Manaslu Expedition
Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world, is located about forty miles east of Annapurna I. Climibng on Manaslu is becoming popular among eight thousanders as the mountain is climbed in the post monsoon season unline other 8000m. peaks. Mountaineers prefer expedition in Manaslu because of high rates of success and being a good alternative mountain of climbing on Cho Oyu and Sishapangma in Tibet.
The trek to Manaslu base camp is one of the most beautiful treks in the world with ancient snow-free paths, green terraced villages, rushing streams crossed on swinging bridge. Manaslu trek follows the ancient salt-trading route along the steep sided Buri Gandaki River allowing enough time for acclimatization for Manaslu climbing.
The mountain's long ridges and valley glaciers offer feasible approaches from all directions for Manaslu climbing. Possible avalanches in bad weather, crevasses and slippery snow make this mountain a little distinct from other mountains in Nepal. Normally four high camps are established in the approach. Crevasses between Camp I & Camp II and avalanche threat from Camp III to Camp IV are notable in climbing on Manaslu.
- Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be warmly greeted by a staff / representative from Ang Rita Trek & Expedition as you come out at the airport after the immigration formalities. You will be transferred to a hotel.
Day 02 – 03: Official Formalities for Permit and Expedition Preparation
We will finish the last official formalities for the expedition and prepare for the expedition.
Day 04: Drive Kathmandu – Arughat (525m., 6 hrs.)
We leave Kathmandu in the morning and drive to Arughat enjoying Nepalese countryside and the mountain sceneries. The drive on black topped road from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi and from there we drive on rough road to Arughat.
Day 05: Arughat – Soti Khola (710m., 6 – 7 hrs.)
We hike up though the forests along Buri Gandaki Valley. The view of Sringi Himal appears up the valley. The valley becomes steeper and the hiking gets more difficult as the trail climbs through fields over a rock outcrop. We gain a ridge and then descend to Soti Khola.
Day 06: Soti Khola – Machhakhola (900m., 6 – 7 hrs.)
The trail crosses the bridge and climbs up to a ridge and then passes over a big rock making it precarious. We follow the rocky trail up and down through large stand of nettles and pass two waterfalls. We again climb up through steep rocky trail pass a few rice terraces to Labubesi, a Gurung village. As the trail climbs behind a rocky outcrop, the valley opens up and again we climb and descend a few times and finally arrive at Machhakhola.
Day 07: Machhakhola – Doban (1070m., 5 – 6 hrs.)
We hike ups and downs and cross Tharo Khola to arrive hotspring in Tatopani. We climb over another ridge, then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. Now the trail climbs on a wide, well crafted staircase over a ridge to Doban.
Day 08: Doban – Jagat (1410m., 5 – 6 hrs.)
We climb on a rugged, rocky trail to gain a ridge. The river valley widens and the trail descends to the Buri Gandaki. We cross a long suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola and ascend through stone staircase to gain a ridge and arrive at Jagat.
Day 09: Jagat – Deng (1920m., 6 – 7 hrs.)
The trail climbs over a rocky ridge to Salleri and then descends to Sirdibas. The valley widens and we hike upstream to arrive at Philim. We pass millet field and grassy land slopes, cross Budhi Gandaki and follow west bank of the river. The valley widens further and we pass bamboo forest, cross Deng Khola and arrive at the village of Deng.
Day 10: Deng – Namrung (2630m., 6 – 7 hrs.)
We head up west to the Budhi Gandaki Valley, pass through forest and mani. We take the route to Prok Village which has a viewpoint for good views of Siringi Himal. We further cross Budhigandaki River several times passing several gompas, dense forest while following the trail upstream. We make steep climb and arrive at Namrung, a good view point for Siring Himal and Ganesh Himal.
Day 11: Namrung – Samagaon (3530m., 7 – 8 hrs.)
We climb gradually and pass through a forest of firs, rhododendron and oak forest to arrive at Lihi, a nice village with many chortens and barley terraces. We enter into Nupri region. The people of Nupri are the descendants of Tibetan immigrants. As we pass through Sho, the views of Manaslu North (7157m.) start to get spectacular. We further follow the valley, pass through Lho, a big village with a gompa a Tibetan style chorten and huge mani wall and spectacular view of Manslu and arrive at a plateau, Syala with a wide vista of Himalchuli, Peak 29, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. We climb to the ridge and then descend to a valley to arrive at Samagoan, an extensive village.
Day 11: Rest at Exploration day in Samagoan with a side trip to Pung-gyen Gompa.
Today we walk around Samagoan and make a shot side trip to Pung-gyen Gompa and rest for acclimatization. We enjoy the sights of a large collection of mani stones with Buddhists text and pictures. We climb the ridge to the south of Samagoan to the Pung-gyen Gompa which is hidden behind the ridge in front of Manslu. It was destroyed by an avalanche during the winter of 1953 after the first Japanese expedition to Manaslu killing several inhabitants, mostly nuns.
Day 12: Samagoan – Manaslu base camp (4,665m.,6 – 7 hrs.)
We descend to the Budhi Gandaki River. The trail to the left leads to Manaslu base camp.
Day 13 – 40: Climbing
From the base camp, we climb over grassy slopes, rock slabs and moraine followed by crevassed Larkya Galcier with small ice steps to Camp I at 5700m. From camp I the climbing is more technical with some steep sections which require fixed ropes. The climbing requires long 40 degrees snow slopes with a few vertical ice steps, snow cliffs to reach the Camp II at 6200m. After Camp II, the slopes ease off . We pass through a series of snow shelves before ascending a steeper snow slope reaching camp III at an altitude of 6900m. From camp III, we climb relatively straightforward snow slopes for about 550 meters leading to the Camp IV. The climb to the summit is not technical. We climb several basins and short headwalls to pass the false summit which leads to the exposed ridge and finally to the summit. We descend to Camp II to spend the night and next day arrive at base camp.
Day 41: Base camp – Samdo (3860m., 6 – 7 hrs.)
We retrace to the main trekking trail of Annapurna circuit at Samdo.
Day 42: Samdo – Larkya Rest House (4480m., 4 – 6 hrs)
We descend and past many fields to a big, old mani wall to arrive to a river which is crossed on a wooden bridge. A fine and old mani wall marks the start of climb to Larkya La. We climb through tundra and juniper opposite the huge Larkya Glacier and gradually the trail gets more steeper to gain the ridge at 4000m. where there is a viewpoint at the edge of a huge gorge. We climb in and out of the gorge and arrive at Larkya Rest House.
Day 43: Larkya Rest House - Larkya la (5160m) - Bimthang (3720m.,) 8 – 9 hrs.
The trail starts up a ridge making a long, gentle climb beside a moraine, descend to a lake and again climb to the ridge to the top of a moraine. As we cross the moraine to the south of steep, grassy slopes, the trail becomes rougher and indistinct. We descend to the four frozen lakes and make the final steep climb to the Larkya La. The pass offers the magnificent views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Gyaji Kang, Kang Guru and Annapyrna II. We descend along the top of the moraine and further descend steeply making a long set of steep, rough switchbacks crossing moraines to find a wider valley and arrive at Bimthang.
Day 44: Bimthang – Tilije (2300m., 5 – 6 hrs)
The trail drops from Bimthang passing high pasture and climbs over the side of the moraine and descends to pine and rhododendron forest. We make a steep climb over a ridge decorated with prayer flags and then descend to a river bank. A short distance beyond it is Gho, the first settlement after Larkya La. We walk through fields, past rhododendron and oak forests to arrive at Tilije.
Day 45: Tilije – Dharapani – Drive to Besisahar. (6 – 7 hrs)
We climb over a ridge and walk on stone paved trail to pass a Gurung village. We then descend through scrub forests, cross Dhudh Khola on a wooden bridge and climb again through chorten- shaped arch, past mani wall to arrive at Thonje. We get land transportation from Dharapani to Beshishahar.
Day 46: Beshishahar - Kathmanmdu Drive ( 6 hrs.)
We drive from Beshishahar to Kathmandu enjoying the scenery of the mountains, small villages on the hill sides, terrace fields.Most of the driving will be along the bank of the Marsyangdi and Trisuli Rivers. We take you to the hotel in Kathmandu for check-in.
Day 47: Free day in Kathmandu.
Farewell dinner will be organized in the evening at Nepalese restaurant with culture program.
Day 48: Airport transfer for your onward journeys.
We will transfer you to the airport and bid good bye for your onward journeys.
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Cost Includes
1. Equipment allowance, daily allowance & insurance for base camp staff ( Guide, cook, kitchen boy and liaison officer )
2. Food and fuel at the base camp
3. All camping equipment at the base camp such as, member tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, chairs, tables.
4. Trek support for climbing members from Arughat - base camp – Beshishahar.
5. Porters to carry loads from Aarughat - base camp – Beshishahar.
6. Royalty and peak permit
7. Airport arrival and departure
8. Land transportation from Kathmandu – Arughat - Beshishahar - Kathmandu
9. Accommodation at hotels in Kathmandu before and after the expedition on BB plan
Cost Excludes1. High altitude food and fuel above base camp.
2. Climbing equipment, tents and personal equipment above base camp
3. Personal accident insurance and emergency rescue evacuation
4. Meals while staying in Kathmandu.
5. Gratuity to trekking and expedition staff