Manaslu Trek 12 Days
Manaslu is one of the most beautiful trekking spots for trekkers after Annapurna and Everest Base Camp. Despite its lower popularity among foreigner trekkers compared to local trekkers, Manaslu Trekking for 12 days much-loved trekking trail in Nepal’s Himalayas.
Manaslu mountain is the eighth highest Mountain in the world. It lies in the Manaslu region in the western part of Nepal. It stands over 8000 meters tall at a height of 8163m. The trail to Manaslu gives you spectacular views of Mount Ganesh, Mount Annapurna, and Mount Dhaulagiri. The trial also follows the striking Budhi Gandaki river all the way from Arughat to its source just beneath the Larkya pass (5125m).
As you begin your trail, you will find mixed landscapes, green lush forest from low range to huge glaciers and the mighty Himalayas at high range. The Manaslu trek begins from Arughat/ Solti Khola of Gorkha district to Besisahar covering 177km.
Passing through beautiful villages such as Deng, Namrung, and Samagaon, this 12 days Manaslu Trek takes you to the highest altitude of 3690 meters in Samdo. You will spend a day acclimatizing in Samdo.
From Samdo, you will descend back to Dharamshala and Bimanthang before eventually trekking down to Dharapani. Then, you will drive from Dharapani to Kathmandu. This will mark the end of your trek.
Foreign trekkers started trekking to Manaslu only from in 1991. Before then, it was only open to Nepali trekkers. As a result, it has not yet achieved the heights in popularity as some other destinations like the Everest region or Annapurna region.
However, this has its own benefits. The trekking trails are fresh. The villages are not tainted by modernization. This means that most of the places, as well as people in this region, have preserved their ancient culture as well as natural beauty.
Highlights of the Manaslu Trek
- Great view of some of the highest Mountains of the world that is Mount Annapurna, Ganesh, and Dhaulagiri.
- Study the diversified culture and people of this area.
- Explore typical Tibetan and Gurung villages
- Observe different wild species of flower-like Rhododendron.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu to Soti Khola (710m/2328 ft)
Day 2: Soti Khola to Machha Khola (900m/2952ft)
Day 3: Machha Khola to Jagat Checkpoint (1340m/4395ft)
Day 4: Jagat to Deng (2095m/6871ft)
Day 5: Deng to Namrung (2900m/9512ft)
Day 6: Namrung to Samagaon (3500m/ 11480 ft)
Day 7: Acclimatization day at Samagaon
Day 8: Samagaon to Samdo (3690m/12103ft)
Day 9: Samdo to Dharamshala (4450m/14596ft)
Day 10: Dharamsala to Bimthang (3720m/12, 201 ft)
Day 11: Bimthang to Dharapani (1860m )
Day 12: Dharapani to Kathmandu (1400 m)
How fit do I need to be to trek the Manaslu Trek 12 days?
Trekking Manaslu circuit is enjoyable and can be remarkable. But there might be some sorts of difficulties while trekking. The route may be difficult and the weather may be challenging. However, besides those two you need to work on your physical health and must be mentally prepared to face the challenge.
You will cover close to 120 kilometers during the Manaslu 12 days trek. Until you reach Samdo, the trek is mostly uphill. This requires you to work on your fitness if you are looking to complete the 12 days Manaslu Trek.
If you are not fit, traveling to Manaslu may lead you to suffer from altitude sickness. Your body must be physically and internally healthy to be able to trek long distance and high altitude.
Aerobic and Cardio exercise like running, swimming, cycling may help you to get prepare for the trek. You can start doing this exercise before one month of a trek. If you have not prepared your body for the trek, then the journey may be hectic and tiring for you.
When to go Manaslu Trek?
There are four seasons in the Manaslu region. Autumn and Spring are the best time. All seasons has some sort of advantages and challenges, according to change in temperature and weather of the area. In some season you might face heavy rainfall, striking wind, and snow whereas in another season the weather gets clear and pleasant to trek. It is important to know about the seasons you’re willing to trek. So, you must know about a suitable time period to trek.
Spring season
Spring comes before summer and after winter. It lies between March, April, and May. Days are are a bit long and the temperature is warm. The average temperature in Samdo which lies in the altitude of 3860 meters is 6-degree Celsius.
Weather can sometimes surprise you with storm and wind at the higher altitude but also you there will be plenty of greenery in the countryside during the trek. You will also be alongside beautiful Mountains like Mount Ganesh, Annapurna, and Manaslu during this trek.
Autumn season
Another perfect season to trek Manaslu region is the Autumn which falls in the months of September, October, and November. Autumn season is not so hot nor too cold. The average temperature in Samdo(3860 meters) is 8-degree Celsius. During these months, you can experience the majestic view of the Himalayas and beautiful Rhododendron. Traveling during this period may also lead you to experience Nepal’s biggest festivals and the culture, tradition of the local area.
Summer season
During the summer season, the area and surface seem to be wet due to rain. Trekking seems to be challenging during this type of weather. The temperature above 4000m altitude is 10-degree Celsius. Trekking can be challenging due to a wet surface. Please bring appropriate trekking gear to accommodate for the slippery trails and wet weather.
Winter season
At Winter season, the climate is cold and dry. The temperature in Samdo (3860 meters) is -8-degree Celsius. It tends to get even low as-16-degree Celsius as you trek higher up. So you need to be extremely well prepared for the freezing temperature in the winter season. Sometimes, there is snowfall which might interrupt your trek.
Manaslu Trek 12 Days Difficulties
Elevation
One of the major problems you might have whenever you go out for a trek is the difficulty to acclimatize to the elevation. This is certainly true for the Manaslu Circuit Trek that takes you to an altitude of more than 5000 meters in Larkya La pass.
But the Manaslu 12 days trek will take you to a relatively low altitude of 3600 meters only. So the trek is not really difficult in terms of the elevation.
Weather
Due to the change in weather and climate, trekking to Manaslu and other high altitude ranges can be different sometimes. Lack of proper trekking gear will make it difficult for you to complete the trek. So, having proper trekking gears and equipment is a must.
Altitude Sickness
One of the main problems that arise during trekking high range and Himalayas are Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). People have different susceptibilities to altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can begin to appear at around 2000m above sea level. So, you must know about its symptoms and preventions to make your trek comfortable.
Some of the early symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, tiredness, and loss of appetite. There are two types of altitude sickness that trekkers go through. One is HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) and the other one is HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema).
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness
- Short of breath
- Severe cough
- tiredness
- Foam in saliva
- Blood observed saliva
- Lips, tongue, and nails might turn blue
- Unconsciousness in severe conditions
Preventive Measures
- Take rest unless symptoms are gone
- Don’t rush your trek.
- walking slowly
- taking regular breaks
- drinking plenty of water
- Medication like dexamethasone
- Oxygen supplies
- Visit the nearest medical center
Manaslu Trek 12 Days Packing List
Manaslu Trek 12 days leads you through six climatic zones. They are tropical and subtropical zone, the temperate zone, the sub-alpine zone, the alpine zone, and the arctic zone. You will experience heavy rainfall, freezing nights, blazing sun, and chill wind during your trek to Manaslu at different seasons.
You must pack proper clothing and equipment according to the season you choose to trek on. Here we have listed some of the important equipment that is must during the trek.are as follows:
- Breathable Underwear
- Base layer
- Trekking shirts
- Trekking Trouser and Shorts
- Fleece Jacket
- Insulated Jacket
- Hard Shell Jacket and Rain Gear
- Sun Protection Hat
- Beanie or Headband
- Buff, Balaclava Neckband
- Inner Gloves
- Outer Gloves
- Hiking Boots
- Trekking Shoes
- Hiking Socks
- Thermal Shocks
- Gaiters
- Duffel Bag
- Backpack
- Daypack
- Sleeping Bag
- Trekking Poles
- Sunglasses
- Hydration Bladder or Water Bottle
- Headlamps
Travel Insurance for 12 days Manaslu Trek
As you are trekking long distance and high altitude, you may face some problems during your journeys like altitude sickness, illness or accidents. So, travel insurance can make you feel secure and be useful during your trek.
There might an emergency scenario where trekkers are seriously injured due to remote areas. There is a lack of health facilities of a hospital in the Himalayas. In case you suffer some trekking related injury, you will have to charter a helicopter to Kathmandu.
Charting a helicopter may cost you around 4000$ to 4500$ USD. Travel insurance helps you to travel at an affordable price with discount. 30-day travel insurance that covers an evacuation of up to 6000 meters will cost only around US$ 200. Travel insurance also helps you to overcome some problems like theft.
Hiring a Local Guide for Manaslu Trek 12 Days
Manaslu has an open border with Tibet in the north. So, the Manaslu trekking route is a restricted permit area. You also need to follow certain rules set by the government of Nepal if you want to trek to the Manaslu region.
Hiring a local guide is a must for the Manaslu Trek. In addition, you can’t trek independently to Manaslu. Manaslu Trek requires you to have a group of at least 2 people.
As the trekking trails in some portions of the Manaslu Trek are quite tricky, the guides will come in handy. They will also help you to know about the culture, norms, and festivals of Manaslu area.
Cost of 12 Days Manaslu Trek
- Registered trekking Guide per Day Cost: US$ 25 including his meals, accommodations, equipment, salary, and insurance,
- Strong porter per day Cost: US$ 18 including his meals, accommodations, equipment, salary, and insurance.
- Manaslu special Trekking Permit: From Sept. to Nov: US$ 70 per week. And after 7 days per day per person US$ 10 (since these months have good and favorable weather condition for trekking, there would be a greater number of tourist)
- From Dec. to Aug: US$ 50 per week and after 7 days per day per person US$ 7 (since the weather there are not so favorable for trekking)
- TIMS card Permit US$ 10 per person,
- Annapurna conservation entrance Permit (ACAP): NPR 2260 per person.
- Manaslu Conservation entrance permit (MCAP): NPR 2260 per person.
Manaslu Trek 12 Days FAQ
1. Who is the 12 days Manaslu Trek for?
The 12 days Manaslu Trek is for everyone who is looking to experience the beauty of the Himalayas. Anyone who has missed out on other treks in Nepal or anyone who has already trekked to other regions in Nepal will find this 12-day Manaslu Trek a beautiful one.
2. When is the Manaslu Trail the busiest?
As with all the other trekking destinations in Nepal, the Manaslu Trek is the busiest in the months of the autumn season. October sees the highest number of trekkers to the Manaslu region. The second most popular season is spring.
3. How busy is the Manaslu Trail compared to treks in the Annapurna region?
Annapurna region sees more than 30,000 trekkers each year. The figure peaked to 65,000 in 1995. On the other hand, the Manaslu trail sees less than 1000 trekkers each year.
4. Can I customize the 12 days Manaslu Trek?
We love to help anyone who is looking to trek in Nepal. You can look at other treks in the Manaslu region like Manaslu Base Camp trek or Manaslu Circuit trek and let us know how we can customize your trip.
Conclusion
Manaslu is the best off-the-beaten-path trekking destination in Nepal. But there might be some difficulties while trekking like a change in weather, difficulty due to lack of proper trekking gear and health problems like altitude sickness. So, you must be fully prepared to make this 12 day Manaslu Trek comfortable and remarkable. Completing the Manaslu trek in 12 days is one of the most rewarding experience. The stunning landscape with the mighty Himalayas will make it more than worth the effort.