Manaslu Trek Information

  • Aug 6, 2024
  • Rajan Dahal
  • 2497

Mt. Manaslu (8,167 m., 26,787 ft.) is a world-famous mountain that lies in the west-central part of Kathmandu, Nepal. Its name, which means “Mountain of Spirit,"  comes from the Sanskrit word. The Mt. Manaslu trek route lies in the Manaslu conservation area. Manaslu trekking is the best way to avoid unnecessary hassles like delaying flights due to bad weather and other unseen reasons. Manaslu Circuit is a less-tourist area but has the same level of difficulty in terms of altitude and terrain.

Manaslu Circuit Trek offers a great mountain range and lets you experience the Tsum Valley if you have some additional days. Tsum Valley is a newly opened trekking trail that is close to the Tibetan border. Trek to Tsum Valley will require another special permit, which costs 40 USD per person for 1 week.

 

  • Manaslu is far less crowded than its more well-known peers, Annapurna Base Camp Trekking and Everest Base Camp Trekking.

  • The Manaslu Circuit Trek is remote, yet there is a tea house at every stage. So there is no need to prepare for the heavy camping trip.

  • Manaslu Round Trek provides all Nepal has to offer. You will trek from the subtropical jungle at a lower elevation, though, the Himalayan foothills are a high, cold, and challenging crossing of Larke (5,106 m).

  • Avoid the domestic flights (which could be delayed and often canceled due to many reasons, especially weather), The Manaslu Base Camp Trek offers easy access yet still many challenges similar to other popular trekking destinations like EBC, and the Annapurna circuit trek.

Table of Contents

How long does it take to issue the Manaslu Circuit Trekking Permit?

Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits: The Manaslu trekking region is a restricted area like the Upper Dolpo and Upper Mustang trek. Manaslu Trek can be combined with the famous Annapurna Circuit trekking and Tsum Valley Trek. Here, we need 3 different permits to accomplish the Manaslu base camp trek. Normally, issuing the permit should not take that many days, but we need your passport details along with the traveler's picture. All the permits should be applied online, and sometimes the server might be disturbed, so we have to do them all manually, which takes a longer time. We need a trekker's original passport to issue the restricted permit. You need to be in a group of 2 or more people to issue the restricted area permit. The restricted area permit is the same for Indians and other SAARC nationals as well.

The necessary permit for the Manaslu Base Camp trek:

  • Manaslu Conservation Entry Permit (MCAP): 30 USD per person and single entry, valid for one month. Once the permit is issued, it is not transferable or changeable.
  • Annapurna Conservation Entry Permit (ACAP): 30 USD per person, single entry, and valid for one month, the same as MCAP. Every traveler needs to have an ACAP permit because once you complete Larke (5,106 m.), you can descend to Dharapani, which is a part of the Annapurna region. Even though you will trek for only 2 days to get back to Beshisahar and return to Kathmandu,
  • Manaslu Restricted Area Permit. There are the rules of the Nepali Government that every traveler should have a restricted permit. This permit costs 100 USD per person (September to November) for the first 10 days (winter, spring, and summer). The permit costs only 70 USD per person thereafter, and 15 USD per day per person. This permit should be issued by a registered trekking company like us.
  • TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) is another permit that is provided by the registered trekking company. USD 20 per person

Manaslu Circuit Trekking Accommodation:

It is a remote, high-terrain trek, but there are adequate numbers of guesthouses along the trekking trails. The guest is simple but nice and cozy. The guesthouse comprises a pillow, mattress, bed, and bedsheet. All the guest houses are built with stone walls. The bathroom should be shared, and a room should have a minimum of 4 beds.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Transport:

Manaslu Circuit Trek starts from Kathmandu to Machhe Khola, which takes a 9-hour bus. The local bus costs 10 USD per head. The sharing of public bus transport is always provided in the package. However, if you are interested in having a private Jeep transport to Soti/Machhe Khola, it will cost an additional 230 USD per Jeep for up to 6 people. As Dharapani to Kathmandu by private jeep, it will cost 350 USD per jeep. Please visit here for the detailed itinerary for the starting and ending points.

Bus Stop: Balaju

Departure Time: 6:30 am

Arrival Time: 6 PM

Bus Ticket Cost: USD 10

Bus journey: 8 house

Jeep- 

Departure- From Your Hotel

Departure Time: 7:30 a.m. (after breakfast)

Travel time: 6 hours.

Jeep Cost: USD 250 

Manaslu Circuit trek side trip:

Manaslu circuit trek is not only physically challenging, but it is also for peace of mind. In every place, we try our best to make a small side trip and visit the Monastery and village. As a sidewalk, visit Birendra Lake, Manaslu Base Camp, and Syala Monastery. There are beautiful Tsum Valley trekking trails where you meet no one along the trek and explore the local culture and amazing terrain. The Tsum Valley trek can be combined with the Manaslu Base camp trek as well.

The equipment list for the Manaslu Circuit Trek

The given list is a guideline for your Manaslu Adventure. Also, understand that the items listed below will vary a little according to the season and the trek duration. September is neither a hot nor cold season. The weight limit for your luggage (including handbag) is 33 pounds or 15 kg. Remember, there is no porter included in the voucher. However, If require a porter to carry your trekking baggage, you can hire a porter for an additional cost of 120 USD to share a porter with another person. Make sure that you are taking only the necessary items.

Important documents and items:

  • Valid passport, 2 extra passport-size photos, airline tickets
  • Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), and proof of insurance
  • Dollars, pounds, or Euros in cash for purchasing a Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, and snacks, and purchasing your drinks and gifts

Head

  • A bandana or headscarf, also useful in dusty conditions
  • warm woolen hat that covers your ears
  • Camp
  • Headlamp with extra batteries
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Prescription sunglasses (if required)

Upper Body

  • Polypropylene shirts (2 long sleeves)
  • Light and expedition-weight thermal tops
  • Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
  • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
  • Down vest and/or jacket
  • Gore-Tex jacket are waterproof and breathable
  • Hands
  • 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
  • 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves

Lower Body

  • Non-cotton underwear briefs
  • 1 pair of Hiking shorts
  • 1 pair of Hiking trousers
  • 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
  • 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
  • 2 pairs of walking trousers 

Feet

  • 3 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
  • 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
  • 1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces
  • 1 pair of trainers, running shoes, and/or sandals
  • Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version

Sleeping

  • 1 sleeping bag (good to -15 degrees Celsius or 20 degrees F)
  • Rucksacks and Travel Bags
  • 1 medium rucksack (50–60 liters)
  • A small day pack/backpack for carrying your valuables,
  • 1 large waterproof rucksack cover (optional)

Medical

  • Small, personal first-aid kit. (simple and light)
  • Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
  • 1 skin-blister repair kit
  • Anti-diarrhea pills
  • Anti-headache pills
  • Oximeter 
  • Cough and/or cold medicine
  • Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide
  • Stomach antibiotics: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills, as they are respiratory depressants.
  • Water purification tablets or the water filter
  • 1 set of earplugs
  • Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies

Practical Items

  • 1 small roll of repair tape,
  • 1 cigarette lighter,
  • 1 compass or GPS (optional)
  • 1 alarm clock/watch
  • 1 digital camera with extra cards and batteries
  • 2 water bottles (1 liter each)
  • 1 small folding knife

Toiletries

  • 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
  • Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
  • Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
  • Face and body moisturizer
  • Female hygiene products
  • Personal Hygiene
  • Wet wipes (baby wipes)
  • Tissue/toilet roll
  • Anti-bacterial handwash
  • Extras/Luxuries

Our offer for 2024/2025-Experience Manaslu Circuit Trek

If you are interested in Buddhism, diverse landscapes, and terrain, surely the combination of the Tsum Valley and Manaslu trek will be the best option. Experience the land of the Monastery in Tsum Valley. Experience our Manaslu and Tsum Valley trek------------21 days       

Tusm Valley is also known as the Hidden Valley. Experience the Tibetan culture and visit the land of hamlets and Monastery Tsum Valley trek--------------16 days

Manaslu is a fusion of splendor of hidden valley and stunning landscape of Manaslu circuit trek---------17 days