Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty
Manaslu is of course a challenging trek and also the alternative trekking destination for Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit Trek. Manaslu remains to the north of Nepal bordering with Tibet, making the Manaslu areas restricted for trekkers but trekkers can do Manaslu trek with a special permit which is easy to get through the locally based company of Nepal (only).
Manaslu Circuit trek is an off-the-beaten trail in Nepal leading us towards the remote area of the northern part of Nepal on the lap of the great Himalayas. This includes two conservation areas of Nepal i.e. Manaslu and Annapurna. This trail is blessed with an abundance of vegetation, natural beauties, Himalayas, snow-melted rivers, waterfalls, villages, monasteries, etc.
Manaslu Circuit Trek has great variation, from different landscapes to diverse ethnic groups, to different climates to altitudes. Starting the trek from just 710 meters, we will reach the highest altitude of 5123 meters which is the pass on the Himalayas, also known as Larke La Pass.
Only the point here is the altitude which matters a lot for any trekkers, no matter how much time you have been to this altitude. Due to high altitude trekkers are directly exposed to sunlight, snow, and also the wind. All this sometimes creates trouble to lower our pace in the trail, this is due to almost no vegetation on the high Himalayas.
So to make our pace keep on going in this sort of altitude, trekkers must be physically fit to keep on walking for almost 5-7 hours every day. This can be done by doing some pre- trekking exercises which will result in a fruitful return while trekking.
Further trekkers are advised to follow the long itinerary for Manaslu Circuit Trek, this will help our body to acclimatize before reaching higher. This will further help to decrease the risk factor of suffering from altitude sickness.
Food and Accommodation in Manaslu Circuit Trek
Manaslu Circuit Trek is becoming a popular trekking destination in Nepal for adventurous trekkers. As Manaslu Circuit Trek will lead us towards the remote and off-the-beaten trail to the Himalayas so is a restricted area for trekkers, trekkers need a special permit to trek the Manaslu region bordering with Tibet.
Unlike other popular trekking destinations of Nepal like the Everest region and Annapurna region, the Manaslu region is remote as compared and offers only limited services to the trekkers because of the diffusely populated region when it comes to a higher altitude and the accessibility of any means of transportation is rare.
Due to all these factors, the Manaslu Circuit trail offers limited numbers of lodges and tea houses for trekkers, just like an old inn in the rural areas. This is somewhat a homestay type of lodges and tea houses. The lodges and tea houses are run by local people with a limited number of selected items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
So trekkers are advised to carry a good quality sleeping bag according to season and also some energy bars, and they should be mentally prepared to eat local but hygienic food throughout the trail. Apart from food water are also available throughout the trail, it is suggested to carry water purifying stuff to avoid paying higher for the bottled mineral water.
Best Time to hike Manaslu Circuit Trek
Trekking in Nepal is possible throughout the year and Manaslu Circuit Trek is not exceptional, as every season of the year carries its own variety and beauties. This totally depends upon the trekkers’ interests and time frame.
Apart from all this, Manaslu Circuit Trek will be best mainly during Autumn and Spring. During the season of Autumn, which is September- November, the sky is spotless clear with a blue border above the Himalayas. This is also regarded as the finest climate for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, this is due to the clear vista of the Himalayas, and also the temperature is at its finest with neither too cold nor too hot and with hike-able snow above 3500 meters.
with Autumn, Spring is also the best season choice for many trekkers, this is because at the low altitude the forest is green and the farmland is filled with different varieties of crops and locals are busy in their farmland. Different varieties of vegetation can be observed along with beautiful Himalayan flowers, among them rhododendron is one of the best to view. All this makes Autumn and Spring the best time for Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary
Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary depends upon trekkers’ time-frame and also the interest, as trekkers can use local transportation to some extent to make it less time consuming but to explore the off-the-beaten trail of the Manaslu region the best-followed trail will be of the 14-day trek.
As the Manaslu Circuit Trek is diverse in terms of beauty and also the altitude, trekkers are supposed to step, it is always recommended to maintain the pace with the altitude to avoid any possible danger of high altitude sickness because we will be heading from the altitude of 710 meters to 5123 meters, this makes our body to acclimatize to accomplish the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
The possible best suited Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary can be:
- Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola (710m)
- Hike to Machha Khola (900m)
- Hike to Jagat (1410m)
- Hike to Philim (1590m)
- Hike to Bihi Phedi (2363m)
- Hike to Namrung (2540m)
- Hike to Lo-Gaun (3180m)
- Hike to Samagaun (3530m)
- Hike to Samdo (3860m)
- Hike to Dharamsala (4460m)
- Hike to Bhimthang (3890m) Via Larke La Pass (5123m)
- Hike to Dharapani (1860m)
- Hike to Beshisahar (1100m)
- Drive to Kathmandu (1350m)
Manaslu Circuit trek permit and cost
Manaslu Circuit Trek, a trekking area where your dream meets reality, is one of the popular off-the-beaten trails in Nepal. This is a restricted area due to its remoteness and also borders with Tibet.
Although Manaslu Circuit Trek is a restricted area, foreigners are allowed to trek with a special restricted permit. Manaslu Circuit Trek can be done and requires three permits to accomplish the trial.
- Restricted Area Permit
- Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) Permit
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit
Restricted Area Permit
Although Manaslu Circuit Trail is a restricted area, the cost for the permit is cheaper as compared to other restricted areas of Nepal. Manaslu restricted area permit cost varies from season to season, as September-November is regarded as the best time for Manaslu Circuit Trek, trekkers need to pay USD 70 per person to obtain a special permit, this permit last for a week (starting from the date we are entering the restricted area), if we are to increase our number of days we need to pay extra USD 10 for per person per day.
For the rest of the month of the year, we need to pay USD 50 to obtain a restricted permit for Manaslu Circuit Trek, this also lasts for a week-long and can be extended upon paying an extra USD 7 per person per day.
Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) Permit
As Manaslu is a conservation area or protected region in Nepal, trekkers need conservation permits as well. Regardless of the month of the year or season or number of days to spend, Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) Permit is the same and costs Rs 200 for SAARC nationals and Rs 2000 or USD 20 for other nationals.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit
As the Manaslu Circuit Trekking trail leads us towards two popular conservation areas of Nepal i.e Manaslu and Annapurna, trekkers need to obtain an ACAP permit as well. These ACAP entry permit fees cost Rs 2000 or USD 20 to all the foreign nationals, regardless of the number of days and time of the year.
