Mt. Manaslu Expedition

Trip Introduction

Manaslu (also known as Kutang) is the eighth highest mountain in the world. It is located forty miles east of Annapurna and dominates the Gurkha massif. The mountain’s long ridges and valley glaciers offer feasible approaches from all directions, and it culminates in a peak that towers steeply above its surrounding landscape, and is a dominant feature when seen from afar. This mountain was previously known as Kutan l. ‘tang’ being the Tibetan word for flat place, thereby describing the mountain’s general summit. The name was later changed to Manaslu, which is derived from the Sanskrit word Manasa and can be roughly translated as Mountain of the Spirit.

The first ascent of this peak was in 1956 by T. Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu (Japanese expedition). The peak was not climbed again until 1971 when a Japanese team made the second ascent. It was not until 1997 that Charlie Mace made the first American ascent. There are a half dozen established routes on the mountain today, the south face being arguably the toughest in climbing history.

All routes to the base camp of Manaslu begin in Kathmandu. Expedition Time: Approximate time 45 days. Bus from Kathmandu to Gorkha. Trek through forest to Macha Khola. Trek along riverbanks of Budhi Gandaki to Jagat. Continue along the river to Deng. Continue along river to Ghap, a Buddhist village. Continue along river to Sho. Trek to Pungen Gompa. Rest day. Trek to Sama Gaon. Trek to Manaslu base. Rest in Manaslu base.

Trek Out: Trek down to Samagaon. Trek down to Nyak. Trek down to Jagat. Trek down to Macha Khola. Trek down to Arughat. Trek down to Gorkha. Bus to Kathmandu.

Outline Itinerary

• • Day 01
  • Arrival day in Kathmandu (1300m)
• • Day 02
  • Expedition Preparation Day in Kathmandu
• • Day 03
  • Expedition preparation day In kathmandu
• • Day 04
  • Drive from Kathmandu to Sotikhola [710m/2328 feet], 8 - 9 hours
• • Day 05
  • Soti Khola - Maccha Khola [900m/2952 feet, 6 - 7 hours
• • Day 06
  • Maccha Khola -Jagat [1410m/ 4625 feet], 6 - 7 hours
• • Day 07
  • Jagat - Dyang [1,804m/5917 feet], 6 - 7 hours
• • Day 08
  • Dyang - Namrung [2630m/8626feet], 6 - 7 hours
• • Day 09
  • Namrung – Samagaon [3530m/11,578 feet], 6-7 hours
• • Day 10
  • Rest day In sama gaun
• • Day 11
  • Trek from sama gaun to Manaslu Base camp (4400m)
• • Day 12-40
  • Manaslu Climbing period
• • Day 41
  • Trek Back from manaslu Base camp to sama gaun
• • Day 42
  • trek from sama gaun to Ghap
• • Day 43
  • Trek from Ghap to Machhakhola
• • Day 44
  • Trek from Machhakhola to soti khola or Arugat
• • Day 45
  • Drive Back to Kathmandu
• • Day 46
  • Free Day in kathmandu
• • Day 47
  • Final Departure