Manaslu Circuit Trek

When is the Best Time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Spring

The Spring season is quite incredible for trekkers as it provides stable weather. There are no weather-related challenges, like heavy precipitation and snowfall during this season. Spring also provides a moderate temperature and flowers in heavy bloom around the hills and forests.

Likewise, wildlife and birds remain highly active, adding excitement to the trip. Travelers will also observe the sharp views of snowy mountains in a clear blue sky during the spring season. Hence, it is an ideal time for the trek.

Autumn

Autumn is another perfect time for traveling in the Manaslu region. It provides you with stable weather conditions and unobstructed views of the mountains along the trail. The trails will take you through the incredible fall landscapes. There are no weather-related challenges like landslides, avalanches, heavy rainfall, or snowfall. Another exciting aspect is that many festivals fall during this season, making it ideal for cultural exploration.

Off-season

The off-season treks in the winter and summer/monsoon are relatively more challenging. In winter, you will face the challenge of extreme frigid conditions and snowfall. The terrain remains covered in thick layers of snow. Hence, it is challenging to traverse through the remote and rugged trail sections.

Heavy rainfall can cause slippery trails, landslides and floods during the monsoon season. You will also get bothered by the mud and leeches in the courses. Similarly, frequent overcast conditions cover the view of the snow-clad mountains.

Trekkers may face trip delays and cancellation issues in the off seasons, primarily due to weather-related challenges. Therefore, spring and autumn should be your priority while going for the Himalayan adventures.

The Difficulty of the Manaslu Circuit Trek

Remote and rugged terrains

The Manaslu Circuit trek is quite different from the other mainstream tracks like the Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit. Since this trek passes through remote landscapes, you will have to face added challenges during the trek.

You will not find frequent signposts or trail markers. There is an increased chance of you getting lost or injured along the trail.

Adventurous trails

The trails on the circuit pass through some of the most challenging Himalayan landscapes. You will traverse uphill and downhill pathways for several hours each day, which can be considerably taxing. Besides, there can be chances of getting injured and falling ill during the journey

So, you will need to be in an excellent physical and mental state to complete this trek.

Altitude sickness

This Manaslu Circuit trek reaches altitudes above 5000 m. You will reach the trek’s highest altitude in a short span of time. If you do not acclimate properly, you will not be able to adapt to changing environmental conditions, which can lead to altitude sickness.

Trekkers must ascend slowly and drink water regularly at various intervals to tackle altitude sickness. Diamox tablets help prevent the symptoms, including nausea, headache, lack of appetite, insomnia, etc. You should also avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks because they can lead to dehydration, which is the primary cause of altitude sickness.

Simple Accommodations

Accommodation is another challenging aspect of the trek. Since you will be staying in remote areas, you do not have many facilities. You will rest during the tour in lodges, run by the local people that provide basic meals and sleeping spaces. You need to adjust to the simple way of living during your stay in the region.

Things to Consider for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

Acclimatization

It is how the trekkers will adapt to changing high altitude conditions. You should not trek at a fast pace. Walk gently and rest well after arriving at the destination.

You should also sleep at a lower altitude, an altitude that is lower than the one you achieved during the trek. Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks like coffee. Since dehydration is the primary cause of altitude sickness, you should drink around 3-4 liters of water every day.

Trekking gears and equipment

Since this is a challenging high altitude trek, all the trekkers must have trekking gear and equipment of proper quality. It will help make your trek safe and comfortable. You can either buy or rent the required trekking and clothing gear in the shops around the Thamel area.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is another essential part of this journey. It will cover you in various trail injuries and accidents and more importantly, in emergency cases, you will get air lifted to the nearby hospitals. This ensures both your safety and financial protection. On the other hand, you can trek freely with a peace of mind. Insurance also takes care of loss, theft and damage to properties as well as trip delays and cancellations.

Guides and porters

The importance of the guides and porters is high. They will provide you with a safe and comfortable journey to the destination, ensuring guaranteed success. They will also help you have the best cultural and natural exploration of the region.

You will see the region’s best views from various points with the help of a guide. On the other hand, hiring porters will let you travel hands-free as they will carry your luggage along the diverse mountainous route.

Nutritious Meals

Training well will help you build physical strength, but you need to regenerate the energy with a proper and nutritious meal. So, you should prioritize healthy meals before and during your trek. Having gluten-free meals is key to walking along the trail comfortably.

The three-course meal in the teahouses will provide trekkers with enough energy for the trek. You can also carry protein bars, chocolate bars, and granola bars for instant energy along the trail. Stick with your diet plan and increase your food intake in high altitude conditions.

Training Required for the Trek

Cardiovascular or aerobic exercises

These cardiovascular or aerobic exercises will help you with endurance and flexibility. With the help of these exercises, which include hiking, jogging, swimming, and cycling, you will get to travel without any discomfort. You can easily handle minor injuries and cramps. Besides that, your breathing ability also increases through these workouts.

Mental preparation

Mental grooming is one of the most overlooked aspects of training. It will help you give a decent idea about the trek. You will know about the distance you will cover along the way. You can get information from the veteran trekkers, the tracking agency, or the internet to prepare yourself mentally for the journey.

Details About Travel Visa

The ‘On Arrival’ visa for tourists in Nepal is issued to travelers at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Depending on how long you wish to stay in Nepal, you can select the ideal visa for yourself.

15 Days Travel Visa— US$ 30

30 Days Travel Visa— US$ 50

90 Days Travel Visa— US$ 125

Don’t worry; even if you want to stay longer than your intended period, you can easily get a visa extension. For that, you will need to buy a minimum 15-day visa which will cost US$ 45.

Note: If the ‘On Arrival Visa’ is not applicable for the nationals of your country, you will have to apply for the visa at the nearest embassy. You can check out the following list to see if an ‘On Arrival Visa’ is issued for your country or not.

Booking Procedure

For a seamless booking experience, you can book for Manaslu Circuit Treks Nepal directly from the booking page. After putting in the necessary details shown on the page, you can submit the application and our sales team will follow up to provide you with more details.

You can also enquire about the trip from the product page and provide additional details if you are looking for a customized trip. Similarly, you can also directly get in touch with us using the details provided on our Contact Page.  

Our sales representatives will provide you with all the necessary details about the trip and also assist you with the booking procedure.

Payment Process and Terms

For booking Manaslu Circuit Treks Nepal with Nepal Guide Trek, you will need to pay 20% of the total cost upfront for booking our product. You can make the advance via bank, online mediums, or credit cards. We will notify you about your booking in about 12 hours after you make the deposit into our account.

We will send you an invoice for the advance amount for easy and secure online payment. You can make the payment for the rest of the amount in our office. In case you have to make a cancellation due to some unforeseen circumstances, you should do so at least 45 days prior to the scheduled starting date for a full refund.

Note: If you are using a card to make the payment, you will be charged 4% of the total cost as the card expense.

Private Joining and Group Joining

You can enjoy your Manaslu Circuit Trek with us either by joining a group package or a privately managed trip. In the group joining option, you will explore the Manaslu region with other trekkers from all over the world who find the particular departure date flexible.

This is a wonderful way to enjoy your Himalayan journey if you prefer to socialize and have people who share similar interests as you around you. As for the private joining option, it offers a more personalized experience and you can enjoy the trip on your own accord.

Unlike the group joining, on the private trip, you will have more flexibility over the starting date and even the overall itinerary plans. So, it is an ideal way to explore this remote section of the Himalayas if you are looking for a serene experience that focuses on your own pace and personal preferences.

Last Minute Booking

It will be more convenient for you to make the preparation for the trek if you book it with some spare time on hand. However, due to unfavorable factors, if you fail to do so, Nepal Guide Treks also offers a last-minute booking facility.

For the last-minute booking for any of our packages, you will have to inform us at least 24 hours prior to the start date. You will need to pay the full package cost for this option upfront and there is no cancellation option available. 

As this is a last minute booking, it will be best if you get in touch with us directly via call or instant messaging applications such as Viber and WhatsApp.

Currency Exchange

In Nepal, the national currency, the Nepalese Rupee (NPR), is mainly used across the country. However, a few other types of currencies are also accepted in the tourist areas. So, for your Manaslu Circuit Trek Nepal, we recommend that you convert your national currency into NPR or other acceptable currencies such as the Indian Rupee, US Dollar, or Pound Sterling. 

Remember, as Manaslu is one of the most remote and isolated parts of the central Himalayas, credit cards are not widely accepted and there aren’t many reliable ATM services. So, it will be best if you properly budget your trip and carry the necessary cash with you.

Note: For a fair exchange rate, we recommend that you convert your currency in the city areas and not on the mountain.

Package Customization and Personalization

Besides the private joining option, Nepal Guides Trek also offers complete package customization and personalization options for your Manaslu Circuit Treks Nepal. In this trekking mode, you will have full control over how you want to shape your exploration and enjoy it. 

From managing itinerary plans, routes, walking pace and highlights exploration or side detours around the region, you can also determine the quality of services and transportation modes. So, overall, you will have full control over every aspect of your adventure and you can relish it in the most ideal way you see fit. 

Note: For this package customization option, you can give us an outline itinerary of your overall plans for the adventure you are looking for or we can take care of all the planning, considering your preference.

Personal Expenses

Your standard Manaslu Circuit Trek cost will cover all the general expenses during your trip. As for the personal nature expenses such as beverages, snacks, internet, charging, hot shower, etc., you will have to pay out of your own pocket as your package will not cover them.  

Make a proper budgeting plan, considering the personal expenses along the trekking route. Depending on your expenditure habits, around US$ 30 to US$ 50 will be sufficient for personal expenses during your trek.

Internet and Device Charging Services

Although the Manaslu Circuit Trek map does take you across some of the most isolated parts of the west-central Himalayas, you will still be able to use the internet services and charge your devices.

The teahouses along the trekking route do offer internet services. However, as the coverage is limited in this isolated part of the mountain region, you have to rely on the data package of major mobile networks such as NTC and Ncell. 

You will be able to charge your electronic gadgets across the route. As there are more isolated parts along the trails, make sure that your devices are fully charged at your break and rest destinations.

Hot Shower and Laundry Facilities

While moving along with the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary plans, you will be able to use both hot showers and laundry facilities. It is important to maintain standard hygiene during your remote exploration.

So, with the availability of these facilities at the teahouses, you will be able to take care of your personal hygiene. Western-style bathrooms are available in the teahouses at the lower part of the trail. 

At such establishments, you will be able to take hot showers without any issues. As for the isolated and high-altitude part of the trails, you can buy a hot water bucket to take care of your hygiene.

Similarly, a laundry facility is available throughout the trekking route for some extra cost.

Luggage Storing

During your Manaslu Circuit Treks Nepal, you might be worried about the luggage space and the extra packing that you will not be bringing with you during the trek. Well, you can request the hotel you are staying at to securely store your carry-ons.

The hotel will charge a fee for storing your luggage on a daily basis and you can collect it after returning from your trek. Or, you can leave your extra luggage in our care if you don’t want to pay extra for the hotel.

Nepal Guide Treks will safely store your luggage during your exploration in the Himalayas. Then, after completing your trip, you can collect it from our office.

Transportation Mode

For your Manaslu Circuit Trek Nepal, we will take care of all the transportation facilities for the activities mentioned in the itinerary plans. Nepal Guide Trek will use a comfortable private vehicle for airport and hotel transfers during your stay. 

Similarly, during your sightseeing tour, we will arrange a private vehicle convenient for the group size to explore the beautiful capital valley. If you need any kind of transportation facility beyond those mentioned in the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary, we can make arrangements for that as well.

Nepal Guide Trek will book an ideal vehicle as per your travel needs and group size, so you can enjoy a seamless journey during your trip in Nepal.

Buying or Renting Equipment in Kathmandu

If you haven’t brought the necessary gear for Manaslu Circuit Treks Nepal, you can easily shop for it in Kathmandu. There are plenty of trekking gear shops around Kathmandu where you will be able to buy and rent the necessary equipment for this trek. 

However, as there are also many knock-off gears in circulation, you should consider buying/renting reliable and branded equipment. Some of the most essential gear for this off-beaten trekking route are a sleeping bag, trekking pole, backpack/daypack, trekking boots, down jacket, headlamp, hydration bottle, etc.

Make sure that you are well prepared for the trip by collecting the necessary gear to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Permits for Trek

Manaslu Circuit Trek Nepal takes you across protected and restricted Himalayan areas. You will need to collect three major permits for this off-beaten journey.

• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (MRAP)
• Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

The Manaslu Circuit Trek map takes you through both the Annapurna and the Manaslu Conservation Areas. So, you will need to collect the permits for each of these protected regions, which will cost about US$ 30 each. 

Similarly, the area between Jagat and Sama Gaun has been listed as a restricted area in this circuit route. Thus, you will need a special restricted area permit to access this region, which will cost about US$ 100 in autumn (September, October and November) and US$ 75 in other seasons (spring, monsoon and winter).

Day-to-Day Activities

Each day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek Nepal rewards you with a unique mix of cultural immersion, natural elements and thrills of Himalayan exploration. Every single day of your trek will unveil a new magical landscape, challenges and interactions.

During your trek while following the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary plans, you will get started on the trails after enjoying your breakfast at around 6:30 to 7:00 AM. The itinerary plans start from early in the morning to make the best out of the daylight and avoid the potential afternoon weather changes.

After enjoying your breakfast, you will follow the trekking route, exploring the beautiful villages, landscapes and major highlights along the route. Depending on the terrain and difficulty, you will reach the lunch destination after 4 to 5 hours of trekking.

Then, you will get about an hour to eat your lunch and rest. Following the lunch, you will continue walking toward the rest destination on that particular day. The trekking part after lunch isn’t that major and you will reach your destination in about 2 to 3 hours on a standard day. 

After settling in at the accommodation for the night, you can take your time to rest, explore the village and interact with the natives. Dinner is typically served at around 6:30 to 7:30 PM. You will have enough time to communicate with the team and prepare for the next day’s exploration after dinner.

Trip Extension

The standard duration of the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary with Nepal Guide Trek is 16 days. This time frame includes itinerary plans from your arrival, and sightseeing in Kathmandu, navigating the circuit route and departure plan. 

Overall, it is a fully guided and immersive trekking plan for your trip to the west-central Himalayas. However, even after completing your trekking journey, if you plan to spend some extra days in Nepal, we can make arrangements for that as well.

Whether it is providing assistance with the visa extension procedure, managing your transport needs or taking care of your itinerary plans for your extended stay, Nepal Guide Trek will cater to all your needs.

To decide on what you want to explore during your extended stay in Nepal, we can check out our popular short touring prospects in the country.

Safety and Well-being

Embarking on the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal is certainly a rewarding experience. However, safety and well-being factors also should be a top priority throughout the experience. That’s why Nepal Guide Trek takes every safety protocol and precaution seriously to ensure a seamless journey during your trip.

During your off-beaten exploration, we will provide a capable guide and crew to take care of health, safety and comfort throughout the experience. Our crew is adept at high-altitude response and first-aid training.

The guide leading your team will also do proper risk assessments before starting each day’s journey and will also keep your health status updated at the head office. In case of any kind of emergency situation, the guide will make the call after properly analyzing the risks.

So, stick with the suggestions and guidelines of the expert mountain guide and there won’t be anything you have to worry about during your mountain exploration.

Altitude Sickness

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a common concern for high-altitude exploration. After crossing the elevation point of 3,000 meters (9,842 feet), trekkers may start showing mild symptoms of altitude sickness if they don’t follow the appropriate acclimatization procedure.

As AMS is not a serious stage of altitude sickness, eating a balanced diet, resting properly, staying hydrated and taking enough acclimating periods can help to prevent its symptoms. While trekking with Nepal Guide Trek, you don’t have to stress yourself about the risks of altitude sickness.

You will follow a gradual pace during your Himalayan exploration with us. Similarly, we have also allocated rest periods and acclimatization days along the route. So, you will be able to enjoy a comfortable and safe journey under our expert guidance without worrying about anything.