Manaslu circuit trek includes walking around the world’s eighth-highest mountain, Mount Manaslu (8156m). It is an off-beaten trail of the western part of Nepal giving the amazing glimpse of Mount Manaslu along with the side glimpse of Mount Annapurna. For those who are seeking a peaceful trek, the Manaslu circuit trek is best for them as it remains less explored by people as compared to the Everest base camp and Annapurna base camp. However, it is no less than other trekking destinations of Nepal in terms of beauty, mountains, culture, and hospitality. The highest point of this trek is Larkya la Pass with an altitude of 5135m. During this trek, you will also walk through the Manaslu Conservation Area which is home to hundreds of rare flora and fauna. Nevertheless, this is one of the best treks in Nepal which gives you adventure, thrill, and peace at the same time. The Manaslu circuit trek was opened to foreigners in 1991 and it has been very well explored since then.
1- A very peaceful and off-beaten trekking destination in the Himalayas of Nepal.
2- Very isolated culture and customs of the Manaslu region.
3- Witness the most amazing glimpse of mountains like Mount Manaslu, Mt Annapurna, Himalchuli, Ngadi, and many more.
4- Walk through the dramatic landscape, pristine villages, monasteries, and tropical forests where you will get to witness varieties of flora and faunas
5- Great hospitality of Nepalese and Tibetan people with their unique culture and traditions.
The Manaslu circuit trek of course makes its way around the world’s 8th highest mountain, Mount Manaslu. This trek is also popularly known as the “New Annapurna Circuit” as it is believed that this place resembles the old Annapurna Circuit trek before it got very busy and overflowed by tourists. Manaslu circuit trek also makes you close to Tibet and Tibetan culture. Yes, here you will see Nepalese and Tibetan people having the same rituals, festivals, languages, food, and traditions as the place is highly influenced by Tibet. Along the way, you will get to see some really amazing old monasteries, including Pungyen Gompa (13,100 ft).
Besides the culture and tradition, you will also see some great wonders of nature. The undying beauty of the Budhi Gandaki river, waterfalls, and cliffs, at the lower altitude and the marvelous beauty of frozen lakes, snow-capped mountains, and the gigantic alpine forests at the higher altitude definitely remain the main highlights of the Manaslu circuit trek.
Food- Foods, and accommodation in the Manaslu region is relatively less developed than many parts of Nepal. As it is a less explored tourist area, food in this region is very basic. You might have a few options like bread, omelet, oats, chocolate bars, teas, coffee, hot soup, and also authentic Nepali food (rice, lentils, and vegetables). Be aware that as you go higher the options for food and accommodation get narrower. Due to its geographical difficulties, it is however understandable.
Accommodation– The Manaslu circuit trek is a tea house trek. You might not get any luxurious hotels or lodges along the way. Teahouses are basic wooden small houses run by small local people in there as their businesses. They have small rooms, beds, blankets, pillows, and a dining hall. The dining hall and the bathroom need to be shared. It gets very cold at night so a personal sleeping bag is recommended.
Electricity and WiFi are available in most of the teahouses. It is not very difficult to get in touch with your friends and family. However, they might charge a few extra dollars to use these kinds of services. It is still better to carry a power bank in case of emergencies. They also have satellite phones if you need to talk to your family.
The highest altitude in this trek is 5135 which is already challenging enough to make this trek difficult. The rugged off-beaten trail, the duration of the trek, limited access to food, and unpredictable weather, are some of the major challenges of this trek. Also, if you are trekking in the off-season, there might be more challenges like the slippery trail, the teahouses are usually cold due to bad weather, the heavy rainfall, and the roads might be blocked due to heavy snowfall. You will need proper trekking clothes and gear to trek this place like waterproof jackets, sturdy footwear, and other hiking items. You will obviously need excellent mental and physical strength for this trek which can be gained prior to the trek by doing some exercises and running. You might also get altitude sickness in which case you need to inform your friends or guides. Staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol and smoking, eating nutritional food, and walking slowly might be of great help during the trek.
Best time for Manaslu Circuit trek
Like most of the other places in Nepal, the best time to visit the Manaslu circuit trek is in spring (March to May) and autumn (September- November ). The month of March is relatively colder as it comes right after the winter season, the temperature is around -6 to -10 while at night it might fall to -8 to -12. However, in April and May the temperature is favorable around 4-15. The average temperature in autumn during the daytime can be around 14-20 while it might drop to -5 to -10 at night. The month of November is again relatively cold as it is almost winter. These seasons come with fewer challenges and offer the beauty of this region at its peak. The temperature is very bearable, the atmosphere is very fresh with crystal-clear skies. You get to see the beautiful mountain peaks and rhododendron forest all the way to the base camp. The trail during this season is in the best condition and the chances to meet other trekkers on your way are higher. Summer season is not recommended as it receives lots of rainfall and the trail might get slippery.
Before you make a plan for the Manaslu circuit trek, you need to understand that this is a highly restricted area by the government. You need special permits to enter this region. Also, it is mandatory to have at least two trekkers and one registered guide with you. If you have too many bags or belongings you can also take a porter with you.
Restricted Area Permit (RAP)- The RAP is $70 per week plus $10 for each extra day; the price drops slightly outside peak season
Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit- This permit costs 30$ per person.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit- This permit too costs 30$ per person.
Travel insurance- insurance is always a good idea especially when you are traveling a risky places like mountains. However, it has been mandatory for tourists to visit Nepal. This insurance of course will cover your emergency medical treatment including Covid-19. This will also help you with emergency rescue and also a safe return to your home country. The cost of travel insurance depends on your destination, duration of the trip, number of travelers, age of traveler, and the benefits included in the plan. That is why, remember to mention all these things to the authorized person before having insurance.
Start Dates are your arrival date in Nepal and End Dates are the returning date from Nepal.
The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.
| Trip Start Date | Trip End Date | Price | Avability | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/10/2023 | 15/10/2023 | 1280 | Guranteed |
I had Sujan as my guide (and his brother as my porter) on trip to Nepal for the Manaslu trek a couple of years ago and they were both extremely reliable, trustworthy and took excellent care of me from start to finish. Nepal is a beautiful country and this trek is a fantastic way to experience it.
Ciara ,