MANASLU TREKKING

Manaslu trekking offers spectacular views through the gorge of the Budhi Gandaki. Around Mount Manaslu, trekking was only permitted in 1991 by the Nepal government for foreigners. The Manaslu trek in Nepal follows an ancient salt-trading route of Tibet along the Budhi Gandaki River. The trekkers enjoy the wilderness of undiscovered classic trekking with outstanding mountain views from Lho to Bhimthang, where you feel like you are in another paradise of heaven. Mount Manaslu (8156 m) was first climbed on May 9, 1956, by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu, members of a Japanese expedition.

On the Manaslu trek, another attraction is Samdo village. It is the highest village in the Budhi Gandaki valley and is inhabited by Bhotias. From this village is a spectacular view of the valley and Pang Phuchi village with a backdrop of the Tibetan border. The Manaslu region is the home of 110 species of bird’s including the golden eagle, Eurasian griffon, Himalayan griffon, blood pheasant, Impeyan pheasant, Kalij and Koklass pheasants, Himalayan and Tibetan snow cocks, and crimson horned pheasant. The Manaslu region has a rich ecotone diversity and includes nineteen different types of forests; mostly, you can observe rhododendron and Himalayan blue pine. It is worth the side trip to Manaslu Base Camp and Pungyen Monastery. From the monastery, the close-up view of Himalchuli (7331m) and the glacier is very impressive.

Manaslu trekking can be combined with the Tsum Valley; you will enjoy an amazing variety of geographical and cultural differences below the great peaks of Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. Tsum is a region that was restricted for tourists for a long time. Now this valley is the center of attraction for intrepid trekkers, which the government has recently opened for tourists.

The highest pass of the Manaslu circuit trek is Larkya La Pass at 5235 m; down to Dharapani, where it meets the main trail of the Annapurna circuit trek via Bumthang. From Larya La pass stunning views of Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, and Kang Guru are seen, along with occasional views of the Annapurna massif.