Larkya Peak Climbing

A representative from Manaslu Tours will welcome you upon your arrival in Kathmandu and drive you to your hotel. To start your journey on a high note, we will host a welcome dinner in the evening featuring authentic Nepalese cuisine and a warm welcome drink.

• SWOYAMBHUNATH , also referred to as the monkey temple, is accessible by a steep set of steps and offers stunning views of Kathmandu.
• BOUDHANATH STUPA has many traditional gompas hung with strings of multi-colored prayer flags; it attracts many Sherpas and Tibetans for the circumambulations of the stupa (koras).
• PASHUPATINATH is a Hindu temple with burning ghats on the banks of the Bagmati River.
• KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE, which is one of the old capitals of the Kathmandu valley, has a blend of Hindu and Buddhist temples

After an early departure by private bus to reach Barpak, we follow the Daraudi Khola River, passing through terraced rice fields. A long climb on a track leads us to Barpak, the main village of the Gurung ethnic group, located on a small plateau overlooking the valley. In front of us stands the snowy face of the Buddha Himal (6672m).

The first day of trekking is a steep climb through a beautiful forest of rhododendrons and pines with stunning views of Barpak and Boudha Himal. Lunch break at Momche Dada (2,880m) with panoramic views of Himal Chuli, Boudha Himal, Shringgi Himal, and the Ganesh mountain range. Descend towards the surprising "new" village of Laprak, built by the government after the earthquake and consisting of identical uninhabited houses. The original village of Laprak is amidst wheat, barley, and quinoa fields. Laprak is the second-largest village of the Gurung ethnic group and spans over 100m of altitude difference.

We traverse Laprak's maze of village paths and reach the Jyabru Khola. After crossing a suspension bridge, we ascend steeply, passing terraced fields of pink sorghum. The narrow trail, often obscured, winds around hillsides and leads us to a small chorten below the village of Singla. From here, the hike becomes more accessible, and we are treated to views of the Kutang Himal and Sringi Himal to the north. Our path continues through more terraced fields and papaya trees, through the Gurung village of Khorla, before winding down to Khorlebeshi on the Budhi Gandaki River. Take caution on the rocky steps before the long suspension bridge to Khorlabeshi. Be mindful of the local women weaving straw mats in the village. In the evening, we may receive a visit from the village's cultural ambassadors and experience another performance.

Today, we have a five-hour trek ahead. We'll start by walking along the river, surrounded by tobacco and buckwheat fields and admiring rocks smoothed by the river's flow. Our journey will involve climbing stone steps to reach the hot springs in the terraced village of Tatopani. Here, we can take some time to soak our weary bodies in the hot water and even go for a swim in the nearby icy river. After drying off on the lovely riverside beach, we'll embark on a gentle hike through the woods to a spectacular waterfall. We'll cross an old wooden suspension bridge and continue through a short section of forest path to reach Dovan. Above Dovan, the Budhi Gandaki River presents steep rapids. Our trail will take us high above the river and down through calmer waters. We'll cross the river on a long, new suspension bridge and climb stone steps to reach our camp below Jagat, the Manaslu Conservation National Park entrance. Before heading to camp, please take a moment to wander around the beautiful, paved village of Jagat and admire the pride of the villagers who have recorded their contributions to the paving projects.

After descending a series of stone steps from Jagat to the river, we climb up terraced hillsides to the hamlet of Saguleri where we can admire the stunning view of the 7,187-meter-high Sringi Himal. We traverse the picturesque village of Sirdibas and cross the river again on a long suspension bridge at Ghata Khola. The path splits, with the right branch leading to the Ganesh Himal. We continue upstream, making a steep climb to reach Philim. We cross the river at a narrow section on a new suspension bridge and then gradually ascend a wide hillside through an open forest, crossing the river twice more on poorly maintained bridges in the next two hours. The first bridge is at the intersection of the remote Tsum Valley, leading to Tibet. After trekking through dense woods for over an hour, we will pass the chilly campsite of Pewa on the river, and after another hour, we leave the gorge and climb briefly to the village of Deng. Deng is the starting point of the lower Nubri region, Kutang, where the people are ethnically Tibetan but speak a different dialect from the pure Tibetans of upper Nubri. We have views of the Lumbo Himal, Lapuchen, and Dwijen Himal. It's worth visiting the upper floor of a local house for a glass of "chang" (Tibetan beer) and a chat by the hearth.

We switch back steeply to the small and impoverished village of Lana, where the women often have their looms set up. After trekking through beautiful pine woods and crossing a small bridge, we will reach Bihi Phedi with its good shop and views of the Kutang Himal. We start to see "mani stones" (prayer inscriptions on rocks), which indicate that we are entering one of the small Tibetan communities that dot the high Himalayas. We have three to four hours of trekking ahead of us, crossing the Budi Gandaki River twice and smaller tributary streams twice. We will remain mostly high, with many ascents and descents as we move through the gorge, enjoying the spectacular views. Finally, we will reach Ghap and set up camp for the night at the house of some friendly villagers.

Today's trek adventure is magnificent. We depart from Ghap and ascend for an hour through a dense, cool forest, crossing the Budi Gandaki River via a wooden bridge and climbing smooth stone steps until we reach Namrung, located at an altitude of 2,540 meters. As we continue to climb, we enter alpine terrain and are rewarded with sweeping mountain views. Tibetans who speak a western Tibetan dialect live in the region of Nubri, which starts with Namrung village. A few hours later, we arrive at Lihi, a village located at 2840 meters above sea level, which houses an ancient gompa and is surrounded by fields of barley guarded by "bear watches.". Our trek continues at a gentle pace, and we soon cross a large stream flowing from the Lidanda Glaciers to reach the picturesque Tibetan village of Sho, located at 3000 meters, where we stop for lunch. After an hour, we reach Lho, greeted with stunning views of Manaslu.

As we walk through the upper reaches of Lho, with the majestic peaks of Manaslu in the distance, we come across the new gompa and then ascend through a light forest next to a small river to reach the idyllic Tibetan settlement of Shayla, where the villagers are often working in the fields. A few more hours of trekking through classic alpine scenery takes us past Tibetan grazing settlements, with the trail to Pung Gyan Gompa branching off to the left. We eventually reach Sama Gaon, passing through checkered fields of barley and potatoes. The people of Sama Gaon are descendants of Tibetans who settled here over 500 years ago. The Tibetan villages in this region of Manaslu are characterized by their distinctive entrance gates (manes), and they maintain active trade with their Tibetan co-religionists over several nearby high passes. On a clear day, you may see village women weaving wool from Tibet into gowns, then trading back to Tibet. Spend the afternoon exploring the old gompa settlement above the town and wandering the streets of the intriguing Samagaon village.

A day dedicated to acclimatization! We trek up to the Ramanan Kharka cirque (4000m) and get close to the glaciers in the stunning Pugyen Valley. When enormous and majestic peaks like Peak 29, Manaslu, and Himal Chuli are in the background, it is an unforgettable experience. We are in the heart of the Great Himalayas, surrounded by imposing mountains that few people ever go into. The trail continues as a beautiful balcony towards the Sama plateau, where we settle in a lodge in the heart of the Tibetan village of Samagaon.

A morning visit to the monastery offers the opportunity to hike towards Birendra Kund glacial lake, located at the foot of the Manaslu glacier. The easy walk to Kermo Manan, with its very long mani wall, leads to an alpine-style valley that gently rises towards a typical Tibetan village. After crossing a small bridge, a short but steep climb brings you to the most beautiful village on the tour: Samdo, with 200 inhabitants. Tibet is easily accessible via Lajing Banjyang, and the people of Samdo, who are of Tibetan origin, still regularly trade with families and grandparents living in Tibet. This superb and welcoming village is an ideal place to discover and rest..

The journey begins with a wooden bridge crossing the Budhi Gandaki River, leading to the abandoned Larkya Bazaar. The path continues through the Salka Khola valley until reaching Larkya Phedi, also known as Dharmasala. The imposing Samdo Peak provides a striking backdrop, while the Manaslu summit offers a glimpse into mountaineering challenges and triumphs. The Larkya glacier, a frozen river, accompanies the journey, showcasing the passage of time and nature's resilience.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek begins with a trek through the Larkya glacier moraine, passing through rugged trails and stunning landscapes. The journey leads to a serene lake, just before Larkya La, which serves as the base camp for the majestic Larkya Peak. From this vantage point, we enjoy panoramic views of the peak, which are awe-inspiring and fill us with anticipation for the climb ahead. Larkya Peak is not just a breathtaking backdrop but also the ultimate goal of the climbing expedition. The combination of challenging terrain, glacier moraine beauty, and serene lakeside base camp makes this journey an unforgettable adventure.

We ascend the Larkya glacier through boulder fields and ascend the glacier to reach the High Camp. Our guide ensures safety by fixing ropes and lines on steep sections. We set up tents on snow-covered ice fields at 5,650 meters, facing Thulo Larkya Peak at 6,249 meters. The High Camp serves as a crucial staging ground, allowing individuals to attempt the summits of Sano Larkya Peak and Thulo Larkya Peak individually. This extended stay allows for acclimatization and preparation for the challenges ahead.

Sano Larkya Peak, at 5,807 meters, is a technically challenging climb, but the ascent to Thulo Larkya Peak is easier. The climb is gradual and often involves breaking snow. The summit offers stunning views of the Manaslu and Annapurna ranges. After enjoying the panoramic view, we return to High Camp for lunch before continuing to Base Camp for the night. This full-day adventure in the Manaslu region combines the thrill of the climb with the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas.

The team has added an extra day to their schedule to allow for recovery time for climbers with acute mountain sickness (AMS) or weather conditions that may delay the final push to the summit of Larkya Peak. This flexibility allows for timely and informed decisions, ensuring the safety and well-being of the entire team. Although the extra day may not be needed if the weather cooperates, it ensures preparedness for unexpected challenges and a better chance of reaching the summit.

The journey begins with a gradual ascent of the glacier, leading to the first Larkya La pass. From this point, we can see a stunning panorama of peaks like Larkya Peak, Cheo Himal, and Hindu Peak, as well as the Himlung, Kangguru, and Annapurna II. After a short climb, we reach the second summit of Larkya La. The descent is steep and challenging, often made more slippery by loose scree. Micro-spikes are useful for traction in snow or ice, and we must navigate through landslides. As we descend, we see Pongkar Tal, a stunning blue-colored glacial lake. The descent becomes easier once we reach Larche, where we follow the valley down to Bimthang, enjoying a more manageable slope.

On this chilly but beautiful morning, the sun hits the peaks around us long before we reach the campsite. Leaving the grazing fields of Bhimtang, we cross a boulder-strewn river and head down through open forests of brilliantly blooming rhododendrons, past the Kharka below Bhimtang. We'll stop for lunch at a small tea house before continuing along the rocky riverbed and sliding hillsides to several small, green villages—a sign that we've reached lower altitudes. After a long but scenic day, we eventually reach the large village of Tilje, which has a mix of Manangis (of Tibetan descent) and Chettris (Hindus), resulting in unique architecture and culture and a diverse cuisine including Dal Bhat, buckwheat dhiro, tsampa, and Tibetan salt tea.

A long day awaits us; we will have to get up early!!! We will change our mode of transportation and board jeeps that will take us down the Marsyangdi gorges to the bustling town of Besisahar. From there, we will take a bus that will bring us directly to Kathmandu, crossing beautiful landscapes of terraced rice fields with the snowy peaks of the Annapurnas and Manaslu in the background. We will arrive at the hotel in the evening for our final group dinner.

Today, we have a free day to explore the vibrant city of Kathmandu on our own. You may want to spend the day indulging in some souvenir shopping, wandering around the colorful streets and bazaars, or enjoying the local cuisine. You could also visit some of the popular tourist attractions in the city, such as Bhaktapur or Patan, which showcase Nepal's rich cultural and historical heritage. Alternatively, you could engage in other activities like hiking, biking, or adventure sports, or simply relax and rejuvenate in one of the city's many spas and wellness centers. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to soak up the unique sights, sounds, and flavors of this wonderful city.

Today, we will transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for our departure. After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we will gather our belongings and go to the airport. We will ensure we reach the airport well in time to complete all the necessary formalities and board our flight. Before we bid farewell to this enchanting country, take one last look at the breathtaking views of the Himalayas and take a moment to appreciate the warm hospitality and kindness of the Nepalese people. This marks the end of our tour, and we hope you had a memorable and enjoyable time in Nepal.