Manaslu Base Camp Trek With Larkya La Pass: Best Time, Season, Months
The best and easiest time to trek Manaslu Base Camp Trek, including Larkya La Pass, is in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These are because it’s good weather and safer. It is the best time to trek.
Spring (March to May): The scenic beauty adds up to the trek this season as it's mild temperatures and blooming rhododendrons. Mornings are clear, and there are some stunning views of the snow-capped peaks. Although rain is occasionally expected, the season progresses.
Autumn (September to November): As the monsoon comes to an end, the skies are clear to offer you some of the best views of the surrounding mountains. The cold temperatures are kept from being unbearable for trekking. Heavy rain or snowfall is less for this year and the trekkers get an opportunity to make the trail easy and less risky.
Avoid Winter and Monsoon: In winter, due to heavy snowfall, the pass is dangerous, and during the monsoon, slippery trails and landslides may occur. That is why you need to plan your trek during the advised months to make you all the more delighted with it and to spare yourself the little trouble that bad weather can cause.
Food or Meal Availability on Manaslu Base Camp Trek With Larkya La Pass
On the Manaslu Base Camp Trek, food is mostly available in local tea houses and lodges, the specially set up teahouses and lodges meant for trekkers. Typical meals include local and Western dishes (such as dal bhat, a traditional rice and lentil dish, and noodles; soups and vegetable curries). The food is usually nutritionally adequate, and it's supposed to give the physically demanding trek the necessary amount of energy. You will find local flavors and international cuisines, such as pasta, fried rice and even pizza, in some parts of your lunch and dinner.
The communal dining area is usually installed inside the tea houses to let trekkers gather for meals. However, in the colder evenings, it is often heated, creating a cozy environment. While trekkers ascend to higher altitudes, in and near Larkya La Pass options may become even more limited. For that reason, travelers to the trek ought to bring a bit of snacks or food items similar to energy bars, nuts or dried fruits to help supplement their meals and keep their energy levels up all through the journey.
Besides that, the meals are usually prepared with local products, ensuring trekkers enjoy the taste of the area’s culinary culture. Not only does this lift the trekking experience, but it helps the community economy, too.
Accommodation Facility on Manaslu Base Camp Trek With Larkya La Pass
On the Manaslu Base Camp Trek, accommodation is mainly in teahouses, which are basic lodges run by local families. The tea houses have simple yet comfortable rooms with twin beds, warm blankets, and shared bathrooms, basic amenities. Though the facilities are rudimentary, the warmth they offer makes up for it: they offer rest in between long days of hiking.
When you are trekking to higher elevations, especially towards Larkya La Pass, the accommodation options are getting less. In terms of teahouses, there are fewer of these than in any other area. Trekkers may be required to camp or sleep in tents that tea houses provide. Crowded conditions, particularly during peak trekking seasons, are possible. As such, you should reserve your accommodations in advance (especially if you're trekking during the tourist season).
In addition to gaining a place to sleep, staying in local tea houses ensures you are able to interact with the community. The families running the teahouses there serve food cooked at home and trekkers can learn about the culture and traditions of the region.
Larkya La Pass Manaslu Base Camp Trek with Safety Major Larkya La Pass Guide
Choosing a knowledgeable guide, who can take a safe and enjoyable trip to the Manaslu Base Camp Trek with Larkya La Pass is an important part. The terrain, weather conditions and local customs are very familiar guides with, offering the perfect insight and extra support en route. These can guide them through the tricky trails ensuring that trekkers end up on the right path and out of harm’s way. Also, Altitude sickness is something to take seriously, along with weather changes.
Guides are trained and know the symptoms of altitude sickness, thus they can orientate themselves and build up all the necessary emergency procedures. But they also carry first aid kits and can treat minor injuries. Trekkers should also remind them to keep safe, heed their guide's advice, drink plenty and be prepared for changing conditions. All in all, a great guide with a bit of skill adds to the trekking by improving safety and what you can offer yourself at hand.
Manaslu Base Camp Trek with Larkya La Pass Difficulty Level
The scenic beauty and some cultural richness are certainly present in the Manaslu Base Camp Trek to the Larkya La Pass. It is also one of the moderately difficult treks in Nepal, but it is also the easiest. The difficulty level of Manalsu Trek is categorized as moderate to challenging, primarily due to the following factors:
High Altitude
You rise to Larkya La Pass (5,160 meters) at 16,930 feet (5,160 meters), over which altitude sickness becomes more likely. That’s why trekkers must have proper acclimatization before they can go to avoid serious health problems.
Length and Duration
The trek generally takes between 14 and 16 days, walking very long days (8 to 6 hours per day). This level of trekking in the Manalsu demands good physical fitness and stamina.
Steep Terrain
The trail goes up and down and is physically taxing. Near the pass, there may be snow or ice, so trekkers are to be prepared.
Remote Location
With poorer infrastructure as compared to other trekking regions such as Everest or Annapurna – there are fewer facilities and fewer available supports. Trekkers should be Self-sufficient and well-prepared for emergencies.
However, with some preparation and training, many trekkers manage to reach the end of this trek and enjoy the view as well as the culture they witness on the way.
Requirement of Travel Insurance during Manaslu Base Camp Trek with Larkya La Pass
Manaslu Base Camp Trek is likely to the Larkya La Pass. Travel Insurance here is a must-have.
- Medical Expenses - trekking to higher altitudes poses extreme danger to the high altitude sickness. Treatment must include and cover evacuation if necessary.
- Emergency Evacuation - helicopter rescue or other emergency transport for severe altitude sickness or injury shall all be covered by the evacuation insurance.
- Cancellation of Trip - trip cancellation can be due either to natural disasters or personal emergencies that you could not have known beforehand. A trip cancellation policy can claim these non-refundable expenditures.
- Personal Liability - accidents can be traced and claimed through insurance for injuries caused to other people while trekking and damage to one's property or loss of property.
- Loss and theft of gear - it is important to note that some insurances do cover lost trekking equipment or personal belongings. Most importantly time in scenarios where things cannot be easily replaced.
In addition, the usual cautionary measures along with good, comprehensive travel insurance will guard the most secure way of trekking in the Manaslu area from life enjoying trekking.
Altitude Sickness during Manaslu Base Camp Hiking
When it comes to hiking to very high places, for example, to the Manaslu Base Camp at 4,800 meters (15,748 feet) above sea level, altitude sickness, clinically termed acute mountain sickness (AMS), is very considerable. The less oxygen that remains, the less there is at the higher altitudes as people ascend the heights. Therefore, it presents a variety of symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and insomnia. The risk of altitude sickness has to do with quick ascent, lack of acclimatization, and susceptibility. This means that people planning to trek in the Manaslu region should immediately try to identify early signs of altitude sickness.
The effect of altitude sickness varies among people, and every early sign of it is important. With mild symptoms, headaches and loss of appetite may be all that strikes. Still, severe symptoms may include High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE, which could be lethal). In fact, trekkers should watch out for these symptoms closely and monitor their health generally during the days of ascent, particularly in the early stages. Before setting out on the trek, it is recommended that you consult with a healthcare professional before setting out if you have pre-existing health conditions or a history of altitude sickness.
Remedies for Altitude Sickness during Manaslu Base Camp
There are many tips for how to prevent and deal with altitude sickness while doing the Manaslu Base Camp trek. Some of them are as follows:
- One of the most important measures is to slowly climb to try to keep the body from acclimatizing to changes in altitude.
- Acclimatize days (trekkers are advised to have at least one acclimatize day inserted in their trekking itinerary, especially in high altitudes where they’ll be staying at Samagaun and Samdo to rest and adapt to the atmosphere.)
- Consuming at least 3-4 liters of water a day can help to fight off dehydration. A carbohydrate-laden diet, along with other balanced diet items, provides the necessary energy to complete the trip.
- If symptoms of altitude sickness show, stop ascending, and rest is the very first step.
- Trekkers need to watch over their bodies and seek medical attention if the symptoms stay or get worse.
Trekking group/single
You can trek with Ammonite Adventure as an individual (trekking alone) or as a group (trekking with others). In your group, we will give better rates for the group.
We can take any group size and will provide an assistant guide for groups of twelve or more. We provide one porter per two trekkers. A baggage weight per trekker is 9 kg.
Extra Personal Expenses on Trekking
All of the main costs of the trekking tour are covered by the package of trekking to Manaslu Base Camp. You are responsible for booking your accommodation and meals while you are in Kathmandu.
There are many budget-class to high-end hotels and lodges available in Kathmandu, and you can easily book online. Budget extra for your rooms and meal costs in Kathmandu, visa fees, travel insurance, snacks, drinks, gratuities, souvenirs, and others.
Ammonite Adventure Trekking Crew
For your 14-day Manaslu Base Camp trek with Larkya La Pass, our trained and experienced guides and Sherpas will be with you the entire way to maximize your experience and enjoyment and to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible.
All of our guides are licensed, well-trained and experienced.
We provide porters for your luggage transport; for example, there is one porter for every two trekkers, and a porter can carry no more than 18 kg. However, if you wish, we can give you one porter per person.
Many of our crew members are locals from very remote areas of the high Himalayas.
Therefore, their stamina at altitude is phenomenal. Thus, they live comfortably at altitude with no effect. We pay our staff very well and provide insurance, clothing, food and accommodation for the entire time of your trek. Our guides and porters will get medical attention if they become ill/are injured. We are very much aware of our crew members' happiness; we believe when people are happy it creates happiness in other people.
Our knowledgeable trekking leaders have a lot of experience and have:
- Received training in wilderness first-aid
- Obtained a trekking guide license from the Government of Nepal
- Fluent in English and other important languages
- Trained and practised in conservation and biodiversity
- Knowledge of and the ability to tell stories of local culture, environment and history
- Able to relate to and communicate with all types of people
- Calm and competent communicators when dealing with adversity or problems
- Ability to organize a schedule and related tasks
- Good sense of humour to maintain morale in the group
- Compassionate to the needs of trekkers
- Completely committed to responsible, sustainable tourism
Booking and Payment Process
Ammonite Adventure is a government-registered and bonded trek and tour company with the government of Nepal. We are affiliated with the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) giving you confidence that you can book your holiday with Ammonite Adventure without any concern.
We require 10% of the tour cost as an advance so we can make the booking. You can pay this in a bank transfer, Western Union, or directly from our website. The balance of the tour cost payment: once you are in Nepal, you can pay this in cash, by credit card, bank transfer or Western Union. We will send you our payment details to include the payment method options available.
Immediately after you have booked the trek, we would ask you to send along more documentation, such as a copy of your passport, passport-size photos, your travel insurance policy, as well as your flight arrival and departure information within 7 working days from the date of booking.
Last Minute Booking
Ammonite Adventure provides last-minute booking for the Manaslu Base Camp trek with Larkya La Pass. You will need to pay the full trip price 100% at least 24 hours in advance of the trek departure.
Though we are trying to run treks as best we can, anything could delay the start of the trek and right your last-minute booking that is due to any accidents with flights, bad weather, or anything out of our control.
Trip Extensions
If you would like to stay some extra days after the trek, we can also arrange some fun activities. You could go on to places that are nearby from the Kathmandu valley or go to Chitwan jungle safari or paragliding, white water rafting or canoeing.
Feedback
After you complete the Manaslu Base Camp trek, Ammonite Adventure will host a farewell dinner in Kathmandu. You will get a printed trek achievement certificate, and you will have a provided opportunity for feedback and to discuss your personal experience.
