Why increase trekkers in Manaslu?

Manaslu is located Gorkha district of Nepal, northern from Kathmandu. The named Manaslu is known as the peak of Mt. Manaslu 8163 meters. Special permits per week US$ 100 per person are requiring to visit Manaslu however everyday why increase trekkers in Manaslu? There are many reasons discretion here:

Less trekking crowded: Manaslu is newly opened trekking area in Nepal. Manaslu from Jagat to Samdo continues to Larkye Pass – Bhimtan is opened from 1992 for trekking. It is also combined trekking Tsum Valley was open 2008. Many of trekkers doesn’t know that area so that less people are visit. Many trekkers are planning to do Annapurna or Everest or Langtang but less trekkers plan to visit Manalsu so that it is less people on the routes.

Control by Nepal government: The trekkers who has had been visit already in Nepal such as Everest trek, Annapurna trek, Langtang trek that alternative trekking is Manaslu. The trekking who are looking special trekking region nearby Kathmandu is Manaslu. It is expensive royalty to visit Mustang and its far way to visit Kachenjunga or Dolpa area. The access to Manaslu are easy and it is near from Kathmandu. It is possible drive from Kathmandu to Aarughat- Arkhet- Sotikhola within 6-8 hours by bus. In dry season the road goes to Machhekhola so that the trekkers can customize their treks. The cost for transport is less than to visit Kanchenjunga or Dolpa so that many trekkers are choosing Manaslu Larkye pass trekking. The Nepal government is charge per week per person US$ 100 in autumn season and other season US$ 75 per week per person. Comparing to others trekking regions the cost of permit fee also is not expensive.

Rich of culture, festival and their customs: The people who want to do trekking are looking the culture, festival and their customs. The life style of the trekking areas. Manaslu is one of the unique live culture areas. There are mix culture Hinduism and Buddhism. You can meet the people one the beginning of trekking is Hindus people and their custom. And on the upper part of trekking can see the Tibetan culture and festival. Every village have Monastery, they have their on custom to celebrate the festival and local fair. The culture of the people in the region is equally unique with most people of Tibetan origin following Buddhism. Economically, the people rely on agriculture and animal husbandry system, and are very dependent on natural resources for firewood, timber and medicinal plants. They are also engaged in trade and tourism related enterprises. Agricultural production is very limited due to limited agriculture land, lack of irrigation, low temperature for long periods and low rainfall. The rich cultural heritage is evident in the several large Buddhist monasteries like Shringi Gompa in Bihi, as well as Mu and Rachen Gompas in Chhekampar. Local examples of the harmony between religion and environmental conservation can be seen throughout the region, as Lamas (religious leaders) from the monasteries prohibit any kind of violence against wildlife.

Diversity of land, flora and fauna, wild animals: There are about 9,000 inhabitants living in Manaslu Conservation Area and over 2,000 species of plants, 39 mammals, 201 birds, 3 reptiles and 11 butterflies in 11 types of forest have been reported from the area. Ecologically MCA has a diverse range of habitats which boasts many rare flora and fauna such as Snow leopard, Lynx, Musk deer, Red fox, Jackal, Brown bear and their prey species such as Blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan serow, Wooly hare and Himalayan marmot. It is also home to a variety of birds like Snow partridge, Tibetan snowcock, Chukor partridge, Himalayan griffon, Golden eagle, among others, including diverse plant communities.

Standing eight highest mountains the world: Manaslu is 8167m height. It is the eight highest mountains in the world. So the trekker wants to see the top of eight peak and run the father of Manaslu. To visit Manaslu base camp and see the hug glacier is one of goal to do Manaslu trek.

Heart teaching Mountain View: Manaslu has a lot to offer to trekkers, from the beautiful scenery of the majestic Himalayan ranges and high altitude glacier lakes to rich biological and cultural diversity. The Himalayan view can see from Aarughat continues to end your trek to Besi sahar. You are very near the ranges of Himalaya and to cross the high pass so that it is very important to visit Manaslu once in a life. Not only White Mountain, can you see the green mountain with beautiful river valley which makes your trek enjoyable.

Can observation the Tibetan platoon: If you have want to see the land of Tibet, no worry you can do from Manaslu trek. Just you need one extra day to touch the land of Tibet. From Samdo trek to Tibetan boarder and return to Samdo is possible within one day. It is bit long day walking more than 8-10 hours. So trekkers who want to see the Tibetan landscape they want to do trek in Manaslu.

One of the beautiful high pass: The trek begin from Aarughat (before) Sotikhola (now a day) which is 900m altitude upto Jagat-Lho-Samagau-Samdo- Dharmasal than to cross the high passes call Larkye Pass 5213m to reach another valley to Bhimtang. From Bhimtang trek is Dharapani to catch the way to Annapurna conservation area. It is includes the high pass Larkye Pass on that trek so that the adventure lover want to do that trek. The pass is not difficult however it’s long and cross the mountain terraces.

That is why many people are planning to visit Manaslu. So now you ready to visit Manaslu, How to go Manaslu?? Well, you need special permit through the registered trekking agency/company with MCAP and ACAP permit than the guide take you by bus or private Jeep to Sotikhola and start trek to Manaslu area. After crossing the high pass is catch the way to Besi Sahar and drive to Kathmandu.

Here are routes:
Day 01: Day 02: - Arrive in Kathmandu, prepare for trekking, collect special and other permits, overnight in Kathmandu Hotel.

Day 03:- Kathmandu to Aarughat continues to Sotikhola by local bus 6-9 hours, or private Jeep, overnight at hotel.

Day 04: to Day 12:- Trek to Machhekhola – Jagat- Dyang – Namrung – Lho - Samagau – Samdo – Darmasala, overnight at Lodge.

Day 13:- The challenging day of your trek, to cross the high pass Larkye pass 5213m and to reach to Bhimtang, overnight at lodge.

Day 14 to Day 16: trek to Besi sahar, overnight at Lodge.

Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu by bus or private Jeep, transfer to hotel.

Day 18: On way journey to home.

Note: The itinerary is subject to change. It is possible Kathmandu to Kathmandu within 12 days 18 days. It is also possible to combine the trekking to Tsum Valley, which you need extra 5-7 days. On the way, it is available lodge/Guest house. The meals is possible on the lodge/hotel and trial side restaurants.

By Suman Neupane