Manaslu Circuit Trek - 14 days

Why Trek in  Manaslu Circuit?

Scenic Beauty: The Manaslu Circuit presents dramatic changes in the landscape from emerald valleys to desolate high-altitude deserts. It allows exploration through a variety of ecosystems, picturesque villages, and magnificent sights of panoramic Manaslu 8,163 meters, along with its neighbor peaks.

Cultural Whims: This unique trek offers numerous opportunities to discover the richness of culture among locals, comprising mainly Gurung and Tibetan influences. You'll see traditional villages, and monasteries, and have time with the locals if you wish to.

Less touristy: Compared to the Annapurna and Everest regions, the Manaslu Circuit is less commercialized and fewer trekkers visit so that one can have a peaceful time in nature.

Adventure and Challenge: This trekking contains some challenging high passes with stiff ascents; hence, it is very ideal for those who would look for adventure as well as physically demanding trekking.

Biodiversity: The Manaslu Conservation Area offers a diverse variety of flora and fauna, including rare species like the snow leopard and red panda, thus making it a haven for nature lovers.

Trek Difficulty

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is moderately challenging for a few major reasons. It takes trekkers to extreme altitudes, and the highest pass Larkya La is at 5,160 meters (16,931 feet), at which altitude altitude sickness becomes much more of a risk with less oxygen. The trekkers need to acclimatize to this; therefore, it requires ascending gradually and hydrating well to avoid these risks. 

The terrain itself is tricky, with long uphills and downhills, paths over rocks and boulders, and sometimes requiring careful picking of a line. Sturdy trekking boots and good balance are essential. There is a bit of straightforward scrambling or traversing over boulders in certain places, notably where there have been landslides or after rain, so physical fitness is required to be good. Weather can be unpredictable. It may begin under clear skies, only to conclude with snowfall. Climatic conditions might also be cold, depending on how high one has climbed, thus preparing oneself for this trek involves dressing in layered clothing, having a thermal base layer and outer layers waterproofed.

Challenges characterize this trek. One will witness some of the world's most fantastic views and will get an insight into rich culture throughout.

Larkya La Pass

In the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Larkya La Pass has been considered an exceptional highlight and appears at an elevation of 5,160 meters or 16,931 feet, hence being the highest point in the journey. The climb to the pass is quite heavy since at this height, there is a reduced amount of oxygen due to the gain in altitude that causes altitude sickness. 

Therefore, good acclimatization is mandatory before attempting the pass, and one needs to give time to get the body geared up for this high altitude. Moreover, the weather conditions at such altitudes are inclement and unpredictable, too, with chances of cold and snowfall making the crossing task more challenging. The effort that goes to reach here is indeed priceless; once at the pass, it offers great all-round panorama views of the surrounding peaks, which are great, including Manaslu, Himlung Himal, and several glaciers. 

It should not only be a physical challenge but also a memorable highlight of the trek with feeling accomplished and attached to such magnificent scenery of the Himalayas.

Best Season to Trek

Spring: The best time to trek in Manaslu is from March to May. The weather is usually stable with warm temperatures at lower altitudes and pleasant conditions at higher altitudes. Rhododendrons also bloom during this time.

Autumn: Autumn is the most popular season for trekking in Nepal from September to November. The best time for trekking is definitely in this period. It sports a clear sky and crisp air, and temperatures are favorable. Of course, for this reason alone, it is the most crowded season; book your accommodation and permits beforehand.

Monsoon: During monsoon, this region of the world gets torrential rain and the path gets slippery for trekking and may even face landslides; so it is not advisable to trek from June to August.

Winter: While most tourists do not venture here in the winter, it is still rather cold, with some higher-altitude regions dropping down to quite significant temperatures. The pass itself, Larkya La, may well be snowed under and the route dangerous for the unprepared trekker; but well-prepared trekkers will have no problems.

Packing Essentials for Trek

Here's a comprehensive packing list to help you prepare for your adventure:

Clothing and Foot Wear

• Lightweight thermal underwear (top and bottom)

• Fleece jacket or down jacket

• Waterproof and windproof jacket and pants

• Trekking pants

• Pairs of Warm Socks

• Warm hat

• Sun cap

• Insulated gloves

• Trekking shoes

Gear

• Backpack

• Sleeping Bag

• Trekking Poles

• Water Bottle and Water Purification

• Headlamp

Personal Items

• Toiletries

• First Aid Kit

• Towel

• Sunglasses

• Camera

• Power Bank

• Snacks

• Cash

• Documents

Food, Accommodation during Trek

Food:

It offers meals in all the teahouses along the trek. These will include options like dal bhat, momos, and noodle soups, which represent local Nepali dishes, together with some more Western options.

Snacks like chocolate bars, nuts, and energy bars are also recommended for the trail.

Accommodation:

Teahouses are the primary form of accommodation, offering basic amenities, shared bathrooms, and communal dining areas.

While some teahouses may have hot showers, they can be limited or at an additional cost.

Permits for Trek

The permits you'll need for the Manaslu Circuit trek include:

Manaslu Conservation Area Permit: This permit is for the conservation area. Permission is granted by the Nepal Tourism Board, and one has to enter the conservation area.

TIMS Card: A card is a prerequisite for those trekking in Nepal. It is about a sort of information to be helpful for safety and rescue operations.

Restricted Area Permit: The Manaslu region is a restricted area, and this permit must be obtained through a trekking agency. It is valid for a specific duration and requires at least two trekkers to apply together.