Top 10 Benefits of Manaslu Circuit Trekking

Discover the Top 10 Benefits of Manaslu Circuit Trekking

Off-The-Beaten-Path Experience

Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the remote treks in Nepal. It is less normally visited or explored compared to other popular trails, such as the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, and Everest Base Camp Trek.

Hence this is very much recommended trekking spot for trekkers who want to escape to a non-commercialized place. No large flow of tourists will cross this route to spray you during autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) peak seasons, so you may peaceful be involved in nature. 

Moreover, as the route is already not too crowded, you will find it clean and tidy which is something everyone likes to see at any place they visit. However, it has been trending among adventure lovers lately. 

Cultural Experience

The Manaslu Region is predominantly inhabited by Gurung, Tamang, and Tibetan Buddhist communities. Gurung and Tamang people mostly reside in the lower part of the area, whereas Tibetan Buddhists live in the upper part. Consequently, you will gain some cultural experiences on the Manaslu Trek, especially the ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture. You will be amazed by the colorful Buddhist flags, chortens (stupas), and monasteries along most parts of the trail.

The biggest festivals of Nepal, Dashain and Tihar, fall in autumn. Therefore, if you plan to trek on this trail, you will have the chance to celebrate these festivals with the locals. Furthermore, you can experience the celebration of Lhosar (New Year) by the Gurung and Tamang communities, which falls in winter.

Whilst winter is considered the off-season and the region experiences snowfall and freezing temperatures during this time, it does not mean the area is inaccessible for trekking. Very few trekkers are seen on the route in winter, so if you visit for trekking during this season, you will certainly have the chance to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Lhosar.

Stunning Views

The name of the region and trek is derived from the world’s eighth-highest mountain, Mt. Manaslu, which sits at an altitude of 8,163 m (26,781 ft) above sea level. Therefore, the trek is primarily well-known for its astonishing views of Manaslu and other mountains, such as Himal Chuli (7,893 m/25,896 ft), Ganesh Himal (7,422 m/24,350.39 ft), and Boudha Himal (6,672 m/21,890 ft).

In addition to the mountains, you will also have the chance to enjoy the stunning rhododendron forests (country’s national flower) between elevations of 1,800 m and 3,500 m, as well as villages such as Syala, Sama, and others along the way. So, all these mountains, forests, and villages make it one of the best trekking routes in Nepal.

Nepal-China Border

While trekking the Manaslu Circuit, you will also have a chance to visit Samdo, the last village in northern Nepal. Sits at an altitude of 3,875 m (12,713.25 ft), the village lies near the Nepal-China border. As a result, this trek also offers you the opportunity to discover the border area and value the beautiful landscapes of both Nepal and its neighboring country.

Lakes In The Mountains

Manaslu Trek presents distinctive beauty compared to other trekking destinations, showcasing everything from incredible mountain views to rich local culture and traditions. Among its many attractions is Birendra Lake, situated at the height of 3,691 m (12,110 ft). Most trekkers spend an extra day in Sama Gaun (Village) for acclimatization, which is a wise choice when reaching elevations above 3,000 m. This assists you in avoiding altitude sickness as you go further up.

During your acclimatization day, you can hike to the beautiful Birendra Lake, a journey that normally takes three hours to complete. Furthermore, you will witness a stunning glacial lake, Pungkar Lake, located at an elevation of 4,100 m (13,450 ft), after crossing the pass on the way to Bhimthang.

Wildlife Experience

Manaslu Circuit Trail lies within the Manaslu Conservation Area, situated in the Gorkha district of Gandaki Province. This conservation area is home to over 2,000 species of plants, including 1,500 flowering plants, which grow here and contribute to its varied ecosystem. Also, it is home to endangered species, including snow leopards, blue sheep, and Himalayan tahr.

Consequently, in order to preserve the wildlife, limit the number of trekkers, and protect both the natural and cultural beauty of the area, it has been recognized as a restricted area by the Government of Nepal. During the trek, you may also have the chance to witness these animals and capture their pictures to cherish the memories.

Other Trekking Destinations

One of the unique features of Manaslu Circuit Trekking is that you can pick to go on additional treks or hikes either during or after the trek. Tsum Valley is an underrated but beautiful destination in the country. If you have sufficient time and wish to extend your trekking duration, you can venture into the valley from Jagat (1,340 m / 4,396 ft) during the third day of your trek. The minimum duration of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is 14 days with a slow walking pace.

But if you choose to visit Tsum Valley as well, the duration will extend to 20 days. The final point of the trek is Dharapani, Manang, from where you can also continue your trek to the Annapurna Circuit. Furthermore, during your acclimatization day in Sama Gaun, you will have the chance for short hikes to places such as Manaslu Base Camp (4,800 m/15,748.03 ft) and Birendra Lake, as mentioned earlier.

Longest Pass

The Manaslu Trek grants the experience of crossing one of the longest passes in Nepal, Larkya La Pass (5,106 m/16,752 ft), compared to other trekking paths in Nepal. Most trekkers usually cross the pass on the 10th day from Dharmasala (4,450 m/14,600 ft). To do so, you will need to wake up early at 3 a.m. and leave your hotel by 4 a.m. It takes usually 4 hours of slow walking to reach the pass, followed by another 6 hours to descend to Bhimtang (3,590 m/11,778.22 ft).

In total, it normally takes around 10 hours of walking. Nevertheless, this can vary depending on an individual's walking pace, weather conditions, and group dynamics. For an experienced trekker, it might take less than 10 hours, while others may take longer.

In essence, Larke Pass is also a reason for its growing popularity among adventure lovers worldwide in recent times and is considered one of the special features of the Manaslu Circuit Trail. In addition, you will have the chance to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the following mountains: Larke Peak (6,249 m/20,505 ft), Cheo Himal (6,820 m/22,375 ft), Kang Guru (6,981 m/22,904 ft), Himlung (7,126 m/23,379 ft), and Annapurna II (7,937 m/26,040 ft) while crossing the pass.

Helping Local Communities

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is beneficial not only for trekkers and tourists, however, also for the local people of the area. Along the way, there are plenty of teahouses with modern facilities such as electricity, hot showers, and internets access. All these teahouses along the trail have made the trek much easier for travelers in the region.

In spite of the fact that they are not as high-standard as the hotels found in cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other major cities in Nepal, they provide a vital shelter in such a remote part of the country, a truly invaluable resource during trekking. And to give quality service to trekkers, these businesses need manpower, especially during the peak season. So, the flow of visitors creates employment opportunities for the locals, which is important for them to run their house and family.

Health Benefits

Trekking in the high-altitude, beautiful environment is beneficial for both your physical and mental health, as it helps increase your endurance. The higher you ascend by walking slowly, the better you acclimatize to the region's thin air, making you stronger and more capable of surviving in high-altitude environments around the world. The highest point of the trek to the Manaslu Circuit is Larke Pass (5,106 m). If you can make it to this elevation, you can likely reach similar altitudes or even higher in any part of the world.

All you need to do is have patience, walk gradually by taking frequent breaks of at least 6 to 8 minutes on the way while hiking, drink plenty of water (at least 2 to 3 liters daily), eat foods rich in carbohydrates, such as pasta, rice, and potatoes, consume fruits with high water content, such as cucumbers and apples, and get enough sleep at night.

By doing so, you will gain energy every day to avoid altitude sicknesses like Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). Among these, AMS is considered mild, while HAPE and HACE are severe. If you take AMS lightly, it could cost your life during the trek.

Additional Information Regarding Manaslu Circuit Trekking

As previously stated, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is in the boundary of a restricted area and you cannot hike on this route without a guide. You have to have a trekking guide accompanying you, and there should be a minimum of two people in the group. You must also obtain four different permit cards that you must show at check posts at different points along the trail. 

These permit cards are the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Although you will be trekking in the Manaslu region, you will still require the ACAP because you will end the trek in Dharapani, Manang, which is in the Annapurna region.