Manaslu Trek

Manaslu circuit trek which started off as a camping trek and where tea house trekking is on progress very recently is by far the most beautiful trekking destination which once served as a fundamental trading route between Nepal and Tibet. Manaslu circuit is quite demanding, though the trek rises to an altitude of 5106 meter / 16,751 feet but the daily altitude gain is very gradual which prepares challenging grounds for going over the Larke La pass. Anyone with reasonable fitness can join because altitude is the major issue than the level of fitness. However our itinerary is very well designed with slow pacing and ample time for acclimatization strategy. It's indeed a heaven for keen walkers.

Manaslu is a restricted area for which a company and a local trekking guide is must since you would be needing Special trekking permits, MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Project) permit and ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit and TIMS trekking permit. However, with Mountain Monarch it's all set this all trekking permits for you.

Since Gorkha, a district under which Manaslu circuit falls was indeed an epicenter for 2015 earthquake in Nepal that has undeniably brought about a transformation on the regular trekking trails with abundant aftermath landslides yet the safety of trails and settlements are undaunted. Trekkers have and are still doing elegant Manaslu trek even after the 2015 earthquake. There have been rumors about the Manaslu circuit coming to an end after the earthquake but it's all fictitious. Risk assessment has been done and it's fully functional.

Records till now shows that Manaslu Circuit trek have been busiest during October and it's not as active as the commercial Annapurna circuit or Everest. However, April to mid June during spring and September to November during autumn is the best time to trek to Manaslu Circuit when the view of worlds 8th highest peak, its neighboring mountains, beautiful gorges and startling landscapes are at its best state.

Doing / starting the Manaslu trek as early as December is still fine. We don't encourage do to  this trek in late Dec, Jan and Feb. Doing the Manaslu trek in mid winter could be pretty complicated because most of the settlements before and after the Larke La pass may be vacant as people tend to leave their lodges and head out further to lower elevation due to the fear of increasing chill factor, less visitors and possibility of heavy snow.

Manaslu Circuit is strenuous trek with longer hours walking. Since the altitude gain is very gradual it is suitable for anyone with reasonable fitness. However, anyone with knee, ankle, heart or lungs pre medical history need to seek medical consent before considering Annapurna Circuit trek. Though Mountain Monarch itinerary are so designed that the walks are challenging but not very exhausting yet some pre training is must to figure out how many hours or how much weight you can handle. With some physical preparation anyone can be ready to benefit from the paradise like setting of Manaslu Circuit trek.

Though the around Manaslu trek has very gradual ascent yet altitude sickness has been reported among many trekkers. Altitude sickness is something we get when we do rapid ascent and our body fails to adapt to the thin air environment. Our itinerary is so designed making the ascent very steady and enjoyable. Furthermore, we provide medically professional leaders with medications, oxygen cylinders and oxygen chamber bag to deal with any altitude related ailments. Besides, your leader will put forth some basic guidelines to get away with altitude sickness and as well there are multiple things you can do as precautions to ward off AMS eg taking diamox etc. so far there has not been any record of fatal altitude sickness misfortune with mountain monarch groups.

Usually 6 to 8 hours on Manaslu trek excluding lunch. However, it also depends on your pace though we allow you enough time to set up your own pace to make everyday more entertaining. We usually start early so that you could reach the destination on time leaving you enough time to explore and enjoy the serenity of the place.

The charging privilege for any of your electronic devices is possible only in few settlements because the 2015 earthquake has totally disrupted the electricity facility in Manaslu region and it is sure to take a while to fix everything from trails, bridges, settlements and electricity. Some has solar charging facility which may not be very reliable. So it is always wise to carry some extra batteries or the fully charged power bank batteries since your batteries run out pretty quick in the cold. Availability of hot showers may be on and off in the trek and also your leader may suggest you of not having the shower in high elevation regarding the health issues.

Other than your group leader you will have assistant guides in your group. Your leader will sort out assigning each of his assistants in the group systematically while he takes responsibility for the slow walking people being at the tail of the group making it utterly non strenuous. Nevertheless, your leader would be counseling everyone in the group to stay together and walk collectively as a team.

Mountain Monarch provides you with very warm sleeping bag and feather duvet jackets which people have used it even while climbing peaks which is the mother of all warm clothing's. We also provide you with duffle bag to fit all your gears in and very warm fleece liner that goes into your sleeping bag to keep you warm and cozy during night chill.

Since tea house trekking in Manaslu Circuit trek started very recently the accommodation facility is quite basic with twin bed sharing rooms with clean common toilets and occasional rooms with attach toilet bathrooms. Since advance booking is not possible sometimes these tea houses during peak season provides you with dormitory facility or dining hall with heated chimney. However, we have always given our best to accommodate our group in rooms available. You have variety of choices for the food and in Manaslu circuit trek yet we send one of your cook to assist the lodge owner in preparing foods that are there in their menu. So far there has not been any complaints whatsoever in regards to food and accommodation provided by us.

With no any hidden costs our staff will supply you with appropriately boiled water every morning and evening because of environmental concern we very strongly oppose the use of plastic mineral water bottles. We suggest you to bring at least 2 metal or plastic Nalgene bottles so that you can have enough to last the duration of the day. Besides the hot water we fill up in the night after dinner does really serves as a hot pack which you can use it in your sleeping bag and can still drink it in the morning when it's still warm.

Manaslu is restricted region trekking in Nepal and traveling with a registred trekking company is must as the Nepal government rule. Trekkers must have a trekking guide to do this trek to Manaslu region.

In cases of emergency the necessary prompt assistance will be available only if you are affiliated with a reputed company. Furthermore, if you are looking for hassle free holiday in terms of issuing permit, hotel, flights, and transportation etc it's best to go with a reputed company that offers you leaders who are knowledgeable and professionals. Reputed companies are there to provide you with quality service at a very competitive price and are there to guarantee your safety which I suppose is the biggest concern. Leaders, besides giving you all the necessary information, are there to cater you at times of any crisis no matter if it’s a mountain ailments or any weather mayhem.

Yes as per the time convenient to you and the level of fitness you can always modify the Manaslu Circuit trek but that may add up more hours walking and long hours drive to Beshisahar. Depending on your time schedule you can always come up with necessary inquiries to which we will be more than happy to get back to you with required additional alternatives. Mountain Monarch has always been successful in organizing customized trek for the clients as per their requirements.

Depending on your level of fitness nothing is unattainable and camping groups have done it several times setting up an advance camp before the Larke pass yet we hardly recommend Manaslu Circuit doing the reverse way around. If you are doing a tea house trek then from Bhimthang (the base camp before pass) to Larke La you are ascending 1400m / 4,593 feet in one go which obviously means you are undertaking great physical risk. A very well acclimatization approach is must for doing Manaslu clockwise.

We suggest you to have an all-inclusive travel insurance policy covering all the aspects of your adventure though we ensure you that there would be hardly any evacuations or any health catastrophe as your leader is medically trained and has ample knowledge to deal with any life threatening situation. But it's always wise to have insurance as your back up for just in any case.

Any sort of vaccination is not mandatory while visiting our country. But we strongly suggest for a personal medical consent before you sign up for Manslu Circuit trek if you have any pre medical history.