"Breathe in Nature's Blessings"
info@natureloverstrek.com
Manaslu circuit trekking is a trendy trekking destination in the Manaslu region. Also known as an alternative to Annapurna circuit, the trek to Manaslu circuit is one of the most fantastic trekking trips as you will have an opportunity to explore Mt Manaslu, 8163m (the 8th highest peak in the world, located at the Nepal / Tibet border). Pass through Nepal’s longest mountain pass called Larke La pass 5106m, from where you can enjoy the panoramic views of mountains, located in Manaslu and Annapurna regions.
Trekking to the Manaslu region was opened in 1992 for outsiders. Since then, trekking to Manaslu, Tsum valley, along with Larke La pass, has been famous primarily for having incredible scenes of the unique landscapes, natural wonders of snowcapped and rocky hills and excellent views of mountain ranges located in the Manaslu region. Manaslu means the ‘Spirit Mountain,’ which stands to be a benevolent and strong deity in the local dialect. You will also be amazed at the blend of cultures, unique rituals, and lifestyles of diverse ethnic groups living along the trail. Therefore, Manaslu region trekking is much loved and in demand. Similarly, one can also go for an expedition around Manaslu, which adds more significance to this trekking destination.
However, Manaslu journey demands strong physical fitness and is unsuitable for weak legs. This trekking is highly preferred to be accomplished during spring and autumn time.
If you have a short time, you might also want to check Short Manaslu Circuit Trekking and Manaslu Circuit Trek with Heli Return.
Please check our photos/videos at Flickr.
Day 01:Drive to Machha Khola 900m 9hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 02:Trek to Jagat 1410m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 03:Trek to Dyang 1800m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 04:Trek to Namrung 2630m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 05:Trek to Syala 3500m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 06:Trek to Sama Gaun 3530 m 4hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 07:Sama Gaun for acclimatization and visit to Manaslu base camp 4800m, BLD, Teahouse
Day 08:Trek to Samdo 3860m 3hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 09:Trek to Dharamsala / Larke phedi 4460 m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 10:Cross Larke La 5106m and to Bimtang 3720 m 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 11:Trek to Tilije 2300m 5hrs and drive to Besisahar, BLD, Teahouse
Day 12:Drive to Kathmandu, BL.
Kathmandu sightseeing: $80 per person (gets cheaper with bigger PAX)
Porter service: $20/day per porter
Day 01: Drive to Machha Khola 900m 9hrs, BLD, Teahouse
After breakfast, you will drive to Arughat bazaar, then to Soti Khola and Machha Khola for about 9-10 hours of a long drive. This long drive passes through some small scattered villages, green hills, waterfalls, and rivers, including the mesmerizing views of the Annapurna ranges, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and many more. The first couple of hours to Dhading Bensi will be on a paved road, but soon after, dirt road and rougher surfaces will follow.
Day 02: Trek to Jagat 1410m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
After breakfast in Machha Khola, you will begin trekking to Jagat. The trekking trail on this day is gently up and down and narrow at the beginning. After crossing the bridge of Budhi Gandaki, the trail climbs up the staircase to Dovan and descends to the river. Again, you must climb some more stone staircases following some beautiful Gurung villages. After walking for a short period through the river bank, you will arrive at Jagat.
Day 03: Trek to Dyang 1800m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
After breakfast in Jagat, the journey starts and goes through the dense green forest, some small rivers and neat villages. After descending Sirdibas, the trail continues to Ghatte Khola, and crossing the suspension bridge, you will reach Philim, a large Gurung village. You will pass through stunning waterfalls on both sides of the valley today. Subsequently, walking for few hours, the trail widens through the valley and passes through a bamboo forest to arrive at Dyang.
Day 04: Trek to Namrung 2630m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
After breakfast in Dyang, trek begins by crossing a bridge and some ascents for a while; the trail passes through lush forest and alpine vegetation towards Bhi village. It is the best start of the culturally and traditionally significant journey. You will see many Gumbas on the way to Namrung. More than that, you can explore the Manaslu Conservation area and Siringi Himal. Having a good walk through the beautiful landscape, you will reach Namrung in no time.
Day 05: Trek to Syala 3500m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
After breakfast in Namrung, you will walk through Sho and Lho villages to reach Syala village. The trail is gently ascending, and can enjoy good views of Ganesh Himal, Siringi and Mount HimalChuli. En route, you can see some Tibetan monasteries. You will be staying at Syala, where you can enjoy high Himalayas like HimalChuli, NgadiChuli, Manaslu range and Ganesh Himal, along with glaciers straight ahead.
Day 06: Trek to Sama Gaun 3530 m 4hrs,BLD, Teahouse
Short trekking day of the trip. You can take your time and walk forward by enjoying magnificent views of the Himalayas. Please go through the lateral moraines of Pungyen glacier to reach another stunning village on your journey. This day trek is kind of short for acclimatization. You will stay in Sama Gaun which is only a few hours from Syala. Explore the surroundings for the rest of the day and relax to acclimate well before heading higher towards the pass. You can also visit the Manaslu base camp for proper acclimatization either this day or the next.
Day 07: Sama Gaun for acclimatization and visit to Manaslu base camp 4800m, BLD, Teahouse
Today is the primary acclimatizing day. You can take rest and relax in the Sama Gaun. However, to get appropriately acclimatized, we recommend you take one of these hikes: either visit Manaslu Base Camp or visit nearby Gumbas like Pungyen Gumba and Old Gumba. Whatever option you choose, you will be rewarded with huge amounts. You will get closer and closer to Mount Manaslu, with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The more you hike, the more you will love it.
Day 08: Trek to Samdo 3860m 3hrs, BLD, Teahouse
The trekking journey today is easy. You will descend to the river via the pastures and follow the bridge. The mountains view on the route is breathtaking as you feel like you're walking side by side with Mount Manaslu. On the way, you can also get just this close to the Tibetan border. You will stay at Samdo for the night, a Tibetan refugee village. Samdo is only a day away from the edge of Tibet. Explore the village and the surrounding hills afterward.
Day 09: Trek to Dharamsala / Larke phedi 4460 m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Trekking today is a few snaky highs and lows. After passing through some streams, you will reach a seasonal Tibetan market called Larke market (bazaar). Today is the best day for our trekking when you can witness Larke glaciers. After Salka Khola, you will climb up Dharmasala to Larke Phedi, where we begin ourselves for the great pass the next day. The villages around here started to prosper slowly after the trade with Tibet a long time ago.
Day 10: Cross Larke La 5106m and to Bimtang 3720 m 8hrs,BLD, Teahouse
It is the big day. Challenging and the longest hike of the entire journey. After the early morning breakfast in Dharmasala, you will head for Larke pass (5106m). Although it is a challenging trail, you can witness the glacier lake and beautiful valleys along with snowcapped peaks. Some honorable names of the mountains are Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal and Annapurna II. Sometimes after crossing the Larke pass, you will descend steeply, and reach Bimtang to stay the night.
Day 11: Trek to Tilije 2300m 5hrs and drive to Besisahar, BLD, Teahouse
First few hours in the morning, you can explore Bimtang village, which is a beautiful village full of natural beauty. There's a beautiful Ponkar lake and a glacier which you can explore. The trail to Tilije is mostly descending. On the way, you can enjoy great views of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, and Cheo Himal. Walking through the rhododendron forest, you will reach Tilije in no time. While descending, you will come through a pass, then meandering for sometimes, you will arrive at a beautiful village, Tilje. After some rest and lunch, ride to Besisahar to stay the night.
Day 12: Drive to Kathmandu BL.
After a delightful breakfast in Besisahar, you will drive to Kathmandu. This drive can take 7/8 hours to reach Kathmandu. We gather together for the last time and talk about our memories before we bid goodbye to each other.
Customized Trips and Trip departure
Manaslu Circuit Trekking departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.
But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the trek as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.
Accommodations during trek
You will be staying in the teahouse lodges or guesthouses during the trek.
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. We believe after the tough walking day, everyone deserves the proper rest and the right ambience to relax and chill. Therefore, our choice of accommodation is the best when it comes to the trekking days. The rooms will be clean and comfy. Our entire accommodations will be on twin-sharing basis as you can see, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or if you want a double bed, etc. There will be extra charge for the single supplement.
Route Map and Company T-shirt
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.
Safe Drinking Water during Manaslu Circuit Trekking
Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid the altitude sickness and to avoid other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water on extra cost.
Your trekking guides and porters
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.
Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.
Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.
Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.
We have had many solo travelers in the past. Nepal is totally safe to travel even in the Himalayas, even though you are solo. However, since it is a restricted area, at least 2 travelers are needed for this trek. If you are traveling solo, we can arrange in such a way that you have to share the permit with other travelers & you might have to pay a little extra.
Extra personal expenses during and after trek
The clients are responsible for their own personal expenses during or after the treks like, for buying beverages and snacks, WiFi, doing laundry, buying souvenirs & personal equipment, tips for the field staffs, etc. Therefore, we recommend you to bring some extra cash (in dollars or euro, etc.) of about $400-500, and change it into Nepali Rupees since only NPR are accepted in majority of the Nepali market.
Shower during the trek
It's an important matter to discuss about. After a day's end, you might feel like showering and get fresh. It's a good idea on the lower altitudes but if you're on the higher altitudes (more than 3500m), we recommend to shower on intervals. People seem to catch a cold easily after showering which can lead to altitude sickness. Teahouses in the lower elevation offers you hot shower, but in the upper elevation, a bucket of hot water is provided. They charge a little extra for the hot water bath ($2-5).
Laundry on the trail
There are some teahouses which offer laundry services and you can use their service during the acclimatizing days. However, most of the lodges don't have laundry service and you might have to either wash your clothes yourself or postpone until you arrive in Kathmandu or in any city. Please plan in advance about it.
Your safety
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Manaslu Circuit Trekking.
How much does the Manaslu Circuit Trekking cost?
The cost of the Manaslu Circuit Trekking varies from $800-$1800 depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the accommodation choices and group sizes also. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey from the moment you land in Nepal till the moment you fly back home. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.
How is the Accommodation during the Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
In Manaslu Circuit Trekking, we will provide you the teahouse accommodations. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Some teahouses even have attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace. Also some of the teahouses provide the European toilets these days while Asian style of toilets are available in every teahouses. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.
What are the permits that I need for Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
For Manaslu Circuit Trekking, you will need to make 4 permits: Manaslu Restricted permit, MCAP {Manaslu Conservation Area Project}, ACAP {Annapurna Convservation Area Project} permit and TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System).
How does this tipping system in Nepal work and do I have to tip?
Tipping is not compulsory for Manaslu Circuit Trekking however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide and also a porter expects around $10 or more per day.
Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
You can sometimes charge your electronic devices during Manaslu Circuit Trekking but only by paying small amount or fees for charging. Don’t forget to buy a plug adapter or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.
Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
Manaslu Circuit Trekking route has mobile network coverage in some days, thanks to the Nepalese telecommunication companies called Ncell and NTC. You can buy one of these Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu. It is wiser to buy a sim card with around 4 GB data in Kathmandu and use the mobile data in the trek to avoid paying extra by buying WiFi on the trek.
WiFi is available in some of the teahouses in Manaslu Circuit Trekking route and cost some charges. However, the signal varies from place to place and please don’t expect to receive the fast data coverage in the trek.
When is the best time to trek to Manaslu Circuit?
Manaslu Circuit Trekking can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek to Manaslu Circuit. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Manaslu Circuit Trekking. The problem is the weather is harsh cold in winter and there’s snow everywhere while the summer has rainfalls and clouds obscuring the mountains and the views are not so great most of the time.
Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
The itinerary of our Manaslu Circuit Trekking is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Manaslu Circuit Trekking.
Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Manaslu Circuit Trekking is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek. We will be gaining the high altitude of 5106 m above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.
Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Manaslu Circuit Trekking demands high physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-8 hours and involves many ascents and descents including crossing of the high pass which means you need lots of practices before you start the trekking journey. You will be traversing through the forests, high passes and high hills. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, that’s fine but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least two months prior to your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Manaslu Circuit.
What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
Full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are limited choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc.
The most common and the highly recommended food during the Manaslu Circuit Trekking is typical Nepali Dal Bhat {rice and lentil}; even better without meat, means Nepali Vegetarian Dal Bhat. You can also eat other food items such as seasonal vegetables, noodles and spaghetti, pastas, pizzas and French fries, soups, etc. depending upon the availability. For the beverage, you can either choose warm, hot or cold beverages; soft drinks, beer and hard drinks. For the breakfast, you can order cereals, breads, noodle soups, egg dishes, etc.
Do I need a travel insurance for Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
Travel insurance is a must when you trek to Manaslu Circuit. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 5000 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.
In general, most of the places in Nepal don't accept the card payments as they are remote and of limited use to them. So, we recommend you to withdraw some cash before departing for the journey. ATMs will charge you minimal service fee for withdrawing money and you will also get good exchange rate from the banks.
How much weight of luggage can I take during the trek?
Our porter is allowed to carry maximum of 25 kg so, since 2 clients will share one porter, both of your combined weights shouldn't be more than 20kg. We care about our porters and he also has his personal belongings to carry as well.
For the important things and your personal items, you might have to carry your own backpack. But please, only carry the essentials and you will have to leave the rest of the unimportant items, either in the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
Is there any age limit for Manaslu circuit trek?
Not, at all. No matter if you're 5 years old or 85, you can trek as long as you can. In fact, the children seem to adapt to the high altitudes faster than an adult. So, as long as you're willing to hike the Himalayas, you can hike no matter what your age is.
How do you take the remaining balance on arrival in Kathmandu? Do I need to pay you by cash or I can use my card?
On arrival in Kathmandu, you can pay the remaining balance either on cash or by card. We prefer to be paid in cash (doesn't matter which currency) rather than by card but however, you can also swipe your card which will incur you extra 3.5% charge from the bank.
How big should my backpack be?
It all depends on what you wish to carry on your day pack. We recommend a backpack between 20-40 liter or roughly the size of a school bag.
If I have to use a restroom during the hike or trek, where can I use the restroom?
You can easily access the restrooms of any teahouses on the trail. If in case it's urgent and you cannot find any teahouses around, you can always go off the trail to ease yourself.
Can I leave my luggage in Kathmandu?
Definitely, you can leave your excess stuffs in Kathmandu. Either you can leave them on the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
What about extra days and nights in Kathmandu?
For any extra days and nights in Kathmandu which is outside of your schedule, you can let us know beforehand and we can book the hotels for you and also other add-ons or activities as you may like. If under unforeseen circumstances you get extra days in Kathmandu after the trek, we shall work out the right solution for you.
What if I get sick or injured during the trek?
Like we said earlier, we, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. Our professional team is always with you and monitoring you to ensure your wellness and safety. Our experienced and well-trained guide will use his emergency skills in case of emergency; either if you get injured or if you get sick. If it's regarding a symptom of altitude sickness or AMS, you will have to go down to the lower altitudes as fast as possible in order to gain your energy back. You can always continue in the later days or retreat as per your choice. In case of necessity, he will arrange the rescue helicopter for you as well to get the quick medical attention in Kathmandu.
How cold is it during the Manaslu circuit trekking?
The places in the mountainous region are always cold no matter which season or what time. But the temperatures vary depending on the season and altitude.
What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Manaslu Circuit. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Manaslu Circuit. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.
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