Manaslu Circuit Trek - 16 Days

Passport & visa requirements

All visitors to Nepal (except Indian nationals) require an entry visa. Please make sure you have a visa to cover the entire length of your trip, including buffer days. A 30-day visa adequately covers the trip duration for most of our packages. Visa can be acquired at your local Nepalese Embassy or consulate or on arrival in Kathmandu. However, some Asian and African nationalities are required to obtain a visa in advance. It is better to obtain the visa prior to your arrival to avoid delays at the airport. The visa is valid for 6 months.

On-Arrival Visa Fee:

Multiple entry 15 Days – 30 USD

Multiple entry 30 Days – 50 USD

Multiple entry 90 Days – 125 USD

Note: It is advisable to carry some cash (in US$ or other major currencies) to pay for the visa fee. Traveler’s cheques are not accepted.

Click here to stay updated on any changes in rules and regulations.

Click here to download the online visa application.

Please make sure the validity of your passport is 6 months post your arrival in Nepal. We recommend that you keep with you a photocopy of your passport separate from the original to help you in case you lose your passport. Furthermore, it is mandatory to carry your passport on the trek with you as it is required for internal flights.

Permits required for the Manaslu Circuit trek

Access Nepal would obtain all required permits for trekking on your behalf. Also, the costs of permits are already included in your package cost. Therefore, no extra payment is required to obtain them. The following information has been compiled for your understanding.

To embark on a Manaslu Circuit trek, you need to secure multiple permits: Manaslu Conservation Area entry permit and Manaslu Restricted Area permit. For the Manaslu Circuit Trek, you would cross the Larke La pass and enter the Annapurna Conservation Area. Hence, Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit is also required.

Manaslu Conservation Area Entry Permit

The charge is NPR 3,000 for international trekkers and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. The charges are per person per entry.

The Manaslu Conservation Area is spread across an area of 1,663 sq. km. The altitude ranges from 600m at the river basins of Budhigandaki and Marshyangdi Rivers up to 8,163 m at the summit of Mt. Manaslu. It harbors about 33 species of mammals, 110 species of birds, 11 species of butterflies, 3 species of reptiles and approximately 2000 species of plants.

Manaslu Restricted Area permit

Gorkha Manaslu Area (All areas of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, Ward No. 1, 2, 3 & 4)

September to November: USD 100 per person per week and USD 15 per person per day exceeding 1 week

December to August: USD 75 per person per week and USD 10 per person per day exceeding 1 week

Gorkha Tsum Valley Area (All areas of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, Ward No 3, 6 & 7)

September to November: USD 40 per person per week and USD 7 per person per day exceeding 1 week

December to August: USD 30 per person per week and USD 7 per person per day exceeding 1 week

Accommodation on the Manaslu Circuit trek

Accommodation during the trek will be mountain lodges run by local entrepreneurs. The rooms on offer generally include two single beds (sometimes 1 single and 1 double-sized bed) with a mattress, warm blanket and pillow each, accommodating two (or three) persons. The rooms are reasonably decent and clean given the remoteness of the trekking regions. For your convenience, at most of the camps especially in the lower regions of Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit trails, an attached bath with a hot shower is offered. The rest of the camps have common bathrooms. At higher camps, although we would do our best to avail a separate room, you might have to manage in dormitory-styled rooms, in case separate rooms are not available, especially during busy seasons.

Food on the Manaslu Circuit trek

The package includes one course each of breakfast, lunch and dinner with a cup of tea/coffee. Most of the teahouses on the trail (with the exception of more remote ones) offer some variety of Nepali, Oriental and Western cuisine. Breakfast options include cereals (oat porridge, muesli, cornflakes, roasted barley or wheat flour), bread (toast, sandwiches), pancakes, eggs, and chapatti (Indian-styled wheat bread). As for lunch and dinner, dal-bhat (staple Nepali food comprising a set of steamed rice, vegetable curry and lentil soup), hashbrowns, mashed potatoes, noodles, dumplings, spaghetti, soup, and pizza among others. Breakfast and dinner would be served at the lodge/teahouse that we overnight in. We would stop for lunch at one of the teahouses in between the day’s trek. After dinner, some fruits will be provided.

Your guide can advise you on the best diet to maintain sound health and fitness level. If you have a special dietary requirement (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies, etc.), please communicate it to your guide so that necessary arrangements can be made. Additional orders would attract extra costs payable directly to the respective lodge.

It is worth noting that most of the places on the trek are deprived of electricity and they do not have proper refrigeration facilities. Therefore, it is recommended that you maintain a vegetarian diet during your trek as the meat available may not be fresh.

As transport of supplies to the mountain lodges and teahouses involve considerable manual labour and costs, trekkers are expected to be extra careful to keep wastage of food to a minimum.

Drinking Water on the Manaslu Circuit trek

While on trek, please drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration while on a trek can lead to fatigue and other unpleasant experiences that can take the fun out of trekking. Therefore, it is advisable to drink at least 3 to 4 litres of water a day, mostly during the daytime. Please carry a water bottle along and some water purification pills which can be bought at the shops in Thamel. You may refill your bottles at the lodge or at natural water sources. Please, only fill in places that your guide recommends as safe. Also, please make sure you purify it before drinking. If available, you can also buy bottled water at the lodges where you stay. Furthermore, please note that the cost of bottled water increases as you reach higher. It may cost from USD 1 to around USD 4 per 1-litre bottle.

How often to drink water?

Drink half a litre of water as you wake up on an empty stomach. You can have another half-litre within an hour of waking up. After you start trekking, have regular sips of water in brief intervals before you experience dryness in your mouth. Your water intake while trekking should be 1.5 to 2 litres. As and when you feel tired or out of breath, take a short break and hydrate. When you reach your campsite, have a litre of water in small breaks.

Nepalese Currency for personal (extra) expenses

It is advisable for you to carry extra cash for your personal expenses. As far as possible, please carry the cash in Nepalese rupees from Kathmandu itself, so that you get a fair exchange rate. The amount of money to carry with you depends on your personal spending habits. However, we suggest you carry cash in Nepalese rupees equivalent to USD 15 to 20 per person, per day.

Health and safety concerns while on the Manaslu Circuit trek

When it comes to offering a fulfilling trek or a safe one, we tip a little in favour of safety. As you ascend higher, chances are, you may be affected by altitude sickness (also, Acute Mountain Sickness). We strictly follow certain safety guidelines that ensure a gratifying, but more importantly, safe trek for our guests. Although the Manaslu Circuit trek itinerary itself has been designed to allow your body 1 day of rest and acclimatization in an appropriate interval and the average walking hours have been set at 5-7 hours a day (with the exception of 1 day while summiting the Larke La pass), we do take extra precautions to avert any health issues during and after the trek. Furthermore, our experienced trekking guides are also trained in ‘Mountain sickness and first aid’ and know how to prevent mountain sicknesses and also act in case of emergencies.

Pre-trek check-up

We urge you to get yourself medically examined before taking on the trekking challenge. Please make sure you are cleared by your doctor to make this trip, which involves flying, hiking and trekking. Importantly, if you are given a conditional clearance or have a special medical condition (asthma and others) or allergy that may be induced in specific conditions, be sure to let us know in full detail so that we can plan accordingly.

Physical fitness

Although the trek is not technically challenging, a prior experience of altitude hike/trek is preferred. A good level of mental and physical fitness needs to be developed and maintained. Thus, it is advisable to train your body at least two months prior to the trek with cardiovascular workouts. Practice hikes with a pack of weight roughly equivalent to your actual pack would be really helpful. While on the trek, do not let your determination wither and maintain a positive attitude at all times.

Altitude Sickness on the Manaslu Circuit Trek

The highest that we climb in the Manaslu Circuit trek is 5,106m (16,752ft) at Larke La pass. Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness can be triggered in high altitudes (generally higher than 2400m/7874ft) where there is less oxygen than in lower altitudes. It happens when you ascend much height in a short time before your body can adjust to the change. Symptoms which take anywhere between 6 hours to a few days to develop include severe, persistent headache, coughing, pressure in the chest, shortness of breath even while at rest, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite and others. The illness may cause a medical emergency, especially when the condition worsens to High altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) or High altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE).

AMS DO’s

• Stay hydrated. Drink frequently in small quantities before the onset of common symptoms of dehydration which include thirst, dry lips, nose or mouth, headache and fatigue.
• Make sure you eat well, ensuring at least a light meal (soup or others) when you lose your appetite which is a common occurrence in high-altitude regions.
• Follow your guide’s instructions and monitor your body’s responses to the cold and altitude.
• Acclimatize properly and take rest days when necessary.
• Stay clear of smoking and alcohol consumption at all costs.
• Avoid strenuous exercise.
• Take a first aid kit containing medication for altitude sickness and other common illnesses.

AMS DON’Ts

• Climbing up too high too quickly can be risky. Avoid walking at a hurried pace and do not ignore your rhythm of breathing. Slow and steady with calm breathing is the way to go.
• Avoid overcommitting yourself which might risk altitude sickness or injury.
• You may be tempted to wander away, especially without your guide knowing. Please avoid this.
• Do not skip your meals.

Electricity and Charging of your devices on the Manaslu Circuit trek

Some of the lodges (in more remote areas) are powered by solar panels and the energy supply is limited. You may be required to pay a minimum price (USD 1 to 3 per full charge) for charging your cell phones and other electronic devices which will be directly collected by the lodge owner.

Internet and mobile network connectivity on the Manaslu Circuit trek

Local mobile networks operators like Ncell and NTC offer limited coverage along the trek. There have been significant 3G and 4G mobile network extensions in the rural areas of Nepal. Thus, you can expect to find fair network coverage in/near settlements. Generally, villages and towns in lower altitudes offer workable internet and connection services. You can avail of a local sim for as low as NRs. 100 (less than 1 USD) with limited validity and internet data volume. On average NRs. 100 to 500 would take care of your internet usage for the duration of the trip.

Additional/Special gear for the Manaslu Circuit trek

A good quality sleeping bag and down jacket would be required to withstand the drop in temperature in the high altitude on the trek. A minimum rating of -15 C (5 F) would be advisable for the gears. Access Nepal offers the option of free borrowings of a decent quality sleeping bag and down jacket. These are rated up to -20 C (68 F). The gears are checked thoroughly for quality and cleaned after each usage. Please, let us know in advance once you have booked your trip with us to enable us to arrange one for you. Also, please remember to return them once you are back from your trek.

A pair of crampons may be necessary while on the Manaslu Circuit trek, especially while summiting the Larke La Pass. It is advisable to carry them since mountain weather can change abruptly and fresh snow can make walking difficult in the high terrain.

Stay with the group

Always walk in a group. The guide will try to stick around with everyone. However, there is a possibility that some people walk faster than others. If that is the case, he shall be walking in turns with the participants. The rest of the group will be accompanied by the porter/s or an assistant guide in a bigger group.

Insurance

To ensure a safe and secure trekking experience in the Himalayas, it is highly recommended to obtain travel insurance. As you embark on your journey, you may face various challenges like altitude sickness, harsh weather, accidents, and flight cancellations. By purchasing travel insurance, you will have coverage in case of any unforeseen events and enjoy a worry-free trekking adventure. Specialist travel insurance would be required to guarantee you are adequately insured. In addition to covering medical expenses and trip cancellation, please ensure that all activities and destinations in the itinerary are included in your policy, specifically mountaineering or alpinism. Coverage in the event of emergency helicopter evacuation, medical treatment and hospitalization in case of injury, or death is mandatory.

At Access Nepal, we recommend that you do your own research to select the insurance company. A valid proof of your insurance certificate should be brought along during the trek. While we don’t have any affiliations with insurance providers, we’re happy to offer advice and assistance if you need help to understand your insurance policies or selecting an insurer. Please note that the insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurance company and we cannot be held responsible for any dispute between you and your insurance company. Failure to provide proof of insurance may prevent you from joining your program and you wouldn’t be eligible for a refund. Please follow this link to know more. Travel Insurance

Rescue/Evacuation situation

In an event of a rescue/evacuation situation, your guide will be handling your rescue situation in coordination with the base office. During an evacuation situation, the helicopter companies are contacted immediately. However, due to recent changes in regulations, rescue helicopters can only respond to a rescue call once the Guarantee of Payment (GOP) is received from the client’s insurance company. It is therefore mandatory to carry with you a summary of your insurance policy containing the policy number and details along with the Specialty Assistance (24X7) helpline number. Please, make sure you share the insurance policy information with us before you depart for the trek.

Disclaimer (Disruption due to Weather or other unforeseen conditions, Possible change in the itinerary)

We do our best to ensure the above itinerary is adhered to, but cannot fully assure you of the same. The conditions in the remote Himalayan regions can be volatile, and susceptible to unforeseen weather changes and natural disasters, rendering the existing trails unsafe and may also affect the health of the trekkers. In case of any emergencies due to the afore-mentioned reasons or any other, you are requested to respect any decision that your team leader (guide) makes which is in the best interest of your safety. We humbly request for your full co-operation should such a situation arise.

Transportation on the Manaslu Circuit Trek

Access Nepal arranges for your transportation to the trek start and end points as part of the package services. A private car with a professional driver is generally arranged for the transfers. However, for transfers along the trekking trail and depending upon the circumstances a shared vehicle would be utilized due to ease of availability. The transfer from Kathmandu to Machha Khola would be in a private car and from Tal to Kathmandu would be in a private car.

Climate and Best Time to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek

While it is feasible to do a trek in the Manaslu region at any time, the most favourable times to undertake it are from March to May and September-end to November, when the weather is expected to be at its best. The weather during these months is generally clear with bright sunny days making for an ideal trekking condition. The temperatures during the day range from 15°C to 20°C, while at night, they can drop to as low as -15°C. However, the climate at higher elevations is highly unpredictable, and it can get quite cold and windy. It is best to avoid the monsoon season from June to August, as the trails can be slippery and hazardous, and the views are often obscured by clouds and mist.