Do you know that number of trekkers in the Manaslu Region of Nepal is increasing rapidly nowadays? Yes, every year trekkers applying for permits to trek in the trekking routes of Manaslu region are on the rise. No wonder, the trekking routes of the region are the most popular routes to trek in Nepal among lots of restricted trekking regions. There are two famous trekking routes of the region. They are the Manaslu Circuit Trek and Tsum Valley Trek. These trekking routes take trekkers to the mystical and spiritual abode of the world’s 8th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu (8163 m). In this blog, let’s explore in detail about the Manaslu Circuit Trek Route Blog.
If you are thinking of traveling or trekking in Manaslu Region alone then throw this idea away! Solo trekking is absolutely prohibited in restricted regions of Nepal including the Manaslu region. You must get a valid special immigration permit, Manaslu Conservation Area permit, and Annapurna Conservation Area permit for trekking in Manaslu Circuit Trek Route. Besides these permits, you must trek in a group of at least two trekkers accompanied by a Nepal Government Licensed trekking guide under the operation of a Nepal government-registered trekking agency!
The Most Popular Restricted Trekking Route in Nepal
The condition of the Manaslu Trek Route is getting a lot better than before. With an increase in the number of trekkers every year, the condition of lodges and restaurants are increasing too. There are different styles and kinds of lodging facilities in the trekking route. In some places especially in low altitude places you can find luxury resorts too.
Before exploring the Manaslu Circuit Trekking Route, let’s know in short about possible trekking routes in the surrounding of circuit trek route.
Tsum Valley Trek is one of the most popular short trekking routes of the Manaslu region. You can do both trekking in one single trip. The final destination of Tsum Valley Trek is either Ganesh Himal Base Camp or Mu Gompa. Trekkers meet the Manaslu Circuit Trek route in Deng. There are many villages with different ethnicities. You can customize the trekking trip as per your preferences. In fact, the Manaslu region is the best region to soak into the authentic rural environment of Nepal.
How Long is the Manaslu Circuit Trek Route?
The length of the Manaslu Circuit Trek route is about 180 kilometers. Everyday trekkers have to walk for about 6 to 7 hours. The trail has many uphill and downhill. The most daunting day on this trekking trip is while crossing the Larke La Pass (5106 m). Steep uphill and downhill as well as less oxygen as the trail proceeds high elevation places make it difficult for trekkers to complete this length of the trek route.
Kathmandu to Machhakhola Road Trip
The first phase of this trekking trip starts with the bus or jeep ride from Kathmandu to Machhakhola via Dhading/Gorkha district. The road is black tarred up to Salyantaar village. From this village, the road is bumpy and graveled. Travelers will have to traverse through Aarughat and Aarkhet town before reaching Machhakhola. From Aarughat, the road trip is on the banks of the Budi Gandaki River. The road stretches in the beautiful valley of two hills on either side. You can get local bus to Aarughat from Machhapokhari. If you choose to travel by local bus then you may have to hire another bus or jeep to Machhakhola or walk. An ideal way is to hire a jeep and ride up to Machhakhola. This is a small lodge town with few lodges and local houses.
Before the construction of road, trekkers used to start the trek from Aarughat. This is the major marketplace of Upper Gorkha and Dhading districts’ villages. On the bank of Budi Gandaki River, there are many places where you can visit if you wish to spend a day extra. You can trek to either to Syamrang village or Baseri village to experience walking in the high altitude suspension bridges. These suspension bridges provide thrill and let you connect with the locals. The major attraction of Manaslu Trekking is that trekkers get chance to immerse into the culture of low altitude habituating people to high altitude habituating people. From culture to vegetation, trekkers can find huge diversity in one single trek.
Machhakhola to Samagaon
Trekking starts from Machhakhola. The trail up to Jagat is on bumpy graveled road. Locals take their motorcycles up to Jagat. Therefore, the trail is okay to walk. The trail traverses through green lush forests of pine, juniper, and rhododendron. This section of trekking route is also rich for observing various endangered species of wildlife. They are red panda, Grey Wolf, and snow leopard. Before reaching Samagaon, we will visit the monastery after traversing through Shyala Village. The monastery is the symbol of the region. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage site of Tibetan Buddhists. It is believed that the monastery was built by Nubris people. Our itinerary is different from normal Manaslu Circuit Trek route itineraries offered by lots of other trekking agencies. Therefore, if you are thinking to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek then don’t forget to visit our site for more information and itinerary of the trek. The Nepal High Trek agency’s itinerary include the Pungyen Monastery and Manaslu Base Camp.
Manaslu Base Camp Day Hike
Samagaon is the last densely populated village on the Manaslu Circuit Trek route. It is also the village where trekkers do acclimatization activity. For proper acclimatization and to add value to this trekking trip, trekkers can do Manaslu Base Camp Day Hike. The hike to the foothill of the world’s 8th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu is definitely enticing. The trail is through green lush forests and grassy meadows. However, the base camp is always covered by snow. If you don’t find snow in the base camp then remember that the global warming is slowly grappling the earth’s climate. The same case is with the Everest Base Camp too. 15 to 20 years before, the Everest Base Camp used to get covered with snow throughout the year. Nowadays, you don’t find snow unless it is winter season.
Manaslu Base Camp (4600 m) hike is the best way to experience the Himalayan wilderness. You will be firmly adjusted to the high altitude. Moreover, you will be treated with the most serene and blissful mountain vistas. In addition, the tranquil atmosphere will help you to delve into the spiritual world of Manaslu. Trekkers don’t spend overnight at the base camp rather they return back to Samagaon.
Larke La Pass Crossing
Crossing a mountain pass is never easy. The pass that is located at an altitude of 5106 m is always arduous to conquer. Therefore, proper acclimatization and trek planning in terms of mental and physical stamina is highly recommended. Always walk beside the trekking guide. It is a long mountain pass. Larke La Pass (5106 m) top is the best vantage point to view mountains like Annapurna II, Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, Bouddha Himal, Lamjung Himal, and Mt. Manaslu.
Entering the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Interestingly, the journey of Manaslu Circuit Trek requires a permit of the Annapurna region as well. It is because the trekkers enter the Annapurna region of Nepal upon crossing the Larke La Pass. Therefore, you can choose to extend the trek by doing the Annapurna Circuit Trek too. After an overnight sleep at Bimthang upon crossing the Larke La Pass, trekkers meet the Annapurna Circuit Trek Route at Dharapani.
Dharapani to Kathmandu Road Trip
You can hire a jeep from a village nearby Dharapani. The jeep will take you to Besisahar of Lamjung district. It is the district headquarter where you can find lots of hotels and quality eateries and bars. The choice is yours whether to spend overnight at Besisahar or continue drive to either Kathmandu or Pokhara. Most of the trekkers prefer to go to Pokhara as it is less than a hundred kilometers from Besisahar to Pokhara in comparison to driving back to Kathmandu.
The blogger recommends trekkers to drive towards Pokhara instead of Kathmandu. Enjoy one or two days in Pokhara. The city is the touristic Lake city that has all the elements for trekkers to rejoice and relish after tiring Manaslu Circuit Trek.
When is the best time to trek in the Manaslu Circuit Trek route?
An ideal time to do trek in Manaslu Circuit via Tsum Valley route is during months of spring. Manaslu Circuit Trek route traverses through green lush forests of rhododendron, pine, and juniper. Therefore, in the spring season different colors of rhododendrons bloom. The entire landscape looks absolutely gorgeous. Moreover, the sky is clear and weather is warm. You will not have any kinds of trouble due to landslides, rainfall, and cloudy weather. The water streams in the trekking trail is less risky and the view of mountains looks absolutely dazzling. Besides spring season, autumn season is also preferred time to do the trek. However, spring season trekking in Manaslu can surely knit together the momentous travel tales.
If you are planning to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal, then feel free to contact me. I am working in the field of Nepal Trekking for more than 2 decades and I am from Manaslu region. Therefore, I can help you plan a perfect Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary with authentic information.
Nepal High Trek & Expedition Pvt. Ltd. Explore The Himalayas
