Manaslu Trail Run

Namaste and welcome to Kathmandu, the colorful capital of Nepal where ornately carved balconies mingle with beautiful shrines and temples. Our adventure begins with a welcome meeting upon arrival at the exit gate of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport.  Look out for Pure Trail’s palm plate. We will be transferred directly to our hotel in Thamel (the tourist quarter of Kathmandu). We will then be free to spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel. There will be a welcome dinner for the group. This will be an opportunity to meet our team mates and the other trekkers.

After breakfast, set off to explore the fascinating city of Kathmandu, with its temples and markets, or take an optional excursion (which can be booked locally through our Nepal office) into the Kathmandu Valley. You will also need to use this day to prepare for your trek: make last- minute purchases of kit / snacks; buy a local SIM card and have it installed into your mobile phone for the duration of the trek; change currency into Nepalese Rupees.  In the early evening, there will be a briefing about the trek; we will meet our trekking Guides and be issued with our Restricted Area permits

Following an early breakfast, we will set off from the hotel by 4WD (depends on group size), stopping off for short refreshment breaks along the way and lunch at Mugli (on the Kathmandu-Pokhara road). After we leave main road, the road to (Gorkha District) via Arughat Bazaar becomes rather rough as we leave the main road; expect some delays. The route, however, is very beautiful: very green, passing alongside rivers and hilly. We drive through Arughat Bazaar, a large village with lodges and shops, to the starting point of our trek at MacchaKhola, where we stay overnight

MacchaKhola sits on the banks of the Budi Gandaki river, which we’ll follow almost to its source. The first day used to be almost flat (Nepali flat), on good (if rough) trails with plenty of ups and downs. We’ll pass rice fields and run through small villages. This will likely be the warmest day. We reach Jagat, a pretty village with a paved way through it (sadly soon to be a road), stopping briefly at a water.

Again today we’re following the course of the Budhi Gandaki river with many short climbs and descents. The rice paddy fields will disappear to be replaced by millet, barley and maize.

Today’s start will be fast and flat for the first minute. Then we descend steeply to cross the river over a suspension bridge (walking please!) and then it’s a steep uphill again to reach a high traverse that follows the river’s course. We’ll pass villages of Bihi, Ghap and then have a long, steady climb.

Again there’s a downhill start to the day. We reach the village of Sho and the trail levels out. There is a short climb up to Lho, a village with a huge monastery and an awesome (first) view of Manaslu. We’ll make a climb up to Shyala (3,500m) for a water point before leaving the main. The route crosses a large plain and the village nestles in a kind of bowl.

Today is a bright an early start to marvel at sunrise on Manaslu (cloud dependent) and after a leisurely breakfast, comes the run. After a kilometer of fairly level but rising trail, we turn off to head towards Manaslu Base Camp. This day is good for the acclimatization. There is also a CAN’s Health post at Samagaun.

The trail to Samdo starts with a climb up through forest. Later the trail opens by a lake and a cold wind can pick up. Carrying some warm clothes in your backpack is recommended, if you haven’t done so before. We follow the Budhi Gandaki in a northwesterly direction to Samdo, the last inhabited village before the Larkya La. We walk through yak meadows with dozens of long mani walls. The gain in height is noticeable and there are still a few steep climbs in the last part of the trail.  After Hot lunch we have plenty of time to hike around near the Tibetan border.

Leaving Samdo we cross the stream which runs down from the Gya La, another pass crossing into Tibet. We pass the ruins of another village here (known as Larkya Bazaar) which once had a thriving trade with Tibet over the nearby passes. Nearing the Larkya Glacier, we reach Duwang (4450m) also known as Dharamsala, where there is a small and quite basic Tea House (at 4450m). This place is also referred to as Larkya Phedi which means the 'foot of Larkya' and this is where the climb to the Larkya La begins. We check into the Tea House (Dormitory) but we may also opt to stay in shared tents here and eat in the lodge.

Note: on this day, we have to be very careful with the food, therefore our trekking guide will advise you the suitable meals.

The views are incredible from this route and this is the last day up high. Previously we’ve walked this stage and continue with the decision not to race it. If you’re strong you can feel free to run it at your own pace, or in a group of similarly able runners.

This is the final day for the race. From the gorgeous flat ground of Bhimtang with its mountain views, we plunge along a technical forested trail with a lot of descent. The start is always cold in Bhimtang. The place is surrounded by mountains and glaciers – the cold air sinks from the pass you crossed yesterday.

After breakfast, we get into a 4WD (local jeep) that takes us to Besisahar. We pass characteristic villages such as Tal and Chame and Jagat. We drive to Besisahar, where the dirt road turns into an asphalt road. From Besisahar, where we Lunch, there is an asphalt road and driving by 4WD is (slightly) faster. At Dumre we reach the road that runs from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The road passes over into Kathmandu valley can sometimes cause delays. After arriving in Thamel we can enjoy hot showers at our hotel, reflecting on the experiences of a special and memorable trip.

There is time today to shop for crafts and explore Kathmandu or the neighboring city of Patan (Lalitpur) across the river. Kathmandu Valley is blessed with many World Heritage Sites and Kathmandu is a great place to buy gifts! Tonight, there will be a celebratory farewell dinner.

We say Namaste; for memories that will last a lifetime. There are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. For your final departure, our staff will pick you up from the hotel and transfer to Kathmandu airport approximately 3 hours prior to your international flight time.