Manaslu Circuit Trekking Difficulty, Weather, And Best Seasons

Manaslu Circuit Trekking: Difficulty, Weather, and Best Seasons Guide

Prior to commencing the trek to the Manaslu Region, it is critical to learn more about the destination in detail, as no one expects any kind of trouble on the way and desires a healthy and memorable journey to remember for the rest of their life. Every trekking destination has its own level of difficulty, weather condition, and best seasons to visit, so does the Manaslu Circuit Trekking.

Below are the vital things you should know about the trek to make your adventure safe and enjoyable:

Difficulty

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the most remote trekking routes in Nepal, situated in the Himalayan region of the country. The typical starting point of the trek is Soti Khola (710 m/2,329 ft), and the ending point is Dharapani (1,860 m/6,102 ft). It generally takes 14 to 18 days to complete. To reach the end, you must cross the highest point, Larkya La Pass, located at an elevation of 5,106 m (16,752 ft). You will encounter trails spanning from easy to hard, compared to other renowned treks such as Mardi Himal Trek,Poon Hill Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, and Annapurna Circuit Trek. As a result, in terms of difficulty, the trek is considered moderate to challenging.

Fortunately, there are accommodation facilities on the Manaslu Trek, so you do not have to worry about electricity, hot water for showers, or staying in touch with your people through the internet. Although these facilities may not be as proper as those in the cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, it is still far better to have some amenities than nothing at all in such a remote area.

To avoid developing altitude sicknesses such as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), and High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), you need to slow your pace of walking, and take sufficient breaks of 5 to 8 minutes while walking. Among these, AMS is mild form of altitude sickness and the other two is severe. They often occur if AMS is taken lightly.

It is vital to spend an extra day once you reach elevation above 3,000 m. Consequently, most trekkers prefer to stay an another day in Samagaun, which sits at an altitude of 3,520 m (11,549 ft) to acclimatize their bodies to adjust to the environment.

As for nutrients, carbohydrates are the most significant component of food that every trekker must consume during the trek to prevent altitude sickness. You should eat plenty of rice and potatoes in your three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) each day. In addition to carbohydrates, it is also necessary to drink enough water in order to keep your body hydrated.

You should drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water a day and eat foods that contain high amount of water, such as apples, cucumbers, etc. Moreover, pay attention to your urine every time you go to the toilet. If it is clear and light-colored, it means you are succeeding in keeping your body hydrated and far from getting sick.

Keeping all these things in mind, it is also essential to stay fit for trekking in this region. Your body should be in good condition at least a week before the start of your trek. You need to maintain your fitness level for the Manaslu Trek by doing daily physical workouts such as running, stretching, squats, push-ups, pull-ups, etc.

Also, check the Manaslu Circuit Trekking Altitude

Weather

The weather in the Manaslu Region is usually cool, even in summer, as it is located in the Himalayan region of Nepal. The higher you go up, the colder it becomes. The main difference is that during winter, the weather is freezing, and the entire area is covered with snow. Furthermore, there is sometimes snow in monsoon, which can amaze trekkers. On the other hand, autumn and spring are clear and cool, allowing you to enjoy jaw-dropping mountain views.

Thus, pack all the necessary warm clothes, such as a down jacket, thermal sets, a high-neck sweater, and down gloves, that can fit in your backpack for overnight stays at hotels. Additionally, it is advisable to pack a raincoat and an umbrella, as the weather is sometimes unpredictable and it can rain even in autumn and spring.

Not only in the Manaslu Region but everywhere in the world, the weather is unpredictable. Hence, it is better to be fully prepared before we make our move to the nature. And always remember to check the weather forecast for the date or day that you plan to trek the Manaslu Circuit or anywhere else in the world.

Best Season

The best seasons for Manaslu trekking are spring and autumn. Spring lasts from March to May, and autumn lasts from September to November. During these two seasons, the weather is normally clear, allowing you to experience the real beauty of Mt. Manaslu and other mountains in the same range, such as Larkya Peak (6,249 m/20,502 ft), Ganesh Himal (7,422 m/24,350 ft), and Himalchuli (7,893 m/25,896 ft), as well as the landscape of the area, far better than in winter and monsoon.

Among these seasons, autumn is recognized as the best time to visit not only the Manaslu Region but also anywhere else in Nepal and it is also known as the peak season. Another advantage of visiting this region in autumn is that the biggest festivals of the country, Dashain and Tihar, occur every year in the same season. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to join in and celebrate the festivals with the locals and learn about the culture along the way.

Off-Season Trekking In Manaslu

Winter and monsoon are considered off-season for tourism in Nepal. The weather is frequently unclear in these seasons, making it hard for tourists to travel within the country due to heavy snowfall in the Hilly and especially, Himalaya region, and thick fog in the Terai during winter. On the other hand, during the monsoon, the country encounters the danger of sudden landslide in hilly and Himalaya regions, and flood in the Terai.

Speaking of the fact, all four seasons — winter, spring, monsoon, and autumn — are suitable for tourism. You can visit anywhere in the world whenever you think it is the perfect time for you to travel in order to escape your hectic routine, prioritizing your valuable time and money. It is all about the weather, season, and geography of the country.

Countries like the US, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland offer winter tourism. In winter, tourists can enjoy snowboarding, skating, and ice climbing in these countries. In the context of Nepal, winter tourism is officially not yet available. However, several tourism industries and researchers are working hard to explore the possibility of winter tourism in the country.

Currently, snowboarding and skating are starting to become more recognized in Kalinchowk, Dolakha, and ice climbing in Manang. Despite this, these adventure activities are not yet popular among the local population. For these activities to become famous, they must first gain popularity among the locals, after which they can be promoted worldwide. Hopefully, winter tourism will become a reality in Nepal shortly.

Mountaineering and trekking are well-known adventure activities in Nepal. Most tourists from outside the country visit for mountaineering and trekking. Spring and autumn are the most favorable seasons for these activities. Both fall under the category of hard adventure; however, trekking is somewhat easier than mountaineering. As a result, the country welcome more tourists for trekking than for mountaineering.

This does not mean that you can’t trek in any region of Nepal during winter and monsoon. Off-season trekking in Manaslu and other destinations is possible. If you are a daring person who prefers and enjoys extreme adventure, you can plan your trek to this region anyway. Even during the off-season, trekking trails like the Manaslu Circuit Trek and others are open to tourists. While not all hotels or teahouses along the route will be open, few are available. So, you do not have to worry about accommodation if you want to test your threshold during the off-season.

Just because it is winter or monsoon season in Nepal does not mean the weather will always be unfavorable for 2 to 3 months straight. The weather can sometimes clear up even during these periods. Check the weather forecast frequently if you plan to visit Nepal for trekking in Manaslu during the off-season.

Permits For Manaslu trekking

One of the most important things to keep in mind after planning to visit Nepal for trekking is the permit. It is mandatory to apply for the necessary permits for the Manaslu Circuit Trek after you arrive in the country. Each region has its own permit. Therefore, you need to apply for the permit for this area separately, which is the Manaslu Conservation Area Perm it (MCAP), and it can only be used to travel within the area.

For this trek, you are also required to apply for the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). The entire region is considered a restricted area to preserve its culture and wildlife by the government of Nepal. As a result, it is necessary to apply for the RAP. As mentioned above, this trek begins at Soti Khola and ends in Dharapani. Soti Khola is in the Manaslu Region, while Dharapani is in the Annapurna Region. This is why you need to have three different permit cards to enjoy a single trek.

Check out this blog for detailed information about the permits needed for Manaslu Trekking

Conclusion

The Manaslu Circuit Trekking is one of the mind-blowing trekking trails in Nepal. It provides a singular chance to explore a less-crowded, less-commercialized area. The trek stretches from Soti Khola (710 m) to Dharapani (1,860 m) via the highest point, Larkya La Pass (5,106 m), presenting a moderate to challenging difficulty level that commonly takes 14 to 18 days to conclude. Due to the height and terrain, maintaining good fitness is key, as is staying hydrated and acclimatizing properly.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons for the trek, in spite of the fact that the weather can be unpredictable at any time. Be sure to check the weather forecast frequently, and prepare for a memorable journey in the exceptional Manaslu Region.