Manaslu Two Passes Trek

Welcome to the Himalayas, Nepal! We will pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport and drop you off at the hotel you have booked. After a brief rest, we will come to brief you about our program.

This morning, we leave Kathmandu for our long trek to Manaslu. Drive by local bus to Arughat through the beautiful Nepalese countryside. Arughat is a small town on the right side of Dhading and on the left side of the Gorkha district. Then, we will drive to Maccha Khola passing by Soti Khola (710 m). We will stay near the Buri Gandaki River overnight at a lodge.

The starting point is across the Machha Khola, then passing through large Gurung Villages. The trail passes places like Lower Khola Bensi (960 m), which was largely destroyed by huge rocks 22 years ago. The locals here sell organic coffee for a living. It continue up and down over a couple of ridges to Tatopani or hot spring (930 m) where there is hot water spout under the sheer cliff.

Climb up the river a ridge across the Buri Gandaki on a rickety suspension bridge and arrive at Dovan (1,070 m), which is the place of lunch break. After lunch, we will pass through Thulo Dunga and Yaru Phant, then cross the left bank of Buri Gandaki. We will reach the neatly flagstoned Gurung village. Jagat is a collection point for Tibetan trade and serves as a checkpoint for Manaslu Conservation Area Project permits. We will spend the night at the lodge in Jagat.

After 10 minutes of trekking, we will cross the suspension bridge of Dudh Pokhari Khola and walk slightly uphill to Salleri. Next, we’ll take a leisurely path to view Sringi Himal (7,161 m), then ascend and descend to Sirdibas. We will cross the Buri Gandaki suspension bridge and climb up to Philim, which takes around 45 minutes. Afterward, we’ll have lunch.

Having lunch in Philim, we continue walking the mountain flat through Eklebhatti and New Bridge. This place is the junction of the way to Tsum Valley on the right side, uphill. Then, we follow the left way, crossing the old suspension bridge after 20 minutes to reach Nyak. From here, we will trek through the jungle to Pewa and stay overnight at the lodge.

On this day, walk through a beautiful rhododendron forest with many birds, staying on the south bank. Cross north on a wooden bridge with a deafening narrow ravine below, then cross back to the south bank on a second old wooden bridge with langurs.

Lunch break will be in Ghap, which is a fertile land area for the locals. The trail climbs up well-made stairs to Namrung, which is quite a good place surrounded by green jungle.

There is a hydropower trekking permit checkpoint, and a view of Sringi Himal and Ganesh Himal accompanies us. Then we head to Lihi (place for lunch), Lamagaun (viewpoint of Himalchuli), and continue walking to Lho. It is a good place for trekkers to rest. There is an age-old Ribung Gompa, and the village offers an excellent view of Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m) and other snow peaks. We can see the mani wall at the far end of the village, and from the Gompa on the hill to the west. We will stay overnight at the lodge in Lho.

This short day takes you into the mountains with time to enjoy and acclimatize. Easy walk to Syala (3,510 m) up a pine and rhododendron gully with moss and in a clear stream. Enjoy 360-degree views from here. Another easy hour to the large village of Samagaun (3,520 m), losing the gigantic views of Mt. Manaslu but entering a world of yaks, pastures, and houses that seem to have grown from the stone under Mt. Manaslu.

This is a full day of rest and relaxation. You can wash your clothes, read your book, take a hot shower, or simply acclimatize for Larkya Pass. Similarly, you can take a side hike to Pungyen Gomba, Manaslu Base Camp, as well as the Monastery of Sama village, and can visit Birendra Tal for a day hike or overnight at a lodge.

The day is short due to the high elevation the trail traverses, passing through the iceberg-covered Birendra Tal (3,450 m) under the Mt. Manaslu glacier. Wade the exit stream depending on the time of year, and drop to pick up the main trail from Sama to Samdo. Easy walking through Yak pastures up a broad valley with long mani walls, marmots in all directions standing on their burrows.

Eventually, leave the tree line behind, although low-lying juniper is all around, climbing to a ridge and dropping to cross the Buri Gandaki on a wooden bridge. It takes some time to reach the white Kani above, but immediately behind is Samdo (3,875 m). The path passing through Samdo offers a view of the main track for Tibet over the Lajyang La (5,098 m), sloping up to the right-hand valley.

The Larkya La trail is ahead and left. The track to Tibet is currently closed, but stocks of timber are being carried up to Samdo by yak in expectation of the resumption of trade. The nearest Tibetan town is only one day away from Samdo, where we will spend the night at the lodge.

Trail descending through fields to an old mani wall and stone curve before dropping to the Budi Gandaki River and crossing on a wooden bridge. This place shows up on maps as the mythical Larka Bazaar from where people go to Tibet, through Lajyang Bhanjyang (4,998 m), as well as Gyala Bhanjyang (5,375 m). It used to be a flourishing market, but nothing remains there now.

Another mani wall marks the start of the ascent to the pass, where the trail starts climbing through juniper. The huge Larkya Glacier coming from Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m) can be seen from here. Stay on the ridge to the right to find a trail that crosses over the top of two ravines.

The trail climbs up the side of a gorge to the viewpoint at the edge of a huge gorge at 4,000 m. Near the Larkya Glacier, we reach Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi, Larkye Rest house) at 4,460 m. There is a small lodge at Dharamsala where we will stay overnight.

The days climb gradually over the ridge behind Dharamsala and beside the large lateral moraine of the Larke Glacier. The climb is not very difficult, but it is long and rocky underfoot, particularly as you top the moraine. Look for cairns and metal snow poles, which assist route finding.

Descend past four frozen lakes and make a final tiring climb to the left up to Larkya La (5,106 m), the top marked by prayer flags hanging on snow poles. It takes about 3-4 Hours to reach the pass, and the conditions can be icy and windy, especially in the late afternoon.

The peaks to the west include Himlung Himal (7,126 m), near Tibet Kang Guru (6,981 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), and other peaks. The way-long descent loses gravel to a more level area with grassy moraine, where the angle eases.

The trail now runs left of the large lateral moraine, rocky at times, in a wide and beautiful valley all the long way to very scenic Bimtang (3,590 m) “plain of sand”, a descent of (1,400 m) in about 3-4hours and overnight at lodge.

After breakfast, the trek starts, and after 25 minutes, we cross the Kechakyu Khola Glacier and enter the rhododendron forest. If you are in the season of March and April, you will see the paradise of the rhododendron forest with different colors.

The view from the back of Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m) is equally stunning. The way is down rapidly along the right bank of the Karche (2,700 m), which is the place to have lunch after 3-4 hours of the day’s walk. Then way steeply over a point and drop to Gurung village, Gho (2,515 m), the first authentic village after Samdo.

The valley becomes more agricultural as you pass through the field, copses of oak and rhododendron, and overnight at Gurung village Tilije.

Exit the village through a stone curve, cross the Dudh Khola, and follow along its descent through the scrub forest. The walls of the Marsyangdi Valley loom larger and finally join the Annapurna circuit trail of Dharapani village, which is the checkpoint of the ACAP permit. Our descent to follow the Marsyangdi Gorge passes through Thonje via the wooden bridge and through a Chorten-shaped arch. Dharapani lies across a long suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi. Then we will follow the route of the Annapurna region to Danaque for an overnight at the lodge.

After the Danaque 500 m climb up to Timang village, we can see an awesome view of some of the most sensational views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV. Then, we will pass through the pine forest of the traditional village of Thanchock to Koto. Finally, we will reach the District headquarters of Manang District, Chame, overnight at a lodge.

The trail runs through a dense forest, a narrow valley, and crosses to the south bank of Marshyanngdi Khola at 3,038 m. This will bring us to the dramatic curved rock face, rising 1,500 meters from the river.

The way passes through Telukhu and Brathang, and the trail goes uphill with the famous lunch spot, Dhukure Pokhari (Dove Lake). We find ourselves in the U-shaped valley of Manang, hanging between giant snow peaks. After walking through these wonderful sites, we reach a beautiful village, Pisang, and stay overnight at a lodge.

If you spend the night in lower Pisang, there are two ways: one is following the Marshyangdi Khola, and the other is crossing the Khola, but that trail meets up again at Mungji. The lower route passes through the pine forest, Manang Valley, and Humde Airport.

They operate flights twice a week, with a route through Upper Pisang via Gyaru and Ngawal, offering outstanding views. The panoramic views of mountain peaks, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna, Pisang Peak, and other massifs. The trail continues from Mungji past the unique village Gompa of Braga village (3470 m), near Manang, overnight at a lodge.

It is very important to spend a day acclimatizing in Manang before pushing on to the Thorung La (5416 m).

(Optional explore)

– 100 rupees Lama (Monk), if you go there, you should donate 100 rupees, so we say that and take blessings from the lama, as well as have a cup of sweet tea. It’s about 300 meters from your hotel, and the journey takes around an hour. The rest of the time, you can hang out in the village, watching a Movie.

– Front of Manang where Gangapurna lake is, and walk up to near the glacier, and the rest of the time chill out or save energy to push Thorong La (5416 m).

– Milarepa Cave, which is located before Manang. If you would like to go there, you should go back to Braga, cross the river, and climb uphill to near the Annapurna III, which takes around 3 to 4 hours.

-Ice Lake is also a day to explore, which is quite far compared to the other ones. It takes 5 to 6 hours each way, so consider taking a packed lunch and staying overnight at Manang.

The trail uphill to Tanki from Manang and steadily through Ghungsang, leaving the Marshyangdi valley and continuing along the Jar Sang Khola valley, and this valley northward, passing a few pastures, a scrub of juniper trees. A cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trailhead goes through meadows where horses and yaks graze.

After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, the trail passes an ancient Mani wall in a pleasant meadow and then reaches another small village of Yak Kharka. If you want to trek in Chauri Lader a little further from Yak Kharka, it takes an hour of uphill trek. We can stay overnight at the lodge in Chauri Lader.

This is the last camp before crossing the Thorong La Pass, the way following yak grazing ground along the even path. Then it goes down to Jarsang Khola, crossing Jarsang Khola 20 minutes away up to Durali Tea shop for the best rest as well as good tea.

We will trek all the way straight to Phedi for lunch. After lunch, we can hike up to Thorong High Camp for acclimatization and back to Phedi overnight at the lodge with delicious food and a variety of Bakery items.

This is the last night in Manang District. Phedi means “Foot of the Hill,” and the last day of hard work is also long. This morning we have to start early due to a long day. We will climb 866 m up and 1706 m down to the day camp.

The path steadily ascends to Thorong High Camp, taking around 40-50 minutes, and continues to the Tea shop between Thorong Top and High Camp. After half an hour, we will summit the top of Thorong-La Pass at 5,416 m.

It takes 3-4 hours to climb up to the pass, marked by Chortens and prayer flags. The effort is worthwhile. The view from the top of Thorong-La Mt.Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, and Dhampus Peak along the great barrier to the barren Kali Gandaki valley is magnificent from Thorong Top. On the way down to Muktinath, we can see old and popular pilgrims’ pace surrounded by the white wall overnight at the lodge.

After summiting Thorong La Pass, enjoying the pilgrim’s place Muktinath, trek down to Jomsom, which takes 3-4hours by walk. Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang. It is quite a big town, making it a good place to spend a night before catching the flight the next day.

We fly according to our flight schedule. During the flight, we can enjoy an amazing view of the mountains and the gorge of Kali Gandaki. After 35 minutes, we land in Pokhara, where we spend the night.

From Pokhara to Kathmandu, there are different services we provide to clients, such as Tourist Bus, Private Car, and Flight. Your choice is always welcome, whichever way you prefer to take. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we will offer you a farewell dinner.