Manaslu Wild

A continuation of our exploratory series

From the Hindu middle hills culture to midst of the Himalaya to the Tibetan high country dwellers, the Manaslu Circuit trek is a cultural trek par excellence, without a doubt one of the best treks in Nepal. We make it even better with some exploring up the Tsum Valley to the rarely visited Mu Gompa and up to the Tibetan border, then continuing around the circuit a second side trip to the Tibetan border and attempt a 6010m peak.

*See also our Manaslu Magic*

Outline Itinerary

Because this is an exploratory trip, building on a previous exploration, I don't write a detailed itinerary.

Day 1 - Arrive Kathmandu 1350m

2 - Kathmandu 1350m - sightseeing

3 - drive then trek Arughat 570m

We start early and after a morning drive step right into trekking, in the tropical low country. Expanses of fields, picturesque villages; delightful trekking right from the start.

4 - trek to Soti Khola 730m

This is classic middle hills trekking, lush paddy, letting the sweat dry under shady Piple trees.

5 - trek Machha Khola 930m

6 - trek Jagat 1370m

With the main Himalaya pushing on each side we are now in a steep-sided gorge.

7 - trek Lukuwa

We leave the main Manaslu Circuit for the isolated Tsum Valley.

8 - trek Dumje

9 - trek Lamagoan

10 - trek Mu Gompa

We are in remote Nepal, close to Tibet.

11 - rest and explore around Mu Gompa

There is plenty of exploring, we will ask the locals what are the best features.

12 - rest and explore around Mu Gompa

I hope we can make it to the Tibetan border!

13 - trek Chokang

14 - trek to last village

We take a shortcut back to the main trail, the same route that we took in 2000 and had more adventures than we anticipated.

15 - trek wild camp

This time we know where the only water is and where to camp. It is a desperate place but the only one!

16 - trek Ghap

We are back onto the main circuit.

17 - trek Syangjang

And we head slightly off again.

Highlights

the classic Manaslu Circuit

picturesque villages

amazing Tsum Valley exploration

6010m Larkya Peak

(Jamie loves) serious exploration!

Dates

No current departure, 35 days

Cost - US$2??0

max 7-8 bookings

single supplement - included

Leader

Jamie McGuinness

Mobile: +977 98021 49789

Arrival hotel

Hotel Shakti, Thamel

tel: 441 0121, 442 9508

Local office contact

Expedition Himalaya

Tel: +9771 400 1066

Nabin Trital: +977 98510 04278

Pasang Nuru: +977 98130 91051

Our service includes

airport transfers

3 star hotel in Kathmandu, single with breakfast

Kathmandu sightseeing tour

group transportation by private vehicle

entrance fees and permits as needed

expedition-style trek:

all meals and hot drinks on trek

roomy single tent on trek

Our service excludes

insurance, Nepal visa, meals in Kathmandu

personal climbing equipment

international flights, equipment rental, alcohol and soft drinks, laundry, tipping and other items of a personal nature

18 - exploration camp

We camp close to the Tibetan border. We will NOT cross the border, just climb to the top of the pass for views that stretch into Tibet.

19 - trek Syangjang

20 - trek Lihi 2480m

21 - trek Sama Gaon (Ro) 3390m

Now in the Tibetan-style country the villages are picturesque. Peel snotty-nosed kids off your pants and tents...

22 - trek Samdo 3690m

23 - rest and explore Samdo

Samdo is a nice place to stay but this is a filler day, if we have used an extra day anywhere, we can take this one out.

24 - trek Dharamsala/Larkya Phedi 4460m

We camp at the normal place for crossing the pass tomorrow.

25 - trek base camp

Instead we camp somewhere around the top of the pass, hopefully at the base of the mountain.

26 - rest

After many days trekking we take a rest to further acclimatize and explore around for tomorrow.

27 - climb camp 1

We may have to make a simple camp 1; we have time to do this. Mostly on peaks we haven't climbed it takes longer than expected. We have that day.

28 - climb Larkya peak

Hopefully success and then return to camp 1 or more likely base camp.

29 - trek Bimtang 3590m

More incredible mountain views as we descend back to the tree line.

30 - trek Tilche 2300m

A day of autumn forests and kharkas.

31 - trek Chamje 1430m

We leave the restricted area and it is a shock to arrive back onto the overloaded Annapurna Circuit, although the trekking is still good.

32 - trek Ngadi 930m

Back in the low country we trek against the flow back into the low middle hills valley.

33 - trek Khudi/Besi Sahar 760m then drive Kathmandu

We start early to beat the heat and so that we can make it back to Kathmandu for dinner and hot showers!