Mount Manaslu Expedition

Trip Overview

Mount Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres (26,781 ft) above sea level. It is located in the Mansiri Himal, part of the Nepalese Himalayas, in the west-central part of Nepal. Its name, which means “mountain of the spirit”, comes from the Sanskrit word manasa, meaning “intellect” or “soul”. Mount Manaslu was first climbed on May 9, 1956 by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu, members of a Japanese expedition.
The Manaslu region offers a variety of trekking options. The popular Manaslu trekking route of 177 kilometres (110 mi) skirts the Manaslu massif over the pass down to Annapurna. The Nepalese Government only permitted trekking of this circuit in 1991. The trekking trail follows an ancient salt-trading route along the Budhi Gandaki River. En route, 10 peaks over 6,500 metres (21,300 ft) are visible, including a few over 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). The highest point reached along the trek route is the Larkya La at an elevation of 5,106 metres (16,752 ft).
Set in the northern Himalayan range in the Gorkha District of Nepal, Manaslu is a serrated “wall of snow and ice hanging in the sky”. The three sides of the mountain fall in steps to terraces down below, which are sparsely inhabited with agricultural operations practiced on the land. Apart from climbing Manaslu, trekking is popular in this mountain region, as part of the Manaslu Circuit, a notable path by trekkers in Nepal.
The Manaslu Conservation Area, declared in December 1998 under the National Parks and Wild Life Conservation Act, subsumes Manaslu within it. The area covered under the conservation zone is 1,663 square kilometres (642 sq mi) and is managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) of Nepal. The status of “conservation area” applied to the Manaslu area or region was with the basic objective “to conserve and sustainably manage the natural resources and rich cultural heritage, and promote ecotourism to improve livelihood of the local people in the MCA region.”
Expedition of Mount Manaslu, as it is popularly known among trekkers, provides views of the snow-covered mountains of the Himalayas and allows close interaction with the different ethnic groups who live in the hill villages scattered along the trek route.
There are two ethnicities mainly inhabiting the Manaslu region; Nubri and Tsum. The branching off of the river at Chhikur divides these two ethnic domains. While Nubri has been frequently visited after Nepal opened itself for tourism in 1950, Tsum still retains much of its traditional culture, art and tradition. In the central hills of the region, Gurungs are the main ethnic group joined the Brigade of Gurkhas in large numbers. Closer to Tibet, the Bhutias (also spelled Bhotias), akin to the Sherpa group, of Tibetan ethnicity dominate the scene as can be recognized from their flat roofed houses, and they are distinctly Buddhists. The region is dotted with strong monasteries, mani walls, chortens and other Buddhist religious landmarks.
The trekking route is through mountainous terrain prone to the consequences of monsoon rainfall, landslides and land falls. Hypothermia and altitude sickness, as well as encounters with passing yaks, are common. Trekking to Manaslu is thus a test of endurance.

Outline Itinerary

    Day 01  Meeting upon arrival at Kathmandu International airport, transfer to hotel.
    Day 02 - 04  Stay in Kathmandu for the official procedure, overnight at hotel.
    Day 05  Drive to Gorkha, overnight at tented camp.
    Day 06  Trek to Khanchok, overnight at tented camp.
    Day 07  Trek to Khursani Bari, overnight at tented camp.
    Day 08  Trek to Machha Khola, overnight at tented camp.
    Day 09  Trek to Jagat, overnight at tented camp.
    Day 10  Trek to Nyak, overnight at tented camp..
    Day 11  Trek to Prok, overnight at tented camp.
    Day 12  Trek to Namru, overnight at tented camp.
    Day 13  Trek to Lho, overnight at tented camp.
    Day 14  Trek to Sama Gaon, overnight at tented camp.
    Day 15  Trek to Manaslu Base camp, overnight at tented camp.
    Day 16 - 42  Climbing Period.
    Day 43  Back to Sama Gaon, overnight at tented camp.
    Day 44  Fly back to Kathmandu by helicopter. Overnight at hotel.
    Day 45  Leisure day in Kathmandu, overnight at hotel.
    Day 46  Transfer to airport, departure on your own destination.