The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a remote and wild trek in Nepal that combines authentic culture with mountain views. It is a restricted area trek and requires a special permit.
It takes you around Manaslu, the world’s eighth highest mountain at 8,163 metres (26,781 feet). This is a moderate to strenuous trek.
Moderate
While there are no easy treks in Nepal, you don’t need a mountaineering or hiking experience to complete the Manaslu Circuit. However, it’s important to have a certain level of fitness and essential preparation in order to make the most of your trip.
Unlike some other popular treks, the Manaslu Circuit isn’t geared towards mass tourism. Instead, it’s a more authentic exploration of the Himalayas and its people.
The trek begins at Soti Khola and goes up through subtropical forests, terraced fields, and rugged gorges to the remote Larkya La Pass. Along the way, you’ll get a chance to see a variety of wildlife and explore the culture and traditions of Nepal’s ethnic communities.
Difficult
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is an off-the-beaten-path trek that takes you around the base of the 8th highest mountain in the world, Manaslu Himal. The trail offers a perfect blend of nature and culture as you hike past Buddhist landmarks and villages.
Throughout the trek, you will see epic landscapes, frozen lakes, glaciers, and high mountain passes. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to experience intimate encounters with local people and their traditions.
However, despite its remote and off-beaten status, this trek can still be difficult for some people. It is recommended to have some trekking experience to complete this trek.
The trek starts from Soti Khola at an elevation of 700m and gains 400m of altitude daily. There are a few days at higher altitudes that can be challenging as you will have to deal with temperature drops and lower oxygen levels. It is important to take the right approach for your body and listen to your guide’s advice to avoid altitude sickness.
Easier
Manaslu Circuit Trek and Mustang Trekk are an ideal choice for people looking for a more authentic and less-visited trek in the Himalayas of Nepal. It’s an off-the-beaten-path trail that combines jaw-dropping mountain views with the authentic culture of local villages.
To complete the trek, you’ll need a good level of physical fitness. This includes having excellent cardiovascular fitness to increase your heart and lungs’ ability to supply oxygen-rich blood to your muscles as you climb higher in altitude.
It’s also important to acclimatize properly and take plenty of rest during your trek. This can be done by staying in a base camp at lower elevations and ensuring you eat the right foods to maintain your health.
It’s also a good idea to book your accommodations before you begin your trek so you don’t have to worry about finding a place to stay once you get to the trekking area. As with all treks, accommodation fills up fast so booking early is a smart move.
Hard
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is considered one of the hardest treks in Nepal. This trek takes you around the base of Mount Manaslu, worlds eighth highest mountain at 8,163 meters (26,781 feet).
It’s a challenging and off-beaten trail that takes you through a series of Tibetan villages. You’ll also pass through several Buddhist stupas, monasteries and gompas along the way.
Altitude sickness is another reason why it’s difficult to complete this trek. Everyone is susceptible to it at high altitudes but if you’re well informed, you can reduce the risk of getting sick.
Weather and temperature can also make this trek difficult. This is particularly true if you plan to trek during the peak seasons of spring and autumn.
For this trek, you’ll need a guide or porter to help with all of the logistics and transport. You can choose to pay as you go or book a tour that includes everything.
