MANASLU CIRCUIT WITH LARKYA PEAK Overview

After arriving in Kathmandu you will be picked up from airport representative and transfer to hotel. Presentation of the staff, briefing with the guides and verification of the equipment. We will serve authentic nepalese cuisine with cultural show in the evening. Meals included: dinner. Overnight: hotel.

We set off early for Maccha Khola, a scenic 8-9 hours drive from Kathmandu, covering 150-160 kilometers. Maccha Khola is the starting point for treks in the Annapurna and Manaslu regions. The drive offers stunning views of the Trishuli river, lush green forests, terraced fields, and small villages. We pass through towns like Galchi, Malekhu, and Arughat, each offering a glimpse into rural Nepali life. Finally, we arrive at Maccha Khola. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.

The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola, flowing in a rocky ravine, then reaches Khorlabesi. After a few more walk ups and downs, there is a small trailside hot spring, from where we reach to Tatopani. From the Hot Spring we climb over another ridge, then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. At this juncture, we climb on a wide, well-crafted staircase, then across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan. Upon crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, we climb the stone stairs and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo Bharyang. Crossing to the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.

Today at the beginning we climb over a rocky ridge to Seller, and then descend to Setibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. We further continue walking upstream to a long suspension bridge. While climbing up to Philim we will be at a large gurung village. The trail turns north just above the lowest house in the village and stays fairly in level as it crosses millet fields to Ekle Bhatti. Beyond Ekle Bhatti the route enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. At this moment, we descend to the grassy land slopes, cross the Budhi Gandaki, then trek along the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank and then back again. As we keep walking the valley widens through bamboo forests to the Deng Khola. Upon crossing the Khola, we reach the tiny village of Deng.  Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.

After a brief walk beyond Deng, we cross the Budhi Gandaki on to the north bank and then climb to Rana. From the bridge we climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley. Making ups and downs in forests, we pass mani walls and then turn to a corner that contours to Ghap. Eventhough there is another route; we take route through Prok village. Prok village has a view point from where we see beautiful view of Siringi Himal. We further cross Budi Gandai several times today and come across several gompas en route. The trail follows the river upstream through dense forest. After crossing the river at an impressive spot where it thunders down a narrow gorge, the forest becomes less dense and the trail is fine again. The pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb we reach Namrung.  Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.

Namrung villages is good viewpoint for Siring Himal and Ganesh Himal. There are also a MCAP office, health post, police station in Namrung. To the south rises, we will have the view of Himal Chuli, a huge peak. Climbing steadily in the shade of a forest takes us to Lihi, a fine village with many shortens and many barley terraces. We still have quite a bit of trail to reach Lho. Ganesh Himal rises high into the sky when we turn around. The trail drops and crosses the side valley of Simnang Himal. A chorten with detailed paintings announces Sho, another nice village with fine views up the open valley. We cross a stream short after leaving Sho and one final steep climb takes us to village with superb view of Manaslu. It is Lho village where we explore the famous Ribung gompa. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.

The Budi Gandaki is far down but we follow a small tributary instead. Walking in the shady fir forest is very enjoyable. Upon a short climb to a plateau we will be at Shyala village. Our arrival at the village will be surrunded by huge mountains and those are Himal Chuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight ahead, other snow summits to the right, at the far end stands Ganesh Himal. From a large chorten we look down into a little dip where two rows of houses form the main part of Sama. At the far end of the village, overlooking the valley stands the well-known monastery of Samagaon.  Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.

We spend the day at Samagaon both for rest and acclimatization. We pay our attention to ponder at the thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures. At this juncture we meet the village women in Samagaon who wear a nice silver spoon as jewelry. On a little hill near Samagaon is an old gompa. We take a side trip to Pungyen gompa, a monastery with great views of the glacier. It is named after Manaslu; Pungyen means bracelet, a good description of the two peaks. It was destroyed a year after the first unsuccessful Japanese attempt to climb Manaslu. The locals believed that the climb angered the gods, and when the japanese came back a year they met so much resistance that they had to give up their attempt. They finally submitted the mountain in 1959.  Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.

Today, we descend to the Budhi Gandaki River and follow it north, crossing a bridge over a side stream. The trail to the left leads to Manaslu Base Camp, while the Larkya La route passes through several mani walls as the valley widens. The trail is easy, skirting the river along a shelf above the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. After crossing a wooden bridge, we climb steeply to a promontory between two river forks. From a stone arch, we glimpse a large white kani before entering Samdo. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.

Today's trek takes us from Samdo to Dharamsala, climbing steadily for 3-4 hours. We pass through sparse vegetation and rugged terrain, gaining altitude as we approach the base of Larkya La pass. The landscape becomes more barren and windswept, offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Upon reaching Dharamsala, we can rest and acclimatize before the challenging day ahead. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.

Even today, we continue our walk down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over Budi Gandaki and begin walking upward. Upon crossing two streams and witnessing the Larkya glacier we go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again and come to the stone guest house which is not a lodge but a kind of shelter called Dharmshala, also known as Larkya Phedi. We camp here today and have a rest to prepare for next day's journey. The short walk today also leaves plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxing in the afternoon.  Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: tent camp.

In the early morning we'll start to climb the summit Larkya peak and back to base camp. From summit of Larkya peak we can view the great himalayan range to the horizon, and the majestic view of Manaslu and Annapurna is pristine as well. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: tent camp.

As the weather in the mountains is unpredictable one must not take unnecessary risks while ascending to the summit. Today will be a reserve day in case the summit can't be done by bad weather or can be used acclimatization day. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: tent camp.

We will do the Larkye La pass from the base camp and walk further down to Bimtang today. Prayer flags welcome you to the Pass and the magnificent view of Manaslu, Himlung, Kang Guru, and Annapurna II in Larkye La pass. Spend some time here and start your descent to Bhimthang. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.

A steady trek across the fields leads us to the smaller Karcher La pass and then we descend through a rhododendron forest to Tilje village. We then cross the Dudh Khola river and head uphill passing through a chorten styled arch, passing Mani walls before arriving at Thonje village. After leaving Thonje we enter the Annapurna region at Dharapani where there is a police checkpoint. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: lodge.

Drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu via Beshisahar, and transfer to the hotel.  Meals included: breakfast. Overnight: hotel.

After breakfast take an excursion visit. Today we will go for sightseeing Swyambhunath, Pasupatinath temple, Bouddhanath and Patan. World heritage site and freely shopping day. Evening there will be a typical nepali dinner organized for you in the typical nepali restaurant. Meals included: breakfast. Overnight: hotel.

You will have breakfast and you will be free until your departure. A representative will take you airport for your final departure. Meals included: breakfast.