Nepal: 17 Days Manaslu Trekking

  • Sophisticated
  • 5,120 M
  • 14 Days Tea House
  • 4 Days Hotel Days
  • 14 Days Trekking Days

Manaslu Trekking: A Journey Through “The Restricted Area” of Nepal

Manaslu Trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that takes you through “the restricted area” of Nepal. This area was opened to trekkers in 1991 and has since then attracted adventure enthusiasts from all over the world. Here is everything you need to know about this thrilling trek:

The History of Manaslu Trekking

The history of Manaslu Trekking can be traced back to 1950 when Jimmy Roberts was looking for a suitable mountain to climb. She crossed the Larkya La pass through Thinje and Bintang and reached there. The first successful attempt to climb Manaslu was a Japanese expedition in 1956. Since then, the mountain has become known as the “Japanese Mountain” due to the fact that almost all the information available about it was in Japanese.

The Difficulty of Manaslu Trekking

This Trekking is one of the most difficult treks in Nepal. The Buri Gandaki Valley, which you need to cross during the trek, does not allow you to simply walk through the valley. You have to climb and step back, and then climb again and step back because there is no other option.

The trek leads through several climatic zones, including hot and humid regions along the Buhri Gandaki and the Marsyangdi Khola in the Annapurna region. The ground in this region can be muddy and slippery, and you will need to navigate through small villages and jagged ravines with very steep cliffs.

The trek also leads across grassy slopes, scree and snow, and ice near the Larkya La (5135m). The slopes in this trek are occasionally quite steep, and the Larkya La can drop a lot of snow in the vicinity. The daily period of hiking will vary from 2 to 10 hours, and you will need to ascend and/or descend approximately 300m to 1000m per day.

How to Reach There?

To begin your Manaslu Trekking adventure, you will start your trip from Kathmandu to Soti Khola. From there, you will follow the route to the Buri Gandaki. As you continue moving to the north, you will climb higher and the landscape will become much wilder. Waterfalls and numerous suspension bridges will appear over the Buri Gandaki. The heat will decrease, and Tibetan Buddhism will change its appearance and houses. Eventually, you will leave the inhabited world behind you and pull yourself up to the glacier area of the Larkya La (5120m).

Why Choose Manaslu Trekking?

Despite the difficulties and challenges, Manaslu Trekking is an incredibly rewarding experience. The trek takes you through remote villages and stunning landscapes that are not often seen by tourists. You will get to witness the unique culture and traditions of the locals, who have lived in this region for centuries. Along the way, you will also be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu itself.

The Best Time to Trek Manaslu

The best time to trek Manaslu is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. During these seasons, the weather is clear and dry, and the temperature is mild. However, during the winter months, the region experiences heavy snowfall, and during the monsoon season, the trails can be slippery and dangerous.

Conclusion

Manaslu Trekking is an adventurous and challenging journey that takes you through diverse landscapes and climatic zones. The trek is more difficult than other treks in Nepal and requires a good level of fitness. However, the breathtaking views of the Manaslu range and the unique cultural experience make the trek worth the effort.

Trekking Region: Manaslu, Annapurna

Culture: The majority of the population is Gurung
Trek starts from Gorkha
Trek ends: Bensi Sahar
Total duration: 15 days Difficulty: ** (*)
Highest point: Larkya La ( 5120m )
Best season: October – November, and March – April
Himalayas highlights: Manaslu, Annapurna range

Note: (B) breakfast + (L) lunch + (D) dinner

Map of Route

manasalu

 

Day to day schedule to Nepal: 17 Days Manaslu Trekking

  • Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel. (D)

    Arrival and pick up from the international airport in Kathmandu, after some refreshment we will invite you for a traditional Nepali dinner.

  • Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley o/n +B

    After breakfast sightseeing Kathmandu: first we visit Soyambhunath, which is a beautiful Buddhist monastery, also known as the monkey temple, perched at the top of a hill –an excellent viewpoint to see Kathmandu. Next, we drive to Pashupatinath Temple (the National Hindu temple) & Buddha Natha (the biggest Buddhist monastery). These places are of interest because they were built in the 5th century, rich in their architecture and religious meanings. After visiting these historical heritages of great importance, we leave the rest of the day at your leisure. At your interest, you can wander around the small, lively streets in Thamel and shop along full with hundreds of colorful shops.

  • Day 03: Drive to Maccha Khola (900m, 8/9 hrs) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    After early breakfast, we start our drive to Machha Khola (Fish River). Machha Khola is a village situated above a stream of the river.

  • Day 04: Trek to Jagat (1410m, 6/7 hrs) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola, flowing in a rocky ravine, then reaches Khorlabesi. After a few more ups & downs there is a small trailside hot spring, from where we reach to Tatopani. From the Hot spring, we climb over another ridge, then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. Climb on a wide, well-crafted staircase, then across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan. Crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Cross to the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, climb over a ridge, and trek along the river then climb towards the village of Jagat.

  • Day 05: Trek to Deng (1,804m, 6/7 hrs) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. Continue upstream to a long suspension bridge. Climb up to Philim, a large Gurung village. The trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays fairly in level as it traverses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti. Beyond Ekle Bhatti the route enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. Descend to the grassy land slopes, cross the Budhi Gandaki, then trek along the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank and then back again. As we keep walking the valley widens through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola.

  • Day 06: Trek to Ghap (2165m, 3/4 hrs) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    After a short distance beyond Deng we recross the Budhi Gandaki on to the north bank and then climb to Rana at 1980m. From the bridge, we climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley. Crossing various streams and rivers we drop into the Sringi Valley. Making ups and downs in forests, we pass mani walls and then turn to a corner and contours to Ghap, You can make a side-trip to Prok. Visit the Tibetan Gompas at Prok. There is also an MCAP office in Prok village.

  • Day 07: Trek to Lho (3180m, 7/8 hrs) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    The path follows the river upstream through dense forest. After crossing the river at an impressive spot where it thunders down a narrow gorge, the forest becomes less dense and the trail is fine again. The pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb, we reach Namru. To the south rises a huge peak, Himal Chuli. Climbing steadily in the shade of a forest takes us to Lihi, a fine village with many chortles and many barley terraces. We still have quite some way to go to Lho. Ganesh Himal rises high into the sky when we turn around. The trail drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal. A Chorten with detailed paintings announces Sho, another nice village with fine views up the open valley. One final steep slope needs to be climbed and then we reach the houses that are lined up on a ridge.

  • Day 08: Trek to Samagaon (3530m, 5/6 hrs) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    The Buri Gandaki is far down but we follow a small tributary instead. Walking in the shady fir forest is very enjoyable, a short climb to a plateau and the village Shyala. Huge mountains surround us, Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead, other snow summits to the right, at the far end of the valley we have just come from stands Ganesh Himal. From a large chorten we look down into a little dip where two rows of houses form the main part of Sama. At the far end of the village, overlooking the valley stands the well-known monastery of Sama.

  • Day 09: Rest day in Samagaon, o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    We spend the day at Samagaon both for rest and acclimatization. Ponder at the thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures. Meet the village women in Samagaon who wear a nice silver spoon as jewelry. On a little hill near Samagaon is an old Gompa. Take a side trip to Pungyen Gompa, a monastery with great views of the glacier. It is named after Manaslu; Pungyen means bracelet, a good description of the two peaks. It was destroyed a year after the first unsuccessful Japanese attempt to climb Manaslu. The locals believed that the climb angered the gods, and when the Japanese came back a year they met so much resistance that they had to give up their attempt. They finally summited the mountain in 1959.

  • Day 10: Trek to Samdo (3860m, 4/5 hrs) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    Descend to the Budhi Gandaki, that has turned north, and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. The trail to the left leads to the Manaslu Base camp. The Larkya la Trail passes several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river passing the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. We drop off the shelf, cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge and climb steeply onto a promontory between two forks of the river. From a stone arch we can see a large white Kani, finally passing through the Kani we find Samdo.

  • Day 11: Trek to Dharamsala (5hrs, 4460m) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    We continue our walk down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over Buri Gandaki and begin walking upward. Cross two streams and witness the Larkya Glacier. 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 Dharmshala, also known as Larkya Phedi. We spend overnight here today and have a rest to prepare for tomorrows crossing of the famous and most awaited Larkya Pass. The short walk today also leaves plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon.

  • Day 12: Trek to Bimthang (3720m/8-9 hrs ) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    After a short climb, we reach the ablation valley on the North side of the Larkya Glaciers. There are views of Cho Danda, 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. Savor the spectacular views from the top of the pass. It is a longer day than usual to Bimtang, but to walk into these low pastures with the evening mist coming in and Manaslu; it’s an experience not to be missed.

  • Day 13: Trek to Gho (2560m, 4/5 hrs) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    Cross the high pasture, descend the valley of the Burdin Khola. From a ridge at 4150 meters, you 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, descend into a rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land in this valley at Karcher, 2785 meters. From here we cross a slide, then go across fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off the ridge in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank at 2580m. A short distance beyond is the village of Gho.

  • Day 14: Trek to Dharapani (1920m, 3/4 hrs) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

    Continue through the fields, over a clear stream, passing through the houses and fields interspersed with rhododendron and oak forests. Staying on the north bank we trek into Tilje. Climb over a small ridge to the stone-paved village and wind among the closely spaced houses of this large Village. Leaving the village, cross the Dudh Khola and trek along the river embankment. Cross a wooden bridge back to the northern side of the Dudh Khola and climb up through a chorten-shaped arch and past a mani wall to Thonje. At the village of Thonje, we go through a police checkpoint, and then continue to Dharapani.

  • Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu (1350m, 245km, 8/9hrs) o/n in a hotel +B+L

    The Marsyandi valley opens and on its bank’s terrace fields and villages clung very high to the hillsides are the age-old work of the Nepalese farmers. We cross several interesting villages such as Bhulbhule, and Khudi. Then we drive on a flat part alongside the left bank of the Marsyandi to Besi Sahar, a dusty, and busy place, and further drive back to Kathmandu.

  • Day 16: Rest and free day in Kathmandu o/n in Hotel+B

  • Day 17: Departure +B

    Transfer to international airport in Kathmandu

What is included?

  • Government licensed trekking guide and porters during trekking
  • 3 meals a day during trekking (B, L, D)
  • Special Manasalu permit and conservation fee
  • Pickup and drop from and to the international airports in Kathmandu
  • Hotel in Kathmandu with bed and breakfast
  • Government licensed guide with privet transport during sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
  • Accommodation in lodge during trek
  • Transportation with local bus from and to the trekking starting and ending point

What is excluded?

  • Travel insurance incl. Repatriation by helicopter rescue in case of emergency
  • International Airfare
  • Personal expenses and tips for staff
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Entrance fee of the monuments and monasteries

Trip Dates and Availibility

From/To Availability
From 12 Sep, 2023 To 26 Sep, 2023 Implementation guarantees Inquire
From 20 Oct, 2023 To 3 Nov, 2023 Guaranteed when booking Inquire
From 27 Mar, 2024 To 10 Apr, 2024 Implementation guarantees Inquire
From 10 Apr, 2024 To 27 Apr, 2024 Guaranteed when booking Inquire
From 17 Oct, 2024 To 31 Oct, 2024 Implementation guarantees Inquire

Best Seasons Listing

Best Season
March to June
September to November

Trip Customization

Nepal Trekking

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