This extended and strenuous trek, circumnavigating the Manaslu range, is one that avid trekkers could only dream about till a few years back. Officially opened to trekking in 1990 and just as suddenly forbidden again, it was finally "reopened" in 1992 along with Mustang. The number of visitors to the area, however, are limited by a Government quota.

Going north, up the river valley of the Buri Gandaki and then behind Mt. Himalchuli (7893m.), Peak 29 (7839m.) and Mt. Manaslu (8118m.) to cross the Larkya La (La = Pass) at 5213m., this fascinating trek explores areas and villages where westerners are still a very rare sight and the way of life unchanged for decades and maybe, even centuries.

Strenuous trekking is constantly rewarded with brilliant mountain vistas of the Ganesh and Manaslu Himal ranges and insights into the cultures of a cross-section of ethnic Nepalese tribes and peoples, perhaps not available on any other trek.

Your journey into this remote and once forbidden area of Nepal begins with an overland journey to the town of Arughat Bazar. From here the trail heads north up the Buri Gandaki river valley the trail passes through the villages of Khani Gaon, Setibas, Nyak, Namru and Samagaon to cross the Larkya La (5213 m.) and then joins the river valley of the Dudh Khola (Khola = river). From here, the trail heads south to the Dudh Khola's confluence with the Marsyangdi River at the village of Thonje and continues through the villages of Chamce and Nayagaon to Besisahar from where you drive back to Kathmandu. During certain seasons it may be possible to raft down from Besisahar to the road head at Dumre before driving back to Kathmandu for an additional charge. Please be sure to let us know if you would like to have this extension.

This trek offers much more than mountains. Starting in the lush green lower hills, inhabited by Indo-Aryan Hindus you will pass through the middle hills, inhabited by the Tibeto-Burmese Magar, Rai, Limbu and Tamang peoples who follow both Hinduism and Buddhism and sometimes Shamanism, to emerge into the high, arid desert region that is actually a part of the Tibetan Plateau where people of Tibetan Stock dwell and where the predominant religion is Tibetan Buddhism.

The changes in predominant cultures is evident, even from the names of places. While names such as Gorkha, Arughat Bazaar and Setibas are names rooted in Indo-Aryan languages, Nyak, Namru and Somdu are typically rooted in the Tibetan language. These same observations can be made, only travelling in the opposite direction, after crossing the Larkya La. Tanbuche, Karche and Thonje are Tibetan names while Naya Gaon, Besisahar and then finally back to Kathmandu or Pokhara.

This trip is long and strenuous and the crossing of the Larkya La requires excellent physical conditioning, acclimatization to the high altitude and of course good weather.

Day 01
Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will be greeted by a representative and transferred to your hotel.

Day 02
Free day in Kathmandu to make final preparations for your trek. If you feel that you are adequately prepared and would like to have an escorted sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city, we will be glad to arrange it for you. Please ask for this service from our representative upon arrival.

Day 03
After breakfast, board you private transport and start the drive to Arughat. This drive can
take up to five hours and you will need to carry packed lunches, which will be provided.
Your crew will either travel with you or they may be waiting for you in Arughat.

Day 04
Heading north, along the Buri Gandaki, you pass through lush, cultivated fields to the villages of Mordar and Simre. Crossing the Arket Khola, a tributary of the Buri Gandaki you pass through the village of Koyapani to Soti Khola (another tributary of the Buri Gandaki on whose banks camp will be set up.

Day 05
Descend to the Buri Gandaki river and then climb, still heading north to the village of Almara. From Almara the trail leads through the villages of Riden and Lapbesi to Khani Gaon.

Day 06
Cross the Maccha Khola (fish river), which flows into the Buri Gandaki to Kholabensi and then to the village at Tatopani which means "hot springs". At Tatopani you cross the bridge over the Buri Gandaki to the east bank and proceed to the village of Doban, at the confluence of the Buri Gandaki and the Doban Khola. In fact, the name Doban means "confluence".

Day 07
Crossing the Dodan Khola you trek to the village of Lauri and cross the Buri Gandaki to its
west bank, to the village of Jagat. At Jagat there is a police check post where your trekking
permits will be checked. From Jagat you first walk north-west, slightly away from the Buri Gandaki and then turn north again to reach the village of Setibas.

Day 8
Cross to the left bank of the river via a suspension bridge and continue following the river
to Serishe Gaon. From Serishe Gaon, the trail leads to Nyak . Enroute, you have to cross Chulung Khola and Shar Khola.

Day 9
Continue along the river to the village of Deng. It is a tiny village of about four houses.
The precipitous cliffs of the previous few days end but, the mountain side is still quite steep
and the valley a deep "V". Crossing to the opposite bank along a suspension bridge and then climbing up the steep mountain side you reach the village of Lana. From Lana there is a gentle descent past the village of Unbae which has a stone gate way and walls lined with Mani stones, a distinctive reminder that you are now among people of Tibetan descent.

Mani stones, prayer flags and prayer wheels occupy a very important place in Tibetan Buddhism. It is believed that passing a mani wall on its left side means that the prayers written on the mani stones are automatically said on behalf of the traveller. The prayer flag does the same thing but, for those who string them up, by using the wind. The prayer wheel is used while travelling and is spun clockwise using the hand. Descend to the river bed and climb the terraced hillside to the village of Bhir Gaon to camp.

Day 10
Cross the Shringi Khola to reach the village of Ghap. Along the way Shringi Himal (7187m.) is visible to your right. Cross the wooden suspension bridge beyond Ghap and follow the path to Lumachik. From Lumachik, you have to ascend a forested path to the village of Namru. Namru has a police checkpost and you will be required to show your trek permits here.

Day 11
Leaving Namru, you cross a stream and after a short walk across a grassy meadow from which you see a waterfall to your left you cross some pastures to the village of Bengsam. From Bengsam, climb the mountainside to the vilage of Li, cross the Hinan Khola and enter the village of Sho through its stone gate. Past this village, magnificent mountain vistas begin opeing up. First Naike Peak, then Manaslu North (7157 m.) and finally, Manaslu itself at an imposing 8163m. Climbing a gradual slope through fields you arrive at the village of Lo (3150m.) with its walled fields (to keep domestic animals out) and the splendid backdrop provided by Ganesh Himal (7429m.). Descend from Lo along a winding trail, cross the Damonan Khola and Shara Khola and climb up a ridge to reach Sama Gaon (3450m.). Camp near Sama Gompa, about 20 minutes away from Samaaon.

Day 12
The initial walk starts out on level ground, skirting a lateral moraine to reach the Buri andaki which now begins to look more like a stream and not a river, as you get closer to its source. Passing throught eh pastures at Kermo Kharka, from where there are excellent views of Mt. Manaslu, you reach Kermo Manan The walk from Sama Gaon takes you to Smdu, the most remote permanent settlement along the trek. Enroute to Somdu, you have to cross a stream that originates in the Manasalu glacier and pass through Kermo Kharka (which offers an excellent view of Manasalu) and Kermo Menan with its long Mani Walls. Camp at Somdu.

Day 13
Rest day at Somdu. This day allows you to acclimatise and adjust to the high altitude.
Somdu is the most remote permanent settlement that you will visit on this trek. Somdu has
about 40 houses and is inhabited by about 250 people living under the most severe conditions.

Day 14
Descend a gently sloping mountain path, cross the Gyala Khola, and then climbing up another gentle slope you will see the remains of Larkya Bazaar, once a thriving trading post for Nepalese and Tibetan traders, now a ghost town. From here, you will cross two streams and climb up a hill to a shelter built for those crossing the Larkya La. The day's camp is made either at the guesthouse (4450 m.) or in a valley at a higher elevation.

Day 15
The ascent is gentle and Larkya Peak, uniquely shaped, becomes visible. Later, the gentle slope becomes a steep hill and leads up to the to Larkya La (5213m.). Great Himalayan panoramas unfold. Himlung Himal (7126m.), Cheo Himal, Gyaji Kang, Kang Guru (7937 m.) and Annapurna II (7937 m.) rise in true Himalayan splendor to the west. Unlike the ascent, the descent is steep and often snow covered but, offords splendid views on the way to Pangal and Larcia. Continue downhill to the one hut at Tanbuche.

Day 16
You walk along a wide level valley to Bimtang. From Bimtang, you descend to the Dudh Khola river bed and follow the route to Manasalu Base Camp. Cross the Dudh Khola by a wooden bridge and descend through a magnificent rhododendron forest to Hampuk, Sangure Kharka and across the Surki Khola to Karche. Camp for the night is at Karche. The rivers and streams that you encounter now are a part of the Marsyangdi river system.

Day 17
Rest Day

Day 18
From Karche, a trek up the hillside through terraced paddy fields takes you to Karche La. You cross the pass and descend to Goa on the right bank of the Dudh Khola and continue to Tilije. From Tilije cross to the left bank via a wooden bridge and continue to descend long the Dudh Khola, drawing closer to the Marsyangdi Khola. Cross to the right bank via wooden bridge to Thonje. There is a police check post here where your trekking permits will be examined again.

Day 19
From Thonje, cross the river and ascend to Darapani, and walk above the ridge to an open
place, Tal. Descend along the ridge to Chyamche, where camp is set, usually under the bridge by the river.

Day 20
From Chyamche, cross the bridge and pass through the village via a jungle trail that follows the Marsyangdi river on the west bank until you reach Syange where there are a couple of teashops and a lodge, catering mostly to people going on a circuit of the Annapurna Himal, up the Marsyangdi river valley. Cross the river again and begin a fairly level walk. You then have to climb up a hill before to reach the village of Bahundanda. From here, descend to Ngadi Khola where you will find the camp for the night set up by the river across the bridge. There are many teashops and lodges owned by Gurungs, Mananges and Brahmins.

Day 21
Today's walk involves fairly level walking through rice fields to the village of Simalchour.
From here, following the path along the west bank of the river, the trail gradually climbs up
and then descends to Besisahar from where you will meet the road that will take you to Kathmandu

Day 22
Drive to Kathmandu.

Day 23
This is "cushion" day in Kathmandu incase your return is delayed due to bad weather or other circumstances. Otherwise, these days may be used for sightseing around. Kathmandu valley or for overnight excursions. Our office in Kathmandu will be glad to assist you in planning any sight seeing tours or excursions.

Day 24
Transfer to the airport and fly out of Nepal.