Manaslu Circuit trek

Best Time

The best travel period for the Manaslu circuit trek is during spring and autumn. The temperatures are comfortable and you often have good views of the mountains. Especially in the autumn, from September to November, the skies are often clear blue. Spring, early March to late May, is also beautiful. You can then enjoy the blooming rhododendrons, which often cover entire mountain slopes.

In the winter months it is too cold to make this trek and the passes are often snow-covered. The summer months from June to September are also less suitable because of the monsoon season.

Elevation and distance

Through our 14-day Manaslu circuit trek, you will set foot at the base of the eighth tallest peak in the world Mount Manaslu. The mountain known as the Peak of Spirit is elevated at 8163 m above sea level between Gorkha and Manang districts near the border of Nepal and Tibet. The highest point of the entire trek is Larkey Pass 5,106m above sea level.

The circuit itself lies at a distance of 177 km from Kathmandu. However, the starting point of our trek is Machhakhola which is 140 km from the circuit. It will take two weeks to complete this journey on foot.

On our 14-day Manaslu circuit trek, we have 10 days of actual hiking days covering an average distance of 15 km every day. The per-day distance is attainable for any person with basic fitness, good endurance, and some hiking experience.

Maximum/Minimum walk per day

The Manaslu circuit trek needs you to walk for 4 to 8 hours every day crossing several suspension bridges, small streams, and rivers, and passing through dense forest to alpine meadows. Please keep in mind that the walking duration every day varies depending on our overnight village, the altitude of the day, the terrain we will be walking through, and your pace.

For example, on day 11, when we hike from Samdo to Dharmasala, we will only walk for 4 hours which is the easiest trail of our entire trek. But the next day will be the most challenging trail of the entire Manaslu circuit trek when you hike for 8 to 9 hours when trekking from Dharmasala to Bimthang crossing the huge Larkey Pass.

Difficulty and Acclimatization

The Manaslu Circuit trek is a moderately challenging trek for beginners but for an experienced hiker, it is going to be an easy trekking tour in Nepal. The trek doesn’t possess any technical difficulties but what makes it moderately challenging is the more primitive conditions and the altitude/thin air.

You may feel the effect of thin air from day 7 when you will be reaching an altitude of more than 3000 m. gradually each day, you will gain elevation. Ultimately on day 12, you will be climbing the huge Larkey Pass elevated at more than 5000 m.

To make your trek easier, we took into account the number of meters you climb per day when compiling the route. We have planned a rest day in Kathmandu and at Samagaon so you get used to the Nepal atmosphere. If you need more time on the road, that is possible. The most important thing is that you listen to your body and go at your own pace.

Can a beginner trek to Manaslu Circuit?

The Manaslu Circuit trek is suitable for beginners who are looking for more virgin treks in Nepal. But please remember, it is a high-altitude trek through some lesser-known trails of the Manaslu region which is still new to Western tourism. It has just been 9 years since the trek has turned into teahouse trekking. Therefore, the facilities in terms of restaurants and guesthouses are much more limited here than around Annapurna or Everest.

The route to the circuit takes you through forests, streams, and mountainous terrain. you will need to cross the dizzying suspension bridges several times. So you must possess basic physical fitness, and the ability to walk for long hours.

Also, be prepared to give away some luxuries of daily hot showers, WIFI, or attached bathrooms. Instead, you will get the purest nature – still unspoiled and untouched.

Preparation and training

If you think you can participate in the Manaslu Circuit trek, then prepare for this trek at home. Put on your walking shoes, grab your walking sticks, and go out to the beautiful hiking destination of your home country. If not, then join some gym for routine supervised exercise routine. Or, plan a schedule for jogging, running, cycling, or squatting to build up your leg muscles and increase your endurance.

Also, make sure you take the right equipment with you. Nothing is more annoying if you carry a bag that is too heavy with unnecessary items or forget the most important things. You can pack worn-in hiking boots, good-quality backpacks, thermal clothing, t-shirts, fleece sweaters, trekking jackets, trousers, hats, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.

What to Expect?

Our Manaslu circuit trek takes you around the 8th highest mountain in the world along the route with fewer people on the trail. Walking through the subtropical jungle to the world of the high mountains, you will explore the ancient Pungyen Monastery and visit Manaslu Base Camp and the pristine glacial Birendra Taal.

You will also climb the enormous Larkey Pass and witness the stunning peaks of Manaslu, Himlung, Cheo Himal, Ganesh Himal, Kang Guru, Annapurna II, Shringi Himal, and Simrang Himal.

You will also run through wild and remote landscapes, over bridges, through rivers, and over high ridges. After each stage, you will spend the night in the tea houses with the locals in authentic villages along the route.

Along the way, you will pass several Buddhist gompas and monasteries. You will regularly encounter small stupas and chortens, structures from Tibetan culture. In short, the Manaslu circuit trek offers the perfect combination of mighty nature and local culture. And as the cherry on the cake, the snow-capped mountain peaks complete the picture.

Alternate routes

You can connect the Tsum Valley trek with the Manaslu Circuit trek. Contact us if you also want to hike this part of the Nepalese Himalayas. For this trek, you will to Jagat from Machhakhola. Then you will cross the small settlements of Lokpa, Chumling, Chekampar, Nile, and Mu Gompa. Then you will make your way back to Chumling and trek to Deng to trek around Manaslu.

If you love to interact with locals directly and experience their lifestyle firsthand, then you can drive from Kathmandu to Manabu and trek through the villages of Yarsta, Kasigaun, Keranja, Runchet, Hulchuk, and join Dobhan and Jagat.

Altitude Sickness

No doubt, the Manaslu Circuit trek will take you to some of the high-altitude regions of Manaslu. From day 7, you will be at an elevation of more than 3000 m which gradually increases till you culminate your journey by crossing the Larkey Pass and descending to Bimthang.

Feeling nauseated, with mild headaches, loss of sleep, and difficulty in breathing can be some of the symptoms you may go through. In such cases, descending to the altitude where you are more comfortable is advisable.

Our team of guides is well-trained in administering first aid treatment in case of any altitude-related emergency. But the best treatment is prevention. So drink a lot of water, and walk at your own pace with no hurry.

Transportation, Meals and Drink

We are your companion in Nepal to guarantee a full-fledged service for any trip to Nepal. Our every trip is an all-inclusive package which includes airport pick-up and drop-off, and a Private jeep transfer from Kathmandu to Machhakhola and Dharapani to Kathmandu.

You will be accommodated in a 3-star standard Hotel when you stay in Kathmandu with free breakfast every morning. During the trek, all Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) with tea or coffee will be provided. In the morning and evening, we eat in our overnight lodge dining rooms.

The menu is very varied – from dumplings, pizza, and burgers to noodles and rice. Almost everything can be safely classified as healthy food. Since the route passes through fairly remote places, there will be an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with traditional cuisine. We cannot drink water from the springs; we will use boiled water or a water purifier for safe drinking water.

Communication, Gadgets charging, and Internet/wifi

If you are worried about internet connections, communication, and charging your devices when traveling in the remote regions of Manaslu, let us assure you there will be no problem at all.

The NCELL and NTC networks coverage are supported in entire Nepal. You can purchase the 4G SIMS In Kathmandu by presenting your Identity papers. These networks also provide several options for data packages at a relatively small cost.

Similarly, up to Dharapani, the lodges are equipped with good speed wifi providers. But at the high altitude of the Pass, the internet may not be available.

For charging, all these villages have a 24-hour electricity supply now. The rooms may have sockets if not, you can always charge in the common room with the use of any simple adapter.

For all these services, you may have to pay a minimal fee of USD 3 to USD 4 per hour or per person. The condition varies from one lodge to another.

Permits

We will obtain the required permits for the Manaslu circuit trek on your behalf on the trek preparation day in Kathmandu. We need the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP), and Special Restricted Area Permit for Manaslu (Manaslu RAP).

The conservation area permits both for Manaslu and Annapurna cost USD 30 per person. The restricted area permit cost however varies depending on the season. In spring and autumn, the cost is USD 100 per person and in winter and summer, the cost is USD 75 per person.

The permit fees are included in our tour package.