Talk To An Expert ( Prakash Lamsal )
Talk To An Expert ( Prakash Lamsal )
Manaslu region is an emerging trekking destination in the mountains of Nepal. The massive area of the eighth highest mountain in the world, Mt. Manaslu (8,156m), has been attracting the attention of adventure trekkers in recent days. This Manaslu trekking guide will help you to prepare for trekking in the Manaslu region. It is a perfect alternative to its adjoining Annapurna region trekking. Although trekkers have already started exploring the Manaslu region, the area is still peaceful and less trodden with plenty of wonders to enjoy.
As a fairly new, less-explored, and restricted remote area trekking destination, there are certainly many things that you need to understand before trekking there. We have prepared this post with the necessary information about trekking in the Manaslu region.
Please read the post till the end so that you have an idea of how to prepare for the adventure and what to expect from it.
Manaslu area trekking is a remote area walking adventure in the mountainous landscapes. The grading of the trekking adventure in the region depends on the trip you are in. You can expect the difficulty level of trekking in the region to be from moderate to challenging.
Although the trek starts from the lower river valley, it gradually goes higher into the remote mountains with difficult terrain to traverse.
The adventure includes walking through high altitudes, Himalayan pass, and mountain wilderness. Whether you go around Manaslu Circuit Trek or go on the Tsum valley trek or any other walking adventure in the region, you will experience the adventurous thrill.
Manaslu area trekking takes you through two different types of topography – River valley and high mountain surroundings. The trek begins from a lower elevation and follows a river valley up towards the higher elevation. Slowly, as you gain the elevation, you enter the high mountainous landscapes with snow-capped mountains in the surroundings.
Although the lower river valley walk offers general middle-hill cultural traditions, the high mountains in the region offer unique and ancient cultural wonders. You will clearly see the difference between the lower and higher part of the treks. Life in the high mountains is more influenced by Tibetan Buddhism and the cultural lifestyle is guided by the same.
All the foreign trekkers have to obtain trekking permits to the Manaslu region from the Department of Immigration. As a controlled area trekking, you will only get a group trekking permit. Individual trekkers will not be able to obtain the trekking permit for the region.
The Controlled Area Trekking Permit Fee for the Manaslu region is as follows.
Name of the Region & Trekking Permit Fees
Manaslu Area - From September to November US$ 70 per week per person and after 7 days US$ 10 per day per person or equivalent convertible foreign currency. From December to August US$ 50 per week per person and after 7 days US$ 7 per day per person or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
Tsum Valley - From September to November, per person US$ 35 for the first 8 days, and from December to August per person US$ 25 for the first 8 days or equivalent convertible foreign currency
You will need to carry the necessary stuff to go on the trekking adventure in the Manaslu region. Below is the list of essentials that you need to have with you while trekking in Manaslu. Although you can bring all the necessary gear from home, you can also buy the stuff here in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Duffel bag
- Daypack
- Sleeping bag
- Down Jacket
- T-shirts
- Additional warm layer woolen sweater, fleece, or jacket
- Waterproof jacket with hood
- Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
- Casual clothing
- Stretchable and breathable trekking Pants
- Long Trekking pants
- Cotton Pants
- Liner gloves
- Lightweight Shoes
- Waterproof and broken-in trekking Boot
- Sandal
- Socks
- Bandana or headscarf
- Warm Wool or synthetic hat
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
- Neck warmer and Ear Muffs (optional)
- Quick-drying towel, toothpaste, brush (preferably biodegradable)
- Multipurpose soap or hand-wash
- Face and body moisturizer
- Wet wipes
- Sanitizers
- Tissue/toilet roll
- Adjustable trekking poles
- Snacks
- Refillable water bottle
- Sunscreen (SPF 40 recommended)
- Lip balm (SPF 20 recommended)
- Water purification tablets or Polar-pure crystals
Manaslu region trekking offers basic tea house accommodation facilities throughout the trek. Although there are tea houses for accommodation, a camping trek is another charming possibility. As it is a remote mountainous region, the accommodation will be pretty basic. Carrying a nice sleeping bag for the trek is a wise idea on the trek.
Like the accommodation, food is also a basic part of the region. You will have Nepali staple food, Dal Bhat, for most of the time on the trek. However, you will also have some other options like momo and noodles. The adventure of trekking in a remote area with basic food and accommodation is definitely an experience to go for. You will have the luxury of spectacular views of mountains and beautiful surroundings to compensate for the lack of luxury of accommodation and choices of food.
As the area is a controlled trekking region, individual trekking in Manaslu is not allowed. All trekking adventures in Manaslu have guided treks with certified trekking guides. The guides who have trekked through the region several times will have plenty of knowledge and experience of the remote mountainous wilderness.
All our trekking guides, who lead the treks to Manaslu, have trekked through the region several times. They are experienced and certified professionals who care about the safety of the trekkers first.
The best time for the Manaslu region trekking adventure spans from March-May and September – Mid-December every year. Other than that, the monsoon and winter season is not suitable to go trekking in the region.
We suggest that you buy travel insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation. You can choose the insurance of your choice but make sure that it covers the elevation of the trek. The highest elevation you go on the trek will be 5,160 meters above sea level.
For more details on the Manaslu region trekking adventures, please check our Manaslu trekking packages. You can also write to us if you have got more questions about Manaslu and trekking adventures in the region.
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