Trip Introduction

Gorkha, place  from where  unification  of  Nepal  was started  by  king  prithvi  narayan  shah, is the first capital of  Nepal. There are several  places  of historical archaeological  importance  in the district. Blessed  by natural splendor and landmark by  plethora  of historic , religious, ecological  and cultural  importance it has very potential to be featured  as one of the favored  touristic  destinations of the  country. How  ever , number of tourist  coming to this region  is limited. Besides  the manaslu  circuit trek , lower manaslu  route offer  mode rate trekking, historical tour, pilgrimage tour, agro tourism  and community  based home stay. The  local are also committed towards  development and promotion  of tourism  in the district.

Facts Of Trip

Trip Grade:Moderate

Best Month: March / May ,September / December

Per Day Average  walking : 5  hours

Trek Type: Full Tea house  and Camping  Trekking

Maximum Elevation: 3,260m

Duration :13 Days

Region:  Manaslu Region

The Route: KTM- Mankamana –Gorkha –Larpak - Gyampesal - Ktm

Mode of Travel: Ground transportation

Detailed  Itinerary

Day 01 Arrival  in Kathmandu

Welcome to the country of Top of The World! As you arrive in Tribhuvan International Airport, our representatives will receive you and transfer to the hotel and check into the hotel there is time for a cup of tea, shower and then a chance to see the tourist district of Kathmandu by night as we go for dinner before an early night!

Day 02 Sightseeing in Kathmandu

A day in Kathmandu where we will take you to Swayambhunath which is a Buddhist stupa and Monastery, which is over 2000 years old and one of the oldest in the world. Here is a great chance to see across the valleys, see some monkeys and begin to learn about this fascinating country. The afternoon will be spent getting for the trek and some time to relax and make sure all the kit and packing is complete. Also the first time you can go shopping which in Thamel is an adventure in itself!

Day 03: kathmandu-gairung ( 1090m.)-3 hours  drive, 10 minutes cable car and 5 hours trek

Manakamana  cable car station at kurintar  3 hours drive from Kathmandu  where a ten minute long  Nepal’s only  cable car leads to the manakamana devi temple at the hill top( 1315m asl.) the temple  dates back  to 17th century.  Manakamana  deve  is believed to  be the  wish  fulfilling  goddess  and every year  million of devotees from  Nepal and  abroad  pay visit to  this temple. Legend has it that a king of  gorkha  was  blessed  by the  goddess  to get victory over  small  kingdoms in  pursuit  of making a big ghorkha.

After session  at manakamana  bazaar, beings  the first leg of the trek  to bakyaswori  mahadeva  temple (1515m) situated  2 km north of manakamana  temple. It is believed  that  goddess  sati’s tongue  fell at bakyaswori   mahadeva, and  the shrine has spiritual power  to provide  speech  to speech less. According to the  priest, many mute children have gained  speech after offering   prayers to the shrineAbout 500m further  up hill is a  siddha  lakhan thapa (founder  of the manakamana temple) sacred  cave  which also  offers a magnificent  view  of manaslu  Himalayan  ranges. Right next to the cave is a 250years old temple built  during the  reign of king prithvi narayan  shah.After this, the trek  descends  to  tinmane  banjyang, a brief  stop for tea break. The village also offer a home stay facility.  Trek for  day one  concludes at pipalchap village at ghairung  VDC. No  commercial lodging  is available;  How ever  the village has a home  stay service   with genuine  local food and rooms.Main attraction  of the village is a temple dedicated  to Himalaya devi   which is visited by thousand of  devotees from different  parts  of gorkha. The temple bears  a big bell  dating  back to 1949vs (1886AD).

Day 04: Gorkha Bazaar via bungkot, kaule  bhangar  first martyr lakhan thapa village(900m)-5 hours.

Bungkot  is a historic birth place of lakhan thapa, the first  martyr  of Nepal. Lakhan  thapa (1891- 1933VS) was hanged  to death  with  friend  jai sing  chumi magar  at his own home  on falgun  to, 1933VS for opposing  the  tyrant  rana  regime. Many people visit kaule  bhangar  to pay tribute to the  first  martyr  of the nation.

A part from its historical significance, other  attraction  is a  lakhan thapa  memorial  park build  in the commemoration   of the first martyr  where a bust of the  martyr  has been stalled. The park  has a collection  of  loakhan thapa’s  belonging s like swords and  stone  spout  interestingly,  local have  stepped  up efforts  in preserving  these artifacts  without  any external  assistance.Majority  of the population  in the village  magar  community . bungkot  offers a home stay facility  and a delicious  delicacy mad  with fresh  and locally grown produce from  here  Gorkha Bazaar is  1.5 hour of  walk district  headquarter  of Gorkha. There  are several  options  accommodation -3star to budget hotel –in Gorkha Bazaar.

Day 05: Gorkha  excursion  

Gorkha  Palace

The historical Gorkha  palace from where king prithvi  Narayan shah initited  unification  of modern  Nepal is  perched one  thousand  feet  above  Gorkha  Bazaar;  the palace dominates  the surrounding  and is  visible  from all surrounding  area.  It is regarded as holy   shrine.  It also offers  visitors with fantastic  views of  green  valleys  and the Himalayan panorama. The palace also boasts beautiful architecture.

Gorkhanath  Cave

 The cave of Gorkhanath is situated  about 10m above  the palace. The cave is believed to be the shelter  of Gorkhanath  baba ( great  sage) after whom the district obtained its name. The  sage was  the guide  of shsh Dynasty  who blessed  and  provided  his  precious  guidance  to  the dynasty for the unification of nation.

Gorkha Museum

Gokha Museum is  situated at  Gorkha bazaar. It has a wide range  of artifacts  and personal belongings  of king prithvi  Narayan shah  along with  his 52 feet long chino  (birth detail).Apart from these collections  it has also wide range  of  objects  such as art  sculpture, coin and several other  articles  on  display.

Day 06: Drive and Trek from Gorkha  Bazaar –Sirandanda.(1900m).

Bhachek is about  6-7 hours of bus /jeep Drive from Gorkha Bazaar.Driving  through curvaceous mountain  roads overlooking  Daraudi  River  is a thrilling  experience.  Sarandanda , the final leg of day  four, is  arrived  after  a short  hike  of one hour  from  Bhachek.A Hyolmo  village, it is  situated  at the hill  top  from  where its name has  been  derived to Sirandanda Major attractions  of Sirindanda  are Nagepokhari,Dudpokhari,Bhot dodar, chima,  dharadi and tea garden. It also offers a magnificent  view  of sunrise and stunning  manaslu  range. The village has a rich  diversity  of medicinal  herbs like nirmasi, Jedamasi, jatamasi,  rato unyu,yarsagumbo  satuwa, etc. home stay facility is available in the  village. Agriculture produce  of the village is organic potapo and unprocessed tea leaves. It is one of the few villages in gorkha  district to produce its own tea (not a commercial production).Sirandanda  is struggling  to find its place in the tourist map despite the overwhelming  scenic  beauty of its landscape.

Day 07: Trek to Barpak village

After a walk of about one and half  hour  towards  Northeast  is Mathar   village  which is  at an elevation  of 1790m  asl . further  at a  distance  of 1.5 km lies  ghyachowk  a stopover  for  lunch  where one can ask  local to prepare lunch. The destination  for the fifth day  i.e.  Barpak  village is  at a walking  of about  4.5hours  from ghyachowk. En  route  to barpak  are dewalsara, sum River, daraudi River,  goje and Alagang.

Barak mostly in habited  by exarmymen , is also known as the village of late  Capt. Gage Ghale  who was  honored  with  Victoria cross medal. Gurung and  Ghale community   comprise the major  population  of this village. It  has all the  basic amenities such as  24 hour  electricity, internet  facility, medical service, and hotel. It has road access  and buses  from Kathmandu  commutes on daily  basis  (except monsoon  season). The unique  sloppy  shape with clustered  stone tile –roofed house, stone build narrow  alleys  and panoramic  view of Buddha himal  are the major attractions of Barpak. For accommodation, the village  offers well  organized home stay facilities along with standard hotel. Barpak has gained many national and  international acclaims –nominated as a unique destination  for Nepal  tourism year 2011; provide d their warm  hospitality  to many noted  personals , among  them is German Chancellor Dr Roman   Herzog. 

Day 08: Trek to Laprak  village 2100m)-6 hours walk

While on way to Laprak , one will  come across  Basukang(a junction that also leads  to rupinala pass –famous destination  among Manaslu  trekkers ).Laprak village (28.29 N and  84.78 E) Located at paprak VDC  is a landslide vulnerable zone (Gurung , et  al. 2011). The rain triggered  landslide  1999 swept away houses  and about  12 hectares of  cultivated  land. Since  then, the villagers  are living in  constant  fear (usually during the summer  monsoon). More damages were  reported  in 2002,2006,and 2007 due  to landslide, Gurung , et  al.2011).

Unlike  other villages  of  Nepal , all 9wards  of the VDC  are clustered  together. The temperature  is warm  and cool  from April  to October  and cold and snowfall  from November  to march. The most  notable  character  of laprak  is the wooden  roofed  houses which  bears  a uniform  look in the entire VDC. Laprak . a typical  Gurung  village, is also pit  stop for the Manaslu  trekkers. There  are two  hotels  available   accommodation . laprak  is also accessible  from Tatopani  in the east  and  Gumda  village in  the south.The  village is  home to late  Iman Sing Gurung, first person  from the Gurung  community  from  western Nepal to summit  mount Everest. Most of the villagers are engaged  in tourism  business  and few  of  them  have  also  earned  international  recognition.

Day 09: Trek  to Nambai  Kharka 2700m 4 hours walk .

The Kharka  , pasture  or cow shed  (is arrived  after  a moderate  walk of 4 hours  from laprak. The  Kharka is  an open  pasture land  with few  temporary  houses  of Laprakis ( people of Laprak)  whicg provides  them shelter  during plantation  and harvest  period  of potatoes. Trekkers  need  to  be self sufficient  for food  and lodging. There is no toilet  facility  as well. During  the stay in  Numbai  Kharka, it is advised  that one should  stick  with  vegetarian  diet  as local believe  that slaughtering  of animals will bring ill to the  trekkers.

Day 10: wake  up early and hike  to Dharche Danda –(3220m). 

For sunrise  view and majestic  sightings  of  Manaslu  Himalayan  ranges,  then trek  to Lallo  thotneri  1560m 7 hours walk.Dherche , the  highest  point  of the  lower  Manaslu  trekking   route, offers breathtaking 180 degree panoramic  view  of more then  20 Himalayan   peaks. Among  Gurung  community, Dharche   Danda ( hill)  holder  a  religious significance. They offer  prayer  to the hill deity to avoid  natural calamities. Also  felling of  trees  is allowed  in the area. It is also believed  that if tourists  offer prayer  to the hill deity,  they will be blessed  with clear visibility and will ward  off  misfortune  while  on trek. Some of the prominent peaks that  can  be viewed  from  the top of Dhrche are;  Annapurna, Annapurna I , Annapurna II , Bharatsikhar, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, Lamtang ,Himalchuli,Buddha   Himal,Sarang peak,Malkunti peak, Babu Himal  Sringi  HimaL, Ganesh I  Ganesh  II  and Ganesh  III  Among  many others.The eight day  of journey  ends  at Tallo Thotenery,  a village enriched  with  Gurung  culture. No  commercial  lodging  facility  is  available   but  tourist  have an option  for  home stay  where they share  local  highlights ( Gurung  dance  and  local  delicacies). The place  also offers  major  attractions  such as: Sita  Cave situated  in  the southwest and Olajung  Danda.

Day 11: Trek to Gyampesal via Sita  Cave.6 hours walk

The famous  cave is  reached after  walking 1.8km from  Tallo Thotneri. The cave is situated at   1165masl. Sita cave surrounded  by dense  forest, holds and a  religious  significance  among  Hindus and  it is one the  major tourist  attractions. Every year Ram Nawami  which  is  celebrated on the   ninth days of the  bright fortnight  of the Hindu month  of Chitra (March  and April) thousand of Hindu devotees  gather to pay homage to Lord Ram. It is believed that goddess  Sita,  wife of Lord Ram, spent some time and  stayed here  the caving experience in Sita Cave  is thrilling  and adventurous.After  touring the  cave  we end the  day in Gyampesal, the  final  destination of the trek, which is few hours walk  from for  the  Sita Cave for  overnight  stay on  comp our home stay.

Day 12: Drive from Gyampesal to Kathmandul.

Bus departs  at 8am (daily ) to Gorkha  Bazaar  which is 2.5 hours of  drive from  Gyampesal.  Bus  services  are available on a regular  interval  from  Gorkha  to Kathmandu which is 6hours of drive.

Day 13: Kathmandu Sightseeing

 Today after a leisurely start we will continue the tour of Kathmandu by visiting the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Boudhanath stupa is a world heritage site and a place which is an amazing place to see Buddhism and understand more about not only the religion but the Nepali culture.A group dinner will be had in the evening to celebrate the end of the trek.

Day 14:  Fly to back to Home Extra days are available at your own cost and we are happy to arrenge this for you.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Please be aware that your safety while in Nepal is our number one propriety.  All itineraries are subject to change if there are safety concerns, health concerns of people in the group and/or weather concerns.  This will be decided by the trek leader but we will always discuss the options with the group where possible to ensure peoples wises are taken into account, however the Treks leader decision is final.