The Manaslu Region, situated in the northern Himalayan territory of Nepal, offers one of the most magnificent trekking destinations in the country. Manaslu is derived from the Sanskrit term "Manasa," meaning "Intellect" or "Soul." This 12 Days Manaslu Trek takes you deep into the Himalayas around the Manaslu Conservation Area, where you can marvel at the stunning vista of Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain at 8163 meters. Other peaks you'll see include Buddha Himal, Himal Chuli Peak, Ganesh Himal in the east, and Annapurna Himalaya in the west.
The Manaslu region is one of the most accessible treks from Kathmandu city, located in the west-central region of the Nepalese Himalayas. You can reach the beginning and end point of the hike after an 8 to 10-hour drive from Kathmandu on a mix of paved and dirt roads. This tough but beautiful road journey takes you through the Nepali countryside, passing little towns, terraced fields, flowing rivers, verdant hills, and snow-capped mountains in the distance.
It has not been long since the Manaslu Trek opened its doors to travelers, and it did not take long for the region to gain popularity. Today, several avid trekkers from all around the globe choose The Manaslu Trek 12 Days as their next Himalayan expedition. Why would they not? It has everything you need: nature, culture, adventure, solitude, and the list goes on.
Though it's not easy to enlist everything you'll experience in this Manaslu Short Trek of 12 days, we have tried our best to give you a clear picture of what it's like to embark on this exceptional journey to the Manaslu region. We've enlisted some compelling reasons why you should join us on our 12 days Manaslu Trek.
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Best Features of the Manaslu Trek 12 Days
- Trekking in the restricted and protected area of the Nepalese Himalayan Region
- Progressing through scenic villages, lush woods, tranquil rivers, pristine waterfalls, and other natural wonders
- The stunning backdrop of Mt. Manaslu and the Ganesh Himal Mountain Range
- Witness the endangered wildlife of the Manaslu region, like the Himalayan Tahr and Snow Leopard
- Traversing through the rocky terrain of Larkye La Pass at 5106 meters
- Immerge into the rich Hindu and Buddhist culture
- Experience the warm greeting and hospitality of local people
What to anticipate during the Manaslu Trek 12 Days?
The solitude of the Manaslu region has raised the whole trek's sense of exhilaration and adrenaline. Along the trip, you travel through lovely communities encircled by magnificent snow-capped mountains and verdant forests. You get to interact with and get to know locals. The trail is also lined with numerous stupas, monasteries, chortens, prayer wheels, and prayer flags.
The journey from Kathmandu to Machha Khola in the Budhi Gandaki Valley begins with a beautiful drive. It is from Machha Khola that you begin your trek. As you make your way to the alpine region with its arid landscapes and snow-capped mountains, you pass through small settlements, terraced fields, and beautiful woods. You also cross multiple suspension bridges and engage with the Gurung residents. Before eventually climbing down toward the destination at Dharapani, you cross the terrifying Larkya La pass at 5106 meters. From Besisahar, you take a jeep to Dharapani before changing to a local bus to return to Kathmandu.
How is Manaslu Trek 12 Days different from others?
The Manaslu region has created a unique identity for itself among all the other treks that are available in the nation due to the complete natural symphony, cultural values, and wild discoveries that offer the ideal possibility to gather a once-in-a-lifetime experience of this impeccable journey. This isolated path traverses the tiny cliffs of Manaslu. Subtropical, alpine, temperate deciduous, and moderate coniferous forest types are represented in the lush paths, offering amazing photographic opportunities.
The route circles the hot lowlands with their terraced fields of rice and millet to the magnificent Budi Gandaki gorges with their bright blue streams and breathtaking waterfalls. The Manaslu region has the longest and highest suspension bridges in the world, and the annual rainfall frequently washes out smaller bridges, leaving trekkers with no choice except to rely on partially submerged rocks.
Contrary to the city, people still dress in traditional Nepalese garb and work in farming, raising livestock, and tourism here. You'll tour the peaceful communities in the area during the journey. The circuit hike along the foothills of the Himalayas will undoubtedly take you back in time. In these far-off places, you can fully immerse yourself in the social customs and way of life of several ethnic groups and communities living in harmony.
What does an average trek day at Manaslu Trek 12 Days look Like?
In Manaslu, each day is a unique adventure. You will enjoy visiting adjacent towns and learning about the locals and their unique culture and traditions, in addition to trek through lush woods with spectacular views of the Himalayas. A certified guide will accompany you and provide relevant details about the places you visit.
The day begins with a nice morning cup of tea or coffee. We set out for the day's hike between 7 and 8 in the morning after breakfast, depending on the length and complexity of the trip. We'll stop for lunch after walking for three to four hours. At lunch, we'll take an hour or two to rest before continuing to the day's destination. Usually, the stroll after lunch takes two to three hours. On certain days, we finish our hike at the restaurant, where we have lunch and stay there for the rest of the day and night. When we get to our overnight lodge, we take a little break and congregate in the dining room around the fireplace for some nice and warm conversation.
The cycle begins again the following day after a restful night's sleep. However, each day is unique from the previous one. As you gain altitude, the vegetation and village life change.
Which mountains can be seen during the 12 Days Manaslu Trek?
The Manaslu region is Nepal's most picturesque trekking trail with spectacular Himalayan views, lush, dense woods, pristine waterfalls, rushing rivers, tiny hilly and Himalayan communities, and agricultural plains. The mountains you cross and the peaks you see from the trail make the scenery particularly attractive. Up until Lho, the valley is steep and small, making it difficult to see the mountain clearly. However, after you reach Samagaun, the valley widens and becomes quieter. You can see the mountains in all their beauty while you're in Samagaun.
You will be hiking through the base of the several high mountain peaks that the Manaslu region is home to. The 12 Days Manaslu Trek offers views of mountains, including Siring Himal (7,165 m), Himal Chuli (7,893 m), Buddha Himal (6692 m), Cheo Himal, Ngadi Chuli (7,871 m), Manaslu (8,153 m), Samdo Peak, Manaslu North, Larke Peak, Himlung Himal, and many other summits.
Major Attractions of the Manaslu Trek 12 Days
Scenic drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola
The journey to Manaslu begins in Kathmandu. You take a long drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola along the countryside, passing through Arughat Bazar. While traveling over the slope of Kathmandu Valley, you witness Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang Himal behind the spectacular sight of lush hilly terraces.
As you move away from the city, you will notice a gradual change in the scenery and the entire atmosphere. The surroundings appear cleaner, greener, calmer, more peaceful, and less polluted. With each kilometer you move away from the Kathmandu valley, your excitement and joy escalate for this 12 Days Manaslu Trek.
Hiking through lush forests and picture-perfect villages
Manaslu Trek takes you through dense forests, home to various flora and fauna. You can see a variety of vegetation and wildflowers blooming in the region's hilly and Himalayan terrain, making the hiking even more blissful. There are also some rare animals to see, such as Blue Sheep and Himalayan Tahr.
Similarly, the trail passes through charming alpine communities. Inhabited mainly by Nepalese and Tibetan descendants, every community you visit in the Manaslu region has something unique to offer. The houses in these villages are built traditionally to preserve the cultural architecture that has been transferred from generations. A number of such beautiful houses clustered together make a perfect backdrop for picturesque photos.
Exceptional landscape with snow-capped mountains
The sight of the Manaslu region is unrivaled by any other trekking location in Nepal. The geological features that distinguish the landscape make it incredibly fascinating. The untouched nature and village ruins are like a paradise where only you and the Himalayas remain.
Throughout this Manaslu Trek 12 Days Itinerary, stunning views of snow-capped mountains such as Mt. Annapurna, Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, Himal Chuli, Ngadi Chuli, Simnang Himal, Himlung Himal, Cheo Himal, and many others can be seen. You will be hiking through the base of some of these mountains. Getting this close to the Himalayas has to be one of the most incredible feelings in the world.
Relatively new and off-the-beaten Trek route
The Short Manaslu Trek 12 Days was only opened for exploration in 1992, making it one of Nepal's newest high-altitude trekking destinations. It also comes under restricted trekking routes that require special trek permits; hence the facilities available on the trekking trail might not be the best, but you'll still have decent food and accommodation.
The trail includes several steep climbs in the rough terrain of the Manaslu Region. The 12 days Manaslu Trek takes you through the Himalayas' challenging, rugged path, putting your physical endurance to the test. It's always good to have prior high-altitude trekking experience or at least be in good physical shape to commence the journey.
Peaceful and quiet trail to Larkye Pass Region
The Larkye La Pass, at 5,160 meters, is the trek's highest point and is regarded as one of the most challenging crossings in the Himalayas. No wonder why Manaslu Trek has fewer visitors than other popular treks routes in Nepal. Another reason for lesser trekkers on this trail is its location in a restricted area that requires a licensed guide and special permits.
The 12 days Manaslu Trek is ideal for trekkers who prefer calmness over the crowd and want to explore the wild outdoors peacefully. The quiet trail also allows you to interact with locals.
Rich cultural heritage and simplistic lives of locals
The Short Manaslu Trek route is densely packed with mani walls, monasteries, prayer wheels, and chortens. For decades, this region's isolation has preserved its culture and traditions. As a result, you get to witness the rituals that are still practiced here for generations.
Buddhists and Hindus exist side-by-side in the Manaslu region. At the start of the trek, you will learn about Hinduism, and as you progress, you will get to immerse into the Buddhist culture of the local Tibetan descendants who have been living in the area for a long time.
The locals here are humble and welcoming and will greet you with a warm smile and "Namaste" or "Tashi Delek." They are deeply committed to their family, community, and faith. Living far away from modern society and advancement has resulted in simple but culturally rich lives in the higher Manaslu region.
Trip Customization of Manaslu Trek
The above itinerary is a standard 12 days trek to the Manaslu region and Larkya La Pass. However, we can customize the trip according to your preference. If you have time restrictions, we can arrange the Manaslu Trek in 11 days. Or, if you're flexible, you can complete the Manaslu Trekking in 15 days. (cost is subject to change based on the number of days)
If you prefer comfort during the road trip from Kathmandu to Soti Khola, we can provide a private jeep for the additional cost of US$190.
We can remove the potter from the standard package if you're confident enough to carry your backpack.
