The trek around 8156m Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain, was of ficially opened to toursts in 1991, but mountaineering expeditions (especially the Japenese) have long had access to the area. In 1950 a party led by H W Tilmann trekked from Thonje to Bimthang, and Colonel Jummy Roberts crossed the Larkya La looking for an interesting mountain to climb.

These days the region draws a mixture of trekkers and moutaineers. Ti's not a busy trek by any means, but it is becoming ever more popular for its range of scenery, cultural variety an its fledgling lodges. As the Annapurna Circuit becomes increasingly affected by road construction you can expect the Manaslu region to rise as a chalenging laternative.