Opened for trekking only since 1991, it provides spectacular beauty along the border of Nepal and China and is now a controlled trekking route. Day to Day Itinerary
DAY 1 Arrive Kathmandu [1,300m/4,264 ft]-Transfer to Hotel
Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport (TIA), you will be
greeted by a representative from Friendship World Trek After completing your
custom formal
ities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our
representative with a Friendship World Trek display board at the arrival
gate. You will be then transferred to Hotel Shanker or a similar category
hotel. After check in, you will visit Friendship World Trek office, meet your trekking leader as well as other participants and make final preparations for the trip. Later in the evening we will organize a Welcome Dinner at an excellent
traditional Nepalese Restaurant where you will enjoy the Nepalese cultural
program along with a fine meal. Included meal: Dinner (D)
DAY 2 Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation
Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to several of the
most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. Some of these
landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites; including the historic Durbar
Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous 'Monkey
Temple' (Swayambhunath) and Buddhists shrine (BouddhaNath) which is one of
the large Stupas in the world. In the afternoon, there will be a pre-trip
discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. Friendship World Trekking briefs us regarding our trek as well as provides
us opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming
adventure. Included meal: Breakfast (B)
DAY 3 Drive Kathmandu to Arughat [600m/1968 ft]
A 5 hour drive (142km) from Kathmandu into the western mountains
takes us to Gorkha, the Capital of Medieval Nepal. Another 42km drive on a
dirt road and we reach reach Arughat, our trek start point. The dirt road
from Gorkha to Arughat may not be drivable during the monsoon season. In
that case, we may have to begin our trek right from Gorkha and reach Arughat
in the evening. Arughat is a major town in the region and is divided in two
parts with the Buri Gandaki River flowing between them. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 Arughat - Soti Khola [710m/2328 ft]: 5-6 hrs
We cross the bridge over Budhi Gandaki and begin our trek from
the western part of Arughat. After completing with the ACAP procedure, we
follow the stone-paved street north through the bazaar. We pass through the
hydro- lectric power plant, fields of rice and millet to Maltar, and
through forests Sante Bazzar. The trail to Budhi Gandaki valley now becomes
steeper and the trek more difficult as we cross the Arkhet Khola on a
suspension bridge, passing the shops of Arkhet. Descend to a high, cascading
waterfall making a long steep slog up a ridge to Kyorpani. Then from here
the trail descends to Soti Khola. Overnight stay at the campsite at Soti
Khola. Overnight at Soti Khola. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 Soti Khola - Maccha Khola [900m/2952 ft]: 6-7 hrs
Cross the bridge and trek through the beautiful Sal forests,
then climb onto a ridge above huge rapids on the Budhi Gandaki. We then
reach to Khursane. The rocky trail then weaves its way up and down, past
two tropical waterfalls on a steep, rocky trail clinging to the side of a
cliff. It eventually makes its way down and past a few rice terraces, then
up and around to the Gurung village of Labubesi. Climb behind a rocky
outcrop, where the valley opens and the Budhi Gandaki meanders among wide
gravel bars. Drop to the sandy river bed and walk along rounded stones
before climbing over a side ridge. Head down again to the river and traverse
to Machha Khola village. Overnight at Machha Khola. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 Maccha Khola -Jagat [1410m/ 4625 ft]: 6-7 hrs
The narrow trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually
crosses the Tharo Khola, flowing in a rocky ravine, then reaches Khorlabesi. After a few more ups & downs there is a small trailside hotspring, from
where we reach to Tatopani. From the Hot spring we climb over another ridge,
then cross the Budhi Gandaki on a suspension bridge. Climb on a wide,
well-crafted staircase, then across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan. Crossing a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola we climb the stone stairs
and then drop to the river and again climb more stone stairs to Tharo
Bharyang. Cross to the west bank of the budhi gandaki, climb over a ridge,
trek along the river then climb towards the village of Jagat. Overnight at
Jagat. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 Jagat - Deng [1,804m/5917 ft]: 6-7 hrs
Climb over a rocky ridge to Salleri, and then descend to
Setibas. The valley widens a bit as the trail continues up to Ghatta Khola. Continue upstream to a long suspension bridge. Climb up to Philim, a large
gurung village. The trail turns north just above the lowest house in the
village and stays fairly in level as it traverses millet fields to Ekle
Bhatti. Beyond Ekle Bhatti the route enters a steep, uninhabited gorge. Descend to the grassy land slopes, cross the Budhi Gandaki, then trek along
the west bank for a while, then cross to the east bank and then back again. As we keep walking the valley widens through bamboo forests to the Deng
Khola. Crossing the khola we arrive at the tiny village of Deng. Overnight
at Deng. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 Deng - Namrung [2165m/7102 ft]: 5-6 hrs
After a short distance beyond Deng we recross the Budhi Gandaki
on to the north bank and then climb to Rana at 1980m. From the bridge we
climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi , then head west up the Budhi Gandaki
valley. Crossing various streams and rivers we drop into the Sringi Valley. Making ups and downs in forests, we pass mani walls and then turn to a
corner and contours to Ghap. Overnight stay at Ghap. You can make a
side-trip to Prok. Visit the Tibetan Gompas at Prok. There is also an MCAP
office in Prok village. Overnight at Namrung. (B,L,D)
DAY 9 Namrung - Lho [3180m/10,430 ft]: 7-8 hrs
The trail follows the river upstream through dense forest. After
crossing the river at an impressive spot where it thunders down a narrow
gorge, the forest becomes less dense and the trail is fine again. The
pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb we reach Namru. To the
south rises a huge peak, Himal Chuli. Climbing steadily in the shade of a
forest takes us to Lihi, a fine village with many chortens and many barley
terraces. We still have quite some way to go to Lho. Ganesh Himal rises high
into the sky when we turn around. The trail drops and crosses the sidevalley
of Simnang Himal. A chorten with detailed paintings announces Sho, another
nice village with fine views up the open valley. One final steep slope needs
to be climbed and then we reach the houses that are lined up on a ridge. Overnight at Lho. (B,L,D)
DAY 10 Lho - Samagaon [3530m/11,578 ft]: 5-6 hrs
The Buri Gandaki is far down but we follow a small tributary
instead. Walking in the shady fir forest is very enjoyable. A short climb to
a plateau and the village Shyala. Huge mountains surround us, Himal Chuli
and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli) to the left, Manaslu and large glaciers straight
ahead, other snow summits to the right, at the far end of the valley we have
just come from stands Ganesh Himal. From a large chorten we look down into a
little dip where two rows of houses form the main part of Sama. At the far
end of the village, overlooking the valley stands the well-known monastery
of Sama. Overnight at Samagaon. (B,L,D)
DAY 11 Samagaon - Pungyen gompa – Samagaon – Rest day
We spend the day at Samagaon both for rest and acclimatization. Ponder at the thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures. Meet the village women in Samagaon who wear a nice silver spoon as jewelry. On a little hill near Samagaon is an old Gompa. Take a sidetrip to Pungyen
Gompa, a monastery with great views of the glacier. It is named after
Manaslu, Pungyen means bracelet, a good description of the two peaks. It was
destroyed a year after the first unsuccessful Japanese attempt to climb
Manaslu. The locals believed that the climb angered the gods, and when the
Japanese came back a year they met so much resistance that they had to give
up their attempt. They finally summitted the the mountain in 1959. Overnight
at Samagaon. (B,L,D)
DAY 12- Sama - Samdo [3860m/12,660 ft]: 4-5 hrs
Descend to the Budhi Gandaki, that has turned north, and follow
it to a bridge over a side stream. The trail to the left leads to the
Manaslu Base camp. The Larkya la Trail passes several mani walls as the
valley begins to widen. It is an easy trail on a shelf above the river
passing the juniper and birch forests of Kermo Kharka. We drop off the
shelf, cross the Budhi Gandaki on a wooden bridge and climb steeply onto a
promontory between two forks of the river. From a stone arch we can see a
large white kani, finally passing through the kani we find Samdo. Overnight
at Samdo. (B,L,D)
DAY 13 Samdo - Dharamsala/Larkya B. C.- Bhimtang [4460m/14, 628 ft]: 10-11
hrs
We continue our walk down the edge, cross the wooden bridge over
Buri Gandaki and begin walking upward. Cross two streams and witness the
Larkya Glacier. Go around the valley of the Salka Khola and climb up again
and come to the stone guest house (4450 m) which is not a lodge but a kind
of shelter called DharmShala, also known as Larkya Phedi. We camp here today
and have a rest to prepare for tomorrows crossing of the famous and most
awaited Larkya Pass. Dharamsala - Larkya la [5100m/16, 728 ft] - Bimthang
[3720m/12, 201 ft
After a short climb, we reach the ablation valley on the North
side of the Larkya Glaciers. There are views of Cho Danda and then of Larkya
Peak. Finally, we walk across the moraines of the glacier, making a gradual
ascent which becomes steeper only in the last section to the pass. From the
pass, there are outstanding views of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru and
the huge Annapurna II. Savor the spectacular views from the top of the pass. It is a longer day then usual to Bimtang, but to walk into these low
pastures with the evening mist coming in and Manaslu; it's an experience not
to be missed. Overnight at Bimthang. (B,L,D)
DAY 14 Bimthang - Tiliche [2560m/8396 ft]: 4-5 hrs
Cross the high pasture, descend the valley of the Burdin Khola. From a ridge at 4150 meters, you have excellent views of Manaslu to the
South East and Annapurna II to the South West. Beyond a bridge over the
headwaters of the Dudh Khola, descend into a rhododendron forest and follow
a trail through a narrow valley until we reach the highest cultivated land
in this valley at Karche, 2785 meters. From here we cross a slide, then go
across fields before making a steep climb over a ridge. The trail comes off
the ridge in a big, sweeping arc to the river bank at 2580m. A short
distance beyond is the village of Gho. Overnight at Tiliche (B,L,D)
DAY 15 Tiliche - Chamje [1920m/6297 ft]: 4-5 hrs
Continue through the fields, over a clear stream, passing
through the houses and fields interspersed with rhododendron and oak
forests. Staying on the north bank we trek into Tilje. Climb over a small
ridge to the stone - paved village and wind among the closely spaced houses
of this large Village. Leaving the village, cross the Dudh Khola and trek
along the river embankment. Cross a wooden bridge back to the northern side
of the Dudh Khola and climb up through a chorten-shaped arch and past a mani
wall to Thonje. At the village of Thonje, we go through a police checkpoint,
and then continue to Chamje. Overnight at Chamje. (B,L,D)
DAY 16 Chamje – Besishar [1080m/3542 ft]: 6-7 hrs
The remainder of our trek follows trails used on the first few
days of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. We descend to the Marsyandi River and
cross the suspension bridge. Climb up and away from the river and hike
through a broad, flat valley to the village of Tal (1,675m), situated at the
foot of a large waterfall. The trail continues on to Chyamje, recrossing the
river once again. It then descends through forests of rhododendron and pine
to Besishar. Overnight at Besishar. (B,L,D)
DAY 17 Beshishar - Kathmandu [1080m/3542 ft]: 6-7 hrs
DAY 18 Farewell Friend
Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing
to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. If
you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. A representative
from Friendship World Trekwill take you to the airport approximately 3 hours
before the scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to
plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
