Eco Tourism at it's best

This is yet another conservation area, bordering the Annapurna Conservation Area to the west and Tibetan Plateau on the north and the east. The Manasalu region lies in Gorkha District in the west of Kathmandu. The project has proposed seven Village Development Committees, totaling an area of 1663 sq. km. Basically a trekking area, the regions altitude rises from a mere 600 m to 8163 m, the summit of Mt. Manasalu - the eighth highest peak in the world.

Manaslu Conservation Area

To make conservation a success story the government has joined hands with the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) and the Asian Development Bank. The Manasalu Eco-Tourism Development Project has been on in the region since 1997. The projects main objective is to deliver tangible benefits from tourism to the local community while minimizing adverse environmental impacts through the development of eco-tourism.

Attractions

The area offers a classic setting for trekkers. Visitors here will have the opportunity to experience both nature and culture that would have otherwise disappeared had there been no conservation efforts. The region is full of pristine nature beckoning trekkers to explore more of it. The trekking route in the region follows the Budi Gandaki River before reaching the Larke Pass (5106 m) and crossing over into the Manang District of the Annapurna Conservation Area.

The region harbors a mosaic of habitats for 29 species of mammals, including the rare snow leopard, musk deer and the Himalayan Tahr. There are over 20 species of birds and three species of reptiles. What provides cover to these fauna is over 200 species of plants, 11 types of forests, and over 50 species of useful plants.

More than 7000 people live in this area. The major ethnic group, the Gurungs, has been a strong attachment towards its traditional Tibetan Culture Heritage. Monasteries and chhortens dot the trekking route. These are the places where festivals and traditional dances take place.

Getting there

Trekking to the Manasalu region generally starts from Arughat, between Gorkha and Dhading. Arughat can be reached by bus from Kathmandu. This is also where an information center of the Manasalu Eco-Tourism Project is located. The head office of the project is located in the Park V.D.C of the Manasalu Conservation Area. Another starting point to the area is Daraundi in Gorkha from where you will have to hike to Sirdiwas reaching the normal trekking trail.

Entry fees

I can arrange all the permits for you. But if you like you can also get them at the Department of Immigration located at Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu, E-mail: mailnepalimmigration.govnp Web: http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np

Trekking permit per person per entry.

  • September – November
    USD 100 per person / week
    USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)
  • December – August
    USD 75 per person / week
    USD 10 per person / day (beyond 1 week)