13-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek from Kathmandu via Larkya La

About This Tour

About Lhotse

Nepal

Lhotse

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What's Included

• Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, pick-up and transfer to the hotel
• All ground transportation as per the itinerary (Kathmandu-Machhakhola and Dharapani to Kathmandu)
• Airport drop at the end of the trip for final departure
• Annapurna and Manaslu Conservation Entry Permit
• Manaslu Restricted Area Entry Permit
• An experienced English-speaking Sherpa guide with equipment
• All food, lodging, and salary for the Sherpa guide
• 12-night twin-sharing mountain accommodation, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System)
• Insurance for Nepalese staff
• Government tax and VAT

Not Included

• Personal expenses, tipping, and necessary equipment
• Meals and accommodation in Kathmandu
• A porter to carry trek luggage
• Other meals and hotel in Kathmandu outside the itinerary
• Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, or early return from the mountain for any reason beyond the scheduled itinerary
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu, including in the case of an early return from the mountain beyond the scheduled itinerary

Itinerary

1. 1
   Day 01

   Drive from Kathmandu to Machhekhola

   We head out from Kathmandu for the long drive to Machhekhola, passing through Arughat along the way on the dusty road. This route follows the Manaslu Valley, whose source we will eventually approach as we ascend to the pass of Larkya La. Machha Khola, which means "fish river," offers pleasant views of the surrounding jungle and occasional waterfalls, adding their own soothing soundtrack to the hike. We head out from Kathmandu for the long drive to Machhekhola, passing through Arughat along the way on the dusty road. This route follows the Manaslu Valley, whose source we will eventually approach as we ascend to the pass of Larkya La. Machha Khola, which means "fish river," offers pleasant views of the surrounding jungle and occasional waterfalls, adding their own soothing soundtrack to the hike.

2. 2
   Day 02

   Trek from Machhakhola to Jagat

   In the early part of the day, we make our way through Khorlabesi and continue to Tatopani, famed for its natural hot springs. A steep climb takes us up to Dobhan as we enter the Manaslu Conservation Area and continue on to the scenic village of Jagat, known for its rugged setting and narrow paved lanes. In the early part of the day, we make our way through Khorlabesi and continue to Tatopani, famed for its natural hot springs. A steep climb takes us up to Dobhan as we enter the Manaslu Conservation Area and continue on to the scenic village of Jagat, known for its rugged setting and narrow paved lanes.

3. 3
   Day 03

   Walk through Philim to Deng

   Our day begins by walking through subtropical rainforest and a series of small hamlets, crossing a couple of suspension bridges along the way. The last of these leads us into the village of Philim, beautifully set amidst terraced fields overlooking the river. Our day begins by walking through subtropical rainforest and a series of small hamlets, crossing a couple of suspension bridges along the way. The last of these leads us into the village of Philim, beautifully set amidst terraced fields overlooking the river. Further along the trail, we arrive at the junction for Tsum Valley and Larkye La and take the path heading northwest towards Deng. Further along the trail, we arrive at the junction for Tsum Valley and Larkye La and take the path heading northwest towards Deng.

4. 4
   Day 04

   Ascend from Deng to Namrung

   The first real views of the major mountains begin to appear, with Sringi Himal, Ganesh Himal, Kutang Himal, and other peaks making their presence known as we make our way up the valley. Lush vegetation greets us as we head west through more quaint villages like Prok and their scenic outlooks, then continue up the last steep stretch that ushers us into Namrung. The first real views of the major mountains begin to appear, with Sringi Himal, Ganesh Himal, Kutang Himal, and other peaks making their presence known as we make our way up the valley. Lush vegetation greets us as we head west through more quaint villages like Prok and their scenic outlooks, then continue up the last steep stretch that ushers us into Namrung.

5. 5
   Day 05

   Hike from Namrung to Lho

   Today, we hit the jackpot for spectacular mountain views as the valley opens up on our approach to the scenic village of Lho. The lower temperate forests steadily give way as the trail rises above the tree line and climbs higher into the mountains, with the lush greens of the lower valley gradually replaced by the muted browns and greys of Himalayan terrain and the vivid blue skies found only at altitude. Today, we hit the jackpot for spectacular mountain views as the valley opens up on our approach to the scenic village of Lho. The lower temperate forests steadily give way as the trail rises above the tree line and climbs higher into the mountains, with the lush greens of the lower valley gradually replaced by the muted browns and greys of Himalayan terrain and the vivid blue skies found only at altitude. After our half-day hike to Lho, there is plenty of time left to fully explore Manaslu's gorgeous views and visit Rebung Gompa, perched atop a nearby hillside. After our half-day hike to Lho, there is plenty of time left to fully explore Manaslu's gorgeous views and visit Rebung Gompa, perched atop a nearby hillside.

6. 6
   Day 06

   Trek from Lho to Sama Gaun

   From Lho, we hike to the equally impressive village of Shyala, which offers spectacular vistas of Manaslu, Himal Chuli, Nadi, Naike, Kutang Himal, and Pangbuche Himal. From Lho, we hike to the equally impressive village of Shyala, which offers spectacular vistas of Manaslu, Himal Chuli, Nadi, Naike, Kutang Himal, and Pangbuche Himal. We then climb steadily through yak pasturelands to Sama Gaun. With plenty of time left in the day, there is ample opportunity to make the short hike to Birendra Lake. We then climb steadily through yak pasturelands to Sama Gaun. With plenty of time left in the day, there is ample opportunity to make the short hike to Birendra Lake.

7. 7
   Day 07

   Acclimatization in Sama Gaun

   Sama Gaun is our temporary home for the day as we give our bodies time to acclimatize to the altitude. The village offers several rewarding day-hike options, including a short walk to the pretty Birendra Taal nearby, the dramatic and highly rewarding hike to Manaslu Base Camp, or the alternative walk to Pungen Gompa in its serene mountain setting. Sama Gaun is our temporary home for the day as we give our bodies time to acclimatize to the altitude. The village offers several rewarding day-hike options, including a short walk to the pretty Birendra Taal nearby, the dramatic and highly rewarding hike to Manaslu Base Camp, or the alternative walk to Pungen Gompa in its serene mountain setting.

8. 8
   Day 08

   Continue from Sama to Samdo

   Onward and upward is the motto of the day as we press ahead with the goal of Larke La drawing ever nearer. The trail begins with a short and gradual climb alongside the river, then steepens as it leads us up to Samdo around midday. There is plenty of time in the afternoon to explore and perhaps hike briefly to a higher altitude to help with acclimatization. Onward and upward is the motto of the day as we press ahead with the goal of Larke La drawing ever nearer. The trail begins with a short and gradual climb alongside the river, then steepens as it leads us up to Samdo around midday. There is plenty of time in the afternoon to explore and perhaps hike briefly to a higher altitude to help with acclimatization.

9. 9
   Day 09

   Acclimatization hike to Rui La and back

   Another rest day helps us acclimatize, with the rare option of spending the day hiking to the Tibetan border at Rui La (4998 m). The views of the Himalayas and Fukang Glacier add another dimension to the day's journey. Another rest day helps us acclimatize, with the rare option of spending the day hiking to the Tibetan border at Rui La (4998 m). The views of the Himalayas and Fukang Glacier add another dimension to the day's journey.

10. 10
    Day 10

    Trek from Samdo to Dharmasala

    Our trek to the high-altitude camp of Dharmasala brings us to the very threshold of Larke La, with snow becoming more evident and the air feeling thinner with each step towards our destination. Another brief hike to higher ground is recommended to help our bodies adjust to the altitude and sleep better at night. Our trek to the high-altitude camp of Dharmasala brings us to the very threshold of Larke La, with snow becoming more evident and the air feeling thinner with each step towards our destination. Another brief hike to higher ground is recommended to help our bodies adjust to the altitude and sleep better at night.

11. 11
    Day 11

    Cross Larke La and descend to Bhimthang

    The typical method for crossing Larkya La is to set out before daybreak, our headlamps bobbing in the dark as we clamber up the path in the cold morning air, our breath visible in the glow of the lamps. The trail to Larke La is deceptively full of constant switchbacks, promising everything one minute and snatching it away the next as one false ridge leads to another. The typical method for crossing Larkya La is to set out before daybreak, our headlamps bobbing in the dark as we clamber up the path in the cold morning air, our breath visible in the glow of the lamps. The trail to Larke La is deceptively full of constant switchbacks, promising everything one minute and snatching it away the next as one false ridge leads to another. Finally, we catch a glimpse of the first prayer flags, and our goal is at last attained as we stumble wearily to the marker and pose proudly for our cameras to mark the achievement. Finally, we catch a glimpse of the first prayer flags, and our goal is at last attained as we stumble wearily to the marker and pose proudly for our cameras to mark the achievement. After pausing to savour the accomplishment and take in the magnificent views, we descend to Bhimthang, using our trekking poles to spare our tired legs and knees from the steep descent into the arid valley below. After pausing to savour the accomplishment and take in the magnificent views, we descend to Bhimthang, using our trekking poles to spare our tired legs and knees from the steep descent into the arid valley below.

12. 12
    Day 12

    Descend from Bhimthang to Dharapani

    With views of Manaslu to our left and the Annapurna ranges to our right, we descend from Bhimthang through yak pastures to the first signs of the Dudh Khola headwaters trickling down the slope. A bridge leads us to a path that gradually leaves behind the alpine climate and takes us down through familiar rhododendron forests into a narrow valley of terraced fields and patchwork crops. With views of Manaslu to our left and the Annapurna ranges to our right, we descend from Bhimthang through yak pastures to the first signs of the Dudh Khola headwaters trickling down the slope. A bridge leads us to a path that gradually leaves behind the alpine climate and takes us down through familiar rhododendron forests into a narrow valley of terraced fields and patchwork crops. We reach the small and picturesque village of Tilje and then make our way uphill to Dharapani, the major trekking confluence in the region and the modern starting point for trekkers heading out on the Annapurna Circuit with the goal of reaching Thorong La Pass. With time and intent, we can head in the same direction. We reach the small and picturesque village of Tilje and then make our way uphill to Dharapani, the major trekking confluence in the region and the modern starting point for trekkers heading out on the Annapurna Circuit with the goal of reaching Thorong La Pass. With time and intent, we can head in the same direction.

13. 13
    Day 13

    Drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu

    A long day's drive by local transport brings us back to Kathmandu. A long day's drive by local transport brings us back to Kathmandu.

Meeting Point

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