Given the overcrowded status of popular trekking routes like the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp Trek, a new generation of trekkers is seeking authentic adventure, deep cultural immersion, and genuine solitude. And the Manaslu Circuit Trek is the answer to this. Located in a remote corner of the Nepalese Himalayas, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is an underrated trekking route of Nepal that features raw wilderness, cultural depth, and high-altitude adventure.
This trek is very remotely located, which means trekkers get to experience authentic life in the Himalayas without any hint of commercialization. Being located in a restricted area, the trek is also free of a huge number of crowds. The trail circles Mt. Manaslu standing tall at 8,163 meters and gives you a complete tour of the surroundings. Mt. Manaslu, locally known as the ‘Mountain of the Spirit’, is the eighth highest peak in the world. The exact location of the Manaslu Circuit trek is in the north-central Nepal, very close to the Nepal-Tibet border, within the Manaslu Conservation Area which is one of the protected areas of Nepal. This trek also touches some parts of the Annapurna Conservation Area. The trek follows the ancient salt trading routes between Nepal and Tibet, and it offers diverse landscapes from subtropical foothills to high alpine zones, with the highest point being Larkya La Pass (around 5,100m).
On top of that, the trek has immense cultural exposure as you will come across Tibetan-influenced Buddhism in the upper regions (like Nubri, Tsum) with monasteries, prayer flags, and unique rituals, alongside other groups like Gurung, Brahmins, Chhetris, and Magars in the lower parts.
For people seeking ultimate experiences without overwhelming crowds, this trek has emerged as a top choice. And this blog serves as your ultimate guide to the Manaslu Circuit Trek. So, read along.
Below are a few quick facts about the Manaslu Circuit Trek for better understanding in brief:
To embark on the Manaslu Circuit Trek, you need to first take a flight to the Tribhuvan Internation Airport, situated in Kathmandu. From here, you will take either a bus or a jeep based on your package to drive up to Macchekhola. This is the starting point of your trek, and there is no option of flight available, so a 6-to-7-hour drive is what marks the beginning of your journey from Kathmandu. From Macchekhola, you will ditch the roads and head on to the trail. On the way back, you will descend to Dharapani or Tilije. From there, you can get public or private jeeps which can drive you back to Kathmandu. Be prepared for a bumpy ride though.
The scene of trekking in Nepal has always been focused on other popular trekking routes such as the Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp trek, which are indeed worth the hype. But what is shifting focus towards underrated trekking routes like the Manaslu Circuit trek now, and why should you choose the Manaslu Circuit Trek over other popular trekking routes? Well, let us break it down for you. Trekking has evolved into an adventure activity that goes far beyond chasing the summits and exploring Himalayan vistas. Modern day trekkers are looking for some deeper outcomes from the trek. They are seeking purposeful travel, digital detox, cultural exposure across different places, peace of mind, spirituality, and authentic connections. And the Manaslu Circuit delivers on all fronts. Being a restricted trekking area, the Manaslu Circuit trek experiences much less crowd than Annapurna and Everest Region. That leaves you with no trekkers traffic and you can find solitude in nature.
Besides that, the region is very close to Tibet so you will be getting a great exposure of Tibetan Buddhist culture. And given that the region is still very remote, you will witness truly authentic Himalayan life without a hint of modernization. As there are less amenities and less connectivity here, the trek becomes ideal for trekkers seeking digital detox and a break from their otherwise fast paced lives. Also, you can experience rustic adventure here without needing technical climbing skills.
An overview of the itinerary of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is as given below. For more detailed day to day breakdown, head to our Manaslu Circuit Trek page:
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a pretty elaborate journey on its own. However, you would be surprised to know that certain additions to the trip can make it a more elaborate exploration of the region. A major side trip on the trek is the Tsum Valley with the Manaslu Circuit Trek. On this journey, your 14-day Manaslu Circuit adventure will be blended with the secluded yet culturally rich Tsum Valley. During this side trip, you will explore a whole new cultural realm as the Tsum Valley, often regarded as the hidden valley, has a unique culture of its own. Home to the Tsumba people, the valley explores Buddhism but in a unique form. The valley is considered a holy pilgrimage site and a refuge for pure souls, with a strong focus on Tibetan Buddhism and non-violence. You will come across monasteries (Mu Gompa, Gumba Lungdang), mani walls, and prayer flags against the stunning backdrop of the giant Himalayas. Other side trips on the Manaslu Circuit Trek can include short acclimatization hikes to Birendra Lake or to the Manaslu Base Camp where you can see a close-up view of Mt. Manaslu.
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The Manaslu Circuit Trek is considered a moderate to challenging adventure, solely based on your preparation level for the trek. Even beginners can embark on this trek, but they require a good level of preparation.
The difficulty level of the trek is combinedly determined by factors such as:
Also, while on the trek, especially during the first 3 days, you will be crossing lots of landslide prone areas which might increase the chances of slips, falls, and other injuries. This is more common during monsoon. However, the good news is that no technical climbing skills are required for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. It requires good physical fitness and mental resilience, particularly for the Larkya La Pass day. The main challenge is to acclimatize well in order to prevent altitude sickness. Yet another challenge is to be able to handle the sore body and physical pain that comes after a long day of trekking and to not lose your determination.
One should start preparing for the trek at least 3 to 6 months in advance with a well-planned workout regime including cardio exercises like running, swimming, cycling, and more to strengthen their heart and lungs. Besides that, strength training focused on back muscles, shoulders, calves, and core muscles is important too. If possible, you can go on a small hike with a backpack to simulate conditions similar to trek for better preparation.
Read More here: Is Manaslu Circuit Trek Really worth it?
As mentioned above, altitude is one of the main challenges on the Manaslu Circuit trek as it takes you beyond the 5,000-meter mark. Therefore, you need to keep a few things in mind for proper acclimatization. Our Manaslu Circuit trek itinerary includes strategic acclimatization days, particularly in Samagaon, to minimize the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) when you will be going on acclimatization hikes. During the acclimatization hike, you will have to climb higher places like Birendra Tal or Manaslu Base Camp to gain elevation and then come back down at Samagaon to sleep which adheres to the ‘climb high, sleep low’ principle which is a key to acclimatization. Besides that, you need to maintain a steady pace throughout the trek and not rush. Staying hydrated is extremely important for which you need to drink at least 4 liters of water every day and avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
You can also take prescribed altitude sickness tablets starting from Lho or Shyala village to prepare your body. Keep in mind that emergency evacuation might be needed in worst case scenario for which you should get an insurance from your country.
Our guides are trained in monitoring symptoms of altitude sickness. To help, if you feel any signs of uneasiness, report it to the guide immediately and descend to a lower altitude so as not to make it worse.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek can be an all year-round adventure. However, every season brings out a different version of the trail with some challenges too. And some seasons are better than the others. The best season for the Manaslu Circuit Trek is during the months of autumn (Sep to Nov) and spring (March to May), which are also the peak seasons of trekking in Nepal. During Spring, you will come across warm, lush, and vibrant forests with colorful hues scattered all over them. You will also come across different wildlife of the region as they will be highly active. The weather is clear too, and you will get an unobstructed view of the Himalayas. Coming to autumn, it is like spring in terms of clear skies, and the climate is very stable too. The trekking conditions are perfect with a more rustic approach in terms of landscape.
A major challenge while trekking during spring and autumn is the crowd that you will come across. However, the crowds are not that prominent on the Manaslu Circuit as it is an underrated and restricted trekking area. If you can handle cold temperatures but want a quiet take on the trail, you can also trek during winters (December to February) when the trail is covered in snow. However, you might not be able to access higher points like Larkya La Pass due to trail blockage. Trekking the Manaslu Circuit during monsoon (June to August) is not recommended as the trails are wet, slippery, and filled with leeches which increases chances of injury. Also, the views will also be obstructed by the clouds.
Every trek in Nepal requires permits as most of the treks pass through the protected areas of Nepal. Coming to Manaslu Circuit Trek, the following permits will be required:
While the Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) card is required for almost all treks in Nepal, the Manaslu Circuit Trek doesn’t require it as the tracking function is fulfilled by the MCAP itself. Also, keep in mind that you won’t be able to trek the Manaslu Circuit without a licensed guide as it is a restricted area and solo trekking has been banned by the Government of Nepal for your own safety. While a guide is mandatory, a porter is optional on the trek. But we would recommend hiring a porter so that you can comfortably trek without worrying about your luggage.
For a detailed packing list for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, you can head to the equipment section of our package page. Below is a list of some of the main things you need to pack.
Given the remoteness of Manaslu Circuit Trek, it is important that you know the availability of the internet, ATM, mobile network, and electricity on the trail. ATM is available only in Kathmandu, so it is recommended that you carry all the required cash from Kathmandu itself. For internet access, you can purchase a local SIM card of either NTC or Ncell. While the connection at higher altitude is quite hazy for both, we would personally recommend NTC as it has a comparatively more stable connection.
You will get charging points in teahouses to charge your devices. But they will charge you an additional fee based on the altitude. Mobile charging usually costs an extra 100 to 200 Nepali rupees. It is recommended to carry solar powered power banks to make the trek more sustainable. Most teahouses provide WiFi at extra charge, but the connection is not always reliable as many trekkers are connected to the same network.
Getting a travel insurance is very important while trekking in Nepal as you never know what challenge you might get stuck in. And spending a little on travel insurance is better than emptying your pockets while on the trek.
You should get travel insurance that covers treks beyond 4,000 meters. Besides that, it should cover your medical expenses, high altitude helicopter rescue, and delays and cancellations too. Make sure to read the fine print to avoid any unwanted surprises.
The cost of the Manaslu Circuit trek varies based on factors like season of trekking, group size, itinerary and side trips, preferred transportation mode, and others. A standard Manaslu Circuit Trek package can range between 900 to 1500 USD. The price is based on your required level of service from the company, for example upgraded hotels in Kathmandu, porter service, private transportation service and many more.
It includes permits, guides, accommodation and meals, transportation and other services which you can find on our trek page in the ‘cost details section’. Make sure you are clear about what is included and what is not.
Besides the package, other personal expenses can include tips for guides and porters, wifi, mineral water, extra tea/coffee, shower, chocolate, accessories, and any souvenir shopping.
In details about Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost
Conclusion
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a challenging, authentic, and utterly transformative experience which is emerging as the future of trekking in Nepal for the modern, conscious traveler who demands an experience that is both physically rewarding and deeply meaningful.
If you are ready to embark on this trek and take on this adventure, book your next trek with Beyond the Limits Treks and Expeditions for an authentic, safe, and fully supported experience led by expert local guides.
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