Top Reasons to Choose the Manaslu Circuit Trek over Annapurna

For years, the Annapurna region and the Everest region of Nepal have been the face of Nepalese trekking industry. These regions are still the cornerstone of Nepalese tourism. However, there is the buzz going around another region besides these two commercial regions of Nepal. People are inquiring more about the Manaslu region since 2015 and it is trending since 2022. In today’s blog, we are trying to find out top reasons to choose the Manaslu Circuit Trek over Annapurna. Even if the Annapurna region is as beautiful as the Manaslu region, they are more positive towards trekking in Manaslu. So, we have tried to analyze the reasons behind this change in the trek trend in Nepal.

Manaslu Circuit Trek: Rising Force in Nepalese Trekking Industry

As mentioned above, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is slowly and steadily rising. It seems as if the trek route can eclipse the mighty trekking routes of Nepal like the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Please note that all these trekking routes have their own peculiarity and specialty. The choice is mainly dependent upon the preferences of a trekker. Well, the region is still the restricted region which requires special restricted permit and rules to visit even if it is opened for public in 1991.

Top Reasons to Choose the Manaslu Circuit Trek over Annapurna

Let’s find out the top reasons to choose the Manaslu Circuit Trek over Annapurna. This blogger has identified 7 factors which are instrumental in changing the decisions of travelers from across the globe. What are the things that people expect if they are going on a trek? Well, major things that they expect are authenticity, rawness, diversity, and standard logistics from accommodation to meals. Yes, the Manaslu Circuit Trek route boasts all these things including the mesmerizing surrounding of the world’s 8^th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu (8163 m).

Now, let’s know in brief about these top reasons to choose the Manaslu Circuit Trek over Annapurna.

Rawness and Remoteness: Less Spoiled by Tourism

Nowadays, many of the touristic places try to adjust the place according to the preferences of travelers. It has lost its natural beauty and rawness. However, the Manaslu Circuit Trek route has maintained its rawness. The modern developments have not reached to the extent that the original beauty of the place is spoiled. Therefore, you can say that the Manaslu region is less spoiled by tourism. People offer you the innocent looks and authentic hospitality while exploring the magnificent villages of the Manaslu region.

Diverse Landscapes

Nepal is known in the world as the country full of diversity in terms of nature and landscapes. The Annapurna Circuit Trek route is also diverse in terms of landscape but not as the Manaslu Circuit Trek. If you are walking in the Manaslu Circuit Trek route, then you can relish the change in the scenery every hour of the walk. Gigantic hills and waterfalls coming out of these hills can be eye candy! Similarly, the gorges, rivers, small plateaus, high – altitude mountain passes, and mountains are harmoniously present in the trail. These things indeed prove that the Manaslu Circuit Trek is rich in the landscape diversity. In one single trip, you can enjoy different places of different nature.

Abode of the world’s 8^th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu

Bluntly comparing the Manaslu Circuit Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek can give the result in the favor of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The journey is in an abode of the world’s 8^th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu (8163 m) whereas the Annapurna Circuit Trek is in an abode of the world’s 10^th tallest mountain Mt. Annapurna (8091 m). Interestingly, the Annapurna Circuit Trek route doesn’t even reach the base camp of the mountain. Therefore, the presence of the Mount Manaslu is one of the top reasons to choose the Manaslu Circuit Trek over Annapurna.

Spirituality, Myths, Legends, & Century’s Old Monasteries

There are monasteries built 700 to 1000 years ago directly by the Milarepa 8^th eons monk and Guru Padmasambha. Every hills and forests exude the aura of spirituality and every villager has myths and legends to share. People love to travel in search of spirituality. Therefore, the Manaslu region can be the best destination where they get chance to witness the great harmony between culture, spirits, people, and nature.

Less Crowd and Tranquility

The biggest question that people ask about the Annapurna Circuit Trek is the question of crowd. Is the Annapurna Circuit Trek route crowded? This is frequently asked questions. The oldest trekking route of Nepal listed as the cornerstone commercial trekking route of Nepal is definitely crowded. Therefore, those people who are seeking tranquility and chance to find solitude in raw nature are choosing Manaslu Circuit Trek over Annapurna. The blogger believes that the fewer crowds are one of the top reasons to choose the Manaslu Circuit Trek over Annapurna.

Authentic Rural Nepal Experiences

Explore the authentic villages of Brahmins, Chhetris, Dalits, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Nubri, and Tibetan people while doing the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Even if the tourism activities are slowly flourishing, people have kept their traditional lifestyle intact. You can see the green lush terraced paddy fields in the lower altitude places while you can see the potatoes and buckwheat farming in the high altitude places. They still pursue their pastoral lifestyle by farming lots of animals. The trip offers the great experiences of authentic rural Nepal.

Standard Accommodation and Meals Facilities

Amidst all the top reasons to choose the Manaslu Circuit Trek over Annapurna, the availability of accommodation and meals facilities is definitely the one behind current rise in its popularity. Access to the trail has been easy nowadays. Trekkers can find quality tea houses and eateries in the trail. Earlier, they had to do the camping trek which can be costly and tedious. Trekking in Manaslu Circuit Trek is much more sumptuous than in the previous years.

Annapurna Nepal has its charm for trekkers to trek

I am an experienced travel blogger and a trekking guide with more than 1.5 decades of experience in the field of Nepal Trekking. It gives me immense pleasure to validate the fact that Annapurna Nepal has its charm and it is true. Recently, people are debating between Annapurna Nepal and Manaslu Nepal. However, my opinion is that you can trek to both these routes and knit the wonderful trekking holidays in Nepal.