Manaslu Circuit Trek Via Larke Pass Trip Highlights
- The scenic drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola, an 8/9 hours drive through the countryside roadway.
- Witness the pristine wilderness and enjoy the less-trodden area.
- Experience the thrill of being in the remote Himalayas that offer solitude and tranquility which is hard to find on more popular routes
- Enjoy the diversity of landscapes that range from the subtropical region to the alpine.
- Walking into the deep gorges trail of Budi Gandaki River.
- Appreciate the gigantic landscape setting with sky-high cliffs and vibrant hills.
- Cross abundant Suspension Bridges since Manaslu is the land of Suspension Bridges.
- Trek on the ancient legendary salt-trading route through the classic Gurung villages.
- Witness the Tibetan-Buddhist culture and the territory of the rustic lifestyle.
- The magnificent view of Mt, Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world, and its neighboring mountains.
- Visit the stunning holy Birendra lake that sits at the lap of Mt. Manaslu.
- Crossing the challenging high mountain pass of Larke La Pass @ 5,106 meters with the most dramatic views.
- Overnight at a paradise-like valley of Bhimthang - The Paradise on Earth.
- Conclude the trek by joining the most prominent Annapurna Circuit Trail.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Via Larke Pass Trip Overview
Manaslu Circuit Trek offers anyone the opportunity to walk into the less-trodden enchanting deep valleys. This region of Manaslu was the main epicenter of the tragic 2015, 8.2 Magnitude earthquake. Though the 2015 EARTHQUAKE has undeniably brought about a transformation it is still very charming. Manaslu Circuit Trek is the best alternative to the Annapurna Circuit Trekwhich is part of a Great Himalayan Trail.
The region of Manaslu is still a RESTRICTED AREA. The Government of Nepal permitted trekkers to Manaslu Circuit only in 1991. Manaslu is also the region of the Suspension bridge and the sky-high cliffs. Despite its popularity and the construction of new tea houses in the region since 2010, the Manaslu Trek however is very remote and basic. In comparison to other tea-house treks in Nepal, Manaslu still needs progression.
Though we need a special permit to get through, the picturesque beauty of the Manaslu region cannot be denied. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is famous for its stunning mountain views, diverse landscapes, and cultural diversity.
Furthermore, it is less trodden and offers anyone a variety of trekking options. Starting from the District of Gorkha we eventually finish our trek in a Different district of Manang completing a distance of 177 km / 109 miles.
We don't recommend the Manaslu Circuit Trek during the winter season starting from December to February. It's pretty challenging if you want to know the difficulty level of Manaslu Trek. However, the ascent is very gradual which on the other hand provides enough acclimatization time for everyone.
Manaslu being a restricted area Trekkers are not permitted to trek alone without a Local Guide. All foreigners must be affiliated with a local company, obtain special permits, and be accompanied by a local guide.
Mt. Manaslu and its Legends - Traditional Stories
Mt. Manaslu: The 8th Highest Peak in the Mighty Himalayas.
Situated in the heart of Gorkha district stands the formidable Mt. Manaslu which is the 8th highest mountain in the world. This beautiful spear-like mountain stands at a height of 8,163 meters / 26,781 feet. Mt. Manaslu, which is in the western Himalayan range of Nepal presents climbers with challenging grounds to assess their technical climbing skills.
Mt. Manaslu is very popularly known as the " Mountain of the Spirit," in the local dialect. To the question, Why Manalsu assume this name? carries ample legends and myths that circle the region. The mountain holds deep religious and cultural significance for both Buddhist and Hindu faiths in the region.
According to ancient legends, it is believed that Manaslu was once a protecting Goddess of the region. Over time the Goddess transformed herself into a towering form to protect local villages from wicked spirits.
Furthermore, there are many legends about Mt. Manaslu according to both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. All these stories that prevail in the region give the mountain a divine meaning and significance.
In Hinduism, the legend has it that the Hindu deities often visit this peaceful, beautiful mountain to enjoy its views and receive its sacred blessings.
In the Buddhist tradition, Manaslu is one of the four sacred holy mountains. To the Buddhist, legend has it that the Bodhisattva of Compassion resides on Mt. Manaslu.
So in both Hinduism and Buddhism, Manaslu is seen as a holy place where gods and saints reside. These rich legends add to the mountain's sense of wonder and mystery for both local Nepali people and international visitors. With all these legends the summiting of Manaslu becomes a spiritual journey through a sacred landscape.
Today, the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) preserves the area's stunning alpine ecology. Endangered species like Snow Leopards, Himalayan Red Panda, and Musk Deer roam the region under the watchful presence of the mountain's divine spirit.
The First Ascent of Manaslu:
The first successful ascent of Mt. Manaslu was in 1956 by a Japanese climbing team. After this first ascent, Manaslu gained global recognition as a climbing challenge for the most experienced mountaineers. To climb Manaslu. proper technical skills, physical conditioning, and provisions are an absolute must.
Today Mt. Manaslu has become a center of attraction for climbers wishing to test their skills and walk against one of Nepal's divine peaks. Every climbing season, expedition teams swarm to the base camp who are there to conquer the divine mountain.
It is believed that the spirit mountain watches over every corner of the region and protects it from any evils. Furthermore, with its blessing and guidance, it lets climbers be victorious over it with generosity. Those who are successful in their quest for the Manaslu summit are forever grateful to the divinity of the mountain.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Trip Profile:
The starting point of our Manaslu Circuit Trek is Machha Khola. We organize private jeeps or private vehicles as per the group size that will depart from Kathmandu as soon as possible in the morning. We start early to skip the traffic on the highway and also because the drive is 8/9 hours long. This scenic drive cruises through several remote villages and dense forests.
First, we will drive to Malekhu (70km) from Kathmandu, and then leaving the highway we will enter the Dhading District through the countryside roadway. Gradually we will enter the District of Gorkha and via Aarughat and Soti Khola we will reach Machha Khola where we will spend our first night.
Leaving Machh Khola we trek to Jagat and gradually enter the restricted area of Manaslu. Following the Budi Gandaki River, we will walk the gorge trail leading us the the ancient village of Philim. Gradually, via Bihi Phedi and Namrung, we will get to the traditional village of Lho which offers you a stunning view of Manaslu Peak.
As you walk this trail you will encounter ample prayer walls, flags, stupas, and chortens that give you a sense of Tibetan Buddhism's influence in the region. Crossing more suspension bridges and through the ancient villages, we will reach the beautiful town of Shyala. As you walk through this town you feel like you are out of civilization. The very ancient architecture setting makes Shyala a medieval town that looks like it has been isolated from the rest of the world.
We will spend a Rest Day at Shyala and take an acclimatization hike to Pung Gyen Gompa. The next day we will further walk to another unique town of Samdo via the Birendra Lake. Birendra Lake is a beautiful shimmering lake at the base of Manaslu. The next day we will do a short hike to Larke Base Camp, a basic settlement. Now we will prepare for our challenging mission of crossing the Larke Pass.
If you are looking for an extended version of Manaslu Trek it's good to opt for the Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit Trek combination.
Larke Pass 5106 m/16,751 ft is the highest point in the Manaslu Circuit trek. Moreover, this is a classic and tough ancient salt trading route that links the Manaslu Valley with the Annapurna Valley. The view from the Larke pass is simply Terrific with Chuli, Himlung, Cheo Himal, Larke Peak, Himal Chuli, Annapurna II, and Mt. Manaslu.
After the pass, the valley opens up in a very paradise-like setting. We will stay overnight at Bhimthang. Moreover, this village is uniquely located in a Himalayan meadow at the lap of Manaslu and Himalchuli which is simply incredible. Soon we enter the tree line area with lush green woodland and cruise towards the famous Annapurna circuit trail followed by spectacular views.
Likewise, we have details on the beauty of significance of the Manaslu Circuit Trek check this Blog Post: 10 Beautiful Reasons To Do Manaslu Circuit Trek.
