Why Choose the 14 day Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The Manaslu Circuit trek is one of the best routes, and it takes you to the remote regions of Gorkha, Nepal. The expedition offers travelers a unique travel experience and is considered an alternative to the Everest and Annapurna trek. During this remarkable journey, you will explore the region's ancient monastery, stupa, and temples. This allows you to witness and immerse yourself in the age-old local tradition and heritage. The Manaslu Circuit Trek route also features glorious views of the Himalayan peaks and takes you to Larke La Pass. You can enjoy the stunning panorama of the vistas surrounding you from here. The journey gives you a unique, challenging, yet rewarding experience. Along with the blend of cultural expertise and scenery, this trek is one of the best expeditions in Nepal.
Typical day on the Manaslu circuit trekking
The Manaslu Circuit trek begins every morning after a hearty breakfast at the teahouse. Travelers must wake up early before breakfast and prepare for the journey ahead. We leave the teahouse around seven or eight and begin the hike towards our destination. Hiking along the trail led by our trek guide, you will enjoy the views. During the walk, you can signal the guide for a brief break if you are tired and exhausted. We catch our break and resume the hike to the next stop. Lunch breaks happen in the afternoon at a teahouse or a lodge along the route. After lunch, we hike for a couple more hours, munching on dry snacks and chocolates along the way. By evening, we will have arrived at our destination for today. The guide will escort you to a teahouse, where we will have dinner and spend the night.
14 days Manaslu Circuit Trek Length and Terrain
The terrain on the trek is on a well-trodden and paved path. However, you must hike through rocky and uneven parts in some portions of the trek. Also, remember that this journey is not a mountaineering expedition, and no climbing or technical skill is required. You will be walking through steep ascends and descends on various landscapes. The Manaslu Circuit Trek Length is approximately 180 km or 110 miles. Each day, you will cover a distance of 15 to 20 km. Please remember that you don't have to push yourself too hard. It is advised to walk at a slow and gradual pace without exhausting your body too much. We also recommend you use trekking poles to support your legs and knees for a comfortable hike experience.
Best time to trek Manaslu Circuit
The best time or season for the Manaslu Circuit Trek is Spring (March, April, and May) and Manaslu Circuit Trek is Autumn (September, October and November). During these periods, the weather conditions are stable, with moderate temperatures and a clear atmosphere.
Spring Season
The season is characterized by lush greenery, dry trails, and a pleasant sky, making the landscape picturesque and vibrant. The temperature is moderate during this time, and the region experiences occasional rainfall and snowfall. The season is optimal for travelers who seek to complete the Manaslu Circuit or head to the Manaslu Base Camp.
Autumn Season
Autumn is another peak time for trekkers to commence the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The clear sky, stable weather, and aesthetic landscapes make this season a favorable time to trek in Nepal. This season offers mesmerizing clear views of the mountains along the trail and crossing the Larkya La pass, making the trek more enjoyable. Trekkers also experience festivals like Dashain and Tihar during their travel in Autumn.
Packing list for Manaslu Circuit 14 day trek
Travelers need a comprehensive packing list to enjoy a safe and relaxing travel experience. Here is a basic list of what you must have for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Please take this as a starting note, and contact us if you need any further assistance.
- Head: Sunhat, Beanie, Sunglasses, Headlamp
- Upper Body: Fabric base layer, fabric shirts/long sleeves/shorts, waterproof and windproof shell, fleece jacket, and undergarments.
- Lower Body: Fabric base layer, Hiking pants, Trousers, Hiking shorts.
- Hands: Fabric liner gloves, Hard-shell outer gloves, Woolen gloves.
- Feet: Technical fabric warm socks, Liner socks, Hiking boots, Crocs, and Sandals
- Medications and personal care: Diamox, Prescribed medicines, Sunscreen, Moisturizers, Lip Balm, and Ointment.
- Essentials: Toiletries, Quick drying towels, Reusable water bottles, Hydration bladder, Protein sacks.
- Gears and Equipment: Trekking poles, Knee support, Binoculars, Whistle, Camera, power bank, Extra batteries, Universal Charger.
Note: The quantity of each item can be adjusted to suit your preferences for comfort and convenience.
Accommodation on the Manaslu Trek
You will be staying at reputable three-star-rated accommodation in Kathmandu. These establishments are well-furnished and provide you with top-notch services and amenities. If you want to elevate the service standard during your stay, we can also arrange that for you. Please mention your preferences and interest in the Hotel during our meeting at the office or online.
What does a tea house like?
The tea houses are medium-sized huts built with wood and stone. These standard forms of accommodation in the trails are run by families of the local community. Most tea houses have a central dining area with a big wood burner. This is where you will have your meal. The rooms are provided on a twin-sharing basis with two single beds, pillows, blankets, and mattresses. Some tea houses along the trail have western-styled attached bathrooms, while others might not. The service standard and the facilities provided depend on the location of the accommodation in the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Food in Manaslu Circuit trekking
Regarding food, you can have any meal you want, as the hotels and restaurants in Kathmandu offer a wide range of menu items. On the other hand, food items are limited in the trek due to the lack of transport in the higher regions. Regardless, you will have the option of traditional Nepalese and Tibetan cuisines made from fresh and organic ingredients served at the teahouses.
- Breakfast Options: Tibetan bread, sel, roti, chapati, curry, pancakes, oats, cornflakes, bread, toast, honey, porridge, tea, coffee, milk, and butter tea.
- Lunch Options: Dal Bhat Tarkari, thukpa, thenduk, dumplings, momo, chowmein, tea momo, pasta, pizza, and sandwiches.
- Dinner Options: Dal Bhat tarkari, fried rice, curry, roti, pasta, momo, chowmein, thukpa, soup, salad, etc.
Major Attractions of the Manaslu Circuit Trek
Off-the-beaten trekking trail
The Manaslu region is an off-the-beaten-path excursion, opened not long ago for foreign visitors, which explains why there are fewer people here. Another reason there are fewer trekkers on this trekking path is that the government has designated it as a restricted territory for the preservation of the nature and culture of the region.
The trek is also remote, and it is not as well-equipped as the Annapurna base camp or Annapurna circuit trek. This is what makes the trekking route space unique from other trekking counterparts. It is still a teahouse trek, and the folks are fairly traditional, so everything tastes authentic. As a result, it is considered one of the most remote and off-the-beaten-path walking pathways.
The challenging Larke La Pass
The Larke La Pass is becoming increasingly popular among trekkers. The "Larke La pass," at a height of 5,160 meters, is the highest point of the Manaslu circuit trek and is considered one of the most grueling crossings traversing the Himalayas. The Manaslu circuit trekking allows you to have some of the most thrilling Himalayan experiences of your life. The path that leads to the top of the pass is difficult, and it may test your strength and passion several times. But the view you get to see and the feeling of accomplishment you get to feel once you've reached the top cannot be explained in words. You have to see that for yourself.
Low foot traffic for solitude lovers
Manaslu receives fewer tourists than other trekking trails in Nepal, such as the Everest base camp trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Annapurna circuit trek, and poon hill trek. This is due to government restrictions and low popularity. Only opened to 400 foreign tourists in 1992, this trekking route is yet to gain the popularity it deserves, but its tranquil atmosphere is something to be grateful for because it helps you connect to the environment better.
Getting around a lot of people can feel a bit frustrating when all you want is a peaceful vacation! The circuit trek is perfect for trekkers who prefer to be calm and explore the untamed outdoors in a peaceful manner, enjoying their solitude. You will also get a lot of opportunities to interact with the locals, so your social battery is still on!
Best kind of local hospitality
We treat visitors or guests as gods in Nepal, which is why Nepalese people strive to provide the best hospitality to visitors. All Nepalese are extremely welcoming, and the people of the Manaslu region are just as nice, if not more. The folks on the trekking trails are quite pleasant and cheery. As soon as they see you, they greet you with a sweet smile on their faces. Some may even say "Tashi Delek," which means "joyful to meet you." All these qualities make trekking in Nepal an adventurous as well as humbling experience.
Paradise-like journey
Another reason people enjoy the Manaslu circuit trek is that many enjoy walking on snow in Nepal's High Himalayas and crossing glaciers while in Nepal. It feels like a piece of paradise, as they say. On this circuit trek, you will very certainly have to make the journey through moving glaciers and walk through the snow. The Larke La Pass is covered with snow for the majority of the year. Thus, circuit trekking in Manaslu is an excellent choice for your journey toward tranquillity.
Are a guide and porter required for Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
Yes, a guide is required for trekking in the Manaslu region since you cannot trek alone; at the very least, you must be accompanied by one government-licensed guide or porter. Our Professional Local Trekking Guides are well-educated and fluent in a variety of languages, including widely spoken English. The guides are well-trained government license holders, while the porters are physically robust due to the high altitude. We take trekking to the Manaslu Region very seriously, while also making it a fun endeavour!
How difficult is trekking in the Manaslu Region?
The trekking in the Manaslu Region is fairly strenuous. The trekker's physical condition determines the difficulty of trekking in the Manaslu Region. Make sure you have some physical exercises before starting the trek! Increase your core strength by cardio workouts or jogging or maybe dancing too! The Manaslu Ciruit Trekking, which takes you through remote Himalayan communities, is one of Nepal's most difficult walks. It is an off-the-beaten-path trek in Nepal.
Why Manaslu Circuit and not Annapurna Circuit trek?
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the most beautiful treks in the world. When walking in Nepal's Annapurna Sanctuary, provides you with all you need. The Annapurna Circuit, on the other hand, is well-known, and you will most likely not be alone on the trails. The Annapurna Circuit Trek is Nepal's most popular trek, second only to the Everest Base Camp 14 Days. The Manaslu Circuit is comparable to the Annapurna Circuit but offers a more authentic trekking experience.
Any concern about AMS during circuiting the Manaslu region?
Before trekking the Manaslu Circuit, you should be aware of how your body reacts to high altitude. It's almost certain that you'll have one or more symptoms of altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS) when trekking to Larke la Pass. At elevations of 3000 meters or higher, the human body isn't built to survive, and you'll find that it demands more oxygen.
Some of the symptoms include headaches, a loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, blurry vision, nausea, difficulty breathing, a rapid heart rate, and weariness. If your symptoms intensify or persist, take a day off or relocate to a lower-altitude hamlet until your body adjusts.
Note: This information is offered solely for educational purposes so that you are prepared for trekking in the Manaslu region. It is not to be used for diagnostic applications. It is the trekker's responsibility to do some research on altitude sickness and how to avoid it before heading into the mountains.
Can you do trekking in the Manaslu region solo?
The Manaslu Circuit is not accessible to anyone who prefers to travel alone. You may have to save your Alexander Supertramp enthusiasm for another journey. A solo trekker has been limited by the authorities. A minimum of two people must be in a group with a guide. If you want to go the opposite way, you'll need a 'ghost' trekker permit (which will still require a foreign passport) and a guide (obviously). Restricted Area Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit are the other permissions you'll require.
Extending the Manaslu Circuit 14 day trek
The standard 14 days Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary can be extended by including the Tsum Valley Trek. The extended route takes you to the heart of the Tsum Valley, enabling rich natural and cultural immersion.
Alternative Treks Around the Manaslu Region
If you are looking for something exciting like the Manaslu Circuit Trek around the region, there are a few other options. Here are our top picks, which will provide you with a beautiful travel experience.
- Tsum Valley Trek
- Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek
