Manaslu Circuit & Larke-La Pass Trekking

On first arrival in Kathmandu and Nepal international airport, received by our Epic Adventures staff and guide for short transfer to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu. After a short refreshing rest in your room then join with other group members for trek briefing, our expert guide will provides full information regarding the trek, culture, tour of Kathmandu at places of interest.

Evening a welcome dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurants with local folk cultural program entertains, while you have dinner. 

A day in Kathmandu for trek preparation and tour at places of great interest around best historical and cultural places. Our city tour guide will take you to famous areas listed in World Heritage Sites and then back to hotel after a wonderful time at sightseeing tour with time for preparation for next day trek to Mt. Manaslu Circuit and Larke-La Pass.

From Kathmandu to  Maccha-Khola village, our first day walk begins on pleasant trail through number of smaller farm settlement with cultivated paddy fields and terraces to reach at Lapbesi village. From here down to a sandy riverbed then walk follows high above a steep and craggy valley. As our trail climbs for a while to Machha-Khola for overnight stop, another small farm village with teashops and small lodges for travelers, transfer into a simple lodge with time to explore around as Maccha Khola village means a Fish-Stream, a tributary small streams that joins to Buri-Gandaki River.

Start the fine morning walk to Lauri stream, the cross a bridge, as climb leads to a high ridge facing views of surrounding lovely countryside, and then down to a valley at Yara Khola (stream), as walk continues with another hour up to reach Jagat village. A lovely looking village after checking into your rooms for overnight. Rest of the afternoon with time to explore and observe local culture of mixed hill tribes with Magar, Gurung, Chettries, Brahman, and Manaslu Bhotia (Tibetan origin people) with some Newar people, who runs shops and lodges.

Morning from Jagat village a short descend to a river, where climb starts to a terraced hillside with views of Sringi Himal 7, 187 m high peak, continue walk with few up and down to cross a bridge over Buri-Gandaki.

From the bridge onward walk leads with uphill to a nice farm village at Philim having a cool refreshing stop, walk past farm village with cultivated fields and terraces. Then climb to a golden terraces and crop fields of wheat’s and barley, then heading to a rocky ridge top within thick forest lined with bamboo to reach at Eklai Bhatti a small spot with few shops.

After a short break climb starts towards high Manaslu area, from here our route diverts North West to overnight stop at Deng, a small Tibetan style village.

From Deng onwards air gets much cooler entering upper Manaslu area, morning walks begins heading towards a high cliff wall to a nice farm village, from here onward one can notice with more of Tibetan Buddhism religion and culture, after few hours walk reach you at Bihe, a small farm village with large fields growing buck wheat, wheat, barley and potatoes as staple crops. As walk progress coming across series of Buddhist Mani prayer stone walls then reach at Ghap a nice village for possible lunch stop.

After Ghap altitude gains walk into cool wood as path meanders with climb for short while, then enter a wide open valley with extensive pasture field.

Walk continues to cross a stream flowing from the glacier of Lidana facing grand view of Mt. Manaslu, the native calls Kutang Himal includes Pang Phuchin a 6,335 m high peak with Saula Himal 6,235 m. Climb continues then end the day walk at Namrung for overnight stop, the village also called Sho Namru.

Spending a pleasant overnight at Namrung, morning walk begins heading into a wide farm fields, trek continues past Yak herder temporary shelters as route leads into scenic Manaslu valley, and the slowly walk reach you at Lo-Gaon, a nice village with number of good lodges for overnight stay. One of the attractive village Lo-Gaon around Manaslu valley, afternoon enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Manaslu North Face, with short tour of the monastery lined with many Chorten / Stupa and Mani prayer walls, with grand views of Ganesh Himal towards east. 

After a wonderful time and overnight at Lo-Gaon, from here trek gets better although the route leads to gradual climb, but rewards you with stunning views of Peak 29 and Mt. Manaslu. After some hours of steady walk reach Shala village in the close shade of Phungi, Manaslu and Himal Chuli. 

Having short stops, continue our journey for few hours then finally end the day walks on reaching Sama-Gaon village for two overnights halt. Sama-Gaon, the main village around Upper Manaslu, the local villagers of all higher Manaslu are mostly farmers and cattle herders, growing high altitude crops like buck wheat, barley as well potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

Enjoy rest day at Sama-Gaon after a week of travel and walk, as well important to have a free day for acclimatization, at this height before moving towards higher area to cross over Larke-La pass. On this day an opportunity to explore this nice traditional village Sama-Gaon, and witness the local immense culture of age-old heritage similar to Tibetan. As this region falls close on route to Tibet border, which was the early Trans-Himalaya Salt Trade Route, where all caravan laden with goods from both sides passed through this village. The trade continues but in smaller ways, than in good old days. 

From Sama-Gaon, adventure slowly heads towards our main goal and highlight to cross on the other side via high Larke-La Pass. Morning walk further west on arid and barren terrain, enjoy the close views of mountain range. As walk proceeds with gradual climb on windswept valley, after a scenic walk on high altitude trails then end the day walk on reaching at Samdo.

The last permanent human settlement, a moderate size village with more than 50 houses, for two hundred family, despite the harsh life around this arid dry country. The villagers are quite well off due to flourishing trade across the border to Tibet, besides trading the native are farmers and raising livestock like Yaks and other cattle suitable for this high altitude. 

A short day walk today of few hours to reach the last temporary settlement at Phedi or Dharmasala, situated at the far end of Manaslu valley and Gorkha district. Walk on the rocky banks of icy streams flowing from the glacial source of Larke Peak, as route leads to cross over fast running stream then reach our overnight destination at Larke Phedi, means base or bottom. This remote isolated corner also called Dharmasala or rest house/ shades for Travelers crossing both sides 

On leaving Samdo village, walk continues heads at far end of Manaslu valley with grand views of snow-capped peaks includes Mt. Manaslu, then walk across icy streams to reach at the base of Larke Pass at Phedi which means bottom of a hill and a pass, also called Dharma-Sala (travelers rest house / shades for local villagers traveling from Manang to Manaslu or vice-versa. Enjoy the afternoon after lunch preparations for next early morning long climb to cross the highest and toughest part of the adventure over high Larke-La pass.

Grand views of towering snow-capped peaks from Phedi, where one can take a short hike to keep fit for the next hard day climb.

A big day and last final major climb, leave the lodge early morning as climb starts over moraine of rocks and boulders towards ablation formed from the north side of Larke glacier, as climb gets steeper, having short rest to enjoy surrounding view of Cho Danda a high ridge hill with near Larke Peak. As walk continue to reach the highest point on top Larke-la, where the mass is adorned with thousands of colorful Buddhist prayer flags and a sign board with name of the pass and heights. Assuring you that you have reached the top of Larke-La, enjoy spectacular panorama of Manaslu Himalaya range, with Ganesh Himal towards far east, includes views of Annapurna and Lamjung with Larke peaks as well of Himlung Himal in the north-west. From the pass after a refreshing break amidst exciting scenery, then downhill to the other side of Larke Pass around Manang area. Walk follows past a small place of Larcia, and the head further to a moraine ridge at Tambuche at 3, 900 m, which is bottom of the pass. From here walk to Bhimthang for overnight stop after a long tough day of the adventure within the district of Manang area. 

Bhimthang a lovely spot with number of lodges within beautiful forest surroundings of tall pine, fir and rhododendron tree lines.

From Bhimthang onward, a pleasant walk downhill coming across few short uphill more or less with much descend, a lovely walk within dense forested trail to reach a small clearing at Gho for overnight stop, a small place with few simple lodge amidst dense forest.

After an enjoyable stop at Dharapani, on completing our adventurous trek, after having a good breakfast, board in four wheelers vehicle suitable for mountain road. As drive heads downhill with winding turn above the river to reach Tal, the last village of Manang area, then enter Lamjung district. 

As journey continues past Chamje and Jagat village. Drive heads down at Syange village around low warm farm areas, then ride follows the Masrsyangdi River to reach at Besisar, a large town and headquarter of Lamjung district.

At Besisar for lunch and overnight stop, with rest of the afternoon free at leisure and enjoy walks around the interesting market areas of Besisar lined with many shops and fancy stores.

Morning board in a vehicle as per group size either in a car, coach or big comfortable bus, as drive morning heads through many farm villages and towns to reach the main Kathmandu and Pokhara Highway.

Then on good road as drive follows Trisuli River for some hour and then up towards a winding hill towards Kathmandu valley, on arrival in Kathmandu transfer to your respective hotels. Rest of the day free to relax or for leisure activities.

Last day in Kathmandu and in Nepal, as per your international flight time our staff and guide will accompany you for a short drive to international airport for final departure, after a memorable and fabulous adventure on Mt. Manaslu Circuit & Larke-La Pass Trekking and around amazing Nepal.