Manshlu Trekking with Larkya-La

Arrival in Kathmandu Airport. welcome with garland and transfer to hotel.

Starting this wonderful trekking to Manaslu with an interesting and exciting drive following the Trisuli River for a while along the busy main highway of Nepal that connects various destination within Nepal, and leaving the main road our route heads across the river to mid hill town of Dhadingbesi, and then on the dirt track for few hours reaching warmer sub tropical area near Budigandaki river at Arughat bazaar for overnight stop in one of the few good lodge here in this busy village with shops and stores.

From Arughat village which is slowly developing into a town, starting the first day trekking following BudiGandaki River upstream most of the way near to its source on this trip, walk leads through many scattered farm fields and villages and sal tree
(sorea robusta) forest with fantastic views of Ganesh II at 7,118 m, Ganesh IV 7,104 meters. Then walking mostly on nice level path with few gentle and winding uphill in some sections of the trek and continue following Budi Gandaki river to reach Arkhet village, from here an hour climb brings at Soti Khola a small village for overnight stop with simple and basic lodge for overnight stop.

After a nice stop in this small village, today’s’ walk starts with a descent to reach the river side with small tea shops around, walk continues on the nice paved stone steps to cross Nauli Khola (stream) overlooking at waterfalls and then coming at Khanigaon a small village wand then walking on the gradual path to cross another bridge to reach our overnight stop at Machha Khola, a small farm village by the stream where fishing is popular here as the name of this village called Machha khola meaning fishing stream.

From here leaving the warmer to little cooler area as the morning walk continues following the Budi Gandaki river upstream passing many small villages with Khorla Beshi, after few breaks in between walk carries on the winding trail to reach Tatopani a place with hot spring as the name of this place Tatopani meaning hot water because of the natural hot springs located in the midst of a forest, after a nice stop walk leads passing few villages of Dovan and Yaruphants, by the river Budi Gandaki after crossing a bridge with a short climb to our overnight halt at Jagat village a moderate size and populated village with nice typical Nepali style houses with great number of shops and lodges.

After Jagat village walk heads higher with more elevation and getting cooler leaving the rice fields and terraces and walking past several farm villages and coming at Sidibas Bazaar, a nice small farm village and then leading to an uphill to cross a small bridge at place over Nagjet, to reach at Philim village a nice large farm village and populated with nice houses with well tended farm fields with wheat’s and barley growing on terraces, then slowly heading up hill to reach a large rocky top walking into bamboo forest and coming to a clearing on leaving the forest at Dyang village for overnight stop.

From this village onwards you can notice the difference of the villagers of Tibetan origin and culture and traditions. After Dyang a slow descent then walking by the river side, and then crossing the fast torrent river to reach Bihi Bazaar a small farm village with small stores and tea shops, and then continue walk for few hours to Ghap village for overnight stop.

Walk continues on this pleasant morning with scenic surrounding on reaching upper side of Manaslu area, and then following Budhi Gandaki River, after crossing the river, leading into scattered small farm villages and nice well maintained terraced of millets, wheat’s or barley ( as rice are grown only in warmer area below 1,900 meters) with few breaks in between and walking through Numrung village with first close views of majestic Mt. Manaslu North Face at 8,163 meters high with line of adjoining peaks. After enjoying the grand views of mountains walk leads past Banjham, Lhi and Sho small village and with another couple of hours walk to reach our overnight place at Lho village also called as Lho Bazaar.

After Lho village with views of striking sunrise over towering Mt. Manaslu, today’s walk is quite long but with great views as the walk leads into the Upper Manaslu with high hills and mountains on both side of this valley to reach the main village of this region at Samagaon, walking further capturing amazing views of the landscapes and of snow peaks passing several cattle herders shelters in this summer pastures and then finally reaching at Samagaon as the altitude slowly gains higher with change in terrain and vegetation. At Samagaon after getting organized in a nice lodge with time for walk around this large village of strong Tibetan influence in all nature.

An important to have a rest or free day here at this altitude before heading across Larkya-la in few days time, a short hike around and explore the village and the monastery nearby with grand vista of snow peaks of many snow capped peaks with Mt. Manaslu. From Samagaon leads to Manaslu base camp as well, with free day which allows acclimatizing also.

From Samagaon starting the morning walk towards higher ground on the open wide valley with few vegetation of rhododendron and juniper bushes, from here onwards tree lines ends in this wild country passing few summer shelters and farm lands to pass over Manaslu Glacier with views of Birendra Lake also called Samagaon Pokhari (pond) as the walk progress towards Samdo village close to the border of Tibet, after a nice pleasant walk on this high altitude for about five hours reaching at Samdo the last village before crossing Larky-la pass to Dharapani village on the main Annapurna circuit route to Manang area. Samdo a large village on this remote place, where local trade with Tibet leading Yaks caravan to bring Chinese goods in exchange of Nepali food stuff and spices.

After Samdo gaon heading towards the base of Larkya-la pass at Dharmasala or phedi, walk is short on this morning walk for about 3-4 hours to reach our today’s destination for lunch and overnight stop. Starting on crossing a stream flowing from Gya La which is near the Tibet border, walking ahead leaving the cross trail that leads to upper north towards Tibet frontier, with stunning views on the walk and then reaching at Dharmasala also called as Larkya Bazaar in early years before Chinese invasion of Tibet, a market or bazaar used to take place from both side of the country exchanging and trading goods.

Starting much earlier this morning for the big and long day to cross over Larkya-la pass at 5,200 meters and 17,060 ft high, walk leads to a steep climb dominate by awesome scenery of surrounding high mountains, then leading pasts four frozen ponds then with strenuous climb to Larkya La Pass top, the highest point of this adventure, forgetting the tiredness overlooking at magnificent views of Mt. Manaslu, Larkya peak, Himlung Himal and towards Ganesh Himal in the east direction. After a nice stop and rest walk downhill for 2 hours reaching the other side base of Larkya-la and back to tree lines of rhododendron, pines and firs forest after reaching the bottom of the pass, walk continues on gradual path for another 2 hours to reach Bhimthang for overnight stop after a long day of near or over 8 hours, this is a nice spot with large green meadow surrounded by coniferous woodlands.

From this wonderful place at Bhimthang with number of small and neat lodges walk continues to reach the popular Annapurna circuit route at Dharapani with overnight ahead in nice forest clearing at Gho small settlement, morning walk is mostly through thick woodlands on downhill path all the way at Gho overnight rest place.

Morning walk into the dense tree lines of rhododendron, pines and oaks and then on the downhill to reach at Tilje a nice village by the raging Marsyangdi river and beneath Dharapani village, here after a rest and lunch afternoon an hour climb to overnight stop on the Annapurna circuit main trail at Dharapani village with many good lodges around.

From here taking a jeep ride in the morning after breakfast on the winding road above Marsyangdi river overlooking beautiful cascading waterfalls and then a reaching warmer area back into farm terraces of rice paddies and to Beshishar a large town the headquarter of Lamjung district, here after a short rest probably lunch and carry on with the drive back to Kathmandu on the interesting highway, after 5-6 hours of exciting driving journey reaching at hustle bustle city life of Kathmandu and transfer to hotel after an overwhelming and enjoyable trekking around Manaslu.

The tour of holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath ( Little Tibet), Swayambhunath ( Monkey Temple) & monasteries, ancient Kings Palaces and courtyard in Kathmandu; after an interesting sightseeing back to the hotel, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities.

Depart from the hotel to the airport for final departure homeward bound or to respective destinations.