 This ambitious trek assembles two of the most beautiful treks in Nepal: the Manaslu Tour and the Annapurnas Circuit, via two passes towering above 5000 m. Manaslu (8156m) is the world's seventh highest peak, and its region was only opened for trekking in 1992. Heading north from Gorkha, alongside the Burhi Gandaki river, the route turns then westwards into a high alpine valley with typical Tibetan villages and a number of fine monasteries. A steeper ascent to Larkya La pass (5212 m) is rewarded by stunning views of the Manaslu. At Dharapani, we join the Annapurnas circuit and follow upstream the Marsyangdi river. After Pisang we get stunning extremely up-close views of snowy and glaciated high peaks including Annapurnas II, III and IV. Huge glacial moraines abound, etched deeply by wind erosion into fantastic pillars. We complete this breath-taking route by crossing the Thorong La pass (5415 m) to Jomosom. From there, we can either fly to Pokhara (21 days) or follow the Kali Gandaki River. Continuing, we reach Ghorepani and Poon Hill where we enjoy stunning dawn views of Dhaulagiri, Macchapuchare and Annapurna south.
Level of difficulty * * *, Maximum altitude: 5415 m, Best season: Spring and Autumn.
Itinerary
| Day 01 |
Katmandu |
| Day 02 |
Katmandu |
| Day 03 |
Bus to Gorkha |
| Day 04-26 |
Trek to Birethanti and bus to Pokhara |
| Day 27 |
Bus to Katmandu |
| Day 28 |
Katmandu |
| Day 29 |
Katmandu |
Manaslu and Annapurna 29 days details itinerary
| Day 01 |
Katmandu. Airport - hotel transfer. |
| Day 02 |
Katmandu. Day at leisure. |
| Day 03 |
Katmandu-Gorkha by bus. Visit of the Gorkja royal palace and the Kali temple. An historic city, origin of the Sha dynasty that had provided most of the Nepalese kings since 1767. |
| Day 04 |
Gorkha - Kanchok in 5h. Nice views of the Gorkha Himal.Day 03: Kanchok - Arughat (670 m) in 5h. A pretty route through cultivated, terraced hillsides and villages. The trail goes up and down along the Buri Gandaki river, which we will follow during the ten next days. |
| Day 05 |
Arughat - Labu Besi (880 m) in 6.5h. The trail goes across forests populated by monkeys. As we go, we glance at great vistas of the Shringi Himal. In this region, the Gurung women often wear elegant clothes and possess impressive sets of jewelry, bangles and saris. |
| Day 06 |
Labu Besi - Khola Besi (950 m) in 4h. The trail goes along the river, with some steep legs. |
| Day 07 |
Khola Besi - Jagat (1410 m) in 5h. We head upstream along the Buri Gandaki's steep edge, towards Tatopani, literally " hot springs ". The trail then, goes up and down, again along the river, with some legs overhanging huge rapids. |
| Day 08 |
Jagat - Ngyak (1530 m) in 6h. |
| Day 09 |
Ngyak - Ghap (2040 m) in 5h. The path goes through dense jungle up the narrow western gorge of the Buri Gandaki heading towards Manaslu. Sometimes high above the river, while at other, we will cross and re-cross it on an incredible variety of bridges. In Ghap, we will admire some fine sculptures, mostly representing meditating Buddhas. |
| Day 10 |
Ghap - Lho (3100 m) in 5h. We continue westwards through bamboos and rhododendrons. Horses and yak caravans are numerous here, as the commerce with the upper Buri Gandaki valley and Tibet is prosperous. |
| Day 11 |
Lho - Sama Gompa (3500 m) in 5h. We head straight towards Peak 29, ahead of us, then follow the lateral moraine of Pungen Glacier towards Sama. Breathtaking views of the Manaslu, Northern Manaslu (7145 m) and the Naike. |
| Day 12 |
Sama Gompa-Samdo (3860 m) in 3h. We cross a high plateau now and skirt around the ridge of the lateral moraine. We then, climb a terraced hillside to reach one of the most remote permanent settlements in Nepal. Samdo is only a day walk from Tibet, passing by Lajyang La pass (5098 m). |
| Day 13 |
Samdo - Larkya refuge (4500 m) in 5h. The path becomes steeper. Crossing the tundra, it winds its way to the foot of the immense Larkya glacier which pours out of the Manaslu |
| Day 14 |
Larkya refuge - Larkya La (5212 m) - Bimtang (3850 m) in 7h. We first head towards Cho Chanda, then slowly climb the steep slope towards the pass. From the top the panorama is magnificent: Himlung Himal (7126 m), Cheo Himal (6820 m), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6981 m) and the Annapurna II (7937 m). Steep descend, through moraines, towards Bimtang. |
| Day 15 |
Bimtang - Tilije (2400 m) in 5h30. The route gets easier. We start with a gentle climb through paddy fields towards the small Karcha La pass and descend through fir tree and rhododendron forests to Tillije. |
| Day 16 |
Tilije - Chame (2713 m) in 6 h. We descend to Dharapani and join the Annapurnas Circuit. From here, we climb upstream the Marsyangdi river, through large area of blue pines, spruces and oaks. |
| Day 17 |
Chame - Pisang (3185 m) in 5 h. We leave the magnificent pine forests and the Marsyangdi at full flow bellow us to enjoy views of the Lamjung and Annapurnas II and IV. Pisang, with its fine tapering walled houses, offers amazing sights of Annapurnas massif on south, Mount Tilicho (7134 m) on west, Chulu Est (6584 m) and the summit of the Mount Pisang (6091 m) on north. |
| Day 18 |
Pisang - Manang (3530 m) in 5 h. Manang is a village of typical Tibetan culture with numerous stupas, monasteries and oratories. |
| Day 19 |
Manang - Thorong Phedi (4700 m) in 7 h. This is a pasture area and a yak kingdom. An excursion towards West Chulu peak can be organized in the afternoon. |
| Day 20 |
Thorong Phedi - Thorong La (5415 m) - Muktinath (3802 m) in 8 h. Climb up to the Thorong La with a stunning panorama over prestigious summits rising above 6000 m. Descent towards Muktinath. |
| Day 21 |
Muktinath - Marpha (2670 m) in 6 h. This is the route of Mustang and Tibet caravans. |
| Day 22 |
Marpha - Kalopani (2560 m) in 5h 30. We cross vast arid and dramatic areas violently swept by the wind. Gorgeous panoramic view of the Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Tukuche Peak (6920 m), Annapurna I (8091 m) and the Nilgiri. |
| Day 23 |
Kalopani - Tatopani ( 1189 m) in 6 h.As you emerge from the more barren, Tibetan landscapes of the rain shadow, water buffalo, banyan trees and poinsettias return to the trailside. The trail climbs high above the river through a narrow gorge, regarded as the deepest and steepest in the world. Set in between Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri, both rising above 8000 m and their summit only 38 Km far from each other, the landscape is dramatic. You leave Thakali country at Ghasa and enter an area of mixed Hindus, high caste Brahmin and Chetri hill farmers, and hill tribes, Gurungs and Magars. In Tatopani, there are natural hot water springs - a welcome bath! |
| Day 24 |
Tatopani - Ghorepani (2775 m) in 6 h. A pretty route through cultivated, terraced hillsides. This village was originally a horse watering place, which has evolved into an important crossroads for tourists and the numerous mule caravans on the Jomoson-Pokhara trip.
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| Day 25 |
Ghorepani - Hille (1510 m) - Birethanti (1037 m) in 5h. Then, bus to Pokhara. We leave early morning to Poon Hill (3200 m), to catch the rising sun lighting the whole panorama of peaks from Dhaulaghiri to Annapurna and Machhapuchare to Lamjung, and the myriad lesser peaks a little further to the East. From here, it is all down hill, through oaks and rhododendrons forests, then meadows and fields. |
| Day 26 |
Pokhara - Katmandu by bus. |
| Day 27 |
Katmandu. Day at leisure. Safety day for your international flight. |
| Day 28 |
Katmandu. Hotel - airport transfer. |
Note: Please contact exploretrek@wlink.com.np for more information and prices
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