Trip Details
Destination: Nepal
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Trip Style: Trekking
Transport: Public Vehicle
Food: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge
Group Size: 2 - 16
Max Elevation: Larkya La Pass (5106m)
Highlights
- A scenic drive from Kathmandu to Arughat to Soti Khola.
- Explore Budhi Gandaki Valley.
- Cross Larkya La pass (5106m)
- Explore the culture of Tibetan Buddhism in this region.
- Mesmerizing views of the Annapurna Range and Mt. Manaslu.
- Walk in the serenity of the Manaslu region.
- Visit Kargyu-Pemba Chholing Gompa, Labrang Gompa, Pungyen Nunnery etc
Description
Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the best off-the-beaten-path treks in Nepal. The peace and solitude in this trek are unlike any other destination in Nepal. The scenic views of Manaslu and other mountains including the Annapurna range are wonderful in the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek lies above the foothills of the Gorkha District. You will encounter people of various ethnicities like Brahmins, Chhetris in the lower regions. But as you trek to the high altitude regions, you will meet Gurung people. The Gurungs of this region are adherents of Tibetan Buddhism.
You can see the influences of Tibetan Buddhism in various places along this trek. During your trek, you will get to various monasteries like Kargyu-Pemba Chholing Gompa, Labrang (Lama’s Place) Gompa, Pungyen Nunnery, etc. These monasteries let you explore the Buddhism of this region. These monasteries are also set beautifully amidst the mountains surrounding this region.
Manaslu Circuit Trek by Mount Mania starts after a scenic drive through the hills surrounding Kathmandu valley to Arughat and finally to Soti Khola. The trekking trails then take you along the gushing waters of Budhi Gandaki river.
The trail passes through several farmlands, bamboo, rhododendron, oak, and pine forests as you trek to the highest point of this trek in Larkya La pass. This pass is set at an altitude of 5125 meters. The pass is one of the best vantage points to view several mountains like Pawar Peak (6,620m/21,720ft), Cheo Himal (6,820m/22,376ft), the Himlung pyramid (7,126m/23,380ft), Gyaji Kung (7,030m23,065ft), Kang Garu (6,981m/22,905ft) plus Annapurna II (7,937m/26,041ft).
Are you Planning Short Manaslu Circuit Trek?
One of the best places during the Manaslu Circuit Trek is the village of Samagaon. You will spend a day acclimatizing to this village. Exploration of this wonderful place includes the visit to the various Gompas as well as mountain viewing spots.
After crossing the Larkya La pass, you will descend into the dense forests of the Manaslu Conservation Area. You will cross some picturesque villages along the way like Samdo and Bimthang before finally getting to Dharapani. From Dharapani, you will take a bus ride to Kathmandu. You can also extend this trip to Tsum Valley.
Read More: An Ultimate Guide to Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek
Mount Mania invites you to this culturally, as well as a natural, blessed place of Manaslu. Its fresh trekking trails with awesome landscape and an astonishing backdrop of mountains are every trekker’s delight.
Manalsu Circuit Trek Altitude Chart
What to Expect
Cost Includes
- Airport Pickup and Drop
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek
- Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during the trek
- Local Bus Ticket (Kathmandu to Soti Khola)
- Local Bus Ticket (Dharapani to Kathmandu)
- English Speaking Trekking Guide with Insurance, Transportation, Food and Accommodation
- All Trekking Permits (ACAP, MCAP and Manaslu Special Permit)
- Daily seasonal fresh fruits after dinner
- A first aid kit carried by the guide (Oximeter to measure your oxygen and pulse in high altitude)
- All Government and Local taxes
Cost Excludes
- International Flight Ticket and Nepalese Visa Fee
- Hotel & Meals in Kathmandu
- Extra night accommodation in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the trek (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Personal expenses (WiFi, Phone calls, Laundry, Bar bills, Battery Recharge, Water, Shower, and Tea / Coffee)
- Other costs not mentioned in 'Cost Includes' section
- Travel and Rescue Insurance
- Tips for Guides, Porters, and Drivers
Useful Information
Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty
The total length of the Manaslu Circuit trek is around 177 kilometers. You will be trekking for 10 days covering a distance of 15-20 kilometers every day.
Another factor that determines the difficulty of this trek is the uphills and downhills you will encounter along the way. Many times as you trek along the Budhi Gandaki river, the trek can be harrowingly steep. The trek up to Larkya La Pass is also quite challenging.
Guide on Manalsu Circuit Trek Difficulty
Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you to the highest altitude of 5,213 meters in Larkya La Pass. The altitude is high enough to incite altitude sickness. The trails also can get quite breezy making the trails quite cold.
Taking all of these things into consideration, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is a strenuous trek. As a result, you will have to be quite fit in order to complete this trek. 2-3 months of physical preparation will be necessary for you to complete this trek.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Best Time
Autumn (September, October, and November) is the most popular time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Autumn offers the most beautiful views of Manaslu as well as other mountains in the Annapurna Range.
Spring (March, April, and May) is the second most popular time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The rhododendron forests of the Manaslu Conservation Area light up beautifully in this season. The low rainfall in this season is another reason for the popularity of the spring season.
As you will trek to an altitude of more than 5000 meters in the Manaslu Circuit Trek, the trek can be quite cold in the winters (December, January, and February) with temperatures going as low as -20 degrees C. In the summer season (June, July, and August), the trails can be quite wet with the monsoon. So you will have to pack and prepare extremely well to trek in these two seasons.
FAQs
How should I apply for Manaslu Trekking Permit?
Manaslu Trekking permit must be applied through the professional trekking agency which must be legally registered under the Nepal government act.
Can I apply for Manaslu trek permit individually?
This is one of the most common questions that most of the trekkers’ ask. But, you can not apply individually for Manaslu trekking permit. Minimum of two trekkers is required to apply for Manaslu special permit from one of the professional trekking agency.
Note: If you are planning Manaslu Trek individually, contact us we will find out other trekkers to join.
Do we need a guide and porter for Manaslu trekking?
As we know, the Manaslu region is located in the restricted area, the Nepal government and concerned authorities have made compulsory to have one licensed holder professional guide. Whereas, taking porter is optional.
Another major reason behind taking guide is for easy communicating with the local people in a village. The guide will also provide information about the authentic culture around Manaslu region.
How difficult is Manaslu Trekking?
The difficulty level depends on your physical fitness. During the trip, you should be able to walk 6-7 hours a day. Sometimes, we need to walk longer, so be prepared for that. Similarly, at some point like Larkya La Pass (5160m), there is a step down which makes a little harder to pass due to the icy path.
In that case, using crampon on boots to pass the icy path to reach Bimthang would be recommended. As you know, Larkya La Pass is the highest point as well as the longest day in Manaslu Circuit Trek. If you complete this day, then another path is quite easy to trek down around the Annapurna Region.
If you are motivating from the first day then completing the Manaslu Circuit trek is not that much difficult. In between the trekking, the guide will suggest you take a different level of walking pace depending on your destination. This will make your trekking a lot more physical friendly.
What is the total cost for the Manaslu Trek and Tsum Valley Special permit?
Manaslu Circuit Trek Total Special Permit Cost:
Winter, Spring, and Summer Season: USD 110 per person. USD 7 for each additional day
Autumn Season: USD 130 per person for 7 days. USD 10 for each additional day
Manaslu Trek with Tsum Valley Total Special Permit Cost:
Winter, Spring, and Summer Season: USD 145 per person. USD 7 for each additional day
Autumn Season: USD 165 per person for 7 days. USD 10 for each additional day
When is the best time to trek in Manaslu?
Like many other treks Manaslu is best between mid September and mid December, and between end of March to end of May. Some trekkers do undertake this trek in the monsoon between June and September but very few would choose the winter. The reason being sometimes the pass cannot be crossed due to snow.
What's the weather look like in Manalsu?
At the start of the trek the climate is subtropical. Overall you can expect somewhere between 10 to 25 Celsius throughout the year. However in the upper parts of the trek the temperature will fall to -20 or below in the winter.
Feel free to contact us, if you are a planning a trip to Manaslu Trek, we will help you to create a customized itinerary on your specified month and cost.
