Larkya Peak Climbing - 20 Days

You begin your journey in Kathmandu, the bustling capital city of Nepal. After landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be brought to your hotel by a representative from Mountain Treks Nepal. Kathmandu is an odd mix of ancient traditions and modern development: the narrow streets of Thamel thrums with the excitement of trekkers preparing for their journeys. You can feel this in the temples, stupas, and old architecture that are all over the country.

Take time to explore places such as Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) or Kathmandu Durbar Square. The day is also free to relax and rejuvenate after the journey. You will be granted a briefing session about what to expect from the expedition and have a chance to ask any questions about the days ahead.

On the second day of the Larkya Peak Climbing with Manaslu Trek, the final preparations will be made. You will meet the guide and support team to help you go over the itinerary, adjust any necessary equipment, and finally check that all the permits are ready (such as the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and TIMS card). It is also a perfect time to do some last-moment shopping in all the good stores in the trekking hub of Thamel for equipment and supplies. 

Explore the many cultural jewels of the city, given you have more than enough time. You can visit Pashupatinath Temple, the Boudhanath Stupa, and Patan Durbar Square such that you can get a glimpse of Nepal’s spiritual and artistic legacy. This is the day that also becomes very significant in acclimation to the Nepalese environment and with the preparation of the mind for the trek.

The third day takes you on a long but beautiful drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola. The first leg follows the Prithvi Highway, crossing lush green hills, terraced fields, and small towns. You move from the landscape of rural beauty with cascading rivers and rustic villages towards Arughat. Once there, the bumpy dirt road leads to Soti Khola, the place you now call a trekking start point.

Along the way, you’ll meet the Budhi Gandaki River, the lifeblood of this region, while catching glimpses of real local life. After a short hour of driving, you will finally reach today’s destination: Soti Khola. This peaceful settlement along the river is ideal for time off to prepare for walking. You can already feel the tranquillity around this place, which has beautiful greenery, preparing for the days ahead.

Today is the first trek day which begins from Soti Khola. The way eventually leads through luxuriant forests and terraced fields, as well as through a couple of tiny villages on the shores of the Budhi Gandaki River. The path is first rocky, then comes a slight incline, giving some adventure, followed by spellbinding views. 

Lapubesi is one such village where you may catch glimpses of the Gurung way of life in their typical houses and terraced farming activities. The trail, which passes by extending down rather steeply to a sandy riverbed and then crosses a suspension bridge, takes you to Machha Khola. This tiny river-formed settlement is ideal for a peaceful night’s rest, with roaring waterfalls overhead and the sometimes booming wilderness way down.

On the fifth day of the Larkya Peak Climbing with Manaslu Trek, you will hike to Machha Khola from Jagat. The more you head into Machha Khola towards Jagat, the deeper you’ll go into the Manaslu region. The trail goes up and down with evergreen forests, goes around ridges, and trails along the Budhi Gandaki River; cross a few suspension bridges, and you are at Khorla Besi village to Tatopani—the place known for its natural hot springs-the best spot to make a slight stopover.

As you continue, the way gets steeper as you go through verdant jungles and narrow gorges. Once at Jagat, your first contact with Tibetan influence will be seen in its architecture and culture. This small village is the gateway to the Manaslu Conservation Area, and the many cobbled streets and stone homes provide a very inviting atmosphere for trekkers.

Today’s journey traverses some absolutely beautiful paths through farms and subtropical forests. The first stretch of the path ascends from Jagat, with panoramic views reaching from hills to valleys. The moment you pass through Salleri and Sirdibas, prayer flags whistle in the wind, giving way to what seems to be the very presence of Tibetan Buddhist culture in the locality. 

This trail goes on to Philim, yet another quaint Gurung village with its quintessential old houses and terraced fields. The scene becomes much more dramatic with towering cliffs and the roaring waterfalls. After crossing the Budhi Gandaki several times, you come to Deng, a small village where you will stay overnight at a tea house.

Leaving Deng, the route rises through thick forests and alongside the Budhi Gandaki River. The air gets much cooler as you climb higher, and the landscape is suddenly transformed into an alpine beauty. The path leads into the village of Ghap, where the area shows a reflection of Tibetan Buddhist heritage in its wonderfully carved mani walls and prayer wheels. After traversing a few suspension bridges and trekking through rhododendrons and bamboo forests, you then come to Namrung, one of the important signs on your trek.

From the village, you can spot the majestic sights of Manaslu and other surrounding peaks. There are monasteries, chortens, and warm-hearted locals willing to share their stories steeped in rich traditions. Namrung is also a great place to recharge for the upcoming days.

The trail from Namrung to Lho is short, but like all the other trails in that area, its beauty is not in any way compromised. The view changes from the forest of fir and rhododendrons to and village like Lihi, where you will come across some ancient stupas and barley fields. Snow-capped peaks grow to provide a preview of the wonder ahead: Ganesh Himal and Himal Chuli are among them.

Even as you near Lho, the trail opens to seemingly unlimited views of Mount Manaslu itself. The village boasts a huge monastery located on the hillside, which is aptly a cultural jewel in and of itself. You can sit at the monastery and listen to the monks pray as you enjoy the tranquillity of the atmosphere. Manaslu views from Lho are fabulous, especially at sunrise and sunset.

The trail moves from Lho in beautiful scenery and with villages along the way. Next comes Shyala, where the peaks on the horizon include those of Manaslu, Himal Chuli, and Ngadi Chuli. The whole trek becomes spiritual as there is a peaceful environment, with prayer flags fluttering in the wind.

After this, you will be brought up to an expansive valley with a village known as Sama Gaon. The largest settlement in this trek, it is also its cultural hub. An old gompa with ancient mani walls and houses in the Tibetan style would be found within this village. The evening could be spent roaming or resting in this quiet village in preparation for the acclimatization hike.

The tenth day of the Larkya Peak Climbing with Manaslu Trek is a day for acclimatization before climbing to the Base Camp of Manaslu. Hiking up there from Sama Gaon, the trail becomes dramatically steep but shows beautiful vistas of the nearby peaks, like glacial moraine. It makes apparent the sheer size of Mount Manaslu, toward which it leads you.

The base camp, which offers a panoramic view of the Manaslu glacier and surrounding peaks, is later to soak in but does not take much to convince you to return in the evening to sleep at Sama Gaon; you could also visit the Pungyen Gompa, which is actually a calm monastery hiding in the valley. This allows you to acclimatize while getting to know some of the natural and cultural highlights of the area.

Today’s hike includes a short walk to Samdo, so you have time to attend to other things at a more leisurely pace. The path climbs slowly through yak grazing pastures, crossing the Budhi Gandaki River on a wooden bridge. The beauty and orphaned hills sitting against the dramatic backdrop of colossal peaks will be very clear for you to see.

Samdo is the last village before the crossing of the Larkya La Pass. The village is perched upon a ridge and allows for panoramic views of the mountains around. You’ll be able to get in touch with some locals here, many of which are Tibetan refugees, and discover their way of life that is much different from yours.

Today’s trek takes you even closer to the high mountains to reach Dharamsala, which is also known as Larkya Phedi. The trail keeps climbing by giving a view of the Larkya Glacier and rugged terrain path. If you keep an eye out, you may spot a blue sheep or two or catch a glimpse of some of the species that inhabit.

Dharamsala is a basic camping site for trekkers before the crossing of Larkya La Pass. Each view is magnificent and gives an ever-growing sense of adventure as you reach the high-altitude part of the trek.

Hiking from Dharamsala, the path winds up to Larkya Base Camp. It transforms from a dry, barren, rocky scenery at the back to snow-clad peaks that soon come to dominate the horizon. The scenes of the glacial moraines and ridges, along with breathtaking views of Larkya Peak, Manaslu, and other surrounding mountains, will appear. 

This high-altitude hike makes this stretch of the trek challenging, so gradual pacing and hydration are key. At Larkya Base Camp, you can access an amazing campsite with tall peaks surrounding it. The place is dramatic; the sight gives an air of excitement, considering that it is the mountaintop that these people would be heading toward. Spend the evening preparing for the climb that lies ahead while enjoying the serene mountain environment.

On the fourteenth day of the Larkya Peak Climbing with Manaslu Trek, you will hike to High Camp as you go through the rough, open and high-altitude scenery. With the nearing distance, the trail becomes narrow and difficult to deal with. You would be in sight of awesome views of the mountains, such as the Larkya Peak, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal.

High Camp is a basic campsite at high altitudes with a beautiful view of the surrounding peaks and valleys. This is the last stop before heading to the summit, so it is very important to relax and prepare your gear for this thrilling yet tough part of the trek, where the air is thin and the temperatures cold.

The summit day starts before dawn to get ready for climbing in favourable conditions in the morning. The climb carries steep slopes and icy surfaces, needing some technical climbing techniques. The higher you go, the more beautiful views you see of the Himalayas, which are dotted with massive peaks such as Manaslu, Annapurna, and Himlung Himal.

The top of Larkya Peak is undoubtedly the greatest summit to catch one’s breath, offering the most impressive views of all the other mountain ranges encircling it. After admiring the scenic beauty, you can start your careful descent to High Camp. This day is extremely tough physically as it is mentally as well but it is a fantastic memory because of that feeling of achievement and fantastic views.

The sixteenth day will serve as a buffer and safety net for bad weather or unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, this day would come in handy since conditions in the high Himalayas change without notice, and extra days assure safety and flexibility during summit attempts.

If not needed for climbing, today could be spent resting, visiting nearby places, or basking in the lovely mountain environment. Using their expertise, your guides will decide what to do on this day.

The descent to Bimthang is refreshing after climbing the Larkya. The trail first cuts across the alpine, then enters the lush forest. As one descends, the air gets warmer and soon is filled with the sight of glacial streams, rhododendron forests, and grassy meadows. Bimthang is a lovely little village tossed wide apart in an exquisite savanna view of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal and Cheo Himal. It is a place best enjoyed to dwell over oneself after climbing while enjoying the bliss lower down. Bimthang is a memorable part of the trek due to its tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty.

A hike from Bimthang to Dharapani is long but rewarding; it goes deeper into the lower Himalayan verdancy. The trail cuts through dense forest, with wooden bridges along the way, and at times, you walk along rushing rivers. You will find beautiful settlements such as Tilije, where the traditional culture of the region thrives. 

More and more busy settlements appear as one nears Dharapani. Here is an arrival point where Manaslu Circuit merges into Annapurna Circuit. After so many days of trekking without the hint of fellow travellers, the atmosphere at Dharapani is very lively and is a much-cherished break before the last leg of the journey.

On the 19th day of the Larkya Peak Climbing with Manaslu Trek, you will find yourself back in Kathmandu. The road passes around hills glimpsed through terraced farms, old traditional villages, and the Marsyangdi River. You will leave the mountains and reflect on the journey that you have finished-an incredible one. 

Kathmandu greets you for the successful end of a trek. The night will be spent over a farewell dinner or wandering through the electrifying streets of Thamel. Overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu.

You have already completed the Larkya Peak Climbing with Manaslu trek and it’s time to bid farewell and return to your home country. Our representative will help you escort to Tribhuvan International Airport from where you will board a flight to your home.