MANASLU CIRCUIT TREK

"The Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the best trekking routes recently. More and more tourists are interested in going to this region because of the less crowded and fewer trekkers."

Manaslu Circuit Trek usually requires 5-6 hours of walking every day and some days even up to 8-10 hours- such as in high passes. This combination includes 14th 8000m peaks & many panoramic views of Mountain. So, walking on a high altitude is physically challenging, to join the Manaslu Circuit and to complete it successfully, we must have lots of willpower, ability to tolerate harsh conditions and a very high level of fitness and good health. 

Manaslu Circuit Trek is regarded as an unspoiled trek with spectacular views of Mount Manaslu itself. The name Manaslu refers to "The Spirit-Mountain”. According to the local language, it refers to be the generous and strong deity that dwells within. This trek roughly circles the world’s eighth highest Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m) and has begun to be popular trekking trail for the travelers as other famous trekking trails like Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and so on.

Manaslu Larke (Larkye) La Pass (5,106 m) is a challenging and sheer pass and it is among the most chosen trekking destinations. Trekkers can get to learn some special dialects, as it is located near the border of Nepal and Tibet. The trails offer the perfect combination of rich cultural heritage and incomparable Himalayan beauty. Furthermore, the trail passes through the subtropical foothills of the Himalaya to the parched high Himalayan and to pastures bordering Tibet. Relatively very few trekkers take this trek that is why; the environment is tranquil and still pristine with a true natural flavor. So if you love nature and want to spend long and amazing trekking, this is definitely worth your time.

As Manaslu Circuit trek is quite different from other regions it is expected that this trekking trail will be one of the most popular trekking trails very soon. This trek is getting popular for its range of scenery, cultural variety, and it fledging lodges. Trekkers with enough time can include the Tsum valley area with fewer trekkers, it has remained intact and unchanged for centuries.

The best time for the Manaslu Circuit trek is from March to May and last week from mid-September to December. Whereas October is considered as the busiest season, during this time, the sky is blue and view of the snow Peak Mountains are flawless and the weather is neither excessively hot nor excessively frosty. In addition, if you are planning a trip during any other season you will encounter few trekkers. If you are planning a trek in winter, Larkya La Pass will be shut by snow, so you can’t go to  Manaslu Base Camp and the Tibetan Boarder.

Manaslu Circuit Trek starts from Arughat Bazaar and follows the impressive Budi Gandaki River north to the village of Deng. Although firstly it is quite wide, the river valley soon narrows and we find ourselves walking high above the river on spectacular paths. As we tend to walk northwards, the valley opens up again to reveal delightful alpine meadows and small Tibetan style villages; cluster below Manaslu's dramatic north face. We trek through these villages, with rows of prayer wheels and mani stones. Eventually, we reach Samagaon, the largest village in the region. From here we move towards the west across the Larkya La (5213m), a classic route linking the Budi Gandaki and the Marsyangdi. The descent takes us through the beautiful alpine meadows at Bimthang; before we join the main Annapurna Circuit route, back to the trailhead at Besisahar.

Regarded by many as Nepal’s best trek, the Manaslu circuit offers an Annapurna-like package of spectacular views, increasingly rugged scenery and a high pass crossing at Larkya-La(5100m) but without crowds and apple pies, However, this is no walk in the park. In many places the walls of the Budi Gandaki valley are perpendicular, so there is a huge amount of extra climbing as you hike up and down over ridges or across Cliffside shelves the trail is rough and steep and in a couple of places literally hangs on a bluff high above the river.

The trek is both culturally and geographically fascinating. The inhabitants of the upper Budi Gandaki, a region known as Nupri [the western mountains], are direct descendants of Tibetan immigrants who settled here in the early 1600s. In upper Nupri the speech, dress, and customs are almost exclusively Tibetan. Nupri actually pairs taxes to Tibet until about 1840 and there is still trade between Nupri and Tibet. The mountain views in Nupri are sensational and the Larkya la is one of the most dramatic pass crossings in the Himalaya.

Traditionally, most have attempted this trek from the village of Arughat, around 125km northwest of Kathmandu, but it was also possible to start from the village of Barpak, over the Rupina la [4720m], or directly from Gorkha via Barpak and Laprak. However, with the extensive damage caused by the 2015 earthquakes, change may be required to the standard itinerary – it is essential to seek up-to-date information if planning to trek this route.

Before the disaster, the trek was broken down into the following stages,  beginning at Arughat. However, the earthquake caused massive damage to the aright and the roads linking the village to Gorkha and the Prithvi Highway. The stages beyond Jagat are also reported to be badly damaged by landslides. Until reconstruction work is complete, it is not possible to say which overnight stops are still viable, and which sections are still trekked able via the original route.  Check the status of trials and accommodation for all stops before attempting to trek in this region. 

Highlights of Manaslu Circuit Trek

• Eight highest Peak in the world 8,163m from sea level.
• Spectacular views, increasingly rugged scenery and a high pass crossing at Larkya-La(5100m)
• The trekking begins from Arughat Bazaar and follows the impressive Budi Gandaki River north to the village of Deng.
• Trekkers take this trek that is why; the environment is tranquil and still pristine with a true natural flavor.
• Walking through the tropical green hills covered with pine trees and oak forest at the beginning of the trek.
• The unique culture blend of Tibetan and Nepalese people.