Valley of Light and the Mountains of the Spirits

Through the valleys and plateaus, we leave for 13 days of walking in the heart of the Samapa country, at the foot of Manaslu (8163m): Off the beaten track in a still very wild Himalaya which gives the impression of being in Nepal from 20 years ago. Much less crowded than the Annapurna tour or the Everest base camp trek, we will enjoy panoramas that are just as impressive but even more varied, the impression of passing through the four seasons, from tropical forests to snow-capped peaks at 7000 and 8000 which surround us passing through the gorges and arid steppes, from cows to yaks to monkeys. We will walk facing Manaslu, which we will see appear and disappear throughout our stay, until reaching the Larkya La pass, at 5106m, the highest altitude of this circuit.

This crossing of the different Himalayan levels will dazzle us with its unique landscapes but also capsize our hearts thanks to the meetings with families of different ethnic groups during our crossings of villages inhabited by Gurung, Tibetans, or even Manangi Tibetans. A beautiful approach to the Nepalese Himalayas, in the secrecy of remote valleys.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Manaslu from all angles.
- A region with fewer people.
- Meeting with the Gurung, Samapa & Manangi ethnic groups.
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Gallery

Itinerary

  • Level of Trek: Difficult
  • Best Period: March - April & October - November
  • Duration: 18 Days
  • Number of walking days: 13
  • Highest Altitude: 5160 Meters
  • Accomodation: Hotel in Kathmandu & Lodge during trek
Leave No Trace

For your next trek with us in the Himalayas, travel light and aware: Base Camp offers you a biodegradable soap made in Nepal, to leave no trace ...

Day
Pick-up at the airport, transfer to the hotel and check-in.
- Accommodation: Hotel

A day to discover the gems of Kathmandu Valley, visit Pashupatinath, the holiest Shiva shrine for Hindus dating back to the 12th century. It also serves as the cremation grounds for Hindus, while pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred Bagmati River. We then move across to Boudha, the largest Buddhist stupa where devotees circumambulate throughout the day. Both these monuments are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Then we walk through the delightfully narrow streets of old Kathmandu. After lunch, we drive to Bhaktapur, a beautiful medieval city of the Newar people with exquisite temples, museums and galleries.
- Self meal
- Accommodation: Same hotel

We reach Gorkha in a private vehicle (vehicle depending on the size of the group) in about 4 hours by road then 4 hours on the track along the river to Ranglung before climbing by jeep to the large Gurung village of Barpak.
- 8 hrs drive
- Accommodation: Lodge.
Steep ascent mainly by steps to Pushu Danda located at 2800 m, superb view of Buddha Himal and Ganesh Himal. We then descend to Laprak, Gurung village, and continue to Gumda village
- Ascent: 1400 meters
- Descent: 1500 meters
- Walking time: 6-7 hrs
- Accommodation: Lodge.
Breakfast and lunch at the inhabitant. We follow the ridge to Macchakhola from where we have a very beautiful view of Ganesh Himal. From Macchakhola we follow the river to Khorla Bensi where you can swim in the cool mountain water near the mouth of the two rivers joining there.
- Ascent: 100 meters
- Descent: 930 meters
- Walking time: 6-7hrs
- Accommodation: Lodge
After breakfast and lunch in Laprak, we descend to the river, cross a suspension bridge and climb up to Singla (2,300 m.) on the side of a mountain. After the village of Singla, we make a steep descent, walk down the steps, through rice and millet fields. We reach Khorla Besi where we can swim in the fresh mountain water near the mouth of the two rivers.
- Ascent: + 500 m.
- Descent: - 1700 m.
- Duration of hike: 7 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
Regions inhabited by Gurung and Tibetans. We continue in the gorges which widen and allow us to take advantage of the sunshine on the valley and the opposite slopes. Check-in at the checkpoint in Eklebhatti then pass Nyak Phedi to continue to Pewa, a small village in the shade, near the river.
- Ascent: 800 meters
- Descent: 300 meters
- Walking time: 8hrs
- Accommodation: Lodge
Walk in the sunny gorges crossing stone villages that have remained intact until we reach the village of Ghapsya where we will spend the night.
- Ascent: 800 meters
- Walking time: 5h30
- Accommodation: Lodge

With luck, we will meet many pilgrims, some coming from Tibet following the famous salt route. After crossing many villages sometimes housing monasteries, climbing gradually, we will end up with a steep climb bringing us to the large village of Lhö Gaon.
The closer we get to the village, the clearer the view will be until we see the Manaslu on which we can observe the sunset as well as the morning light when we wake up the next day.
Depending on the weather and time of arrival, we will have the opportunity to take a walk before dark to the monastic school located on top of a hill on the outskirts of the village.
- Ascent: 800 meters
- Walking time: 6h30
- Accommodation: Lodge

Day excursion and first acclimatization to the monastery of Pungyen Gompa – generally uninhabited – and depending on the form, the possibility of climbing higher to the foot of the glacier of the same name. Return to spend the night in Shyala Gaon a little higher than Lhö Gaon
- Ascent: 1000 meters
- Descent: 700 meters
- Walking time: 6-7h
- Accommodation: Lodge

Day of walking facing the Manaslu through the stone villages and the first steppe panoramas. Once installed at the Samagaon lodge, always depending on the time and the climate, we can take a leisurely walk to Lake Birendra, a magnificent sky blue, surrounded by numerous cairns. You will then have the opportunity to overlook the valley to admire the view as well as to acclimatize thanks to a break by the lake at 3900m.
- Ascent: 600 meters (350 meters to go to the lake)
- Descent: 400 meters (350 meters to return from the lake)
- Walking time: 4 (+2h walk for the lake)
- Accommodation: Lodge

We climb up gradually to arrive at the village of Samdo. Then, if the weather and our own conditions are favorable, we can take an acclimatization walk of 1 or 2 hours up to 4000 m. on one of the bordering mountains.
- Ascent: + 400 m.
- Walking time: 4hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

In Samdo, we may have the opportunity to see an improvised trade between Tibetans and local people. We climb gradually through the glacial valley followed by an hour of steep climbing and reach the foot of the Larkya Glacier. We spend the night in tents in the village of Dharmasala. We then set up a fixed camp planned for those who wish to climb up to Larkya Pass (5,106 m).
- Ascent: + 800 m.
- Walking time: 4 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

 

It’s going to be a long day, so we start early, leaving by 4 am, under the starry sky with our headlamps on. As we climb up, we watch the dawn of a new day and the surrounding mountains lit up by the colorful morning light. We cross the Larkya La Pass and from the top, the view is simply astounding. Then, it is a long and steep descent over a dry path to Bhimthang where we overnight in a lodge.
- Ascent: + 800 m.
- Descent: - 1400 m.
- Walking time: 8 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

Descent into the forest to the river to arrive at the village of Tiliche inhabited by Manangi Tibetans. We continue our descent to Dharapani: the junction point to take the Annapurna trail/night in Dharapani
- Descent: 1940 meters
- Walking time : 6 hrs
- Accommodation: Lodge

Two hours of track by local vehicle to Syangje then 3 hours of walking following the path where the Annapurna tour route begins on the other side of the river. At the start of this walk, we pass near a huge waterfall. Bahun Danda is the last Brahmin village located on a shoulder. Superb view of the rice fields and Mount Phungi (6379 m).
- Descent: 550 meters
- 2 hours of off-road drive
- Walking time: 3 / walking time to Jagat: 4 hours
- Accommodation: Lodge

1h30 by local jeep reserved then we find a private vehicle to return from Besisahar to Kathmandu. Free time
- 5+1h30 hrs drive / 7 hours drive from Jagat
- Accommodation: Hotel Holy Himalaya in BB or similar

Transfer to TIA (Kathmandu Airport) for your return flight.
End of our services.

NOTES

- In Kathmandu, we use hotels of good category ***  Located in the centre of Kathmandu.
- The stay in Kathmandu is always done in B&B to give you the choice of restaurants that offer you traditional and continental cuisine according to your choices.
- During the trek, you will be in full board and accommodation according to the itinerary.





What's included

- All transfers by private vehicle according to itinerary including jeep/minibus for Barpak
- Transfer Dharapani - Besisahar by local jeep(s)
- 3 nights at the Holy Himalaya Hotel or similar in Kathmandu in BB
- Full board trek in Lodge
- French-speaking guide for the entire stay from 4 participants
- Trekking team: assistant from 4, porters according to group size for the entire trek.
- Carrying luggage up to 12 kg/person during the trek
- Manaslu special trek permit
- MCAP, ACAP & TIMS trekking permit
- 1-day guided tour with vehicle 
- Staff insurance

What's not included

- Meals in Kathmandu excluding breakfast
- Nepal visa to obtain at the airport ($50 + photo).
- Entrances to sites during visits
- International flight
- Mandatory repatriation insurance
- Tips, personal expenses and equipment, drinks, sleeping bag, hot shower during the trek…

Suppliments

>> Single room in Kathmandu (3 nights): 90 US$


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