Manaslu Circuit Trek

<p>When you arrive in Kathmandu airport, our agency representative will be waiting for you in the airport holding our company and your name play card. From airport our agency representative will escort you to the hotel which takes 20 min of driving. After you check in to the hotel, you will rest and fed your flight sickness till next day. At hotel we will brief you about your schedule and plan of your trip.</p>

<p>After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tours to world heritage sites of Pashupatinath Temple-the holiest Hindu Temple on the bank of sacred Bagmati River, BodhanathStupa-the biggest Buddhist Stupa architecture in the world! Patan Durbar Square is the oldest city in the Kathmandu valley with age old tradition also called Lalitpur-the city of fine arts. The visit covers the Durbar Square, the Krishna temple, the Kumbheswore temple, the Golden temple and many more. SwayambhunathStupa-the 2000 years old legendary stupa on the hillock also nick-named as monkey temple.</p>

<p>The road till Dhading has a asphalt. The unsealed road from Dhading to Arughat bazaar is sometimes impassable after heavy monsoon rain. In this case it takes 3 to 4 hours of walking.Arughat Bazar is small market town which lies next to BuriGandakiriver. This village is a strategic point of the road from Trisuli bazaar to Gorkha and then to Pokhara. It is the largest village in the BuriGandakigandakibasin and there are many stores.</p>

<p>Today path will go along the BuriGandaki all the way to its headwaters. The trail goes across forests populated by monkeys. When you reach wide area of rice paddies you will come to Arkhet. From here trail descend to a high cascading waterfall to kyorpani. This is a small village where there is Magar and Gurung people are living. From here, trail descends to SotiKhola. There is a good swimming hole and a small water fall just above the trail.</p>

<p>After breakfast at Sotikhola we will hike through plane area, following the Budi Gandaki river, small villages , the broad valley narrows and at times the trail is cut into the steep valley side, which is densely forested.. The terraced farmland here belongs to the village of LapuBesi. Treks descend once again to the wide, sandy riverbed and follow a path, which runs below the steep, craggy valley side. At length, we have to climb up once again on a trail to Machhekhaola 870m, Machhekhola means "Fish stream", here we going to have the overnight stay at the tea house.</p>

<p>From MachaKholacross the slope that has farm fields and rice paddies .further ahead the valley will become a wider. There is views of SringiHimal also called Chamar( 7187m) . The path will will go down to the shores of white sand .trail still descends and ascents to mountain flank. After short decent you will reach to KaniGoan. It is one of the big village .soon after passing the village and crossing the MachhaKhola and NamyungKhola you will reach to Kholabesi. Pass the village and the valley , follow the narrow path soon you will reach to Taopani. where it has a hot spring.</p>

<p>From Jagat we head through crossing the suspension bridge and passing through forested area. following the path looks like it is carved in the rock to reach to Doban. Soon after crossing villages and suspension bridge in Dobankhola, trail repeating ascents and descents will come to Jagat. It has a beautiful flagstone.</p>

<p>Climbing over a rocky ridge of Salleri , there are a good views of SringiHimal. Passing through the Gurung villages to reach to Eklebhati.Where it has strong influence of Tibetan.</p>

<p>Today the trail head through above the River then descend to cross the SerangKhola and later enters an impressive S bend between sheer basalt walls. To the right, huge rocky crags appear – with a spectacular waterfall above fields of maize and wheat. Beyond the valley broadens and turns northeast; the trail crosses a bridge before attractive village of Ghap (2,250m/7,382ft) on the south bank.The trail then ascends through bamboo, rhododendron and oak above the steeply descending river. For a short section it is forced back to the north bank by sheer walls and re-crosses back to the south bank on a wooden bridge (above a natural stone bridge) at a point where the river thunders down a narrow defile. Before reaching the village, the trail overlooks the Tum Khola from Tibet whose waters considerably increase the BudhiGandaki’s volume at the confluence. Then we will have overnight at lodge in Namrung</p>

<p>After passing through Bengsam village, LI and Khani you will come to Hinankhola. Crosses the streams, you will come to Sho village. From here the views are open Naike peak, Manaslu north peak and Manaslu. Lho has wide farm fields on the gentle mountain flank, it is a large village with many houses and a fine Gimpa. Soon after the junction, you will cross the stream using the wooden bridge and zigzag up the forested area to reach to HonsanhoGompa. Where it has an open view. After crossing Pungen glacier valley will become a wider. Move on from one Chorten to another to reach sama. Which is surrounded by a large number of Mani stones and Chortens. The Gompa on the top of the hill is very fine and worth visiting</p>

<p>Sama is the regional center of Nupri. Explore the village architecture and customs. Cloth weaving for chubas and the manufacture of hooked rugs are important occupations for trade with Tibet. Yak and dzopkyo herds and horses are kept and traded.</p><p>The LabrangGompa in the lower village and the KargyuChholing Monastery on the rise beyond the village, were established some 500 years ago when this region was first settled by Tibetans. The monastery architecture is unique with fine woodwork. There are eight temple buildings: the largest, Pemba ChholingGompa, contains an impressive statue of Guru Rinpoche. It belongs to the NyingmaBuddhist sect and so most of its Lamas are married and live in dwellings at the complex.An easy and rewarding hike beyond the monastery is to the Birendra Tal (3,450m/11,319ft) below the Manaslu Glacier. It can be viewed from a hilltop or from a stony beach and offers striking views of the mountain. ~3km, 1½hrs</p><p>After exploring the Sama we will follow the trail towards Samdo to a bridge over the stream from the lake and then ascend the demanding trail that rises ~1 200m above the lake and the snout of the glacier to the Base Camp (~4,900m/16,100ft), ~8km, 5-6 hrs</p><p>Then a walk to the Pungyen Nunnery (3,870m/12,697ft) that stands on a plateau above the Pungyen Glacier offers unbeatable views of the Nadi ridges and Manaslu from near the gompa. It also adds an illuminating perspective of the mountain and its satellites to the other views seen along the circuit trail. From there we will walk back along the trail, past the school, to the turnoff to the Pungyen Nunnery. It lies over the ridge on a plateau above the glacier, and looks out onto Manaslu (known locally as Kang Pungyen). The ~2½hr trail through summer kharkas (no teahouses) along the NumaKhola and Pungyen Glacier can be icy and slippery. Above the complex is a cave gompa with yet better views. From there we will return back to lodge in Sama for the night stay.</p>

<p>Today we will descend towards the BudhiGandaki, that has turned north, and pass the lake and Base Camp trail as well as several mani walls as the valley begins to widen. This is an easy trail along a shelf above the river past juniper and birch forests that surround KermoKharka. A stone wall divides the region into two with a stileand animal gate that separates the Sama and Samdo herds. Further on, the trail drops to cross the BudhiGandaki on a wooden bridge before climbing steeply onto a promontory above the confluence of the river with the MayolKhola from the Samdo Glacier to the northeast.</p><p>At the top is a stone arch, followed by fields before a white kani at the entrance to the village: an attractive, cold, yak and goat herding area. Zigzag up yak tracks behind the village to any of several sets of flags on a high ridge for superb 270o views: with Samdo Peak (6,335m/20,785ft) and its dramatic glacial basin to the east; the Sama Valley and its ranges to the south (Manaslu is masked by a rocky peak to the southwest); while to the west is a bird’s eye view over the northern Syacha Glacier from Manaslu (partially hidden) and tomorrow’s trail to Dharamsala and the Larkya La. Samdo is the last village before Gho, in the Manang District. Only informal kharkas (with lodges) lie between these villages. Today we will have overnight at lodge in Samdo.</p>

<p>Trekking through north from Samdo and crossing the AthahraSayaKhola . The trail climbs gradually along the AthahraSayaKhola, then descends gently towards the river bed crossing a side river on a wooden bridge. It then climbs again and goes beside the river on its western side. After 3 hours walk from Samdo the AthahraSayaKhola turns west. On this point there is a small wooden bridge and on the other side of it a clear slope that leads to a distant mountain pass. Cross the bridge and begin to climb on the slope. At its bottom, the trail may seem unclear as there are several Yak trails going up, but as you climb it is clear that your way is… up… The climb to the top of the Rui La pass, at 4998, takes another 2 hours. Along the way there are beautiful sights of Manaslu in the distance, as well as the Hindu and Fukang glaciers just behind you as you climb. The Rui La pass is a "classic” "U” shaped mountain pass. Prayer flags mark the pass and a border stone marks the border between Nepal and "Dzong Who” – China. Numerous mountain ranges can be seen on the Tibetan side, and if you are patient enough, wait to see a Yak caravan crossing the pass to bring goods into Nepal.</p>

<p>After an easy first part of trek today we cross the BudhiGandaki for a final time before the trail gradually rises through juniper and tundra with a viewpoint overlooking the Larkya La glacier. Climbing further we arrive at the Spartan Larkya Rest House.</p>

<p>An early morning we will start is needed for what is to be a particularly tough and extended day. After a long gradual climb alongside a moraine we make a short descent to a glacial lake and reach the head of the moraine (4,700m) which we cross to climb to the ridge top. Four frozen lakes lie below and then it is up to the crest of the Larkya La (5,100m).The reward for these difficult trekking conditions is brilliant westerly views of HimlungHimal, Kangurru and Annapurna II as well as the looming omnipresence of Manaslu.</p><p>On the steep trail we will descent drop around 600m in less than an hour. Our trail then levels off onto yak pastures before finally reaching Bimtang, a collection of typical summer kharkas .</p>

<p>We will descend on easier terrain through meadows and pine and rhododendron forest, until arriving in Hampuk. Then the path further, following the course of the DudhKhola, crossing the stream fed by the snows of the KichkeHimal and arrive at Karche and then onto the village of Gho – where rice is back on the menu and Nepalese ‘dhal bhat’ is revisited. Keeping to the west bank of the river, the afternoon is one of gradual descent to the Gurung settlement of Tilije which is famous for its apple brandy.</p>

<p>After breakfast, we will toward the Besisahar with jeep ride along the dusty and bumpy off road .</p>

<p>From Besisahar we will drive back to Kathmandu on a local bus through paved road.</p>

<p>Patan</p><p>The ancient city of Patan, lying 5 km southwest of kathmandu, is known as the city of fine arts, The city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. The diversity of the medieval culture that allowed both Hinduism and Buddhism to flourish has left a rich legacy of impressive sightseeing in this city for today’s visitors.</p><p>Patan Durbar Square:</p><p>Situated in the heart of the city, constitutes the focus of visitor’s attraction. The square is full of ancient palaces, Temple and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. The Patan durbar Square consist of three main chowks or countryards, the Central MulChowk, SundariChowk and KesharnarayanChowk, The SundariChowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture. The Royal Bath called Tushahity. It was listed in the UNESCO world Heritage Monument list in 1979.</p><p>Bhaktapur durbar Squares:</p><p>The Golden Gate is the entrance to the main courtyard of the Palace of 55 Windows.Built by King RanjitMalla. The gate is one of the most beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind in the entire world. This gate is embellished with deities and monsters with marvelous intricacy. The palace of 55 windows was built in 1700 AD. Among the brick walls in their gracious setting and sculptural design, is a balcony of 55 windows. This balcony is a masterpiece of wood carving. The stone temple of Batsala Devi which is also located in the Durbar Square is full of intricate carvings. This temple also sets a beautiful example of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. There is a bronze bell on the terrace of the temple which is also known as the Bell of Barking Dogs. This colossal bell, placed in 1737 AD, was rung to signal curfew those days.</p>

<p>It is the final Farwell. After breakfast, transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight to your next destination.</p>