Manaslu Circuit Trek

Trekking in Gorkha

Trekking in Gorkha is more joyful and the exposure to nature is more intense because this area is not very much populated by tourists and other tourist-related activities. In Gorkha there are several different trekking routes ranging from 3 days to 3 weeks. Here, just one popular route is described.

 Manaslu Circuit Trek

The trek was officially opened in 1991. ManasluHimal lies between two big rivers,
the Budi Gandaki and the Marshyangdi. A trek to the base of Mt. Manaslu (8163 m) offers a combination of rich cultural heritage, unsurpassed beauty and a
great diversity of flora and fauna. It is
also called the "Japanese Mountain". In Samagoan (3450 m), just 15 km from the Tibetan border, Tibetan monks inhabit the sacred monasteries. More monasteries are seen in Larkya Bazar. The biggest challenge of this trek is to pass Larkya La (5135 m). From the top of the pass the trail descends through alpine forests alive with flowers, ferns, bamboo, pine, waterfalls and aqua-blue green lakes which are laced with cotton-white beaches.The trek leads from Gorkha through Budi Gandaki Valley following the river, continues over Larkya La pass and then descends to the Marshyangdi River, from where you will trek down to Besi-Sahar and then drive back to Kathmandu.
Suggested Itinerary.

Day 01: Kathmandu to Gorkha: (1650m):
Travel by bus from Kathmandu to Gorkha (approx. 5hrs). Gorkha is well known as the birth place of the present Shah dynasty. Within the villahe there is the old royal palace and many temples. It also offers a marvelous panoramic view of Annapurna Himal, Manaslu, the Ganesh Himal and Langtang Himal.

Day 02: Gorkha to Khanchowk: (1000m):
Descend carefully along a stone-paved path until you reach Ahle village. From here to Taple the path becomes a gentle ascent. After Taple you will reach a pass and continue for a while along a ridge with open views. Finally, descend a steep slope by a well maintained path with stone steps and you will reach Khanchowk.

Day 03: Khanchowk to Aarughat: (530m):
The trail makes an abrupt descent into the valley. When you reach the river shores further downstream you will cross from one bank to another. After this point the trail traverses high across the flank overlooking the Buri Gandaki. Cross the suspension bridge over the tributary and you will reach Aarughat, the largest village in the Buridandaki basin.

Day 04: Aarughat to Khursani Bari (900m) or Korsani Dhara:
The trail ascends through rice paddies and farm fields until you pass the small hamlet of Kokethar. Continue along the level path and you will see a huge rock to your left. From Kyoropani, repeating ascents and descents, you will be traversing until you arrive at the shores of Soti Khola. From here further ascents and descents will finish with a steep climb before reaching Lapubesi (840m).

Day 05: Korsan Dhara to Machha Khola:
From Lapubesi traverse the slope that has farmed fields and rice paddies. The trail soon goes down to shores of white sand and back again onto the mountain flank. In approximately an hour you will reach the Machha Khola.

Day 06: Machha Khola to Jagat: (1,350m):
Cross the suspension bridge to the left bank, pass a forested area, then follow the path which looks like it is carved into the rock and you will reach Doban Khola. Trek further along the path across farmed fields and you will reach Jagat, a small village with a police check post and lodges.

Day 07: Jagat to Filim: (1590m):
Leaving the village descend a stone path leading to the wide river shores. Cross the Pangour Khola (flowing from the left) before traversing rapidly and you will reach Saguleri, from where you can see Sringi Himal beyond the valley. Further along the right bank begin ascending until you reach Filim. Though it is a Nepalese Gurung it has a strong Tibetan influence.

Day 08: Filim to Deng:
Leave the village and a small ascending traverse. The trail then goes down to the river shores. Ascend a little while along the Buri Gandaki and cross the suspension bridge to the opposite bank.

Day 09: Deng to Namru (2,630).
Cross to the right bank of the Buri Gandaki using the wooden bridge and more on through houses and farm fields. The path then enters a forested area where Himalayan cedars stand out. More on through the forest and cross over a wooden bridge again. Keep ascending in the forest until you reach Namru.

Day 10: Namru to Lo village (3,150).
The trail begins to descend then ascend until you reach a meadow. After passing the meadow you will enter Bengsam village. Walking through the village the view opens up. Here you can see Naike peak, Manaslu North peak (7,157m) and the long-awaited Manaslu (8,163m). The houses in the village are scattered amongst the surrounding farmed fields. Leaving this village and continuing through the Kanni you will reach the Neighbouring Lo village (3,150). It is a large village with many houses and a fine gompa.

Day 11: Lo village to Sama Gaun: (3,500m):
From Lo village the path descends to the valley of Damonan Khola. Cross the wooden bridge over the stream and climb back up the steep slope. The trail will continue for about 10 minutes along this stream and then fork into two. The path going straight ahead leads directly to Sama (the other which turns to the left will go to Sama via Honsan ho Gompa. From Honsan ho Gompa it then descends along the stream in the forest before joining the main path). The valley ahead of you soon opens wide and you will descend to a wide, flat meadow where Yaks are left to graze. You will see many potato fields and soon reach Sama (3,500m).

Day 12: Sama Gaun (Rest day for acclimatization):
You can visit Sama Gompa in about 20 minutes from this village. The gompa, located on top of the hill, is well worth visiting. After passing the gompa there is a wide, grassy area of land from where you can see Manaslu (best in evenings and in the mornings). So beautiful that you may think you are in another world!

Day 13: Sama Gaun to Samdu/Dharmasala:
Descend to the Buri Gandaki, which has now turned north again, and follow it to a bridge over a side stream. Take the trail to the left which leads to Manaslu base camp. When you enter the meadow from the path on the river shores you will reach Kermo Kharka, looking up at Manaslu right in front of you. After passing the Kharka you will be going by a long medan. The valley narrows gradually and the path traverses up the flank. Follow the path down on the gentle flank and ascend again. To your left you will be overlooking Larkya Bazar. After crossing the two streams you will see the great Larkya Glacier. Once going around the valley of the Salka Khola then climbing again you will reach the stone guest house (4,450m). It is not a lodge but a form of shelter called 'Dharmasala', used for crossing over the pass.

Day 14: Dharmasala to Larkya La/Bimtang: (3720m):
Today's route begins up the ridge in front of the guest house which eventually becomes a long gentle climb beside a moraine. Cross a small ridge then descend slightly to a lake before climbing the ridge until you reach the top of the moraine at 4700m. The trail here becomes rougher and indistinct as it crosses the moraine to the south of a steep grassy slope. It takes 3 to 4 hrs from the guest house to the pass and is extremely cold and windy climbing on the Larkya La in snowstorms. The desecending trail follows along the top of a moraine to the west, then drops steeply and traverses scree slopes. It makes a long set of steep, rough, switchbacks, crosses the moraine and then descends more gently. The trail improves before you reach a large meadow, a mani wall and a small rest house. The palace here is called 'Bimtang', which is a Tibetan name meaning 'plain of sand.'

Day 15: Bimtang to Tilje:
The trail drops from the Bintang meadow and crosses a glacial stream, the headwaters of the Dudh Khola, by a wooden bridge. Climb over the side of the moraine and descend into a pine and rhododendron forest to Hompuk (3430m). The walking improves as the trail descends and switches back down to a fork of the Dudh Khola It then follows the river through forests to a goth (3030m). Continue through fields, over a clear stream, passing houses and more fields interspersed with rhododendron and oak forests. Stay on the north bank auntil reaching Tilje.

Day 16: Tilje to Dharampani: (1,860m):
Cross the wooden bridge to the left bank of the Dudh Khola where the path begins a gentle descent. After about one hour cross the suspension bridge over the Marsyandi River before reach Dharampati (1,860m).

Day 17: Dharampani to Tal:
The trail descends through scrub forests and crosses a wooden bridge back to the northern side of the Dudh Khola (1930m) and climb up through a chorten-shaped arch past a mani wall to Tal.

Day 18: Tal to Bahundanda: (1,311m):
Cross the suspension bridge to the left bank. Pass the village and follow the path through the rice paddies. Cross another suspension bridge over the Ngatti khola before climbing up onto the plateau. Looking up you will see Bahundanda. The Bahuns, Tamangs and Gurungs live in Bahundana village.

Day 19: Bahundanda to BeshiSahar:
Trek down the narrow valley past Ngadi until you reach Beshisahar.

Day 20: Drive back to Kathmandu by bus