegradable garbage, apart from that which can be safely and easily burned at the campsite. Our aim is to help protect and preserve this beautiful environment for future generations of trekkers to enjoy.

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Trip Notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

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