Manaslu Trekking with Nar Phu Valley

Upon arrival at international airport, our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the airport assist and transfer to the Hotel.

Trekking preparation and permit organize day. Please, check your insurance details and have a copy of your travel medical insurance policy with you.

Our Guide and Potter come to in your hotel at 6:00 am. Then we are heading to Arughat, by bus or Land cruiser (depending on group size) scenic drive. While passing ridge of Kathmandu Valley, you catch a glimpse of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Langtang Himal magnificent view and terraces and green hills. After Dhading Bisi or Gorkha Bazaar the road is tricky because of the grubby road. To get in Arughat through the Gorkha Bazaar or Dhading Besi depends on your time and choice. The village of Arughat is in two parts, on opposite sides of the Buri Gandaki. Arughat Bazaar is large, clean and prosperous with hotels and shops selling cloth, food and hardware.  Again drive to Machhakhola about 2 to 3 hours. Stay overnight at Tea House.

The trail involves some steep ascents and descents to the Doban. The trail gives the glimpses of diversity of flora & fauna, and people with different religion and cultures. We ascend a well crafted staircase over a ridge to Doban. Doban means confluence of streams, where Shiar Khola comes from the east, and the Sarpu khola meets from the west. We set our camp here or stay overnight at a tea house.

After a hot breakfast, the journey leads us to ascend on a rugged rocky trail. Then we climb up and down ravines and notched trees. Several waterfalls on both side of the Budhi Gandaki River and hundred species of birds in the forest make our trip very enjoyable. Liding, Machhakhola, Jagat and Philim provide unique hospitality with culture and religion. During this trekking the narrow valley shaping by Budhi Gandaki provides the magnificent vistas of Ganesh Himal, Shringi Himal and Himal Chuli, as we continue up to the large Gurung village and fields of corn and millet. There are several good campsites and we set up camp surrounded by alder, blue pine and poplar trees or stay at the tea house.

The trail goes up through Philim and heads up over a ridge that leads to Ganesh Himal Base camp and Chumling (Lower Tsum). We camp for the night at Chumling. Each individual can enjoy with songs of Bird and roaring sound of river on the trail. There are several good campsites at Chumling or we can stay overnight at local house.

After breakfast, we trek to Chhekampar. Upper Tsum valley (part of the inner Himalaya) which opens up from Chhekampar/Chhekamparo. This village is situated on flat land and made up of two settlements Chhekam and Paro. From the valley, we have view of Ganesh Himal range in front to the south where it provides spectacular views of the Baudha and Himal Chuli peaks to the southwest. Some households in this village practice polyandry. We stay overnight here.

On the way we pass the Piren Phu cave. Piren Phu (pigeon cave) is one of the most sacred caves in the Tsum valley. It is located at the foot of a rugged cliff near the village of Burji. Milarepa, the famous Tibetan saint, was believed to have meditated here. There are two separate monasteries attached to the rocky cave. Richly painted Buddhist murals, excellent artistic scripts carved on stones, long prayer flags and significant Buddhists paper scripts make this cave one of the most important socio-cultural asset in the valley. Beautiful views can be had at the Shiar Khola, Rachen Gumba, the mountains and settlements amidst vast agricultural land. This is the last village heading north of the upper Tsum Valley. Stay overnight.

After breakfast, the trail gradually ascends to Mu Gumba (1895 AD), the largest monastery in the region and farthest point in the Tsum valley. The monastery houses religious books, including Kangyur, a life sized statue of Avalokiteshwara, and images of Guru Padmasambhava and Tara. Chhosyang Tal is about two to three hours uphill walk. Then we visit Dephyudonma Gumba, one of the oldest monasteries in the Tsum Valley situated in the rugged mountains, a 2 hour walk from the village of Chhule and Nile. The history of this monastery is directly associated with the dawn of Buddhism in the valley. The monastery is run by Lama Serap of Nile Ladrang from the Kangin sect. There are a few campsites and drinking water facilities.

We take the trail to Rachen Gumba nunnery. It is situated in the Shiar Khola Valley in the foothills of the mountains bordering Nepal and Tibet. Rachen Gumba was established in the year 1905 AD and is one of the largest nunneries in the Tsum valley. It is belong to the Ngak-pa sect. The nunnery houses one thousand clay, mud statues of Avalokiteshwara, a brightly colored, carved throne and pillar, and a large prayer wheel. The interior is richly painted with murals about Buddhism and its history. We stay overnight at camp or local house.

Today, we precede towards Dumje, a small and scattered settlement with some houses and adjoining cattle sheds. Dumje is a wide and flat land, good for cultivation of barely and potato. Here, patches of purple hued amaranth interspersed with fields of brown barley, dozens of yaks grazing in grassy meadows, rustic stone houses hugging the trail, long stretches of hand-carved mani stones and stacked mani walls, ancient villages dotting the landscape, rock chortens perched high on ridges, snow-capped Himalayan peaks scratching the deep blue sky, high remote mountain passes threading into Tibet, maroon-robed Buddhist monks and nuns fingering prayer beads, and hard-working kind-hearted villagers warmly welcome you into this scenic and soaring valley where Tibetan culture is still being celebrated today.

After breakfast, we are heading to Lokpa and cross Ripchet. We pass one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Lower Tsum Valley, Samba Tingding Chhupyang. This is the village which lies along the trial from Gumpa Laundang to Lokpa. The houses are completely built from stone and roofs are pine wood. The houses are arranged in linear pattern along the trial. There are a remarkable numbers of Mani walls, Chortens and gateway Chortens. We make camp in Lokpa for overnight stay.

The trek leads us on a high and beautiful trail through a narrow dramatic gorge section with towering walls, past a thundering waterfall just above us and cross the suspension bridge, where we ascend gradually along a wide hillside. After trekking through dense forest the small village of Deng, lower Nubri region called Kutang, where the people are ethnically pure Tibetans. We have views of Lumbo Himal as well as Lapuchen and Dwijen Himals. We camp nearby village, and get fresh greens from the land. It starts to feel like a piece of old Tibet at last.

The trek today is a similar length to yesterdays. The trail goes through the valley with across the bridge switchback steeply up to the small, poor village of Lana. After more climbing through lovely woods of pine we reach Bihi Phedi and start to see mani stones, sign of the tiny Tibetan footholds mark in the high Himalayan places. We ahead across the large Buri Gandaki, as we walk through the gorge, all the time enjoying spectacular views. Eventually we reach Ghap, where we set up camp in another wonderful village.

Today is a wonderful trekking day through dense forest crossing Budhi Gandaki wooden bridge, ascent gently up to Tibetan-run lodge Namrung, views of mountains. Then the trail goes to extensive pastures land to the ancient Lihi village and flowing down the Lidanda Glaciers we reach the picturesque Tibetan village of Sho at 3000m. On the way to Lho, the spectacular views of Ngadi Chuli and Manaslu itself makes for quite an impressive afternoon. We set up camp in Lho, a sprawling village decorated with many prayer flags, in the yard of a small lodge and monastery. The sunset and sunrise from the campsite are wonderful.

After breakfast the trail leads us from the new monastery and then ascends to the idyllic Tibetan settlement of Shayla with amazing mountain panoramas. Then we trek through the alpine trail which leads us through fields to the 500 years old settlement Sama Gaon, or Ro, with unique architecture wooden two monasteries. Dzongka Dzong (fortress) is at the border of Tibet, a few days walk from Sama Gaon. Take the afternoon to hike up to the old Gomba settlement above town, and to wander the streets of the fascinating Sama Gaon village.

We have a rest day in Sama Gaon to explore the village and monasteries - a little piece of old Tibet. This is also an extra day in case anyone is having trouble acclimating. A great excursion is to hike towards Manalsu Base Camp where we'll have stunning views of the lake, glacier and valley. Another option is to hike up to Pung Gyen Gompa, at 3870 meters and explore around this unique natural beauty.

After having breakfast, the trail leads us breathtaking mountains scenery and blue sheep territory, grazing nearby on the barren hill-sides. Perhaps, this will be one of the best trekking days on whole trip, regarding the view and walking. After 3 to 4 hours walking you will get in Samdo, where more than four teahouse for your accommodation. Still Samdo is best for view and cultural activities. If you have still energy then you may hike up to the view point about 1 ½ to 2 hours. This is best for the acclimatization as well.

The trail leads us to the old trade route towards Tibet, cross a bridge, and climb through the trade markets of Larkya bazaar. After about three hours of climbing past glaciers, with increasingly overwhelming panoramas, we come to the campsite at Dharamsala, the high camp for the Larkya La pass, where we have lunch surrounded breathtaking mountains scenery and blue sheep territory, grazing nearby on the barren hill-sides. You'll really feel the altitude and the cold here, so enjoy a more leisurely afternoon and keep warm. We'll have an early dinner in preparation for our pass crossing tomorrow.

After a very early morning breakfast, the trail goes to North side of the Larkya Glaciers where we have views of Cho Danda and then of Larkya Peak. Then walking about four hours we will get on the top of the Larkya La (5,160m), view of wonderful panoramic mountains; Himlung Himal (7126meter), Cheo Himal (6820meters), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6981meters) and the Annapurna II (7937meters) equally stunning from both sides. The descent is steep, through moraines, towards Bhimtang. After praying and yelling 'Ki ki so so lha gyalo' (may the Gods be victorious), get ready drop onto a slippery trail following the glacial moraine finally to the Bimtang. Here at the 'Three Sisters Hotel’ the evening clouds gather and turn pink behind the surrounding peaks. It's all worthwhile now.

It's an easy trekking day following the Dudh Khola through bamboo and pine forests about 6 to 7 hours walk down. The trail descents along the fig tree and rhododendron fortes, through the rocky river-bed and sliding hill-sides to several small green villages. Eventually, after long but very scenic day, we reach the large village of Tilje, inhabitants of mix of Manangis (of Tibetan descent) and Chettris (Hindus), so have a unique architecture and culture, and eat mix foods - Dal Bhat, buckwheat Dhido, Tsampa and Tibetan salt-tea. We will stay overnight at tea house.

It's an easy trekking day following Dudh Khola through bamboo forests down to Dharapani, an atmospheric Tibetan village with prayer flags fluttering at the Gompa in Thongje on the old Annapurna trail. Trekking south on the main Annapurna Circuit trail, and following up the Marsyangdi River, we reach the Bagarchhap village. And continue walk to Danpyu. Today we meet trekkers on the Annapurna circuit trip. Now, the trail steeply goes up to Timang (2510m). From here, the trek lead us through the pine forest to Thanchok and Koto, nearby Manang district headquarters Chame, we are rewarded by the views of Annapurna II, Manaslu and Lamjung Himal from Chame & two small hot springs by the town.

* This is where the 'Remote Nar Phu' and the 'Lost Worlds of Manaslu & Nar Phu' treks meet.

Today we take a different trail onto the Annapurna Circuit. Today we have a long and somewhat difficult day before us. We past the check post and cross a bridge leading to the Nar Phu valley, and hike up through beautiful woods above the Phu Khola (river). The trail leads us through some beautiful forests and passes several small shelters (caves) and a pilgrims’ shelter ('Dharmasala'). As we approach a narrow canyon, the trail actually passes under a wide waterfall just before the Dharmasala from where the woods start to become thinner. We stay overnight at Meta in Tea House.

After breakfast, the trail climbs up the valley along a small scenic river which might be one of the loveliest walks in the Himalayas. This brings us finally to high pasture plateau, the winter settlement of Nar. The landscape is similar to the Sierra Nevada; white rocks, low shrub and juniper, scattered evergreens, delicate brick-red and orange leafed bushes, crumbling shelves of flat slate, white, sandy trails and gnarled trees. Then the trail goes to through the Meta, Junam and Chako semi-permanent settlement. One settlement is where "Khampas" from Tibet are sometimes sheltered. Above and to the right looms a massive glacier, which falls directly down on the high pastures. Many more ups and downs take us to tonight's campsite at Kayang, where grass lies tied in bunches to dry on all the rooftops and prayer flags flutter in the breeze. Then, the trail goes for a while along the riverbank and we can really see some unique and colorful Chortens, a Buddhist monastery, along with unique landscapes for which Nar and Phu are justly famous. Then our trek moves on through scenic canyon lands and gorges where the "leaning tower of Pisa" monolith guards the steep trail up to the Phu gate. This gate, called Pupigyal Kwe, offers first view of the three villages of Phu. We can also see an old "Dzong" (fortress) and the remains of two other forts, all now in ruins, but impressively situated atop the flatlands before Phu. Stay overnight in tented camp. Trekking time is 8 -9 hours.

We walk around to explore the Phu Village. Here remains a unique culture - people’s day-to-days livelihoods are still conducted in the traditional manner. Meet some of the locals and explore up the wide valley systems above us. A day is well spent sitting with the villagers as they spin their yak and sheep wool and chat, pound mustard seeds into a paste for oil, or involve themselves in the numerous activities that constitute a day in the life in a Tibetan village. For photographers, the light here is spectacular and the skies are a deep blue. We may even see some blue sheep on the nearby hillsides. The century old monastery and fort also remarkable. While we wander the village we will probably receive an invitation into someone's home for some authentic Tibetan salt butter tea, or perhaps a small glass of local 'raksi'.

After breakfast, we head back through the Phu gate and then descend again to the river. From there we retrace steps back to Junam Karka, a lovely campsite. In 2001 we camped with some Phu residents (all but one woman) on their way back up to Phu with huge loads of flat timber from the forest. The evening was filled with Tibetan and Manangi songs in the smoky shelters accompanied by that unique Tibetan laughter. We are staying at over night at Nar Phedi.

Below us sit Gyalbu Kumbu, built in 1650, and Satte gompa, both now empty. Now there are four old and colorful traditional monasteries and the snow-peaks are looming overhead. Finally we reach the Nar gate at the top of the hill. The sights of wonderfully painted, bamboo-topped Chortens await us there. The camp will set up after 3/4 hours walking.

Today is an adventurous day as we make our way towards the Kang La Pass (5,315m). This is not so difficult in itself but it can make for a long and difficult day if there is snow on the pass or the altitude is taking its toll. The Kang La Pass offers absolutely spectacular view of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, the Tilicho peak, and the peaks surrounding Tilicho, the Marsyngdi valley, and the Hunde airport. The trail heads down lightly and we get many enjoyable views of Ngawal with an unusual grouping of Chortens and prayer flags. We can see marks for meditation caves far up in the hills, on the upper Pisang route of the Annapurna circuit which can be reached in as little as two hours from the pass. We now have finished the camping section of the trek here, and head for a guest house for the night!

After breakfast the trail slowly down to the Pisang Village through the Marsyangdi River bank. You have magnificent Mountain View entire day hike. You will stay overnight at Chame (2670m), hence Chame is head quarter of Manang District.

After breakfast you will drive through the Koto, Thanchok, Timang village to the Besisahar by jeep or bus. We'll have a bumpy drive to Besisahar. Again drive back to Kathmandu about 5 to 6 hours.

In this pleasant day you may have full day at leisure either relax at hotel or explore the around Thamel. Today is day of ending your journey, so we would like hand over you Trip Certificate, Trekking Permit and TIMS Card for memory of Nepal trip. Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until departure flight/drive. Our assist will be transfer to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onward destination, taking with you the memory of a life time.