Manaslu Annapurna Circuit Trek

Manaslu Annapurna Circuit Trek is a wonderful tour that links the Manaslu area with the Great Barrier near Jomsom in the northern Annapurnas. Manaslu Annapurna Circuit Trek begins at the base of the ascent to Manaslu via its North Face, traverses two of Nepal most remote passes, and involves crossing high mountain passes, before descending past Tilicho to Jomsom. The trek starts in the capital city, Kathmandu from where a bus journey to Arughat will take one along the Buri Gandaki River north to the village of Deng. Although quite broad initially, the valley soon narrows down and one finds the bus laboring above the river on fantastic paths which cling precariously to the hillsides.

This part of Nepal sees only a handful of trekkers each year and the trails are practically deserted. Further north the valley opens up to reveal delightful alpine meadows and small Tibetan villages that are arranged in a cluster beneath Manaslu sweeping North Face. The trail continues through Jagat, Gap Pu and Sho, typical Tibetan villages with rows of prayer wheels and Mani stones before eventually reaching Samagaon, the largest and most important village of this region. This village is a key staging post for expedition teams attempting to climb Manaslu and the sight of the mountain from here is outstanding. From Samagaon the trail heads west to cross the Larkya La (5135m), a classic pass linking the Buri Gandaki and the Marsyangdi valleys, with farm lands forming a part of the old trading route between Manang and Tibet. From the top of this pass,  looking towards Himlung Himal (7126m), one is rewarded with a stunning panorama of Manaslu and the Annapurna peaks, with the peaks of Ganesh Himal (7406m) in the east complementing the perfect view. The descent passes through the alpine meadows of Bimtang to join the renowned Annapurna Circuit at Thonje. Tillman first surveyed this region in 1950 on his reconnaissance of the Annapurnas.

After following the traditional Annapurna Circuit route for three days to Manang the trek continues to the remote Tilicho Lake and Meso Kanto La pass (5300m) sometimes called the Tilicho pass, which provides a direct route to the Kali Gandaki Valley. Tilicho Lake lies below the Great Barrier and it was this huge wall of snow and ice that thwarted Herzog initial approach to Annapurna in 1950. This fabled region has only just been opened up to trekking groups and ours will be one of the first groups to visit this area. Tremendous views of Dhaulagiri (8167m) can be seen as the trail descends to Jomsom, where an exciting mountain flight transports one back to Kathmandu.