Rupina La Pass Trek

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by a representative from Manaslu Tours who will transfer you to your hotel. To start your journey on a high note, we will be hosted for a welcome dinner in the evening, featuring authentic Nepalese cuisine and a warm welcome drink.

• SWOYAMBHUNATH, also known as the monkey temple, is climbed by a long set of steps and has great 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 a nutritious breakfast, set off on a 5-hour drive to Gorkha Bazar. During the journey, marvel at the picturesque landscapes, cross over sparkling streams and follow the winding banks of the Darundi Khola. In the evening, embark on an excursion to the historic Gorkha Durbar, located on a hilltop. From this vantage point, take in panoramic mountain views and bask in the warm glow of a breathtaking sunset.

After having a big breakfast this morning, embark on a trek to Barpak. Drive along the Darundi Khola and Ranglung Khola to reach the village. The drive from Ranglung Khola to Barpak is steep, but the destination is worth it. Barpak is a stunning village located on a green ridge with stunning views of the misty valley below. In the evening, you may have the opportunity to experience a cultural show organized by the villagers, with proceeds going towards improving the village. The towering Bouddha Himal, a high snow-capped peak, provides a beautiful backdrop for sunrise and sunset photos.

An early morning ascent in Barpak with Bouddha Himal as a stunning background begins. Three hours later, the peak of Pushu Dada (2,950m), which separates Laprak and Barpak, is reached and offers panoramic mountain views and sheep grazing on the hillside. The breathtaking sight spans the Bauddha Himal, Sringi Himal, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang ranges across the horizon. The surroundings are dotted with rhododendron forests in shades of pink and red, providing excellent photo opportunities with snow-capped peaks in the background. The journey ends at the New Model village of Gupsi Pakha, built by NRNA.,/p>

Today, the journey continues along the ridges towards Rupina La, with challenging climbs and descents along the way. However, the stunning views throughout the day help to alleviate the physical strain. The night is spent in Nirtse Kharka.

Rupina La Phedi is a base camp located at the bottom of a vast circus, reached by crossing several torrents and following a rocky path along the Seko Khola. This location serves as a stopping point for trekkers who are preparing to cross a mountain pass, and spending the night here allows for proper acclimatization before continuing the ascent the next day.

This morning, the group embarked on a difficult hike, crossing a high altitude pass (4710 meters) for the first time. The climb up the pass was steep and challenging, with a poorly marked path, but upon reaching the top, the group was greeted with a stunning panoramic view of the Himal Buddha, Khutang, Shringi, and Ganesh Himal mountain ranges. The descent was even more difficult, particularly for the carriers, as it involved navigating down a steep scree and crossing alpine peat bogs. The group spent the night camping under tents.

This passage describes a day of trekking towards the Buddhi Gandaki valley in Nepal, with the Ganesh Himal range becoming increasingly visible to the east. The trek involves crossing part of the Chilung Glacier and following a path that alternates between climbs and descents. The day ends with the arrival at Gay Kharka, a small settlement in the area.

This passage describes a trek along a path that leads to the bottom of a valley. The trekker makes a stop at the Nyak gompa, which is located at an altitude of 2,300 meters and provides a peaceful respite from the outside world. The most rugged part of the trek ends at this point. After passing through one final rocky section, the trekker rejoins the main route taken by other groups and sets up camp for the night under a tent.

We switchback 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 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 Bhudi 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 along the way. Finally, we reach Ghap and set up camp for the night at the house of some friendly villagers.

Today's trek is a magnificent adventure. We depart from Ghap and ascend for an hour through a dense, cool forest, crossing the Bhudi Gandaki River via a wooden bridge and climbing smooth stone steps until we reach Namrung, located at an altitude of 2540 meters. As we continue to climb, we enter alpine terrain and are rewarded with sweeping mountain views. Namrung village marks the beginning of Nubri, an area inhabited by Tibetans who speak a western Tibetan dialect. 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, where we are 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 potato. 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 weather day, you may see village women weaving wool from Tibet into gowns, which are then traded back to Tibet. Spend the afternoon exploring the old gompa settlement above the town and wandering the streets of the intriguing Samagaon village.

Hike to Birendra lake and Manaslu Base Camp (2-3 hours walking)

Another day of breathtaking mountain views awaits as we embark on a leisurely three-hour trek to Samdo, passing through the rugged birch forests of the Himalayas. On the way, we come across the long mani walls at Kermo Kharka and eventually spot the entrance chorten of Samdo perched high on a bluff. After descending to the Bhudi Gandaki and crossing a small bridge, we face another brief ascent to reach the "kane" entrance of Samdo. In the last village, we have the opportunity to visit a small home gompa located in a house, where several reincarnated lamas are performing a puja. At this high altitude, the evenings can be chilly, so we recommend stopping by the tea-house next door to our campsite for a cup of warming salt-butter tea to combat the cold.

We set out from Samdo and follow the old trade route toward Tibet. After crossing a bridge, we ascend through the remnants of Larkya Bazaar, a once-thriving trade market. As we climb for three hours past glaciers, the panoramic views become increasingly stunning. Our destination is the campsite at Dharamsala, the high camp for the Larkya La pass. Here, we take a lunch break and savor the breathtaking vistas. The altitude and cold can be intense, so we suggest taking it easy in the afternoon and staying warm. We will have an early dinner to prepare for our journey over the Larkya pass tomorrow.

After ascending from Dharamshala, we arrive at the ablation valley on the north side of the Larkya Glacier. Here, we can see Cho Danda and Larkya-La. We traverse the glacier's moraines, often through snow, with a gradual climb that becomes steeper towards the pass. The journey to the summit should take around four hours. The view from the top is breathtaking, with a panoramic view of Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, Kangguru, and the massive Annapurna II. Both sides of the pass offer equally stunning views. After hanging Tibetan prayer flags, we embark on a steep and sometimes slippery descent to a trail along the glacier's moraines. We'll take a lunch break on smooth rocks below the pass before continuing our descent, which will take another three hours to reach our campsite. The rocky descent eventually leads us to Bhimtang, making the journey well worth it.

The hardest part of the journey is over. We leave the Bhimtang valley, cross the river and descend through the pine and Rhododendron forests. One of the most beautiful transitions on the track.

Today marks the conclusion of our trek. After a 1.5-hour journey, we arrived at Tilije, a large settlement inhabited by the Gurung people, who are renowned for their bravery and serve in select units of the British and Indian armies. Despite their military background, the Gurung are peaceful and grow delicious apples. Then, we descended for another 1.5 hours along the Dudh Khola river until it converged with the Marsyangdi river in Dharapani. After a 2-hour journey, we reached the charming village of Tal, where we will spend the night.

The drive from Tal to Kathmandu is an exciting and scenic journey that takes you through a range of landscapes. Starting from Tal, you'll descend down narrow roads, passing by small villages and farmland. The landscape gradually changes as you head towards Besisahar, the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit trek. The road then follows the Trishuli River, passing through the towns of Mugling and Narayanghat. After crossing the Trishuli River on a suspension bridge, the road climbs up towards the Kathmandu Valley, passing through suburbs and residential areas before arriving in the heart of the city. This journey covers a distance of around 200 km and takes around 9-10 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Along the way, you'll have ample opportunities to take in the stunning scenery and experience the diverse cultures and landscapes of Nepal.''.

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 the 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 make our way to the airport. We will ensure that we reach the airport well in time to complete all the necessary formalities and board our flight. Before we bid adieu 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.