JR Wong
MalaysiaMy Manaslu Circuit Trek with Mount Mania was between 7-18 May 2023. (I have chosen these dates as it's towards the low season with less trekkers and I get to enjoy the trek more when there's less crowd).
I went with Mount Mania because of the good reviews and they didn't disappoint! Binod and his team have done a tremendously great job from the start to the end of the trip. As I was quite pushed for time and had a narrow timeframe for the trip. I told Binod I would arrive at Kathmandu on 6 May (Saturday), a public holiday in Nepal and will be leaving on 19 May. Binod and his team managed to get all my hiking permits approved before my arrival to ensure my hike can start on 7 May, despite the passport is usually required for the permit application. For that, I am already impressed by the meticulous service arranged to ensure I can start the trek on time.
Binod has been very attentive to message and email questions and is always patient in answering the questions and not being pushy. This is my second time doing a hike in Nepal and I have had experience with pushy tour company. So this would be a plus point I give to Mount Mania.
Ganesh was assigned as my guide for the trek. He welcomed me from the airport and dropped me off at my hotel. Ganesh and Rupak explained and briefed me on things to take note of for the trip on the night of 6 May and my Manaslu Circuit Trek started on 7 May.
Of the 12 days hiking trip in the Manaslu region, Ganesh has been a very helpful, informative and experienced guide. He reminded me of things to take note of during the hike. Like how to pace a 7 hours hike and not to overstretch myself, extending the walking pole while going down hill and shortening it while going up, etc... During the hike, he has also pointed out to me of all the possible dangerous parts of the trek, like shaky rocks, slippery black ice, uneven surfaces, narrow path at landslides area and to watch out for my head at forested area. For that, I am grateful to have him as my guide, sharing his skills and knowledges to ensure my safety.
Ganesh is also very caring, knowing that I have developed quite a bad cough in the mountains and was looking for lozenges to smooth the throat. He got me a strip of it after I have just asked him to check out whether it was available in Samagaun. He always checked in to ensure I sleep well and eat well and sent me blanket to keep warm knowing that my sleeping bag didn't function as intended. As we ascend towards Larke Pass, Ganesh was aware that I didn't have enough layers to keep myself warm, so he spared one of his jacket to me, with that I got 6 layers of protection for the hike at - 10 degree celcius. Ganesh has gone above and beyond as a guide with his hospitality at many occasions. I'm grateful he has guided me safely throughout the whole Manaslu Circuit Trek. The trek was challenging, coming from a 28 years old that workouts rigorously 4 to 5 times a week. But, the views in the Manaslu region are (out of this world) stunning, the people I met along the way are kind and friendly, the culture is rich and colourful and the experience I gained will remain with me for years to come. It's indeed a once in a lifetime experience, something not to be missed if you're into hiking in the Himalayas. To me, it's an adventure that left me with beautiful and fond memories.
To end, I want to say thank you to Ganesh, Binod and Rupak, for making this trip possible and left me with great memories of the Manaslu mountains and Nepal. Thank you.
