Manaslu Circuit Trek - 16 Days

Duration: 16 Days

It’s a 12-day Manaslu Circuit trek including driving, rest of the time will be spent in Kathmandu for last minute preparation, obtaining permits, tour and a backup day.

Grade: Demanding

Manaslu Circuit Trek is rated as demanding trek. Involves walking for around 5 to 8 hours along the ridges of high Himalayan peaks with lengthy, steep climbs and descents. Also involves crossing a high pass around 5,106 m. There can also be significant weather changes during the trek. The real challenge is walking at a high altitude. As you ascend, the air becomes thinner, making breathing harder and increasing the risk of altitude sickness.

Altitude Problem:

Manaslu Circuit trek goes up to an altitude of 4,000 m with crossing of the pass at 5,106 m a zone which is highly susceptible to high altitude problems.

Altitude sickness can affect anyone in the elevation beyond the safer limits of 2500m above sea level. As you ascend higher into the atmosphere, the oxygen content of the air decreases, making it more difficult for the body to adapt to the new altitude and perhaps leading to altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can happen very quickly. It can be lethal if it’s not treated on time.

If you have a headache, cough, racing heart or trouble breathing, difficulty in sleeping, weak you might be affected by altitude problems. In such cases you need to consult with your guide and stop ascending to higher elevation. The only remedy for altitude problems is descending to lower elevation immediately.

Key Actions If Affected:

• Stop ascending and consult your guide.
• Descend to lower altitudes immediately, as it is the only reliable remedy.

Prevention Tips:

• Allow ample time for acclimatization between trekking days.
• Limit altitude gains to no more than 500 meters per day.
• Stay hydrated and avoid dehydration.
• Eat adequately to maintain energy levels.
• Walk at a steady pace to minimize physical stress.
• Avoid smoking.

If symptoms persist despite these precautions, immediate DESCENT is crucial to ensure safety.

Who Can Undertake Manaslu Circuit Trek?

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is ideal for adventure enthusiasts with prior experience in high-altitude treks. While challenging, it can be completed by novices with adequate preparation and a slower pace to allow for acclimatization. This trek does not involve technical climbing, making it accessible to those in good health. However, it is not recommended for pregnant individuals or those with serious medical conditions such as heart problems.

Preparation Tips:

• Check with your doctor to ensure you’re fit for high-altitude trekking.
• Practice meditation to build mental resilience for tough conditions.

Physical Preparation for Manaslu Circuit Trek:

Given the trek’s demanding nature, physical preparation is crucial. Regular trekkers may require minimal training, but beginners should start at least six months in advance to build strength and endurance.

Training Suggestions for Manaslu Circuit Trek:

1. Hiking: Gradually increase your distance, starting with 9–12 km per day while carrying a weight of 5–15 kg.
2. Stair Climbing: Begin with short sessions and increase gradually to build leg strength and endurance.
3. Treadmill Workouts: Use an incline of up to 15% to enhance cardio and leg strength.
4. Cross training: Activities like swimming, cycling, and jogging can improve overall fitness.
5. Hiking Boots: Break in your trekking boots to avoid blisters.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Options:

Premium Package:

Accommodation: 5 Star Category in KTM, during trekking attached bathroom accommodation where available.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner+afternoon tea and light snacks

Guide: Senior Trekking guide

Hot Water Bag: From 4,000 m

Transportation: Private 4 Wheel Drive (4 Participants in one Vehicle)

Standard Package:

Accommodation: 4 Star Category in KTM, during trekking attached bathroom accommodation where available.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Guide: Senior or Junior Trekking guide

Transportation: Private 4 Wheel Drive (4 Participants in one Vehicle)

Economic Package:

Accommodation: Non-Star Category in KTM, during trekking common bathroom

Meals: (Set Menu for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Guide: Junior Trekking guide

Transportation: In a sharing basis.

Best Seasons for the Trek:

The ideal seasons for trekking are autumn (mid-October to mid-December) and spring (mid-March to late April). Autumn offers clear skies and unobstructed mountain views, while spring showcases blooming rhododendrons but may include occasional rain or haze. Avoid the monsoon season for a safer, more enjoyable trek.

Group Size and Staff Support:

Groups typically range from 2 to 10 participants, ensuring more personalized experience. Each trek includes a government-registered guide with basic English proficiency and first aid training.

Porters are available to carry up to 30 kg (15 kg per trekker).

Accommodation and Meals:

During the 11-night trek, accommodation is in basic mountain lodges in twin sharing basis with shared bathrooms but at Dharamsala you might have to share more than two people in the room due to limited accommodation facility. Some lodges with private attached bathrooms are available in select villages. Trekkers should carry a sleeping bag for additional comfort. Meals are carb-heavy, offering a mix of Nepali, Chinese, Indian, and Western dishes.

Hydration and Baggage:

Trekkers should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Use water purifying tablets to avoid reliance on bottled water, which harms the environment. Main baggage is carried by porters, while trekkers manage a small daypack with essentials like water, sunscreen, and personal items.

For added convenience, a lockable bag can be stored securely in Kathmandu for non-essential items.

Typical Day on the Trek:

A typical day begins around 6:00 am with tea or coffee, followed by washing and shaving.

Afterward, you return to your room to pack your gear before heading to the restaurant for breakfast, which you can choose from the menu.

The trek usually starts after breakfast and continues for about 3–4 hours before stopping for lunch at a scenic spot. You’ll enjoy a hygienic meal, often paired with breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Post-lunch, the trek resumes for another 3–4 hours until we reach the destination for the day.

Nights are spent in simple mountain lodges with basic facilities. Dinner is served in the lodge restaurant, where you can choose your meal from the menu.

Extras:

Hot showers, Wi-Fi will be available in the trekking regions but comes with the extra cost.

Trekking Equipment:

For trekking in the Everest region, you will need the following essentials:

• Walking boots
• Four-season sleeping bag
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Fleece jacket
• Warm hat and gloves
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Daypack

A complete equipment list will be provided upon trip confirmation. Most gear can be purchased or rented from trekking shops in Kathmandu.

Baggage:

During the trek your main baggage will be taken care of by our porters. You just need to carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sunscreen, spare jacket, personal medication etc. For this trip you will need to have small day pack to carry by you during the trek, FAR OUT will be supplying you with the main trekking bag for all your trekking gears but you will also need to carry a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek to store at hotel’s locker room/safe deposit box in Kathmandu for free of charge.

Access:

Roads:

A private four-wheel-drive vehicle will take you on a journey of 8–10 hours,

covering a mix of paved and rocky mountain roads.

Pre-Departure Health Checklist:

• 8 weeks before travel: Schedule a basic health check-up with your GP or travel doctor
• Discuss your trekking itinerary and confirm required or recommended vaccinations
• Arrange comprehensive travel insurance, including high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation
• Pack essential personal medications and a basic first-aid kit
• Prepare for altitude awareness and understand early symptoms of altitude sickness
• Plan to drink only boiled or bottled water during the trek
• Avoid raw or undercooked food to reduce the risk of food- and water-borne illness
• Take mosquito-bite precautions (repellent, long sleeves), especially at lower elevations
• Familiarize yourself with medical facilities in Kathmandu and emergency procedures

First Aid Kit:

Bring your own medications and prescriptions, as some medicines may not be available in Nepal. Verify with the Nepalese Embassy whether your medications are allowed.

Insurance:

Travel insurance is mandatory for trekking in the Himalayas. Your policy should cover health, accidents, theft, medical evacuation (including helicopter rescue), and trip cancellations.

Electricity:

Most teahouses provide electricity or solar power, but carrying a power bank or solar charger is recommended. Charging devices may incur extra costs in some areas.

Communication:

The Internet is available in most villages but may become unreliable at higher altitudes.

Mobile coverage is provided by Ncell and Nepal Telecom, with Nepal Telecom offering better coverage along the trail.

You can purchase a local SIM card with a data package for occasional access, and many lodges offer Wi-Fi for a fee.

Environmental Concerns:

Avoid using plastic water bottles and firewood-heated baths.

Lodges that utilize sustainable energy sources such as kerosene, solar, or cow dung are

prioritized.

Visa Requirements:

All foreigners require a visa to enter Nepal, which can be obtained upon arrival at Tribhuvan

International Airport or through a Nepalese embassy.

15 days: USD 30

30 days: USD 50

90 days: USD 120

Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity and carry the correct visa fee in USD

cash. Completing the online visa submission form in advance (via immigration.gov.np) can speed up the process.

Permits:

You’ll need the following permits:

Restricted Area Trekking Permit

Conservation Park Permit

A scan of your passport and a passport-size photo are required for permit processing. Your original passport will also be needed for a day in Kathmandu.

Adventure Travel:

Mountain trekking is inherently adventurous and unpredictable. Be prepared to adapt to remote conditions and unforeseen changes in the itinerary. Stay positive and flexible to fully embrace the experience.