An adventure high pass trekking inside the restricted area is the Manaslu circuit trek in Nepal. It is an alternative trail to the Annapurna circuit because the length of these two treks is similar and natural feelings also the same. It starts from a subtropical temperature and gradually ascends to high alpine elevation and cold temperature.
After a road construction on the Annapurna trail, the trekkers are focusing on this trail. For the adventure people who look forward to enjoying the beauty of the Himalayas in a calm environment and fewer crowed, Manaslu circuit trekking can be one of the best options.
This trail had opened for the visitors in 1,992 but used to be limited visitors until a few years back. After the motors started driving on the Throngla trail, the popularity of this route increased rapidly. The charming mixed natural beauty of low land and high Himalayan territory bewitch the travellers on this trip.
On the way to Samdo
Manaslu circuit trek takes place in the Gorkha district close to the Tibetan border. Starting from the lower Hindu region, it brings to the high Himalayan Tibetan Buddhist areas. The Larke La pass trek is a 14-days mountain action from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, but it can be shorter or longer according to the trekker's time and physical footing.
The restricted area begins from Jagat and is dimensional to the Larke top. The region is overcast by the Annapurna massif in the west and Ganesh Himal in the east. The Manaslu is a bonnie mountain higher than 8,000 meters, but just around 2% of trekkers total who come to Nepal globally visit this route. Probably, because of less advertisement, Physically challenging and remoteness. Although, the Larkey La pass trek is florid with nature and culture.
The Adventure Manaslu circuit trek trail leads following the Budhigandaki river keeping rice and millet fields on the sides in the lower region. Different suspension bridges along the way connect beautiful traditional towns. Some of them swing ad quite long in length.
Manaslu trek begins from Kathmandu with a drive to Arughat or Soti Khola through the hillside road. It is about a 7-8 hours drive on a pitch highway and ends with a bumpy road. Walking through rice fields and cedar forest with steep ascending trails, you reach Machhakhola (8,90m) on (the second-day fr trip) or the first day of the hike.
After the first night's stay in Machhakhola, the next destination will be Jagat. On the way, you pass a hot spring, where you can have a short break. Jagat has an entry poping to check Manaslu restricted permit. Then, you go further to Deng, Namrung, Samagaun, Samdo and Dharmashala before crossing the Larke La pass.
Looking backwards from the top in the direction you walked earlier, It offers incredible views of the edges, but the front line where you are going comes with far better looks. A vast astonishing glacier exists on your right while descending from the Larke La pass. The trail steeply descends, so you need to be careful if there is ice on the path.
An hour walk on a tiny zigzag path takes you to Bhimtang, right after this lofty descends. Miraculous mountain views such as Gyaji Kang, Himlung Himal, Nemjung, Kangguru, Cheo and Himlung Himal unleash the glacial stream, which meets in Marsyangdi river in Dharapani. Likewise, an alluring Annapurna II (7,937m) erects in front. These views make the Manaslu trek meaningful to visitors.
Frolic Adventure is operating Manaslu circuit trek at resonable cost in safety-oriented. We arrange your trip with reasonable cost and safety rules. You can contact us for the customized trekking itinerary, so we always are happy to provide you with the best offer and services as per your interest, time, and physical conditions.
Manaslu Trekking Route
Our regular Manaslu circuit trek itinerary is for 14 days for the trek, but t can be shorter or longer according to your time, ability and interest. It starts with a long drive to Sotikhola from Kathmandu on the first day. After that, you walk to Machhakhola for the second stop, and the third day is Jagat during the Manaslu trek.
Likewise, you hike further to Deng, Namrung and Samagaun on the fourth, fifth and sixth day of this trip. The seventh day is your rest day for altitude practice in Samagaun. You will Hike to Manaslu base camp and Birendra lake or Pungyen Gompa on the rest day in Samagaun. After that, the rest two days to Samdo and Samagaun are shorter compared to other trekking days. The tenth day is challenging with Larke La pass. After crossing this big hill, you reach Bhimtang and feel relaxed.
People reach Dharapani from Bhimtang in one day, but it is better stoping in Tilje because you might be tired from Larkey. You can end the trek with a drive to Kathmandu from Dharapani on the 12th day of the trip or keep walking for two more days to Bhulbhule or Besishahar.
Trekking Cost for Manaslu Circuit
The Manaslu circuit trek is competitively cheaper than the Everest region because you do not need to have a costly fight. Lodging and food costs are very reasonable, but entry permits make slightly expensive. The price for the trek depends on the service you choose or what a company offers.
Our 14 days Circuit trekking package to Manaslu is all-inclusive, and we offer this trip for 999 USD per person. The price we are bidding for a group of 2 travellers in a single booking, but we afford in less cost if you have more than 2-people for a single trip booking. And for that, you need to contact us with your detail.
We can make the Manaslu circuit trek shorter or longer according to your time and altitude experience for the Manaslu trek. Also, You may pay just for a guide, porter and the permits rather than taking a full-board trip. But, the total expenses of the trip come the same as our all-inclusive package cost in the end.
Manaslu Trekking Permits
The trekkers for this region need to obtain 3-different entry permits. It is a restricted zone, so Nepal immigration issues a special permit, which costs 70 USD for the first seven days, and 10 USD for every additional day from September to November. Likewise, 50 US dollars for a week and 7 American dollars per day extra in the other months.
During this adventure mountain trip, you will walk inside Manaslu and Annapurna conservation areas, so also you need to have those permits. Each preserve region permit costs 3,000 NPR for you. We arrange all essential entry legal papers in Kathmandu one day earlier than the trip starting date. Detailed information about Manaslu region permit costs...
Accommodation, Food and Drink in Manaslu Circuit Route
Getting accommodation while you are trekking to the Manaslu circuit is easy. There are plenty of guesthouses along the way. The rooms are private with twin sharing beads, and it is clean and comfortable. You will get an extra blanket and soft pillow on each bead. The bathrooms are clean everywhere, but there might not be sitting toilets in each lodge.
You will get a menu with mixed items of the Nepalese and western dishes during the trek. The foods are hygienic, and you can see the same meals at every stop. Sometimes, you might be bored seeing the same course continuously.
You can buy bottled mineral water everywhere during the trip. Also, you can drink regular tap water filling into your bottle, but you need to use purification medication or sterilizer before drinking.
Trekking Gear for Manaslu Curcit
It is an adventure high pass trek and conveys to the cold region. Of course! It is better to pack nice and warm equipment for the trip. It starts snowing in November to the beginning of spring. Due to the freezing temperature, icy snow makes the trail slippery in the higher region. Crampon and trekking gaiter helps you to walk on this kind of surface. Check the list of regular hiking gear for the Manaslu trek below:
- Warm woollen or fleece hat
- Thermal layers
- Long and short sleeves t-shirts
- Down jacket
- Fleece jacket
- A pair of thick gloves
- High neck sweater
- Buff
- Windproof trouser
- Hiking trousers
- Hiking boots
- Few pairs of trekking socks
- Sports shoes for the camp
- Water sandals
- Rain gear
- Sun hat, lotion and glasses
- Trekking rukshak or duffel bag
- Daypack for your valuables, water and snacks
- Quick drier towel
- Moisturizers and lip balm
- Wet napkins
- Trekking pole
- Powerbank to charge phone and camera
- Sleeping bag
Besides listed things, you can pack a first-aid kit, toiletries, extra shoeless and the daily uses things for the Larke pass trek. You may meet some trekkers who snore while sleeping, and it may disturb you. It is good to have earplugs for the Manaslu circuit.
Best Time for Manaslu Circuit
From mid-September to November and from March to mid-May are the best times to trek to the Manaslu circuit. The Autumn season offers clear visibility even from a far distance, and the spring season will have hazy days in lower areas. But it is nice and clear in the higher region. The months from spring are warmer compared to the autumn.
December to February is considered winter in Nepal, and it will be freezing at this time. December is doable with warm gears, but not in January and February. If you like to visit Manaslu in a less crowded, begging of December can be the best time, and the weather will be superb.
The summer brings lots of rain and offers poor visibility. The trekking trail will be slippery, so going to the Larkey La pass during monsoon can be risky and not worth it.
Altitude Sickness in Manaslu Circuit
The trekking itinerary for the Manaslu circuit trek starts from a low elevation and then gradually ascends, so it is no need to worry about mountain sickness during the trek. The journey begins from below a thousand meters from sea level and slowly goes to above 5,000m to Larke La pass.
Also, you will have an altitude practice rest day in Samagaun. Visiting Pungen Gumba or Manaslu base camp this day for an acclimatization hike helps to minimize the AMS. In the higher region, you will have short distance camps. It also helps to prevent mountain sickness for the trekkers.
Internet, Phone and Battery Charging in Manaslu Circuit Route
It is becoming a more popular trekking trail among adventure trekkers after the road construction in the Annapurna circuit trek. The facilities of communication in the region are still developing. Lower areas from starting the trip and after the pass have NTC cell phone services. You can call from SAT phone from this region if needed.
Most of the places have wi-fi, which you can get for free or need to pay some amount. You can charge the camera and other gadgets during the trip, but you might need to pay for the charging. The power supply in the Manaslu region is solar and micro-hydro.