One of the most thrilling high Himalayan trekking trips in Nepal is the 12-day Manaslu Circuit Trek, which transports you to the tranquil, isolated west-central region of the Himalayas. You will walk around the foot of Mt. Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 meters, on this well-known hiking path.
The Manaslu region, first opened to foreign trekkers in 1991, is regarded as the best trekking option for people looking to experience the Himalayas’ wonderful atmosphere outside of the popular trekking routes.
Would you like to be a part of this legendary journey that explores the high Himalayan picturesque villages’ remarkable biodiversity, breath-taking scenery, and warm hospitality in addition to the natural attractions? Marvel Adventure’s 12-day Manaslu Trek package is the greatest value option available to you.
12 Days Manaslu Trek Outline Itinerary
Day 1 : Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola (7,30m/2,896ft) Duration: 7-8 hours.
Day 2 : Trek from Soti Khola to Khorla Bensi (9,70m/ 31,82ft) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Day 3 : Khorla Bensi to Philim (1,590m/5,217ft) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Day 4 : Philim to Ghab (2,250m/7,382ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Day 5 : Ghap to Lho (3180m/10433ft) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Day 6 : Lho to Samagaun (3,530m/11,581 ft) Duration: 4-5 hours.
Day 7 : Rest day in Samagaon (3,530m)
Day 8 : Samagaun to Samdo (3,875m/12,713ft) Duration: 3-4 hours.
Day 9 : Samdo to Dharamsala (4,480m/14,698ft) Duration: 4-5 hours.
Day 10 : Dharamsala to Bhimtang (3720m/12205ft) via crossing Larkya la Pass (5,160m/16929ft) Duration: 7-8 hours.
Day 11 : Bhimtang to Dharapani (1910m/6266ft) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Day 12 : Drive From Dharapani to Kathmandu via Besisahar (7,60m/2493ft) Duration: 7-8 hours.
Best Season for 12 Days Manaslu Trek
If you have hiked in Nepal before, you are aware of the pleasures of the trails and the allure of visiting during the busiest times of year. Similar to most trekking excursions and expeditions at high altitudes, the best times to do the 12-day Manaslu Trek are said to be in the fall (September, October, and November) and spring (March, April, and May).
Peak seasons are the most memorable and comfortable due to their unparalleled beauty, warmer climate, consistent weather, dry trekking paths, and simply spectacular vistas of the Himalayas.
Even at the busiest times of year, fall is the top pick for hikers because of the pleasant temperatures perfect for outdoor pursuits, consistent precipitation, newly green, lush scenery cleaned by the monsoon, and breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks against a brilliant blue sky.
In fall, the Manaslu region’s daytime highs range from 13 to 18 degrees Celsius, with lower temperatures possible at higher altitudes. If you are traveling in the later half of this season, you should pack appropriately, particularly in late November when there is some light snowfall at higher elevations.
In a same vein, spring, another well-liked peak season for the 12-day Manaslu Trek, is especially well-known as the Himalayan blossoming season. Bright rhododendrons and wildflowers blanket the lower Manaslu region, and the quaint streams and brook along the walking trails give the impression that you have entered a magical place.
The 12 Day Manaslu Trek is an adventure that nature enthusiasts shouldn’t miss because the Himalayan flora and animals are also at their optimum during this season. This is the perfect time of year to visit the Manaslu Conservation Area’s endangered fauna and birdlife.
In the spring, the Manaslu region’s daytime highs will often range from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, while the overnight low may be as low as 6 degrees. When you are over 4,000 meters above sea level, you should anticipate nighttime and early morning temperatures in the negative degrees, so pack appropriately.
What is the Difficulty Level of 12 Days Manaslu Trek?
Perhaps you’re wondering how challenging the 12-day Manaslu Trek is if you want to experience an immersive exploration of this tranquil, remote road in the west-central Himalayas. This well-known Himalayan journey has received a “moderately difficult” rating.
You won’t require any technical expertise or prior high altitude trekking experience to do this hike, but you will still need to prepare sufficiently to meet the obstacles along the way. Let’s quickly review the variables that affect the 12 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek‘s overall degree of difficulty.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is unquestionably one of the most difficult and worrisome aspects of the 12-day Manaslu Trek because it occurs at a higher altitude. If you’ve ever engaged in any kind of high-altitude trekking experiences, you are aware of the dangers that altitude sickness can provide, including the possibility that it could be fatal.
Above 2,500 meters, there is a greater chance of altitude sickness for the human body. During your 12-day Manaslu walk, which begins in Machha Khola at 850 meters, you will go via elevation leap spots throughout the trekking path, including Lho (3,180 meters), Samagaun (3,520 meters), Bimthan (3,720 meters), and Dharamasala (4,450 meters), which is the highest point of the walk.
In order to reduce the difficulties of altitude increase, you must appropriately train yourself. You also need to be aware of any symptoms of altitude sickness, such as fatigue, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, and appetite loss.
Route Difficulty
While hiking in the less traveled, less congested route and taking in the serene atmosphere of the remote Himalayan region may undoubtedly make for a priceless, lifelong memory. Remote exploration is not without its difficulties, though; you will need to forge through rough, rocky terrain and stumble upon lost pathways.
On your 12-day Manaslu Trek, you will continuously be hiking through the steep sections of the area, passing over rocky, loose terrain, and even glacial moraines—a difficult task to accomplish, to be sure.
Furthermore, during your 12-day Manaslu Trek, you will hike a distance of about 180 km (111 miles). Thus, you should expect to walk for about six to seven hours every day on average when trekking. Long hours spent walking on isolated, difficult paths are undoubtedly difficult for an unprepared body. The experience may be a little less frustrating if you’ve done high-altitude trekking before, particularly in the Himalayas, or if you train and exercise regularly.
Weather Factors
Similar to how the best times to hike the 12 Days Manaslu walk are in the spring and fall, traveling during the off-season winter (December to February) and monsoon (June to August) can greatly increase the difficulty of the walk overall.
The monsoon is regarded as the most difficult time of year in Nepal for any type of high-altitude activity, even during the off-seasons. In addition to forcing you to cancel or reschedule, the persistently high rainfall increases the risk of landslides and significant flooding.
The trails are also muddy and slick, which makes them dangerous to navigate through the steep sections where even a small slip can result in injury. However, in the Manaslu region, winter is thought to be the coldest month.
Despite being a year-round activity, the 12-day Manaslu Trek requires specific equipment and appropriate clothing to withstand the region’s frigid temperatures. The temperature is consistently in the negative degrees, and the walking trails are typically blanketed in snow.
In addition, during this season, the higher areas’ teahouses close as residents move to the lower regions to avoid the bitter weather. Therefore, it would be best to avoid undertaking the 12-day Manaslu Trek during the off-season if you are entirely new to high-altitude trekking adventures in order to avoid dealing with extra challenging circumstances.
Acclimatization Days
The number of acclimatization days is another important aspect that impacts how challenging the 12-day Manaslu Circut Trek will be overall. Imagine yourself continually climbing to greater elevations throughout each day of your vacation; this not only wears you out to the maximum but also raises your chances of experiencing altitude sickness.
If you have adequate acclimatization days, your body will also get enough rest to replace lost energy. The more acclimatization days in a package, the greater the success percentage of the adventure.
An acclimatization day is advised for a high-altitude expedition following an elevation gain of more than 1,000 meters. Thus, if you’ve never experienced a high altitude adventure before, be sure to reserve a package that includes an acclimatization day. A hurried trip will not only be taxing on your body but also prevent you from fully appreciating the exquisite Himalayan atmosphere.
Remoteness
The 12-day Manaslu Trek takes place in a solitary and isolated region of the west-central Himalayas, as we have already explained. Not only will you be traveling on isolated, difficult hiking paths, but you will also have to cope with all aspects of the area, including food, lodging, medical care, transportation, and technology.
Expect no upscale services and facilities on the 12-day Manaslu Trek; the absence of adequate transportation has severely restricted the region’s ability to expand. You can still take advantage of the mediocre level of services, but don’t expect them to be as good as those at a resort in an exotic vacation spot.
Regarding technology, the trekking routes have very little of it. Even in terms of energy, only the lower sections have adequate setups; the higher regions still rely on solar power. Likewise, there aren’t many medical facilities scattered along the trail; in the event of an emergency, you will have to depend on air assistance.
Is 12 Days Manaslu Trek?
You may be unsure about whether the 12-day Manaslu journey is the ideal journey for you in light of its overall difficulty considerations. This magnificent journey that discovers the undiscovered beauties of the Manaslu conservation area is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the tranquil, remote grandeur of the Himalayas.
Therefore, although though this trek is regarded as a fairly tough adventure, you can easily overcome most of its difficulty aspects by training appropriately, staying hydrated, and maintaining a balanced diet. If you want to go on this trek, you can certainly complete it without any problems.
Regarding altitude increase, our 12-day Manaslu Circuit offers a leisurely pace that allows you to gradually adjust to the increasing altitude even while you are trekking. In addition, an acclimatization day will be provided to you in Samagaon so that you can obtain adequate rest and adjust to the increasing altitude.
It only takes a minimal level of physical fitness to embark on this amazing journey over the Himalayas. You should, however, be in good health; if you are taking any medications, you should discuss the trip with your trekking guide and doctor.
With a 98% success record for the 12-day Manaslu Circuit Trek, almost everyone who has embarked on this incredible exploration of the west-central Himalayas is likely to have returned safely from their trip.
There are no age restrictions to participate in this amazing Himalayan journey, in case you were wondering. Even hikers over 70 years old and younger hikers have finished the 12-day Manaslu Trek with success. In the end, everything depends on how willing and committed you are to this Himalayan expedition.
Training and Preparation for 12 Days Manaslu Trek
It is highly recommended that you attend the training time for your 12-day Manaslu Circuit Trek in order to ensure a more comfortable and pleasurable experience. You can easily overcome the adventure’s various challenging elements if you prepare enough.
In addition, the lengthy hours of hiking each day won’t be too hard on your body, allowing you to savor the experience and fully inhabit the present rather than stumbling through it.
For the 12-day Manaslu Trek, a minimum of four to six weeks of preparation is advised. If you already follow an exercise regimen, you can adjust the preparation period to suit your needs. However, if you don’t exercise often, you should accurately evaluate your fitness level and create a personalized training plan.
These are some activities that you can incorporate into your 12 Days Manaslu Trek fitness regimen.
Exercises for Strength and Endurance: lunge, calf raise, bicep curl, dip, planks, deadlifts, pilates, squats, bench presses, shoulder presses, leg curls, lunges, etc.
Exercises for the Heart: Running, swimming, dancing, mountain climbing, jumping jacks, jumping rope, rowing, etc.
**Note: Practicing treks in natural settings is recommended during your training period. Stair training is also a great way to get over the steep sections of the walk, which are often evenly spaced out.
