Manaslu – 2 options/ 24 or 20 days, 5416m or 5235m

Trekking around Manaslu offers an opportunity to experience unique region with few trekkers which makes a visit here more exclusive and unspoiled. Manaslu trekking provides spectacular beauty along the border of Nepal and Tibet and is now a controlled trekking route, allowing organized trekking groups special permits to gain entry into this region to venture round its spectacular circuit. This trek can be continued also inside Annapurna Region. In this way the trek from Dharapani continues all the way to Manang further to Thorung La Pass (5416m). This trek is finished in Jomsom. Two options are described in the itinerary below:  longer and shorter one.

Trip Hightlights:
  • Duration: 24/20 Days
  • Type of Trek:  Teahouse
    Nowadays in Manaslu region basic teahouses are available and food is fairly good quality. Tourists also can choose village stay trip. Village stay trip is much cheaper compare to full organize camping trek. In the village stay trek we use tents but we take food from the locals.
  • Max Altitude: 5416m (I option), 5235m (II option),
  • Minimum Pax: 2, maximum: 20
  • Mode of travel: Airplane (local airlines, Option I) or land transport (Option II)
  • Grade: Severe
Proposal of the itnerary: 2 options

OPTION 1: 24 days, trek to Jomsom at Kali Gandaki river valley crossing which is another high and arduous hike through Thorung La Pass (5416m); finishing the trek by flying to Pokhara (then fly to Kathmandu).

OPTION 2: 20 days, continue descending from Dharapani along the Marshyangdi river valley through the rhododendron & oak forests and finally conclude the trek at Besi Sahar and drive to Kathmandu.

Both options are the same till the 13th day!  

(B, L, D – breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  • mapa_manasluDay 01 – Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to Hotel, welcome dinner (D)
  • Day 02 – Manaslu permit preparation/free day in Kathmandu (B)
  • Day 03 – DRIVE TO ARUGHAT BAZAR (640m)
    We drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway for the first part of the day. The road gets a bit rough after Gorkha. We will reach Arughat Bazar after seven hours of driving. (B,L,D)
  • Day 04 – DRIVE BY JEEP TO MACHHAKHOLA (900m) via SOTI KHOLA (775m)
    The day we drive north, following the Budi Gandaki. After climbing briefly to Kyoropani we descend to the river and at the confluence with the tributary of Soti Khola. 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 Budi Gandaki. (B, L, D)
  • Day 05 – JAGAT (1340m)
    We cross the Machha Khola and head upstream to the tiny village of Khola Bensi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The trail is quite exposed and challenging in places. After a short section of forest path we reach Doban. Above Doban the Budi Gandaki descends an impressive series of rapids. At Lauri we will cross the river on a suspension bridge and then climb to Jagat. (B,L,D)
  • Day 06 – DENG (2085m)
    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. We finally climb up over a further steep spur to reach the village of Deng. Today we trek for a longer time 7 hours. (B,L,D)
  • Day 07 – GHAP (2100m)
    Next day we cross the village of Lama and we enter Buddhist region. After only about four hours we reach the village of Ghap. 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. (B,L,D)
  • Day 08 – LHO VILLAGE (3200m)
    We move into alpine territory and terrific mountain views. There are 3 more crossings of the Budi Gandaki on our route to Namrung, where our special permit is checked. Climbing gently and crossing a large stream flowing down from the Lidanda Glaciers we reach the Tibetan village of Sho (3000m). As we continue we come to Lho – large village at 3150m. (B, L, D)
  • Day 09 – SAMA GAON (3500m)
    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). (B,L,D)
  • Day 10 – REST DAY
    Surrounded by mountains in a peaceful forest we take a rest day to acclimatize and relax. (B, L,D)
  • Day 11 – LARKYA LODGE “DHARAMSALA” (4500m)
    After crossing to the east bank of theBudi Gandaki 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 Larkya La Pass, the pass to Tibet. We come to the ruins of an abandoned village, known as Larkya Bazar. Nearing the Larkya Glacier we reach our lodge at 4450m. (B,L,D)
  • Day 12 – CROSS LARKYA LA (5215m) AND TREK TO BIMTHANG (3590m)
    We first climb towards Cho Chanda and then slowly head steeply uphill towards the snowed-up pass. From the top the panorama is magnificent: Himlung Himal (7126m), Cheo Himal (6820m), Kang Kuru (6981m) and the Annapurna 2 (7937m). The descent is steep, through moraines, towards Bhimphedi. (B, L, D)
  • Day 13 – DHARAPANI (1860 m)
    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. We stay in Dharapani for overnight. (B,L,D)
Option I Option II
  • Day 14 – CHAME (2713 m)
    We climb to the Karche La Pass. At Thonje village is our final restricted area check post. Here we cross the Marshyangdi river and join the main Annapurna Circuit. We arrive at Bagarchhap – a Bhotia village. We pass through Dhanakyu. Further on the Marshyangdi Khola enters a gorge and the path consists of steep stone steps. We go via Ratamron and Kotho to Chame. This is a half day trek. (B,L,D)
  • Day 14 – JAGAT  (1300 m)
    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. (B,L,D)
  • Day15 – PISANG (3185 m)
    With Lamjung Himal (6893m) sparkling in the morning sun, we set off for Pisang. Some parts of this trek become extremely steep-sided as we follow the path to Bratang. Walking we can see the east peak of Annapurna 2 as well as Pisang Peak to the north-east. We stay overnight in lower village of Pisang. (B,L,D)
  • Day15 – BAHUNDANDA (1200 m)
    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 Bhulbhule. (B,L,D)
  • Day16 – MANANG (3351 m)
    We walk through an area from where Annapurna 3 is visible as well as Annapurna 4 (7525m). We cross the Marshyangdi Khola via a wooden bridge to the tiny village of Mungji. We can see the village of Bryaga with its splendid monastery. We can also admire the great peaks of Annapurna 2,  Gangapurna (7455m) and Tilicho Peak (7134m). After a short steep climb we reach Manang. (B,L,D)
  • Day16 – BHULBHULE (985 m)
    Today we descend to Ngadi and Bhulbhule. On the way we can see the landscape of rice and paddy fields carpets. (B,L,D)
  • Day17 – THORUNG PHEDI (4480 m)
    From Manang we climb to the next village: Tengi. Next we cross the Gundon Khola. As the elevation gradually increases, we soon enter an alluvial delta where there are yak pastures. We cross Letdar and climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marshyangdi. Finally after 8 hrs we reach Thorung Phedi for overnight stay. (B,L,D)
  • Day 17 – TREK TO BESI SAHAR (920 m)
    With barely a hill on the way, this is an easy day’s walk. We might take the little-known east bank route from Bhulbhule to Besi Sahar. After lunch we walk around Besi Sahar. (B, L, D)
  • Day18 – MUKTINATH (3802 m)
    We start early to cross the Thorung La Pass (5416m). The trail is steep but well-trodden. After few  hours of steady climbing we see Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang. We walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath – here we stay overnight.  (B,L,D)
  • Day18 – Drive by private transport to Kathmandu
    It takes approximately 6-7 hrs. We have lunch at a good roadside restaurant.   (B, L, D)
  • Day19 – JOMSOM (2713 m)
    We walk down via Kali Gandaki valley through an arid region which lies in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar, villages with typical Tibetan architecture. We stay overnight in Jomsom. (B,L,D)
  • Day19 – Free day in Kathmandu. (B)
  • Day20 – Morning flight to Pokhara.
    Morning flight takes us to Pokhara (30 min). In the afternoon we can have sightseeing tour around Pokhara valley. We stay overnight in a hotel. (B)
  • Day20 – Transfer to airport, flight back home. (B)
  • Day21 – Leisure day in Pokhara. It’s also spare day in case of bad weather in Jomsom. (B)
  • Day22 – Fly back to Kathmandu. (B)
  • Day23 – Free day in Kathmandu. (B)
  • Day24 – Transfer to airport, flight back home. (B)

Galeria

Manaslu – 2 options/ 24 or 20 days, 5416m or 5235m Manaslu – 2 options/ 24 or 20 days, 5416m or 5235m Manaslu – 2 options/ 24 or 20 days, 5416m or 5235m Manaslu – 2 options/ 24 or 20 days, 5416m or 5235m Manaslu – 2 options/ 24 or 20 days, 5416m or 5235m