Manaslu Two Passes Trek

Well, come to Himalayas Nepal! We pick up you from Tribhuvan International Airport and drop you at the hotel where you had booked. After resting for some hours we come there to brief about our program.

To manage all required legal documents and trekking gear checking time.

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 right side of Dhading and on the left the side of the Gorkha district; explore the surrounding area and Soti Khola 710mtrs camp today near the Buri Gandaki River overnight at lodge.

The trek through shady sal forests then climbs up and down for some time Labubensi 884mtrs. Following Buri Gandaki river as well as Gurung village Khanibensi and continue up-river, climbing sometimes and at other times down on the jungle and crossing through cliff so we have to beware when you are walking this path time it may problem of the traffic of trekkers and donkeys where is the very narrow trail just one.

“Safe Side”, I mean give the turn to the donkey if they are coming from another side. Finally, we reach Machha Khola Gurung village near Fish River (Machha Khola) and Buri Gandaki Overnight at the lodge.

The starting point across the Machha Khola then passing through large Gurung Villages are way above the track passes a few houses, like lower Khola Bensi 960mtrs which was largely destroyed by huge rocks 22 years ago as well as they sell their organic coffee and continue up and down over a couple of ridges to Tatopani 930mtrs (hot spring) where there is hot water spout under the sheer cliff.

Climb up River a ridge across Buri Gandaki on a rickety suspension bridge and arrive at Dovan 1,070mtrs, which is the place of lunch break. After lunch pass the Thulo Dunga, Yaru Phant as well as cross the left bank Buri Gandaki then we will reach the neatly flagstoned Gurung village where Jagat is collected on Tibetan trade and checking point of Manaslu Conservation Area Project permit overnight at lodge Jagat.

After 10 minutes cross the suspension bridge of Dudh Pokhari Khola and walk slightly uphill to Salleri then walk through Nepali flat and view of Sringi Himal 7,161mtrs then climb up and down to the Sirdibas and cross a Buri Gandaki suspension bridge and climb up to Philim around 45 minutes then have hungry lunch.

Having lunch in Philim 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) and we follow the left way crossing the old suspension bridge after 20 minutes to reach Nyak such a way walking through jungle way to Pewa overnight at lodge.

On this day walk through a beautiful rhododendron 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.

The trail climbs up on well-made stairs to Namrung which is quite a good place where there is a hydropower trekking permit checkpoint and a view of Sringi Himal and Ganesh Himal way we go head to Lihi (place for lunch) Lamagaun (viewpoint of Himalchuli) and continue walking then will reach to Lho which is a good place for trekkers due to Ribung Gompa and excellent view of Mt. Manaslu 8,163mtrs and other snow peaks from the mani wall at the far end of the village and from the Gompa on the hill to the west walk up overnight at lodge.

This short day takes you into the mountains with time to enjoy and acclimatize. Easy walk to Syala 3,510mtrs up a pine and rhododendron gully with moss and in a clear stream. Enjoy 360-degree views from here due to a fire and extensive deforestation. Another easy hour to the large village of Samagaun 3,520mtrs, 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, relaxation day so you can wash your clothes and read your book, and take a hot shower or acclimatize day for Larkya Pass 5,135mtrs which day you can hike to Punggyen Gomba, Manaslu Base Camp, as well as Monastery of Sama village and, can visit Birendra Tal for day hike overnight at lodge.

Day of short because of the high elevation the trail goes through via the iceberg-covers Birendra Tal 3,450mtrs 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 3,875mtrs. The path passing through the Samdo can see the main track for Tibet over the Lajyang La 5,098mtrs 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 resumption of trade. The nearest Tibetan town is only one day away from Samdo overnight 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 way through Lajyang Bhanjyang 4,998mtrs as well as Gyala Bhanjyang 5,375mtrs which used to be a flourishing market, but nothing is remaining there now.

Another mani wall marks the starting of ascent to the pass where the trail starts climbing through juniper; the huge Larkya Glacier coming from Mt. Manaslu 8,163mtrs 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 meters. Near the Larkya Glacier, we reach Dharamsala (Larkya Phedi, Larkye Rest house) where there is a small lodge overnight at Dharmasala at 4,460mtrs.

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 5,160mtrs, the top marked by prayer flags hanging on snow poles. It takes about 3-4 hours to reach the pass and it can be very cold and windy with risk if there is a late afternoon.

The peaks to the west are Himlung Himal 7,126mtrs near Tibet Kang Guru 6,981mtrs, Annapurna II 7,937mtrs range, and other peaks. The way-long descent loses gravel to a welcome 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 3,590mtrs “plain of sand” a descent of 1,400mtrs in about 3-4hours and overnight at lodge.

After breakfast, the trek starts to walk 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 will see the paradise of rhododendron forest with different colors.

The view from the back of Mt. Manaslu 8,163mtrs is equally stunning. The way is down rapidly along the true right bank of the name Karche 2,700mtrs, which is the place to have lunch after 3-4 hours of day walk. Then way steeply over a point and drop to Gurung village Gho 2,515mtrs the first real village after the 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 descending 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 ACAP permit and our descent to follow the Marsyangdi Gorge passes through Thonje via the wooden bridge and through a Chorten-shaped arch and 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 500m climb up to Timang village from where you can see an awesome view of some of the most sensational views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV and then passing through the pine forest of traditional village Thanchock to Koto-like a Nepali flat and reach in District headquarter of Manang District, Chame overnight at lodge.

The trail runs through a dense forest narrow valley and crosses to the south bank of Marshyanngdi Khola at 3,038 meters. 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 overnight at lodge.

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

Where they make flights twice a week and the route through Upper Pisang via Gyaru, Ngawal, and the view is outstanding. 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 3470mtrs nearby Manang overnight at lodge.

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

(Optional explore)

– 100 rupees Lama (Monk), if you go there, you should donate 100 rupees so we say that and taking blesses from lama as well as have a cup of sweet tea. Which is around 300mtrs from your hotel and it takes around an hour and rest of the time hanging around the village watching Movie.

– front of Manang where Gangapurna lake is and walk up to near the glacier and rest of the time chill out or save energy to push Thorong La 5416mtrs.

– Milarepa Cave, which before the Manang if you would like to go there you should back to Braga and crossing river and climb uphill to near the Annapurna III, it takes around 2 to 3 hours.

-Ice Lake is also a day to explore which is quite far compared to another one it takes 5 to 6 hours both ways but you should take pack lunch and 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 hiding in Chauri Lader a little further from Yak Kharka, uphill take an hour to Chauri Lader overnight at the lodge.

This is the last camp before crossing the Thorong La Pass, the way following yak grazing ground along the Nepali flat then down to Jarsang Khola, crossing a Jarsang Khola 20 minutes way up to Durali Tea shop for best rest as well as good tea.

All the way straight to Phedi will be their lunchtime 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 “Food of the Hill” and the last day of hard work as well as a long day. This morning we have to start early in the morning due to a long day I mean to climb 850mtrs up and 1700mtrs down to the day camp.

The way is steadily up to Thorong High Camp around 40-50 minutes and such a way walk to the Tea shop between Thorong Top and High Camp. After half an hour will summit the top of Thorong-La Pass at 5,416mtrs.

It takes 3-4 hours to climb up to 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 summit Thorong La Pass, enjoying in pilgrims place Muktinath trek down to Jomsom which takes 3-4hours by walk. Jomsom is the district headquarter of Mustang so it is quite big to spend a night there to catch the flight the next day.

We fly according to our schedule of flight ticket; during the flight we can see an amazing view of mountains as well as the gorge of Kali Gandaki, after 35minutes we land in Pokhara, overnight in Pokhara city.

From Pokhara to Kathmandu there are different services we provide a choice of clients like by Tourist Bus, Private Car and Flight. Your choice is always well come which way you prefer to take and this night we offer you a farewell dinner.