Manaslu Circuit Trek via Larkya Pass 12 Days

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Macchakhola - Altitude: 700-m/2296 ft. | Drive: 8/9 hours. Meal: LD

The journey begins with a scenic drive to Machha Khola. Our driver will escort you to the bus stop to catch a bus to Macchakhola. You will be driving towards the western part of the valley following a blacktopped Prithvi Highway. Crossing the Trishuli River, you will drive towards Dhading besi you will be passing through a small town Arughat which is mostly settled by the Newar ethnic group. On the way, you can view the beautiful landscape, countryside lifestyle, terraced fields, rivers, and waterfalls. Crossing a bridge across the Budhi Gandaki River, you will pass small villages settled by Gurung and Magar ethnic groups, beautiful fields of millet and paddy and landscape along the Sotikhola and finally reaching Macchakhola.

Day 02: Trek from Machhakhola Gaon to Jagat - Altitude: 2340 m/7676 ft. | Trek: 7/8 hrs. Meal: BLD   

Today, you will start walking in a narrow trail following the Budhi Gandaki River. Just walking in a zigzag trail and crossing a suspension bridge will take you to the Khorlabesi that offers a fantastic view of Ganesh Himal. Now onwards, you will walk in an ascending and descending trail, crosses several suspension bridges, passes landslides, rock falls, and small hamlets; even walk-in stone steps along with rocky trail en-route to Jagat. On reaching Jagat, see the fabulous view of Sringi Himal; mani walls and Chirtens representing the Himalayan culture. Spend overnight at the local lodge.

Day 03: Trek to Deng - Altitude: 1870m/6170 ft.| Trek: 6-7 hrs. Meal: BLD 

After sliding down a long chain of stone steps to the river, you will climb on a terraced hill to Saguleri.  See the impressive view of Singri Himal, 7187m from Saguleri. At Saguleri, the path splits. You will continue with the left-hand branch heading upstream, through a gorge section with towering walls. Thrice you cross the river in the next couple of hours to avoid difficult valley sides and then slide up over a further steep spur to reach the village of Deng. Spend overnight at Deng local lodge/camping.          

Day 04: Trek to Ghap - Altitude: 2,160m/7,086ft. | Trek: 4-5 hrs. Meal: BLD    

Today, you will cross the village of Lamaistic Buddhism, see some Mani walls/ Chortens and flattering flags while entering the elevated Buddhist Community. Since today’s trek is relatively short you reach the village of Ghap in about four hours, which straddles the river. Officially, you have entered the Tibetan Region as you feel perceptible change in the climate and culture. Spend overnight at Ghap local lodge/camping.       

Day 05: Trek to Lho- Altitude: 3150m/10395 ft. | Trek: 6/ hrs. Meal: BLD        

The clear sights of gaining elevation are visible as you move into alpine territory where the mountain views are more than terrific. Myriads of mani stone walls and crossings of the Buri Gandaki thrice en-route will bring to Namrung. At Namrung, you need to issue trekking permits and MCAP permit. Beyond Namrung, the valley opens out and there are extensive pastures. Then, a gradual up climb followed by crossing a bridge over a large stream flowing down from the Lidanda Glaciers, you reach the Tibetan village of Sho, 3000m. Beyond Sho, you get first incredible views of the Manaslu North and then of Manaslu Main. A further trek will bring you to Lho, a large village at 3150 metres where there is a lovely little monastery and numerous chortens and Manis. Looking back Ganesh I is visible. Spend overnight at Lho local lodge/camping.  

Day 06: Trek to Sama Gaon - Altitude: 3500m/11550 ft. | Trek: 3-4 hrs. Meal: BLD           

Beyond Lho, chase the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. Continuing along the main trail, you will reach Sama Gaon 3500m after a while trek. You can visit Sama Gompa which is just 20 minutes’ walk from Sama. Spend overnight at Sama local lodge/camping. 

Day 07: Rest day at Sama Gaon - Altitude: 3500m/11550 ft. | Trek: 3-4 hrs. Meal: BLD     

It is wise to rest during the trek for proper acclimatization before gaining the height. Spend your time at Sama Village enjoying the culture, lifestyle, and people following Lamaism. You can either hike to a ridge to view the stunning mountain including Nadi CHuli, Manaslu, Larke, and Naike. Or, you can also go to visit the Pung Gyen Gompa, capture the fabulous view of Puggen Glacier. Your walk on rest will let you familiarize yourself with height. Retrace Back to Sama Goan for the overnight stay.     

Day 08: Trek to Samdo - Altitude: 3,690m/12,106 ft. | Trek: 6/7 hrs. Meal: BLD            

Today, you will trek to the Manaslu Base Camp that is incredibly a great trip. You will walk up for around 5 hours to base camp. Explore the surrounding and continue walking for your final destination towards Samdo. Todays’ trail will be a bit longer enjoying the sunlight on the mountains and glaciers. The best part of the trek is the incredible turquoise view of Birendra Lake. Spend some time in the base camp, then trek to Samdo. From now, you will enter the forest filled with birch, juniper, rhododendron, moss and Lichen. The trail will take you towards the Kyonggma Kharka that manifests small huts made with stones and a long Mani walls. Crossing a bridge over Budhi Gandaki River, you will enter the village of Samdo. It is a very close village to Tibet settled by the Tibetan Refugee community, have Taka Choeling Gompa, big Mani wall and close to Sonam Glacier as well as a viewpoint of Naike and Pangboche Peaks. Spend overnight at Local lodge/camping.

Day 09: Trek to Larkya Phedi - Altitude: 4,470m/14,665ft. | Trek: 6/7 hrs. Meal: BLD   

Today, you will gain a significant height. Beyond Samdo 3780m, you will trek along Larke Khola to Dharmashala (Stone Hut) 4460 along the steep trail above the river. At a point in today’s trek, you will be mesmerized by the incredible view of Larke Kunda. Keeping on gaining the height, you will arrive at Larkya Phedi 5105 crossing Larkya-la Pass 5153m. The trail passes through the Mani walls and Stone Huts while walking towards Larke Phedi. Larke Phedi is also called as Dharmasala or Rest House, is a seasonal village that provides rooms and tents for the trekkers. On reaching, you can hike the hills for acclimatization and retrace back to Phedi for the overnight stay at Resthouse/camping.       

Day 10: Trek to Bimtang (3,720m/12,204ft. ) crossing Larkya La Pass - Altitude: 5153 m/ 17005 ft. | Trek: 8/9 hrs. Meal: BLD   

Today will be the most exciting day crossing a Larkya-la Pass gaining an ultimate altitude of this trek. Just starts walking in the early morning, you will pass the moraine route of the Larkya Glacier, cross frozen lakes and follow the steep up will takes you to Larkya-La. You will see the flattering colorful flags in a place, make your day a wonderful time catching the magnificent view of the snowcapped peaks including Annapurna II, Kangguru, Himlung, Larkey and many more. Continue walking following the guide in a steep descend on a high moraine ridge of Salpudanda glacier. Now onwards, the trail will be grassy moraine rockfall of Dingboche Kharka. Walking for a while will take you to the beautiful Bimthang Village. From here, you can view the fantastic scene of the peaks like the Lamjung, Manaslu, Phungi, Himlung and Cheo Himal. Spend overnight at Local lodge/ Camping at Bimthang. Today’s trek gains significant height. Beyond Samdo 3780m, you will trek along Larke Khola to Dharmashala (Stone Hut) 4460 along with the steep trail above the river. At a point in today’s trek, we will be mesmerized with the incredible view of Larke Kunda. Keeping on gaining the height we will arrive to Larkya Phedi 5105 crossing Larkya Pass 5153m. We will camp for the night at Larkya Phedi.

Day 11: Trek to Dharapani - Altitude: 1,860m/6,102ft. | Trek: 5/6 hrs. Meal: BLD          

Begins the trail to the Hampuk, a rock shelter cave, and crossing a bridge, you will continue walking down through the forest of Rhododendron and Pine, passing several villages and cultivated land, explore the Gho Village settled by the Gurung community as well as the Kilpu waterfall. You will reach Tilje, where you can rest for a while. Explore traditional Gurung Village. From now, you will continue walking towards Dharapani after crossing a bridge over the Dudh River. Explore the village and spend time enjoying the surrounding. Spend overnight at Local Lodge.    

Day 12: Drive to Besisahar in a Sharing Jeep - Altitude: 60 m/2,493ft | Private car drive back to Kathmandu. End of the trip.

Wake up and get ready for driving hours down in a snaky road to Besisahar. Along the serpentine mountain mishmash road followed by snaky Prithvi Highway the journey longs for 7-8 hours. The journey on this highway is also a highlighting part of the trip. The cultural practices in the semi-urban areas of Nepal, the fast-flowing Himalayan Rivers and the ongoing adventurous activities there and most importantly the hilly landscapes on the roadsides represent different Nepal. You will be having your lunch at one of the highway resorts and in the late afternoon, you will be arriving in Kathmandu. Rest of the time in Kathmandu you can unleash your trekking tiredness hunting the souvenirs on the streets of Thamel or simply chill in your hotel room.