Best Things About Manaslu Circuit Trekking
Nepal has some of the best trekking routes in the world. Among them, the Manaslu Circuit Trek offers the most peaceful and pleasing experience. Have you heard about circuit treks?
If yes, then Manaslu Circuit is the ultimate circuit trek.
Opened in 1992, the Manaslu Circuit boasts untouched landscapes, authentic remote villages, peaceful trails, and a rich Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage. It is a restricted area for foreigners in Nepal. Therefore, special permits are required if you want to trek.
Suspension-Bridge-Manaslu-Trek
The region has remained disconnected from the rest of Nepal till now, which has kept modernization and development away from it. You will be stepping into a world that has remained the same for centuries.
The locals live a simple lifestyle and practice a culture that has been handed down to them for many generations. The upper part is called Nubri and houses Tibetan refugee villages.
Likewise, a hidden valley called Tsum is located northeast of the Manaslu Circuit Trail. It is home to the Tsumba community and is much more secluded.
Following the rice and millet terraced through the Budi Gandaki gorge, you will pass by sub-tropical forests, gradually climb through alpine forests, and enter the barren, glacial zone. The terrain is steep and rocky. Cross landslide-prone areas and glacier moraines.
Along the way, you will see diverse landscapes and mountain views of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Himalchuli, Simnag Himal, Shringi Himal, etc. Hike to high-altitude Pun Gyen Gompa (monastery), Birendra Lake, and Manaslu Base Camp.
Welcome-to-Manaslu-Trek
Larkya La Pass is the grand highlight of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The pass connects the Manaslu region with Annapurna. It is 5,167 meters above sea level, and crossing it requires a lot of effort. Many say crossing this pass is nothing less than climbing a 5000-meter peak experience.
Adventure enthusiasts love Trekking to Manaslu Circuit and have named it one of the best alternatives to the famous Annapurna Circuit Trek. We have curated this blog to give you all the reasons to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Keep reading the blog for more information.
Trip Facts:
- Trekking region: Manaslu region
- Trek duration: 17 days
- Maximum altitude: 5,106 m/16,752 ft
- Trek difficulty: Strenuous
- Cost: USD 1450 per person
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Daily walking hours: 6 to 7
- Transportation: Private/local jeep
Best Season for Trekking in Nepal:
The best time to do the Manaslu Circuit trek is spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November). These are peak trekking seasons because the weather remains stable in the Himalayas, and the clear sky offers heavenly mountain vistas. Likewise, the climate is moderate, and the trail is in fantastic condition.
You can see the lower part of the region covered in flowers in the spring season, making the scenery extremely gorgeous. Likewise, the biggest Nepalese festivals in autumn make the environment delightful and divine.
Some trekkers also do the Manaslu Circuit trek in winter (December to February). The winter landscape is no doubt magical, but the trek becomes more challenging because of the freezing weather. Crossing Larkya La Pass requires more attention, experience, and strength.
Summer monsoon (June to mid-September) is the worst time for the Manaslu Circuit trek because of heavy rainfall. The trail is muddy and slippery. Landslide slide risks rapidly increase in hills and mountains. Likewise, you have to deal with leeches and bugs on the way.
Best Things about Manaslu Circuit Trekking:
View-During-Manaslu-Circuit-Trekking
1) Remote and less crowded:
The Manaslu Circuit trek takes you to one of the unspoiled and pristine parts of the Himalayas in Nepal. Given the challenges of this trek, not many trekkers do it, which keeps the trail less crowded than the other famous treks.
The entire journey will be serene and peaceful. Away from the bustle and crowd, you will enjoy a peaceful time in nature and unwind. Travelers looking for a less crowded trek in Nepal should consider the Manaslu Circuit trek.
2) Mount Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world:
The Manaslu Circuit trek explores around Mt. Manaslu and takes you to its base camp. Mount Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain in the world and one of the most risky mountains to climb.
You will see the majestic views of this incredible mountain very closely. Between March and May, you can even see a few climbing groups at the base camp getting ready to summit it.
3) Challenging terrain:
One thing that the Manaslu Circuit trek is widely popular for is its challenging training. It is an offbeat trek, so the terrain is steep, rocky, and narrow in many sections.
Trekkers need previous trekking experience to safely navigate offbeat trails. You will ascend and descend through forested hills, uneven cliff sides, gorges, and glacier moraines.
The trail also includes crossing landslide-prone areas and a high pass called Larkya La. Travelers who love challenging themselves and pushing their boundaries would love this trek.
4) Rich cultural experience:
Along the Manaslu Circuit trail reside communities like Gurung, Nubri, and others. The villages in the upper part of the trail are also home to Tibetan refugees.
Tibetan-Script
As the Manaslu Circuit is close to Tibetan borders, the entire region has a strong influence of Tibetan beliefs, practices, and culture. Tibetan Buddhism is the main religion followed by the locals here.
The trail is dotted with ancient stupas, monasteries, prayer wheels, and prayer flags. Pun Gyen Gompa is the main monastery on the Manaslu Circuit route.
During your night stays in villages, you will experience the humble hospitality of the villagers and have a close look at their lives.
5) Spectacular scenery:
The Manaslu Circuit trek route is spread across different climatic zones, so you will witness diverse scenery. Trekkers who love to take pictures of nature will have endless opportunities to capture unreal scenery.
From the lush rice and millet terraces to rhododendron and pine forests, the trail ascends above the tree line and also offers views of rocky hills, glaciers, and snow-capped giant mountains.
6) Manaslu Conservation Area:
The Manaslu region is protected under the Manaslu Conservation Area program in Nepal. It protects and preserves flora, fauna, local communities, and nature.
You will see many plants, flowers, butterflies, and birds along the way. The wild animals are not visible on the way, but you can have rare sightings of snow leopards, blue sheep, or Himalayan tahr.
7) Excellent side hikes:
The Manaslu Circuit trek route has excellent side hiking options. One of our favorites is a walk to Mu Gompa and Ganesh Himal Base Camp in Tsum Valley. It is a hidden valley and requires 4 to 5 days more.
Other hiking options are Pun Gyen Gompa, Birendra Lake, Manaslu Base Camp, and Rui La Pass.
8) Larkya La Pass:
Larkya La Pass stands above 5,167 meters above sea level. It is one of the highest mountain passes in Nepal. The pass connects the Manaslu region with the Annapurna region.
Crossing the pass is challenging and requires 8 to 10 hours of walking in one day. From the top of the pass, you can see a jaw-dropping mountain panorama. You will follow a narrow, steep trail to reach the top of the pass.
Stone-Gate-at-during-manaslu-trek
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Frequently Asked Questions related to the Manaslu Circuit Trek:
1) How difficult is the Manaslu Circuit trek?
✓ The Manaslu Circuit trek is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal. It is an off-the-beat trek that includes crossing a high mountain pass called Larkya La. The trekking infrastructure is quite poor along the way. Trekkers have to adjust a lot and also face the challenges of high altitude.
2) Is Manaslu Circuit better than Annapurna Circuit?
✓ Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit are two famous circuit treks in Nepal. Both treks offer completely different trekking experiences from one another and are not comparable.
Manaslu Circuit is a restricted area, so trekking here is expensive. The trail sees only a handful of trekkers every year, making the region exclusive.
Annapurna Circuit is famous for its adventure, breathtaking views, and affordable price range. Moreover, the trekking infrastructure is better on the Annapurna Circuit route than Manaslu Circuit.
3) Is the Manaslu Circuit harder than the Everest Base Camp trek?
✓ Yes, the Manaslu Circuit trek is much harder than the Everest Base Camp. Even though the elevation gain is almost similar on both treks, the Manaslu Circuit trek route is way more rugged and steep.
Likewise, EBC has the best trekking infrastructure, which is not the case for Manaslu Circuit. Strong physical and mental fitness is a must for Manaslu Circuit trekking.
4) Is Manaslu Circuit beginner-friendly?
✓ The Manaslu Circuit trek is not beginner-friendly. This trek is recommended to individuals who have trekked before. Previous high altitude experience with strong fitness is necessary.
5) How are the network and internet facilities along the Manaslu Circuit trail?
✓ WiFi and mobile networks are available in some villages at lower elevations. As the elevation rises, the network gets unreliable. Once you go above 3,000 meters, you will mostly walk off the grid.
Likewise, the mobile network is unstable while passing forested trails. We provide our guide satellite phone for emergency contact with us.
6) How can solo trekkers join the Manaslu Circuit trekking with us?
✓ As per the restricted area rule in Nepal, there must be two trekkers in a group for restricted area trekking. You cannot count your guide and porter in the group.
So, you have to be at least two trekkers to join the Manaslu Circuit trek or join our fixed group departures that may have up to 8 trekkers in each group. We can also pair you with only 1-2 additional trekkers if you want a small group.
Conclusion:
We highly recommend Manaslu Circuit trek if you have the right fitness, mindset, and experience. The journey is definitely adventurous and life-changing, but it will also shape you to be a strong and confident individual. Away from the noise of the city and modern technologies, you will get to embrace nature and reflect on your life.
Contact us to book the Manaslu Circuit Trek 2025 and 2026 departures.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Map:
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