If you want to slightly veer off from the mainstream trekking routes, that attracts thousands of enthusiast every year, to some scenic-isolated routes that explore the beauty of the Himalayas from different prospects. Following the Manaslu Trek Map to the ultimate off-the-beaten-path might be the best choice you can make, even despite its popularity among other popular trekking routes in Nepal, this exhilarating trail that explores the remote part of the Manaslu region circling the eight-highest peak in the world, Mt. Manalsu (8,163 meters), still is in touch with its roots.
The lesser crowded routes and teahouses moving across the diverse terrain without any domestic flights, traditional-trekking style and affordability makes it a wonderful package that you should definitely include in your Himalayan conquest checklist. Even though the Manaslu Circuit Trek explores the wild and remote areas of the region, you can enjoy the facilities of teahouses at every stage, which makes this expedition an easily accessible and economical experience.
Manaslu Trek Map- Trekking Routes
Nepal Eco Adventures offers two of the best exhilarating Manaslu Circuit Trekking package that explores the remote unprecedented beauty at the foothills of the eight-tallest mountain in the world.
1. Manaslu Circuit Trek- 15 Days
The 15-Days Manaslu Circuit Trek is a classic trekking package that explored the virgin remote territories of the Manaslu region covering all the major highlights of the expedition. Your journey will start after your arrival at Kathmandu, you will be received at the airport and taken to your respective hotels. After, getting enough rest, you can also use this day to stroll around the bustling city of Kathmandu.
The second day of this package will explore the popular highlights of the Kathmandu Valley including the 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, your real adventure in the Manaslu region will begin only on the third day, this expedition follows the traditional Manaslu Trek Map and you will commence your adventure with a scenic drive to Maccha Khola from Kathmandu. Starting your trekking expedition for Machha Khola you will head towards Jagat following the trails of Machha Khola, Tatopani, and Budhi Gandaki River.
Then your Manaslu Trek Map will follow the scenic routes toward Deng following the religious trails and Gurung civilization along the way. Along the route after exploring the Tibetan village of Namrung also known as the gateway of Upper Nupri, you will head toward Lho. Following the path to the Samagaun, you will enjoy your acclimatization and exploration day at the village known for the large beautiful Buddhist monastery, Ribung Monastery.
In the latter part of this adventure, you will trek from Samdo to Dharmsala, then you will trek down to Bimtang crossing the Larkya Pass (5,106 meters), the highest elevation point of this adventure. Descending further, you will trek down to Dharapani; concluding your adventure of the Manaslu region here you will drive back to Kathmandu via private jeep.
Manaslu Circuit Trek- 15 Days Itineraries
Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu(1,400 meters) and hotel transfer
Day 2: Sightseeing day in Kathmandu Valley
Day 3: Drive to Machha Khola (870 meters) from Kathmandu via a private Jeep
Day 4: Trekking from Machha Khola to Jagat (1,340 meters)
Day 5: Jagat to Deng (1,860 meters) trek
Day 6: Trek to Namrung (2,630 meters) from Deng
Day 7: Uphill ascend from Namrung to Lho (3,180 meters)
Day 8: Trekking from Lho to Samagaun (3,500 meters)
Day 9: Acclimatization and exploration day at Samagaon
Day 10: Trekking to Samdo (3,860 meters) from Samagaon
Day 11: Samdo to Dharamsala (4,480 meters) trek
Day 12: Trekking from Dharamsala to Bimthang (3,720 meters)
Day 13: Downhill descend to Dharapani (1,860 meters) from Bintang
Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu (1,400 meters) from Dharapani
Day 15: Departure day, drop-off at the airport as per the flight schedules
2. Manaslu Circuit Trek- 12 Days
The 12-Day trekking adventure in the Manaslu region also follows the same traditional Manaslu Trek Map. The only difference you will find comparing this 12-Days Manaslu Circuit Trek with a classical 15-day adventure is that the exploration day of Kathmandu including airport receiving and drop-off are exemptions here. This is an ideal choice for those who are on limited time or for adventurers who want to add another Himalayan trophy to their conquest list.
Like the classical route, this 12-day adventure also follows the route to Machha Khola from Kathmandu and uphill ascend to the Jagat. Similarly, you will follow the route of Deng heading toward Namrung. Then you will follow the uphill ascend of Lho moving towards Samagaun, your acclimation day destination. Your adventure will then head towards Samdo advancing towards Dharamsala, there after concluding your expedition you will follow a downward descent to Bimtang passing Larke Pass. During the last stretch, you will bid farewell to the Himalayas and drive back to Kathmandu in a private Jeep from Kathmandu.
Manaslu Circuit Trek- 12 Days Itineraries
Day 1: Kathmandu to Machha Khola (870 meters) drive via Jeep
Day 2: Trekking to Jagat (1,340 meters)
Day 3: Ascending to Deng (1,860 meters) from Jagat
Day 4: Deng to Namrung trekking (2,630 meters)
Day 5: Trekking to Lho (3,180 meters) from Namrung
Day 6: Trek to Samagaon (3,500 meters) from Lho
Day 7: Acclimatizing day in Samagaon
Day 8: Samagaon to Samdo (3,860 meters) trekking
Day 9: Trekking to Dharamsala (4,480 meters)
Day 10: Trek down to Bimtang (3,720 meters) crossing the Larke Pass (5,106 meters)
Day 11: Trekking from Bimtang to Dharapani (1,860 meters)
Day 12: Private Jeep drive back to Kathmandu (1,400 meters) from Dharapani
3. Manaslu-Tsum Valley Trek- 22 Days
Unlike the classic Manalsu adventure, this Manaslu Trek Map follows the route to Tsum Valley also known as the ‘Secret holy valley of Bliss’. Similar to the classical trek map, you will follow the route heading towards Machhakhola via private jeep and ascend up to the Jagat on the expedition day’s expedition away from Kathmandu. Then, instead of along the trails of Deng, in this Manalsu Trek map, you will head toward Lokpa following the route to Dumje, which will also conclude the exploration of the Ganesh Himal base Camp (3,691 meters).
Then you will move along towards the last village leading to Upper Tsum Valley, Nile- Chule. From there you will move along to Mu Gompa, the biggest monastery in the Tsum Valley and finally push for the Rachen Gompa, the highest elevation point of the Tsum Valley at 3,240 meters altitude from the sea level. After concluding your adventure of the Tsum Valley, you will descend down to Chumling and finally reach Deng, the route which mixes with the classical Manaslu trek. From here onwards, you follow the same itineraries as the classical Manaslu Circuit Trek and conclude the expedition to return to Kathmandu by Jeep on Day 21. Then concluding the 22-day Manaslu-Tsum Valley Trek, the next day you will be transferred to the airport as per your flight schedules.
Manaslu-Tsum Valley Trek- 22 Days Itineraries
Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu, pick-up from TIA, and hotel transfer
Day 2: Sightseeing day in Kathmandu, permit arrangement, and trek briefing
Day 3: Drive to Machha Khola (870 meters) from Kathmandu
Day 4: Trekking to Jagat (1,340 meters) from Machha Khola
Day 5: Uphill ascend from Jagat to Lokpa (2,240 meters)
Day 6: Lokpa to Dumje (2,460 meters) trekking
Day 7: Trekking to the Nile- Chule (3,361 meters) from Dumje
Day 8: Nickel-Chule to Mu Gompa (3,710 meters)
Day 9: Acclimatization and exploration day around Mu Gompa
Day 10: Trek to Rachen Gompa (3,240 meters) from Mu Gompa
Day 11: Trekking down to Chumling (2,385 meters) from Rachen Gompa
Day 12: Descend to Deng (1,860 meters) from Chumling
Day 13: Uphill ascend to Namrung (2,630 meters) from Deng
Day 14: Namrung to Lho (3,180 meters) trekking
Day 15: Trek from Lho to Samagaon (3,500 meters)
Day 16: Rest and exploration day at Samagaon
Day 17: Trekking to Samdo (3,860 meters) from Samagaon
Day 18:Trek to Dharamsala (4,480 meters) from Samdo
Day 19: Passing the Larke Pass (5,213 meters) and heading down to Bimtang (3,720 meters)
Day 20: Descend to Dharapani (1,860 meters) from Bimtang
Day 21: Driving back to Kathmandu (1,400 meters) from Dharapani via Jeep
Day 22: Expedition conclusion day and drop-off at the airport according to flight schedules
Manaslu Trek Map- Trekking Difficulty
Following the traditional Manaslu Trek Map, this expedition that explores the remote and wild prospects of the Himalayas has been graded at a ‘moderately difficult’ level. Although the adventure on the virgin landscapes of the Himalayas is certainly an exhilarating experience there are still a few things that the trekkers need to be prepared for. However, it is still possible for even beginners to complete this trekking adventure with the right amount of preparation. So, let’s explore what are the major difficulty factors of this remarkable adventure in the remote part of the Himalayas.
Altitude Sickness
This trekking expedition that circles the eight-tallest mountain in the world, extends to a significant height, the highest elevation jump point being Larke Pass at an altitude of 5,106 meters from sea level. As you can develop Acute Mountain Sickness above 2,500 meters altitude, you need to take the proper precautionary method to avoid this from happening. The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to enjoy slow-paced trekking and stay consistently hydrated throughout the trek. That’s why a trekking package with enough acclimatization days significantly reduces the chances of you suffering from altitude sickness.
In any case, stay on the lookout for the symptoms of altitude sickness like fatigue, headache, nausea, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Communicate with your guide ad expedition leader immediately if you start showing any kind of symptoms.
Trek Distance
The trek distance of this expedition is another major factor that contributes to the difficulty of the Manaslu Trek Map. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is approximately 177 km and even the most popular trekking route in Nepal, Everest Base Camp Trek just covers a distance of about 130 km, this remote exploration of the Himalayas can be daunting. Thus, in the general trekking package, you will be walking for about 10- 12 days and will cover the trekking distance of approximately 15- 20 km on average
Continuously trekking for about 6- 7 hours on average every day can be strenuous for those who are not well prepared, especially on the demanding and challenging terrains of the region. So, if you want to be part of this immersive exploration of the isolated section of the Himalayas you need to be prepared for the long nerve-wrecking long treks. Follow a proper training regime and build stamina- endurance, then you will be able to relish this beautiful high-Himalayan adventure without complaining about the difficulty level.
Other Restricted Region Treks:
Weather and Climate
The Manaslu weather can be very unpredictable in the high-altitude region, even the sunny days can be suddenly covered with dark rain clouds in a matter of hours. So, when it comes to trekking in high-altitude adventure, you have to always make sure what season would be best for the adventure. The weather factors can offer great challenges and at times even can be critical if you don’t follow proper precautionary methods.
Primary, the best seasons for trekking in Nepal are spring (March, April, and May) and autumn (September, October, and November). Temperatures are warm and stable during these seasons, and days are clear with stable weather. So, if you align your adventure to these peak seasons, it will certainly eliminate the weather difficulty factor from your expedition.
On the contrary, if you by any chance pick the off-seasons for this exploration like monsoon (June, Jul, and August) and winter(December, January, and February), the difficulty level of this remote exploration certainly elevates. The trails are muddy, slipper, and risky for high-altitude adventures during the monsoon, so you will need to prepare for adventure accordingly with the right set of equipment. The risks of sudden landslides, flight cancellations, and non-stop rainy days can make the expeditionary spirit dull during this season.
As for the winter, although it is extremely cold, the Manaslu circuit trekking is still doable. Inevitably the consistent snowfall, the minus-degree temperature at higher altitudes, and routes covered in snow will increase the difficulty factor making the route more strenuous; with the right gears, clothes, and preparation, this exploration of this isolated region can be still done, when it is at its peak form.
