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The trekking
route around Manaslu has long been a restricted area due
to the close proximity of the Tibetan border and is now
open, but only for organised groups. Our trek makes a
complete circumnavigation of Manaslu and its satellite
peaks, starting from the historical township of Gorkha.
The route initially traverses a ridge line before
descending into the Buri Gandaki River Valley, where we
ascend gradually from lush sub-tropical terrain into
alpine forest and then the barren yet mystical rain
shadow area to the north of Manaslu and Himalchuli
peaks. Here we explore the Tibetan villages of Samagoan
and Samdo and marvel at the huge glacier and lake the
lies beneath Manaslu’s north face.
The highlight of the trek is the crossing of the Lakya
Pass (5105m), which though not technical involves a long
and demanding day to reach the far side. The approaches
to the pass offer superb views of both the Annapurna and
Manaslu ranges. We descend to enter Marsyandi Valley
before meeting the main Annapurna Circuit trail to
Besishahar. This is an outstanding camping trek that
offers magnificent mountain panoramas of Himal Chuli
(7893m), Shringi Himal (7187m) and Manaslu (8156m). |
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Facts of the Trek
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Trip Duration: 20 Days
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Activities: Cultural sightseeing &
Trekking |
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Starts in: Kathmandu |
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Ends in: Kathmandu |
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Trek Type: Camping |
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Grade: Strenuous |
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Max Altitude: 5416 m. |
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Minimum Pax: 1 + |
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Mode of travel: Local bus and car |
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Grade: Hotel in Kathmandu
/ Tent during the trek |
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Private Trip Departure everyday
upon your request. But if you are interested to
join with group, please see below our fixed
group departure dates as per your requirement.
Fixed Departure Date for 2009
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Itinerary in Detail
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Day 01 : |
Arrival in Kathmandu
It’s 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. And as your plane hits the tarmac, our
waiting support team will meet and greet you at
the airport and escort you to your hotel.
Welcome drinks will be served and over night at
your hotel. |
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Day 02 : |
Sightseeing in 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 significance.
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. |
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Day 03 : |
Drive from Kathmandu to Arughat Bazaar
(570m.) takes about seven hours. You drive along
the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway for the first part
of the day; you turn towards the hill bazaar of
Gorkha. After Gorkha the road gets a bit rough
but you will reach your destination Arughat
Bazaar in approximately seven hours from
Kathmandu. Stay overnight at camp in Arughat
Bazzar. |
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Day 04 : |
Trek from Arughat Bazaar to Soti Khola
(530m.) takes about six hours. You trek over a
flat leveled path along the bank of Budhi
Gandaki River through mostly terraces, numerous
villages, green hills, some pretty waterfalls
and you are almost surrounded by green forest.
Today you take lunch at Arket Bazaar which lies
mid way to Seti Khola. This is the best place to
relax and you can enjoy swimming to ease your
tiredness of the walking. To reach Soti Khola,
the trail fluctuates uphill and downhill through
forest of Sal, Chilaune and other local
vegetation. Soti Khola is a village at the bank
of Budhi Gandaki. The swimming spot is nearby
here. Stay overnight at camp in Soti Khola. |
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Day 05 : |
Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola
(890m.) takes about six hours. The zigzag path
passes through forest, villages, streams, pretty
waterfalls and green valley until you reach Lapu
Besi. This is a village mainly covered by
Mongolian inhabitants. Now you again traverse
the zigzag path to reach Machha Khola. There is
a small market with a few shops, lodges and
donkeys that are kept there. Stay overnight at
camp in Machha Khola. |
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Day 06 : |
Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat (1350m.)
takes about six hours. You cross the Machha
Khola [Fish Stream] and head upstream to the
tiny village of Khola Bensi and the hot springs
at Tatopani. The valley sides are steep 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 you
reach the single teahouse at Doban. Above Doban,
the Buri Gandaki descends on an impressive
series of rapids. Beyond this steep section, the
river is much more placid, meandering across a
broad gravel bed. At Lauri, you cross the river
on a suspension bridge, and then climb on a high
path to the fields of Jagat, where you camp.
Stay overnight at camp in Jagat. |
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Day 07 : |
Trek from Jagat to Philim (1700m.) takes
about three hours. The early part of trek moves
gently uphill and then somewhere through a flat
leveled path. You cross a suspension bridge over
Budhi Gandaki before you enter Philim. Philim is
a big village mainly inhabited by the Gurungs.
Small monasteries, chortens and prayer flags
fluttering in the sky, graves and typical houses
will be seen around here. Stay overnight at camp
in Philim. |
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Day 08 : |
Trek Philim to Deng (2095m.) takes about
six hours. You trek over a flat leveled path
mostly through forest of pine, rhododendron and
others. While walking, you cross a few bridges
and can see villages at a far distance. A few
houses are seen at Deng. From here, you can
enjoy a pretty waterfall lying at some distance.
Deng is famous for its potatoes, buck wheat,
barley, wheat, cabbage, spinach as people are
mostly involved in agriculture in this area.
Stay overnight at camp in Deng. |
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Day 09 : |
Trek Deng to Namrung (2900m.) takes
about five hours. In the beginning, you trek
almost a flat leveled path and then the trail
moves uphill all the way to Namrung through
forest. From here, you can enjoy the spectacular
views of Mt. Manaslu, rock hills, a green valley
and ridges. Namrung is a Buddhist village where
there are monasteries, a water turbine, hydro
electricity power house, mani walls, chortens
and prayer flags can be seen fluttering in the
sky. The typical houses remind you of Tibetan
architecture. Stay overnight at camp in Namrung. |
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Day 09 : |
Trek Namrung to Lhogaon (3100m.) takes
about four hours. You trek over a winding path
which moves through the inner Himalayan range.
On the way, you can enjoy mountain views of
Rupinala pass, Mt. Manaslu, Gorkha Himal, Dwijen
Himal, Saula Himal, Lajing peak, and many other
snow capped mountains and peaks. As you go up
the vegetation decreases. In the afternoon, this
part becomes quite windy. While walking, you
come across mani walls, chortens, prayer flags
and monasteries. Before you reach Lho Gaon, you
pass a Tibetan village and Lihi Gaon. There is a
monastery named Chon on a ridge and also a
Buddhist school at Lho Gaon run by Buddhist
monks. People mainly grow oat, barley, buck
wheat, potatoes and vegetables in this area. You
can catch panoramic views of Mt. Manaslu, Gorkha
Himal, Dwijen Himal, Saula Himal, Lajing peak
and others from Lho Gaon. Stay overnight at camp
in Lhogaon. |
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Day 10 : |
Trek Lhogaon to Samagaon (3390m.) takes
about four hours. Leaving the village, you
follow the right bank of the river, with views
of Peak 29 ahead. As you continue on the main
trail, you soon reach the fields of Sama Gaon,
3500m. You camp at Sama Gompa, 20 minutes beyond
the village, or Samdo, near the Tibetan border.
Stay overnight at camp in Samagaon. |
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Day 11 : |
This is a day for rest at Samagaon to
give you some acclimatization. Surrounded by
mountains in a peaceful forest, you take a
breather to acclimatize and relax. You can hike
to Manaslu Base Camp for excellent views of
Samdo (Pang phuchuli); Nagdi chuli, Simnang
Himal, Manaslu glacier, Manaslu ice fall and you
can see Birendra Kunda which is an ice lake
nearby the Manaslu Base Camp. Stay overnight at
camp. |
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Day 12 : |
Trek from Samagaon to Samdo (3690m.)
takes about four hours. You trek gently uphill
all the way to Samdo through a desert path and
windy valley. The Tibetan border is just four
kilometers away from Samdo. But visitors are not
allowed to pass the border. There is a Tibetan
refugee village at Samdo. This is an excellent
view point for Mt. Manaslu, Samdo (Pang
phuchuli), Nagdi chuli, Simnang Himal, Manaslu
glacier, Manaslu ice fall and several other
majestic peals. Stay overnight at camp in Samdo. |
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Day 13 : |
Trek from Samdo to Larkya La Phedi
(4460m.) takes about three hours. The trail is
rocky and zigzags all the way to your
destination. Before you reach Larka La Phedi,
there is a market called Larkya Bazaar (market)
where seasonal fairs are held for the local
folks. People bring goods from Tibet to sell it
here. You will also find a Dharmasala at Larkya
La Phedi. Stay overnight at camp in Larkya La
Phedi. |
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Day 14 : |
Trek from Larkya La Phedi to Larkya La
(Pass) (5135m.) to Bimthang (3590 m.) takes
about seven hours. Early in the morning you
begin to trek a steep ascented path until Larkya
La through a rocky and windy path. Today you
carry packed lunch. From the top, you can enjoy
the views of Larkya peak, sunrise, Mt. Manaslu,
Ratna chuli, Cheo Himal and many other snow
capped mountains and peaks. Crossing this pass,
you hike to a steep downhill path through rock
and ice. On the way, you will encounter many icy
lakes. Bimthang is a broad and level ablation
valley with a number of Mani walls and deserted
houses. Stay overnight at camp in Bimthang. |
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Day 15 : |
Trek from Bimthang to Dharapani (1860m.)
takes about four hours. Crossing this high
pasture, you descend the valley of the Burdin
Khola to the area of the Base Camp for the West
side of Manaslu. 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,
you descend into a rhododendron forest and
follow a trail through a narrow valley until you
reach the highest cultivated land in this valley
at Karche, 2785 meters. Walking down you cross a
stream to reach Tilje. There is an apple orchard
and it is quite famous for local wine. Leaving
Tilje, you trek uphill for nearly 45 minutes and
reach Dharapani crossing a bridge over the
Marshyangdi River. Stay overnight at camp in
Dharapani. |
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Day 16 : |
Trek from Dharapani to Jagat (1800m)
takes about six hours. You trek all the way over
a descended path along the bank of Dudh Khola
(river) and Marshyangdi River. On the way, you
walk through pleasant villages such as Taal
which is an attractive village with a pretty
waterfall and you can enjoy the sight of lush
green hills. Eventually, you come across Jagat
which is a stone village situated on a shelf,
that juts into the precipitous Marsyangdi
valley. Stay overnight at camp in Jagat. |
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Day 17 : |
Trek from Jagat to Nagdi (850m.) takes
about four hours. A steep trail descends from
Jagat through Marshyangdi valley. You cross
Marshyangdi River at Syange and walk through
Ghermu Path (Ghermu field). This part of the
trek is pleasant through a flat leveled path
with views of green valleys and villages at some
distance. Past this Ghermu field and a village,
your trail goes uphill for nearly half an hour
to reach Bahundanda. This village is mainly
populated by Brahmins, Chhetris and few other
ethnic communities. At this point, you descend
all the way to Nagdi. Nagdi is a Gurung village
and the local lodges are run by people who had
migrated from Manang and other places. Stay
overnight at camp in Nagdi. |
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Day 18 : |
Trek from Nagdi to Besishahar (823m.) takes
about four hours. You trek over a flat leveled
path all the way to Besishahar through villages
such as Bulbule, Khudi and others. Your route
cuts across terraces, ridges and sometimes you
cross small streams. Beshishahar is the district
headquarters of Lamjung district. All the local
government offices are situated here. From here,
you can see some mountain peaks, natural
sceneries surrounding the valley and the daily
activities of the local people. This headquarter
is the junction from where daily essential
commodities are supplied to the different
villages and numerous towns around. Stay
overnight at camp in Besishahar. |
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Day 19 : |
Drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu takes about
seven hours. It is a picturesque drive on the
way back to Kathmandu along the banks of the
Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers with splendid
views of green hills, mountains, farming
terraces and colorful villages on both sides of
road. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu. |
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Day 20 : |
Depart Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the
airport for your flight home. (Or stay longer
for short tours such as game drive at National
parks, do some wild-water rafting, a Tibet tour
or even mountain biking, etc- please let us
know). |
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The
cost includes the following services:
* Airport
pick-up and drop off services by car
* Special trekking permit for Manaslu
* Entry permit for Manaslu Conservation area
* Trekking Guide
* A cook
* Necessary Porters
* Necessary Kitchen helpers
* Necessary Sherpas
* All surface transportation to the starting point and
from the ending point of the trek
* All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner,
juice, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fruits etc.)
* Necessary Camping equipment such as tents, kitchen
tent, dining tent, toilet tent, mattresses, down
sleeping bag, down jacket, cooking utensils, fuel etc.
* Camping charges
* Necessary insurance for trekking stuff
* First Aid and kits
* Rescue assistance
* Four nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on
breakfast basis
* One day sightseeing in and around Kathmandu valley
with tour guide and private vehicle.
* Entry fees while sightseeing in and around Kathmandu
valley
The
cost does not include:
* Nature of personal expenses
* Drinks, beverages, hot shower, etc.
* Tips
* Hotel accommodation, lunch and dinner in Kathmandu |
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