Manaslu Expedition

A 5-hour trek.

Register your mountaineering, trekking, and Manaslu Conservation Area entry permits, begin the trek along the Dudh Khola (Milky River) valley, and walk on a newly opened wide track. Then continue a lovely walk in nature and reach Gowa, at a river junction. Gowa is a small village in the Gurung community, with fertile land fed by Dudh Khola, and is developing into an excellent overnight stop with some lodging facilities; stop for a refreshing drink and rest. Then a short trek to Suti Khola, stopping for a hearty lunch and rest, and enjoying a beautiful walk through the Himalayan landscape. The afternoon hike takes about 3 hours to reach Yak Kharka (Yak Shed) amid a beautiful rhododendron forest. If you trek here during spring, the area up to Bemathang (Bhimthang) is one of the rhododendron sanctuaries of Nepal, offering a lifetime memory.

A 6 hours excursion.

Enjoy a leisurely wake-up and have breakfast. Then, take a beautiful day excursion to Manaslu Base Camp, which takes about 6 hours round-trip with a packed lunch. After about an hour’s walk from Yak Kharka, through a dense rhododendron forest, leaving the main trail to Bemathang, cross a river, follow the Purdi River for about another hour, and reach Manaslu Base Camp. The site offers 360-degree views, including the northwest face and spur of Manaslu, Peak-29 of 7,871 metres, and Pungi Himal of 6,538 metres.

A 5-hour trek.

Another leisurely day. Enjoy a leisurely wake-up and have breakfast. Then, retrace the same trail we took yesterday to hike up to Manaslu Base Camp for an hour. The forest ambience at this altitude is lovely. The picturesque Bhimthang (original name is Bemathang, which means the meadow of Sand in the Tibetan/Nupri language), at 3520m, is a lovely place lying in a vast green valley with several good lodges adorned with prayer flags and a view of looming Manaslu. The area, surrounded by Himalayan Juniper, tall green rhododendron, pines, and oak forest, is one of the famous rhododendron sanctuaries in Nepal. The significant views from here are the northeast face of Mount Manaslu, the south face of Pungi Hima, and Cheo Himal.

An 8-hour trek.

The morning starts with a gradual climb, passing some rocky lateral moraine. The views to the northwest, toward the Salpudanda Glacier, with Ponkhar Lake, icefalls, and mountains in every direction, are impressive. As the valley narrows, the trail ascends to Larke La through sections of scree, snow, and ice, revealing the pure nature of the Himalayas. The top of Larke La is adorned with thousands of colourful Buddhist prayer flags, and the views are significant of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, Annapurna II, the Larke Peaks, and other peaks. The trail then descends for a long way to Larke Phedi through a rocky, boulder-strewn moraine, enjoying the grand scenery of a new and beautiful valley welcoming you. As you approach the north of Larke Glacier from Cho Danda, views of Larke Peak, a clear glacier, beautiful valleys of Manaslu, glacial lakes, and a range of Himalayan fauna and flora are stunning. Then a short descent to Lapke Phedi, also known as Dharmasala (travellers’ rest house/shade).

Larke Phedi, or Larke Bazaar, is a ruined town still known as Larke Bazar or an old fairground. In the past, the Tibetans, lowland Nepalese, and Sherpas from Namche Bazar (Everest Zone) came here for trade, giving this place a famous name.

A 5-hour trek.

Beautiful trekking, walking down to Samdo village, the last uppermost village of the Manaslu valley. The trail crosses two icy streams and a wooden bridge, then reaches Samdo, offering incredible views of the snow-capped peaks of Manaslu (for locals, Manaslu is Kutang Kang). The afternoon trek is a 3-hour walk that starts with a steep descent to the Budi Gandaki River, crosses a wooden bridge, and reaches the Yak Herders’ Sheds at Kermo Kharka. Next, pass Himalayan Juniper bushes, Birch forest, and several mani-walls with thousands of Buddhist mantra-carved stones until we reach Sama Gaon. The views in all directions are indescribable.

Sama Gaon is one of the largest villages in this region. The inhabitants are mostly farmers who grow what they can in this rough terrain and cold climate, with the main crops being buckwheat, wheat, barley, potatoes, and some vegetables. The locals reach the border with Tibet in one day. It is one of the ancient salt trade routes between Nepal and Tibet. People around the upper Manaslu valley are descendants of southwest Tibet, way back more than 2000 years. The customs and culture are no less similar to those of Tibetan predecessors.

A 4-hour trek.

Take a leisurely breakfast and walk to our prime destination, the Manaslu Base Camp, from where the ascent begins to the Summit of Mount Manaslu. On the way, you will see the peaceful Birendra Lake and arrive at Manaslu Base Camp for a hearty lunch. The Manaslu base camp, with beautiful views of the Himalayas, lies on a rocky moraine, as most mountaineering base camps do. The base camp is established before climbing members arrive; therefore, you get a warm welcome from your climbing Sherpas and basecamp staff, with a warm cup of juice/hot beverage, followed by snacks. Then get assigned to your tent and hand over your duffel bags with your climbing gear, lunch, and rest.

The Puja ceremony at the Manaslu Base Camp is prioritised to allow the climbing Sherpa guides to fix the higher camps and routes and to deposit essential climbing material, meals, and oxygen in the respective camps. The puja ritual is to solicit the local deities’ permission for peaceful, obstacle-free climbing.

Manaslu Camp I is set at 5,800m and takes 4 hours. Manaslu Camp II is 6,400m and requires 5 hours of climbing (involves some technical sections). Manaslu Camp III at 6,800m, 2-3 hours climb, the shortest camp. Manaslu Camp IV at 7,500m, the last camp before summiting Manaslu, is a 3-hour climb. Summit of Manaslu at 8,163m, 12-15 hours of climbing and descent to Camp III. (The climbing begins at around 01:00 a. m., targeting the summit reach at 7-9 a.m. The return from the Summit of Manaslu to Camo III takes about 4 hours. Descend to Manaslu Base Camp.

A 3-hour trek.

Leisurely wake up and have breakfast. Farewell hugs to your climbing sherpa guides, kitchen staff, and fellow climbers, and retrace your steps back to Sama Gaon. Arrive for lunch and check into a lodge. The rest of the day is free; if you wish to take a local walk or visit, your guide will always be nearby, so just let him know.

A leisurely wake, breakfast, and preparation for a short, panoramic flight to Kathmandu. The Helicopter arrives and enjoys a short, scenic flight to Kathmandu. Upon landing, a representative from Happy Feet Nepal will welcome you back and transfer you to your hotel. Get distributed to the rooms, and the rest of the day is free.