Continuing on, after our quick stop in Kathmandu, we headed up to the starting point for the Manaslu trek. After a 6 hour bus ride on Nepali dancing roads (aka roads so rough that the bus would shake so hard back and forth that it would look like everyone inside was dancing) we arrived at our starting point, Arughat. Over the next 14 days we would go from an elevation of 550 meters (1804 feet) to 5,235 metres (17,175 ft) when we would cross over the Larkya La pass.
We took a rest day in Samagoan to hike up and get a great view of Manaslu. It was worth it!
We surprised us the most on the trip was the amount of diversity in the landscape. We went from rice terraces to wheat fields, then to temperate forests up to alpine scenes and on to glaciers.
Girls crossing bridge on Manaslu Circuit trek.Trail on the Manaslu Circuit trek.Waterfall seen during the Manaslu Trek.Everything is transported by donkeys when there is no road access. They are constantly coming up and down the trails.Little boy on the Manaslu Trek
We trekked up a beautiful valley for the first seven days, barely seeing any mountains.
Manaslu Trek sceneryManaslu Trek sceneryTrekker on the Manaslu Circuit.Local boy dancing.The children living in the villages were all very nice and inquisitive.An old checkpoint on the Manaslu Circuit.It was time for the wheat to be harvested when we were there. Everything is done by hand, from planting to harvest.It was time for the wheat to be harvested when we were there. Everything is done by hand, from planting to harvest.It was time for the wheat to be harvested when we were there. Everything is done by hand, from planting to harvest.Yak on the Manaslu Circuit
We were extremely excited when we reached Samagoan, as we would finally be able to see Manaslu from here. We ended up staying three nights in order to take two side trips, one to Manaslu base camp, and the other to get probably the best view of Manaslu. I highly recommend taking both side trips if you have the time.
Yaks carrying wood in SamagoanWe got our first real views of the Himalayas when we reached Samagoan, a simply stunning little village.Stupa and the Himalayas.While we were on a day trip to get a better view of Manaslu, we witnessed a massive avalanche coming down the mountain. It was huge!
I was lucky enough to witness a sunset that made the clouds on Manaslu look like fire.
Stars over ManasluSamagoanSamagoan
After Samagoan we continued up to Samdo. The views just kept getting better and better. We would cross the pass in two days time and then start our journey down. Eventually we would meet up with the Annapurna Circuit, and from what I saw there I am so glad we decided to trek the Manaslu Circuit. However, there is a lot of construction going on so I highly recommend heading to Manaslu before it turns into the next Annapurna!
My brother Tyler taking in the view at the end of the hike to acclimatize.Prayer FlagsStars over the Himalayas.With no roads high up in the Himalayas, local people get around either by walking or by horse.The Himalayas with Tyler for scale.The Himalayas with Tyler for scale.Corona around the sun.This was our last camp before crossing over the Lakya La pass.Early morning trek to the pass.Larkya La PassHeading down from the pass.Heading down from the pass.The local transport when there are roads.A girl from one of the last villages we stayed in.
