Ponkar Lake Annapurna and Manaslu Himalaya Trekking   |  11 Days

‘an exciting adventure on hidden Ponkar lake close to the base of Larke-La Pass’

Ponkar Lake Annapurna & Manaslu Himalaya Trekking is an adventure on the hidden tracks of Manang, and close to the Manaslu region.

The two beautiful scenic areas are separated by Larke-La Pass, which is above 5,106 m / 16, 752 feet high. The trek to Ponkar Lake reaches close to the western side of Larke-La Pass within the Manang district. An exciting thrill to experience on a week duration walks, exploring the wild country of Manang.

Located North of Annapurna and West of staggering peaks of Manaslu Himal, where walk leads on off the beaten tracks. An exclusive adventure, where very few groups seldom venture into the unknown region of Manang & Manaslu areas.

Enjoy the perfect wilderness within the harmony of high snow mountains and pristine forest, lined with rhododendron and pine trees.

Ponkar Lake Annapurna & Manaslu Himalaya Trekking, begins with a long interesting overland journey, heading Nepal Mid-West hills.

Reaching Lamjung areas in Besisar, the district headquarter town of Lamjung and then heading up to Jagat. A lovely farm village located high above Masrsyangdi River and the low warm paddy fields.

The walk starts heading northwest, following the uphill trail past Chamje village to Tal Besi, from here on into the Manang district. From the village of Tal, which is also our ending point of trekking on the return journey.

After Tal, a gradual climb to Dharapani village, located on the midway of Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit routes.

From Dharapani onwards our real adventure begins by leaving behind the main popular trails to mountain wilderness. The climb leads through beautiful pines and rhododendron forest reaching our destination at Bhimthang, where the trail of Larke-La joins. Situated amidst forest surroundings, a small settlement with several nice simple lodges, adorned with Buddhist prayer monuments.

At Bhimthang spend an extra day to explore around its wild hidden areas heading towards our main destination to Ponkar Lake. The highest point of the adventure rewards stunning views of the snow mountain range.

From the Ponkar Lake overlooking Ponkar Himal, Himal Chuli, and Ngadi Chulu with views of the North Face of Mt. Manaslu. The world’s 8th highest peaks with Lamjung Himal, Larke Peak, Himlung, and Cheo Himal extend towards peaks of Annapurna Himalayas.

Enjoying the exciting adventure to Ponkar Lake, return journey on the same scenic trail to Dharapani and Tal Besi. Where trek completes taking an exciting drive back to Kathmandu. After a glorious memorable scenery of great experience to Ponkar Lake Annapurna & Manaslu Himalaya Trekking.

Trip Highlights

  • “Adventure to hidden Ponkar Lake on least ventured areas of Manang valley
  • Explore the far remote corners of Mid-West Himalayan range of towering peaks
  • Enchanting woodland of tall rhododendron, pines, hemlocks, oaks and fir trees
  • From mainstream trekking trails towards off the beaten tracks to Ponkar Lake
  • Enjoy the sweeping mountain panorama of Manaslu and Annapurna Himalayas”

Itinerary

  • 1 Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu, Nepal international airport, guide and staff meets to receive you for a short drive to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu city. 
After a refreshing rest, meet the other members of Ponkar Lake Annapurna & Manaslu Himalaya Region trek. The guide will brief regarding the trek, local lodge on route, culture and sightseeing tour around Kathmandu heritage sites.
    Evening a welcome dinner in a Nepali restaurants with cultural program as introduction of Nepalese culture and heritage custom.
  • 2 Day 2: Tour of Kathmandu heritage sites and trek preparation.
A day in Kathmandu for trek preparations, as well for sightseeing tour at places of interest, the city guide takes you around historical and cultural places listed in World Heritage Sites. After visiting historical and cultural sites, and then back to hotel for final preparation for Ponkar Lake Annapurna & Manaslu Himalaya Trekking.
  • 3 Day 3: Drive to Jagat 1,425 m via Besisar town 820 m-06 hoursAn early morning departure for the Annapurna Circuit adventure, a long interesting drive on a private coach or comfortable tourist standard bus. 
    As group size, drive leads beyond Kathmandu city and the valley heading down on winding main highway towards Besisar at Lamjung district.
    From here drive follows past town and farm villages as route divers heading Mid-West around Gandaki Zone. The drive leads to mid-hills at farm village in Jagat.
    An early morning departure for the Annapurna Circuit adventure, a long interesting drive on a private coach or comfortable tourist standard bus. 
    As group size, drive leads beyond Kathmandu city and the valley heading down on winding main highway towards Besisar at Lamjung district.
    From here drive follows past town and farm villages as route divers heading Mid-West around Gandaki Zone. The drive leads to the mid-hills at farm village in Jagat for overnight stop in the comfort of a nice simple lodge.
  • 4 Day 4: Trek to Dharapani village 1,860 m-06 hrs.
From Jagat, morning starts with climb above Masrsyangdi River and then on winding path to Chamje. As route leads to cross over Masrsyangdi River to the opposite side into forested area. Enjoy views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges. Walk continues reaching at Tal Besi the starting point of Manang district. At Tal Besi having lunch continue trek for few hours to Dharapani village for overnight stop. Located on the junction of Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit trekking trails.
  • 5 Day 5: Trek to Gho 2,560 m - 05 hrs.
Having breakfast in a nice lodge restaurants at Dharapani village of strong Tibetan and Buddhism culture. Start the morning walk on leaving the main trail heading down to a bridge and walk past nice Tilje village. Trek continues following a nice path into forest of rhododendron and pine trees. Climbing for few hours then reaching our overnight stop at Gho, a small settlement amidst dense tree lines.

    At Gho in the comfort of simple basic lodge, but an enjoyable overnight stop in the harmony of pristine natural surroundings.
  • 6 Day 6: Trek to Bhimthang 3,590 m-04 hrs. 
After a peaceful overnight at Gho, morning walk is not too far a half day of few hours. Trek follows through forest path, the route winds up to a high ridge facing views of snow peaks. As walk progress with short down and with more ups, then reaching a wide grassy meadow at Bhimthang. A lovely spot within dense forest surroundings offers several nice simple lodge for overnight stay.

    Enjoy the lunch with backdrop of snow clad peaks, afternoon laze around and take a short walk on this beautiful areas. 

  • 7 Day 7: At Bhimthang for local exploration and hike to Ponkar LakeStart the day hike, early morning, carrying pack lunch for the day walk to Ponkar Lake. The trail follows on the same tracks of Manaslu Circuit for an hour or more as our route diverts heading into sheer mountain wilderness.
    After a steady tough walk reaching above the Ponkar Lake, greeted by tremendous views of high snow peaks. Overlooking Manaslu North (7,157 m), Lamjung Himal (6,983 m), Larke Peak (6,249 m) and Himlung Himal (7,126 m) towards north-west. Includes view of Cheo Himal (6,812 m) with an array of high peaks from the scenic View-Point above Ponkar Lake. As well the highest point of the adventure at 3,965 m high. After an exciting hike to Ponkar Lake, walk back to Bhimthang for overnight stop after a long adventure day of the trek.
  • 8 Day 8: Trek to Gho-04 hours, afternoon at leisure for short walk.
Return journey on the same pleasant trail through forest with short ups and more downhill to Gho for overnight stop. Before heading towards Dharapani village back on the main busy trail.

  • 9 Day 9: Trek to Tal Besi 1,740 m via Dharapani 1,860 m - 06 hrs.
Morning starts with long descend to Tilje village, after a short refreshing break climb up to cross a bridge. Above Masrsyangdi River to Jagat village, and the continue walk after having good lunch either in Tilje or at Dharapani village.

    Walk follows above the river on gradual trail with few short ups and down then reaching at Tal Besi village for last overnight stop. Around the high hills of Manang areas and Annapurna Himalayas.
  • 10 Day 10: Drive to Kathmandu via Besisar town-06 hrs.
Morning an exciting drive to Kathmandu, as road follow downhill to low warm farm country, reaching around Lamjung district and at Besisar headquarter town of Lamjung area. From here change of transport, and then on good road leads to the main busy highway to Kathmandu.
    As drive follows the Trisuli River upstream for few hours with climb on winding road towards Kathmandu valley and the city. On reaching at the hub of city, check into your hotel, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities.
  • 11 Day 11: International departure for homeward bound.Final and last day at Kathmandu and in Nepal, departure from the hotel as per your international flight time. Our guide and staff will accompany with short drive to the airport. Bidding farewell to the staff and guide, after a great wonderful adventure with memorable experience on to Ponkar Lake Annapurna & Manaslu Himalaya Trekking.

Cost Includes:

    • Airport pick up and drop by private vehicle
    • Three night hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing basis with B.B.
    • full board during the trek like Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
    • TIMS (Trekking Information Management System
    • Tea house/lodge accommodation during the trek on twin sharing basis 
    • Half Day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu as per the itinerary.
    • Government license holder guide 
    • Salary, food, accommodation and insurance for guide and porters
    • Duffel bag for packing your things for the trek 
    • Hire sleeping bag and down jacket for the trekking.,
    • Transportation from Kathmandu to  Beshishar  Kathmandu 
    • from Beshishar to jagat Local Jeep 
    • Annapurna Conservation Area Project ( ACAP) Entry  Permit.
    • Government taxes and official expense
    • Welcome Dinner

Cost Excludes:

    • Nepal entry visa personal travel and medical insurance
    • Expenses of personal nature and as well  gratitude (tips) for your Guide and potters 
    • Emergency  evacuation by any means of transport including Helicopter and personal medical kit. 
    • Lunch and Dinner whilst in Kathmandu

Our itineraries of any trips are based on our leading experience in the Himalayas. But, we also organize the trips according to your special requests or your personally given itinerary. Please, feel free to contact us for your questions and queries.

INSURANCE POLICY:

Traveling to Himalayan countries specially on treks and other adventure with Nepal-Bhutan and Tibet, where clients should purchase travel and medical insurance covering immediate evacuation by any means of transportations, like helicopter or fastest way vehicle to reach nearest city and town hospitals.

Insurance Policy should cover all medical expenses incurred during your holidays in Himalayan countries, including travel insurance where sometimes Himalayan weather even in best times can be unpredictable, where trekking routes can be re-routed of cancelled in this case local company will not entertain you with refund, however provides you with letter so that one can claim from your respective insurance companies.

Insurance policy for Medical and Travel:

On treks or climb where you will be accompanied by our expert guide who knows the area on route of the trek chosen, we have professional and veteran guides to led the trek where you can feel comfortable, as our guide are knowledgeable offers you various information of the country from history-geography, culture to flora and fauna.

All guides have gone through basic medical training that includes high altitude symptoms or AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) can help you with simple medical First Aid and for severe condition will support taking you to safe area or to nearest hospitals by any means of quick transportation.

Our guides are well versed in Eco-Trekking and Responsible Tourism as well and are committed in keeping the environment on trekking route in pristine form as it was.

Porters are picked can be regular porter of the company of hired in Kathmandu-Pokhara or in Lukla on start of the trekking, with always a strong and cheerful porters to carry your heavier luggage, baggage of 15 to 25 kg maximum weights to carry by each porters, we do not allow underage porters of below 16 years of age or above 50 years.

Porters and guide are well looked after by the company with good wages, medical insurance, travel allowance including meals on treks and climb company also provides warm gear in winter as well for high and cold altitude trips.

We are also member of PACT (Porters Act commitment).  

Altitude Sickness or AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness):
     Information of AMS and Precaution Measures:

High Altitude or Acute Mountain Sickness for short as AMS a symptom faced and can catch any people on high altitude adventure walks.

Due to high pressure and low oxygen level as certain height where some people feel uneasiness with shortness of breathiness, light headache, nausea, dizziness, lack of good sleep and with less appetite.

To avoid these whole symptoms where we always designed itinerary days accordingly with enough space, flexible days for acclimatization at high elevation, taking short walks up and sleeping and resting at low places.

The other good way to avoid AMS taking slow and steady pace on walks, stopping frequently to catch your breath and adding lot of fluid or safe drinking water at least 2-3 liters a day to support against AMS.

On high altitude take enough rest and with short slow hike above high hills to catch views as well to support acclimatization and sleeping and resting at low altitude will certainly helps you in avoiding AMS.

The company provides as precaution measures against AMS with comprehensive medical kit, oxygen and Gamma Bags / Pressure Bags in some high altitude adventure treks, where some people as per their own doctor advice use Diamox also known as Acetazolamide to prevent and reduce symptoms of AMS can lower headache when in high altitude walks and climb

Useful in situations when you cannot make high ascent, the best ways to prevent altitude sickness doing it slowly, stopping for overnights at certain altitude to adjust to the new height, and taking it easy for first one or two 2 days.

This Diamox also used for other medications to treat certain type of eye problem (open-angle glaucoma). 

Acetazolamide a "water pill" (diuretic), it decrease amount of fluids that can build up in eyes, also helps to decrease buildup of body fluids (edema) caused by congestive heart failure or certain medications. Acetazolamide can work less well over time, so it is usually used only for a short period of time.

Using this pill should get advice from your doctor before trip departure to high Himalaya.

In our list we always mention general medication to bring from home as well from your doctor advice also, your doctor might recommend you some basic medication list like medicine against diarrhea, headache, fever, cold-flu as well constipation including first aid for cuts-wounds and burns as well.

Equipments List

  • Down Jacket
  • Fibre pile jacket
  • light cotton trouser
  • Long sleeved cotton shirts
  • Short Trouser
  • Shorts or Skirt (for ladies)
  • Sun hat
  • Sun Screen Cream
  • Sunglasses
  • T-shirt
  • Track Suit Bottoms
  • Trekking pole
  • Ultra Fleece Trousers
  • Warm Gloves a pair
  • Water bottle
  • Waterproofs trouser
  • Waterproofs Jacket
  • Well fitting, comfortable boots
  • Wind Proof Jacket & Trouser a set each
Book This Trip Request Private Date Print PDF
  • Trip Duration 11 Days
  • Destination Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty Moderate
  • Trip Style Trekking
Show All
Trust Pilot