16 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the finest adventures in Nepal. The trek will take you to the base camp of Mt. Manaslu (8163m). Mt Manaslu is the eighth highest peak in the world. The Manaslu region lies in the Nepal- Tibet border.
Manaslu is a popular trekking trail in Nepal. The trek offers spectacular mountain views of some of the highest mountains in the world. It includes the breathtaking views of Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
The snow-covered Himalayas stretching beyond horizons are amazing. You will also see the beautiful mountain ranges of Himalchuli, Shringi, Ngadi Chuli, and Ganesh Himal during your 16 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek. The Budi Gandaki River originates from the Manaslu Himalayan ranges.
16 Days Manaslu trek takes you into less trodden and unspoiled mountain trails. The trek offers varieties of cultural and biological experiences. You will see high altitude glacial lakes.
The Manaslu circuit is a restricted trekking area. You must take necessary permissions for the trek before organizing the trek.
Related: Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek
Trip Highlights of 16 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek
- A cultural exploration of the diverse ethnic communities in the Manaslu region.
- The remarkable scenic range of biodiversity and nature.
- Breathtaking perspectives of Mt. Himalchuli, Ganesh Himal, Mt. Manaslu, Annapurna II, and Larkay Peak.
- A remarkable visit to Manaslu Base Camp itself.
- The Pungyen Monastery.
- Impressive views of mount Manaslu glacier and Dudh Kunda. ( a Lake)
- The Manaslu Conservation Area.
- Enjoyable journey around the legendary mountains near the Manaslu region.
When is the Best time for Manaslu Circuit Trek 16 Days?
Manaslu Trek is possible throughout the year. We organize Manaslu treks at any time of the year.
So what are the best times for Manaslu Trekking? It is during Autumn (September, October, November) and Spring (March, April, May) seasons. These are the times when the weather in the Manaslu region is fairly calm and stable. The temperatures are perfect and the atmosphere is clean.
Manaslu treks in Monsoon and Winter demands more preparations and proper trekking gears. These are difficult times for the Manaslu trekking.
Because of the frequent and heavy rainfalls, monsoon trails are wet and slippery. Also, there are risks of summer bugs including Leeches.
In winter, the region gets very cold. The heavy precipitations might obstruct the high altitude passes.
How Difficult is Manaslu Circuit Trekking?
16 Days Manaslu Circuit trekking is nearly 177 kilometers in total distance. Doing the trek can be difficult for those who are new to trekking. It can even be hard for those who have already done trekkings. Set up your mind, you will be covering approximately 15 to 20 kilometers in a day.
Walking into the most remote parts of Nepal is interesting. But it can be hard. On a trek for such a long duration (17 days) can be frustrating sometimes. If you do not have a good company, your trek difficulties might grow bigger. Trek in a group so that you’ll have a cheerful trek. Else, the long trek duration might bother you.
Trekking during off seasons: Winter and Monsoon is harder. The weather keeps on fluctuating and changing drastically during such times. Less stability in weather and temperature means more difficulties while trekking.
The risk of altitude sickness is always there on high altitudes. The 16 Days Manaslu Trekking takes you to high altitudes, above 2500 meters. If the altitude gains are more frequent, you might get symptoms of altitude sickness.
Elevation and Altitude Profile for Manaslu Trekking
The highest point on the Manaslu Trek is at the Larkya La Pass at 5213 meters.
We start our trek from Kathmandu, 1300 meters. We will drive to Arughat, 570 meters, the lowest elevation on the trek. The trek will ascend towards different elevations. As we reach the highest point at Larkya La Pass, the elevation starts declining.
We will trek ascending elevations from Soti Khola (730m) – Machha Khola (930m) – Before Jagat (1370m) – Philim ( 1570m). At Deng, the gradually ascending elevation drops to 1540m. We again start gaining elevations as we trek to Ghap (2165m) – Lho (3180m) – Samagaon (3517m) – Samdo (3860) – Dharmasala (4450m), and finally to Larkya la Pass.
After crossing the Larkya La Pass, we will descend down to Tilje (2300m) – Chyamje (1390m) – Bulbule (840m) – and finally back to Kathmandu , Pokhara or can also start the Annapurna Circuit Trek continually.
Day 01: Land in Kathmandu (1,300m).
Day 02: Trek Preparation or Sightseeing as an option.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola (900m) via Sotikhola
Day 04: Machha Khola to Jagat (1410m)
Day 05: Jagat to Deng (1920m)
Day 06: Deng to Namrung (2700m)
Day 07: Namrung to Lho (3180m)
Day 08: Lho to Sama Gaun (3530m)
Day 09: Acclimatization day at Sama Gaun, hike to Manasulu Base Camp and return.
Day 10: Sama Gaon to Samdo (3780m)
Day 11: Samdo to Dharamsala (4480m)
Day 12: Dharmasala to Bhimthang (3700m) via Larkya La Pass (5213m)
Day 13: Bhimthang to Tilje (2300m)
Day 14: Tilje to Jagat or Syange (1100m)
Day 15: Drive back to Kathmandu
Day 16: Final Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Land in Kathmandu, 1300m
You will land at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on the very first day of 16 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek. Our staff will receive you at the airport. We will then transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu in a private vehicle.
Get some rest. You can walk around the city lights in Thamel in the evening. It is a famous tourist hub. There are lots of Cafes that organizes live music too. Overnight in Kathmandu on the first day of our Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary.
Day 02: Trek Preparation or Sightseeing Tour
Today, you will have a free day in Kathmandu. Do some trek preparations. If you need any trekking accessories, you can buy or rent them at one of the shops in Thamel.
You can also walk around Kathmandu for sightseeing. There are lots of tourist destinations in Kathmandu. Some of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola, 900m
On third day of our 16 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek, we will start our Manaslu circuit trek early in the morning after a nice breakfast. We will take a bus from Kathmandu. We will cover a total distance of 160 km via Prithvi Highway. We will reach Dhading Besi, Arughat to Soti Khola and finally Soti Khola to Machha Khola. It will take around 8 hours to reach Machha Khola from Kathmandu.
The bus ride is long but is scenic and comfortable. The ride from Arughat to Machha Khola is a dusty off-road ride.
On the way, we will see Arkhet Khola and terraced rice fields. At Soti Khola, the local houses are beautiful with roofs of dark slates.
Overnight in Machha Khola.
Day 04: Machha Khola to Jagat, 1410m, 6 hours
We start to trek by crossing the Machha Khola on a wooden bridge on the fifth day of Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary. The trail ascends uphill to Khola Bensi village. It is a small village.
We walk further to Tatopani. Tatopani is a place that sits on the narrow trail between the Budhi Gandaki River and a tremendous cliff. There are only 3-4 houses there. At Tatopani, there are natural hot water springs in the village square.
While trekking in the rainy season, there is a risk of landslides at this place. It sits right at the bottom of the huge cliff.
From Tatopani, we will walk for nearly an hour to Yuru. We start trekking on the steep trail. After some time, we will cross a suspension bridge. We will now follow the trail on the left bank of Bhote Koshi River.
The Manaslu trek is difficult. We will walk through the forests to reach Dovan. Dovan is a small village with basic lodging facilities. We will take a small break at Dovan. From Dovan, we will walk to reach Yaru. The walk is half an hours pleasant walk.
The view of Budhi Gandaki from Yaru Phat is amazing. We will see the river descending rapidly forming beautiful cascades. From Yuru, it is now time to walk to Jagat.
Yaru to Jagat is a 2 to 3 hours walk over a graveled trail. After reaching Lauri, we will again cross a suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, the trail ascends uphill for some time. Finally, we reach Jagat, the destination for today.
At Jagat, we will see slate-paved streets. There are an MCAP Office and an elementary school in Jagat. The village looks tidy. There are only 2-3 lodges in the upper village. In the lower part of the village, there is a campsite.
Show your trekking permit and MCAP tickets at the MCAP office.
Overnight in Jagat.
Day 05: Jagat to Deng, 1920m, 7 hours
Today is the sixth day of our 16 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek, we will have an easy day. The trail from Jagat descends to Salleri village. On walking for a short time, we will reach Paimo. We will continue walking up the river.
Continuing the Manaslu trek, we will reach Sirdibas. Sirdibas is a dense village. We will see nice stone houses and slate roofs there. Now, we will walk to Ghatte Khola where there are two water mills operated by water.
Leaving the Ghatte Khola behind, we will reach a police check post. We will have to show our permits there. Immediately after the police station is the longest suspension bridge during this trek. We cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb a steep uphill to Philim.
Philim is a central village. The village sits on the mountain slope. There are a secondary school and several lodges for accommodation at the base of the village. The village is beautiful and so are the terraced fields and sceneries around.
There is an MCAP office. Show your permits and begin walking to Chiso Pani. At Chiso pani, there are some houses and tea houses as well. We will follow the trail to Ekle Batti. We will see several tea houses and lodges at Ekle Batti.
Walking ahead from Ekle Batti, we start seeing Pine trees. We will also see the place where the gorge of Chhilung Khola joins the Budhi Gandaki. We will cross Budhi Gandaki over a truss bridge. We continue to trek on the west side of Budhi Gandaki river.
We continue along the main trail to reach Deng. We will see the Deng village on the sloppy mountain high above the trail. The village is beautiful!
Overnight in a lodge at Deng.
Day 06: Deng to Namrung, 2700m, 5 hours
On Seventh day of Manaslu Circuit Trek 16 Days, we will begin to trek after a nice breakfast in Deng. Following the trail, we will walk towards the north. We will walk through Ranagaon. Ranagaon is a lovely village with mesmerizing views of the Budhi Gandaki gorge.
A continuous 2 hours walk from Deng will get us to Bihi Phedi. From there, we can get a great view of the Budhi Gandaki valley. Not far from Bihi Phedi, there is Bihi. Bihi and Bihi Phedi are neighboring villages. We will spot both the villages, on the sloppy mountain uphill from the trail.
At Bihi Phedi, the trail branches: To Ghap or to Prok?
Prok, Obviously!
We will walk to the west and will cross the Budhi Gandaki River. After crossing the river, the trail climbs through the forested areas to Prok.
Prok is a small village with traditional houses and large fields. The village sits over a plateau above the Budhi Gandaki river.
From Prok, we will walk for about an hour to reach Ghap. We will see campsites and basic lodges there. From Ghap, we trek into a beautiful forest. We will follow the trail and will cross the Budhi Gandaki twice on wooden bridges. The gorges of Budhi Gandaki are amazing.
On walking further for almost two and a half hours from Ghap, we finally reach Namrung. In the village square, there is a lodge and a campsite.
Overnight in Namrung Village.
Day 07: Namrung to Lho, 3180m, 4-5 hours
From Namrung, we begin to trek to Lho on the eighth day of our 16 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek. The trail passes through a small plateau of Bhanzam. We will see large barley fields and stone houses. We will walk for around two hours before reaching the village of Lihi.
The Lihi village is beautiful. The astounding views of the surrounding areas are very impressive.
The houses in Lihi looks like American townhouses. They sit next to each other in a row. Some houses surround a common courtyard. In the village, there is a small Gompa too.
From Lihi, we start walking again. On the route, we will cross the Hinang Khola. On the other side of the river is the village of Sho. After walking for some time from there we will reach the village of Lho (Lhogaon).
At Lho, there is a large gompa on the slopes of a hill just above the village. The area above the Gompa gate is the best and the first viewpoint of Mount Manaslu. We will also see the Fishtail Himal. The sunrise and sunset vistas seen from here are marvelous!
There are many campsites and lodges in Lho. Overnight in Lho.
Day 08: Lho to Sama Gaun, 3530m, 5 hours
We will start after a warm breakfast at Lho on the ninth day of the Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary. The trail climbs steadily up through a forest towards Shyala. In Shyala, there are woods and stone houses. The vistas of snowy mountains from Shyala are alluring.
From Shyala, we walk through the sloppy trail towards Samagaon. Before reaching Samagaon, we will walk across a nice flat area with Yak pastures.
Samagaon is a lovely village. Here, all the houses neighbors each other in a row. The village sits on a small river bank. The houses have nice courtyards. There are fields on both sides of the village.
Samagaon is the closest village to Manaslu Base Camp.
Day 09: Acclimatization Day at Sama Gaun, Hike to Manaslu Base Camp and Return
At Sama Gaun, we will spend an acclimatization day. It is necessary to adapt gradually with thin air during treks in mountains. We will walk from Sama Gaun to Manaslu Base Camp for an acclimatization hike. Some trekkers hike to Pung Gyen Gompa also. Today is an amazing day.
Overnight in Sama Gaun.
Day 10: Sama Gaun to Samdo, 3690 meters, 3 hours
Today, we will walk from Sama Gaun to Samdo. Today, we will have a short and easy walk. We will gain an altitude of 355 meters.
We will take the uphill trail towards north on the upper part of Budhi Gandaki River. On the way, we will meet at the junction of Larke Khola and the river coming from Samdo Glacier. This is the point where the Budhi Gandaki originates.
On walking further, we will enter the Samdo village. Samdo is a small village that sits under the majestic Samdo peak. We will stay at a tea house in Samdo village.
Day 11: Samdo to Dharamsala, 4480m, 4 hours
Today is again a short day on the trek. Starting from Samdo, we will cross the Athahra Saya Khola. The trek route now passes along the Larke Khola. We will walk uphill to Larke pass. The highest point on the Larkya La Pass displays the most beautiful sceneries.
Finally, we will reach Dharamshala. The place is also called Larke Phedi. Dharamshala is a wide gradual mountain slope with the campsite. There is Larke Rest House that offers a great variety of food. We can enjoy the fancy touristic food in a remote high point.
Overnight in Dharmasala.
Day 12: Dharmasala to Bhimthang, 3700m via Larkya La Pass, 5213m, 8 hours
Today is a long and difficult day on our 16 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek as the trek involves crossing the pass. We must start early in the morning towards Larkya La pass.
The rugged trail from Dharmasala goes along a moraine. On walking, we will reach a beautiful turquoise lake. The reflection of the surrounding snowy peaks on the lake is magnificent. The lake is completely frozen in winter.
As we walk further, the trail becomes more tedious. The trail climbs over several hills. The rocky hills and the snowy ridges make a beautiful surrounding.
We keep on heading towards the Larke La pass. We will come across small shallow lakes before we reach the first part of Larke La Pass.
Larke La Pass includes a bunch of rocky moraines. From the western side of the pass, we will get a glimpse of admirable mountain scenery.
After the Larke Pass is a steep tiresome descend down through the rugged trail. The trail takes us towards the moraine of Salpu Danda glacier.
From the Salpu Danda glacier, we will walk along the moraine towards Bhimthang. We will walk parallel to Bhimthang glacier. Also, we will see the beautiful Pongkar Lake before arriving at Bhimthang.
The long descend finally takes us to Bhimthang. Bhimthang lies between Bhimthang glacier and the slopes of Larke Himal range. There are basic lodges in Bhimthang. The small grassy meadow and the surrounding vistas at Bhimthang are admirable.
Overnight in Bhimthang.
Day 13: Bhimthang to Tilje, 2300m, 5 hours
We will start trekking through the southern trail from Bhimtang. The trail is magical with colorful vegetation. Walking along the trail, we will cross the foot of the Bhimtang glacier.
The trail now climbs uphill through fantastic scenery. We will see the colorful prayer flags and awesome views of the mountains surrounding us. We will see the astounding vista of Manaslu range towards the southeast.
Another part of the trail takes us into a magical forest of firs. A small walk from there takes us to Yak Kharka. Now the trek is challenging as the trail goes into a dense forest and a series of landslides.
We continue the trail and will arrive at Soti Khola. From Soti Khola, we will continue towards the village of Gowa. Gowa is a beautiful village with the lovely Manaslu Hotel.
From Gowa, the trail passes through a beautiful forest that takes you to Tilije. Tilije is a lovely village with a welcoming atmosphere and few lodges. We will see agricultural fields and plantations there.
Overnight in Tilije.
Day 14: Tilje to Jagat or Syange, 1100m, 4-5 hours
We start at Tilche. After walking for around 2 hours, we will cross the Dudh Khola on a long suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, we will reach Thonche. Thonche is a place where the Manaslu trail officially ends.
We will cross another bridge over the Marsyangdi river to reach Dharapani. We will continue going down the Marsyangdi river trail till we reach Tal. This trail remains very busy during trekking seasons. We will see lots of tourists, locals and mule convoys.
The trail continues south along the Marsyangdi River. At Chyamche, the trail expands into a motorable dirt road. We will walk over the wide dirt road till we arrive at Jagat.
Jagat is a good stop with lots of accommodation options. We can stay there or continue on the dirt road to Syange.
Day 15: Drive Back to Kathmandu
Today is final day of our 16 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek. We will start early in the morning. We will take a jeep or a bus from Syange to Besisahar. A 2-3 hours jeep ride through beautiful scenery and we will reach Besi Sahar.
From Besisahar, we will take a bus or microbus to Kathmandu. It is a 6-7 hour ride from Besisahar to Kathmandu.
Finally, the trek ends. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 16: Final Departure to the Airport on this day or as per your itinerary
We hope to see you soon on the trek with us. If you have any queries or suggestions regarding our Manaslu Trekking Itinerary, please feel free to contact us.
Trip Cost US$ 1,185 Per person
Cost Includes:
- Two night deluxe hotel in Kathmandu on B/B, Before and After the trek.
- Airport pick-up and drop services.
- Local Bus Transport from Kathmandu -SotiKhola-Syange-Kathmandu.
- Tea house accommodations arrangement during the trek.
- Remote area trekking permit and all needed documents.
- Entry Permit for Annapurna and Manasalu Conservation Area.
- A Guide and necessary staffs.
- A Strong Porter among the two trekkers ( one porter sharing among two member ) including all his expenses including full insurance during the trek.
- All surface transportation to the starting point and from the ending point of the trek by bus.
- All meals three times a day as well as tea/coffee during the breakfast.
- Equipment like sleeping bag, down jacket if you do not have your own. To be return after the trek
- Necessary insurance for trekking staff.
- Trekking route map.
- First Aid kit box with basic medicine,including Oximeter and pulse meter checker.
- Emergency Rescue assistance arrangement, paid by your travel insurance.
Cost Excludes:
- Nature of personal expense
- Private Jeep if you need.
- Drinks
- All meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Activities in Kathmandu and Pokhara such as sightseeing tour.
- International airfare
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Satellite Phone.
Fixed Date for Manaslu trek departure
FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions
Trekking to a new place can always be nerve-wracking disregard of the number of times you might have done it. Every place has its own culture, non-verbal norms and values, government policies and so on.
Having even the basic knowledge about the place can boost your confidence and give you a positive anticipation of the experience you can gain from the place.
If you are looking forward to trek in Nepal, this article will indeed be of great use to refer to. Answered below, are some of the most frequently asked questions about trekking in Nepal.
Recommended Packing list for Manaslu trekking.
Clothing.
- quick drying long base layer shirts.
- trekking shirts short sleeve
- Thermal underwear – base layer.
- liner socks
- 3 pair woolen blend trekking socks.
- 2 pair trekking pants with zip off bottoms
- fleece sweaters – one lightweight, one heavier
- Sandels.
Outer layers.
- wind/rain proof overlayer- jacket and pants
- down jacket. ( -20 D.C )
- down vest
- warm winter hat
- lightweight thermal layer hat
- peak hat
- pair of gloves
- Pair trekking boots.
- Head lamp with extra batteries,
- sleeping bag heavy ( -20 D.C)
- watch with alarm
- Sun glasses ( UV protection )
- camera with, extra batteries.
- portable chargers.
First Aid
- Diamox – for altitude
- Advil
- Aleve
- Vicks vapor rub
- Sunscreen
- chapstick
- anti nauseant – you tend to feel just a bit nauseaus a lot at altitude.
- immodium – diarrhea is common at altitued.
- bandaids
- blister bandaids or moleskin
- eye drops
- advil cold and dinus
- nasal moisturizer – altitude causes nasal cavities to be very dry, nasal moisturizer was very helpful.
- Q-tips
- tweezers
- tiger balm.
Toiletries
- Foot powder (for Deb’s stinky feet)
- Toilet paper
- shampoo
- soap
- micro fibre towel
- Gold Bond – this just feels good all the time
1. Is trekking difficult?
The difficulty level of the trek entirely depends upon the trek you chose.
If you happen to be trekking for the first time, or your physical condition does not permit you to (because of age or other medical conditions) you can always look for easy treks.
Easy treks have shorter number of days, less distance to be walked in a day, and relatively lower altitudes. You do not have to have prior experience or knowledge to trek to these places.
If you are adventurer and are looking for some thrill, you have plenty of options to choose from. Difficult treks have longer number of days. You will have to walk for 5-7hrs a day on an average and these treks are mostly situated in high altitudes. These treks also demand a good level of physical fitness.
Unlike other product, trekking is not about more for better. The difficulty level has got nothing to do with the experience you can gain from a trek.
Go for what you want to and what your physical ability will allow you to. Do not push yourself too hard. Trekking is not a competition. Its relaxation.
2. Is trekking expensive?
This entirely depends upon how much you are willing to spend on your trek. You can trek luxuriously by spending lavishly or you can backpack. It all depends upon how much your bank balance allows you to.
You will get accommodation for as less as 3-4$ per night, or you can pay up to 60-1004 per night for luxury resorts. On an average, you will need not more than 10$ for a meal. If you are looking for economical places, you can eat 3 meals for 10$! But eating at such places come at a great cost of low hygiene rate.
Bottom line: Nepal is not an expensive place when it comes to tourism. It is probably one of the places you can have the most economical luxury trek comparing to what a luxury trek would otherwise cost in your country!
3. What preparations should I make before trekking?
It is always a good idea to involve yourself in doing physical exercises before trekking. Not that you have to be all athletic and muscular to trek. An average level of physical fitness will make the journey less stressful.
Ending up with sore muscles, blisters, joint pain, and back pain can be very discomforting while trekking. This is unlikely to happen if you exercise beforehand.
Start exercising at least a month before the trek. You can do cardio exercises like running, jogging, long walks, cycling and swimming. Carry a light backpack along with you to get used to it. Gym work out can be a good option too. Just don’t over-do it.
If you are going on an easy trek, you need not be very physically fit. But prior exercising is still a good option. You will only make your journey more comfortable.
4. What are the things I need to pack?
There are a long list of things you will need for trekking. The things you carry can affect the entire experience of your journey. So make sure that while purchasing any gear, make no compromisation on the quality or the brand of the equipment.
To know about the things you require, refer to the following link-
5. Do I need special permission to trek?
You will not need trekking permits in any of the treks in the Everest region, the Annapurna region and also in the Langtang region. But you will have to pay entry fees while entering a conservation area or a national park.
Trekking permits are a must for trekking in the restricted regions. The permits are available for purchase in the department of immigration located in Dillibazaar, Kathmandu. For further information, refer to-
http://www.taan.org.np/pages/trekking-permit-fees
6. Is drinking water easily available?
Availability of drinking water is not the problem. The problem is the cost of it at higher altitude. As you gain height, the price of water rises up to 2-3$ per liter.
An alternative way of getting drinking water is by having your water bottles filled in tea houses. Tea houses will provide you boiled water for about 0.4-0.7$ per liter. They are completely safe for drinking.
Therefore, do not forget to take at least two water bottles with you.
7. What kind of food is available during trekking?
Food is not of any concern while trekking. You will get all kinds of cuisines. For breakfast, tea houses will provide you with eggs cooked in your preferred style along with pan cakes, bread butter, roti, and so on.
Various other dishes like pizza, pasta, momo, chowmein and many more are also available. The most preferred dish is Dal Bhaat. It is a typical Nepali meal. Rice is served with vegetable curry, lentils, tomato chutney and meat curry. The best part- an extra helping will no cost you extra! The meal is highly nutritional. It will also keep you fueled for long walks.
8. What kind of accommodation should I expect?
Accommodation depends upon the type of trekking you are going for. There are two types of trekking
1. Tea house trekking:
You will be spending your night in tea houses. Tea houses are local lodges and hotels. They are small and comfortable enough. Most rooms are shared with two small cots that have mattress, pillows and sheets. If you need spare blankets, you can always ask for it. The rooms have attached bathroom, western flush designed and shower. You will have to pay for hot shower and electricity.
Dormitories are also available and a very low cost of about 3-4$ per night. These come with common toilets and bathrooms.
The cleanliness of the rooms may not live up to your expectations. Bring your own pillow if possible. Conjunctivitis is a common case you might fall sick of.
2. Camp treks
In this type, you will spend your nights in tented camps. Such treks mostly lie in the restricted regions. These regions do not have enough facilities to accommodate many people.
9. What are the risks associated with trekking?
Trekking is an extreme sport and does come with a lot of risks. Some unavoidable risks are avalanche, heavy rainfall, earthquake, landslide and other such natural calamities.
You might fall and injure yourself or catch some viral flue. The deadliest risk of trekking is AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness. This sickness occurs when a great altitude is gained and the body fails to adjust to the changing pressures associated with it. Anyone can fall a victim of the sickness and if not treated in time, it can be fatal.
10. How to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)?
There is absolutely nothing you can do to prepare your body for altitude sickness. But yo can take few precautionary measures to avoid it. They are-
- Attain height gradually and slowly
- As you cross over 2000meters, reduce your number of walking hours and walk slow
- Drink plenty of water
- Take ample rest. Take more rest if you feel like your body is asking for it
- Eat high caloric food
- Avoid smoking or drinking
11. How to diagnose AMS?
In order to detect AMS, you need to be aware of the symptoms of them. They are-
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Upset stomach
- Feeling unsteady
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Difficulty sleeping
If you notice any of the symptoms, take immediate precautionary measures such as:
- Do not climb any higher for the next 48 hours
- Descend to a lower altitude if possible
- Take complete rest until you feel well
- Do not exercise
- Do not smoke
- Drink plenty of water
- Take external oxygen supply if necessary
- Take anti-sickness medicines
If you see no further improvement in your heath within the next 48 hours, you will have to be deported to Kathmandu in a helicopter. Therefore, do not forget to issue and insurance that will cover you helicopter reuse cost.
12. Do I need a guide/porter to trek?
There is no such hard and fast rule that you must have one. But it is highly advisable to travel with them. Some of the treks cannot be trekked without a guide most of them are the restricted ones.
A guide is someone who will help you with navigations. He will also have a better idea about the places to live in and eat at can negotiated prices for you. They will also help you during medical emergencies.
A porter is someone who will carry your load for you so that you can enjoy long walks.
In case you hire them, you are entirely responsible for providing them with trekking gears, food and accommodation and other medical facilities.
Guide/porter as also available these days. These are people who play the role of both a guide and a porter. Hiring them will save you from bearing an additional cost.
13. Can I trek solo?
To some places, yes. But trekking solo in the restricted area is completely forbidden. You will have to trek in a group.
A lot of people trek solo in Nepal and have thoroughly enjoyed. Trekking solo has its own benefits. You will not have to adjust your schedule according to anyone. You can also follow your own route as you wish to. Also, finding your way, especially in the non-restricted regions, is very easy. The routes are well marked and pretty straight.
Nepal is completely safe for solo trekkers. But you will also have to be a little more careful while travelling alone.
14. What is the difference between trekking independently and trekking with an agency?
Trekking independently means trekking without an agency. You can hire a guide or a porter if you want to. You may also have a trekking partner. But the entire journey depends upon the way you want to take it.
In treks organized by agencies, they will have a well-planned schedule designed for you which you will have to strictly follow. Most of the times, you will be travelling with a group. The agency will also provide you with a guide and a porter. Trekking with an agency will be a little more expensive than trekking independently or solo.
15. Which is the best season to trek in Nepal?
Every season as its own charm. However, the best seasons are spring lasting from April to May and autumn lasting from September to November.
In these two season, Nepal sees the maximum number of tourists who come to trek. These are the busiest months of the year. The weather is highly pleasant and favorable for long walks. The trails are blossoming with fresh leaves and flowers. The clear skies allow you to get a great view of the magnificent Himalayas.
Conclusion
The above information covers up almost everything you need to know about trekking. If you happen to have any queries, please feel free to leave a comment below or inbox us at [email protected]
