Rubin -La Pass with Manaslu Round Trek

Following breakfast the following morning, you will go for a full-day sightseeing trip of the Kathmandu Valley. You may see Swyambhunath, a very old temple that is essentially classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the revered Pashupatinath Temple.

Highlights of our guided trip include the largest Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath and the exquisite artwork and old architecture of Kathmandu Durbar Square, which showcase the ancient culture of Nepal.

Patan City’s historic architecture and renowned fine arts will charm you on a visit. You will have time to explore the neighborhood, eat supper, and maybe take a leisurely stroll down the well-known streets when you get back to your hotel. A traditional Nepalese dinner at the Nepali Cultural Restaurant rounds off the day.

A long and exciting journey to the Gorkha district area in the morning to begin this incredible excursion. After going through farm areas and cities, the Rubina-La Circuit route arrives in a milder climate, following the Trishuli River for a few hours before deviating to the Gorkha district. After a six-hour beautiful drive through the neighboring landscapes and snow-capped peaks, we arrived at Khanchok.

A morning walk from Khanchowk takes you downwards through agricultural fields and terraces to the Lajugaon Gurung community, then up to the top of Deuarli ridge at an elevation of roughly 2,120 meters, where you can see superb views of Mt. Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges, as well as Hiuchuli and Boudha Himal. Then descend to Sulikot village for an overnight camp, passing through Bhulabari and Gyanji (Talakhani) villages.

Following Sulikot, the trip continues with a moderate elevation to Kharchok Bhanjyang at 2,440 meters, offering views of the mountains and valley below. The hike descends from this ridge top to Majhghar hamlet, a charming small farm village with stunning views of the surrounding .

Fresh mountain air greets you as you start your trip through a small rhododendron and pine forest, passing past Thallothotaneri, Thalegaon, and Pangsing villages before ascending to Leh Kharka at 2,770 meters. After admiring views of the Himalayas from a beautiful green field, descend into the forest to a spot called Gurase (rhododendron, Nepal’s national flower) to reach the base of a hill at Pekma Kharka. A steep hike to the Pekma-Kharka summit ridge at 3,140m offers breathtaking views of Mt. Manaslu, the Annapurna range, and Ganesh Himal to the east. From here, it’s a short downhill climb to Dharche, a small hill farm village inhabited by Magar and Gurung ethnic groups.

After Dharche, take a morning stroll through a cool forest of rhododendron, pine, and oak trees before arriving to Sumpi-Kharka, a cow herder temporary village in Kamdani. Gupsi danda, at 2,760 meters and with stunning views of the mountains, is reached after a few hours of walking on an up-and-down path. Cattle herders grazing summer pasture from here on the twisting trail to overnight camp in Bede.

After an hour of enjoyable walking, leaving the forest behind for little bushes of alpine shrubs and Burberrys, a morning stroll continues north to the Rubina-la area, where you will reach the peak of the Gambogang ridge at 3,870 metres. From here, descend on a thin trail to an overnight camp near a rocky moraine in a small grassy meadow at the base of Rubina-la pass.

This is a full day of adventure! Early start to reach the highest point of this trek, followed by a difficult ascent on a narrow, ill-defined track with boulders and moraine, with spectacular views of the Manaslu range, including Boudha-Himal in the distance. After an hour of difficult climbing, we arrived at Rubina-la at 4,720 meters. The highest point of this journey is a small rocky outcrop that is occasionally covered in snow and ice, making walking on this tight path more daring and demanding. After a careful hike downwards with beautiful views of Boudha Himal at 6,672m and Rani peak (Lidani peak) at 6,693, the trail winds for an hour to reach our overnight camp on the eastern side or other side of Rubina-la pass.

Today’s walk is much easier than previous days’ treks; the morning walk led directly to a glacial section; after a few roadblocks, the trek is pleasant, crossing several narrow grazing areas at Jarang 3,420 meters; and then steep for a few hours to Zakbatang near Rubinala khola (stream) for an overnight camp in total solitude.

After several weeks away from villages, this morning’s walk takes us back to agricultural settlements over a descent trail with a few short ups and downhill slopes to a little place in Gomna where cattle herders’ temporary huts are located. From here, go to a bridge over the Buri-Gandaki River and then follow a gently curving track all the way to Lokpa village, where we will spend the night. After a week in the wilderness, we arrive at the first village, an intriguing small settlement where the paths to higher Manaslu, Larkya-la pass, Tsum Valley, and Arughat intersect.

From Jagat, walk to Nagjet and Philim, a large village with dispersed farm houses, traveling through various tiny agricultural settlements before ascending briefly and crossing a suspension bridge downhill. After Philim, we’ll walk through agricultural terraces of golden wheat and barley fields before climbing to the top of a steep slope into a bamboo forest zone for our overnight stay in Dyang Village.

A morning stroll from Dyang leads to a warmer place with an increase in altitude; continue walking lower to a riverside to reach Bihi Bazaar, a little town along the river. From here, the walk continues on a nice trail with a few minor ups and downs till Ghap village, when an overnight stop is made, passing past more Tibetan communities.

From Ghap village, take a lovely walk along the Budhi Gandaki River, then cross it via small farm settlements and farmed barley, wheat, and millets fields to Numrung village, where you will get your first close-up views of Mt. Manaslu’s North Face and other mountains. The hike continues through Banjham, Lhi, and Sho villages before ascending an hour to Shrip village to Lo Gaon for an overnight stay in a very comfortable lodge as the altitude climbs.

Spend the day touring Samagaon, a wonderful Tibetan village, as a crucial rest day for acclimatization before climbing the Larkya-la Pass.

Today’s walking route leads to Samdo, the last hamlet in the Manaslu area near the Tibet border. The population of this territory have a long history of working with Tibet, and you may find numerous Chinese products in the village shops and businesses.

A short day hike to Larkya phedi or Dharmasala, followed by a pleasant overnight stay in Samdo hamlet. The morning walk goes to more arid and desolate country. As the altitude rises gradually with a few small ups and downs, finish the morning walk at Larkya phedi, which means the foot of the hill or pass, and spend the afternoon relaxing or going for short walks.

Another significant day on our expedition, starting early to reach the summit of Larkya-la pass at 5,135 meters, a tough climb with excellent views of Mt. Manaslu, Larkya peak, Bouddha Himal, Himalchuli, and Peak 29. After a strenuous ascent to the pass, which is draped with Buddhist prayer flags and offers breathtaking views, a long descent to Bimthang for an overnight stay is a magnificent location surrounded by lush rhododendron and pine forests.

After a difficult walk, today’s trek is light and mostly downhill to Gho, which is located in the center of the forest. The walk takes you through woodlands of rhododendron, pine, and oak tree lines, passing various farm shades before arriving at Gho for an overnight halt.

From Gho in the heart of a beautiful forest, walk downhill most of the way to Telje hamlet by the Marsyangdi River, then ascend for an hour to Dharapani. A major community with numerous nice lodges in Manang district, on the famous Annapurna Circuit walking circuit.

After a relaxing overnight stay in Dharapani hamlet, the trail descends to Talbesi, the final settlement in the Manang area, crossing the Marsyangdi River. From here, take a short climb to Chamje village in Lamjung district. At Chamje, we spent our final night in the comfort of a really nice lodge nestled in the highlands of the Mid North West Himalaya.

Drive from Chamje to Kathmandu via Syange and the massive town of Besishar on good roads, arriving in Kathmandu after a stunning tour of Manaslu, with the afternoon free for personal time and shopping.