About Manaslu Circuit Trek
Circling the majestic mountain, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is a journey to the 8th-highest mountain in the world. The trek to Manaslu lies in the lap of Mt. Manaslu and the Manaslu conservation area with rocky and terrain sceneries. This is one of the off-beaten trekking routes in Nepal which takes you through remote villages and traditional practices.
While trekking through the remote areas you can experience various new things. The trekking trail of Manaslu Circuit Trek goes through various conservation and restricted areas so you must have proper preparation to trek in this region.
How to Prepare for Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Preparing for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, one must be careful and research the trek, its trekking distance, and per day hours of walking. Trekkers need to pass through various dense forests, so they must not disturb or try to feed wild animals as it might be risky for them. You should be careful while climbing at higher altitudes. Here are some of the things to consider while trekking to Manaslu Circuit.
Stay Fit.
Trekking at the Manaslu Circuit, one must be physically and mentally fit. It contains long hours of walking every day while trekking in this region making it more challenging. You should prepare yourself in advance to complete the Manaslu Circuit Trek without any complications. You should get yourself ready for any type of challenge during the trek so that you can continue your journey while tackling it.
Practice hiking in Advance
If you are planning to trek to the Manaslu circuit, then you must practice walking for a few hours beforehand to avoid any consequences during the trek. To prepare yourself for more thrill during the adventure, you should do short hikes to let your body get used to during the trek.
Exercise daily
While preparing for the trek one of the most important things to do is do some exercises like stretching, doing yoga to calm your mind and body. You should stretch your muscles to complete the long hours of walking during the trek.
Stay Hydrated and nurtured
While trekking at higher altitudes it is very essential to keep yourself hydrated to avoid any signs of altitude sickness. You should drink plenty of water and have nutritious food to keep yourself healthy. You need a lot of stamina to trek at a higher altitude during your Manaslu Circuit Trek and to keep your stamina high you should eat healthier food and drink plenty of water.
Acclimatize properly
During your 12-14-day Manaslu circuit trek you should take a time to Acclimatize yourself to a higher altitude and let your body rest. To relieve your body from fatigue you must take 2 days of acclimatization during your trek journey.
Stay Alert
Trekking through various restricted and conserved areas you must stay alert to avoid dangerous situations. You should also be alert about weather conditions during your trek. The weather in mountains is always changeable and cannot guarantee its conditions, so you should prepare yourself for these challenges.
Hire Guide and Porter
As it is not allowed to trek without a guide at the Manaslu circuit trek you must hire a professional and licensed guide to know more about this region. This trek contains long walking hours so, hiring a porter will make your trek comfortable and less burdened.
What are the essential documents needed for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Manaslu Circuit Trek is all about passing through various restricted and conserved areas that need permits at various checkpoints. You will need other documents also while trekking at the Imalayas in Nepal. One of the main important things to enter for any purpose is having a tourist visa. You must have a tourist visa to trek.
Trekking permits are compulsory for all kinds of trekkers in various regions. To do Manaslu Circuit Trek you will have to obtain the necessary permits by coordinating with a registered trekking company in Nepal. The necessary permits for the Manaslu Circuit Trek are described below;
- Manaslu Conservation Area Entry Permit: To get the Manaslu Conservation Area entry permit you should apply through the registered trekking company at Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu.
- Manaslu Restricted Area Entry Permit: You can get this permit also through the registered trekking company. Without this permit, you cannot enter some of the restricted areas.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit: As the trail goes through some parts of the Annapurna Conservation Area, you will have to get this permit as you cannot enter such places without a permit.
Season to trek the Manaslu Circuit.
Trekking in the Manaslu region during Autumn and Spring is highly recommended due to its stable weather, clear skies, and breathtaking views of beautiful mountains and Himalayan ranges. You can also trek in Monsoon and Winter but it comes with its challenges. Here is a detailed given on seasons to trek
Spring (May/March)
With pleasant weather conditions and a daytime temperature of 10-20 degrees Celsius with the least chance of rainfall, spring offers an amazing experience to the Manaslu Circuit Trek. You can see the beautiful rhododendron flowers blooming in different colors like pink, white, red, etc. You can observe various green valleys decorated with green vegetation and waterfalls nearby. Trekking in spring provides you with dry trekking trails making your journey safe and comfortable.
Autumn (September-November)
One of the best seasons to trek the Manaslu circuit is Autumn with clear skies and festive vibes. Autumn provides mild temperatures and stable weather giving the best visibility of the year. As many major festivals fall during Autumn, it offers you a chance to experience the culture of various ethnic groups of Nepal more closely. You can enjoy the awe-inspiring views of various mountains and soak yourself in traditional Buddhist culture.
Winter (December-February)
The Manaslu Circuit Trek during the winter is one of the most challenging treks to do. The weather during the winter season is exceptionally cold with heavy snowfall and strong wind. The daytime temperature ranges from 5-10 degrees Celsius at lower altitudes while nighttime temperatures at higher altitudes can drop to -15 degrees Celsius. It can be difficult to trek on a snowy and slippery path with more challenges.
Monsoon (June-August)
With heavy rainfall all across the country trekking in Monsoon brings lots of challenges with it. Due to heavy rain, the trekking trail can be found slippery and muddy with a high risk of landscapes and floods. You cannot expect to see mountain views during monsoon season as clouds and fogs reduce visibility. Wetness all over the trekking trail is one of the main problems during monsoons with leeches and mosquitos along the trekking trail.
Packing List/Gears for the Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Trekking Poles
- Hiking boots
- Trekking socks
- Warm Jackets
- Water and windproof trousers/pants
- Quick dry t-shirts
- Down jackets
- Sunglasses
- Headscarf
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Water bottles etc.
Conclusion
So, with proper planning and preparations, you can enjoy the charm of Manaslu circuit trek. You should contact a registered trekking company like Regal Nepal Treks, which provides good services along with a licensed guide and porter facility. Make sure to keep your belongings safe during the trek while enjoying the beauty of the Himalayas.
