In this article, we are going to discuss Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking,
On this wide Earth, there are some places which tend to remain in the minds and hearts for the long run. Manaslu region is one such place which is likely to not fade away too soon if you have just been to. We are talking about the region that houses the world’s eighth tallest peak, Mt Manaslu(8,156m). The region is equally gifted with natural wonders like lucrative landscapes, true vegetation, and all. Yet, the region is not in the awareness of many people in the world and that makes it one of the best off-the-beaten places in the world.
One of the several ways to tour this region is the Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking which is also called Manaslu Circuit Trek. The trek is one of the most appealing treks in the country. It goes through this exquisite region step by step and covers all of the ecstasies lying there. Larke Pass, the highest point of the trek, is the main attraction of the trek. The pass that this trek leads to is known as the challenging pass to ascend. But, the view after the hardest climb is really paying one. Mountains covered with snows and artistic landscapes can seriously take the breath away.
In addition, this trek nicely allows having cultural exploration as well. The naturally beautiful region is inhabited by the people that are highly influenced by Tibetan culture. Tamangs and Sherpas, the two most inspiring tribes of Nepal live in the region widely. And there in the various places of the trek are ancient monasteries and gompas waiting to be explored by the world. Inside those monuments, the exquisite arts on the walls and statues who deserve to be seen by everyone.
Moreover, the Manaslu region’s vibrant flora also has made the trek a scenic one. The woods are dotted with the Himalayan trees, flowers, and various animals as well. This wealthy vegetation will be encountered across the Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking.
To say it all, the Manaslu region deserves to be voyaged by every nature and culture enthusiast. The trek will make you run into unlimited experiences that are entirely new to you.
Major Highlights of Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking
- Awe-inspiring natural show of lush forests, various rivers, and flora too in the region.
- Larke Pass (5,167m), one of the longest and dramatic passes to reach in the Himalayas.
- Breathtaking views of alpines like Manaslu, Himlung Himal, Kang Guru, Annapurna, Nemjung, etc.
- A bright display of Tibetan influenced culture by the Sherpas, Tamangs of the region.
- Explore the jaw-dropping Buddhist shrines, monasteries, mani walls.
- Trek on one of the most beautiful trekking regions of the world.
Best time for Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking
Autumn
September to November is one of the right times for you to pick for the trek. It’s Autumn which is taken as the most liked trekking time in the Himalayas. Through this season, the surrounding remains at its best face. The view gets just cleared and washed by the Monsoon’s rain. You’ll experience some raindrops and clouds in Early September.
And it’s entirely possible to do the Manaslu trek after the Mid-September all the way until late November. One can experience the blue and cloudless skies, mild temperature, and bright visibility in these months. You will be trekking in the temperature from 20°C to 25°C during day hours. But expect the temperature to fall after the nightfall until the sun rises.
The best part of doing Manaslu Larke Pass Trek in Autumn has to be the crystal-clear mountain and landscape views. Rainfall of the Monsoon takes all of the dust off from the view and you get to see the raw view of the region. Also, the time is the season of Nepal’s greatest festivals: Dashain and Tihar. Having booked the trip in this period will make you a part of those festivals and celebrations too.
Spring
Spring is another season whose attributes allow you to have a hassle-free Manaslu region trek. It starts as soon as the Monsoon departs Nepal’s surroundings. March, April, and May are the three blissful months of Spring. Across Spring, you’ll face the vibrant face of Nepal’s landscapes. This season is, however, a bit colder than the Autumn season but you will not consider that after experiencing the bright side of Spring. It is a time of blossoming flowers and greenery. The various flowers around the forests will be at full stretch displays.
Manaslu Circuit Larke Pass Trek runs through dense forests of Rhododendron at various times. And you will be trekking amid the reddish woods as of Spring. Moreover, rain clouds don’t come at all to block views and make the trails muddy. You’ll get dry routes to walk on which are the easier ones. The sun remains insight through the days of spring and you have not to worry about the coldness. Yet, you have to trek over the snowy track while ascending the Larke Pass. But that’s not a big problem to overcome, just an easy one.
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Manaslu TrekkingDetailed Itinerary Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking 14 days
Day: 01 Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola
Drive hours: 8 hours
Overnight place: Soti Khola
Altitude: 700m
Here we go, the Manaslu region’s adventure starts! It all begins after Kathmandu’s escape for Soti Khola(730m). You’ll join a scenic bus ride that will run for around 8 hours. The bus will find its way through a serpentine road that neighbors green hills, rivers, settlements, and many more. It’ll be a comfortable ride until Arughat but from there the bumpy and rough road starts.
But the bumpy road’s experience will be very new for you and you may totally enjoy it. By now, you’ll also have entered deep into rural Nepal and that will start to inspire from here. After being on the seat for 8 hours, you’ll reach the destination where you have to spend an overnight, Soti Khola. It’s also the starting point of Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking and several other treks of this region.
Day: 02 Start the Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola
Trek hours: 6 hours
Overnight place: Maccha Khola
Altitude: 930m
The first of the several mornings outside Kathmandu will make you hit the trail of the trek for the very first time. After breakfast at Soti Khola, you’ll start to get yourself going into the wild by following the bank of Buri Gandaki River. Leaving behind some rural villages of the region and crossing the bridges over the rivers, you’ll move ahead slowly.
While on the quest of Machha Khola, you’ll trek through a forest full of sal trees. The villages of Gurung’s and Ghale’s will be the rest and snacks place for the day. You’ll keep trekking and do several ascends and descends before following the river-sided trail Walking along the river, you’ll end up at Machha Khola’s tea houses to spend overnight there.
Day: 03 Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat
Trek hours: 7 hours
Overnight place: Jagat
Altitude: 1,340m
Today, you’ll leave Machha Khola back and join the trail that moves with the Buri Gandaki river. From there, you’ll enter the forest before reaching the village area of Gurung’s. Taking short breaks at one of the villages, you’ll start what you are here to do: trekking and exploring. Further, a place called Tatopani that is “Hot Water” arrives where you can relax in the hot spring there.
After refreshment, you’ll start the rest of the trek by crossing a suspension bridge to Doban. The very stretch after the bridge is slightly rough and difficult as you have to walk in a landslip area. But once you cross that part, the trek ahead is as simple as usual. In this way, you’ll finally place your feet in Jagat which is a Gurung Village. It will be an amazing night’s rest at Jagat’s teahouse.
Day: 04 Trek from Jagat to Pewa
Trek hours: 6 hours
Overnight place: Pewa
Altitude: 1,600m
Wake up early in Jagat and have breakfast to start the day at the right time. Thereafter, you’ll lace your shoes to reach Pewa through Salleri, Sirdibas, and Phillim. There are some gompas and many prayer flags along the way today to explore. You have to show your trekking permits at Pewa to proceed further. Getting your permits checked, you’ll enjoy the trek ahead which leads through a wood of pine and rhododendron.
Then you’ll come to the point from where the other popular trek of the region, Tsum Valley Trek, parts the way. And from there it will not take much to reach Pewa where you have to end the trek for the day. Pewa is a popular stopover of the entire trek for its special Dal Bhat. You’ll enjoy that night meal and if interested you’ll interact with the people there whilst your body warms around the fireplace.
Day: 05 Trek from Pewa to Namrung
Trek hours: 6 hours
Overnight place: Namrug
Altitude: 2,630m
The Sun will be at the brisk when you’ll get off of the warm bed. After getting all refreshed, you’ll join breakfast with your friends to prepare for the day. Today will be a much similar day to yesterday. You’ll cross several forests but bamboos this time. Likewise, you’ll use the suspension bridges to cross the river trails. Through settlements like Rana, Bihi Phedi, and Ghap, you’ll comfortably move ahead except at Ghap. The place is very slippery as the trail lies in the landslide area.
Moving safely out of that part, you’ll join an ascending hill which tends to take around 1 hour of trek. The climb is not nose touching straight, rather its rounding and easier one to trek. As soon as you complete the ascent, Namrung, the place where you are about to spend a night, will be at the view. There are a lot of good teahouses and even a restaurant in Namrung.
Day: 06 Trek from Namrung to Lho
Trek hours: 4 hours
Overnight place: Lho
Altitude: 2,957m
It will be one of those easy trekking days in Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking. You’ll move slowly and explore entirely through the Nubri village. The village is extremely influenced by the Tibetan lifestyle and culture. As you move ahead in the village, you’ll see mani walls by the trails and many terraces of inhabitants filled with grains. If you choose to spend some time there, you can do it but you have to be quick.
After escaping the scenic village, you’ll jump into the lush forest of oak, fir, and red Rhododendron. Thereafter the forest, you’ll pass across Lihi and Sho villages. You can do a quick exploration of these villages. The people will be busy living just the way to do usually and you’ll pass them as foreigners. They will greet you with a big smile and a pure heart. And as you do one more stretch, you’ll be at Lho for the night rest for the day.
Day: 07 Trek from Lho to Sama Gaun
Trek hours: 4 hours
Overnight place: Sama Gaun
Altitude: 3,530m
Today’s trek will be to approach Sama Gaun by leaving Lho behind. It will also be another short trekking day in which you have to trek for around 4 hours only. The duration has been shortened to adjust with the high altitude. As you will be walking above 3,000m from here, you should expect mountains to be more clear and closer than before. Mt Manaslu, the major attraction of the trip, starts to appear now. And the trek starts to get more scenic and scenic with every altitude gain too.
Enjoy the mountain views whilst trekking via lush forest and villages before reaching the overnight destination. Sama Gaun will host a warm welcome for you with its alluring ambiance. Overnight at one of the tea houses there.
Day: 08 Acclimatization day and do Side Trips to one of Pungyen Gompa, Manaslu’s Base Camp (4,400m), or Birendra lake
Trek hours: 4 hours
Overnight place: Sama Gaun
Altitude: 3,530m
The whole of the day will be spent around Sama Gaun so that you can acclimate yourself. You perform short hikes to make the day eventful. You’ll have three options for hiking: Pungyen Gompa, one of the important Buddhist shrines of the region, Manaslu’s base camp, and Birendra Lake. These all of the places lie not so far from Sama Gaun that is within 4 hours of reach.
After spending the day by hiking around one of those places, you’ll be able to adjust your body with the higher heights. And that gives a license to you to head further higher on the trek. You’ll return to Sama Gaun for spending another night in the same tea house.
Day: 09 Trek from Sama Gaun to Samdo
Trek hours: 4 hours
Overnight place: Samdo
Altitude: 3,865m
After having spent another night in Sama Gaun, you’ll now finally leave the village to move ahead on the trek. Samdo is not too far and doesn’t take much time from Sama Gaun. That is why it will be another slow and easy trek day. Slow down your trek and enjoy whatever view is coming in front of your eyes. You’ll love everything up there around Samdo. As you leave the village, you’ll get a sight of beautiful pastures, high hills, and mountains at the top of the view.
The Buri Gandaki river will come across once again and you’ll use a wooden bridge to cross the river. Just before reaching Samdo, the other village i.e. Kani will be there to host your short break. You’ll boost your energy by having organic snacks there at the village. As you will reach Smado earlier, you can explore the village thoroughly and can go up to Samdo Peak. If you want to do this then you shouldn’t waste your time much before reaching Samdo. Overnight at one of the tea houses there.
Day: 10 Acclimatization Day and Side Trip to Tibetan Border (5,100m)
Trek hours: 8 hours
Overnight place: Sama Gaun
Altitude: 3,865m
By now it will be 10 days since you left Kathmandu and are approaching high altitudes day after day. And gaining high altitudes without acclimating properly is very risky as altitude sickness. That is why the 10th day of Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking will be allotted for another acclimatization day. Just like the other day, you’ll do a side trip around Samdo and Tibetan Border will be the right place for that. However, the trek is much longer but you’ll have an entire day to do that.
Tibet, the autonomous region of China, lies in the northern side of Nepal and you are already near that, so why not explore the border area. The northern side i.e. Tibet side is very popular for its deserted landscapes and you can look at those by doing this day hike. You’ll return to Samdo after that for the night rest.
Day: 11 Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala
Trek hours: 4 hours
Overnight place: Dharamsala
Altitude: 4,460m
As you have already spent two days as acclimatization days, you are now ready to cross the 4500+ altitude. You’ll hit the trail to Dharamsala after taking breakfast. The day’s trek is not so long, just 4 hours. Rather than rushing, you’ll do a slow trek by glancing at every scenic view around the trail. The mountains will start to appear closer than before and you’ll be startled by the views of the Manaslu regions mountains. However, the trail will be a bit rougher now and you should watch every step forward.
Day: 12 Trek from Dharamsala – Larke Pass – Bimthang
Trek hours: 10 hours
Overnight place: Bimthang
Altitude: 3,590m
Here arrives the most happening day of the Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking when you’ll be reaching the Larke Pass. The day is an exciting one but you have to do a hard and long trek also. It’s going to be one of the longest days also. The morning of the day also brings a lot of things to do. You’ll wake up early to start the trek earlier to have added time to trek.
Undoubtedly, the trail to Larke Pass is a rough, steep, and challenging one. And you should reach the pass by afternoon as you have to reach Bimthang before nightfall. You’ll have the trekking day of your life today while approaching the Larke Pass. And all of the struggle and sweat will be paid off from the top. It stands at a surreal height of 5,160m and from there you can get enough views of all of the Manaslu region and the neighboring Annapurna region’s mountain and landscape views.
After a glorious time at the top, you’ll now descend towards Bimthang. Though the trail is descending and easy to do, the rough and slippery stones can slow the trek. It will take 3 hours to reach the night’s destination and along the way, you’ll come across various glaciers of the region. A yearning and much deserving night’s rest in Bimthang.
Day: 13 Trek from Bimthang to Tal
Trek hours: 9 hours
Overnight place: Tal
Altitude: 1,700m
The next day after achieving the Larke Pass’s view, it’s time to make a return to Kathmandu. For that, you’ll trek up to Tal from Bimthang by hiking around 9 hours on this day. Today’s trail will be a long one but with a descending trail, you’ll not face many problems. This will also be the last trekking day of Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking. But the happenings will not lower though. Many forested trails will be walked on this day, so will be the various villages. And mostly, the peaks will bid you a farewell from the back. Overnight at Tal’s tea house.
Day: 14 Drive from Tal to Kathmandu
Drive hours: 10 hours
Overnight place: Kathmandu
Altitude: 1,400m
Last but not the least, the last day will be a scenic bus ride back to Kathmandu. It will take 10 hours to reach there but the bus will make you watch the views of half of Nepal’s landscape. After reaching Kathmandu the trek ends officially and successfully. You’ll feel so relieved for completing the Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking and glad for experiencing a whole lot of things.
Frequently Asked Questions of Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking
How long is Manaslu Circuit Larke Pass Trek?
The trek can last more than 2 weeks normally i.e 14 to 17 days. But if you want to add the Tsum Valley Trek also then, it can go upto 3 weeks.
Can I do Manaslu Circuit Trek on my own or should I go through a Trekking agency?
Manaslu Region is a restricted trekking route of Nepal and you should have a licensed trekker along with you to do this trek. That means, trekking through an agency is the only option left.
Will it be a camping trek or a teahouse trek?
Of course, the teahouse trek. There are plenty of tea houses along the trail and there is no need for camping at all. But if you choose to do so then there can be arrangements.
What about the electronic charging and wifi service on the trek?
You will get such services almost in all of the places of the trek. The owners of the tea houses have those things installed to lure the visitors. However, you have to pay extra charges for those services.
How difficult is Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking?
The trek is a bit challenging one as it is one of the high-altitude treks in Nepal. You are expected to trek for 4 to 6 hours most days and 9 to 10 hours on some days. The Larke Pass’s approach day will be the most difficult one when you have to trek for 10 hours on that day. So, yes, the trek is not as easy as you think but can be done easily with the right preparation. It is also difficult because of the possible mountain sickness.
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