Manaslu Circuit Trekking For Beginners

Manaslu Circuit Trekking For Beginners: A Complete Guide

It is okay to lock ourselves in a room for a while if we are planning something big for the future. This is part of the process of preparing to make a significant impact. There is no need to prove ourselves to the world; we should always focus on what we truly want to achieve in order to make ourselves proud one day. Trekking in the Manaslu region will certainly give you the pride of standing at 5,106 meters above sea level at the Larkya La Pass, the highest point of the entire route.

There are a few things beginners should pay attention to before embarking on the trek to the Manaslu Circuit. These are vital not only for first-timers but also for experienced trekkers planning to trek in this heavenly destination.

Below are the key things to know about the trek:

Manaslu Circuit Trekking Location

The location of the Manaslu Circuit Trekking is the Manaslu Region of the Gorkha district, situated in Gandaki Province, Nepal. The trek is named after the world’s eighth-highest mountain, Mt. Manaslu, which stands at an altitude of 8,163 m (26,781 ft) above sea level. The entire region is considered a restricted area by the government of Nepal due to its strong influence of Tibetan Buddhist culture and its status as a habitat for endangered species such as blue sheep, Himalayan thar, and snow leopards. To save these treasures, the government has designated it as a restricted area.

The Manaslu Trek is known as a circuit trek because the trail forms a loop, starting in the Manaslu region and ending in the Annapurna region, allowing trekkers to discover new trails without retracing their steps. Typically, it begins at Soti Khola (710 m/2,329 ft) and concludes at Dharapani (1,860 m/6,102 ft). While both locations are in Gandaki Province, Soti Khola is in the Gorkha district, and Dharapani is in the Manang district of the Annapurna Region. You can complete the trek in 14 to 18 days. However, the trekking duration varies depending on your walking pace.

Manaslu Trek Difficulty Level

The difficulty level of the Manaslu Trek extents from moderate to challenging, as it takes 14 to 18 days to achieve, making it one of the longest trekking trails in Nepal. You will need to cover longer distances every day on the difficult routes in the Himalayan region. Additionally, the higher you ascend, the colder the conditions become during the trek.

As a result, it is essential to keep your body fit and in good condition for this trek. Not just for this trek, but for any trek, you should always be in good physical condition. To build stamina and strengthen your body, you should do daily workouts, especially stretching, running, and squats. These exercises help strengthen your legs, which is beneficial for long walks in particular.

If you are already someone who does exercises regularly, you are likely prepared for the Manaslu Circuit Trekking. Nevertheless, if you do not usually exercise or are new to it, it is recommended to start doing exercises like stretching, running, and squats at least a week before your trek, for about an hour daily.

Also, check the Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty, Weather, and Best Seasons

Safety Tips For The Manaslu Circuit Trekking

It is always critical to be aware of safety before embarking on an adventure to any destination. Nature may appear beautiful and peaceful from a distance, but when you finally get into it, you could face many obstacles and difficulties during your trip. Therefore, if you already possess proper knowledge about safety in nature, you will not be as worried while enjoying your journey.

As mentioned above, the difficulty of the trek requires you to be prepared with safety tips before you leave your home for the adventure. Some important safety tips for the Manaslu Trek are listed below:

• Walk slowly; taking breaks of at least 5 to 8 minutes often along the way. Don't get too excited while walking, and avoid rushing to reach the destination of your overnight stay. If you walk too slowly, leave your teahouse early to ensure you reach your destination before dark.
• Don't walk for more than 6 hours a day if you are a beginner or trekking for the first time.
• Drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water a day while trekking to keep your body hydrated. In addition, eat foods that contain a high amount of water, such as cucumbers and apples. They help boost your energy and prevent altitude sickness.
• Eat more carbohydrate-rich foods, such as rice, pastas, potatoes, etc., because they are heavy foods that take time to digest and provide long-lasting energy to your body.
• Walk on the opposite side of the edge while trekking the Manaslu Circuit, as you might be pushed by animals such as horses, donkeys, yaks, etc., on the way. Locals use these animals in the remote regions to carry necessary supplies.
• Carry a first-aid kit with you, including medical items such as wound tape, bandages, scissors, Moov spray, pain killers, etc. Moreover, bring medications to prevent altitude sickness, such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone, but only with a prescription from your doctor. Do not take these medications unless you have no other options left to combat altitude sickness, even if they are prescribed by your doctor.
• The best treatment for altitude sickness is to descend immediately by at least 300 meters and spend a night or a day there if the case is mild, and take acetazolamide. After resting at a lower elevation, if you feel all okay, you can resume your trek.

Best Time For The Manaslu Circuit Trekking

It is significant to know the best time for trekking the Manaslu Circuit, most of all for beginners. There are four seasons in the year: winter, spring, monsoon, and autumn. There is not just one best season to explore the Manaslu region, but two. Spring and autumn are viewed as the best seasons for trekking globally, and the same applies to Nepal.

Spring spans from March to May, and autumn from September to October, with autumn being the peak season in the country. During these seasons, the weather is usually clear, neither freezing nor too hot, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous views of Mt. Manaslu and the surrounding landscape.

Additionally, you can trek the Manaslu Circuit in winter and the monsoon season. But the weather is unpredictable and depends on your luck. You may not be able to witness the views of the mountains due to heavy snowfall in the region and extreme cold. Very few people trek during the off-season, and those who do usually travel in a big group.

Nonetheless, a few teahouses are normally open along the trail, even in the off-season. Thus, you can still go on the trek, but you should check the weather forecast regularly for the dates you plan to trek.

Manaslu Trek Essentials For beginners

If you are a beginner to the world of adventure, then you must be aware of what are the essential things that you need to carry for trekking. First-timers mostly have lack of knowledge regarding the trekking gears, which might cost them during the journey. Below are the Manaslu Trek packing lists for beginners to make you fully prepared for the trek:

• A pair of trekking full-sleeve t-shirts and pants for hiking, and a pair of normal t-shirts and pants for overnight stays at teahouses or hotels.
• Quality trekking shoes for hiking, and normal shoes, slippers, or sandals for use at teahouses.
• A quality hat to protect your face from UV rays during trekking, and a warm woolen hat for use at hotels.
• Enough pairs of socks for both hiking and hotel stays.
• A quality thermal set for use at teahouses.
• A quality raincoat or an umbrella for hiking as a backup, just in case.
• Enough snacks, such as dried fruits, chocolates, protein bars, cookies, etc.
• Body lotion to keep your skin moisturized.
• Sunscreen with at least SPF 50+ to protect your skin, especially your face, from sunburn.
• Lip balm to protect your lips from the cold.
• Quality trekking poles for support while ascending and to avoid knee pain.
• A quality backpack with a capacity of at least 55 liters.
• A quality water- and windproof jacket for hiking.
• A quality down jacket capable of withstanding temperatures of at least -15°C.
• Quality boot gaiters to protect your shoes from snow and water.
• A hard plastic water bottle to store both hot and normal water (highly recommended brand: Nalgene).
• One pair of inner fleece gloves and one pair of down gloves.
• A first-aid kit.
• A headlamp for early morning walks and nighttime use at hotels.
• A quality power bank or portable solar charger to charge electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, cameras, etc.

Also, check the Manaslu Circuit Trek Equipment List for detailed information

Permits for Manaslu Trek

When traveling to any stunning destination in Nepal, tourists need to have a permit to enter certain places or regions. Each of these regions has its own specific permit, and visitors must apply for the appropriate permit accordingly. Therefore, if you are new to trekking, it is critical to be aware of this information before planning your Manaslu Circuit Trek.

So, there are three permits required for the Manaslu Trek, and they are Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).You will need to show these permits at check posts along the way for check-in at five different places: Jagat, Philim, Namrung, Samagaun, and Dharapani. This allows the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) to keep track of how many tourists have passed along the trail.

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

Conclusion

The Manaslu Circuit Trekking is one of Nepal’s best restricted area treks, which is why it is an ideal destination to witness endangered animals such as snow leopards, Himalayan thar, and blue sheep, as well as to learn about ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture. The trek is viewed moderate to challenging in difficulty. Hence, it can be a bit difficult for beginners, as it usually takes 14 to 18 days to conclude. However, this does not mean that the trek is an impossible task for first-timers, even if you have never been to the wild before.

The Manaslu Trek for first-timers is possible. You can make it to the highest point of the trek, Larky La Pass if you walk patiently, take enough breaks while hiking, drink enough water a day at least 2 to 3 liters, and eat foods that are rich in carbohydrate, such as rice, potatoes, pasta, etc.

In addition, you should be in good physical condition for this trek. It will be much better if you are someone who works out regularly, especially doing exercises like stretching, squats, and running for at least an hour a day. However, if you are not accustomed to daily exercise, you can start a workout routine a week before your trek to the Manaslu Circuit to prepare yourself. These three exercises will help you improve your stamina and strengthen both of your legs.

You should be smart enough to check the weather forecast for the day or days of your trek while mapping out your journey. You should also check it daily during the trek, as the weather can be unpredictable and may change at any time. Also, consult your doctor before you leave for the trek and take medications such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone (with your doctor's prescription) to prevent altitude sickness. Nevertheless, remember that the most effective remedy for altitude sickness is always descending to a lower altitude.