The Manaslu Trek is an offbeat trail with a blend of adventure, landscape, culture, and wildlife. Although not as popular as the classic treks like Everest or Annapurna, this trek is equally thrilling and memorable.
The trekking route takes you to the lap of the world’s eighth highest mountain Manaslu through calm, clean, and diverse landscapes. The views of Manaslu, Annapurna, Himalchuli, Ganesh, and Larke mountains are breathtakingly beautiful from the top of Larkya La Pass at 5,135 meters.
The route goes through the Manaslu Conservation Area and the Annapurna Conservation Area amid the rich floral and wildlife diversity. If you’re super lucky, you may even spot rare animals including snow leopard, Himalayan Tahr, and musk deer. Get all the details you require for the Manaslu Trek from this ultimate guide to popular offbeat trail in Nepal.
#Highlights of the Manaslu Trek
● Remote and off the beaten track trekking route in the Himalayas
● Cross Larkya La Pass (5,135 meters), the highest point on the trek
● Trek through diverse land structures ranging from subtropical forests to the high Himalayan passes
● Explore the quaint and uninfluenced cultures and lifestyles of the Manaslu region
● Enjoy mesmerizing mountain views of Mt. Manaslu, Himalchuli, Ganesh Himal, Ngadi Chuli, and Larke Himal
● Chances to spot rare wildlife in the Manaslu Conservation Area
#Best time to discover Manaslu Trek
Spring and Autumn are the best seasons for the Manaslu Trek. Spring in Nepal is from March to May, and Autumn is from September to November. In these seasons, the weather conditions tend to be moderate with clear skies and high visibility.
In Spring, the temperature ranges from 24 degrees Celsius in the day to 16 degrees Celsius at night. In Autumn, the temperatures tend to range from 23 degrees Celsius in the day to 15 degrees Celsius at night.
Precipitation is also minimal in these seasons. You might see a few occasional showers in September, but the days will be mostly clear in Spring and Autumn.
Unlike other treks in Nepal, trekking in Manaslu region can be a little tricky. Some sections of the routes are prone to landslides. The Larkya La Pass is a challenging pass at an altitude of 5,160 meters. Usually, in winter, heavy snowfall cover this pass, making it an even tougher climb. Therefore the monsoon and winter seasons are not favorable for this trek.
Here’s a table with average temperature and rainfall details throughout the year for locations en-route to Manaslu Trek:
| Location | Elevation (meters) | Average Minimum Temperature (°C) | Average Maximum Temperature (°C) | Annual Rainfall (mm) |
| Kathmandu | 1,400 | 10.1 | 23.6 | 1505 |
| Jagat | 1,370 | 11.4 | 23.4 | 2056 |
| Samagaon | 3,525 | -0.8 | 12.0 | 386 |
| Besisahar | 760 | 13.6 | 25.3 | 3041 |
#Food and Accommodation
You can find teahouses and lodges throughout the Manaslu Trek with the exception of Dharmasala, where you might have to set up a tent for the night. These places offer basic bedrooms with twin beds, shared toilets, and three-course local meals.
You won’t find any luxury hotels in Manaslu. The services you receive are basic. Heating facilities are available only in the dining halls. Some of the teahouses might have hot showers but don’t expect it in all of them.
In the lower regions of Manaslu trek, the menu is quite extensive, but it lessens as you go up in altitude. Dal-Bhat is the primary choice for many trekkers for their meals.
#Manaslu Trek Costs
The Manaslu Trek costs around 1,000 to 1,200 USD. This cost covers all the necessary trekking essentials for the Manaslu Trek – like food, accommodation, transportation, and the necessary permits. Accommodations typically cost 6 to 9 USD per night, and the meals around 5 USD per meal.
The Government of Nepal doesn’t allow any foreigner to go on this trek without a licensed guide, and the guide costs around 20 to 25 USD per day. A porter costs around 15 to 20 USD per day. This cost may vary depending upon your personal preferences.
#Manaslu Trek Difficulty
The Manaslu Trek is a challenging hike. When compared to the Classic Everest Base Camp Trek, this trek is quite strenuous. But wait, you might be thinking: I heard many people die on their way to Mount Everest. Doesn’t that mean the Everest Trek is tougher?
Not surprisingly, life-threatening events are related to Everest Expeditions, and not the Everest Base Camp Trek. The Everest Trek is an easier trek compared to the Manaslu Trek. If you train your body adequately for a few weeks, you can accomplish this feat comfortably.
For that, you can go on a few short hikes. There are several benefits of hiking like stamina building, strengthening your physical and mental state, and more. These help to give you uphill and downhill walking experiences.
At a maximum elevation of 5,135 meters, the Larkya La Pass is the greatest difficulty in this trek. You need to approach high altitudes like these with great caution. The length of the trek might also be a threat to many. This trek covers around 177 kilometers of walking distance. On an 18-days itinerary of Manaslu Trek, you will be walking around 15-20 km per day for 10-12 days.
Weather conditions are unpredictable and harsh at high altitudes. The days are usually warm but the nights may see temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius. In winter, there might be unexpected snowfalls blocking the routes.
#Permits Required for the Manaslu Trek
For the Manaslu Trek, a foreign trekker requires three permits. Here’s a table for the permits and their respective costs.
| Required Permits | For SAARC Countries (USD) | For International Countries (USD) |
| Restricted Area Permit (Manaslu RAP) | Sept-Nov: $70 per week with an additional fee of $10 each day after 7 days.
Dec-Aug: $50 per week with an additional $7 each day beyond 7 days. |
Sept-Nov: $70 per week with an additional fee of $10 each day after 7 days.
Dec-Aug: $50 per week with an additional $7 each day beyond 7 days. |
| MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Project) | $30 | $10 |
| ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project)
|
$30 | $10 |
#Manaslu Trek Packing List
Here’s a list of all the packing essentials for the Manaslu Trek.
Headwear
- Sun hat or caps
- Beanie
- Neck Gaiter
- UV Protection Sunglasses
- Headlamp
Clothing
- 5-7 Trekking T-shirts (both half and full)
- 2-3 Trekking Trousers
- Merino wool base layers
- Fleece Jacket
- Warm down jacket
- Waterproof shell jacket
- Breathable underwear
Handwear
- Inner gloves
- Outer gloves
Footwear
- Hiking of boots
- Trainers/Sandals
- 4-6 Hiking Socks
- A pair of Thermal Socks
Important Accessories
- Four-season sleeping bag
- Trekking poles
- Water bottle and purification tablets
- Hand sanitizers
- Sunscreen/ Lip Balm
- Trekking towel
- First aid box
- Toiletries
Other Accessories
- Camera
- Portable Charges
Note that you can customize all the items mentioned in this list according to your needs and preferences.
#Conclusion
The Manaslu region devoid of pollution and the influence of modern cultures and lifestyles. A clear night sky offers photographers with the best views of the Milkyway galaxy. The hike takes you to one of the most popular off the beaten trail in Nepal, with the route passing through high Himalayan passes, isolated valleys, serene lakes, dense forests, and ancient monasteries. Now, grab your trekking poles, pack your backpacks, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.
