| Trip code | |
| Package name | Lower Manaslu Trek in Nepal |
| Duration | 13 |
| Max. elevation | 3500 m |
| Level | EASY |
| Transportation |
|
| Accomodation |
3-night hotel in Kathmandu with twin/double sharing deluxe accommodation |
| Starts at | Kathmandu |
| Ends at | Kathmandu |
| Trip route | Kathmandu – Ghairung, Trek to Gorkha via Bungkot, Kaule Bhangar, Excursion Tour in Gorkha Palace, Gorkha Bazaar – Sirandada, Sirandada – Barpak, Barpak – Laprak, Laprak – Nambai Kharka, Nambai Kharka – Darche Danda, Darche Danda – Gyampesal via Sita Cave, Gyampesal – Kathmandu |
| Cost | USD 0 per person |
Lower Manaslu trek
The Lower Manaslu is a less crowded and more serene trek on the lap of Himalayas in the western part of Nepal, in the Gorkha district. It is named after Mount Manaslu (8163 m), the eight highest mountains in the world. It offers stunning views of peaks like Manaslu, Himalchuli, Ganesh Himal, and others. The trek takes you through remote traditional villages, dense forests of rhododendron, oak, and pine trees, terraced fields, and rich cultural heritages of the region. You will also have the opportunity to experience the local culture and lifestyle of the Gurung, Magars, and Tamang ethnic communities who reside in the region.
The Lower Manaslu trek is considered a moderate trek which involves some uphill and downhill sections. It is a fantastic journey for those who have limited time or prefer less strenuous trek and seeking a less crowded, culturally rich experience along with to witness the beauty of the Manaslu region.
1) Permits for Lower Manaslu Trek
1) Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
2) Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
2) Best time for trekking
Spring and Autumn seasons is the ideal time for the Lower Manaslu trek. These months offers incredible visibility of the mountains, stable weather, and clear skies. It’s a great time to witness the vibrant colors of nature and enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains.
3) Guides and porters
It is highly recommended hiring a licensed guide for the Lower Manaslu trek. Therefore, you can join us for a highly experienced, helpful, friendly, English speaking licensed guide with guide insurance. They provide valuable assistance, carry your belongings, share local knowledge, and allowing you to fully enjoy the trek.
4) Altitude sickness
While ascending quickly you may feel symptoms like nausea, headache, difficulty in breathing, increased heart rate, and uneasiness. And, if the symptoms persist for a longer duration then know that your body could not resist the altitude variation. So, if you feel these symptoms, please let your guide and your group know. Your guide will provide you with immediate first aid.
To minimize the risk of altitude sickness here are some guidelines:
Stop and rest where you are
Do not go any higher for at least 24 to 48 hours
Make sure you are drinking enough water
Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or exercise
5) Foods and lodging
During the trek, teahouses usually provide basic room with a bed and shared bathroom facilities. The beds have mattresses, pillows, bed sheets, and some blankets. Hot water is available for some additional charge. Most hotels now have geyser, otherwise you will get a bucket of warm water.
Tea shops and lodges provide plentiful and delicious foods to suit the preferences of various trekkers. All the food will be cooked by the local cook by using local vegetables so the taste would be very local. However, the many teahouses provide food with Nepali, Indian, Italian, Tibetan, and continental flavors.
6) Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend you to get travel insurance before going on a Lower Manaslu trek. Make sure that, your insurance covers high- altitude trekking, medical expenses, emergency evacuation by helicopter, trip cancellation, and loss or theft of personal belongings. It can offer you with peace of mind and financial protection in the event of an unforeseen accident.
You will be warmly welcomed at the airport by our office representative and then you will be transferred to hotel. Our staff will give a brief explanation of the program. This day you can stay within the hotel or enjoy the night at Thamel.
Today, you will visit many cultural heritage, which includes some of the famous world’s heritages like Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath stupa and many more. You can do shopping of various Nepalese cultural stuff on this day. And Back to the hotel for overnight.
After breakfast, we take a drive to Kurintar, for about 3 hours, along Manakamana with the bank of the Trishuli river. After lunch gathering at Manakamana bazaar, we begins the trek to Bakeswori Mahadeva temple (1515m) situated 2 Km north of Manakamana temple and trek goes until Pipalchap village at Ghairung VDC.
We start our trek to Gorkha Bazaar after breakfast. Bungkot is a historic birthplace of Lakhan Thapa, (the first martyr of Nepal). Many people visit Kaule Bhangar to pay tribute to the first martyr of the nation. Apart from the historical significance, other attraction is Lakhan Thapa memorial park built in the remembrance of the first martyr where a bust of the martyr has been caught up. The park has a collection of Lakhan Thapa’s belongings like swords and stone spout. fascinatingly, locals have stepped up efforts in preserving these work of arts with any external assistance. Majority of the population in the village is from the Magar community. Bungkot offers a homestay facility and a delicious gracefulness made with fresh and locally grown produce. From here, Gorkha Bazaar is 1.5 hours of walk, the district headquarter of Gorkha.
The historical Gorkha palace from where King Prithvi Narayan Shah initiated unification of modern Nepal is suspended one thousand feet above Gorkha Bazaar; the place dominates the surroundings and is visible from all surrounding area. It is regarded as a holy shrine. It also offers visitors with fantastic views of green valleys and the Himalayan panorama. Gorkhanath Cave is situated about 10m below the palace. The cave is believed to be the shelter of Gorakhnath Baba (great sage) after whom the district obtained its name. The sage was the guide of Shah dynasty who blessed and provided his precious guidance to the homestay for the fusion of nation. Gorkha museum is situated at Gorkha Bazaar. It has a wide range of pieces and personal belongings of King Prithivi Narayan Shah along with his 52 feet long chino. Apart from these collections is has also widened the of objects such as art, sculptures, coins and several other articles on display.
Bhachek is about 6 to 7 hours of bus/jeep drive from Gorkha Bazaar. Driving through curved mountain roads overlooking Daraudi River is a breathtaking experience. Sirandanda, the final leg of day four, is arrived after a short hike of one hour from Bhachek. A Hyolmo village, it is situated at the hilltop from where its name has been derived from Sirandanda. Major attractions of Sirandanda are Nage pokhari, Dudh pokhari, Bhot dodar, Chima, Dharadi and tea garden. It also offers a splendid view of sunrise and a stunning Manaslu range. The village has a rich diversity of medicinal herbs also.
After a walk of about 1.5 hours towards Northeast in Mathar village lies Ghyachowk. A. The destination for the fifth day i.e. Barpak village is at a walking of about 4 and a half hours from Ghyanchowk. On route to Barpak are Dewalsara, Sum river, Daraudi river, Goje and Alagang.
While on way to Laprak, one will come across Basukang. Laprak village is located at Laprak VDC is a landslide defenceless zone. The rain triggered a landslide in 1999 swept away houses and about 12 hectares of cultivated land. The most notable character of Laprak is the wooden-roofed houses which bear a uniform look in the entire VDC. Laprak, a typical Gurung village, is also a pit stop for the Manaslu trekkers.
The Kharka arrives after a moderate walk of 4 hours from Laprak. The Kharka is an open pasture land with few temporary houses of Laprak which provides them shelter during plantation and harvest period of potatoes. Trekkers need to be self-sufficient for food and lodging. There is no toilet facility as well. During the stay in Nambai Kharka, it is advised that one should stick with a vegetarian diet as local believe that slaughtering of animals will bring ill to the trekkers.
Darche, the highest point of the lower Manaslu trekking route, offers an awe-inspiring 180-degree panoramic view of more than 20 Himalayan peaks. Among Gurung community, Darche Danda holds a religious significance. They offer prayer to the hill holy being to avoid natural calamities. Also, no felling of trees is allowed in the area. It is also believed that if tourist offer prayer to the hill holy being, they will be blessed with clear visibility and will ward off bad luck while on a trek. Some of the well-known peaks that can be viewed from the top of Darche are: Annapurna, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Bharatsikhar, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, Lamtang, Himalchuli, Buddha Himal, Sarang peak, Malhunti peak, Babu Himal, Sringi Himal, Ganesh I, Ganesh II and Ganesh II among many others.
The famous cave Sita Cave is reached after walking down 1.8 Km from Tallo Thotneri. The cave is situated at 1165m. It is surrounded by dense forest, which holds religious importance among Hindus and it is one of the major tourist attractions. Every year during Ram Navami, thousands of Hindu devotees gather to pay homage to Lord Ram. It is believed that goddess Sita, (wife of Lord Ram) spent some time and stayed here. The caving experience in Sita Cave is thrilling and daring. After touring the cave we end the day in Gyampesal, the final destination of the trek, which is few hours walk from for the Sita cave for an overnight stay on camp or homestay with full board meal (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner).
After taking a hot breakfast, we take a drive to Gorkha Bazaar at sharp 8 am which is about of 2 and a half hours from Ghyampesal. Bus services are available on a regular interval from Gorkha to Kathmandu which is 6 hrs of journey. We will also transfer you to the hotel for overnight.
It is your departure day, also the last day in the land of Nepal. On this day we will drop you to the International airport to grab your flight back to your home and pray for your Safe journey.