Trekking is a kind of outdoor recreational activity that allows you to get lost in the beauty of the area and encounter some endangered animals where you visit. Additionally, you will get the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of the community along the trail and learn it.
Almost every age group of people appears to be doing the trek in a stunning destination every season. One of the rising trekking destinations in recent times is the Manaslu Region. Through this Manaslu Circuit Trekking blog, you will discover the key things to know before you start the trek here.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking: Key Things To Know Before The Trek
Regardless of the fact that trekking or having a nature walk is always fun, you need to learn about some basic things before commencing your trek to any country, as rules and regulations, systems, culture, weather, etc. usually differ by area. The Manaslu Region, a trekking destination, has one of the most beautiful landscapes in Nepal. It is located in the Manaslu Conservation Area in the Gorkha district of Gandaki province. It was established in 1998 with a covering area of 1,663 km2 (642 sq mi).
The name of the region is derived from the world's eighth-highest mountain, Mt. Manaslu, which sits at an altitude of 8,163 m (26,782 ft) in the Mansiri Mountain Range of Nepal's Himalayas. A trekking trail called Manaslu Circuit Trek is in the region and it is currenlty gaining popularity among adventure enthusiasts from around the world.
The route is an ideal location for those who prefer less crowded and less commercialised place and offers you an amazing view of Manaslu and other mountains in the range: Ganesh Himal (7,422 m/24,350 ft), Himal Chuli (7,893 m/25,896 ft), and Boudha Himal (6,672 m/21,889 ft). In addition to this, you will also have the chance to learn the culture and traditions of three different ethnic groups: Gurung, Tamang, and especially, Tibetan Buddhism.
Among these groups, Gurung and Tamang reside in the lower to mid part and Tibetans are in the upper part of the region. Another special thing about the trek is you can also encounter some endangered species, such as Blue Sheep, Himalayan Tahr, and Snow Leopard somewhere along the trail. On the other hand, Nepal's Government has recognized the entire region as a restricted area to preserve and protect the local culture of ancient Tibetan Buddhists and endangered animals from the flow of tourists.
Below are the things that you should know before you begin the trek to Manaslu:
Difficulty Level
The difficulty of trekking the Manaslu Circuit is moderate to challenging. The trek is longer than the other famous trekking routes in Nepal, such as Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Poon Hill Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Machhapuchhare Model Trek, etc. and the trail is tough in several parts of the trek as well. Even if the entire trail is easy to walk while trekking, it still makes you feel challenging to complete because you have to hike for long days.
Trekking Duration
The duration of the Manaslu Circuit Hike is generally 14 to 18 days for a beginner or normal hiker to conclude, and for experienced or extreme adventurers, it takes 10 days. Nevertheless, it varies depending on your walking speed, stamina, and body condition.
Total Distance Of The Trek
The distance of the Manaslu Trek Adventure is approximately 180 km/110 miles. You need to walk 7 to 8 hours each day to complete the trek, making it even more challenging. To walk for hours each day with a heavy backpack, you need to have strong endurance ability and should be taking enough breaks throughout the day while trekking along the route. Do not rush to reach your next stop for an overnight stay by pushing yourself beyond your limits.
Fitness For Trekking
Since it is considered moderate to challenging in difficulty, you need to have a proper physical condition. It is important to estimate your fitness for trekking the Manaslu Circuit to make sure that you are ready to go for a long nature walk anytime soon.
It will be a plus point for you if you are already a regular workout person. But even if you are not that kind of individual, then you can at least begin exercising a week before the date of your adventure by stretching, running, and squatting for an hour daily.
Elevation Of The Trek
The elevation of the Manaslu Circuit Trek ranges from 710 m (2,329 ft) to 5,106 m (16,752 ft). Soti Khola is the typical starting and lowest point of the trek, whereas the Larke Pass is the highest and main point. As a result, you will need to be careful with your pace during the trek, as you will ascend to above 5,000 m, which is especially tough for one from sea level.
If you make one simple mistake or do careless in such a high-altitude place like the Manaslu Region, you will have a high chance of developing altitude sicknesses: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) in your body. Among these sicknesses, AMS is the first phase where if you don't take it seriously once feeling some symptoms, such as mild headache, lack of appetite, trouble sleeping, etc., then it will progress to HACE or HAPE shortly.
Larke Pass (5,106 m)
HACE and HAPE are scary and can claim your life as well. In such critical conditions, the best and only medication is to descend at least 500 to 1,000 m and if you are still feeling uneasy, then you will need to descend more until you feel okay.
To prevent such unfavourable things during trekking, all you can do for your welfare is walk slowly, take frequent breaks of at least 7 to 8 minutes throughout a day while hiking, drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water daily, eat carbohydrate-rich foods like pasta, rice, and potatoes, and eat foods contain a high amount of water like apples and cucumbers.
And, please avoid fried and non-veg items, cigarettes, and alcohol, as these are never considered good for our health, especially, cigarettes and alcohol. Cigarettes make it hard for you to breathe and alcohol dehydrates your body.
Permits Required
There are not just a single, but four various permits needed for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. They are Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) permit cards.
Most routes lie in the Manaslu Region; nevertheless, the routes after the Larke Pass lie in the Annapurna Conservation Area. For that reason, you are also required to have ACAP.
There are numerous accommodation choices for trekkers on the Manaslu Trek available, and they are all equipped with modern amenities, such as Wi-Fi, hot showers, electricity and a variety of cuisines, making your adventure a bit easier. Hence, you don't have to worry about shelter, food, and other facilities during trekking along the way.
Those teahouses and hotels are not as perfect as we find in the city areas. However, you will at least get a clean space to sleep peacefully under the roof and inside the four walls in such a remote area.
Trekking Cost
The cost of the Manaslu Trek is not that high or expensive compared to Nepal's popular trekking route, Everest Base Camp Trek, as it is currently not a commercialized destination for adventure. Moreover, the cost is varied depending on the size of the group and the duration of the journey. If you can finish the trek in 13 to 14 days by spending the money on necessary and limited things, your total expense could be between USD 700 to 1000 by the end.
Essential Packing List
You should always be aware of the equipment that you are going to need for your trip before heading towards that destination. If you don't pack all the necessary items or gear, you will regret it during the trek because you will certainly face difficulty along the way. Check out some of the packing lists for the Manaslu Trek that are essential for your adventure below:
Quality backpack of at least 55L
A pair of trekking T-shirts (full sleeve is highly recommended) and pants.
A pair of T-shirts and trousers for overnight stays at hotels.
Down jacket with a capacity to withstand temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius.
A pair of quality trekking poles to avoid knee injuries.
Thermal set and high neck for overnight stays at hotels
A pair of slippers, sandals, or shoes for use at hotels.
Raincoat and windcheater (just in case) to put on while trekking.
Body lotion, lip balm, facewash, toothbrush and paste, soap, shampoo, and sunscreen with at least SPF 50+
Normal socks for trekking and thick socks for use at hotels
Quality trekking shoes
First Aid Kit
Hard plastic water bottle to store both normal and hot water
Enough undergarments according to the trek duration
Snacks like dry fruits, protein bars, chocolates, cookies, etc.
Power bank
UV Protection Glasses to protect the eyes from sun rays and snow blindness
Windproof Gloves
Best Time For Trekking
Speaking of the best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit, there are two favourable seasons for trekking and they are spring and autumn. During these seasons, the weather is often clear and not freezing, allowing you to enjoy the majestic views of Mt. Manaslu and others. March to May falls in spring, whereas September to October falls in autumn.
Travel Insurance
To trek in a high-altitude area anywhere in Nepal, you also need travel insurance that encompasses medical emergencies, helicopter rescue, etc., to assure your safety while making memories in the Manaslu Region. Insurance for trekking in Manaslu is mandatory for going on a trek through the agencies.
As for its costs, it depends on the country's policy. However, it might cost you between USD 200 and 300. While going to a high-altitude destination, you shouldn't take any risk, as nothing's above your life.
Other Routes For Trekking In The Manaslu Region
Apart from the Manaslu Trekking Circuit, there are also other two trails that exist in the region for adventure lovers. Actually, these routes are also underrated but without a shadow of a doubt, they offer you an amazing experience of the mountain view.
However, these two are also slowly gaining popularity for nature walks among trekkers and they are listed below:
Tsum Valley Trek
Tsum Valley Trek is mostly popular along with the stunning views of the mountains: Ganesh Himal (7,422 m/24,350 ft), Himal Chuli (7,893 m/25,896 ft), Boudha Himal (6,672 m/21,889 ft), and Sringi Himal (7,155 m/23,474 ft). It leads you to the villages that are heavily influenced by the Tibetan culture and lifestyle: Chumling, which lies in the lower part, and Chaikampar in the upper part of the valley.
Nilov Monastery, Nile, Upper Tsum
For that reason, these villages are also known as Lower Tsum and Upper Tsum, respectively. In addition, you can do both the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek at the same time. Doing so will take you approximately 20 days to conclude the entire trek.
Rupina La Pass Trek
Rupina La Pass is another trekking route in the Manaslu Region, a less-known route in the whole area. The height of the Rupina La Pass is 4,720 m/15,486 ft. The trek initiates from Barpark Village, home to the Ghale community, and connects to the Manaslu Circuit Trail via Rupina La Pass, and follows the same path to Dharapani, where the trek finally ends.
Nevertheless, you will cross two different passes during this trek and another one is Larkya La Pass. During trekking, you will have the opportunity to learn about the Gurung culture and tradition and enjoy the picturesque views of Manaslu, Boudha Himal, Himal Chuli, Ganesh Himal, and other mountains of the Langtang Mountain Range.
How to get to the Manaslu Region?
To reach the Manaslu Region, you need to take a public vehicle from Kathmandu to Gorkha from the New Bus Park, located in Gongabu. It takes approximately 8 to 9 hours of long driving, depending on the road condition and traffic. If there is no issue on the highway, then you can reach Gorkha even less than the mentioned duration.
Additionally, you can reserve a private vehicle for your group from your trusted trekking agency if you don't want to travel with the locals. After a day-long drive, you disembark in Soti Khola, the usual starting point of the trek. Alternatively, you can also go a bit further to the next point, Machha Khola for an overnight stay on a vehicle, and can begin your adventure from there the very next day as well.
Is it safe to trek to the Manaslu Circuit?
Yes, the Manaslu Circuit Trail is safe to trek. Even though it lies within the boundary of the conservation area, you don't really have to be afraid of getting attacked by some kind of predator from behind or anywhere. The region is famous for snow leopards, but they are usually shy in nature and avoid contact with humans in the woods.
Sometimes, the problem could be the weather during the trek, as it is always unpredictable. However, to prevent any issues related to weather, you can check the forecast for the date you are travelling, and also keep checking it every day before you head out to the next destination during the time of your trekking.
To be on the safe side, you better plan to go for this trek or anywhere in Nepal, only during spring or autumn in the first place. In terms of the trail, it is tough in some places. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean you can't make it to the Larkya La Pass.
Is a guide required for Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
Yes, a guide is required for Manaslu Circuit Trekking. It is compulsory because as mentioned earlier, the entire region is considered a restricted area by the government to control the influx of tourists there and preserve and protect the culture of the locals and some endangered animals.
Furthermore, you aren't even allowed to trek alone with a guide or porter. There must be at least two people in your group excluding the guide and porter.
Is cash needed while trekking to Manaslu?
Yes, cash is needed while trekking to Manaslu because the region is remote and we can't expect to have modern facilities like ATM boots, banks, online payment services, etc. everywhere. Also, all the teahouses and hotels there, don't accept dollars or foreign currencies. It is most needed for personal expenses, which aren't included in the package.
So, you should exchange your currency for the Nepalese Rupee after you land in Nepal before heading towards the Manaslu Circuit. You can easily find money exchange shops anywhere in Kathmandu. It is already available at the airport or you can exchange it in the tourism hub of the city, Thamel.
Is off-season trekking in Manaslu possible?
In fact, trekking in the off-season is not recommended, as you are most likely to encounter an unfavourable climate during this time, making your journey even more challenging than it is supposed to be. However, it isn't said that you can't have an adventure. Hence, yes, off-season trekking in Manaslu is possible only if you're an experienced hiker and are fully prepared for anything to come your way all the time.
Winter (December to February) and Monsoon (June to August) are referred to as off-season. During these months, you can experience both advantages and disadvantages while trekking in this region. To begin with advantages, you could be able to enjoy the following things if the weather is in your favour:
The lush and green view of the area during monsoon.
Pure white and snowy views of the peaks in the Mansiri Mountain Range during winter.
A peaceful environment on the trail, with very little flow of tourists.
There's a high chance of the weather getting unfavourable during the off-season and you could experience the following things:
Very little chance of enjoying the majestic beauty of the mountains and landscapes along the way.
Leeches are found everywhere in the lower section of the route and high chance of landslides occurring during monsoon.
Freezing temperatures, especially in the morning and at night, and a high chance of the trail to Larkya La Pass getting blocked due to heavy snowfall during winter.
Therefore, you shouldn't be trekking in the Manaslu region during non-peak season, especially, if you're a beginner and don't want to face obstacles while hiking. Even though you're an experienced trekker and wish to have extreme adventure most of the time, you should better check the weather forecast for the dates of your trek and keep monitoring it daily during your journey to Larke Pass.
