Manaslu Circuit Trek in September, October & November
Hiking has always been a famous tourist activity in Nepal. The sheer variety of trekking options in Nepal can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed. Choosing a good trekking option is one of the most important decision you can make before you plan your trip.
Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal is one such option. While it is not as popular as Everest Circuit Trek and Annapurna Circuit trek, it still welcomes thousands of tourists annually. The remoteness of this trek and the untouched natural beauty and tradition is the focal point of this trek. Trekking through this remote trek will certainly give you the experience of a lifetime.
Even after choosing the perfect trekking options for yourself there are still few things to consider before you start your trek. The weather and the season at hand plays a vital role in what you may experience in the trek. Each season brings a different change in the region and you can prepare accordingly.
The Autumn season falls in the month of September, October, and November. Manaslu Circuit Trek in the September, October & November month is generally said to be the best month to trek. The Autumn season in the Manaslu circuit brings a clear and bright sky with mild temperature. This makes it a perfect season to trek and enjoy the view of the mountains. So it is also a peak season in Manaslu Circuit trek.
Highlights of Manaslu Circuit Trek in September, October & November
- You will explore the less known and hidden valleys of the Manaslu region.
- Explore the untouched natural beauty of the remote areas of Manaslu Circuit.
- Far less crowd than the other classic treks.
- One of the most adventurous and challenging treks in Nepal.
- This trek will take you to the Tibetan border on the northern side of the Manaslu region.
- The trek introduces you to the antique monasteries, chortens, and gompas in the region.
- You can visit the 8th highest mountain in the world Mount Manaslu at 8,163 m. And other peaks such as Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Ganesh Himal, and Larkey Peak.
- You can experience the lifestyle and tradition of the Tibetan Buddhist culture.
- Explore Tsum valley (as a side trip which is optional)
Manaslu Circuit Trek in September
The month of September falls between the off-season monsoon rain of summer and the best season of Autumn. It is the starting month of the Autumn season.
Depending on the time of the month, you can get different experiences as you trek through this region. The early month of September may experience mild rainfall from the soon to be gone Monsoon clouds. These rainfalls may usually occur in late afternoon or evening.
But by mid-September, these rainfall stops and the temperature starts becoming mild. This causes the weather to be more stable and the trails start to dry up. The sky also clears and gives you the perfect view of the snow-peak mountains. Tho the temperature can change as you elevate higher.
Manaslu Circuit Trek in October
The month of October is the best time in the Autumn season to visit the Manaslu Circuit trek. The weather is mild and stable and the sky is clear. This means that it is neither too cold or too hot for trekking. The clear sky gives a great view of the snow cap mountains.
October is the busiest month of the Autumn season and is highly recommendable. This means the Manaslu Circuit Trek will be brimming with tourists and adventurers alike. Because of this, it is a good idea to pre-book your transportation and accommodations.
Manaslu Circuit Trek in November
The month of November signifies the end of Autumn season. Even tho it is still a perfect time for a trekking season it starts to become colder and drier. It is the driest month of the Autumn season. The temperature starts to fall below the freezing point at the higher altitudes.
Autumn season also hosts the annual Manaslu Trail Race/Marathon. You can avoid it if you want. But if you want to participate then you can check yourself ahead and experience this fantastic event.
Weather of Manaslu Circuit Trek in September, October & November
The September, October & November months are arguably the best time for Manaslu Circuit Trek. The Autumn season falls in the month of September, October, and November. It is neither too hot or too cold, the sky is blue and views of the snow mountains are perfectly clear.
The monsoon rain of the summer season causes the dust to settle. It is also the ideal time to climb Larke Peak. On the downside, this ideal window of time attracts others too. The trails will be full of people than in any other season. And the price of the restricted permits also goes up in the season.
Even in Autumn, there are still different ideal conditions for going trekking. The month of September, October, and November each bring their own uniqueness. Depending on the month of your trekking you can experience different weather even in the Autumn season.
What are the Pros and Cons during Autumn?
Month | Pros | Cons |
September | ♦ Experience two season at the same month (Monsoon on early September and Autumn in mid-September) ♦Fewer crowds | ♦Rainy season makes the trail slippery and dangerous ♦Bit humid as the Monsoon season comes to an end |
October | ♦Ideal temperature for trekking in Autumn ♦Clear sky and amazing scenery | ♦Peak crowd season ♦Pre-booking is needed for good transportation and accommodation |
November | ♦Clear skies with perfect view ♦Temperature starts to cool which is perfect for hiking. | ♦Temperature starts to drops and it starts to become colder ♦Large number of crowd in early to mid November. |
Gear and Equipment for Manaslu Circuit Trek in Autumn
Autumn season is mild and dry in the Manaslu circuit trek. The weather is fantastic and the temperature becomes neither hot or cold. But even then the temperature can vary as you climb towards higher altitude. Even in the Autumn season, there is a chance of rainfall in the early September and the temperature starts to drop in November.
As such it is important to bring the right gears and equipment for the season.
Clothings:
- Insulated Jacket
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Thermal Tops
- Trekking shirts
- Trekking trousers/pants/hiking shorts
- Breathable underwear
- Rain Gear
Head and Hand gears:
- Lightweight gloves(inner thermal gloves and outer windproof and waterproof gloves)
- Head Scarf or Bandana
- Sun Hat
- Warm woolen hat
- Buff/Balaclava or Neck Band
- UV rays protection sunglasse
Foot wears:
- Waterproof hiking socks
- Woolen socks
- Hiking boots
- Hiking Sandals
- Gaiters
Toiletries and Personal hygiene:
- Quick-drying towel
- Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
- Deodorants
- Nail clippers
- Face and body moisturizer
- Feminine hygiene products
- Small mirror
- Wet wipes (baby wipes)
- Tissue /toilet roll
- Anti-bacterial hand wash
Important Accessories:
- Trekking poles
- Sleeping bag
- Backpack
- First-aid kit
- Water purification liquid or tablet
- Waterproof pouch or ziplock bag
- Water Bottles
- Important Medication
Extras/Luxuries:
- Binoculars
- Novels
- Trail Map/Guide book
- Journal & Pen
- Pencils and small notebooks
Trekking Permit for Manaslu Circuit Trek in Autumn
Manaslu region is a restricted area of Nepal. These are to protect the natural beauty and the culture of the place. Tsum Valley is recently new trail which was only open in 2008.
You need special permits to enter in this restricted area apart from the usual trekking permit.
These permits are:
- Special Restricted Area Permit for Manaslu (Manaslu RAP)
- Manaslu Conservation Area Project Permit (MCAP Permit)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project permit (ACAP Permit)
- TSUM valley Restricted Area Permit ( if you want to do Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley
Perks of Manaslu Circuit Trek in Autumn
There is a reason why Autumn season is the best season for Manaslu Circuit Trek. These factors come into play when you trek through these trails.
Moderate Temperature:
Autumn season brings the perfect temperature for the hiking season. The Monsoon rain of the summer season ends and the temperature starts to balance itself out. The humidity in the air starts to decrease and it starts to become dry. While the temperature can decrease as you elevate higher it’s still bearable. Early September bring mild rainfall but this stops after mid September. October brings the perfect temperature while the cold starts to begin in November.
Scenery:
Mid-September brings the full beauty of Autumn season. The mild monsoon rain of early September starts to fade and the sky clears. This gives crystal clear views of the mountains. The paddies turn golden and oranges cover the trees. The late-November brings the harvest season.
Less dangerous:
Autumn is one of the safest seasons to trek in Manaslu Circuit Trek. It is ideal for novice to start out their trek as the trail gets much easier. There is no ever constant danger of landslides or avalanches. The rainfall is less frequent to none so the trails are also safe and not slippery. Snowfalls also become less frequent. This means the trails would not be impenetrable by the heavy snowfall. This also means there will be fewer leeches, bugs, and mosquitoes in the trails.
Festivals:
Autumn season also brings an array of festivals in Nepal. The main festival of Nepal falls in the autumn season. Dashain and Tihar bring a huge celebration among the Hindu people. You get to witness the tradition, culture, and customs of the Hindu people. You can also experience other festivals like Teej and Indra Jatra in the Autumn season.
Better accommodations:
As Autumn season is the peak season for trekking, the business of teahouse blooms in Nepal. Manaslu circuit is also one of the teahouse treks in Nepal. This means you can find an array of teahouse or lodging in these trekking paths. There is no fear of teahouse being out of service like in the winter season. But you do have to pre-book it according to your preference.
Drawbacks of Manaslu Circuit Trek in Autumn
Peak crowd season:
Autumn season is popular for trekking in Nepal. This goes same for Manaslu Circuit Trek too. Heavy crowd means you will have less solitude. This also means the trails will be busy and full of people. This may ruin the experience of some people as they cannot explore the remote natural beauty and tradition of Manaslu.
Increase in price:
Unlike during the off-season, prices are incredibly high during the Autumn season. Everything from the price of your tickets to your gears and even the trip itself costs more during its peak season. The hotels and meals are relatively costlier during the peak seasons.
Accommodations:
Manaslu Circuit Trek is a teahouse trek. This means there are many teahouses among the trails. But while there many teahouse available in the trails, during the Autumn season most of them are full. The peak season brings in thousands of people so it may be hard to find accommodation during this time. It is advisable to pre-book your accommodation during peak season like these before you start the trek.
Conclusion
Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the remote and underrated trekking trails of Nepal. Yet that doesn’t take away the experience you will have during this trek. The natural beauty and the unique tradition you can explore in this trek makes this one of the cheaper alternatives to more classic treks.
Autumn Season is the best season for trekking in Nepal. The mild temperature and the clear sky makes it perfect for trekking. But there are still many things to consider before starting a trek even among the best of the season. Self-research is also very much advisable.