On the flip side of the coin, development can also have its demerits, and one of them is building Roads where the needs could be evident, but at what cost? And the necessity spoils the environment; and this is what’s exactly happening in the Annapurna region where tarred roads are slowly beginning to disturb a once immaculate area that trekkers and even the locals loved. Due to these developments, Mountain Sherpa Trekking has designed an itinerary that offers more of the best (and highest) zones of the Annapurna high passes, the vibrant Manang and Lower Mustang regions, and steers more of the black-topped road...hiking into more sublime areas in the start up to our ‘Trekking Manaslu and Annapurna High Passes.This venture is an epic combo of a Himalayan journey that goes above the timberline with one of the most renowned treks in Nepal and the world, the Manaslu Circuit (we also connect with the high altitude part which takes us across the Annapurna high passes) for a supreme trail hike through the wilderness in Nepal’s grand Himalayas.
Our classic odyssey takes off as we walk through the High elevations of the Manaslu Circuit, while putting up at some basic but pretty comfy lodges on the trail for the night. We encounter dissimilar cultures found in the Hindu middle hills and as we reach the higher elevations, we experience Tibetan high-country inhabitants who fervently believe in ancient Buddhism practices, invigorating our interests while ‘Manaslu and Annapurna High Passes Trekking’’ in the soul of the Nepal Himalaya. This is a great cultural trek par its unique merits, and can comfortably be billed as one of the best treks in Nepal’s outback. Manaslu, 'The Mountain of the spirit', is the 8th highest peak in the world, and from the higher Nubri it can be considered to be one of the most naturally beautiful in its league; the magnificent mountain landscapes have to be witnessed in person to believe this sublime wonder of nature. Our adventurous foray around Manaslu starts from the historic town of Gorkha, with its ancient 'durbar', or palace, and carries on to Kutang in lower Manaslu and goes up to higher Nubri, where the bartering system of trading with Tibet still exists as it was for centuries. We walk into some of the most pretty and friendly villages before we make a beeline for the Larkya La (pass). The sundry Tibetan culture, majestic scenery and snowy peaks of the Manaslu Himal Circuit make it truly absorbing, in as much as one of the most challenging trips in landlocked Nepal.
After we’ve climbed the Larkya La pass at 5215m, we appear onto the Annapurna Circuit trail in lower Manang, and greeted by jaw-dropping views of the Annapurna range, Manaslu, Macchapuchare, Tilicho, the Chulu Peaks and Dhaulagiri (to name just a few), as we clamber up the Marshyangdi river to the Buddhist section of (upper) Manang, where pony back riding is a mode of transportation in this area, and the villages are intertwined terraces are suspended below old, Buddhist gompas. Manang is an added attraction in itself, with ice-lakes, monasteries nestled on cliff-side edges and old villages to discover, without leaving out the dream spectacle of grand sunrise and sunset views. After crossing the 5400m Thorung La (pass), we descend sharply down to the sacred Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site of Muktinath, and into the entrance of Upper Mustang, and Jomsom, the managerial seat of Lower Mustang.
From Jomsom, we hop a flight to the ‘city of lakes’ Pokhara to chill out and rest our bodies and the next day we head down to Kathmandu, where the curtains close on our Himalayan journey of a lifetime…Don’t miss this trip for the love of anything!!!