Ground Transport for Manaslu Trekking
‘an adventure around world’s 8th highest peaks and its massive mountain range’
Table of Contents
Overviews:
Transportation for Manaslu Trekking, as well for other adventures around Nepal Himalaya, where overland journey or flight is involved. One of the most important parts of the Himalayan adventure is transportation, depending upon the size of a group. Nepal with more than 75 % mountainous area, where 45 % population lives around high hills. Also includes many verdant fertile valleys where motorable has been constructed to make the trek more accessible.
Over the years since early two decades, a various network of motorable road has been built around hills and mountainous region. Similarly, around the Manaslu trekking region, the road has reached the upper mid-hills, where trekkers can cover the trek in a short time.
Most of the main popular trekking regions like Everest, Annapurna, and Manaslu areas where motorable have reached 20 % to 60 percent. As for Manaslu trekking over the years, the motorable road has reached beyond Arughat town to Soti-Khola and Machha-Khola. In near future, the road will extend as far to Jagat or Philim village, but at present most trek begins from Soti-Khola.
Getting in the Beginning of Manaslu Trekking:
From Kathmandu start the Manaslu circuit trek, taking a drive on the main highway either taking a private vehicle or local bus to Arughat town. From Arughat on a dirt road, where all trekkers need to change on another vehicle, that suits for the drive on rough country tracks. The mud and dirt tracks follow the Buri Gandaki River upstream to Soti-Khola and beyond.
The dirt motorable trail from Arughat town to Soti-Khola is about 15 km, an enjoyable drive on the dirt road through several farm villages to Soti-Khola.
Several ways to reach the starting point of the Manaslu trek, one can drive to Gorkha town located in Nepal Mid-West. From the main historical Gorkha town, the drive continues downhill past many farm villages to Khan-Chowk, and then to Arughat town.
Arughat is located 550 m / 1,805 feet high on the shelf of Buri Gandaki River, a moderate size farm town. The other route from Kathmandu is via Malekhu town and across Trisuli River to Dhading-Besi and then reach Arughat.
At Arughat one needs to shift on local vehicles, suitable for the rough dirt road, a few hours’ drive to Soti-Khola which is at the height of 700 m / 2, 296 feet.
Journey on Local Bus:
Riding on a local bus might be overcrowded on leaving Kathmandu, but an interesting journey takes a much longer drive. As the bus needs to stop at certain points to pick or drop passengers, as well for refreshing on local restaurants.
As the ride continues reaching around the district of Gorkha, located in Nepal Mid-West in between Mt. Manaslu and Ganesh Himal.
The local bus ride is the cheapest way to enjoy a long journey among a mass number of Nepalese. Which allows you to learn and merge with local customs and culture during the drive, one can witness the various change of landscapes.
Journey on Private Jeep or car:
It will be quite expensive but reaches you on time to your destination in a luxurious way. The private Jeep will be at your disposal, as you can stop and click your camera any time. Where you can stop in a nice restaurant along the way, as a private jeep will reach you on time. Private Jeep with spacious seating arrangement accompanied by an expert driver and can drive on any type of road condition.
Riding on car best with four-wheel drive, to encounter rough roads as a drive after the main town of Arughat. Where tracks can be quite bumpy on dirt trails but comfortable on 3-4 seating.
Getting Out on Manaslu Trekking:
Dharapani or Chamje to Besisahar on Local Jeep:
Since the motorable has reached as far to Manang and on route to Manaslu till Dharapani village. Trekkers can enjoy a few hour’s journeys taking a local jeep to Besisahar, headquarter town of Lamjung district. However, the ride can be quite bumpy on winding dirt hilly tracks, but an exciting drive from Chamje village.
The overland journey takes you downhill past Jagat farm village and further down to Syange. Drive continues following the Masrsyangdi River downstream through Bulbule and Khudi village to Besisahar town. From here onward on a good road to Kathmandu or Pokhara as per your respective destinations.
Dharapani or Chamje to Besisahar on Private Jeep:
A great ride taking a private jeep ride from Dharapani or Chamje village, an enjoyable drive on comfortable seating arrangement. The drive leads you on winding downhill above Masrsyangdi River past Jagat village, then further descend leads to Syange village. From here onward on the good dirt road to reach Besisahar, enjoying the ride along with exciting landscape scenery. A great way to enjoy the drive on a private jeep, rather than in a local jeep as it reaches your destination on a given time of 1-2 hours journey.
Besisahar to Kathmandu on the Local Bus:
From Besisahar the headquarter town of Lamjung district to Kathmandu on a local bus departs in the morning till late afternoon time. A distance of 186 km or 115 miles takes more than 5 hours, as the local bus frequently stops. That is to pick and drop some passengers as well for a refreshment stop and might take time.
There are several buses from simple to deluxe coach also, the arrangements of the seats according to your ticket number wise. Best to get in front and behind from the driver seats, with enough legroom than in the middle row.
Besisahar to Kathmandu on Private Jeep or Car:
Staying overnight in Besisaharr after the end of the trek around Manaslu can have leisure breakfast. As the private vehicles will be at your disposal, where you can choose your own time at comfort. Private Jeep will be spacious seating enough leg rooms and can stop whenever you feel or need as per your requirement.
In private Jeep or car, a journey of great comfort and much faster than on local buses. Where drive leads you on a good time to Kathmandu, as well enjoying the drive observing views of great interest.
Besisahar to Pokhara on Local Bus:
After an overnight at Besisahar, depending upon your time for departure in the morning leave for the Bus station. Where you can board a local bus and find your seats as mentioned on the ticket. Normally local buses have 20 to 25 seats, as well as extra seating near the driver. A drive of 3-4 hours with frequent stops along the way to pick up and drop of passengers. 108 k.m driving distance from Besisahar to Pokhara, normally departs on time from morning 7 a.m. till late afternoon.
Road Condition:
Drive from Kathmandu or Pokhara to Soti-Khola to begin the trek, for the first part of the journey on a good tarmac road. From Arughat town, the drive leads on dirt country road, can be quite bumpy in some sections till you reach an overnight destination at Soti-Khola.
After ending the Manaslu Circuit trek either at Dharapani or Chamje villages, where one can choose local bus or private vehicles. The road condition till Besisahar is on dirt tracks, from Besisahar onward on the good main highway. From Chamje on winding downhill to Syange village and then on the gradual road to Besisahar town.
Spending an overnight stop at Besisahar, the road is good on the main highway to reach your planned destination either Kathmandu or Pokhara.
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