Manaslu Trek Via Larke Pass

Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing & trek preparationAfter breakfast the day will start to our guided trip to cultural world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley; including visits to the pilgrimage sites of Hindus Pashupatinath temple, the world biggest Bouddhanath Stupa, visit Swoyambhunath Stupa also known as monkey temple and historical Kathmandu Durbar Square with temple, unique architectures and Kumari (living goddess) in central Kathmandu. Evening pre-trip discussion and introduce with our fellow trekking staff for your adventure trip.

Day 03: Kathmandu to Sotikhola(730m/2,395ft) 7-8 hrs driveThis morning we leave Kathmandu for our long trek to Manaslu. Drive by  jeep to Sotikhola through the beautiful Nepalese countryside. Sotikhola is a small village, explore the surrounding area and Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 04: Trek to Liding (860m/2820ft), 5 to 6 hours walkingOur route heads northwards following the Budi Gandaki River passing through terraced fields and scattered farmhouses. After climbing briefly to Keurenipani, we descend once again to the river and pass Soti Khola. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 05: Trek to Korlabesi (970m/3181ft), 5 - 6 hours walkingToday, the valley narrows and in places the path is cut into the densely forested valley side. We pass a number of small villages until the valley widens and the trail descends to the sandy riverbed. The trail climbs to Machha Khola and to Khorlabesi. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 06: Trek to Salleri (1,360m/4460ft), 5 - 6 hours walkingAt Tatopani there is hot spring where the porters will no doubt take the opportunity to have a quick wash. After Tatopani the trail crosses to the left bank of the Budi Gandaki over a suspension bridge. Through the forest we reach the village of Doban where we can watch the Budi Gandaki descends an impressive series of rapids and further up the river valley opens up. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 07: Trek to Deng (1,860m/6100ft), 6 - 7 hours walkingAfter village of Sirdibas we cross the Budi Gandaki on a large suspension bridge and climb steeply to Philim. The trail traverses the hillside and passes Ekle Bhatti (lonely teahouse) before crossing back over the river below the confluence of Budi Gandaki and Siyar Khola. From here we enter a dramatic section of the gorge high above the river. The trail makes its way up the west side of the valley and offers a pleasant walk through bamboo forests to the village of Deng. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 08: Trek to Ghap (2,380m/7806ft), 3 - 4 hours walkingToday is a shorter day as we enter the area influenced by Buddhism. After a few more ups and downs through forests, the trail turns a corner and arrives at Ghap through well-preserved paintings and elegant mani wall. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 09: Trek to Lho (3,180m/10430ft), 4 - 5 hours walkingThe valley becomes steeper and there is a long climb through bamboo and rhododendron forest to the village of Namrung. The trail now enters the Nupri region. The people here are descendants of Tibetan migrants who arrived over 500 years ago. Typical Tibetan features include the entrance gates to the villages, mani walls and Buddhist gompas. Beyond here the valley opens out and soon passes through the Tibetan village of Sho. Above this village we get views of Manaslu and Naike Peak and from the next village of Lho we see Ganesh I down the valley. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 10: Trek to Samagaon (3,450m/11316ft), 5 - 6 hours walking.From Lho, we follow the right bank of the river with views of Peak 29 ahead. A couple of hours climbing through the forest bring us to the village of Shyala, offering superb views of Phungi, Manaslu and Him Chuli. Crossing a wide pasture with many marmots we enter the village of Samagaon. Our camp is at the top end of the village below the impressive Sama Gompa with impressive views of Manaslu. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 11: Acclimatization day at SamagaonThe nearby monastery is well worth a visit, as is the village of Samagaun. This is a great day exploring the areas and with a great views. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 12: Trek to Samdo (3,860m/12660ft), 3-4 hours walking.Follow the Budi Gandaki northwards to a bridge over a side stream where the trail forks; the left leading towards the Manaslu Base Camp, the other passing several mani walls heads for the Larkya La. The valley widens along an easy trail past juniper and birch forest to the stone huts at Kermo Kharka, and then drops off a shelf to cross a wooden bridge and climbing between forks in the river to a promontory. From this vantage point, one can see the white stone kani marking the entrance to Samdo. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 13: Trek to Larkya Phedi (4,460m/14628ft), 3 - 4 hours walking.Today we start the ascent to the pass by descending through fields to an old mani wall and stone arch before dropping to the river and crossing on a wooden bridge. This place shows up on maps as the mythical Larka Bazaar, which used to be a flourishing market, but there is nothing remaining there now. Another mani wall marks the beginning of ascent to the pass where the trail starts climbing through tundra and juniper; the huge Larkya Glacier coming from Manaslu 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 grows steeper, climbing up the side of a gorge to a viewpoint at the edge of a huge gorge at 4000m. Nearing the Larkya Glacier, we reach Larkya Phedi, where there is a small lodge, built to serve travellers crossing the Larkya La, which lies now just ahead. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 14: Cross the Larkya La (5,135m/19842ft), trek to Bimtang (3,590m/11811ft), 7 - 8 hours walking.After an early start, we soon reach the ablation valley on the left side of the Larkya Glacier with impressive views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak. We continue walking along glacial moraine and start making the gradual ascent to the summit of the Larkya pass. From the top, there is a panorama view of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru and Annapurna II. On the descent the trail follows the top of the moraine to the west and makes a set of steep, rough switchbacks as it crosses the moraine then descends more gently on snow to a grassy moraine. Depending on the conditions if icy then crampons and ice axe are advisable for the descent. The trail now becomes easier to follow and reaches a small meadow and spring at 4,080m/13382ft. The valley becomes wider as the trails heads down to a large meadow, past a mani wall and a small rest house that marks Bimthang. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 15: Trek to Tilje (2,300m) 5 - 6 hours walkingAfter crossing the pastures of Bimthang the trail drops to a glacial stream at the headwaters of the Dudh Khola, crosses a wooden bridge and descends into pine and rhododendron forest. Not far from here you reach Karche's fenced fields, then cross a landslide before making a steep climb to a ridge decorated with prayer flags before making a descent to the riverbank at Gho. The trail continues through fields and intermittent stands of rhododendron and oak to arrive at Tilje, a large Gurung village. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 16: Trek to Chamje (1,430m/4690ft), 5 - 6 hours walkingExit the village through a stone arch, cross the Dudh Khola and follow along its embankment descending through scrub forest. The walls of the Marsyangdi Valley loom larger and finally the houses of Dharapani appear in the distance. Pass through Thonje via a wooden bridge and through a chorten-shaped arch, and Dharapani lies across a long suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi. The trail now follows the Annapurna Circuit route in reverse as you pass through the steepest part of the Marsyangdi gorge. Stay overnight at teahouse.

Day 17: Drive to Besisahar 2-3 hours and continue drive to KathmanduToday we drive down stream follow the Marshyangdi River passing though the Tal village by local transportation to Besisahar. At Besisahar the car will waiting you to pick you up and continue drive to Kathmandu. We back to Kathmandu and check in to hotel. Rest and relax at the hotel and overnight.

Day 18: Departure from KathmanduToday is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you'll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.