How difficult is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

The Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty & Preparation Guide

Manaslu Circuit Trek is popular for less-crowded and off-the-beaten trekking in Nepal. However, have you wondered how difficult is Manaslu Circuit Trek? Is this trek suitable for all kinds of travelers? Let’s clear out the confusion regarding Manaslu Circuit Trek and its difficulty in this blog. Opened for foreign trekkers in 1992, this trek receives many visitors every year. Despite its difficulty, visitors are eager to witness magical views of Mt. Manaslu, staggering landscapes, Tibetan culture, and many more.

Beautifully nestled in the Manaslu Conservation Area, the trek trekking route offers some untouched beauty of the remote Himalayas. However, to enjoy this trek one must know about the difficulty and its preparation. Honestly, trekking to the Manaslu Region is fairly difficult depending on factors like trekking season, weather, past experiences, and several other factors. Let’s Jump into the Manaslu Circuit Trek difficulty and how to prepare for it.

Several Aspects of Manaslu Trek Difficulty

Length and Distance of Manaslu Trek

The Manaslu Circuit Trek's distance is 177 km from Macchekhola, the starting point, to Dharapani, the ending point. This is less than the Annapurna Circuit Trek's distance, which is around 180-210 km. You will be trekking for around 12-14 days following the Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary. Each day the itinerary covers 10-12 Km on average, which can be challenging for beginners.

Isolated Areas

Manaslu Region is probably the most isolated and remote area of Nepal because of its landscapes. Even to reach the starting point of Manaslu Trek, you have to drive through the off-road Highway. It can be terrifying and nervy moments for those who have never traveled on off-road highways in the Himalayas. Likewise, the Manaslu Circuit Trek route has tough terrain and landscapes to tackle due to its remoteness. The steep trail, cliffs, high pass, and numerous changes of trail demand excellent physical and mental toughness.

Weather and Climate of Manaslu Region

Weather and Climate are other factors that make Manaslu Circuit Trekking Difficult. However, it depends if you are trekking at the right time. The best time to visit Manalsu Trek is the Spring and Autumn seasons. However, the weather can be unpredictable, especially at high altitudes like Larkya La Pass (5106m). Sudden rainfall and high snow lines can create problems even if you are trekking at the right time. Likewise, traveling during the winter season receives an enormous amount of snowfall which makes walking problematic. Whereas in the monsoon season huge rainfall, landslides, and flooding can make the trail hard to walk.

Altitude of Manaslu Circuit

The trek to the Manaslu Region starts from 600 meters and reaches a height of 5106 meters at Larkya La Pass. If you are a beginner hiking up to 5000 meters without any trekking experience can be a risk. The trail is equally challenging with several ascending and descending, tough terrain, high pass, and dense forests.

Trekking Season

Trekking season matters the most while doing high-altitude treks like Manaslu Circuit. This is because the weather and climate of Nepal are so difficult to tackle. Generally, the Spring and Autumn seasons are considered the best trekking season in Nepal including the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Besides these two periods, the monsoon and winter seasons are not in favor of trekking.

Food and Accommodation

Another major factor that makes this trek difficulty is limited food and accommodation. Due to its isolated locations, the Manaslu Circuit Trek Route does not have enough lodges to accommodate travelers. During the peak trekking season due to a large number of visitors, it is difficult to find a place to stay. Also, the facilities like attached bathroom, electricity, and internet are very limited.

The food items are not as luxurious as you find in Kathmandu in Manaslu Region. Local people grow food items directly from their farms or fetch them from the lower region. Therefore, expecting a wide range of luxurious meals and drinks is impossible. Popular dishes you can find on the menus are Nepali Daal Bhat, Noodle items, veggies, soup items, egg items, breads, hot drinks, etc.

Altitude Sickness in Manaslu

The trip to Manaslu Circuit via Base Camp poses a threat of getting mountain sickness which is commonly known as altitude sickness. Any travelers irrespective of their age or physical fitness can suffer altitude illness. Severe Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, lack of breath, etc. are the symptoms that can be experienced while suffering from illness. The common symptoms can be prevented through hydration, acclimatization, and getting enough rest. However, if it gets worse, the victim should be evacuated in Helicopter.

How to minimize Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty?

Undoubtedly, traveling around the Manaslu is challenging. Despite all the difficulties we mentioned above, there are ways to minimize it. Here is how you can overcome the Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty.

Choose the right time to do it

You must be aware of choosing the right time before embarking on this trek. As we have mentioned above, the Monson and Winter seasons are best to avoid for any high-altitude trek in Nepal. Apart from these times, the months of Spring and Autumn are the right time to go on Manaslu Trek.

Pack Proper equipment for the Manaslu Trek

Packing the right gear and equipment is a confidence booster if you do it wisely. Ensure that you carry excellent trekking gear, quality clothes, and top hiking boots. Also, it depends on how you use the right gear at the right time. Layers, fleece jackets, down jackets, hiking trousers, trekking poles, first aid kits, etc. are the common gear you must have. Get more information regarding Trekking Gear for Nepal through this link.

Enough Acclimatization

Getting enough acclimatization significantly lowers the chance of getting Acute Mountain Sickness. In our 18-day Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary, adequate rest days are included which makes it easy for the trekkers to deal with thin air. Also, during the acclimatization days, our trekking crew members organize short hikes to adjust to the altitude.

Eat nutritious meals and stay hydrated

A balanced diet is equally important to fuel yourself to gain energy while making hard yards throughout the day. Your diet must contain enough carbohydrates and protein to gain energy and recover at the same time. Focusing on having the vegetable items directly from the farms provides you with enough fuel you need. However, consuming non-vegetarian items like meat is not recommended. Moreover, drinking plenty of water and soup items provides enough help in reducing altitude sickness.

Get an experienced Trekking Guide and Porter

Getting an experienced and skillful trekking guide and porter makes the trek a whole lot easier. We, at Overland Trek Nepal, have a team of government-licensed trekking guides and experienced porters who have been to Manaslu more than 20 times. They accompany you throughout theManaslu Circuit Trek route. The guide will assist you in so many ways like navigating the trail, feeding you information regarding the trek, and many more. Meanwhile, the porter carries your luggage up to 20 Kg which gives you extra benefit.

Preparation for Manaslu Trek

Preparation is equally crucial, physically & mentally, for long expeditions like the Manaslu Circuit Trekor Manaslu Base Camp Hike. Hiking for 4-6 hours daily through the remote trail of Manaslu is tough to ask for. Hence, mental and physical fitness are equally crucial. Hence, begin your physical training 2-3 months before the departure of the trek. Involvement in high-intensity exercises, cardio, strength training, and hiking would be handy. Likewise, obtaining travel insurance, picking the right trekking agency, the best Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary, the perfect time, and carrying the proper gear.

Choose the best Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary

Wondering how to choose the best Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary to avoid difficulty level. Here we have brought the itinerary that allows you to enjoy the wholesome trekking experience with enough acclimatization days.

• Day 01: Arrival in Nepal
• Day 02: Trekking and Permit Preparation
• Day 03: Drive to Sotikhola (700m, 7-8 hours)
• Day 04: Trek from Soti Khola to Macche Khola (930m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 05: Trek from Macche Khola to Jagat (1340m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 06: Trek from Jagat to Pewa Village (1600m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 07: Trek from Pewa to Namrung (2630m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 08: Trek from Namrung to Lho Gau (2956m, 4-5 hours)
• Day 09: Trek from Lho Gaun to Sama Gaun (3540m, 4-5 hours)
• Day 10: Acclimatization day at Sama Gaun
• Day 11: Trek from Sama Gaun to Samdo (3800m, 4-5 hours)
• Day 12: Acclimatization at Samdo
• Day 13: Trek from Samdo to Dharamshala (4460m, 4-5 hours)
• Day 14: Trek from Dharamshala to Bhimthang via Larkya La Pass (5106m, 8-10 hours)
• Day 15: Trek from Bhimthang to Tilije (2300m, 5-6 hours)
• Day 16: Trek from Tilije to Dharapani and drive to Besisahar (760m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 17: Drive back to Kathmandu
• Day 18: Departure

FAQs of Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty

How difficult is a trek to Manaslu?

Manaslu Trekking is graded as a moderate to strenuous journey into the daunting Himalayan landscapes and terrains of the Manaslu Circuit.

How cold is it while crossing the Larkya La Pass?

The degree of coldness depends on the weather factor and the time you are trekking. In regular trekking times like spring and autumn, the temperature of the Manaslu circuit trek remains between -6 degrees to 15 degrees. Whereas in in winter season, it goes beyond -20 degrees at Larkya La Pass.

How to avoid altitude sickness in Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Trekkers often take Diamox right after they get the symptoms of altitude sickness. However, there are other natural ways to avoid it like acclimatization, drinking water, consuming nourishing meals, avoiding caffeine, and descending to lower altitudes.

Manaslu Base Camp Trek or Everest Base Camp, which is harder?

Honestly, it’s up to the trekkers and their experiences. Though Everest Base Camp Trek goes up to 5555 meters, the distance is less than that of Manaslu. However, the Manaslu Base Camp Trek Distance is around 180 km and reaches up to 5106 meters via Larkya La Pass.

How fit I should be to do Manaslu Trek?

One must possess excellent physical fitness with good health conditions to complete this trek. Consult with your physician and engage in physical training before heading to this trek.

Message from Overland Trek Nepal about Manaslu Trek and its difficulty

We hope you got enough details regarding how difficult is the Manaslu Circuit Trek through this blog. However, Overland Trek Nepal would like to provide you with additional tips to make this trip easy. First of all, if you have done enough preparation and training, you are already halfway there in making this trek successful. Your physical and mental strength determines your success rate. And lastly, never think about the trip as difficult as it seems from the outside.

Our travel expert is always on the line to assist you with Manaslu Trek. Overland Trek Nepal has a higher success rate in organizing its trips with expert guides and professionals. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email or WhatsApp at +9779851138871.