Mini Manaslu Trek (Ponkar Lake) 9D

Description

Ponker Lake Trek – The Dream Of Hikers

Ponkar Lake Trek, also known as the Mini Manaslu Trek, is a perfect short trek for those who wish to escape from the crowd of trekkers and like to explore wonderful Himalayan scenery, including Mt. Manaslu (8,163m), amazing glaciers, tranquil lakes, and unique culture in a short period of time. This is also an ideal trip and perfect choice that has not enough time to participate whole Manaslu Circuit trip. 

Ponkar Lake is situated in the north from Bhimthang of Manaslu Circuit Trekking route at 4200m. Between Salpu Danda and Ponkar glaciers. It is one of the highest Himalayan lakes of Nepal in a short trek. We will be in a bowl by surrounding high and huge mountains of Thulagi peak (7016m), Ngadi Peak (7783m), Mount Manaslu (8163m), Larke peak (6560m), Mount Panbari (6900m), Mount Himlung (7075m), Mount Nemjung (7117m), Mount Gjadji Kang (6924m), and Mount Kang Guru (6918m).

This Short Trek can do a minimum of six days to above ten days. The trip begins at Dharapani after driving from Kathmandu via Besisahar and turns right direction following the bank of Dudh Khola (river) with pine and oak forest through the historical and cultural rural villages; Thonje (1,965m), Tilije (2,300m), Goa/Gho (2,515m), Kharche (2,700m), Yak Kharka (3,020m) and get in beautiful Bhimtang village. A day hike or an overnight camping trip to Ponkar Lake makes this trip perfect and complete.

The another attraction of this trek is Bhimtang, It is truly a piece of Paradise located east of Manang in Tilje VDC an elevation of 3,590 meters, on the lap of the Himalaya as bowled shaped surrounded by mountains and many hillocks. Bhimtang was one of the salt trading points between Nepal – Tibet a few decades back but now Bhimtang is well known among Trekkers as Manaslu Mini Trek route.

Ponkar Lake Trek– the dream of hikers is one of the best trekking routes for those travelers who have a short holiday. It is a perfect composition of mountain scenery, varied landscapes, glaciers,blue lakes, natural beauty, unique culture, vegetation, and wildlife.

Quick facts

Location: Manaslu Region
Best time: Aug– Nov, March – May
Trek Duration: 6 Days
Maximum elevation: 3965m.
Grade: Moderate
Average walking: 5-6 hours
Mode of Trek: Lodge Trek
Start/ End: Besisahar/ Besisahar
Group size: 2-10 people

Attractions:

• Wondrous sceneries of mountains  and water falls
• Rich Biodiversity
• Staggering landscape
• Plentiful of Himalayan wildlife, floras and faunas
• Diverse ethnicity , different cultural experience
• Breathtaking sceneries of Mt. Manaslu and other high peaks
• Hidden Gem ( untouched region ) close to Annapurna Region
• Visit Glaciers, Lakes, Himalayan scenery
• Best trips for short holiday traveler
• Amazing scenery of Mountains in short distance walk.
• Experience of paradise city Pokhara

Trek itinerary

Day 01. Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350 m)

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will be greeted by a representative of Sisne Rover who will drop us off at our hotel. We then check-in at the hotel, freshen up and take rest. You can also visit around Thamel (where our hotel will be located) and shop few items that you have missed to bring with you. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 02. Kathmandu – Permit Preparation

On your second day in Kathmandu, take rest after a long flight from your home country and after breakfast, you can visit around Thamel (where your hotel will be located) and shop few items that you have missed to bring with you. We can add Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing tour on your request. We can have a tour to UNESCO World heritage sites – Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa and Bouddhanath stupa. In the afternoon, we will have a meeting with your guide and check the final preparation for the trek.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 03. Drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani (1,960 m): (8-9 Hrs.) 

Our journey starts from Kathmandu with a 5-6 hour drive to Beshisahar (175.8km) by Bus on a winding road along the Trishuli River. After reaching a juncture at Mugling, we move straight ahead towards Pokhara. At Dumre, we leave the previous trail and head north to Besisahar. The trail from Besisahar continues 3-4 hour drive through the rocky path in a four-wheeler to Dharapani (34.8km.). Although this rugged drive may not be very pleasant, the scenic views of the surrounding are worth the ride.

This rugged path aligning with the Annapurna Circuit trek route offers an incredible view of the waterfalls and gorges flowing down the green hills. As we drive past the villages like Nagdi, Bhulbhule, Syange, Chamche and Tal, we will notice a magnificent sight of Manaslu, Annapurna II, Lamjung and many other snowcapped mountains. Overnight at Dharapani in a lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner 

Day 04. Trek from Dharapani to G0a/Gho (2,515 m): (5-6 Hrs.)

Today we will walk about 11 km from Dharapani to Gho village up hill.Dharapani is the entrance point of Manaslu Circuit trip in reverse way. Very few people do Larkya La Pass (Manaslu Circuit Trek) from this side. So we will see just few trekkers heading up as our companion. The mini Manaslu or Ponkar Lake Trek exactly begin rom Dharapani after the check point of the ACAP and MCAP. First we cross the bridge at Marsyandi River and following the Dhudh Khola as tributes of Main River. We will walk on wider road until Tilje (2320m.) but rarely seen driving vehicles on this road. If we walk 30 munities west from Tilije/Tiliche, we will get religious Pyakane cave. And we may visit Tamrang Gompa which is situated in north east of Thonche village, about an hour walking. There is significance Buddha’s statue and other deities, with religious scriptures and holy book in the Monastery. It is nice place to stop for having cup of tea and breaks. After this most of the time the trail goes through the river bank and oak and pine forest with beautiful Gurung villages and finally get in Goa/Gho (2,515m). Stay overnight in a teahouse.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner 

Day 05. Trek from Gho to Bhimthang (3,590 m): (5-6 Hrs.)

On our second day hiking, we will have pleasant walk through the sub-tropical jungle and rural villages. The main profession of the people here are mostly depends on agriculture and animal husbandry, and often see herd of sheep, cow, and yaks. Before getting Toemro, we see Mt. Manaslu (8,163m); this is first view of Manaslu on this trip. The trail keeps on through the forest with sound of birds and ranging river to Karche (2,700m) and walk further crossing the bridge reach Yak Kharka (3020m.), where we will have lunch. There is no proper place to get meals till Bhimtang. The trail after Yakkharka becomes much harder till Hampuk (3430m.) due to steep climb and then gradual up to Bhimthang, a beautiful tiny valley. Bhimtang is a beautiful place with full of natural beauty. As it is surrounded by White Mountains, it looks like a “Silver Bowel.” and sometime people called it bowel of silver. The total distance today’s trek is 9 km. Stay overnight in a teahouse.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner 

Day 06. Explore Bhimthang & Visit Ponkar Lake (3,965 m)

Today is the most important day for this whole trip. As Bhimthang is key destination of this trip, we will hike around the Bhimthang with personal gear and drinking water. Ponkar Lake, Nayamlo Tal, Ponkar Glacier, Kechakyu and Suti glacier are the main attraction of Bhimthang. While walking above the Ponkar Lake, we will get in view point, from where many mountains including Manaslu North (7,157 m), Lamjung Himal (6,983 m), Larkya Peak (6,249 m), Himlung Himal (7,126 m), Cheo Himal (6,812 m) and many more can be observed. After early breakfast, we will follow the gentle climb for an hour north of the Bhimthang towards Ponkar Lake and then climbs steeply more than an hour and then gradual climb to Ponkar Lake.

The Ponkar Lake is situated at an elevation of 3,965 m from the sea level. The trail is not clear due to just few trekker visit here, we walk ahead slippery track over loose dust and gravels that climbs the steep side of the moraine. Explore the day in Ponkar Lake, thrill to the majesty, silence, and glacial power. After visiting Ponkar Lake, retrace back to Bhimthang with an hour walk or if we like we can camp overnight in Ponkar Lake to have more thrilling experience and the beauty of high mountains. Overnight in Bhimthang.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner 

Day 07. Trek from Bhimthang to Tilije (2,300 m): (7-8 Hrs.)

The trail from Bhimthang to Tilije descents about 20 km along the fig tree and rhododendron fortes, through the rocky river-bed and sliding hill-sides to several small green villages. Eventually, after long but very scenic day, we reach the large village of Tilje, inhabitants of mix of Manangis (of Tibetan descent) and Chettris (Hindus), so have a unique architecture and culture, and eat mix foods – Dal Bhat, buckwheat Dhido, Tsampa and Tibetan salt-tea. Stay overnight at Tilije in a lodge/teahouse.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner 

Day 08. Trek from Tilije to Dharapani (1,930 m): (2 Hrs.) & Drive to Kathmandu (1,350 m): (4-5 Hrs.)

It’s an easy trekking day (5km) following the Dudh Khola through bamboo forests about two hours walk down to Dharapani. Now we are in Annapurna Circuit Trekking main trail, an atmospheric Tibetan village with prayer flags fluttering at the Gomba in Thongje. From Dharapani, we will have about 3 hours bumpy drive to Besisahar by jeep. Then drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu which offers an opportunity to enjoy both hill and mountain landscapes. The drive is often along the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli River. We also drive by some beautiful villages with farming terraces on both sides of the road.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch, Farewell Dinner

To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have farewell dinner and share the experiences about our trek.

Day 09. Final departure

Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today. A representative of Sisne Rover will escort us to the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight.
Meals included: Breakfast

Important Note

• The itinerary mentioned is a standard guideline. It can be fully customized according to the client’s needs, requirements, and availability.
• The cost of the trip can changed according to the group size, needs, and time boundary.
• The addition or removal of activities will increase or decrease the cost of the trip respectively. This will be done through mutual understanding between the agency and the client(s).

Cost Includes:

• Airport pick up and drop by private vehicle
• 2 night accommodation in Kathmandu in a 3 star hotel on B/ B plan
• 1 night accommodation in Pokhara in a 3 star Resort on B/ B plan
• 1 night accommodation in Bhaktapur in a 3 star hotel on B/ B plan
• Transportation : KTM – Dharapani by Bus/ Jeep
• Transportation: Dharapani – Pokhara by  jeep/ Bus
• Flights : Pokhara – Kathmandu
• Teahouse accommodation during the trek
• All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
• An experienced ,English – speaking and government licensed trekking guide
• Necessary trek assistant (2 trekkers : 1 porter )
• Staff cost including their salary , insurance, equipment, food and accommodation
• Special permit for Manaslu region ( one week )
• MCAP , ACAP entry permit and TIMS card
• Medical kit ( carried by your trekking guide )
• All government taxes

We can customize this trip as per your schedule, budget and preferences. If you wish to discuss any aspect of this trip or your suitability for it please contact us.