Manaslu Wild
A continuation of our exploratory series
From the Hindu middle hills culture to midst of the Himalaya to the Tibetan high
country dwellers, the Manaslu Circuit trek is a cultural trek par excellence, without a
doubt one of the best treks in Nepal. We make it even better with some exploring up
the Tsum Valley to the rarely visited Mu Gompa and up to the Tibetan border,
then continuing around the circuit a second side trip to the Tibetan border and
attempt a 6010m peak.
*See also our Manaslu Magic*
Outline Itinerary
Because this is an exploratory trip, building on a previous
exploration, I don't write a detailed itinerary.
Day 1 - 21 October 2007 - Arrive Kathmandu 1350m
2 - Kathmandu 1350m - sightseeing
3 - drive then trek Arughat 570m
We start early and after a morning drive step right into trekking, in the
tropical low country. Expanses of fields, picturesque villages; delightful
trekking right from the start.
4 - trek to Soti Khola 730m
This is classic middle hills trekking, lush paddy, letting the sweat dry
under shady Piple trees.
5 - trek Machha Khola 930m
6 - trek Jagat 1370m
With the main Himalaya pushing on each side we are now in a steep-sided
gorge.
7 - trek Lukuwa
We leave the main Manaslu Circuit for the isolated Tsum Valley.
8 - trek Dumje
9 - trek Lamagoan
10 - trek Mu Gompa
We are in remote Nepal, close to Tibet.
11 - rest and explore around Mu Gompa
There is plenty of exploring, we will ask the locals what are
the best features.
12 - rest and explore around Mu Gompa
I hope we can make it to the Tibetan border!
13 - trek Chokang
14 - trek to last village
We take a shortcut back to the main trail, the same route that we
took in 2000 and had more adventures than we anticipated.
15 - trek wild camp
This time we know where the only water is and where to camp. It
is a desperate place but the only one!
16 - trek Ghap
We are back onto the main circuit.
17 - trek Syangjang
And we head slightly off again.
|
Highlights
the classic Manaslu Circuit
picturesque villages
amazing Tsum Valley exploration
6010m Larkya Peak
(Jamie loves) serious exploration!
2007 Dates
21 Oct-24 Nov, 35 days
Cost - US$2650
max 7-8 bookings
single supplement - included
Leader
Jamie McGuinness
Mobile: (+977) 98021 49789
Home: (+977 1) 436 0005
Arrival hotel
Hotel Shakti, Thamel
tel: 441 0121, 442 9508
Local office contact
Explore Himalaya
Navin, Kedar, Samir or Prachandra
tel: 441 8100, 441 8400 9am-6pm
Navin mobile: 98510 04278
Kedar mobile: 98510 64911
Our service includes
airport transfers
3 star hotel in Kathmandu, single with breakfast
Kathmandu sightseeing tour
group transportation by private vehicle
entrance fees and permits as needed
expedition-style trek:
all meals and hot drinks on trek
roomy single tent on trek
Our service excludes
insurance, Nepal visa, meals in Kathmandu
personal climbing equipment
Maoist fees - unlikely now
international flights, equipment rental, alcohol and soft drinks, laundry,
tipping and other items of a personal nature
|
18 - exploration camp
We camp close to the Tibetan border. We will NOT cross the border, just climb
to the top of the pass for views that stretch into Tibet.
19 - trek Syangjang
20 - trek Lihi 2480m
21 - trek Sama Gaon (Ro) 3390m
Now in the Tibetan-style country the villages are picturesque. Peel
snotty-nosed kids off your pants and tents...
 22 - trek Samdo 3690m
23 - rest and explore Samdo
Samdo is a nice place to stay but this is a filler day, if we
have used an extra day anywhere, we can take this one out.
24 - trek Dharamsala/Larkya Phedi 4460m
We camp at the normal place for crossing the pass tomorrow.
25 - trek base camp
Instead we camp somewhere around the top of the pass, hopefully
at the base of the mountain.
26 - rest
After many days trekking we take a rest to further acclimatize
and explore around for tomorrow.
27 - climb camp 1
We may have to make a simple camp 1; we have time to do this.
Mostly on peaks we haven't climbed it takes longer than expected. We have that
day.
28 - climb Larkya peak
Hopefully success and then return to camp 1 or more likely base
camp.
29 - trek Bimtang 3590m
More incredible mountain views as we descend back to the tree
line.
30 - trek Tilche 2300m
A day of autumn forests and kharkas.
31 - trek Chamje 1430m
We leave the restricted area and it is a shock to arrive back onto the
overloaded Annapurna Circuit, although the trekking is still good.
32 - trek Ngadi 930m
Back in the low country we trek against the flow back into the
low middle hills valley.
33 - trek Khudi/Besi Sahar 760m then drive Kathmandu
We start early to beat the heat and so that we can make it back
to Kathmandu for dinner and hot showers!
34 - Kathmandu
35 - depart
|
