This trek into an area, recently opened for trekkers, takes us through a remote and un-spoilt area in the north-west of Nepal, making a circuit of Mt. Manaslu (8163m./26781ft - the local name for Manaslu is Ku-tung.), the 8th highest peak in the world. The area offers an awesome mountain scenary on and unique insight into the culture of the Nupri people - who eke out their living trading a few kilomoter across the border in Tibet . On account of its proximity to Tibet, only mountaineering expedtion teams accompanied by Nepalese government officials till 1991. After several attempts, Japanese mountaineers were first to reach the summit of Mt. Manaslu (8163m./26781ft.) in 1956.
To begin our trek, we drive for 5/6 hours to Arughat 600m a town settled on the opposite banks of Buri Gandaki river draining from the Manaslu Himal. Onward we Buri Gandaki with the Ganesh Himals on our right and the peaks in the Manaslu Himal on our left. We pass through Gurung and Tamang villages whose distinct hill culture and religious faith of Buddhism (blended with Hinduism belief) have come under little influence from the outside world.
Ahead, we gradually ascend to the alpine valleys that lie 5 miles from the Tibetan border and then prepare ourselves for the crossing of Larkay La pass (5753m,/17100ft.)- the challenge of this trip. Standing atop the pass, we look at the superb snowy ridges of Manaslu and Himlung Himal and take the steep descent to the Marsyangdi Valley.
At Darapani, we meet the popular Annapurna Circuit trail and follow the Marsyangdi down stream to finish this beauftiful trek in khudi - making a full circuit of of the Mt. Manaslu which means the "Mountain of the Sprit" in Sanskrit.. We take a bus from Khudi to Kathmandu.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Kathmandu
Day 2: Free day in Kathmandu
Day 4: Drive Kathmandu - Arughat
Day 5: Begin trek
Day 19: End trek in Khudi
Day 20: Drive Khudi - Kathmandu
Day 21: Free day in Kathmandu
Day 22: Trip ends |