Manaslu Circuit Trek In May

Manaslu Circuit Trek is an exhilarating and serene trekking experience that takes you farther from the bustling major trekking routes. This circumnavigating journey of the eighth highest pristine peak on the planet, Mt. Manaslu (8,163 meters), offers you an enchanting experience to trek across the mystical Himalayas to explore its raw and unspoiled wilderness.

This off-beaten trail across the remote Himalayan wilderness also offers you the opportunity to immerse in the ancient culture and traditions that thrive in the remote villages of the Himalayas. If you are here, it means that you are considering the Manaslu Circuit Trek in May and wondering whether it is the right time to set out on this iconic exploration or not.

May, the pre-monsoon season month, is actually a wonderful time to explore the remote and classical trails of the Himalayas. The magnificent landscapes of the country, deep valleys, tropical forests, cascading rivers- waterfalls and alpine meadows are at their peak in this nature’s season. Similarly, due to the light rainfall in this pre-monsoon month, the vibrance of the landscape adds extra crispness to the Himalayan vistas.

Manaslu Circuit Trek ensures a remarkable Himalayan journey amidst the incredible natural and cultural allurements away from the crowded route. Due to the smaller number of trekkers in this pre-monsoon month, you will have the opportunity to truly relish in the mystical ambiance of the Himalayas in solitude.

If you really want to understand the true grandeur of the Himalayas in this nature’s peak season and within the perfect window frame where the crowd number significantly reduces, Nepal Guide Treks offers fully guided Manaslu Circuit Trek packages. Join us for this journey of discovery where adventure meets serenity.

Manaslu Circuit Trek in May – Trek Overview

Manaslu Circuit Trek is undoubtedly one of the absolute favorites when it comes to wilderness exploration of the Himalayas, farther from the mainstream trekking crowd. In the standard Manaslu Circuit Trek, the trekking starts after an exciting drive from Kathmandu (1,400 meters) to Machha Khola (710 meters).

Commencing your remarkable foot journey from Machha Khola, you will move across the charming trails to Jagat (1,410 meters), Deng (1,804 meters), and Namrung (2,630 meters). On the journey further up ahead, you will trek through popular highlights of Manaslu, like Shya (3,350 meters), Samagaon (3,530 meters), Samdo (3,860 meters), and Larkya Phedi (4,460 meters), also known as Dharamsala.

Moving further in your high-altitude journey, you will then take on one of the high Himalayan passes, Larkya La Pass (5,160 meters), to descend to Bimthang (3,590 meters). Your descending journey further ahead will take you to Dharapani (1,860 meters), from where you will drive back to Kathmandu.

Nepal Guide Treks’ 16 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek is a fully guided trekking adventure that takes care of all your itinerary plans from the day you arrival at Kathmandu to the departure day to your home country. If you want a shorter form of exploration to fit into your vacation, our 10 Days Manaslu Short Trek is an immersive exploration package.

Your journey with us starts from Kathmandu to Machha Khola drive and completes after we drop you back at your hotel after finishing the adventure. You can spend the pre-trek and post-trek period as per your wish in the country.

Why Manaslu Circuit Trek in May?

Enchanting Landscapes

May, the final month of the spring season, relishes the blooming cycle of nature. Spring season, which is the peak point of mother nature, covers the entire landscape of this Himalayan country with stunning visuals.

The hillside of the country is covered with vibrant colors of flowers; the dotted rhododendron flowers especially add scenic beauty to the landscape, making your everyday exploration an enticing experience.

Similarly, the valleys and alpine meadows are lush and brimming with life during this final month of spring season. Due to occasional rain-fall in this pre-monsoon season, the nourishment makes the entire landscape fresh, and the cascading streams and waterfalls get even more magical.

Ideal Temperatures

Spring, in general, is a beautiful season that houses moderate levels of temperatures. The temperature of the Manaslu region around 10°C to 21°C during the overall spring season is. As you ascend to the higher altitudes, the night temperatures can drop to minus degrees at the alpine altitudes.

However, as May is closer to the core part of the summer season, the temperatures in the trekking route are generally pleasant. You will not feel too cold, nor will it be too hot to make your outdoor exploration difficult. Manaslu Circuit Trek in May provides a favorable climatic condition that will ensure comfortable temperatures even during the trek to the alpine altitudes.

Less Crowd and More Serene Experience

As May is the pre-monsoon month, it receives occasional rainfall, and sometimes, the weather may disrupt the itinerary plans of the high-altitude adventures. That’s why usually trekkers and mountaineers prefer the mid-spring period for their adventures.

This opens up a perfect window for you to explore the magical allurements of this off-beaten trail with the smaller crowd. You won’t have to worry about having to rush your highlight exploration and can even take your time to interact with the locals.

Your Himalayan journey in the last month of nature’s season will reward you with a more intimate connection with nature in a serene setting without any disturbance.

Diverse Flora and Fauna

Despite being the transit point between spring and monsoon, May is still a month of spring season where nature’s grandeur is at its peak. Naturally, the chances of you witnessing the incredible Himalayan flora and fauna of the region during in this month are significantly high.

The iconic trekking trails of the Manaslu Circuit Trek take you across both the Manaslu Conservation Area and Annapurna Conservation Area (during the return journey), so you can expect to encounter the rich biodiversity of both of these protected areas during your trip.

Due to the light rainfall in this pre-monsoon month, the birdlife and wildlife are especially more active in the region. Thus, you can take your time with birdwatching and wilderness exploration in a peaceful atmosphere.

Stunning Himalayan Paranoma

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is known to reward the trekkers with spectacular views of pristine Himalayan gems like Manaslu, Annapurna, Lamjung Himal, Larkya Peak, Himalchuli, Ganesh Himal and other surrounding peaks.

Both spring and autumn seasons, the high seasons, offer the most stunning Himalayan panorama during the trek. Thus, May, which has stable weather and clear skies, will guarantee breathtaking views of the sparkling Himalayan vistas under the clear blue sky.

In fact, the lush greenery, thanks to light rainfall, creates an enchanting atmosphere where the lush greenery in the foreground, clear blue skies in the background, and the white-clad peaks in the middle create a unique and surreal blend of the natural tapestry.

Festive Celebrations

If you have never traveled to Nepal, then you are in for a surprise. This beautiful Himalayan country with a diverse culture has multiple festivals every month throughout the year. Nepal also celebrates some significant and colorful festivals during May.

Buddha Jayanti (the celebration of the birthday of Lord Buddha) and Mahendra Nath Jatra will be some major cultural highlights during your trek to Nepal in this month. Furthermore, Nepal, which follows the lunar calendar system, Bikram Samvat, also celebrates its new year in May.

So your Manaslu Circuit Trek in May will not be just a serene Himalayan exploration; you will also be able to add the exciting cultural prospects of this culturally rich country to your venture.

What is the Difficulty Level of Manaslu Circuit Trek in May?

Manaslu Circuit Trek, which explores the west-central prospects of the Himalayas, is a fascinating and gratifying experience that introduces you to the unspoiled wilderness of the Himalayas. However, the best about this trekking adventure in the Himalayas is that anyone can take part in it.

With the difficulty level on a milder scale, this off-beaten journey guarantees an unforgettable memory. Even a completely new trekker can take part in this exciting exploration as there aren’t any technically demanding and physically strenuous segments along the trail.

Still, you will have to be careful about taking on this high-altitude excursion and make enough preparations so you don’t have to go through any inconveniences during your trip. Starting your trek from Machha Khola (710 meters), you will trek across significant altitude points in this adventure.

You will gain significant altitudes at Shya (3,350 meters), Samagaon (3,530 meters), Samdo (3,860 meters), and Larkya Phedi (4,460 meters), while Larkya La Pass (5,160 meters) is the highest elevation point of the entire trek. Thus, you need to acclimatize properly and follow the appropriate and follow appropriate measures. Similarly, the total trekking distance overall is about 177 km (110 miles) in total.

To complete the circuit trek within the trekking period, you will need to trek for about 6 to 7 hours on average every day. Although the distance may seem long, you will walk slowly, enjoying the view. So, it won’t be that physically draining if you have trained adequately for the trek.

How to Train Efficiently for Manaslu Trek?

You can determine your overall training period and exercises for the trek after doing a proper assessment of your capabilities. If you are an athlete or someone who works out routinely, you may not have to allocate a significant period for the training.

Similarly, if you are someone who rarely exercises, then you need to understand the demands of the trails, like steep sections, weather challenges, the stamina required for long hours of trek, and the need to carry your luggage.

So, you should primarily focus your training regime on enhancing your core strength, endurance, and stamina level. We recommend at least 3-6 weeks of preparation for the Manaslu Trek. The training routine doesn’t have to take much space in your schedules, but you should be fairly regular with rest days in between.

Also, hiking at the hills close to your location is one of the most efficient ways to understand the true demand of the trekking route. You can also use the practice hike as a chance to test out the comfort level of your trekking gear and equipment.

Strength Exercises

• Plank
• Push Up
• Bench Press
• Squat
• Weightlift
• Deadlift
• Bicep Curl
• Leg Raise
• Hollow Hold
• Lunge
• Overhead Press
• Upright Row
• Step Up
• Leg Extension
• Leg Press
• Glute Bridge

Cardiovascular/Stamina Exercises

• Jogging
• Dancing
• Swimming
• Jumping Rope
• Mountain Climber
• Stair Climbing
• Jumping Jack
• Rowing
• Cardio
• Burpee
• Cycling

Safety Consideration for Manaslu Circuit Trek in May

Nepal Guide Trek’s Manaslu Circuit Trek in May is a fully guided trekking adventure. We adhere to every safety protocol and consideration during your trip to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable Himalayan trekking experience.

Our trekking packages are only led by government licensed experts who have numerous years of experience in organizing treks in the Manaslu region. During your trek, your guide will check all the aspects of your exploration, from monitoring your health conditions, checking how well you are acclimatizing to your overall comfort level and experience.

So, you can just relax and relish the exciting wilderness exploration, letting us take care of all other minor details. In case of any unforeseen circumstances or emergencies, our guides will make the decision considering the situation and coordinating with us. Our guides have also received high-altitude training and first aid care, so you can trust them to make the right call.

Permits Required for Manaslu Trek

Manaslu Trek is one of the extensive exploration prospects in the Himalayas that provides you the opportunity to traverse two of the major trekking regions in the Himalayas. Besides enchanting routes across the unspoiled wilderness of the Manaslu region, you will also get to explore the mainstream Annapurna Circuit Trek Route during your return trip.

Thus, you will need the permits to explore both regions during your Himalayan trek.

Required Permits

• Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP)
• Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)
• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (MRAP)
• Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card

Unlike the mountain climbing permits, the cost of all three permits for the Manaslu Circuit Trek is the same throughout the year. However, you will have to pay different charges for the RAP permit depending on the period of your visit. MCAP and ACAP cost US$ 30 per person; similarly, TIMS Card costs about US$ 17 per person.

The cost for these permits is universal all year round; however, for the RAP, you will have to pay US$ 100 if you are trekking in the autumn season (Septemeber– November). If you are doing the Manaslu Circuit Trek in other seasons, like spring (March- May), monsoon (June- August), and winter (December- February), the RAP permit costs US$ 75.

Packing List for May

One of the best things about trekking in Nepal during the high seasons, like spring and autumn, is that due to the pleasant weather conditions, you do not need to carry heavy clothes and gear. Still, even though May is close to the core summer period, you should pack warm layers for high altitudes as the temperatures can be unpredictable at times.

Similarly, in this pre-monsoon month, it is necessary to carry waterproof layers and rain cover to protect your luggage from occasional light rainfall. Nepal Guides Treks will provide one strong and helpful porter per two trekkers. The porter will carry about 15 kg (33 lbs) worth of luggage for each trekker with a maximum weight limit of 30 kg (66 lbs).

So, don’t go overboard with packing as you will have to carry the exceeding weight by yourself. Try to make your packing as light as possible without missing out on the most essentials.

Recommended Packlist for Manaslu Circuit Trek in May

We have recommended Manaslu Circuit Trek Packing list below:

For Head and Upper-Body

• Sun block hat
• Brimmed or insulated hat
• Scarf, or neck gaiter
• Moisture-wicking vest or sandow
• Cotton t-shirt both half and full
• Thermal wear and sweater
• Fleece jacket or breathable jacket
• Waterproof and windproof outer layer
• Down jacket for alpine altitudes
• Different layers of gloves, light to insulated

For Lower Body and Feet

• Comfortable trekking boots
• Socks (light, woolen and insulated)
• Ankle support
• Waterproof gaiter
• Camp shoes/ sandals

Toiletries/ Personal Hygiene

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Comb, nail clipper, and small mirror
• Soap, shampoo and hair conditioner
• Sunblock cream, lip care, and body lotion
• Insect repellent
• Handwash or sanitizer
• Tissue paper, toilet paper, and wet wipes
• Water purification tablet
• Foot powder
• Deodorants
• Travel tower
• First aid kit
• Prescribed medications

Gear/Equipment

• Backpack/ daypack
• Sleeping bag
• Trekking pole
• Solar charger, power bank
• Binocular and camera
• Rain cover for luggage
• Water bottle and thermos flask
• Guidebook and trekking map
• Headlamp
• Hand and toe warmers
• Card games
• Books and journals

You may also like:

• Manaslu Circuit Trek Map
• Manaslu Trek without Guide
• Best Time For Manaslu Trek

Some Helpful Tips for Manaslu Circuit Trek in May

• Train properly and follow an effective exercise routine
• Stay updated with weather forecast and climatic conditions
• Pack light, and don’t forget to carry rain covers to protect your luggage from the occasional rain
• Eat healthy-nutritious and monitor your fluid intake
• Strictly stick to the rules and guidelines of the guides and porters
• Collect enough information about the region you are about to visit
• Pay attention to the symptoms of altitude sickness and communicate with your guide in case of any difficulties
• Be flexible with your itinerary plans for unexpected weather conditions
• Keep yourself warm at alpine altitudes
• Don’t consume alcohol or cigarettes while navigating the high-altitude regions