Do you need a guide for Manaslu Circuit?

As we mentioned above, the Manaslu circuit trekking is one of the toughest. To submit, this trek one must have to take help from others. To navigate off-trail and understand the culture of the village on your way you must need a guide. Thus the Manaslu circuit cannot be done by the rural guide. Similarly, without a guide is not allowed because of its ruralness. Not only have you remembered that a freelance guide can't help you in obtaining the permits required for this trek. Thus, hiring a government-licensed guide before embarking on the trailhead will help you a lot.

What about the food options during Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Nepal is more than a mountain, the food, and culture of the Nepalese people are one of the major attractions of the Manaslu Circuit trek. Like other parts of Nepal, here in this region, you can get food variety like Porridge, momo, soups, dal bhat, porridge, momo, soups, thukpa, think, Tibetan bread, veggies, toast, pasta, curry (veg/non-veg), sandwiches, chapati, etc. Likewise, no need to worry about boiled drinking water, they offer as much as water you need during the trial. Also, carry water purification tablets for extra safety.

How are telecommunication and internet facilities in Manaslu Region?

As we talked a couple of times before, the Manaslu region is very remote trekking. Thus, the question of the internet and communication is mostly asked about the Manaslu trek. Adding to that the Manaslu circuit trekking route has 40% of the place where the cell phone signal is available if you want to use cellular data, then get a Nepali Sim with a data package to use while trekking. Similarly, there are several villages including Samagaun and Samdo where you can get Wi-Fi service, the service might provider may ask you for a few extra bucks. However, during trekking, many travel company provides a satellite phone that will keep you connected with them during the trip.

What Is 14 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary?

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Sotikhola [2328 ft/710m] (8-9) hours Day 02: Trek from Soti Khola to Maccha Khola [2952 ft/900m] (6-7) hours Day 03: Trek from Maccha Khola -Jagat [4625 ft/1410m] (6-7) hours Day 04: Trek from Jagat to Deng [5917 ft /1,804m] (6-7) hours Day 05: Trek from Deng to Namrung [8626ft/2630m] (6-7) hours Day 06: Trek from Namrung to Samagaon [11,578 ft/3530m] (6-7) hours Day 07: Exploration day Samagaon to Pungyen gompa or MBC – Samagaon (6-7) hours Day 08: Trek from Samagaon to Samdo [12,660 ft/3860m] (4-5) hours Day 09: Exploration Rest Day in Samdo Day 10: Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala [14, 628 ft/4460m] (4-5) hours Day 11: Trek from Dharamsala to Larkya la [16,924 ft /5160m]-Bimthang [12,201ft/3720m] (8-9) Day 12: Trek from Bimthang to Tilije [7544ft/ 2300m] (5-6) hours Day 13: Trek from Tilije to Tal [3,542ft/1,080m] (4-5) hours Day14: Drive From Tal to Kathmandu or Pokhara by (Jeep, Bus, or Car) [4,265ft/ 1,300m] (7-9) hours

Do I need a guide or a porter?

To trek in Manaslu, you ought to have a guide. The trails are not well marked. The guide will help you through navigation, during emergencies, and for negotiations. The porter will carry your baggage for you. You can enjoy long walks without having to carry heavy burdens.

Why Manaslu? What made Manaslu different from Everest and Annapurna?

Along with the beautiful scenery, the Manaslu Circuit Trekking offers mesmerizing trails and one of the less crowded, and mountain views. During the trail, you will experience rich Tibetan Buddhist culture and diverse vegetation. Compared with the Everest and Annapurna circuit trek this Manaslu is less crowded, wilder, and more remote. Here is a list of some highlights of the Manaslu circuit trek are: Tibetan culture of the Nuri people bordering Tibet and Nepal Mountain drive from Kathmandu to Arughat and Beshisahar to Kathmandu Exotic Budhi Gandaki River valley Fabulous views of Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Himchuli, Mt. Ganesh, and others A lot of insights into Tibetan and Nepalese people Unspoiled nature and culture Larkya La pass (5153m/16901ft) crossing, one of the highest passes in the world

Where is the starting and ending point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

The 14-day Manaslu trek starts at Soti Khola and ends at Beshi Sahar. The day can be extended to 22 days with an additional side trek to the Tsum valley. Besides that, there is another itinerary that starts from Arughat Bazar and ends at Syange at 1,080 meters. From here, it takes another 8 to 9 hours of scenic drive to reach Kathmandu.

Can you see Everest from Manaslu Circuit?

Many people are curious about this question as Nepal is known as Mount Everest. Yes! You can see the beautiful majestic Mount Everest from the Koma-La pass, which is on the way from the Manaslu circuit summit. From there you will not only see only Mount Everest you can also see other mountains. Apart from the mountain, you will get to see a different culture, village, local people and national park as well.

What to pack for Manaslu Trek?

Before the beginning of the trek, everyone needs to be aware of the things that they need while trekking. While trekking towards the Manaslu circuit trekking you will have to carry a perfect size trekking bag or a daypack with all your personal belongings including gloves, hat, snacks, sunscreen, camera, documents, money, water bottle, and other items that you will need during the day time. Similarly, you will need a sleeping bag, layering clothes, and basic other things that you need at night time. Thus, before the Manaslu circuit trek backpack remember that all of this equipment will help you during the journey.

The snow-covered beautiful Manaslu is located at 8,163 meters high above sea level. Moreover, the highest point during the Manaslu Circuit Trek is Larkya La (pass) at 5,106 meters.

How much does the Manaslu Circuit Trek cost?

The beautiful Manaslu Circuit can take you to a lifetime experience. To witness heaven on earth one must first reach the land of Gorkhali. The local people of Nepal and the Khumbu region will welcome everyone with their bright smiles. Getting back to the Manaslu circuit trek it usually costs around US$1,350 a person. It means you should plan to spend an average of US$25 to US$30 per day on the trip. The cost includes your cost for transportation, food, accommodation, and trekking equipment. Apart from that, you have to pay extra for the permit which costs you around $70.00 for the first seven days and USD 10.00 for each additional day from September to November. Similarly, for the first seven days, it will cost USD 50.00 and USD 7.00 for each extra day from December to August. The total costs depend upon you who is traveling. In the market, several trekking agencies provide different packages. Please select one of them looking at your necessities. Before selecting that remember that travel insurance, tips, international flight fares, personal expenses, etc, are not covered by the package cost.

Do I need permits to trek to Manaslu?

To travel to any part of Nepal one must have an entry permit. Similarly, in the case of the Manaslu region, it is a restricted area in Nepal, therefore the trekkers have to take a special Restricted Area Permit (RAP) from the government of Nepal to trek in this region. Not only that you will also need Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit.

Is Manaslu Circuit Trek doable?

However, Manaslu Circuit Trek is the most challenging but it is also possible with a strong crew (guide and porters). As we said before the trail is very remote, thus previous trekking experience, endurance, and fitness also matter. Thus, pack properly and design an itinerary including ample rest days to make the trip smooth and safe.

How difficult is Manaslu Trek?

Manaslu Circuit Trek is a vigorous trek counseled to experienced trekkers only. Talking about the difficulty of the trek, it is generally considered moderately challenging. The trails have uncountable descents and ascents along rocky and forested paths. Thus, it is regarded to be one challenging and explores a remote area where everything is limited. Not only that the Manaslu is at an elevation of more than 8000 above sea level. Thus, it might be not shocking to say that acute mountain sickness, long walks, accommodation facilities, etc., are some of the significant difficulty factors. Unpredictable weather and the trekking season also play an essential part in the difficulty level. However, there are numerous events you can take to diminish the difficulty level of this trek. To complete the trek one must have to remain fit and have a basic level of stamina. As they need to prepare themselves with rigorous training before the journey, first-time trekkers will find this trek to be quite challenging. Similarly, the trekkers have to survive on bare minimum services and confront high altitudes.

What Is The Best Season for The Manaslu Circuit Trekking?

Before planning Manaslu Circuit trekking, knowing the seasons is always helpful. Like other parts of Nepal, this region also experiences 4 distinct seasons. Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Among them, March to May and October or November are the most crowded season for trekking in this region. During this time, the sky remains clearer, nights are warm, the average temperature, and views will be mesmerizing.

How long is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Normally, compared to other trekking areas of Nepal, the Manaslu Circuit trek is considered to be a longer trek. The trek can be completed in around 15 days. Also, the total distance of the Manaslu circuit is 177 kilometers (110 miles). However, the distance may vary depending on the itinerary. In the market there are several trekking companies, some of them start from Arughat Bazar and others only start at Soti Khola.

Why Manaslu is called Killer Mountain?

Towering above the pine forests of Nepal's Budhi Gandaki river valley, there is a beautiful snow-capped mountain named Mount Manaslu. Termed the mountain of the spirit, local people call Manaslu the “Killer Mountain of the World.” It’s because more than 60 climbers have given their lives while summiting the eighth-highest peak. Despite not being the world's tallest mountain of the world, it is regarded to be one of the most difficult mountains to climb. While climbing the mountain each step may give you a thrill. To submit successfully one must have good training experience and a great technical approach. In general, many people climb mount Manaslu before Everest to experience what it’s like to trek at a high altitude.

Best Manaslu Circuit Trek | Guide, Cost and Itinerary

Name: Manaslu Circuit Trek
Brand: Rising Adventure Pvt. Ltd.
Price: 890 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (23 reviews)

Manaslu Trek 2023/2024

Manaslu circuit trek in Nepal is strenuous physically, enriching culturally, and beautiful scenically.

Around Manaslu trekking is the most renowned teahouse trekking in the off-the-beaten trail in Nepal compared to other destinations. It is a classic trek that presents the world’s eighth-highest mountain panorama along with ethnic culture, Buddhist architecture, and beautiful epic sceneries including wildlife.

The word Manaslu is derived from the Sanskrit word Manasa, meaning meaning "intellect" or "soul". Also, it is known by the name "mountain of the spirit". Trekking to Manaslu in Nepal remained restricted for a long time and opened recently in 1992 to non-natives. It lies in the border region between Nepal and Tibet. It's a less-traded Himalayan trekking zone and is listed as one of the most stylish trekking packages in Nepal trekking.

Manaslu is a Conservation Area that was declared in 1998 by the Nepal government. It preserves the entire Manaslu region. Manaslu conservation area is home to different species and floras. It covers 1,663 square kilometers in the Mansiri Himal range of the Himalayas. It is located in the Gorkha district of Nepal.

However, Mt. Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal is gaining popularity day by day due to its charming and untouched naturally beautiful spirit. Most of the trekking agencies are also promoting this destination nowadays as it is the less-explored trekking sector in Nepal. It offers great mountain sceneries and ultimate adventure knowledge. Mount. Manaslu, Annapurna II, Cheo Himal, Ganesh Himal, Kang Guru, and other glaciers are the major attractions of the Manaslu circuit in Nepal.

Manaslu Circuit Trek

Manaslu round trek is a kind of adventure trekking in the Himalayan region of Nepal. It offers beautiful views of Mt. Manaslu and other peaks. The ethnic culture and tradition are awesome.

Manaslu Treks Nepal
Walking along the lush sub-tropical forest up to the highest Himalayan zone in the Manaslu region, you can see the splendid forests of rhododendron, juniper, and pine. Along with the jaw-dropping mountain scenery, different flowering plants in different altitudes places are grown up there. On the other hand, colorful wild creatures similar as snow Leopard, Paika, Himalayan Black Bear, Deer, and numerous other creatures are set up in this Manaslu Conservation Area.

Crossing the precarious suspension bridges in many places is another distinctive experience. These are wooden bridges used for crossing rivers in the ancient period.

Likewise, the beautiful cascades on the way also make your touring trail fascinating. You get the opportunity to click the photos of captivating flora and fauna against the backdrop of natural scenery.

Besides, the few settlements located in the far distance are another special feature of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Nature allows you to walk with it in peace and calm.

Manaslu circuit trek 2023/2024 is graded under the challenging trekking in Nepal. So, the previous trekking or hiking experience may benefit novice trekkers.

The Manaslu circuit trek of Nepal begins after a scenic drive from Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal to the Manaslu region. A trek goes through the Budhi Gandaki River at the beginning and the Marshyangdi River at the end.

The vistas of Cheo Himal, Kang Guru, Manaslu, Annapurna, Himlung Himal, and further mountain fascination are stirring.

Similarly, heading through the Deng, Namrung, Sama Gaun, Samdo, and colorful towns lets, you cross the loftiest pass of the trekking- Larke La Pass. It is situated at an elevation of 5,160 meters above sea level.

In the same way, ethnical communities are rich in culture and traditions. Their customs are remarkable. You get astounded to visit those isolated villages and explore the conditioning of the original people.

After descending from Larkya La Pass, the journey encounters the Annapurna Circuit trek route. It is Tilije, the final destination of your trekking where you can see the nearer views of Manaslu as well as other mountains and glaciers. Then, your journey leads you to go back.

Manaslu Circuit Trekking

Although, our Manaslu trek itinerary is formally long. We can make it a bit longer and more audacious by joining this trip with the Annapurna Circuit Trekking trail. For further details, you can go through the Manaslu Annapurna trek route.

Adding a Tsum Valley trek within the same itinerary would be more beneficial. You can learn more about Tsum inhabitants of the Manaslu region through the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley trek. Or we can cut off some days and customize the short Manaslu circuit trek as per your requirements.

Likewise, a day hike to Pungyen Gompa on acclimatization day is a rare experience that offers awful views of the surroundings. Although you see the beautiful scripts of the Himalayan ranges from the utmost of the places during this Manaslu circuit trek of 14 days.

Rising Adventure Pvt. Ltd. is a platoon of educated Himalayan leaders. We organize the Manaslu circuit treks in Nepal with our expert team and excellent services. Please, communicate with us for further details.

Note: As you know, the Manaslu region is considered a restricted area in Nepal. So, we need to present your original passport in order to get an MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Permit). So, one day must be reserved for getting Permit cards before your trip starting day. Once you provide your passport, our office will manage everything.

Mountains that can be seen during the Manaslu circuit trek

Nepal is home to 8 out of the 14 highest peaks in the world. One of the key offerings of traveling to Nepal is to take in the stunning sights of these Himalayan giants. There are numerous reasons to visit Nepal, including its friendly people, obviously spectacular peaks, its cultural heritage sites, and its world-class treks. The biggest offerings of all are perhaps the incredible sights of Himalayan giants such as Mount Everest, Manaslu, Lhotse, Annapurna, Ama Dablam, and Machhapuchhre. Among all of these attractions, today we will be talking about the Manaslu circuit trek.

13 days Manaslu circuit trek treks take you to the world’s eighth highest mountain, beginning in the busy market town of Soti Khola, going up and back along a different path, and ending in Syange. The beautiful and less crowded compared to peers Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp offers wild and wilderness experiences with authentic local culture and people. Not only that during the trails you will able to enjoy the spectacular sights of mountains. Here are some mountains that can be seen from the Manaslu circuit trek;

Mount Manaslu

Mount Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain in the world. It is obvious that during the trail you will see a giant big peak which is at an altitude of 8,163 meters. The Manaslu name is derived from the Sanskrit word Manasa which refers to the mountain of the Spirit. Each year thousands of people come here just to see the spectacular sights of the snow-capped mountain.

Larkey peak

Another spectacular mountain that you will witness and have to climb during the Manaslu circuit trek is Larkey Peak. The peak is considered to be a challenging peak in Nepal. It is located at the Manaslu Himalayan ranges at a height of 6219 meters or 20398 feet.

While climbing the peak, you will be able to explore the rich culture of the local community of the Manaslu area and the spectacular geography near the Tibetan village. During the Larkey peak climb, you will also have to cross an attractive mountain pass i.e. Larkya la at an elevation of 5200m. The pass is famous as the world’s longest trekking pass which can be done without the use of any climbing gear.

Himlung Himal

Himlung Himal is another mountain that you will witness during the Manaslu circuit trek. 7126 m tall peak is located in Nepal's western region just above the ancient Tibetan village of Phu in the Naar-Phu region in the northeast of Annapurna and northwest of Manaslu. The peak is considered to be one of the safest and most rewarding peaks in Nepal. The climb of Himlung Himal through the typical course represents no specialized issues. The trail leads through day snow and ice with no stone climbing sections. The climbing season is in the fall and spring.

Cheo Himal

During the Manaslu circuit trek, you will witness the spectacular sights of Cheo Himal. The beautiful Himal is situated at 6,820m above sea level, in the Peri Himal range in Manang district west Nepal. Cheo is about 3 km far from Himlung. The mountain was climbed by the Japanese Shigeki Imoto, Nepalese Ful Bahadur Rai, Tshering Sherpa, and Dambar Bahadur Gurung in 1992 from the southeast ridge.

Gyaji Kang

Gyaji Kang is one of the most notable peaks during the Manaslu circuit trek. It is at an altitude of 7,038 meters and situated nearby to the localities Nemjung Goth and Himlung. The trek takes you through the remote Tibetan setting villages of Nar and Phu on the Tibet border in the most northern part of Manang, Nepal. This will help you to learn more about the culture, tradition and so on. This area was very lately explored so it is known to limited climbers only. Therefore very few teams have climbed this peak.

Nemjung

Nemjung is located approximately 150 kilometers northwest of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu and about 25 km northwest of the eight-thousander, Manaslu. The summit of the Nemjung is at an elevation of 7,140 meters above sea level. The peak was first climbed on October 27, 1983, via the east edge by a joint expedition from the Hirosaki University Alpine Club and Nepal led by Junji Kurotaki.

Kang Guru

Kang Guru is another gorgeous mountain that is located in the Manang region of Gandaki Province. The summit of the Kang Guru is at an elevation of 6981m above sea level. The peak is one of the highest peaks of the Larkya sub-range of the Nepalese Himalayas. Furthermore, the Larkya range lies northwest of Mansiri Himal and northeast of the Annapurnas. Thus, while on the Manaslu circuit trek, make sure to ask your guide which one is Kang Guru.

Annapurna II

Annapurna II is another giant peak that you will witness during Manaslu Circuit Trek. It is a part of the Annapurna mountain range located in Nepal and is the eastern anchor of the range. Moreover, it is the 16th tallest highest mountain in the world and the second-highest peak of the Annapurna mountain range. The peak was first ascended by a British/Indian/Nepalese team led by J. O. M. Roberts via the West Ridge, reached by hiking the North face of Annapurna IV in 1960. The summit of the Annapurna II is at an elevation of 7937m above sea level.

Mt. Hiunchuli

During the Manaslu circuit trek, one can observe the rich culture of the local people with the majestic views of the mountain. You will be able to see the shiny snow-covered mountain of Hiunchuli. It is situated in the Annapurna massif of the Gandaki Province in north-central Nepal. Furthermore, Hiunchuli is the extension mountain of the Annapurna South. There is a narrow section of the Modi Khola valley between the Hiunchuli and Machapuchhare. The valley is also an access point to the Annapurna Sanctuary. The peak was first climbed by the U.S. Peace Corps volunteer Craig Anderson in 1971.

Mt. Ganesh

Not only Manaslu, Annapurna, you will able to witness Mount Ganesh which is a sub-range of the Himalayas located mostly in north-central Nepal, but some peaks lie on the border with Tibet. The summit of the Ganesh is at an elevation of 7422m. The highest peak in Ganesh Himal is Mount Ganesh I i.e. Yangra.

Manaslu Conservation Area

Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA) was established in October 1998 by the Nepal government. It encompasses 1663 square kilometers area. It aims to preserve natural resources and rich cultural heritage. It also promotes ecotourism to improve the livelihood of the local people of the Manaslu region.

MCA is home to different rare inhabits and floras. It preserves 33 species of mammals, 11 species of butterflies, 3 different sorts of reptiles, and 201 kinds of birds. There are 11 kinds of forests, more than 50 kinds of useful plants like herbs and shrubs, as well as almost 2000 species of plants.

Apart from them, Manaslu Conservation Area covers the villages like Sirdibas, Chhekampar, Chumchet, Bihi, Prok, Lho, and Samagaun. MCA is divided into three different geographical regions on the basis of ethnicity and nature. They are Nubri Valley, Tsum Valley, and the Kutang. The altitude goes up from almost 600 meters to the top of Mt. Manaslu at an elevation of 8,163 meters above sea level. As a result, the climate changes from place to place.

The Samagaun, Prok, and Lho come under the Nubri Valley lies in the northwestern part of the Manaslu Conservation Area. On the other hand, Chumchet and Chhekampar are included in the Tsum Valley, which lies in the northeastern part and the Bihi is only one village that comes under Kutang. Among these valleys, the Nubri and Tsum have their own distinctive features and are mainly popular valleys of the Manaslu region. The former is typically famous for Buddhist education where many monks and nuns live there. You can explore the historic Buddhist Monasteries. But the latter is popular for the Tibetan Buddhist culture which is situated nearby the border between Nepal and Tibet.

Before 2001, no any tourist got permission to enroll in the Manaslu region. Then the Nepal government handed over the responsibility of MCA management to the NTNC for 10 years and later extended the time again for 10 years. It means 20 years in total aiming to upgrade tourism in the Manaslu sector and improve the lifestyle of the local communities.

Before, the Manaslu area was deprived of basic services including safe drinking water, electricity, schools, and hospitals. As well as the development of infrastructure was also neglected. So, they depended on animal husbandry, natural resources exploitation, and non-technical agriculture. Therefore, NTNC started to work out the program named as Manaslu Ecotourism Development Project. NTNC worked in cooperation with the Nepal Government and the Asian Development Bank under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation's Second Tourism Infrastructure Development Project.

Many field programs were held and implemented to motivate and increase the locals' capacity and enhance their leadership for managing the natural heritages. Now, the MCA is being managed by the Integrated Conservation and Development Program (ICDP) approach which emphasizes on the management of natural resource sustainability.

However, the prime objectives behind the establishment of the Manaslu Conservation Area are listed below;

To manage and preserve the natural resources and the cultural heritage of the Manaslu region
To upgrade the eco-tourism in order to improve the lifestyle of local inhabitants

Things to do in Manaslu Conservation Area

Trekking
Mountaineering
Bird Watching
Red Panda Tracking
Snow Leopard Tracking
Himalayan Thar, etc

Some places to visit in Manaslu Conservation Area

Larke La Pass
Tsum Valley
Samagaun
Pungyen Monastery
Birendra Lake, etc

Some names of Protected Mammals

Red Panda
Musk Deer
Snow Leopard
Gray Wolf
Protected Mammals
Lynx
Leopard Cat
Tibetan Brown Bear
Himalayan Bear
Assamese Monkey, etc

Some names of Protected Birds

Impeyan Pheasant
Crimson Horned Pheasant, etc

Please, step gently into the fragile Himalayan land of the Manaslu region and follow some rules for maintaining the natural and cultural heritage. They are;

Do not disturb the wildlife and their habitats
Do not damage or remove any plants
Do not purchase animal parts and antiques
So not light open fires
Support the local economy in the best possible way
Use and encourage alternative energy sources for firewood
Make sure that you and your trekking support crews do not burn firewood for heating
Dispose of rubbish things properly at the proper sites
See that your trekking support staff does the same
Carry out all other non-biodegradable and toxic rubbish
Use a water purifier instead of plastic mineral water bottles
Ask permission to Photograph people
Do not give anything to the beggers
Avoid wearing revealing clothes and avoid outward displays of physical affection

Customer Reviews

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R
Manaslu Circuit with Chandan's Team
Roman Raab, EstoniaTrip Date: October 30, 2023
We did a Manaslu circuit and thanks to Rising Adventure it was an awesome experience. Chandan took care of all our needs, including the after programme in Chitwan NP and Lumbini. The trek went smoothly mostly because of guidance of Sundar, the best guide in the field. He was very professional and never put in doubt our ability to reach the Larke pass. Also our porters Lekvadu and Radzan were friendly and smily and helped us not only with the heavy luggage, but also with serving food and even performed music at the resting points.
We have chosen Rising Adventure without any knowledge of their team, but it was the best choice we did for this journey and I recommend them to everyone interested in trekking in Nepal and discovering this beautiful country.