TREK TO MANASLU CIRCUIT

After breakfast start drive via Kathmandu – Pokhara Highway to Malekhu. Leaving Highway continue to drive to Dhading Besi and to Arughat for lunch. After lunch continue drive through unpaved road to Machhakhola passing through Soti and Likhu Village. Overnight at Teahouse lodge.

After breakfast, cross the Machha Khola- Fish Stream- and head upstream to the tiny village of Khola Bensi and the hot springs at Tatopani (which I want to investigate). The valley sides steepen 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 we reach the single tea house at Doban. Above Doban, the Buri Gandaki descends an impressive series of rapids. Beyond this steep section, the river is much more placid, meandering across a broad gravel bed. At Lauri, we re cross the river on a suspension bridge and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat, where we camp.Overnight at Teahouse lodge.

After descending a long series of stone steps to the river, treks climb a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where we can see the impressive Sringi Himal, 7187m. Crossing the river again, at Gata Khola, the path splits, with the right–hand branch heading off towards the Mustang. Our route continues upstream, through a gorge section with towering walls. We cross the river three more times in the next two hours to avoid difficult valley sides and then climb up over a further steep spur to reach the village of Deng, where we camp. Overnight at Teahouse lodge.

The valley is still steep- sided and most impressive. We cross to the village of Lana, and start to see mani stones, a sure signs that we are entering high country Buddhist regions. After only about four hours we reach our overnight place at the village of Ghap, which straddles the river. We have entered the Tibetan areas and the cultural change is obvious, and the climate change is also obvious the trekking is pleasantly cool now, as we start to fain the altitude. Overnight at Tea house lodge.

We gain altitude to take us into alpine territory and increasing mountain views. There are more mani walls and 3 more crossing of the Buri Gandaki on our route to Namrung, where our permit is checked. Above this village the valley opens out and there are extensive pastures. Climbing climb gently now, and cross a large stream flowing down from the Lidanda Glaciers, and reach the Tibetan village of Sho, at an altitude of 3,000m / 9,840 ft. Here we witness our first incredible views of the Manaslu North and then of Manaslu main ahead. Overnight at Tea house lodge.

Let the exploring start! We will discuss with locals what our best option is to get to the Gompa. Our sherpas reckon it could be a very nice walk to take the smaller direct trail…. We pass thru Lho, a large village at 3150m where there is a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens and manis. Looking back Ganesh I is visible. Leaving the village, we follow the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. At a fork in the trail, we take a detour to the left, which leads up to Honsansho Gompa and the Pungen Glaciers, from where there is a stunning view of Peak 29 and Manaslu. Overnight at Tea house lodge.

Today is short trek to Samagaon, which is surrounded by mountains in a peaceful forest. Rest of the day after lunch is free to acclimatize and relax. Overnight at Tea house lodge.

Spend a rest day for acclimatization before we go into further higher altitude. Overnight at Teahouse lodge.

Now that we are more used to the altitude we take some time to have a good look around.

The once large Buri Gandaki is now merely a stream as we continue to follow its course ever upwards. Everywhere you look is mountains, as spectacular as they get and 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 the Gya La (pass), the pass to Tibet, and there is the ruin of another village here known as Larkya Bazaa. Presumably this village thrived on trade with Tibet over the nearby Gya La, a trade which is now much diminished. Nearing the Larkya Glacier, we reach a lodge at 4450m which has been built to serve the travelers crossing the Larkya La. Overnight Tea house lodge.

Today we will skirt a moraine and climb up ridge; eventually ending up on top of the moraine at about 15,400 ft. descends a bit, and then make the final steep climb to the pass at 16,928 feet. From here the views are Tremendous example Himlung Himal (23,373ft), Cheo Himal (22,370 ft), Kang Guru (22,898ft), and Annapurna II (26,041ft), the descends follows, the top of the moraine to the west, then drops steeply and traverses scree slopes. We make a long shape of steep, rough switch back to cross the moraine there is a final long, steep, slippery decends and loose gravel to another grassy moraines at 14,596ft. Head down to a large meadow and a rest house at Vingtang 12,202ft. Situated in huge valley surrounded by high peaks this is a tough day which about 8~9hours of hiking. Overnight at Teahouse Lodge.

Descends through pine and rhododendron forests to Hompuk and down to a fork of the Dudh Khola, continue to Gho. Overnight Tea house lodge.

Cross the Dhod Khola and trek along the river bank. As the trail decends through scrub forests, the wall of the Marshyangdi valley looms larger. Finally the houses of Dharapani become visible. At the village of Thonje, we go through a police check point, and then continue to Dharapani for lunch. After lunch get into the waiting public jeep and drive to Besishahar. Upon arrival switch into the waiting tourist vehicle and drive to Kurintar which may takes another 2 & ½ hours. Overnight Teahouse lodge.

The remainder of our trek follows the trail use on the first few days up the Classic Around Annapurna trek. Descends to the Marshyangdi River and cross the suspension bridge. Climb up and away from the river and Hike through a broad, flat valley to the village of Tal (5,494 ft), Situated at the foot of a large waterfall. Continue to Chyamje, re crossing the river once again descends through forest of Lali Guras and Salla to Syange. Overnight Teahouse lodge.

Final departure transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport.