Manaslu Circuit Trek

This trip takes you to the remote and less-frequented circuit around Manaslu, the world's seventh highest peak at 8,156m. The Manaslu region, located along the border of Nepal and Tibet, is both beautiful and fascinating. The trek is fairly long, but the rewards are well worth the commitment. The Manaslu area has been opened for trekking only since 1991. In addition to a Conservation Area fee, a restricted area trekking permit is also required for this region. This means your will be sharing the trail with relatively few tourists.

This trek is geographically spectacular and culturally fascinating. The inhabitants of the lower Buri Gandaki region are Hindus (Brahmin/Chhetris) and Gurungs (Bonpos and Buddhists), while the inhabitants in the upper parts of the Buri Gandaki river are Buddhists and direct descendents of Tibetan immigrants who settled here in the early 1600s. The mani stones around Ghap (6,800ft) are particularly outstanding. A day beyond Ghap, you will enter truly high alpine country with spectacular close-up views of Manaslu at the head of the valley. The high pass of Larkya La (16,700 ft.) is one of the most dramatic pass-crossings in the Himalaya.

Our Nepal and Tibet treks and climbs are operated by our sister company based in Nepal - Crystal Mountain Treks - managed by our founder's family. Crystal Mountain Treks has been in business for over two decades and employs only the best guides with a minimum of 15 years experience. We treat our staff with the utmost care and respect. Each staff member is provided high-quality equipment and paid higher-than-average wages. Our clients have commented that our treks provide a better value (we provide more for less) than other companies they researched, comparing services, quality and price. We are happy to provide references of people who have journeyed with us in the past upon request.

Highlights

• Explore monasteries and palaces in the Kathmandu valley.
• Experience Nepal's varied landscape: Lush lowlands and alpine highlands.
• Circle Manaslu the eight highest mountain in the world and cross beautiful Larkya La pass at 16,700 ft.

Many of our seasoned trekking clients have raved about trekking options to the remote Darchey Ridge, Ganesh Himal and Tsum Valley which can be combined with the Manaslu trek. Contact us to learn about these options. We can customize a journey for two or more participants.

Day 01 - Kathmandu
Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel Tibet or similar. Day free. Enjoy welcome dinner. Briefing during dinner. Overnight hotel Tibet or similar. (Dinner)

Day 02 - Kathmandu
Visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Here, you'll probably witness a Hindu cremation along the banks of the Bagmati River.

Then drive to Bhaktapur, the City of Devotees, for lunch and a tour of the royal palace square. Bhaktapur is a medieval city in the Kathmandu valley and is least disturbed by modern life. Here, you can absorb the architectural splendor of the five-storied Nyatapola temple, or the sculptural delight of the Peacock Window. Overnight Hotel Tibet or similar. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 03 - Kathmandu to Arughat (600m/1,970ft.)
Board a chartered bus with your staff for drive to Arughat. The drive can take up to 8 hours. Overnight camp. (All meals)

Day 04, 05, and 06 - Arughat to Jagat (1,410m/4,630ft.)
From Arughat, walk through the low hills with terraced rice fields through villages inhabited by the Brahmin and Chettri ethnic groups enroute to Machha Khola. Then walk through wheat and buckwheat fields to reach hot-springs at Tatopani (930m). Spend some time soaking in the hot-springs, before heading out to Dobhan (1,000m). Above Dobhan, the Buri Gandaki descends in an impressive series of steep rapids. Here, the trail climbs high above the river and then descends through a huge gateway that opens out into a wide valley where the river is calm again. Continue on to the campsite below Jagat (1,410m).

Jagat is a beautiful stone-paved village with a rudimentary trekker's hotel, shops, and a customs office. Jagat is the entrance to Manaslu Conservation Area, an area where the concept of integrated conservation and development is being implemented to achieve conservation and sustainable development objectives. There is also an MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Project) office here where your permits will be checked. Overnight camp. (All meals)

Day 07 -  Jagat to Philim (1,585m/5,200ft.)
Descend a long series of stone steps to the river, then climb a terraced hill to Saguleri (1,440m) from where you can get an impressive view of Sringi Himal (7,187m). Past Saguleri, pass through Sirdibas village (1,430m). Cross the Buri Gandaki again over a long suspension bridge at Ghatta Khola, then follow the route upstream. Climb up a steep incline to reach Philim (1,590m). Philim (1,590 m) is a large Gurung village with fields of corn and millet. The hillsides become steeper beyond Philim until Aga. Overnight camp. (All meals)

Day 08, 09, 10 and 11 - Philim to Lho (3,180m/10,430ft.)
Trek through a narrow, dramatic gorge with towering walls, and past a thundering waterfall. Cross the river on locally-built bridges and then leave the gorge to climb to the small village of Deng (1,800m). The "Nupri" region starts here at Deng. Nupri translates to "the western mountains" and the people of Nupri are direct descendants of Tibetan immigrants who settled here in the early 1600s. Cross the Buri Gandaki again into the north bank and climb to the village of Rana (1,980m). Here, you will start observing mani walls (stones carved with prayers on their surface and stacked to form a wall) – a sign of Tibetan Buddhism being practiced in the area. The trail is level, then climbs and drops and climbs again to the village of Ghap (2,110m). Here, you will also walk through a kaani – an archway over the trail decorated with paintings or carvings on the inside. The mani wall in Ghap has elegant carvings said to have been made by a family of stone carvers from Bhi, high on the hillside above the village. Many of the carvings depict the Buddha in various meditative poses, and others are of Milarepa – the Tibetan hermit who traveled and meditated in this valley.

Walk through barley fields lined with mani walls and continue on towards a fir forest, where you might catch sight of the danphe –impeyan pheasant which is also Nepal's colorful national bird. Continue climbing into a dense, rhododendron-fir forest and enter Namrung (2,660m) through a stone kaani arch.

Beyond Namrung, the trail enters upper Nupri where the residents are of Tibetan origin. Climb past a mani wall and the many fields and houses of Barsam, then up through a fir-rhododendron-oak forest to a promontory. The trail passes through another stone kaani and enters Lihi (2,900m). Lihi is a closely-packed village with unusual architecture: the stone houses are grouped together into units of five or six that share a common roof and courtyard. Most roofs are made of heavy wood shingles.

Head towards Sho (2,960m), whose closely-paced houses you can see on the ridge ahead. From Sho, the views of Ngadi Chuli are spectacular. From here onwards, you will also encounter children may will hassle you for shim shim – i.e. sweets or candy. From Sho onwards and towards Lho (3,180m), you will also start viewing Manaslu, Manaslu North (7,157m) and Naike Peak (5,515m). Overnight camp. (All meals)

Day 12 and 13 - Lho to Samagaon (3,530m/11,580ft.)
Sama Gaon – or Ro, as the locals call it – sits in a bowl at the foot of the pastures leading to high peaks. There are two gompas (monasteries) here with unique architecture. The residents of Sama Gaon are Tibetan descendents, and they continue to maintain an active trade with Tibetans across the border. A lay over day is planned at Sama gaon. Overnight camp. (All meals)

Day 14 and 15 - Samagaon to Samdo (3,860m/12,660ft.)
Trek to Samdo. Another layover day is planned at Samdo for exploration and acclimatization. Overnight camp. (All meals)

Day 16 and 17 - Samdo to Bimthang (3,720m/12,200ft.)
Trek to the base of Larkya la pass. This is a short day. Retire to bed early to prepare for an early and long pass crossing day. Camp is at 4,480 m/14,700 ft. Cross Larkya la (5,100 m/16,700 ft.) to reach Bimthang. A long strenuous day which can take between 7 to 10 hours. Overnight camp. (All meals)

Day 18 and 19 - Bimthang to Dharapani (1,960m/7,100ft.)
You rejoin the main Annapurna Circuit trail at Dharapani and then follow it till Bagarchap. The trail to Nar-Phu turns right here. Overnight camp. (All meals)

Day 20 and 21 - Dharapani to Bhulbhule
Descend to Bhulbhule. Overnight camp. (All meals)

Day 22 - Bhulbule to Kathmandu
Trek end at Besi-Sahar. Board your bus for ride back to Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet or similar. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 23 - Bhulbule to Kathmandu
Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet or similar. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 24 - Final Departure
Transfer to the airport for flight home. (Breakfast)

Per Person Price (2012)

2 - 3 participants:
$3,345 USD per person
Single Supplement: $200 USD

4 or more participants:
$2,995 USD per person
Single Supplement: $200 USD

Contact us for private departures for two or more participants.


Price includes:

• Expert pre-trip advice and detailed information
• Motivated, well-cared-for staff
• All airport transfers
• Two full days sightseeing in Kathmandu as indicated in the itinerary and entrance fees to monuments.
• 4 nights twin sharing hotel accommodation at Hotel Tibet (3 star) in Kathmandu
• Chartered Bus: Kathmandu to Arughat and Besi-Sahar to Kathmandu
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Camping trekking as indicated in the itinerary
  
  • Three meals a day
  • Boiled water for your bottles three times a day
  • Guide and staff wages, equipment and meals
  • Guide and staff insurance
• Annapurna Conservation Area Fee
• Manaslu Conservation Area Fee
• Manaslu Restricted Area permit
• Gamow Bag and Satellite Phone

Price does not include:

• Your international airfare
• Nepal Visa
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal equipment (a suggested list will be mailed to you)
• Travel insurance (required)
• Other expenses of a personal nature

2012 Dates:

September 30 - October 23, 2012

AVAILABLE

Cannot find a departure that fits your schedule? No problem. Contact us for private departures (two or more participants) for a date of your choosing besides in October. For private departures, add $ 250 USD per person to advertised trip price.

Available:

Book this trip now as spaces are available.

Guaranteed:

This trip has the minimum sign ups required and is guaranteed to run.

Limited Availability:

Limited spaces are available so please contact us to inquire about the departure status.

Full:

This date is unavailable. please contact us to inquire about other trip departure dates or booking this trip as part of a Custom Itinerary.

Step 1: Contact Us
Contact us at 1-888-586-7750 or email to confirm availability for your preferred travel dates.

Step 2: Send Deposit and Registration Information
Make a copy of the photo page of your passport. If your trip involves a trek in Nepal, email or send us a passport-sized color photo. Mail a check for $500 per person for Nepal Treks or $1,000 for other journeys (non-refundable deposit), passport copy, photo and completed reservation form.

Our mailing address is:
Grand Asian Journeys
PO Box 608
Indianola, WA 98342
USA

Once we receive your payment and documents we will send you additional details of your trip including travel details, VISA information, packing list, specific trip information and insurance options.

If you are traveling to Bhutan, we are required to book your airfare so an additional payment will be required. Contact us for details.

Cancelation Policy

If you cancel:

• More than 60 days prior to departure; deposit is forfeited, the remainder is refunded
• 60 to 30 days prior to departure, 50% of tour cost subject to refund
• No refunds will be provided for any unused services or cancellations made within 30 days prior to departure