Mount Manaslu is the eighth highest peaks in the world at 8163 meters (26781 ft) above the sea level, which lies in the east of Annapurna inside the Manaslu Conservation area. Manaslu is one of those peaks that has a spiritual importance. Its name, which means “Mount of the Spirit”, comes from the Sanskrit word Manasa meaning “Intellect” or “soul.” This area is home to more than 2000 species of wild plants flowers, in addition to varieties of birds and animals. Similarly Manaslu trek provides you with an opportunity to explore and enjoy the walks in remote and off-beaten parts of Nepal. The trek offers you a wild and authentic experience in these areas.
Manaslu trek is controlled by the tourism board and under the restricted trekking trail of Nepal. In this region you can explore variety of flora and fauna such as Snow Leopard, Lynx, Musk deer, Red fox, Jackal, Brown bear, and their prey species such as blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan Serow, Wooly hare, and Himalayan marmot. In this trek you will cross a number of famous rivers like Budi Gandaki, Machha Khola, Tharo Khola, Deng Khola, and Ghatta Khola. You can also enjoy the impressive views of Mount Manaslu, Himal Chuli, Ganesh Himal Range, and many more mountains of the Himalaya range.
On the other hand, Gurung and Tibetan culture, Waterfalls, Old Buddhist Monasteries and Stupas, beautiful ethnic villages and lush forests of Rhododendron, blue pine and bamboo are the highlights reflecting Manaslu region trek. Similarly the famous Manakamana Temple is also located in Gorkha district of this region.
How to gets restricted area permits?
Environmentally, politically, and culturally very sensitive areas of Nepal are listed as restricted area. Special trekking permit needs to trek in restricted area. If the police in the check post found you without the special permit, you will be turn back. Government of Nepal is fully responsible to grant the permit for the travel.
Similarly, the Manaslu trekking is also comes under restricted area trekking. Therefore, it is challenging trip but also most demanding. So for this trip you should get special trekking permit from immigration. By submitting all the required legal documents to the immigration such as Nepal Rastrya Bank Certificates, tourism board certificate, agencies VAT certificate, company registered certificate, TAAN certificates, agencies tax clearance, government authorized guide license and guide insurance etc. then they provide us special trekking permit. So to reduce your all these burden and make your trip enjoyable, we are here to help you.
1) Best time to visit
Manaslu trek also varies widely according to the climatic zone. So knowing about Manaslu trek temperature and its climate helps provide you with a comfortable trekking experience. It is because the climatic conditions affect the climbing and trekking activities.
Spring (March, April and May)
The beginning of new chapters, the area seems as if it’s come back to life. The frozen lakes start to defrost, streams begin to fill up, new buds are seen sprouting, and villagers gradually begin to return.
Spring is the safest season for the Manaslu trek due to its low risk of landslides, avalanches, and other weather hazards. The weather condition is mild to cold.
Autum (September, October and November)
Autum is the festive season in Nepal when one of Dashain and Tihar’s major celebrated around the country. The season start with fresh and pleasant air as monsoon rain has washed away all the pollution. The temperature is also stable with mild weather conditions.
The warm climate and clear skies make it the best time to visit Manaslu trek for active trekkers.
Winter (December, January and February)
These are the months of snowfall, so crossing Larkya La Pass will be a challenging for trekkers. Winter is the icy-cold season of the year, but the lower region trek is entirely enjoyable at this time.
Monsoon (June, July and August)
The luscious and dense forest becomes vibrant green due to the monsoon rain. Due to continuous rain showers, the paths are slippery, muddy, and bring the presence of several leeches and bugs.
In the context of Nepal, monsoon and summer are combined. It is blazing hot for the first few weeks and begins to rain by the mid of the season. Trekking during this month is for adventure seekers and nature lovers.
2) People and Culture
The Manaslu region is a home to a diverse group of people. The shah dynasty originated here. However, now it is mainly inhabited by the gurung people. Two ethnicities Nubri and Tsum also inhabit the region. Mohi chop is one of their classic food items of Tsum ethnic group. It is a chili, garlic, salt, and Mohi or Skimmed milk blend. They also enjoy Sukuti, which is dried meat, mainly from buffalo.
In the Manaslu region, the main religions are Tibetan Buddhism and Bon po with animism. As a historic region rich in culture, many festivals are celebrated here have religious significance and filled with deeply religious people. Tsum Shagya Centennial Festival celebrated the 100th anniversary of Tsum valley’s unique custom of non-violence. The people practice this custom of non-violence by the following certain rules, namely:
On the other hand, Lhosar is an important festival in Nepal ‘Lo’ means new, and ‘sar’ means year. So, Lhosar is the start of a new year for Nepal’s Tamang, Gurung, and Sherpa people. Each group has a different Lhosar celebrated on other days. Tamu Lhosar is the Lhosar of the Gurung people. Sonam Lhosar is the Lhosar of the Tamang people. Gyalpo Lhosar is the Lhosar of the Sherpa people. All religious buildings of Buddhism in Nepal are cleaned and decorated on this day. It consists of family gatherings, feasts, and cultural programs. People can be seen wearing traditional outfits to attend these programs. The celebrations are for winning over the opposing forces and providing positive support.
3) Accommodation
In the lower altitudes, the tea houses provide you with single rooms with attached bathrooms. But as you trek higher the facilities get limited. Mostly, you will find a twin-sharing room and common washroom. In a room, you will find two beds with mattresses, pillows, and warm blankets. Many trekkers prefer to stay in teahouses as it is convenient and easy. However, if you prefer to go camping trek it is possible too.
4) Foods
Manaslu region has a wide variety of food and it is easy to serve to your needs. On the trek, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided. For tea house trek, we can order typical Nepali food, continental, Italian, Tibetan and Indian at teahouses. All the food will be cooked by the local cook by using local vegetables so the taste would be very local.
During your time in the hotel in Kathmandu, your breakfast is included. Lunch and dinner must be covered on your own. If you are a vegetarian/ vegan, gluten or lactose free, we are able to work around that if you let us know ahead of time.
5) Acclimatization / fitness/ experience
More important than fitness or experience is one’s personal determination and positive attitude toward finishing and enjoying the trek because as many of our treks lead us high into the Himalayans. Our Manaslu trek have one or two acclimatization days built into the itinerary to prevent altitude sickness and let our bodies our bodies sufficiently get used to the altitude. The level of fitness varies depends upon the trek. A person should be able to walk 5-6 hours per day while on the trail.
6) Guide and porter
According to Nepal tourism board all the trekking activities should be conducted along with a government-licensed guide and porter.
Your safety is our first priority. So our guide and porter are dedicated to making your experience of trekking in Nepal a memorable one without compromising your safety. Along with your safety we also focus on our guide and porter safety too. Notably, we have done insurance of our guide and porter.
Fill your life with adventures, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show. Hurry up! Adventure is waiting for you and mountains are calling you.
This trip is fully customization. Importantly, this trip is available on both a fixed departure and a private group basis. Moreover, we can also customize the trip as per your needs, please contact us at Whatsapp (+977-9843770916) or email us at info@nepalholodaytreksandtours.com. Let us know how we can help you, and we will do our best to give you the best customer service you’ll get anywhere else.
Furthermore, Nepal holiday treks and tours Pvt. Ltd. is a reputable and reliable company serving relentlessly in the field of tourism to fulfill the dreams of diverse adventure seekers around the globe into reality where they can feel most alive. So, we recommend you to reserve seat for yourself by booking with us right away for a wonderful and unforgettable trip experience.
Start your journey to the Manaslu Circuit in Kathmandu. To begin with, you can travel directly to Arughat from Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu at 6 and 8 a.m. Similarly, you can also travel by bus along the Prithvi Highway to Dhading or Malekhu, from where you can take a local bus or jeep. From your window seat, you will have the best views of the landscape, even though the road is uneven and dusty. There are numerous rest stops along the way where you can stop for food and quick breaks. And spend the night at one of Solti Khola's teahouses.
You will take in the beautiful scenery and a warm breakfast at the Soti Khola teahouse the following morning. You will then begin your daily trek. The road leading from Soti Khola is narrow and rocky, in contrast to other trekking trails. On the first day of this trek, you will have the most amazing walk despite the uneven road. You will be captivated by the breathtaking views of the countryside the entire trail. While strolling, you will come across Sal forests, where you can stop for brief breaks from the strenuous walking. As you follow the trails through the forest, which are lined with numerous rivers, waterfalls, and sheer cliff faces; you will come across some Gurung and Ghale locals. You can eat seasonal vegetables, pickles, yogurt, Dal Bhat, and local milk in the scattered settlements. You will notice a rocky hillside once you arrive at Nyali Khola. Both locals and hikers stand there and pray to the mountains, rivers, and local deities to keep them safe as they travel along the trail. You will cross the winding road and ascend and descend multiple times while following the river trail. You will come across hundreds of mules on this particular day along the route. As a result, you need to exercise caution when you see them coming. To stop it from sliding down the hillside, you must stand on the wall side. With these encounters, you will arrive in Maccha Khola and discover an abundance of teahouses for a cozy night's accommodation.
You will begin walking across the winding road on the Budi Gandaki River's bank the next day. You will come across a lot of langurus and monkeys as you enter the forest trail. Following the forests, you will stroll to the gurung villages. As you get to the villages, such as lower Khorlabeshi, you will see the shepherds dressed in the traditional Bokkhu, a cape browned by smoke. Walking a little further will bring you to Tatopani "hot water," where you can unwind with warm showers and a soaring body. You cross the Budi Gandaki River on a brand-new suspension bridge to arrive at Doban after relaxing in the hot springs. The river flattens at Yaru, where you can cross the Cantilever Bridge to arrive at Jagat, a tidy flagstone-paved Gurung village. Follow the waves to find this location. You will need to show your trekking permits at the checkpost when you enter the village. You will be walking in the restricted area as of this day.
You will walk through Salleri and descend to Sirdibas the following day. There are numerous gompas and Buddhist prayer flags in the village to greet you. Before you get to Phillim, you can sample the local alcoholic beverages at a number of rest stops along the way. Your permits will then be reviewed, and you will proceed along the river's western bank. The trail is lovely, with interesting sculptures carved by river water over the boulders on the riverbank. You pass through Himalayan pine, rhododendron forests, and the overhanging rocks on the towering peaks as you leave the river bank. The trail is enhanced by these highlights. As you continue, you will cross the Siyar Khola bridge and come to an intersection where the trail splits off to the right, leading to Tsum Valley. At last, you will arrive at Pewa, which is the last stop for the day. In the area, there are only two teahouses that provide simple meals and a comfortable night's sleep. With the Shilong Acha, Pewa serves the best Dal Bhat in all of Nepal. Before going to bed, you can get together around the fireplace in the evening to talk about your experiences with the locals and other hikers.
You will have breakfast and begin your trek for the day once the sun rises. To get to Deng, you'll cross the bamboo forests before climbing the twisting trails. Proceeding ahead, you will traverse a suspended bridge in order to ascend to Rana and Bihi Phedi. White-faced monkeys visit villages along the trail in search of free food. The trail then passes through multiple landslide zones on its way to Ghap. You have to walk with extra caution at this point. For your physical safety, you also need to pay close attention to what your guide says. The trail will lead you up to Namrung after the area where there was a landslide. You will ascend a zigzag from the river to the tidy village of Namrung (2660m) after traversing the uneven trail for approximately one hour. Along the trek are rest houses, a restaurant, and some of the best teashops around. A Namrung native constructed a contemporary hotel and restaurant complete with WiFi and cappuccinos.
You will begin the day by observing the Nubri people's way of life. You will stroll past numerous mani walls, verdant terraces, and homes through Banjam as you explore their typical lifestyle, which is influenced by Tibet. From there, you will enter the forest of fir, rhododendron, and oak, climb to Lihi, and then ascend to Sho. Most people in the area will be dressed in traditional Tibetan garb as soon as you set out on foot. As you proceed, you will come across some exquisite paintings in the Kani (gate arches) that precede Sho. When you finally arrive at Lho, you will have walked across the rocky hillside routes. From the location, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Manaslu (8163m) and Manaslu North (7157). This day will see you gain a lot of altitude, so you need to walk carefully and pay attention to your body signs.
Walking the following morning, you are accompanied by the stunning view of Mt. Manaslu. You will traverse the gentle path leading to Shyala, traversing through mossy pine and rhododendron gullies alongside a crystal-clear stream. It will take you nearly an hour to walk from Shyala to Sama Gaun. The views of the mountains disappear as soon as you enter the village, but the yak pasture and ordinary settlements will draw your attention. The main Nurbi village, Sama Gaun, has a sizable gompa, numerous stores, a health center, a heliport, phone and wifi access, etc.
Sama Gaon is acclimating visitors on this day to avoid altitude-related illnesses. Additionally, you will hike to Pungyen Gompa, which is east of the Nubri Valley, as a means of acclimatization. This is an acclimatization hike, so bring a packed lunch. Gorgeous views of Manaslu Base Camp, located north of Sama Gong, await you at the top of the hill. After passing Birendra Tal, continue on the trail and bear left onto the base camp track. You'll ascend the level paths. However, breathing problems could result from the altitude. Therefore, you must continue to hydrate your body and walk slowly. You will hike slowly north of the Manaslu glacier to base camp, which is located at 4400 meters / 14435 feet, and then back. Or, you can hike to Birendra Tal, a short walk from Sama Gong. This is a option if you feel the need for a short rest of if you are finding the altitude difficult.
You will arrive at Samdo, the more recent destination, on this new day. This is a quick day hike, though, because you have to walk carefully due to the high altitude. Up a wide valley with long mani hills, you will see extended yak pastures with a variety of birds. After that, you'll leave the tree line and ascend to a ridge where you'll cross the Buri-Gndaki wooden bridge before arriving at White Kani. It is next to Samdo, a quaint village where yak herding is the main industry. You can hike to Samdo Peak or explore the neighboring villages after arriving at Samdo. Above the valley on the left is the Larky La trail. You can also see the main track for Tibet over the Larjyang La forming slopes on the Larkya La trail.
You will pause at Samdo for a day of rest and then travel to the Tibetan border. Parts of Tibet and Nepal are also visible from the border. If you're lucky, you might even be able to see the yak caravan cross the border. Once you cross the border, you can get some great pictures of Samdo Glacier's southern flank, which features a massive serac close to the glacier's summit. In season, you can also frame marmots, picas, and blue sheep.
You are going to hike to the highest point on the trail on this special day. You will walk to Larkya La Pass (5160m / 16929ft) on this particular day. Even though it could be difficult in inclement weather and with the snow, the walk is still manageable. You have to get up early (3 am), eat breakfast, and leave the teahouse early because you will be crossing the pass before the afternoon. This is the hardest portion of the trek, but you can make it to the pass if you walk steadily. The journey is enhanced by the breathtaking views you will see once you reach the pass. Views of Kang Guru (6981m / 22903ft), Himlung (7126m / 23379 ft) close to Tibet, and Annapurna 2nd (7937m / 26040 ft) in the Annapurna range are all visible. After spending your specific time at the pass, you will descend and spend the night in Bimthang, walking for about three hours. As you descend, expansive icefalls and mountains will be visible. You will be able to see massive icefalls, mountains, and Pongkar Tal, which is located between the Pongkar and Salpu Danda Glaciers, in every direction.
You are going to hike to the highest point on the trail on this special day. You will walk to Larkya La Pass (5160m / 16929ft) on this particular day. Even though it could be difficult in inclement weather and with the snow, the walk is still manageable. You have to get up early (3 am), eat breakfast, and leave the teahouse early because you will be crossing the pass before the afternoon. This is the hardest portion of the trek, but you can make it to the pass if you walk steadily. The journey is enhanced by the breathtaking views you will see once you reach the pass. Views of Kang Guru (6981m / 22903ft), Himlung (7126m / 23379 ft) close to Tibet, and Annapurna 2nd (7937m / 26040 ft) in the Annapurna range are all visible. After spending your specific time at the pass, you will descend and spend the night in Bimthang, walking for about three hours. As you descend, expansive icefalls and mountains will be visible. You will be able to see massive icefalls, mountains, and Pongkar Tal, which is located between the Pongkar and Salpu Danda Glaciers, in every direction.
This is the last day you will be hiking the Manslu region's trails. As you descend, you will pass through verdant forests teeming with wildlife, including rhododendron bushes. After crossing the Dudh Khola once more, you will stroll to Karche for lunch. Over the course of the next hour, numerous evidence of the glacier flood will become visible, including broken tree trunks, unstable banks, and uneven terrain. The first village since Samdo is Gurung Goa, where the trail ends. After passing through fields and copses of oak and rhododendron, the valley gets lusher and more agricultural; you will continue on the north (true right) bank until tilije. You will then carry on walking in the direction of Dharapani.
From Tilije to Beshi Sahar, a jeep will transport you. You'll catch a ride back to Kathmandu from there. After traveling from Beshi Sahar for six to seven hours, you will rest in one of Kathmandu's upscale hotels.
Me and my group went trekking with Ramesh, through Nepal Holidays Treks and Tours. We went Manaslu Trek as it was most popular trekking in Nepal with its divine beauty, amazing views and surroundings. As our guide Ramesh was always very helpful, we enjoyed his company during the trek. He was so kind and helpful. For him we were his first priorities all the time. Walking side by side with yaks and mule, the steep ups and downs, entering homes and sitting for a conversation with the locals of the village, and simple lunch with typical Nepali food was so amazing. We have never thought we could feel such comfort in the land of the towering beauties of a Himalayan. We had collected so many of memories in the trek, but that last day was the most beautiful among all. It was our last day on the lap of Manaslu, we gathered there for night camp fire with some drinks and roasted meat. It was so cold at that night, even though we had decided to spend our whole night under the blue sky with twinkling stars, and fireflies spreading everywhere. I had also collected some of those glowing fireflies in a bottle as well. Lastly, We found the services provided by The Nepal Holiday Treks and Tours so excellent. From our side Nepal as a trekking destination, Nepal Holiday Treks and Tours complete the meaning into reality, so we recommend this company for any kinds of adventurous activities.
I had an amazing time in Nepal! Maybe one of my most impressing travel experiences! I spent three weeks there together with my family and our guide Rajan. We did the Manaslu Circuit and the Tsum Valley Tour. The view of the mountains were incredible and almost impossible to put into words. I enjoyed every day and found so much peace in this amazing nature. For sure I want to come back and I’m looking forward for more trekking tours in the mountains. I can recommend it for everyone who loves the nature and to seek discomfort. It’s not about being the fastest and to complete the tour in as less days as possible, it’s about finding your pace and your own way through the mountains and valleys. I’m thankful that we could do the Trekking tour together with our guide, we had an amazing support and could learn a lot about this different and special place. All in all, I’m so glad that I have done this tour!
We did the Manaslu circuit and had a great time. Rishee (guide) and Rupesh (guide+porter) were incredible attentive and always were spreading good mood and were fun to hang around with all the day. So many nice views of Manaslu. We unfortunately got sick after Manaslu trail and could not complete the Annapurna Circuit after that. We could get a a good agreement with Ramesh how to deal with it.
Tres amigos hicimos el trekk del manaslu circuit. Nuestra experiencia ha sido increíble. Tanto los alojamientos como la comida, como la caminata han sido sin duda alguna una experiencia que volveremos a repetir el año que viene. En todo momento Ramesh (guía y dueño de la empresa, estuvo atento a todo lo que necesitásemos) totalmente recomendable para todas aquellas personas a la que les gusta romper con la rutina de la cuidad y adentrarse en el Himalaya profundo.