Challenging
Budget: Request Price
Duration: 20 Days (Cutomizable Trip)
We travel west from Kathmandu towards Pokhara, following the winding road over the valley rim and down alongside the Trisuli River. This is a busy road and there is much to see. We are also reminded of our journey’s aim; to trek among the mighty Himalaya, with the Annapurna, Ganesh and of course Manaslu ranges intermittently in view. We turn off the main road shortly after Mugling and follow the Dorandi Khola northwards to Gorkha and Arughat Bazaar. Our first nights camp is set beside the Buri Gandhaki river.
Today’s walk follows a trail of constant ups and downs through forest as we continue to head upstream along the Budi Gandakhi. We descend to the wide, sandy riverbed for lunch then continue along a winding mountain path overlooking the river. The forest then gives way to farmland as the valley again opens up and we stop to make our camp.
The Buri Gandakhi gorge is narrow with sheer cliffs on either side and the morning’s trail begins by following a cliff path along the east bank before passing hot springs at Tatopani and then crossing the Dodan Khola. As we begin to climb, the Buri Gandakhi valley undergoes dramatic change, widening considerably and with white sandy beaches at the riverside. The trail then heads up a steep ridge before a long descent to the river. We enjoy a spectacular campsite tonight at Yaru Khola.
Continuing on, we occasionally have to trek high above the river to skirt around narrow gorges that prohibit a path. The trail takes us through pine forest scattered with rhododendron. We make our way to the lower trail which again follows the Buri Gandakhi below the Gurung village of Ngak and camp an hour’s walk past Deng.
We climb initially and then descend to cross a suspension bridge to the opposite bank. There are more riverside undulations and mani walls and chortens may be seen, signs of the distinctly Tibetan territory into which we are entering. The valley trail keeps to the northern bank below the village of Bih. Bih is known for its family of master stone carvers and along the trail today we see flat stones carved with intricate figures and stupas. Just past Bih we catch glimpses of the Shringi Himal and continue along the northern bank of the Buri Gandakhi until we reach the dominantly Tibetan village of Ghap for lunch. We then continue up through the forest densely vegetated with pine and birch to our jungle camp amongst the trees just before Namru.
We descend to cross the Damonan Khola then ascend again along a narrow path through the forest to Namru with its check post then continue through the forest path past small Tibetan villages towards Ligaon. It is likely that we will encounter our first yak today and there is also a troop of monkeys who often come down to the river here to drink. We have uninterrupted views behind us of Ganesh III and IV and Baudha Peak and to our right the Kutang Himal stands high as the natural border between Nepal and Tibet. Before us our first real mountain panorama opens up with the peaks of Himalchuli (7893m), Peak 29 (7871m) and finally Manaslu (8163m).
We cut diagonally across a rocky riverbed and climb a small ridge to a clearing. An amphitheatre of snow covered peaks including Manaslu. Manaslu North (7157), Peak 29 and Himalchuli surround us. The valley opens up and we continue along grassy slopes and small ridges which finally gives way to cultivated fields of Sama village. The trail takes us out of the grasslands and into wider territory as we skirt around some glacial moraine then descend to the riverbed. The view of Manaslu is superb today.
The trail takes us out of the grasslands and into wilder territory as we skirt around some glacial moraine then descend to the riverbed. Excellent views of the peak of Manaslu today. We soon reach the Tibetan Refugee village of Samdo, a wild place with a substantial village of some 200 permanent residents. Day 14 is a rest day. Relax and enjoy the surroundings or explore Lajyung Bhanjyang valley.
Soon after setting off today the unique shape of Larkya Peak becomes visible. The trail upwards is very gradual but at this altitude we take our time. It takes us approximately 5 hours to reach the pass, with the last section becoming quite steep but it is well worth the effort. The mountain vista to the west is incredible – Himlung Himal (7126m), Chap Himal, Gyaji Kang, Kang Guru (6981m) and Annapurna II (7937m). The descent from the pass is very steep across ice and scree as we follow the glacier. Progress is slow and careful but eventually we enter the valley of the Burdin Khola and continue to Bimtang and our camp for the night.
The trail now basically follows the Marsyangdi downstream, before entering a pristine forest of pine and rhododendron which during the spring months puts on a brilliant display of color. This is another day to ensure you have plenty of film in your day packs as the views of the Himlung and Manaslu Himal are again spectacular.
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