Highlights:
“From mid-hills of Gorkha on least ventured routes by main flow of trekkers. Explore traditional farm villages of Barpak, Laprak adorned with lively cultures Walk into lovely forest lined with tall rhododendron, magnolia and pine trees Following ancient Trans Himalaya Salt and Caravan trade route of Nepal and Tibet Low warm paddy fields to cooler hills and towards arctic zone of ice and glaciers”
Trek Short Profile:
Trekking Mode: Accommodation on best available local lodges.
Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous.
Trekking Area: Around North of Gorkha district around Manaslu Himal
and Manang district.
Highest point on trek: Larke-La pass 5,106 m / 16, 752 ft.
Trekking duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days with drive both ways.
Total Trip: 19 Nights / 20 Days from main arrival to departure.
Best seasons for Around Manaslu Trekking:
The best time for this wonderful Around Manaslu trekking is in the spring and autumn seasons, spring from March to May, and autumn/fall begins from September to November months.
Springtime from March to May will be much lively with wildflowers in seasonal bloom, especially the magnolia and rhododendrons the national flower of Nepal.
March to May fine clear day most of the time, with longer sun-light hours but can get overcast in the late afternoon with chances of snow sometimes on high altitude areas as well on passes. Autumn / Falls another best time for this trek with a fine clear day for views and walks. But days are shorter with sun-light hours, morning, late afternoon, and nighttime temperatures drop to freezing cold around the higher region with the bright starry night sky. Chances of snow on trails as well on passes.
Religion and Culture:
The mid-hills of Gorkha around Barpak and Laprak villages, highly populated by Gurung and Magar tribes. Practice both Hindu and Buddhism religions and cultures, with Hindu Bharamins and Chettries as well Dalits.
North of Gorkha district around High Manaslu and Manang Valley populated by Bhotia and Manang people the mountain tribes of Mid-West Nepal Himalaya. The native around high Manaslu and Manang Valley follows strong Buddhism religion of age-old culture similar to their predecessors Tibetan, on this trek, you will notice traditionally built houses, where every home is adorned with Buddhist prayer flags and religious monuments.
On this trek above Jagat village, coming across rows of prayer walls, spinning and wheeled prayer with Buddhist stupas, where walking clockwise will be the right way to respect the local culture as well visit interesting monasteries.
Overview
Around Mt. Manaslu Trekking, one of the best, exciting and adventurous walks. Where trekkers can experience the biodiversity of the country’s varied landscapes, climate, vegetation, and culture. As the walk progresses from low warm paddy fields to cooler high hills and towards the arctic zone. Where walk leads to ice, snow, and glaciers in some section of the route around high Manaslu valley.
As well as crossing over Larke-La Pass at 5,106 m, the highest point of the adventure surrounded by the giant mountain range. Larke-La Pass also forms a barrier between Manaslu areas of the Gorkha region with Manang district.
Around Mt. Manaslu Trekking, with two options the main route is driving straight to Maccha-Khola via farm town of Arughat. But on this adventure with a slight difference, where walk leads you off the mainstream for few days.
An opportunity to visit famous large hill villages of Barpak and Laprak of great cultural interest with views of Mt. Manaslu.
Around Mt. Manaslu starts with an exciting drive to Mid-West Nepal at Gorkha a historical town from the 12th to 17th Century. The home of the Shah Dynasty, from here began the conquest of the smaller kingdom and united the country into one Nepal. The journey continues to Barpak, a large hill village, from here our adventure begins heading towards higher Manaslu valley. As the walk continues to another village of Laprak, which looks almost similar and quite smaller than Barpak village.
From here onward walking on an elusive trail to reach the main route of Manaslu on reaching Jagat village. The starting point of Restricted Area, where all trekkers require a special permit to enter the upper Manaslu region and beyond.
After Jagat village walk leads towards the higher country, one can notice the dramatic change of landscapes, climate, and villages.
On entering high Manaslu valley, feel and experience the strong Tibetan influence around the villages of Namrung, Lo-Gaon to Sama-Gaon. As walk approach rows of Buddhist monuments and prayer walls around Namrung and Lo-Gaon, lovely picturesque villages. Facing close views of Mt. Manaslu and a range of adjoining peaks, the adventure continues on high scenic Manaslu valley.
After Lo-Gaon tall tree lines slowly disappear for the short bush of juniper and azaleas flowering shrubs of genus Rhododendron. Finally, the walk reaches to a major village of Sama-Gaon, situated on route to Larke-La Pass and
Mt. Manaslu base camp. Sama-Gaon, a perfect place for rest and acclimatization day, here explore the village of the great culture of strong Tibetan heritage.
Manaslu high area is an important route of the Trans Himalaya Salt and Caravan trail of Nepal and Tibet. In the early days’ caravan laden with goods from both countries passed through Sama-Gaon and Samdu villages. Trade still exists but in a smaller way than in the past century, from Sama-Gaon after an interesting moment.
The adventure continues to Samdu, the last village of Manaslu and Gorkha district, and route to the Tibet border and Larke-La. From Samdu village towards the end of Manaslu valley to Dharmasala and Larke Phedi, the bottom of Larke-La Pass.
Early morning, a long climb leads on a rocky slope past small icy ponds, and glaciated sections to Larke-La Pass. Achieving our main highlights of the adventure on reaching the highest point at 5, 106 m / 16, 752 ft.
From Larke-La fantastic panorama of snow-mountains that surrounds the top with close views of Larke Peak and Himlung Himal.
The Himalaya range extends to Annapurna II, III, and IV, with the Manaslu group of peaks, and then downhill to Bhimthang. Entering a new area around the district of Manang and back into a forest of tall pines and rhododendron trees.
After a tough climb, and a long descend from Larke-La, the rest of the walk on a pleasant scenic trail to Dharapani village. The ending point of our adventurous walks on this lovely village, situated on the route of Annapurna and Manaslu circuit route.
From Dharapani village taking a drive back to Kathmandu, past Besisar headquarter town of Lamjung district. From here onward on a good road as drive leads past farm town and villages to Kathmandu.
Finally, our marvelous adventure of great experience Around Manaslu Trekking completes on reaching at Kathmandu.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu 1,345 m and transfer to respective Hotels
Day 02: Kathmandu with sightseeing tour, trek briefing and preparations.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Gorkha historical town 1, 070 m – 05 hrs.
Day 04: Drive from Gorkha town to Barpak town 1,910 m – 04 hrs.
Day 05: Trek from Barpak to Laprak village 2,110 m-06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Khorla Besi 975 m – 06 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Jagat 1,345 – 05 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Deng 1, 850 m via Philim 1,570 m – 06 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Namrung 2,630 m- 05 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Lo-Gaon 3,180 m – 05 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Sama- Gaon 3, 520 m / 11,548 feet – 05 hours.
Day 12: At Sama-Gaon rest day for acclimatization and short hike.
Day 13: Trek to Samdo 3, 875 m – 05 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Dharmasala 4,460 m – 04 hrs.
Day 15: Cross Larke-La Pass 5,106 m and to Bhimthang 3,590 m – 07 hrs.
Day 16: Trek to Gho 2,760 m – 05 hrs.
Day 17: Trek to Dharapani 1,963 m -05 hrs.
Day 18: Drive to Kathmandu-07 hrs.
Day 19: Free day in Kathmandu for individual activities.
Day 20: International Departure homeward bound.
