Around Manaslu Circuit Trekking

Morning starts with scenic and interesting drive beyond Kathmandu valley towards winding road. The drive past many farm villages and towns within warm areas following Trisuli River to reach around Dhading district.

As drive continues heading uphill and down within warmer areas to reach Arughat within Gorkha area. From here, the rough dirt road continues following Budi-Gandaki River upstream to the overnight stop at Soti-Khola. And, it’s the place where our walk towards higher Manaslu valley begins.

Start first day of  walk from this interesting place Soti-khola. It leads us towards the steep valley within thick forest walking past smaller villages. And then, reach into a wide valley opposite of a large tributary stream that runs into Budi-gandaki River.

As our walk descends to a wide, sandy riverbed, get nice views of cultivated terrace of Lapbesi upper village . Then, it follows a trail that meanders below a steep, craggy valley side.

Then walk progress leading to a climb towards Machha Khola for overnight stop. It’s a village with number of tea-shops and small lodge. Where Maccha Khola means a Fish Stream.

From here onward, you will encounter many interesting farm villages and neat cultivated fields. As  vegetation changes slowly due to altitude and climate in Manaslu trekking. Next, our morning walk leads to cross over a stream where Machha Khola name comes from. And then walk upstream towards Khola-Bensi village with Tatopani, a place with natural ‘hot spring’.

Similarly, walk continues and valley becomes much narrow and steeper. Then our trail switches to left bank of the river. And then cross a suspension bridge, after a short period of walk entering patch of forest. And then reach at Doban located on the high shelf of Budigandaki River.

Our long walk of the day continues across a broad field towards stream and over a suspension bridge. Then, leads to a climb on high trails to descend into an open valley of Yara Khola.

And then, our journey continues on for another hour to reach at Jagat for overnight stop. Jagat is a nice farm village with mix tribes of Magar, Chettries, some Newar, Brahman, Manaslu Bhotia (Tibetan looking tribes).

Next day, downhill  from Jagat on stone steps to reach a river.Where path climbs to a terraced hillside at Saguleri. From here one gets the superb views of Sringi Himal which is above 7,187 m high. Then, the walk continue with ups and down trail as our route reach at a bridge over Budi-Gandaki.

After crossing over a bridge, our trail winds up to reach at Philim village for short break. So, observe this nice farm village with rich cultivated fields and terraces.

With  refreshing stop at Philim, walk from here leads higher past scattered farm villages. Climb through terraces of golden fields of wheat’s and barley in Manaslu circuit trek. Then reach  to a rocky ridge top covered within bamboo forest area towards Eklai Bhatti, means a lonely Inn. At present few more shops has been come up.

After a rest, walk towards higher Manaslu area, where our route divert toward North West to reach Dyang. Stop at Dyang for overnight stay which is a small nice village of Tibetan culture.

Morning walk leads entering into sheer cliff walls, within dramatic sections of the walk. Then  Manaslu circuit trek route continue passing farm village. We see houses and terrains completely changes into Tibetan culture from Dyang onward.

From here walk leads at Bihi, a small village, with people of more Tibetan origin with strong Buddhist culture.
Villagers of the area grows buck wheat, wheat, barley and potatoes as staple crops. Since trekking gain popular around the area, spinach, carrots and cabbages are also grown.

After Bihi walk continues for another two hours to a steep sided and scenic valley. We will encounter Mani prayer stone walls, as walk leads at Ghap, a village with stop for possible lunch break.

As walk altitude gains, enter into alpine and coniferous woodland. Where path meanders with steep up, as valley opens out with extensive pastures. And then cross a large stream flowing from the glacier of Lidana.

On walk enjoy grand views of Manaslu with native name as Kutang (Manaslu) Himal range. Also, Pang Phuchin 6,335m, Saula Himal 6,235m with many unnamed peaks of above 6000m.

Walk from here with gradual uphill as altitude gains at slow pace. Thus, pass farm village to reach at Namrung for overnight stop, the village is also called Sho Namru.

With overnight at Namrung, walk leads to spread out farm fields within Yak country around high Manaslu valley. The locals here  are engaged in farming. Then move to  high and scenic valley all the way to Lo Gaon, a nice village for overnight stop.

This is one of the attractive villages around Manaslu region. At Lo Gaon, enjoy close views of towering Manaslu North Face. Also visit its monastery with numerous chhorten and Mani walls with views of Ganesh Himal towards east.

Now onward, walk is much easier but depending upon altitude route leads to a slow and gradual climb. During this time  you will encounter constant views of mountain with Peak 29 ahead. After couple  of hour climb, reach into a patch of forest and then at at Shala village.Also enjoy excellent view of Phungi, Manaslu and Himal Chuli.

Walk for few hours further where day completes reaching Sama-Gaon village, with superb view of Mt. Manaslu.

Sama-Gaon  is a one of the largest  village within high Manaslu Valley. Where natives are mostly farmers cultivating buck wheat, barley, which are the main crops in this high and harsh terrain. But with together potatoes and some high and cold vegetables are also grown. Villagers around high Manaslu valley descended from South West Tibet way back more than 400 years of history.Thus, custom and culture of ancient Buddhist heritage are similar to its origin Tibetan predecessor.

The local villagers are still active with trade and bartering across the border with Tibet.It takes few days to reach the frontier of Nepal and Tibet.

Today have a free day to support acclimatization before heading towards high Larke-La pass. So, explore around Sama-Gaon with houses adorned with similar style of Tibet with grand views of peaks. One can visit this village old Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism.

After a marvelous time and rest-day in Sama-Gaon, walk leads to four hour or more to reach the last village within Gorkha and Manaslu region at Samdo. So, morning walk begins with slow climb, as elevation slowly gains within dry and arid country. Walk slowly with short break and enjoy surrounding beautiful views of peaks and dramatic landscapes.

Then reach Samdo village with short climb to a small flat plateau. This last village incorporates more than fifty houses sheltering two hundred villagers around this high harsh and dry country.

On leaving the last final village of scenic Manaslu valley, walk continues to the end of the Manaslu area. Thus eye on incredible views of snow capped peaks including Mt. Manaslu,which is world’s 8^th highest at 8,163 m.

As walk continues, cross few icy streams to reach at Larke Phedi, where phedi means bottom of the pass, also called Dharmasala (travelers rest house / shade). In old days it was also known as Larkey Bazaar.Because trade and bartering use to take place between merchant-traders and locals of Gorkha-Manaslu-Manang people and Tibetans on this remote isolated spot.

At Larke Phedi with free time at afternoon go for short walks and prepare for next early morning long climb. Today’s day end with overnight stay at Larke Phedi.

Early morning walk leads up-hill past few huts of Dharmasala. Walking over moraine of rocks and boulders in snow conditions can be arduous job to find the right path.

However, walk follows our lead guide past ablation of north Larke glacier, facing views of Cho Danda and Larke Peak. As walk continues, gradual climb gets much steeper to reach top of Larke-la festooned with thousands of colorful Buddhist prayer flags.

From the top eye on excellent panorama of Himlung, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II include series of Manaslu peaks.

Now, a long descend takes to a valley called Larcia, with further walk on moraine ridge to Tambuche at 3,900m. Then a short walk leads to Bhimthang for overnight stop after a long, tough day walks.

Bhimthang is a lovely place located on a wide green valley with number of lodges adorned with prayer Mani walls. The area is surrounded by green tall trees of rhododendron-pines and oaks.

Rest of the journey is much easier on downhill but long walks with short climb takes  on route to Gho and Tilje villages.In morning, catch views of peaks and  walk into thick alpine woodland in  Trekking to around Manaslu circuit.

Next,head into beautiful forested areas to reach a small clearing in the midst of woodland at Gho. Gho is a small cattle and yak herders summer pasture and temporary settlement area. Due to trekkers passing this route, few lodge has been built to cater the needs of travelers.

After Gho, few hours of walk takes to a Tilje village by the side of raging Marysangdi River for overnight stop.

Today will be the last walk of the adventure, where walk leads towards much descend following Marysangdi River to Tal and Chamje village. And the reach at another Jagat village of Lamjung area.

From here a steep descend takes to river valley at Syange village for final overnight stop before heading back to Kathmandu or other destinations.

Enjoying marvelous time and experience on Around Manaslu Circuit Trekking and over high Larke-La pass, it ‘s time to return back. Morning board in a vehicle for exciting and interesting overland journey to reach Kathmandu back again for last moment within amazing Nepal and its Himalaya.