20/12/2013
Lower Manaslu Culture Trail:
This trek north and northeast of Gorkha town takes 6-7 days and displays the very best of the lower Manaslu region without the need to follow any 'gruesome trail' or to cross any high and wild passes. The traditional barely changed hill villages of Barpark, Gumda and Laprak are top-notch attractions for those wanting to discover the true lifestyles of the hill farming communities. The rand finale is the spectacular vista and dramatic decent onto the mysterious gorge of the Budi Gandaki the getaway to Upper Manaslu and Tsum Vally. Currently most group trekking here are fully supported campers, but the villagers are enthusiastically embracing the new home stay concept, where villagers set aside space within their home for passing trekkers.
The trip start in Gorkha Bazaar after a half day Bus journey from Kathmandu, so there is plenty of time to explore the magnificent Durbar Place above the town. Campers can enjoy a superb panorama from the field camp close to the place. From Gorkha it's necessary on the normal itinerary to take a jeep or local bus on newly constructed dirt road along the Darandi River valley, almost Barpark, Purists could take the whole way via Chhepetar, Chorchate, Naya Saangu, Mahatar, Bhaluswara, Kerabari, Chanaute, Baluwa, (or Chepetar- Pipal Bot-Aappipal- Sirandada-Ghyachowk-Kafaldada) but this could easily add 3-4 days of walking. (Sirudada is unusual in that it has a Gompa and a Sherpa community.) The Darawdi river valley will be quite hot and humid for most of the trekking season, so think carefully about this option
From the large Gurung settlement of Barpark (1915M), with its distinctive stone roofs, the treks begin a strenuous forested climb to the Pusu Kang pass (2800M) - a rather rude awakening! You are strongly urged to prepare at home with some pre-trek training, since this ascent is formidable for a first day. Perhaps that purist walk is not such a bad plan after all besides; you could start in any of the places en route by taking a jeep part of the way. Baluwa is one place to commence the trek, since the dirt road and the trail diverge there. Those sitting on the Pusu Kang pass will now at least have the pleasure of a descent to Laprak (2100M) to follow their exertion.
Laprak is another magnificent Gurung village with shingle roof houses and two welcoming lodges. From here the treks to Gumda is only a half day to recover from that punishing previous interoducton. (Another router from Larpak goes via the Dharche Dada back to Gorkha), Gumda (1800M) is a fine, typical country hill village. The Ganesh Himal peaks are to the east high above the Budi Gandaki valley. The normal route from Gumda is it head down the ridges to Machha Khola some 1000M below. Other trails appear to offer shorter but steeper option to Lapubesi again in the deep canyon of the Budi Gandaki. Once in Machha Khola, with its new trekkers- style lodges and good food, the trek follows the Budi Gadaki downstream to Soti, where the dirt jeep track enables visitors to access Arughat more quickly .