Manalsu Circuit Trek Guide

Are you looking for more authentic Manaslu Circuit Trek Guide? If yes, then this blog is highly recommended to you. There are countless of information about Manaslu Circuit Trek in an internet. However, most of the information posted on internet is either incomplete or exasperated lies. As a leading trekking blogger of the Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd., I am writing this blog so that trekkers can plan for the trek without any hassles.

Over the years, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is getting lots of trekkers from across the globe. Even if the trekking route is in the restricted area of Nepal the number of trekkers keep coming every year. Thus, the Manaslu Circuit Trek now is among the commercial trekking routes of Nepal like Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek in terms of popularity. Lots of people are searching online or inquiring about the Manaslu Circuit Trek Guide. Therefore, this blog aims to provide answers too many frequently asked questions about doing trekking in Manaslu region.

Please note that there are two iconic trekking routes inside the Manaslu region of Nepal. The most popular one is the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the most cultural one is the Tsum Valley Trek. This guide can be helpful for any kinds of trekking activities inside the Manaslu region of Nepal.

Let’s begin our blog.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Guide: Essential Tips and Tricks

It is high necessity for any trekkers or travelers to know about the place they are visiting or traveling before embarking on the trip. Knowing the geographical conditions, amenities, weather conditions, and trail conditions beforehand enhances safety. Moreover, if you know all these things in advance then it is easy to plan and budget for the trip.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek Guide focuses more on transportation, best season, permits, accommodation – meals, and guiding options.

Transportation Information for Manaslu Trek

There are no airports in the Manaslu region of Nepal. Therefore, the only way to reach the trail head or return back from trail end is by road. Trekkers have to take the private or shared jeep to either Machha Khola or Jagat from Kathmandu. The road distance between Kathmandu and Machha Khola is about 143 kilometers with about 23 kilometers being off road and bumpy. It costs around 180 $ for a private jeep to reach Machha Khola or Jagat from Kathmandu. After the completion of the trek, trekkers have to take a jeep from Tilje village to Lamjung Besisahar and then bus to Kathmandu. There is an option of jeep to Kathmandu from Besisahar as well.

Permits Required for Manaslu Trek

Manaslu Circuit Trek is in the restricted area of Nepal. Therefore, it requires special restricted area permit alongside other permits. Due to the restricted area, trekkers are not allowed to do solo trekking or independent trekking. They must hire a trekking guide and buy the trekking package from Nepal Government registered trekking agency. They must obtain Special Restricted Area Permit that costs 100 $ for September to November season with additional 15 $ per day for extra days beyond 7 days. If you are trekking in months between December and August then the cost of the permit is 75 $ for 7 days with 10 $ additional per day for extra days beyond 7 days. The trail reaches the Annapurna region of Nepal as well. Therefore, trekkers must get the ACAP permit (NRs. 3000 to foreigners & NRs. 1500 to SAARC nationals). In addition, trekkers also need to obtain the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit which costs similar to ACAP permit. Besides all these permits, trekkers also need to obtain the Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality Entry permit that costs NRs. 1000.

Major Places and Villages on Manaslu Circuit Trek Route

The Manaslu Circuit Trek route is an open museum to understand the lifestyle, traditions, and culture of Tsum Nubri People who follow traditional Tibetan cultures. In the lower altitude places, trekkers can find villages of Brahmins, Chhetris, Dalits, Magar, and Gurung community. Besides these villages, there are countless monasteries, stupas, and chortens in the trekking trail. These religious establishments prove the fact the trail is divine and spiritual. Major places and villages on the Manaslu Circuit Trek route are Machha Khola, Jagat, Shyala, Namrung, Samagaon, Samdo, Larke La Pass, and Bimthang. Moreover, the most interesting place in this journey is the base camp of the world’s 8^th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu and Birendra Lake. From monastery to base camp and from waterfalls to lakes; the Manaslu Circuit Trek is the complete package. Don’t forget to study about these villages after reading the Manaslu Circuit Trek Guide if you are seriously planning for the trek.

Some of the iconic monasteries which were built centuries ago are the highlights of this trekking trail. These monasteries are Serang Gompa, Shyala Monastery, Pungen Monastery, Samagaon Monastery, Samdo Monastery, and Lho Monastery. Besides these monasteries, you can find countless chortens and memorials along the Manaslu Circuit Trek route.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty

Most of the trekking guides and porters prefer the Manaslu Circuit Trek over other trekking routes. They share that walking in the trekking route of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is comparatively easier than others. There are few steep uphill sections but the gain in altitude makes it harder for the trekkers. In an average, trekkers have to walk for about 6 to 7 hours a day. During the crossing of the Larke La Pass, trekkers have to start the trek before dawn until the evening crossing the 5106 m tall mountain pass. It is the hardest day of the trek. Overall, the Manaslu Circuit Trek can be labeled as fairly difficult trekking trip to do in Nepal. If you are fully fit and have good stamina then you can easily complete the trail following the standard itinerary prepared by the trekking agency.

Hiring Trekking Guide and Porter for Manaslu Trek

As mentioned above, you must hire a trekking guide for the Manaslu Trek. There is no strict rule regarding the hiring of a porter but you can’t trek without Nepal Government Licensed trekking guide. Therefore, you must know about the guide services and porter services in your Manaslu Circuit Trek Guide. The cost of the trekking guide for Manaslu Trek starts from 30 $ to 50 $ per day. Specific language speaking guide’s salary is slightly higher than regular English speaking trekking guide. If you choose to hire a guide /porter then the salary ranges from 25 $ to 30 $ per day. A porter carries at max 22 kilograms and two trekkers are given a porter. Therefore, you need to pack lightly if you are going on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Don’t pack unnecessary things as it may become burden to you up in the mountains. It is so satisfying and safe to have a trekking guide for this kind of high – altitude trekking. You will feel safe without any kinds of logistical hassles. Trekkers can simply enjoy the majestic natural and cultural splendors of the region.

Meals and Accommodation in Manaslu

Until 2015, the provision of lodging and meals in the Manaslu Circuit Trek route was below standard. In some places, trekkers had to use the tented accommodation and they had to travel with the cooks. It was so costly and hectic. However, after the devastating earthquake, the trail slowly got back to business. The increase in the flow of trekkers in this trekking route has encouraged locals to open more tea houses and eateries. Nowadays, you don’t have to worry about lodging in this trekking route. You can get quality tea houses and lodges which provide you comfortable, warm, and cozy rooms. In addition, you get to enjoy the food items from different parts of the world as well. Almost every tea houses and eateries serve the same menu items but the price differs according to the altitude. In higher altitude places the food items cost more. Normally, if you allocate 5 $ to 15 $ per night for accommodation and 35 $ to 50 $ for meals per day then it is enough for you.

Miscellaneous and Hidden costs during the trek

Allocate at least 200 $ to 400 $ for emergency and miscellaneous fund. Besides major costs, you have to give tips to your trekking crew members, buy the hot showers and battery charges. Having an extra money always helps in emergency situations.

Side Trips from Manaslu Circuit Trek Route

Major side trips possible from the Manaslu Circuit Trek route are as follows:

• Trek to Mu Gompa Monastery following Tsum Valley Trek Itinerary
• Manaslu Base Camp and Birendra Lake Hike
• Serang Monastery Hike
• Pungyen Monastery Hike
• Tibetan Border Hike from Samdo Village

Finding best trekking agency for Manaslu Circuit Trek

Always look for the trekking agency run by the locals of Manaslu region if you really want to do an authentic Manaslu Circuit Trek. Locals meaning the people from either Gorkha district or Dhading district of Nepal. For example, the Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd. is run by the trekking experts from Gorkha and Dhading district of Nepal. These people were born and raised in the trekking trail of Manaslu region.