12-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek Review: Is It Worth It?

Thinking about trekking the Manaslu Circuit? So, you are probably wondering if the 12-day Manaslu Circuit Trek is a worthwhile adventure. Well, that really is a very good question. The Manaslu region, situated in the Gorkha district of Nepal, it’s almost like it gives you something that’s quite remote and spectacular hiking without the crowds that you might find on some more traveled routes. The trek usually lasts around 12 days, and that’s including travel to and from Kathmandu, the vibrant capital city. The highest point of the trek, the Larkya La pass, clocks in at a dizzying 5,106 meters (that’s about 16,752 feet). So, yeah that can present a physical challenge, but what you get for it is some genuinely unbeatable views and also a deep cultural experience. In this review, we’ll go through just about every part of the trek, that is covering everything from the amazing landscape to some fairly practical tips to make sure you are actually all set for this Himalayan challenge.

What Makes the Manaslu Circuit Special?

Okay, so what makes this Manaslu Circuit trek truly stand out from all the other treks in Nepal? Well, one thing is that you actually get an amazing range of scenery and just incredible cultural exchange. Very often it’s seen as a great alternative to the Annapurna Circuit, and really that gives you a chance to get an even more isolated feel, while giving you views of some incredibly high peaks. At every turn, the scenery seems to morph, almost. You could find yourself one minute walking through lush subtropical forests, and very soon after that you are really testing your lungs out at that alpine pass at Larkya La. You will also come across a number of pretty culturally distinct villages. That means that you can really learn a thing or two from the local people and their way of life. That is very often unaffected by any outside influence. Something else to think about is that the Manaslu trek really requires that you go with a licensed guide. In a way this actually ends up enriching the experience, since the guides offer loads of knowledge on just about every little thing, from local customs to even facts about the area. So, yeah it’s a great learning experience.

Is 12 Days Enough? The Ideal Itinerary

Is 12 days enough time for a Manaslu Circuit trek? You could say it’s sort of the minimum amount of time required to experience everything while staying relatively comfy. Lots of tour groups seem to offer this itinerary because, honestly, it strikes that pretty delicate balance between keeping the costs pretty reasonable and seeing the core of what the region is about. Below is what a pretty typical 12-day itinerary looks like:

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m/4,593ft). So, get to Kathmandu and then relax. Then later start seeing the city if you’re up for it.
Day 2: Kathmandu to Soti Khola (710m/2,329 ft): 8-9 hours drive. It’s a pretty long ride through some very green landscapes to start getting ready for the hiking days to come.
Day 3: Soti Khola to Machha Khola (900m/2,952 ft): 6-7 hours trek. Right, so you will start walking next to the Budhi Gandaki River, crossing little bridges and climbing just a bit.
Day 4: Machha Khola to Jagat (1,410m/4,626 ft): 6-7 hours trek. The trail tends to narrow quite a bit. Then there are some places with dramatic cliffs that really lead to Jagat, a pretty well maintained village.
Day 5: Jagat to Deng (1,804m/5,918 ft): 5-6 hours trek. Right, so you will get to see a pretty marked change in culture as you start walking into the regions where Tibetan people live.
Day 6: Deng to Namrung (2,660m/8,727 ft): 6-7 hours trek. Walk up to Namrung. You will find pretty nice views of the Manaslu range as you climb up.
Day 7: Namrung to Lho (3,180m/10,433 ft): 3-4 hours trek. This, you know, is a bit of a shorter day, to actually help get people ready for higher elevation. Lho is pretty much known for its monasteries and views.
Day 8: Lho to Sama Gaun (3,520m/11,548 ft): 5-6 hours trek. Keep going by Manaslu views and little Tibetan villages to actually get to Sama Gaun, a place with views and culture all mixed together.
Day 9: Acclimatization Day in Sama Gaun. It’s really very important to actually give your body a break and a change to get used to the elevation here. A bit of a light walk to a spot that gives views is a good idea, and also will help you sleep that night.
Day 10: Sama Gaun to Samdo (3,875m/12,713 ft): 3-4 hours trek. This is pretty much a smaller trek that heads over to Samdo. It is that final village prior to climbing Larkya La. That does mean the next day is the climb!
Day 11: Samdo to Larkya La Pass (5,106m/16,751ft) to Bimthang (3,720m/12,204 ft): 8-9 hours trek. So, get going pretty early for a climb that goes up the really difficult Larkya La pass. You know the views from there? Fantastic. And then after that you are walking down to Bimthang for a really good sleep.
Day 12: Bimthang to Kathmandu: 7-8 hours trek to Besisahar and 6-7 hours drive to Kathmandu. To end things off, it’s a trek down to Besisahar then you take transportation back to Kathmandu, you know, so you can think back on that trek.

Adjustments for a Better Experience

This 12-day thing kind of rushes things along. You can see why lots of hikers add just another couple of days on, to get used to the high places properly and just have a little bit more down time. One good addition could actually be spending a full day up at Sama Gaun, and then heading to Manaslu Base Camp. That not only makes getting used to heights a little bit easier but will also get you up pretty close to Manaslu. Alternatively, you could even spread that final climb over Larkya La across a day. That might mean that there will be an extra night put up at a lower level. All in all, this does tend to make everything a little less tough and lets you take it all in.

How Difficult Is It Really? Assessing the Challenge

When someone is asking me if the Manaslu Circuit is a tough trek, so you are getting a “yes,” from me pretty much all the time. The path itself tends to go up and down almost constantly, the altitude does have its effects, and the walk can just be a long one. I think I’d give the trek, on the whole, a difficult ranking, and that it can need both that high level of cardio as well as stamina. To actually get over Larkya La Pass you need to climb over 5,000m (that’s about 16,400 feet!). At these heights, oxygen actually starts to get sparse and lots of hikers feel some symptoms connected with that height. You might have a little trouble breathing, that kind of stuff. What is actually even more concerning, is the very real chance that Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can start to affect hikers.

What To Look Out For

Okay, so when it comes to doing that Manaslu Circuit, understanding where your limits are is actually really very important. Some trekkers who might be more fit still could find all the long walking days pretty tough. What will make the trek a bit less problematic really, is making sure you’ve given yourself a bit of time to get used to the height as you trek up. Having days where you don’t go very far and climbing just a little before heading back to sleep for the night? Always good stuff! And then watch out for the signs of altitude sickness! Things to watch out for are a very persistent headache, feeling sick to your stomach and/or being dizzy. When people don’t catch these things it could mean the situation actually turns serious very quickly, so don’t push things!

Accommodation and Food on the Trail

So, let’s talk about life on the trail. So, your shelter is going to be from tea houses pretty much along your entire route. Years ago the standards there might have been pretty variable, but in recent times these have pretty much gotten better, overall. That does mean most offer double rooms. The mattresses aren’t always the very height of comfort, sure. Even still, what you get will almost always be enough after having been walking for many hours! The one big plus you might be happy to hear about? Lots of places up on that trek will now give you electrical charging spots for personal devices, and every so often there will actually even be some places that offer a WIFI connection for keeping everyone connected.

Food, Glorious Food

So, the dining options? Most tea houses actually feature something akin to a fairly broad menu that serves a lot of popular items that travellers tend to enjoy. Dal bhat, being one dish containing lentils, rice, and curried veggies? Always very much on the menu and always very filling! The options do often extend far beyond local meals though! You may also see all different versions of stuff like noodles, momos (these little dumplings), pasta and potatoes prepared in different ways. Make sure you keep well hydrated as you hike about by drinking tons of purified or boiled water, and yeah then stay clear of those alcoholic beverages so that you aren’t contributing in any way to altitude issues!

Permits and Logistics

Getting the appropriate documentation tends to be very vital for any trek through Manaslu region. So, all trekkers will actually have to obtain the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (MRAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Other permits you might want depend on what bit of that park you intend on getting to. To actually be given an MRAP? You are going to need a minimum of two trekkers and to go together with a guide from Nepal. So, tour firms will be helping with obtaining permits as well as looking after all the logistics. Just getting a trek put together on your own, basically without support, very often is impossible when you think about the rules involved.

Packing Wisely

What you put inside your bag could, really, make that trip just a bit nicer, too. So, packing different layers of stuff could make getting used to different climates simpler and much more comfortable. It can get warmer at those lower elevations than on that high pass! I recommend good boots for the walk and you may also want poles for getting better balance and stability. Make certain to bring any personal medicines that may be needed and then have a simple first-aid kit packed, basically for when something smaller than that turns up.

Budgeting for the 12-Day Trek

So, your costs for that 12-day Manaslu Circuit walk will fluctuate a bit depending on just how comfortably that you want to travel as well as on the company you use. A fair portion of the trek’s costs could consist of payments for all the mandatory permits I already noted and hiring out a certified guide. Tour packages that give a fixed rate for transportation, rooms, foods, guides, plus permits might start from $1000 all the way up to $2000 for one person, that all is dependant on everything offered as part of the trip.

More To Budget For

Besides that fixed costs there actually will still be other things to consider! Just so you know. You might want to budget extra tips for all guides and porters. As you go it actually may be nice to get those little treats, chocolate bars or something like that! At some teahouses, paying additional to be given that electrical recharge time, and/or get connected, might just turn out to be expected. Bringing enough set aside just to cover unexpected outlays and getting yourself into a position where you might buy a trinket may actually ensure your getting by financially will have less associated troubles.

The Best Time to Trek Manaslu

The climate conditions in Manaslu will certainly change what walking that path turns out to be like. Usually, that means when conditions tend to be drier and more visible, the months of springtime (basically March–May) and then those autumn months (late September–November) might make just about perfect trekking opportunities. In those times the route is at its very greatest. This doesn’t imply winter months is totally excluded from trekking but that means extra preparation as well as flexibility.

Staying Clear of the Monsoon Season

During those monsoon times in Nepal, or those months that are hot and wet in summer (from approximately June all the way to the start of September), trekking across Manaslu really might not make much sense, due the really high risks involved due flooding from heavy downpours and due the presence of bugs. Furthermore the constant cloudiness reduces that experience which that landscape should always impart upon an hiker. This just highlights that climate, particularly heavy conditions needs thought ahead trekking is attempted on a given itinerary, mainly by a tour leader!

Final Thoughts: Is the 12-Day Manaslu Circuit Trek for You?

Right then, after all of this are you trying to determine whether to travel that 12-day trek about Manaslu. I find you could certainly summarise: In what has just recently become well followed that trip continues, and is now a nice substitute should one seek out some culture, amazing panorama which, that it manages avoid overblown amount pedestrian road traffic over other pathways, it could perhaps give any wanderer a bit an issue! As with almost trip it’s better than a standard walk because the hiker have to show stamina physically particularly on Larkya La. Having knowledge of height, great arrangements, in addition decent arranging might all assist one to possess some of those adventures without having the common problems

So, should I actually take part during such an adventure as has come available, the fact that most gorgeous path calls, especially those folks prepared or able handle it.

Key Points:

Isolation Manaslu has isolation, amazing cultural panorama, along tough routes .
Time Required. Plan 12 day. Increase more often for altitude, down time, which may enrich walk .
Difficulty Challenging because high elevations, requiring health standards of cardio. Understand possible height issues.
Tea houses are often reliable sources on route food, stay and may supply wifi .
Permits Needed For all itineraries! Employ the company with tour, plus advisor help you get documentation. .

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