|
The peaks of Manaslu
group is located at the area to the east of the
Annapurna. This area is considered more unique
and unspoiled compared to the other trekking
sites in Nepal because there are less visitors
visiting this area. For trekkers, the best time
to come to this region is somewhere between
September and May. This mainly unexplored area
is bordered by River Budhi Gandaki and to the
west by River Marshyangdi. Two main cultural
attractions in this area are Gorkha which is the
ancestral seat of the reigning Shah Dynasty and
the Manakamana Temple.
A wide range of
flora having the characteristic of the middle
hills and alpine regions of Nepal can be seen
here because the treks in the Manaslu region
originate at around one thousand meters and
reach as high as slightly over five thousand
meters. Among the beautiful plants that can be
seen here are pine and rhododendron together
with wildlife such as barking deer, pika and
Himalayan marmots. Also found here are birds
like pheasant, raven and chough. Living here in
this area are people of Tibetan origin together
with others groups such as the Gurungs and
Tamangs.
Because of the
limited number of teahouses seen in the Manaslu
Conservation Area, teahouse trekking is not a
recommended choice. There is a government
regulations requiring all the group trekking to
the Manaslu Circuit to be fully sufficient.
Gorkha, the main hub for treks in the Manaslu
region, can be reached after a four-hours drive
from Kathmandu. There are bus and car services
to take you to Gorkha. Another starting point is
Dhading Besi which can be reached after a five
hours journey in a bus.
However, a special
trekking permit is needed and can be obtained
through a registered trekking agency to enter
the major trekking route in the Manaslu region,
the Manaslu Circuit. One thing to keep in mind
is that when trekking in different places in
Nepal, trekkers are usually advised to arrange
their trek through a government recognized
trekking agency which are known for their
reliability.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
|