Manaslu Larke Pass Trek in Detail-Manaslu Circuit Trek

Facts and Highlights of the Trek

• Trek Duration: 16 days

• Trekking Region: Manaslu Region

• Trekking Destination: Manaslu Larke La Pass

• Beginning altitude: 1310 m at Kathmandu

• Highest Altitude: 5106 m at Larkya La Pass

• Trek level/ Grade: Moderate level

• Breathtaking views of Mount Manaslu, Ngadi Chuli, Himalchuli, BouddhaHimal, and others

• Walk past Budhi Gandaki River

• Get introduced to the people and culture of Gurung, Magar, and Sherpa communities

• Panoramic views from Larke La Pass at 5106 m

• Walkthrough golden fields of wheat and barley

• Take a hot bath at the Tatopani / Hot Springs

• Walkthrough the forest of rhododendrons, pines, and oaks

• See the Monasteries, Chortans, and beautiful Mani walls

Season and Weather

The best season to land on the Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking route is indeed spring and autumn. During these seasons, the views of the majestic mountain ranges are vividly visible. March, April, May, September, October, and November fall in the spring and autumn season is best for a visit to Manaslu Region. It is best to keep in mind not just the panoramic views but also the excellent weather conditions if you embark on the travel during these months. Since you will be trekking in a high-altitude area, you must also keep in mind the cold weather and the availability of accommodation.

Manaslu Larke Pass Trek in Spring

Spring is generally regarded to be a season for trekking in most areas here in Nepal. With the dawn of spring, the Manaslu region sparkles with the majestic glow of the mountains surrounding the area, and the terrains are filled with the fresh smell of wild forests. During spring, the accommodation facilities are also ample, and the tea houses are also generally open.

Manaslu Larke Pass Trek in Summer

During the summer, it might be quite challenging to trek in the Manaslu Circuit. Although many tourists have gone on Manaslu Larke pass trekking despite this, the trekking might not be as fruitful as in the spring or the autumn season. There might also be occasional rainfall at the start of the season making the land wet, muddy, and slippery.

Manaslu Larke Pass Trek in Autumn

Autumn season like spring is regarded to be one of the best times for trekking on the Manaslu Circuit. It is because the views of the mountains that you long to see throughout the trip are vividly visible. The clear sky gives way to a portrait view of the mountains. Furthermore, accommodation facilities are also available in this season. The weather is perfect for trekking.

Manaslu Larke Pass Trek in Winter

Winter is typically cold in the Manaslu region. The pass can also be closed during the winter season making it impossible to trek. So it is vital to check the correct season and weather before you travel.

People and Culture of Manaslu 

The people of Nepal are generally amiable and warm. In the Manaslu region, you will find Gurungs in the central hills. The Gurungs are the majority of people who have joined the Gurkha Army. When you go closer to Tibet, you will mostly find Bhutias who are similar to the Sherpa Group. They fall in the Tibetian ethnicity domain. They have a typical Tibetian-influenced culture. The people living here have flat-roofed houses. You will get to experience the Buddhist religion as you enter this region. Monasteries and Chortens are familiar landmarks you might find in this area.

The peaceful and friendly nature of the people perfectly complements the beautiful wildlife surrounding the Manaslu region. The two distinct ethnicities in the Manaslu trekking region are Nubri and Tsum. These two ethnicities are divided by the branches of the river at Chhikur. Nubri has been widely introduced to the world of tourism; however, Tsum still manages to retain its lush and enigmatic art, culture, and tradition. The diversity in the ecosystem and the lush ethnic cultures make the Manaslu region all the more exciting.

Tsum Valley

Tsum Valley falls amongst one of the least explored regions in the mid-west Himalayas. It is a restricted area residing in the Manaslu Region. Tsum Valley opens up with beautiful traditional villages, and mesmerizing landscapes, which have been left untouched by outside influence. The route towards Tsum Valley is very similar to the ManasluLarke La pass trek. However, for the Tsum Valley trek, you have to leave the Manaslu route from Lokpa and walk towards the east. Tsum Valley welcomes you with the view of Mu Gompa at 3700 m which is the highest elevation of the trip. Panoramic views of Ganesh Himal and Mount Manaslu can be observed from the isolated valley of Tsum. Different monasteries of ancient Buddhism and Bon Cultures can be witnessed on the trip. Known literally as the “Valley of Happiness” when translated to Tibetian, the Tsum Valley trek is unlike any other due to its restrictiveness.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival day (1,310m)

Our representatives at Nepal Adventure Team will pick you up from the Kathmandu International Airport as per your request. You will be taken to a hotel and will be briefed on the travel plan. On the same day, you can also try authentic Nepalese food at a Nepalese restaurant with cultural, and ethnic dance and music. Stay overnight at the hotel

Day 02: Trek Preparation

After being briefed about the trip and introduced to the guide, you will be free in the afternoon. You can pack up the essentials for the trek have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola (730m) through Arughat (570m)- 7 hours

You will have breakfast at the hotel, and then take a local bus departing from Kathmandu to Arughat early in the morning. Arughat is a seven-hour drive from Kathmandu. You walk through a stone-paved trail towards the north of the valley which is along the bank of the Budi Gandaki River and has significant rice farmland on the way with a small forest. You will walk past Magar and Gurung villages along the way. You can stay overnight at Soti Khola.

Day 04: Trek to Machha Khola (930m) - 6 hours

After breakfast, you will walk from Soti Khola towards the north of the valley. You will witness farm terraces along the way and pass the Sal forest. You will walk through the bank of a river and along the rocky trail that leads to Machha Khola. Stay overnight at the lodge.

Day 05: Trek to Jagat (1,410m) - 6 hours

After breakfast, you will walk a narrow trail that leads to the bank of the Budi Gandaki River. You can also take a hot bath at Tatopani (Hot Springs) You will walk towards the villages of Dovan and Yaruphant and then reach Jagat. Stay overnight in the Lodge.

Day 06: Trek to Dyang (1,800m) - 6 hours

After breakfast, you will hike uphill to the rocky ridge of Salleri and gradually descend to Setibas. After crossing a suspension bridge, you will climb up to Philim, a big Gurung village. You will need to pass the Budhi Gandaki which leads to the west bank and then the east bank to cross DyangKhola. You will walk towards Dyang village. Stay overnight at the lodge.

Day 07: Trek to Namrung (2630m) - 4 hours, through Ghap (2,160m) - 5 hours

You will walk from Deng crossing the Budhi Gandaki. You will follow the north bank and then ascend to Rana at 1980mYou will head west to Budhi Gandaki Valley and land to Sringi Valley. You then pass through Mani's walls. Around the corner, you will reach Ghap. You will walk up to the river upstream and pass dense forests. You will cross the river to see a fascinating narrow gorge. You will then get to Namrung village. You will see the majestic peak of HimalChuli from there. After that, the trail leads to Chortens and you will see much barley along the way. Stay overnight at the lodge.

Day 08: Trek to Samagaon (3,530m) - 5/6 hours

The trail passes through a dense forest and displays the beautiful mountains. You will reach Shyala village and then pass a large Chorten. A little further down you will enter Sama. In the evening you can also visit a monastery in Sama that is located at the far end of the village. For breathtaking views; you can hike up for 45 minutes and reach the Birendra Lake. Stay overnight at the Lodge.

Day 09: Acclimatize day

You need a day to acclimatize to the sudden change in altitude to avoid altitude sickness. You can visit the nearby landmarks in Sama. You can also look at the astonishing views of the lovely mountains surrounding the area. Stay overnight at the lodge.

Day 10: Trek to Samdo (3,690m) - 4 hours

The trail takes you to Budhi Gandaki River and then leads towards the north. The trek to Samdo will take about 3 to 4 hours. You will get to see Himalayan Blue Sheep along the way. You will pass through several Mani walls. You will walk through the lush juniper and birch forests of KermoKharka. You will see a white Kani from a stone arch. You will have to cross the Kani to get Samdo. You will also get to look at the views of NagdiHimal, Larkye Peak, Himchuli Peak, SimrangHimal, and Kang Guru Himal. Stay overnight.

Day 11: Trek to Dharamsala/ Larke Phedi (4460 m) - 5 hours

The trek from Samdo to Dharamshala will take 5 hours. You will pass along a glacier and then walk past a mesmerizing gorge along the way. LarkePhedi has only one lodge for accommodation thus previous knowledge and information regarding the accommodation available is a must. LarkePhedi is also called Larke Base Camp. Stay overnight.

Day 12: Cross Larkya La (5106m) and trek to Bhimtang (3,720m) - 8 hours

You will have to buckle up your trekking shoes since this is a challenging day. You will have to begin the climb towards a ridge and make it to a small lake. You will eventually ascend to the Larke Pass. The last section of the pass is steeper, so, you will have to take immense care while walking in the area. You can take a good look at the breathtaking view from the Larke Pass. Views of Manaslu are visible along with the panoramic views of Himchuli, Annapurna II, Kangguru, and ChoeHimal surrounding the region.
You will descend to Bimtang on the same day since sitting at such a high altitude is not suitable. You will head to the north side of the Larkya Glacier. We walk across the moraines of the glacier. You will finally reach Bimtang after 8 to 9 hours of trekking. Stay overnight.

Day 13 Trek to Tilche (2300m) - 7/8 hours

You will walk on the downhill path towards Gho. You will walk past a beautiful forest of rhododendrons, pines, and oaks. Tilche is a Gurung village, so you will get to intermingle with their culture and traditions. Stay overnight at Tilche.

Day 14: Trek to Dharapani (1,930m) - 2 hours, and drive to Besisahar (825m)-2/3 hours

Dharapani is situated on the Annapurna Circuit Trekking trail. Once you reach Dharapani, we will take a jeep to Besisahar. Along the way, you will see the riverside of Marsyangdi. Views of the different waterfalls and the Rocky Mountains can be observed along the way. You will reach Ghermu and eventually to the bottom of Bahundanda. Gradually you will pass Nagdi village and then towards Khudi and continue to Besisahar which is the headquarters of Lamjung district. It is a big city so you can roam around the area in the evening if you want. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu (1,300m) - 7 hours

You will drive back to Kathmandu early in the morning. After a little drive road to Dumre, you drive through Prithivi Highway and enter Kathmandu in the afternoon. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 16: Departure day

Today marks the end of your Manaslu Larke Pass trekking. You will be dropped off at the Kathmandu International Airport as per your request. If you want, you can also extend your stay and visit various world heritage sites located in the Kathmandu Valley.

Permits and Rules

Since the Manaslu Region is a restricted area, it requires a Restricted Area Permit. Any area that meets with the border of another country will require a permit, and since Manaslu touches the border with China/Tibet, certain documents and permits are needed.

• From September to November - US $ 100 per person per week and US$ 15 per day per person for more than a week

• From December to August - US$ 75 per person per week and US$ 10 per day per person for more than a week.

MCAP and ACAP permits - US$ 30 or Rs. 3000 for the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit and US$ 30 or Rs. 3000 for the Manaslu Conservation Area Project Permit.

For a child who is under 10 years old, the Restricted Area Permit, ACAP, and MCAP are all free, but they will have to submit all the necessary documents regarding the permit and go through the same process.

You will have to carry 4 passport-sized photos of yourself.

The rules state that a minimum of 2 people to go on the trek and need a registered guide along.

If you are planning to go to Tsum Valley, from September to November, the Tsum Valley permit is $ 35 for the first 8 days, and from December to August, it is US$ 25 for the first 8 days. Days spent in Tsum Valley will not count in your Manaslu permit.

You can discuss and confirm the permits and documents required with us.

Packing List and Trekking Gears

1. Travel documents and passport-size photos
2. Travel documents and passport-size photos
3. Boots and or trekking shoes
4. Woolen/cotton socks (6-8 pairs)
5. Gloves ( 2 pairs)
6. T-shirts/ shirts (4-6 pcs)
7. Trousers (2-3 sets)
8. Shorts/tracksuit
9. Fleece jacket and Down jacket
10. Cap (for the day), Woolen hat (for evenings and mornings)
11. Small and large towels
12. Water bottle
13. Sun/snow glasses
14. Raincoat
15. Walking poles
16. First Aid kit
17. Torch/flashlights
18. Penknife/ Swiss Army knife
19. Scarf/mask
20. Duffle bags (carried by porters or animals)
21. Rucksack/ backpack
22. Personal hygiene products and toiletries
23. Sleeping bag with inner liner

Personal Expenses

Travelers are expected to carry additional money in case of emergency or as per their spending habits and luxury needs.

Fitness and Health

Although previous experience is not required in a moderate trek like this one, it is advised that trekkers prepare themselves before the trek. Jogging, cycling, or exercising regularly for 2 weeks before the trek helps a lot in the trek. Participants with medical conditions must inform us beforehand.

Altitude Sickness

Since the trek leads to an elevation of above 4000m, one might likely suffer from a high-altitude sickness called AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). You can prevent this or lessen it by taking some Altitude sickness medicines or even eating garlic soup during the trek. To help your body acclimatize to high altitude, the itinerary is drafted in such a way that there are regular stops between the slow walks in the trek.

Food and Accommodation

In general, trekkers will be facilitated with traditional Nepalese, Tibetian, Continental, or Indian dishes depending upon the lodges and teahouses on the way. There will be breakfast, welcome, and farewell dinner provided in Kathmandu.

While Kathmandu has high-graded hotels usually 3 stars, accommodation on the mountain regions is very simple yet comfortable. You will have to pay for the hot water bath. The bathrooms and toilets have to be shared with the group you are staying with.

Safety

You will solely be responsible for the personal belongings that you carry on the trip. If you are traveling from abroad, make sure that you have your travel insurance document with you. The travel insurance will cover all the expenses during the case of any unfortunate event.

Transportation

The means of transportation will be bus, car, or jeep while traveling from Kathmandu. For most of the trek, you will have to walk.

Porters and Guide

We have the best guides who are highly skilled with significant knowledge for this trek. You will be in safe hands in case of any obstacles on the way. Our fully-trained guides will enhance your trekking adventure and fun.

Our porters are similarly well-known about the trek and are at all times fully equipped with gear. The porters are well looked after, and as per the company policy, a single porter will carry a maximum weight of 25 kg.

Why Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking?

Manaslu Larke Pass trekking started gaining popularity when the road was built near the Annapurna area. Manaslu Circuit has become one of the best alternatives to the Annapurna trail. For people who see the authentic and raw beauty of Nepal, the Manaslu Larke Pass trek is best suited for you. Different cultures, traditions Gurung, Magar, and Sherpa communities provide a face-to-face encounter with the different ethnicities in Nepal.

The beautiful terrain, along with the trail, gives way to astounding views of mountains like Manaslu, Himchuli, Annapurna II, Kangguru, and more which stands proudly, covered in a blanket of mesmerizing snow. You get to be in touch with nature while you pass through lush rhododendrons, pine, and oak forests, massive waterfalls, variant wildlife, and the blend of brown and green hills. Manaslu Larke Pass trek takes you to the high altitude of 5106 m which gives you all the adrenaline rush and adventure.

Conclusion

The trek is a moderate to strenuous one which means that you will be required to do some exercise 15 days before embarking on the Manaslu Larke Pass trek. You also need to carry a few documents and trekking gear which will undoubtedly come in handy. Although it takes about 19 days to finish the Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking, the number of days can be shortened or lengthened as per your need. The best seasons for the trek are spring and autumn with the best weather conditions and panoramic views.

Come and join our Nepal Adventure Team Pvt. Ltd. package for Manaslu Larke Pass Trekking which will take you to the beautiful Manaslu region and leave you stunned with the elegance and grandeur of Nepal. We provide safe and fully guided services so that your trek will be one of a kind with all the fun and adventure that you expect. Manaslu Larke Pass trek is still and will always be one of the best trekking destinations for as long as Mount Manaslu stands high in all its glory.