A complete guide to the Manaslu Trek Nepal

Manaslu trek is the exploration of hidden gems: Tsum valley, Birendra Lake, Sama Gaon, Budi Gandaki, biodiversity and Manaslu range in Manaslu conservation area, western Nepal. The unexposed off beaten route, the remote life and beauty of highlands have made the trek popular in the world. Manaslu trek Nepal refers to round trek around Mount Manaslu: the eighth highest peak in the world. The article tends to give a complete guide to Manaslu circuit that could be effective for trekkers seeking the information regarding this trek. 

Key information:

• Walking Distance: The Manaslu Circuit trek distance is 150 km / 93.2 miles from Machha khola to Tal.
• Trekking duration: 15 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu
• Highest altitude: Larke La Pass at 5,106 m / 16751.97 ft.

Manaslu circuit trek, 13-Day Itinerary

Manaslu circuit trek itinerary begins with your arrival in Kathmandu. We should drive to Machha khola to reach the starting point of the trek.  Also, we can drive to Jagat, but the off road is a bit difficult to pass through. The trek starts from Machha khola and reaches Dharapani, the beginning point of Annapurna circuit trek. Since the ending point of Manaslu circuit and starting point of Annapurna circuit is the same place, we can combine both Manaslu and Annapurna circuit trek. The combine trek takes 28 days and completes in Kathmandu. 

Table 1: The brief itinerary of Manaslu trek with distance

Manaslu circuit trek distance

Manaslu circuit trek distance is 445 km from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. But if we just include nine days walking distance of Manaslu trek i.e. from Machha Khola to Dharapani then it is only 150 Km long. The average distance is 14 km per day. The longest distance covers from Dharamsala to Bhimthang, where we must hike through Larke La Pass, the highest altitude of the trek. 

Day wise Manaslu trekking distance breakdown:

• Day 1 - Hiking from Machha khola to Jagat, around 22 Km
• Day 2 – Hiking from Jagat to Deng, around 20 Km
• Day 3 - Hiking from Deng to Namrung, around 20 Km
• Day 4 - Trek from Namrung to Sama Gaon, around 18 km
• Day 5 - Rest day in Sama Gaon and side trip to Manaslu base camp, 12 km
• Day 6 - Trek from Samagaon to Samdo, 8 km
• Day 7 - Trek from Samdo to Dharamsala, 6 km
• Day 8 - Trek from Dharamsala to Bhimthang passing through Larke La pass, 23 km
• Day 9 - Trek from Bhimthang to Dharapani, 21 Km

Manaslu circuit trek cost

The Manaslu Circuit Trek cost varies based on services. The budget trek cost is 1230 USD. Since, Manaslu trek occurs in restricted area, there should be minimum two person for getting the permit. If there are more than four person in a group then the cost will be less with the group discount. The sharing transportation and room will minimize the cost. 

Semi luxury trek cost 1999 USD per person, which includes luxury services in Kathmandu and advanced tea houses in possible places of trekking route. 

Manaslu circuit trek cost inclusions:

The budget trek cost includes:

• 3-star hotels in Kathmandu on BB plan
• restricted area permit, Manaslu conservation area project permit, and Annapurna area project permit
• driving in a private jeep from Kathmandu to Machha Khola and sharing a jeep from Besisahar to Kathmandu.
• Three meals in a day in trekking region (Machha khola to Dharapani)

The semi luxury trek cost includes:

• 4-star hotels in Kathmandu
• Required permits
• Private car/jeep for transportation
• Attached room in possible area of Manaslu trekking route
• Three meals in a day in trekking region (Machha khola to Dharapani)

Best time for Manaslu circuit trek

Spring and Autumn are the best time for Manaslu Circuit trek while snowy cold winter and rainy summer are not favorable for trekking. The months of March, April, and May are pleasant with blooming time. The amazing rhododendrons, sprouting branches and colorful flowers on the Manaslu landscape is the best part of spring. Early March remains snowy. If you want to walk on snow then it is perfect time. 

The temperature remains moderate with pleasant weather in spring and autumn. Manaslu trek in monsoon (June, July, August) will be difficult due to heavy rain, risk of landslide, blockage of road and slippery trial. Similarly, winter is also unfavorable for the trekking because of extremely low temperature in nights and snowy trekking routes that increases the challenges. 

Manaslu circuit trek permit

The Manaslu circuit is a restricted area within two conservation areas: Manaslu conservation area and Annapurna conservation area. Therefore, we need three permits for trekking to Manaslu.

Manaslu circuit trek permits:

• Restricted area permit (RAP): it is required from Jagat to Bhimthang
• Manaslu conservation area project permit: required from Philim to Dharapani
• Annapurna conservation area project permit: required from Dharapani to Besisahar

These all three permits should be shown in entry point (Jagat) and exit point (Besisahar) during Manaslu circuit trek. 

Manaslu circuit trek permit cost

Manaslu circuit trek permit cost varies for restricted area permit in different months of the area while the cost for Manaslu conservation area project permit and Annapurna conservation area project permit is same throughout the year.

How difficult is it to trek the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is moderately difficult trekking. The remote area, fewer facilities, high elevation, and altitude sickness are the major challenges of the Manaslu circuit. . The 13-day Manaslu trekking route is as long as Everest base camp trek and Annapurna circuit trek route. It is one of the high elevation trek in Nepal with high chance of altitude sickness.  

Major factors of Manaslu circuit trek difficulty

Altitude sickness: 

Manaslu circuit trek starts at an elevation of 930 m at Machha khola and reaches to 5160m at Larke pass. The highest altitude gain within seven days is really a challenging task that increases the chance of altitude sickness due to low atmospheric pressure. Both experts and beginners have equal chance of altitude sickness. Even though if we be careful and take preventive measures then we will complete the trek without suffering from altitude sickness.

Preventive measures of altitude sickness

• Acclimatization 

Acclimatization means going to higher elevation and returning to lower elevation to develop resistance for staying in higher altitude. It can be done within the trekking route before reaching the highest point. Generally, acclimatization is done on the rest day at Samagaon. Trekkers hike to Manaslu base camp (4800 m) and return to samagaon (3860 m) to gain altitude. It helps to say safe on further higher elevation during the trek. 

• Taking garlic soup

Garlic is a natural antibiotic that increase your stamina and make your body more energetic. It is very supportive to relief from headache and cold. It hydrates your body and prevent from altitude sickness as well. 

• Drinking plenty of water

Drinking enough water and hydrating the body is very important during the trek. Since we keep on walking for 6,7 hours in a day, lot of water will loss due to sweating. Therefore, drinking sufficient water is essential to remain hydrate and be safe from sickness. 

• Using Dimox tablet from the beginning of the trek

Dimox or Zolamine tablets are medicine against altitude sickness. We can use one tablet per day from starting point of trek to ending point. It will decrease the chance of altitude sickness. Although we may have minor headache on high altitude even using this tablet. We may feel frequent urination after using the Dimox. 

• Taking good sleep 

Sleeping properly is highly important to energize your body. We shouldnot stay lake night during the trek. Since, the trek starts around 8 am in the morning every day, we should wake up early and have breakfast before leaving tea house. Thus we should go early to bed and rise early to manage our backpack and fresh up. 

• Walking slowly

We should walk slowly in an easy pace during the trek. If we walk fast, our body couldnot adjust the changing environment and we may suffer from headaches leading to sickness.

Therefore, Manaslu circuit trek is a moderate trek that requires alert against altitude sickness. Following preventive measures makes it easy and successful. 

Long distance trekking route

We should cover minimum 13 Km distance per day during Manaslu trek. Walking long distance on uphills and downhills of mountain is challenge for all trekkers, guide and porters. Taking rest and walking slowly can only let to reach the destination easily. Hurrying is never an option to complete the long distance. 

High altitude 

Larke La pass at 5106 m  is the highest altitude of Manaslu Circuit trek. Passing through this pass is the hardest part of the trek. After then we will descend to lower elevation which will be easy as compared to gaining elevation. 

Who can do Manaslu circuit trek?

The healthy trekkers with good preparation can do Manaslu circuit trek. Any age group capable of walking 5 to 6 hours everyday can do this trek. The trekkers should complete the following criteria to do Manaslu Trek.

• Minimum two trekkers in a group
• A licensed trekking guide
• Three permits: restricted area permit, Manaslu conservation area project permit, Annapurna conservation area permit
• We cannot do solo trek to Manaslu circuit due to being restricted area.

Facilities in Manaslu trekking route

The trekking route to Manaslu is a less exposed route. It is off beaten trek where less trekkers are seen as compared to EBC, ABC and Annapurna circuit trek. The basic needs are fulfilled in this trek but we cannot expect luxury services. The common facility of Manaslu trek is:

Manaslu circuit trek Accommodation

We can get normal tea houses in the Manaslu region. Some newly made tea houses offer attached rooms at relatively high cost. The clean rooms and hospitality of Bhote let to have a good night spent in accommodation sites. The tea houses provide food, hot water and firewood heaters in the dining hall. It facilitates warming up and friendship with other trekkers as well.

Manaslu trek Food 

Manaslu trek food variety includes Nepali, Tibetan and western food. We can choose food from the menu. The trek provides three meals a day. Morning begins with breakfast. Tibetan bread, white bread, toast egg, vegetables, tea/coffee are common food in Breakfast. After walking four five hours, trekkers will have a rest in tea house and have lunch. Nepali thali, mo:mo, chowmein, fried rice, noodles, local pizza are usual food available for lunch and dinner. We can alternate food itemsfor lunch and dinner. 

Wi-fi availability

Wi – fi is available throughout the trekking route but we must buy wifi card to use internet. Free Wi-Fi is accessible in lower elevation such as Machhakhola and Dharapani. 

Network in Manaslu route

Nell or Ntc mobile network is available on the Manaslu trekking route. We cannot get signals in some places like Dharamsala sometime. 

Cultural insights in Manaslu Trek

The Manaslu region bordered Tibet-China. Bhote are the residence of Manaslu, and they are influenced by Tibetan culture. They follow Buddhism or Hinduism and enhance Tibetan Buddhist culture. Gurung communities are ethnic, and they celebrate Buddha Purnima and Lhosar as main festivals. 

Required transportation for Manaslu trek

Driving is only option to reach the starting point of the Manaslu trek. A few years ago Soti Khola was the starting point while the development of road has shortened the trekking route. We can drive to Machha khola from Kathmandu within 10 hours. We should start early in the morning to reach Machhakhola on time. 

We can get transportation from the ending point of Manaslu trek (Dharapani). It takes around three hours to reach Besisahar from Dharapani. After reaching Besisahar, we will exit from Annapurna conservation area project permit office and change our vehicle to Kathmandu. It takes around 8 hours to reach Kathmandu from Besisahar. 

Conclusion: Manaslu trek Nepal

Manaslu trek is one of the popular trekking in the world. The amazing beauty of Manaslu range, Tibetan Buddhist culture, terrace farming, diverse landscape and biodiversity worth it. The available tea houses, wi-fi facilities and Gurung hospitality support for comfortable night stay. Manaslu is the best place to trek and make a lifetime memory.