Overview
This trek was officially opened to tourist in 1991, but mountaineering expeditions have had long access to the area. In 1950, a party led by HW. Tilman trekked from Thonje to Bimtang and Col. Jimmy Roberts crossed Larkya La looking for an interesting mountain to climb.
This trek was officially opened to tourist in 1991, but mountaineering expeditions have had long access to the area. In 1950, a party led by HW. Tilman trekked from Thonje to Bimtang and Col. Jimmy Roberts crossed Larkya La looking for an interesting mountain to climb. Japanese Expeditions attempted Manaslu (8,156m) every year from 1952 until 1956, when the first ascent was made. Having come to be known as ÒJapanese MountainÓ, much of the information about the area was available in Japanese. The Japanese continued to dominate the climbing scene of Manslu until 1971. A few trekkers, including peripatetic Hugh Swift, managed to obtain the trekking permit for the region. But otherwise this trek always has been the domiain of the mountaineering expeditions.
The journey around these legendary mountains is enjoyable and tough. Beginning form Gorkha, Buri Gandaki Valley River, over Larkya La Pass and descending to the Marsyangdi River, you will trek down to Besisahar from where we will drive back to Kathmandu.
Itinerary
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, meet & transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Swoyambhunath, Kathmandu durbar Square, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Aarughat. Stay overnight lodge.
Day 04: Trek to Soti Khola (775meters) 6 hours.
Day 05: Trek to Machha Khola (900meters) 5.30 hours.
Day 06: Trek to Jagat (1340meters) 6 hours.
Day 07: Trek to Dyang 1,800 m – 06 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Ghap (2100meters) 6 hours.
Day 09: Trek to Lho (3200meters) 6 hours.
Day 10: Trek to Sama Gaon (3500meters) 6 hours.
Day 11: Rest day in Samagaon for acclimatization.
Day 12: Larkay lodge [Dharmashala]
Day 13: Tanbuche
Day 14: Exploring from Tanbuche
Day 15: Trek to Karche
Day 16: Trek to Dharapani
Day 17: Trek to Jagat
Day 18: Drive from Jagat to Besisahar.
Day 19: Drive from Besisahar to Dhading. Overnight @ Country Paradise
Day 20: In Dhading
Day 21: Drive back to Kathmandu.
Day 22: Final departure from Kathmandu.
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, meet & transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Swoyambhunath, Kathmandu durbar Square, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Aarughat. Stay overnight lodge.
Beginning this scenic and interesting journey with a drive in the morning from Kathmandu on the Nepal main busy highway, journey leads following the Trishuli river for a while passing many towns and country farm villages and our route diverts from the main road towards Dhading Besi, a hill village – town, the drive follows the rough dirt road and then reaching at Arughat bazaar for overnight stay by the Buri-Gandaki River, this is a busy place with small lodge, shops and stores where villagers comes here to purchase their daily requirements.
We drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway for the first part of the day; we then head towards the hill bazaar of Gorkha. The road gets a bit rough after Gorkha. We will reach our destination, Arughat Bazaar, after seven hours from Kathmandu.
Day 04: Trek to Soti Khola (775meters) 6 hours.
From here onwards starting the first day trekking following Buri Gandaki River upstream, through many farm villages and cultivated farm lands with great views of Ganesh II (7,118 m) and Ganesh IV (7,104 m). The walk gets better on the gradual trail with few short ups and down following the river Buri Gandaki upstream then with an hour climb to overnight stay at Soti Khola, a small farm village located by the Soti Khola.
Day 05: Trek to Machha Khola (900meters) 5.30 hours.
After a nice stop at Soti Khola, morning starts with a downhill walk to the river banks with few smaller tea shops and journey continues climbing the traditional village stone steps, then over the Nauli Khola stream looking at waterfalls and with another bridge to cross at Machha khola, then a short uphill climb to Machha Khola village for overnight stay, this is a small farm village with fishes in the nearby river, so the name Macha khola “fishing river”.
Day 06: Trek to Jagat (1340meters) 6 hours.
Morning trek continues following the river Buri Gandaki and coming at a small Khorla Beshi village, from here the walk gets gradual on the winding trail to Tato pani “hot water or spring” in the forested area, with a nice pleasant stop walk leads to follow again the Buri Gandaki River, and then over the bridge reaching at Jagat village for overnight stay, this is fair size village with shops, teahouses and simple and clean lodges.
Day 07: Trek to Dyang 1,800 m – 06 hrs.
From this nice Jagat village, starting the morning trekking following the raging Buri Gandaki River, through several farm terraced and villages to Sidibas Bazaar, from here a short uphill walk and then on the downhill path reaching at Philim village, from this nice village walk continues through farm fields of wheat’s and barley, then climbing up on the rocky path and into bamboo forests for an hour reaching at Dyang village for overnight stay.
Day 08: Trek to Ghap (2100meters) 6 hours.
The valley is still steep-sided and most impressive. We cross the village of Lama, and start to see mani stones (prayers etched onto wayside rocks), a sure sign that we are entering a high country Buddhist region. After only about four hours we reach the village of Ghap, which straddles the river. 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.
Day 09: Trek to Lho (3200meters) 6 hours.
Today is a wonderful trekking day; after passing through the seemingly deserted seasonal village of Nambachhe, planted with fields of barley and lined with mani walls, we ascend through a dense, cool forest for an half an hour, crossing the Buri Gandaki once on a wooden bridge, to Namrung, at 2540 meters, where we will stop for a cup of chai at a lodge run by a Tibetan family. As we gain altitude, we reach alpine territory and are treated to increasing mountain views. Namrung village is the start of Nubri, the region of purely Tibetan inhabitants speaking a dialect of western Tibet. Above this village the valley opens out and there are extensive pastures. A few hours later, we reach the village of Lihi at 2840 meters, a substantial altitude gain. We are climbing climb gently now, cross a large stream flowing down from the Lidanda Glaciers, and reach the picturesque Tibetan village of Sho at 3000m, where we stop for lunch. Look for the bear claw on the upper deck of the house, and across the river to the ruins of an old Tibetan fort. From Sho, the views of Ngadi Chuli are spectacular, and further on, towards Lho, we are finally treated to views of Manaslu itself; quite an impressive afternoon! We set up camp in Lho, a lively village adorned with many prayer flags, in the yard of a small lodge. Sunset and sunrise from the campsite are wonderful, and the small gompa just below our campsite worth a visit.
Day 10: Trek to Sama Gaon (3500meters) 6 hours.
After a pleasant time at Lho village and catching the striking sunrise views reflecting on towering Mt. Manaslu, walk today takes to the biggest villages of upper Manaslu at Samagaon village, journey carry’s on into nice pleasant rhododendron, juniper, firs and pines forest, after few hours of walk leaving behind the green vegetation and tree lines area, from here onwards the vegetation gets sparse as the altitude gains and walking over old Phungen Glacier then finally arriving to our night stop at Samagaon village, this is one of the largest village around this area, afternoon explore the village and interact with the local people.
Day 11: Rest day in Samagaon for acclimatization.
This will be an ideal spot for a free day and to acclimatize well, as few days walk from here leads to higher altitude and to Larkya-la which is the highest point of this wonderful trekking, at Samagaon explore the village and observe the daily life and local culture.
Day 12: Larkay lodge [Dharmashala]
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. Nearing the Larkya Glacier, we reach a lodge at 4450m, which has been built to serve the travelers crossing the Larkya La.
Day 13: Tanbuche
After a short climb above the lodge, we reach the ablation valley on the north side of the Larkya Glaciers. There are views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. We walk across the moraines of the glacier, making a gradual ascent, which becomes steeper only in the last section of the pass. From the pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and the huge Annapurna II. Initially, there is a steep descent over snow and then scree, to reach the ablation valley trail to Larcia Kharka.
A further on, a moraine ridge path leads to Tanbuche 3900m.
Day 14: Exploring from Tanbuche
The valley system here is huge and well worth exploring. But if you wish you can rest the whole day.
Day 15: Trek to Karche
Below us is Bimthang, a broad and level ablation valley with a number of mani stone walls and deserted houses. Crossing this high pasture, we descend the valley of the Burdin Khola to the area of the Base Camp to reach the west side of Manaslu. From a ridge at 4150 metres, we 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, we descend into the rhododendron forests and follow a trail through a narrow valley, until we reach the highest cultivated land in this valley at Karche (2785 metres).
Day 16: Trek to Dharapani
We climb through terraced fields to the Karche La pass. 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. Here we cross the Marshyangdi river and join the main Annapurna Circuit with the hoardes of trekkers and soon reach Dharapani.
Day 17: Trek to Jagat
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 rang
Day 18: Drive from Jagat to Besisahar.
Day 19: Drive from Besisahar to Dhading. Overnight @ Country Paradise Resort. After breakfast, drive from Chitwan to Dhading which is approx. 3 hours’ drive to Country Paradise Resort. Dhading, situated west of Kathmandu is close to the capital in terms of distance, but large parts of the district, especially in the north, are very remote due to lack of roads. The village is not situated very high, so it is nice and warm even throughout the winter, but still you have excellent views on the Annapurna range, Ganesh Himal, Mount Manaslu. You can see an impressive view and natural beauty which surrounds Nalang.
Here you will see organic coffee farm and will accommodate in a simple resort from where you can have good mountain views.
Home to Nepal’s highest coffee plantation and perhaps one of the highest organic coffee estates in the world, this idyllic setting is a model for environmentally friendly fair trade coffee production and tourism for developing the rural area based for helping the unskilled local women’s and disadvantage groups.
Day 20: In Dhading
Today you will visit our schools project, short walk around the villages and meet local people.
Day 21: Drive back to Kathmandu.
Day 22: Final departure from Kathmandu.
AdmirorGallery 5.0.0, author/s Vasiljevski & Kekeljevic.
Secured & Audited by: Security Audit Systems
