Manaslu Expedition 2021

These two days have been kept in Kathmandu for final preparation of Climb. Meet other team members, complete official and government formalities, final gear check and load. Upon your interest, an optional Kathmandu sightseeing can be arranged on these days.
We will have a trip orientation and your trip leader will give you a brief about your climb before we head to our journey.

After breakfast, it’s an early drive today for Sotikhola. In the course of the drive, we enjoy views of Nepal’s colorful rural landscapes along with the mountain scenery that’s evident throughout our journey. We will be driving on a well tarred road from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi, district headquarter of Dhading (1050m) but the drive from Dhading Bensi to Arughat will be on a roughshod road. On reaching Arughat, a major town in the region, we drive further down to Sotikhola.

The land seems to change as we hike on, the broad valley narrows and at some places the trail is slit into the steep valley sides, which has thick foliage forest. We pass a few dotted small villages, tucked into the hillside, until we reach a widening of the valley, opposite the point where a large branch stream enters the Budhi Gandaki River. The terraced farmland here belongs to the village of Lapbesi. We descend once again to the wide, sandy riverbed and follow a route which runs below the steep, rocky valley side. At length, we have to climb up once again on a trail to Machha Khola, a settlement which has a number of teashops.

The slender trail makes some minor ups and downs and eventually crosses the Tharo Khola, reaching Khorlabesi. After some ascending and descending we come across a small Hotspring in Tatopani. From the hot spring, we climb over another ridge, then cross the Budhi Gandaki on an airy suspension bridge. At this juncture, we climb on a wide, well-crafted staircase, then across a landslide and over a ridge to Dobhan. Upon 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. Crossing the west bank of the Budhi Gandaki, we climb over a ridge, trek along the river and then climb towards the village of Jagat.

After descending a chain of stone steps to the river, we climb a terraced hill to Saguleri, from where we can see the impressive Sringi Himal (7187m). The path splits, with the right-hand branch heading off towards the Ganesh Himal while crossing the river at Gata Khola. Our route continues upstream, through a gorge with tall walls. We cross the river thrice in the next two hours to avoid difficult valley sides and then climb up over a further steep spur to reach the village of Deng.

After a short walk beyond Deng, we cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb to Rana at 1910m. From the bridge, we climb a bit to join a trail from Bhi, then head west up the Budhi Gandaki valley. The trail also passes through forests and mani where we turn towards a corner that contours to Ghap. Despite an alternative route, we take the route through Prok village. Prok village has a viewpoint for a beautiful sight of Siringi Himal. We further cross the Budi Gandaki several times today and come across several gompas en route. The trail follows the river upstream through a dense forest. After crossing the river at an impressive spot where it gushes down a narrow gorge, the forest becomes less dense and the trail is all right again. The pleasant walk continues and after a last steep climb we reach Namrung.

On leaving the village of Namrung behind, we follow the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. As we continue on the main trail, we soon reach the fields of Sama Gaon, 3500m. We reach Sama Gompa, 20 minutes beyond the village and Samdo, which is close-up to the Tibetan border.

This is a day at Samagaon for rest and acclimatization. Today we get to discover some interesting things about Buddhist culture. We enjoy the sight of thousands of mani stones with Buddhist texts and pictures and women clad in traditional clothes and ornaments. On a little hill near Sama village is an old Gompa (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 later they met with a lot of resistance that they had to give up their attempt. They were finally successful in 1959.

We will take approx. 5 hours of uphill trek and 3 hours of decent to reach Manaslu Base Camp. We will start our trek early in the morning. We will carry plenty of food and water. In peak season, the base camp site is crowded with tents, guides, porters and climbers. The trail from Samagaon takes us through forest. We will ascend the steep slope above Samagaon to the north of Manaslu glacier. The final section of the ascend is the steepest on a slippery trail on a tapered moraine. We will enjoy the panoramic views of surrounding mountains. Stay overnight in Manaslu Base Camp.

It is recommended to take rest so that you can mentally and physically prepare yourselves for the challenges proposed by Manaslu Mountain. Puja Ceremony will be organized according to the Sherpa ritual to ask for blessings for the successful ascend of Manaslu.

During these days, we will make frequent attempts to high camps and return to lower camps which is an essential step towards increasing altitude. We will make slow ascend through the steep sections of moraines and glaciers. We will prepare 4 camps before climbing to the summit.

Base Camp to Camp I:
After few days of acclimatization and training in Base Camp of Manaslu, we will make ascend to Camp I (5,700m/18,701ft) via the rugged path consisting of moraine and glacier. The trail stretches through crevassed glaciers and small ice steps to reach Camp I. The site offers epic views of surrounding mountains. You can also view the route that you are going to follow to Camp IV.

Camp I to Camp II:
Climb from Camp I to Camp II (6,400m/20,998ft) is bit technical in nature. The trail progresses through the longer sections of vertical snow and ice. We will move forward by cutting small ice steps and the expert Sherpas will set up fixed ropes on exposed sections for your safety. Climbing from Camp I to Camp II may take anywhere in between 4 to 6 hrs.

Camp II to Camp III:
It takes 5 to 7hrs of moderately steep climb to reach Camp III (6,900m/22,638ft) from Camp II. We will proceed through small ice steps and slopes. The route is mostly straightforward.

Camp III to Camp IV:
Another 5 to7 hrs of strenuous climb from Camp III will be enough to take us to Camp IV. We will take proper rest and prepare for the final climb to the summit.

Camp IV to Summit and return to Base Camp:
Climb to summit is not technical but it demands great physical strength. Also, the increased altitude will propose additional challenges. Sherpas will fix the cables wherever necessary to ensure the successful ascend to the summit. Finally, we will be on top of the eighth highest mountain in the world. We will capture the memories in camera and then prepare ourselves for long descend to the Base Camp. We will celebrate the successful climb and stay overnight in Base Camp.

Arrange for proper disposal of the garbage we had made in Base Camp site and then we will retrace our route back to Samagaon where we will stay overnight.

We will leave for Kathmandu on this morning taking a helicopter flight back. We will take a scenic flight from Samagaon to Kathmandu. You will be transferred to your hotel after arrival in Kathmandu. Take leisure and soothe your aching limbs from a long and tiring expedition

Free and easy day to spend, perhaps doing shopping or rest at hotel’s beautiful court-yard. At eventide, we will relish a farewell dinner to celebrate your successful completion of the ‘Manaslu Expedition.’ While enjoying our supper, we will also be entertained to a scintillating cultural dance performed by the local belles
Please do not hesitate to let us know if you would like to extend your stay. Kindly email us for more details on extensions.

Finally, the undeniable day of departure arrives. You will be assisted in your last minute preparation. Our representative will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport three hours before your scheduled flight. Safe Journey!! We hope to see you again.