LARKE PEAK CLIMBING

Welcome to Kathmandu, a city full of vibrant markets, bustling streets, colorful temples and grand pagodas. Our guide will meet you at the airport and take you to our hotel. The remainder of the day you will have an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the shopping areas closest to your hotel and catch up on shopping for equipment. In the evening, our tour guide will give you a brief introduction and provide valuable information about the trek. 

We will take a public bus on this seven to eight hour road trip, stopping along the way for a lunch break. Tonight we will stay at Soti Khola near the river.

Our trek today traverses a mule track and ascends on a breathtaking path cut into the face of the cliff, then descends to Lapubesi (880m). Caution is required here! We then continue to Nauli Khola, crossing a suspension bridge on the way and then take the trail beside the Budi Gandaki River before reaching Machha Khola (900m). This so happens to be where many trekkers were stranded after the earthquake in 2015 and had to be rescued, Depending on current conditions, there is an alternative overnight stop in Kashi Gaun located on the east side of the river. 

Our route today follows the river to Khorlabesi and the tepid spring at Tatopani (meaning hot water) (930m), and then continues on the eastern bank of the Budi Gandaki River to Doban, Thulo Dunga and Yara Bagar (1370m). The trail zigzags across the river with several suspension bridges to cross before reaching the entrance gate to Manaslu Conservation Area and Jagat (1410m), with its unique flagstone village square. Permits are checked by authorities. Sherpa Expedition & Trekking will check that the route is passable, and may suggest we take an alternative route taking a much higher path on the east side of the river before descending to the old trail near Doban.

Above Jagat, the trail climbs to Salleri and Sirdibas before reaching Philim. The landscape becomes increasingly barren as the trail winds past several waterfalls until reaching a junction at Ekle Bhatti where the trail leads to Lokpa a village on the trail to the Tsum Valley. We then climb above the junction of the Buri Gandaki and Shar Khola Rivers and then head to Pewa and finally Deng (1860m). Many villages in this area suffered extensive damage in the 2015 earthquake.

Today we climb beyond the Tom (tum) Khola to Longa Chuta and then come into a captivating fir and rhododendron forest filled with birds and Langur monkeys located on the north side of the Buri Gandaki River. We then cross back to the other side of the river before reaching Namrung (2660m), an earlier customs post in the days when this was a route for transporting salt from Tibet. Namrung also suffered extensive damage from the 2015 earthquake, but today it has been restored to its previous charm.

The trail today leads to Shyaula (5320m) where a substantial number of buildings were damaged in the 2015 earhtquake, including the Gompa (Buddhist temple).. We continue on passing through a number of valleys and trails before arriving at the more remote village of Gompas and continue to Sama Gaun(3530) - also known as Samagaun. The town boasts of several fascinating monasteries in the village.

At these higher altitudes it is necessary to get acclimatized, for at least one day, before attempting climbs to higher altitudes. Health specialists suggest that you move about and don’t sit idly. A good way to stay active is to explore the Gompa at Pugyen(4070m), a one day hike that leaves the trail between Syaula and Sama. If time permits, it is possible for you to carry on up this valley to the rugged rocks and terrain of the Pugin glacier. Another option is a trip to the lake at Birendra Tal (3450m) or a more demanding ascent to Manaslu Base Camp (4900m). It is believed that north of Birendra Tal is Milarepa's Cave (famous Buddha) claimed to have been used as a meditation retreat by the Buddhist saint. 

Today the trail descends and heads back to the Buri Gandaki River passing the junction of Birendra Tal and Manaslu Base Camp. The valley expands before reaching Kermo Khadka and then continuing to the white Kani Gateway signaling the entrance to Samdo (3860m). If time permits we may trek to the peak above the village for impressive views of Mount Manaslu. If it is necessary to further acclimatize, there is a 6 to 7-hour trek climbing 640m to the moraine of the Fukang Glacier, where you will be rewarded with far-reaching views towards several passes used by locals to cross over into Tibet.

Again it is advisable to stay active to better prepare you for the higher altitudes. You may wander around the village of the venture to the nearby hills to take in the views.

A relatively short day sees us descending through fields prior to starting our climb towards the Larkya-La Pass, a trek offering dazzling views of Manaslu and the Syacha Glacier, and a likelihood of spotting Himalayan blue sheep on your trek to Dharamsala (4480m). This is as high as we go today without risking altitude sickness. This is the last safe haven before reaching the pass. This sector of the trek is often subject to snowfall and from mid-December to mid-March, when snow blocks the Larkya-La Pass, the Samdo Lodge is typically closed. Your guide will know in advance if the lodge is closed.

Today we have a short four to five-hour walk to Larke Peak Base Camp where we will stay overnight. It is this progressive climbing in small increments that helps you to overcome altitude sickness.

Before the actual climb your guide will prepare you by going over safety procedures and the use of roping techniques. The prevailing weather conditions will greatly influence the climb to the peak. However, it is in your best interests that you are prepared for any eventuality. Your day on the peak will be the highlight of this trek. The physical exertion on getting to the peak will be rewarded by some of the most jaw-dropping views of the surrounding peaks. These memories will stay with you for a lifetime.

It might happen that we may not reach the summit as we planned due to bad or unfavorable weather conditions. Our main target is to successfully lead you to the summit of Larke Peak. Thus, we will spare a reserve day in case of bad weather or other unwanted situations. However, if everything goes smoothly, we can use this day to trek back on leisure.

Today we descend to Bimtang, a well known trading post along the Tibetan salt route. An appealing detour leads to a trail above Bimtang to the translucent glacial lake of Pungkar Tal (4100m). We will stay overnight at Bimtang. 

Today we descend to Dudh Khola and Soti Khola(2700m) also known as Khare, following a trail directly below the enormous  Phunki Peak(6258m). We then take a trail across the ridge heading downhill to the river before reaching Gho village. At this lower altitude it is noticeable greener as we descend through cultivated fields and forests and take the trail on the north bank of the Dudh Khola before reaching Tilche (2300m) the largest village since leaving Samdo. The village is well known for its flagstone paved streets and the home of Gurung. After passing Tilche through the Kani (gateway arches) we, then cross the stream before reaching Thonje. The trail to Dharapani (1920m) requires crossing a suspension-bridge over the Marsyangdi river. We are soon at the junction of the Annapurna Circuit trek where the going gets easier before descending to Bensi Sahar and ultimately Kathmandu.

We will today continue heading downhill until reaching tonight’s destination, Syange, where we will stay overnight.

We have a short drive to Besisahar and then a road trip back to Kathmandu. On arrival, you will be taken to your hotel.

You will leave Nepal, but will never forget this great adventure and the laughs you shared on this journey to some of the world’s most spectacular peaks. A Sherpa Expedition and Trekking representative will drop you off at the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight.